Chawbaccer
Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,865
I'm in the bad idea camp. Negative portrayal of firearms and actors have been killed and injured by blank firing guns.
Need to make noise without firing a bullet
- Thread starter bigun15
- Start date
- Status
ruger270man
Member
how about one of those dog training pistols?
Man, that is SUCH a bad idea.
The fact that you're doing it where CCW is illegal is absolutely no guarantee that no one is carrying.
You know for a fact that no police officers attend or will be visiting?
You know for a fact that no one carries illegally?
Then there's the generally bad idea of scaring people when you don't know about their heart conditions, etc.
You sure no one in the audience has lost a family member in a similar incident?
Sure there is no one in the audience with Post-traumatic Stress issues?
When you say they are warned, they are warned that someone will be shooting a fake gun? Or merely that there will be something unexpected happening.
Sure that everyone is briefed sufficiently? That no one could come in late and miss the brief?
Ok, if you go ahead with it, be very sure that everything is legal.
Assuming everyone in the "audience" is briefed properly...
I recommend getting a revolver, and having someone who reloads make you some primer-only cases. They'll make a loud "pop" and a small flash, but won't be loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage from a reasonable distance, nor throw a ton of powder out like a mini-shotgun. Blanks are way too dangerous and way too loud.
I recommend getting a revolver, and having someone who reloads make you some primer-only cases. They'll make a loud "pop" and a small flash, but won't be loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage from a reasonable distance, nor throw a ton of powder out like a mini-shotgun. Blanks are way too dangerous and way too loud.
If you don't know what you are doing. Don't mess with blanks. Seriously, they are more dangerous then you realize.
Do you know the standard theatrical safety precautions for using firearms, prop firearms, or blanks?
Do you have anyone involved who is trained to use firearms, prop firearms, or blanks on stage.
Are you aware of the possibility of hearing damage to the actors or the audience involved with using blanks?
If the answers are "No," don't use blanks.
I'd reccomend a non-firing replica gun. For the noise, use a sound effects CD. Cue the CD up to an appropriate gunshot sound. Either play it through the sound system (check the levels ahead of time) or play it out of a boom box just off stage. The actor's movements will cue the sound guy to play the cut. The actor then mimics the recoil. Reheares it a few times and it will be very convincing.
Btw, did I mention, don't use blanks?
Do you know the standard theatrical safety precautions for using firearms, prop firearms, or blanks?
Do you have anyone involved who is trained to use firearms, prop firearms, or blanks on stage.
Are you aware of the possibility of hearing damage to the actors or the audience involved with using blanks?
If the answers are "No," don't use blanks.
I'd reccomend a non-firing replica gun. For the noise, use a sound effects CD. Cue the CD up to an appropriate gunshot sound. Either play it through the sound system (check the levels ahead of time) or play it out of a boom box just off stage. The actor's movements will cue the sound guy to play the cut. The actor then mimics the recoil. Reheares it a few times and it will be very convincing.
Btw, did I mention, don't use blanks?
chopinbloc
Member
^^^
sounds like the best idea yet to me. i would suggest aiming well upstage of your "victims" that way it will appear to the audience that you are on target but reduce the risk of flying bits even with just a primer. also, if possible, try to shoot your "victims" in the back and make sure they are the closest people to you and they themselves are as far as possible. might have to rework the plot a hair, but that would pretty much preclude the risk of eye injury. i'm sure i don't need to tell you how important it would be to maintain positive control of the gun at all times if you use a real one and to check it several times for the presence of live ammo. make sure that there is NO live ammo in that caliber anywhere even remotely nearby.
as far as notifying people, it sounds like you have that under control. i've been to several "shocker" type church presentations in the past. people know what they're in for, that's half the fun.
finally, PLEASE refuse to take part in anything that could even remotely encourage an anti-gun world view.
sounds like the best idea yet to me. i would suggest aiming well upstage of your "victims" that way it will appear to the audience that you are on target but reduce the risk of flying bits even with just a primer. also, if possible, try to shoot your "victims" in the back and make sure they are the closest people to you and they themselves are as far as possible. might have to rework the plot a hair, but that would pretty much preclude the risk of eye injury. i'm sure i don't need to tell you how important it would be to maintain positive control of the gun at all times if you use a real one and to check it several times for the presence of live ammo. make sure that there is NO live ammo in that caliber anywhere even remotely nearby.
as far as notifying people, it sounds like you have that under control. i've been to several "shocker" type church presentations in the past. people know what they're in for, that's half the fun.
finally, PLEASE refuse to take part in anything that could even remotely encourage an anti-gun world view.
mfree
Member
Why not just knife the guy to death complete with big VISIBLE jets of arterial blood?
