Rifle as Halloween prop?

[CoRoMo]

...mixing a night of kids and people in disguise doesn't sound very HighRoad to me.

Whaaaaaa? A halloween party doesn't sound HighRoad to you?

 

[SSN Vet]

oops double tap.

 

[SSN Vet]

Sounds like a lot of potential problems for very little potential gain.

But what do I know, I'm going to be the same thing this 10/31 that I am every 10/31 for the last 12 years....

an over tired parent flopped on the couch wondering how long I have to wait to chase the kids off to bed.

Yawn! I'm tired already just thinking about it.

 

[Mr.Davis]

I counsel you against this. I had a friend try to grab an obviously-real S&W revolver out of a retention holster during a costume party, and then have the gall to get mad at ME for carrying a real gun (even though he knows i carry). I snapped and told him it was a stupid act on his part. Permanently damaged the relationship, all because I wanted to be cute and carry a real gun as a costume prop.

Fortunately it was unloaded, but the thought of what could have happened has kept me from ever even considering using a real firearm as part of a costume ever again.

 

[Sediment]

Whaaaaaa? A halloween party doesn't sound HighRoad to you?

Very funny Just to clarify I simply meant that mixing a group of roving kids, worrisome parents, and a man with a gun (real, fake, disabled, made of steel or plastic) has a possibility of not ending up well.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions" - H. G. Bohn 1855

In light of new information from the OP regarding this being an adult only gathering, which was not known prior to the wave of comments, I don't see this being a big issue. That is until said adults bring alcohol to the party Since it is on private property have you checked with the property owner that they are ok with you coming with real Mosin that is incapable of firing?

 

[Big_E]

I understand where you're coming from. I found this hat that resembles a Beer Mug, so I figured I would pair it with my Mossy Oak camouflage. I am going as a "Beer Hunter" (get it? hehehe) My friend told me to bring a rifle, but I felt that may cause too many problems plus I don't want people touchin' my stuff anyway.

Here is my suggestion. Take a super soaker, maybe paint it but people should have a good laugh out of it. Or find a cheapo airsoft gun (don't think there are any 91/30's). I will either be taking a super soaker filled with Keystone, or make a bandoleer designed to hold beer cans. Actually I think I will do both. Not much else to do today.

Anyway, don't take your rifle with you, it may cause panic and people may want to touch it too much.

 

[Der Stro]

I made a deal with the guy who's house we're going to, he doesn't have any problems with me bringing the rifle, as long as I take him to shoot it sometime, which is just fine by me

After reading everyones comments, I think I will take it with me. If I end up catching more flak than what its worth I can alway stow it in the car. Personally I think it will be more of a conversation piece than a "OMG HE HAS A GUN EVERYBODY RUN" piece, seeing as how it does have a lot of history attached to it.

 

[Wolfebyte]

Rifle as Halloween prop?
After deciding to dress up as a WWII era Russian conscript, I find myself debating a lot about wether or not to take the centerpiece of this costume with me: A Mosin 91/30.

I was planning on disabling the rifle by removing the firing pin, and then slinging it over my shoulder with a period-appropriate sling and ammunition pouches, however I do recognize that it is a legitimate firearm and some could see this as a Very Bad Idea.

How do you, the folks of THR, feel about this idea? I'll be on private property for the night, however my state (NC) does have open carry laws so I feel I would be within my rights should I want to be seen in public (as long as I'm not going "armed to the terror of the public").

If I was doing it, I would remove the barrel and the action, paint a dowel rod of similar diameter and put it in the stock. It would be lighter to lug around, and then no one could make the accusation that you had ammo or the bolt on you.

 

[Sediment]

@Der Stro

Please remember to include the details of the party next time we can dispense more tailored thoughts and comments. Be sure to take a picture of your costume, with weapon, so we can appreciate it.

 

[hardworker]

This has "bad idea" written all over it.

 

[CoRoMo]

Geez. This just goes to show you how some in this gun community view our fellow citizens.

I don't personally look at my friends and neighbors as irrational lunatics. If the OP feels fine toting around an old surplus rifle, it's fine by me.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I went to an adult birthday party. The theme was cowboys and indians. I wore my 1851 Navy Revolver with just caps on the nipples and no powder or ball in the cylinders. My wife wore here 1930's .22 revolver, unloaded. We both had a great time, especially when I popped a cap (not pointing at anyone).

 

[WardenWolf]

If you're going to do it, the bolt should be open OR REMOVED and the action blocked with a bright-colored plastic tie. That way it is visibly disabled.

 

[InkEd]

If it's a mature enough gun friendly crowd you'll be fine.

I like the idea of pulling the entire bolt better than just the firing pin.

The flag in the barrel is corny and takes away from the costume.

A plastic gun is really lame! No gun is better than plastic gun. Details make a difference in a costume. (Think awesome superhero/sci-fi costume with a pair of
sneakers.)

