Do you own any "replica" (non-firing) guns?

[2DREZQ]

A question got asked at coffee the other day by a fellow who is not anti-gun, but has no real interest in them. He said he thought it would be fun to own non-firing replicas of famous guns for display purposes.

It got me thinking. The only guns I have on "display" are near worthless relics. I won't display any of my good stuff for reasons that we all already know. (remember glass-fronted gun cabinets?)

But what about inexpensive replicas? I'd never given it any thought. Now, I'm thinking of getting a good Thompson to hang on the wall. I will never have the money to own the real McCoy (real Capone?). I might buy myself a good replica Broomhandle to use as a paperwieght in my library, as it fits the period decor, and the real ones have gotten $$$.

Am I losing what little mind I have left?

 

[JellyJar]

The only non-firing replicas I would be interested in would be the old cut-a-way firearms that were made out of real firearms to show how the innards worked! And then only if they were old and had been made or instructional purposes.

 

[Chevelle SS]

The reason I don't buy replica guns is because nice ones are usually expensive($70-$300) and I would rather just put that money towards real guns.

 

[finnfan]

I cant even afford all the REAL guns I want. That being said, I've seen some really neat cut-aways I'd like to have.

 

[mnrivrat]

Decent replicas can cost serious money. That Thompson you mention is about $300 and more commen guns start around $100.

I suppose other wall handing items such as paintings can also be costly, so it realy depends on your taste and budjet.

 

[2DREZQ]

Decent replicas can cost serious money. That Thompson you mention is about $300 and more commen guns start around $100.

True. But a semi-auto Thompson is WAY more than that, and the barrel is to long. The cost of the realdeal would replace both my vehicles with newer models.

You'll know I won the Powerball when you hear an anon. collector is hoarding Tommy guns in North Dakota.

 

[Readyrod]

(remember glass-fronted gun cabinets?)

Yea I remember them. My high school girlfriend's dad had one. It was in the rec room. It did a pretty good job keeping me in line.

But what about inexpensive replicas? I'd never given it any thought. Now, I'm thinking of getting a good Thompson to hang on the wall.

The problem with replicas is they are replicas. Sometimes they are cool but usually they aren't. You would be better off with two real crossed Mosin Nagants than a fake Thompson. Specially a Thompson. Usually real trumps fake.

 

[Lex Luthier]

I wouldn't mind having a decent looking Garand for my D-Day Paratrooper uniform. I probably wouldn't fire it too much, but the right one just hasn't come along yet.

I would also like a nice period 1911 to go into the original shoulder holster, but you know what they cost. Somehow carrying a Kimber and a Sig Carbine just don't look right with the uniform.

 

[303tom]

What kind of fun would that be ?????????????

 

[GBExpat]

Do you own any "replica" (non-firing) guns?

No, I have no interest in owning replica/non-functional firearms.

Like 303tom, I do not understand the "fun" in owning such ... although I do not begrudge those who may.

 

[PaulKersey3]

I own many replicas as I have dabbled in prop rentals for years. They ARE cool and great for display. The best company (brand) to buy is called Denix. They are out of Spain and do many gun replicas in real metal (zinc alloy) with working parts. They range from $40 up to $300+ and are sold on numerous websites.

Mine have served a purpose (besides display) being rented to theater plays, movies and Television shows. The only ones I really display are the WW2 ones. Who doesn't want to have a P08, PPK, C96, P38, 1911, and GP35 on their wall?

 

[Ian]

I had a dummy Madsen LMG for a while - the price was right and it was kinda cool. I also have a non-firing VG1-5, but it's a dug-up rusty relic that actually started out life as a live gun. And an airsoft 1911 to use as a training tool.

 

[BSA1]

I would rather buy ammunition and have fun on the range with real guns.

 

[MedWheeler]

I own three "serious" replicas, and one Daisy SoftAir (the late-eighties predecessor to the current AirSoft line.) The first three came from Collector's Armoury in Virginia, and all were acquired around 1985. The first is a nickel-plated replica of a Colt 1911. It's largely zinc alloy, and designed to be close to the size of the original, off enough to prevent parts from being interchanged. The firing pin hole, however, is non-existent. The piece can be cycled and field-stripped like the original. The barrel is plugged about a half-inch inside, and is designed to shatter if one tried to drill it out. The slide bears the GI markings ("Model 1911-A1 US Army.. etc.") Simulated "brass" rounds were available, but I never had them. There is no orange tip on the barrel.

The second replicates a Colt Python with a four-inch barrel. It has a black finish which is not true "bluing", and a plastic simulated wood grip. The cylinder is actually closer to the length of a .38 cylinder rather than that of a .357. The forward ends of the chambers are partially plugged, as is the barrel, about a half-inch inside. The gun could be cycled normally for many years, but the lockwork inside has since failed, and the cylinder stop no longer properly engages with each rotation. I had simulated brass "rounds" for it, but have since lost them. There is no orange tip on the barrel.

The third replicates a Walther PPK, with German WW-II markings, including the writing "pistol police" (in German) and caliber on the slide, and the swastika on the grips. This gun, however, has a non-realistic action, and pulling the trigger actually cycles the slide. The hammer is just a dummy hammer, which stays at rest at the rear of the slide. I never had the simulated "brass" rounds that were available. There is no orange tip.
The Daisy is a Model 59, and replicates the S&W of the same model. It was made only in 1987, and that is when I got it. It shoots the same .25 caliber plastic BBs as do modern Airsoft guns, but held them in plastic cases to simulate brass. The slide was pushed forward against the spring. Pulling the trigger "fires" the gun; the slide snaps to the rear (staying open) and the "brass" is ejected out the port. The slide must then be pushed back forward to fire again. It came with five of these magazine-fed "brass" cases, and can't be fired without them. I had lost them many years ago, but found them again in an old ammo box about two years ago. The gun still works.