It's my understanding that discharging any true firearm with blanks or primed cases in public is considered the same as firing real cartridges, which is illegal. Secondly, pointing a real gun at someone is a very dangerous, and I for one would in no way shape or form allow you to point any gun capable of firing a projectile at me. Even if it was loaded with blanks. It is a violation of gun safety and it should not be done.
After saying that, I will point out that there are special props availiable for plays and movies. If you are truely serious and responsible about this you will seek out professional help and use proper professional equipment. If you cannot afford it, then you need to stick to airsoft, a toy gun, or a track pistol.
After saying that, I will point out that there are special props availiable for plays and movies. If you are truely serious and responsible about this you will seek out professional help and use proper professional equipment. If you cannot afford it, then you need to stick to airsoft, a toy gun, or a track pistol.
At the risk of being obvious how about a starter pistol? They are built to make noise without loosing any dangerous particles (that DOESNT mean its safe, just safer). They fire .22 blanks (usually primer only), have a solid (plugged) barrel, and are really cheap. Just watch to make sure noone is close to the Cylinder/Barrel gap, and it should be perfectly OK.
1911 guy
Member
Deep-six the blank idea!
Everyone here is giving good advice. Go to the local toy store and buy a cheap plastic cap gun, the revolver type that takes the ringed caps. Go into your church and pull the trigger. I guarantee it will be sufficiently loud to get your point across. Don't rely on the gunshot for surprise, use quick and dramatic presentation of the cap gun to acheive that. Oh, did I mention DON'T USE BLANKS?
Everyone here is giving good advice. Go to the local toy store and buy a cheap plastic cap gun, the revolver type that takes the ringed caps. Go into your church and pull the trigger. I guarantee it will be sufficiently loud to get your point across. Don't rely on the gunshot for surprise, use quick and dramatic presentation of the cap gun to acheive that. Oh, did I mention DON'T USE BLANKS?
Reminds me of my college days. 
Farther back than I care to divulge, I was in a college production of West Side Story. I played Chino, so I got to shoot Tony. Hey, let's face it, my part was rather small in the scheme of things, but this shooting was gonna be my 15 minutes of fame.
The plan was for me come out from the curtain at the front of the stage, hold a fake handgun and the drummer in the orchestra to whack his snare drum. Exciting, huh? So, I went to the Penn State athletic office, borrowed a starter pistol from the Track coach, and on opening night scared the BaJeezees out of the audience. I mean really, the entire audience jumped out of their seats. Best 15 minutes of my otherwise humdrum life.
On a serious note, what I'm saying is that starter pistols are VERY LOUD! Not good.
Farther back than I care to divulge, I was in a college production of West Side Story. I played Chino, so I got to shoot Tony. Hey, let's face it, my part was rather small in the scheme of things, but this shooting was gonna be my 15 minutes of fame.
The plan was for me come out from the curtain at the front of the stage, hold a fake handgun and the drummer in the orchestra to whack his snare drum. Exciting, huh? So, I went to the Penn State athletic office, borrowed a starter pistol from the Track coach, and on opening night scared the BaJeezees out of the audience. I mean really, the entire audience jumped out of their seats. Best 15 minutes of my otherwise humdrum life.
On a serious note, what I'm saying is that starter pistols are VERY LOUD! Not good.
Last edited:
CAS700850
Member
Please listen to the advice about blanks. They are dangerous. Actors have been killed due to "just blanks". Don't mess with them.
If you are dead set on being as realistic as possible, contact some professionals. California has prop experts. Check into it.
If you can settle for less noise and more safety, get some cap guns, some enamle paints, and go about making the guns look more realistic. Another option that may work are the Gamo CO2 airguns. You may be able to "fire" the CO2 with no projectile, creating a noise with no danger. Plus, after its over, you have a nice airgun for use.
