A Detailed Prop Guns Guide - Everything You Should Know

Since people are not allowed to carry real firearms, people have found alternatives in replica guns. There is a long list of replica guns available in the market. These are not real guns but they work like real firearms. These include airsoft guns, pellet guns, and prop guns. Among these replica guns, the most spectacular are the prop guns. Prop guns are popular replica guns these days and are high in demand. These guns are regarded as quite safe and realistic guns since they offer a very realistic shooting experience. If you are keen to know more about these guns, here is a detailed guide to prop guns for beginners! 

What is a Prop Gun?

A prop gun can simply be defined as a replica gun. It is known with different names. Sometimes it is called a movie prop gun because it is frequently used in the movies. At times, it is called a starter pistol because it is used in starting races. Most importantly, it is called a blank gun or a blank firing gun, simply because it shoots blanks. Blanks or blank Ammos are the bullets used in these guns. However, relax, these are not the real bullets. All in all, prop guns are the safest replica guns! 

Which Bullets Are Used in Prop Guns?

As mentioned above, no real bullets are used in these guns. Rather, blanks or blank Ammos are used in them. Sometimes, Ammos are known as blank cartridges. Anyway, these are the sort of bullets used in blank guns. These ammos produce a very real shooting sound when they are fired from these guns. Like a real gun, these ammos are loaded into the magazines and shot one by one. When an ammo is fired, it does not come out of the barrel. Rather, fumes are discharged from the barrel and a real firing sound is produced. This sound is as loud as you expect from a real gun’s fire. 

How Do Prop Guns Work?

Prop guns work exactly like real guns. In fact, these are real guns but there is only one difference. These guns don’t shoot real bullets. We regard them as bullet-less real guns. These guns have everything a real firearm has. For instance, there is a barrel, a magazine and a trigger mechanism. You have to pull the trigger in order to release the blank ammo or fire it. This is what you would do in case of a real gun. The blank ammos are loaded in the magazine and fired after every pull of a trigger. 

Why Prop Guns Are the Most Realistic Replica Guns?

There are two main reasons behind that. First of all, the appearance of these guns is exactly like a real gun. The parts of the gun and the shape are almost identical to real firearms. For instance, there is a barrel, a magazine and a trigger mechanism. Then, like real guns, you have to pull the trigger in order to release the blank ammo or fire it. Secondly, these guns are the most realistic ones because they produce a real shooting sound. Also, when the fumes or flames are discharged from the barrel, the firing action looks absolutely real and stunning! 

Types of Prop Guns

There are basically two types of prop guns and both are differentiated on the basis of the discharge position of the fumes. Here are the two types of guns described:

• Front Firing Guns

Front firing guns are named because of the position from where fumes are discharged. When you pull the trigger to shoot blanks, the flames or fumes are discharged from the front of the barrel. 

• Top Firing Guns

As the name suggests, the position of discharge of fumes is the top of the barrel and not the front. When you pull the trigger to shoot blanks, the flames or fumes are discharged from the top of the barrel. No matter which of these two types of blank guns you use, the shooting experience seems real.

Why Are Prop Guns Used in Movies & Theatrical Production?

The major reason is that these guns are pretty safe to use. Safety concerns are important for the actors involved in the movies. Their safety is the priority for the directors and producers. Hence, they prefer using blank guns because they don’t shoot anything. Secondly and most importantly, the action looks quite real with prop guns. Not only do the guns look identical to real guns, but the mechanism is also quite the same too. Also, the sound produced by the firing is very loud and real. Last but not the least, fumes or flames are discharged from the barrel to make the action look further realistic. 

Why Are Prop Guns Used in Military Training?

Prop guns have also been used in military training. The new military personnel are often handed these guns to train themselves and practice the art of shooting. Since these guns are almost real ones, the new staff can become familiar with guns and shooting. In addition, military dogs are trained using these replica guns. Dogs need to be familiar with the sound of guns so that they don’t get distracted when real guns are fired. So, this is why these are ideal for military training. Safe and realistic! 

Prop Guns are Multipurpose Replica Guns! 

Though prop guns are popularly used in movies and military training, these are not the only ways they are used. There are several other uses of these guns, making them multipurpose replica guns. They are also used as alarming devices at times to let the companions know that you are in danger. Also, these guns are used in races. You must have seen that a fire starts a race whether it is a human race, a car race or a horse race. These guns are used for this purpose and that is why they are also known as starter pistols!