I acquired all of these before I was old enough to purchase any real guns, and have enjoyed "toying" with them over the years, using them to train myself and other shooters, and as "leave visible" pieces. The 1911 is, by far, my favorite of these. I paid around $75 for that one, and a little less for the other two CA pieces.
As I understand, Collector's Armoury is still around, but their pieces are now orange-tipped.

 

[AlexanderA]

A decent non-firing replica of a Thompson, using an original parts kit, could easily run in excess of $2,000. However, considering that a "real" one would cost you ten times as much (not to mention the red tape, delays, and state restrictions), the non-gun would be a viable way to fill a "gap" in your collection. Such a non-gun could even be made into a real gun at a later date, if the law is ever changed to allow it.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Nope but I have a friend who has one he uses for fake ole west gun fights. It weighs and feels real but is marked on the barrell Blanks only.

 

[HOOfan_1]

The reason I don't buy replica guns is because nice ones are usually expensive($70-$300) and I would rather just put that money towards real guns.

EXACTLY. Most non-firing replica flintlocks and cap lock guns I see cost MORE than the firing replicas....why the heck would I pay more for something that isn't even a faithful replica?

 

[Legionnaire]

Yes, I have a pair of replica Dragoons on display as bookends. I built the bookends based on the design of loading stands. But once I had them finished, I decided I didn't want to keep my fully functional Uberti replicas out where they might walk away. So I bought a couple of relatively inexpensive non-firing replicas to use instead.

 

[statelineblues]

I had many replicas when I was in high school back in the '70s. I believe the company was called Replica Models out of Virginia (I think it became Collector's Armory). Had the Browning Hi-Power, 1911, Model 36, and my best friend had the Python, PPK, and a couple others I can't remember. Always wanted the C96 Broomhandle.
I might buy one if I found something unique...

 

[Owen Sparks]

Some of the Air-Soft models look believably real until you pick them up.

 

[Tommygunn]

I have a "replica" ("dummy") Thompson on my wall. I use a photo of it for an Avatar on those forums where avatars are used. It was made from an actual Model 1928 Thompson. The receiver is an aluminum copy which is solid so it can't hold any internal parts, the barrel, lower pistol grip, wood, and rear sight are all real. The lower has all the internal parts there they just don't work. In 2006 I think it went for about $600.00.
Next to the Thompson I have a potmetal replica of the German MP-40. Unlike the Thompson which has no bolt the MP-40 does; it just can't fire real ammo because of design and material. Across the room is a pot metal repro of John Wayne's large-loop Winchester 1892. I have two cap & ball blackpowder guns mounted on a third wall. These are Italian made reproductions. They're "real" guns in that they can be loaded & fired, but not actual Colt revolvers from the 19th century.
I have a dummy M-1 Carbine which I will put up next to the John Wayne rifle as soon as I get some other more important stuff done.

 

[bannockburn]

I did as a kid because I couldn't have the "real thing". Once I was old enough to buy guns I didn't have any more interest in replica model guns.

 

[230RN]

In 1961 or so, when I first moved out to Colorado from my behated birthplace of New York City, I discovered that Caboose Hobbies in Denver had "working" replica handguns much as PaulKersey3 described in Post 11. I drooled over those a couple of times.

But then (Aha!) I made the iinteresting discovery that you could actually buy a real gun out here, unlike in my behated birth place of New York City. I'll never forget asking the clerk behind the counter of a regular old Department Store "Are those real?" Yes. "Are they just for the police?" No. "You mean anyone can buy them?" Yep. "Can I buy one?" Yep, if you're a resident of Colorado.

I was amazed. This was a lot different than in my behated birth place of New York City.

I could not wait until I got my Colorado driver's license. I was in that store the next day and walked out with my first handgun. I felt like a criminal. I had a real "GUH-UHN," just like all the criminals in my behated birthplace of New York City.

Nowadays, 50+ years later, the only "replicas" I have are either modern real-gun copies of antique arms or my assorted Airsoft clones, which I use for practice in my house. Here's a spring-air powered Tanfoglio clone of my 1911. You'll note the Crimson Trace laser sight on the clone, which I later moved to the real 1911.

My favorite replica right now is of a Colt MKIV which is powered by propane "Green Gas" and incredibly accurate and powerful, with the "heft," feel, and action (including slide lockback) of a real gun. There's a little doohicky in the barrel which spins the BB, resulting in that amazing accuracy.

The duct tape on the bottom of the mag (which is also the gas storage reservoir) is to keep dust out of the propane filling nozzle. I've got other replicas, but this ought to do.

Funny thing is, I don't think I could legally take any of these replicas back to my behated birth place of New York City.

Terry, 230RN

 

[Lonestar49]

Didn't think it would be that good - but

...

I agree that replica's, at least the ones I would consider, are very expensive and, by mere chance, I got my, a full working, semi or full auto, 1928 Thompson for 165.00.

I have to admit that shooting it, almost, daily, for early morning coffee or late sunset, evening, to end the day, really scratches the_itch, so to speak.. lol

AEG, 6mm, w/450 round/drum - gun weighs 8lbs, w/all metal gears 465fps











I also picked up a 300 round stick mag which really lightens the load and offers easier/quicker swing action.

Going on 2 months, I'm still on cloud 9 owning and shooting this "very affordable" replica especially in full auto mode



Ls

 

[Owen Sparks]

I wonder if any of these realistic looking replicas have ever caused someone to have their door kicked down in a BATF raid because some do-gooder saw it and reported an illegal machine gun.