If you are dead set on being as realistic as possible, contact some professionals. California has prop experts. Check into it.
If you can settle for less noise and more safety, get some cap guns, some enamle paints, and go about making the guns look more realistic. Another option that may work are the Gamo CO2 airguns. You may be able to "fire" the CO2 with no projectile, creating a noise with no danger. Plus, after its over, you have a nice airgun for use.
Aguila Blanca
Member
Just one more voice suggesting that you choose carefully. I am also concerned about the idea of blanks. The 8mm blank automatics are designed to produce as big a bang as a real gun, and that's going to be much too loud for your purpose. Starter pistols are almost as loud -- after all, they are designed to be heard outdoors, over the sound of a cheering crowd. Cap guns sounds like a great idea, but the cap guns we had when I was a kid (shortly after the signing of the Magna Carta) weren't reliable enough for a stage performance. Maybe they are today.
I'm going to suggest a different variety of prop gun. I believe they are only available as revolvers, which may defeat your "cool" factor, but they use shotgun primers to make the bang. No projectile, not even paper or plastic wadding.
Unfortunately, I don't remember where I have seen them. It actually may have been the Sportsmans Guide catalog.
I'm going to suggest a different variety of prop gun. I believe they are only available as revolvers, which may defeat your "cool" factor, but they use shotgun primers to make the bang. No projectile, not even paper or plastic wadding.
Unfortunately, I don't remember where I have seen them. It actually may have been the Sportsmans Guide catalog.
Get some full power blanks like they used in Collateral. Then issue flame-retardant clothing to all the actors and earplugs to everyone in the room.
:banghead:
This whole thing is just a really bad idea. I would have nothing to do with it and would encourage everyone involved to scrap the whole thing.
:banghead:
This whole thing is just a really bad idea. I would have nothing to do with it and would encourage everyone involved to scrap the whole thing.
Augustwest
Member
The idea of a toy gun and a sound effects CD, or some other not-pointing-a-real-handgun-at-someone-even-if-you-think-it's-safe method is really, really, really the best way to go here...
really
really
Luchtaine
Member
What Church is this. Besides the obvious danger issues with useing blanks... Thats How Brandon Lee was killed I believe.
Generally speaking my Churchs haven't been anti gun but there are always people that are. Personally I feel that portraying "cool teen guns" is a setup for an agenda. That may just be my agenda and all but the whole thing sounds fishy to me. Make it a slasher make some fake switchblades or something.
The Whole thing stinks of highschool Drama nerds who know nothing of what they are doing btw. I not to long ago hung out with that crowd.
Generally speaking my Churchs haven't been anti gun but there are always people that are. Personally I feel that portraying "cool teen guns" is a setup for an agenda. That may just be my agenda and all but the whole thing sounds fishy to me. Make it a slasher make some fake switchblades or something.
The Whole thing stinks of highschool Drama nerds who know nothing of what they are doing btw. I not to long ago hung out with that crowd.
Taurus 66
Member
Some cap guns at your local toy store are realistic enough and don't have real barrels. The caps are plenty of noise for a stage act, but not deafening to the shooter, actors, actresses, or audience. Walking out onstage with a real gun firing blanks ... "Paging Mr. Darwin. Paging Mr. Darwin ...".
HI express
Member
Starter pistol?
Bigun,
Starter pistols...that's my suggestion, and I'm sticking to it.
Bigun,
Starter pistols...that's my suggestion, and I'm sticking to it.
Randy in Arizona
Member
bigun15
A little feedback -
This last Saturday evening I went to a performance of a historical play at my church. The scene was of a mob killing, the only real gun was an old external hammered double barreled shotgun. I would not be surprised if it was Damascus barreled. The rest were crude prop mockups of muzzle loading percussion rifles, EMT tubing on 2X4 stocks spray painted black.
Towards the end of the play, the mob is heard approaching from the rear of the audience, KERBLAM!!
A loud blank is fired; the mob ascends to the stage where shortly another blank is fired. All of the other 'shots' were obviously capguns, but the boom from the scattergun made up for it, and greatly added to the realism.