FWIW as cheap as you can buy a Mosin, I would find the cheapest one (probably under $75) leave it in tact BUT weld (or epoxy) something (not visible) inside the barrel rendering it in-operable without a new barrel. That way you can still play with the bolt and dryfire for fun.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

20 years ago, it would have been fine. But if you get one cop that takes a complaint from ANYONE, and just decides it's better to arrest you for disorderly, causing public alarm, etc, then it will not be worth it. All it take is one cop, with one decision that you are not going to like. These days, cops will "play it safe" on the side of caution, and arrest a guy with a gun, just in case the complainant wants to make the police look bad later "for not doing anything".

 

[ny32182]

I might do it if I knew the group I was with would not have a problem with it, and I would definitely leave the bolt at home. That way it can't fire unless one of your buddies just happens to have some ammo and a mosin bolt in his pocket, which I'd consider remote enough to make the gun safe around a bunch of tipsy people (once again, hinging on how well you know your group... if one of your buddies is a mosin collector... maybe not such a good idea). If you are using it as a prop, expect it to get treated as a prop.

That is what the guy above didn't do when he got all hurt about his buddy grabbing his "prop" gun. I would NOT carry a functional firearm as part of a costume and then expect anyone to not treat it as a prop. THAT would be a horrendous mistake.

In general I'd expect anyone ditzy enough to call in a "man with a gun" on halloween to not know enough to know the difference between a real gun and airsoft anyway.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Don't know if if this counts, but in many states the 'alcohol and guns' don't mix legally, whether open, concealed, long or hunting. Just saying, also, it's an adult party, someone is going to try to fondle it, point it at people, and generally be stupid. Carry a cardboard cut out, with guns for idiots on it, then when such a person asks, just hand it over and say 'here's your sign'.

I would rather not take one, besides, they are heavy, and an empty holster is just as good (as a prop) AND lets me drink.

 

[bobbo]

You really want to cart a Mosin around at a party all night? Jeez, I get tired of carting it around at the range, let alone when I'm at a party. Best to leave it at home. Besides, it will a) be a concern for somebody with the cops on speed dial, b) will end up in the car all night, c) will get left someplace after you've had too much to drink or d) get jacked. Unless there's a contest, just take a toy.

 

[x_wrench]

i think you will likely end up in jail. some old lady, who is scared of her own shadow, is going to see something that looks like a real gun, and call the cops. when she does, she will be screaching "there is some crazed army person out here going to kill all the kids!". of cousre, the police will over respond by sending out 3 swat teams, you will be lucky if you only get tazed 12 times, maced, kicked and clubed in various places, and charged with all kinds of illogical rediculous things. then, after you spend all weekend in jail, caught between the crips and bloods, and fending off buba, who hasnt had a real girlfreind in 12 years, maybe, with enough money, a good lawyer, and a note from your great grandmother, who happened to baby sit "teddy" roosevelt when he was 3, you MIGHT be able to go home before they drag you into court for a trial. of course, i am just kidding, but you get my drift. JUST DO NOT DO IT!

 

[rodensouth]

Sharps Dressed Man is a retired police officer and always seems to have sound reason in his replies. I, personally, would follow his advise. Only if it was a close knit group of friends would I consider, but I assume you wouldn't ask if they were.

I'm not trying to be a buzz kill, and I think it would look super-cool, but I'd have more fun at a party if I wasn't distracted by any potential "issue".

That said, if you want to make a statement and feel whatever anti might be there needs to be educated, then pull the bolt.

 

[Evil Monkey]

anything that may risk you getting involved with LE, even if the risk is below 1%, just ain't freakin' worth it.

Dress up as a pumpkin instead.

 

[Cosmoline]

I've carried Mosins all over the place, from hiking to riding on a bike through downtown with the thing slung over my back. But even *I* would hesitate to take one as part of a costume for Holloween. There's an unspoken understanding that your arms with a costume are fake unless you're doing reenacting. There's a chance someone will get upset, or unnerved, at a real weapon. Plus with all the booze flowing and the risk of someone messing with it thinking it's a toy. PLUS the fact that 5-0 is on high alert on the 31st. It's just not worth it.

I've heard the account of a Stalingrad vet that might be of interest to you. He was a big fella with hands that looked like they could break a spine even in his 70's. He described how he and his comrades set up a system of bushwhacking Germans in the ruins. The other guys would lure a German into a dark room and he would cleave their head off with a sharpened entrenching tool. He described how he came to prefer the entrenching tool to the rifle because it made little noise and never ran out of ammo.

So take a shovel!

http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/product/vintage-russian-military-shovel-and-cover-4786.cfm

For added realism, put fake blood on it!

 

[jeffmack]

Pretend you were the Russian who was not issued a Mosin. When the partygoer next to you is shot, you can pick up and use his.

 

[mustang_steve]

Make a foam rubber or plastic replica rifle. That way if they ask you to drop it, you can drop it without worry, and when they look at it closer, it's obviously not a firearm.

I'd also avoid handling it like a real rifle as people are a little jittery about that kind of thing.

 

[Floppy_D]

Wolfebyte nailed it... pull the action/barrel, drop in a black dowel, and it'll look good/ be lighter. If that isn't a good enough prop, then you're just looking for an excuse to carry your Mosin around.