From the smoke cloud, and the drifting odor, the blank was a black powder load. Almost made me want to go out and buy a 1858 Remington replica or a Ruger Old Army.
There were plenty of kids in the audience, but none were frightened enough by the blank to cry. Most people watching a play will have the presence of mind to know it is an act and refrain from offing any of the actors unless the play really stinks.
Now if this is being performed as a stunt or practical joke type scenario rather than as part of a play, an excitable bystander, not aware that it is an act might do something regrettable. Plan accordingly.
A little feedback -
This last Saturday evening I went to a performance of a historical play at my church. The scene was of a mob killing, the only real gun was an old external hammered double barreled shotgun. I would not be surprised if it was Damascus barreled. The rest were crude prop mockups of muzzle loading percussion rifles, EMT tubing on 2X4 stocks spray painted black.
Towards the end of the play, the mob is heard approaching from the rear of the audience, KERBLAM!!
A loud blank is fired; the mob ascends to the stage where shortly another blank is fired. All of the other 'shots' were obviously capguns, but the boom from the scattergun made up for it, and greatly added to the realism.From the smoke cloud, and the drifting odor, the blank was a black powder load. Almost made me want to go out and buy a 1858 Remington replica or a Ruger Old Army.
There were plenty of kids in the audience, but none were frightened enough by the blank to cry. Most people watching a play will have the presence of mind to know it is an act and refrain from offing any of the actors unless the play really stinks.
Now if this is being performed as a stunt or practical joke type scenario rather than as part of a play, an excitable bystander, not aware that it is an act might do something regrettable. Plan accordingly.
chaim
Member
I'll second or third this idea. I had a Crossman airgun when I was younger. I liked to shoot it indoors without pellets in it from time to time. It made a decent amount of noise and was relatively safe (shot out some cold CO2 a short distance, but no projectile/debris). If you want to be sure it is loud enough, maybe put a mike in your sleeve or something to mike the airgun.
Short of that, Randy in Arizona gave me an idea. It won't be a "cool teenager gun", but use a blackpowder revolver with a very reduced powder load and no projectile or wadding. You'll have to carry it carefully to be sure the powder doesn't spill with nothing in front of it to keep it from spilling, and even with nothing else in there you'll have to be sure to not point it at anyone (use angles that make it look to the audience that you are pointing it at the other actors when you actually aren't). Blackpowder doesn't seem to put out as sharp a noise as modern gunpowder so it shouldn't be as likely to cause hearing damage (the reduced loadings should help as well), yet the fire and smoke they throw out will be quite impressive.
A CO2 gun is SIGNIFICANTLY worse than a blank firing gun. The CO2 gun has an unobstructed barrel that is designed to fire a projectile, a blank-firing gun or starter pistol has a solid barrel that is designed to NOT fire a projectile. Which one do you think is more likely to result in an accident?
On a realated note, the Seafair Pirates (a popular group of local drunkards/charity volunteers) used to fire blank shotgun shells off the back end of their float during parades, we all (even the children!!) managed to escape death every time.
On a realated note, the Seafair Pirates (a popular group of local drunkards/charity volunteers) used to fire blank shotgun shells off the back end of their float during parades, we all (even the children!!) managed to escape death every time.
Snowdog
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 4,606
The option TheBigC offered was what came to my mind as well while reading your post. Of course you'll pay for that realism... but let's hope only monetarily.
Replica 1911 and 92F with reciprocating slides.
Replica 1911 and 92F with reciprocating slides.
c_yeager, I've bought the same blanks the SeaFaire Pirates use once, when I was in urgent need of some for a film gig. They sound decently loud on a crowded outdoor street, or across the water- same as a shotgun would- but inside an enclosed space, you're talking hearing damage if you don't have any protection. I've also used those to blow holes through sheetrock (at just a couple feet away) when we needed the effect of shotgun blasts coming through a wall- doesn't matter that there wasn't any shot in there.
I haven't asked any of the pirates yes (but probably will, now) about their cannons, but I suspect that if nothing else there's some sort of partial blockage in the barrel.
I haven't asked any of the pirates yes (but probably will, now) about their cannons, but I suspect that if nothing else there's some sort of partial blockage in the barrel.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked