Stupidest Pistol Question in the Universe

[HKGuns]

Alright,

What are those rods called you see in your LGS that go through the trigger guard of their display pistols to display them at an angle for proper viewing?

Do they have a proper name and where can you buy them? I take a lot of pictures and I'm tired of propping them up for pictures.

 

[sota]

http://www.storemoreguns.com/

kikstands

 

[armedwalleye]

.50 cal BMG empties.

There. Now you have an excuse for a new rifle. I mean, after all, where do think the empties come from?

 

[rcmodel]

Those rods are called rods.

You can use a ball point pen, an empty shotgun shell, or buy a 36"x1/2 wood dowel rod at the hardware store for a dollar two fifty.

And saw it up in 4" lengths for about .22 cents each.

rc

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

spent 10 GA shells lol

 

[HKGuns]

Yes I know all of the alternatives and have used them. I find it hard to believe no-one sells those things you find in every gun store.

 

[jerkface11]

Most gun stores use dowel rods. Most hardware and craft stores sell them.

 

[bannockburn]

I like the rods that are made out of clear lucite. Just think they look neat and unobtrusive when photographing handguns.

 

[tactlt]

Im as bad as you...I've actually thought of ways to build a stand out of a worn out mag to photograph 1911's

 

[ku4hx]

I've always just called them "props": gun props, pistol props or whatever "prop" word came to mind. I've use dummy rounds for years to prop up guns for one reason or another. Usually '30-06 or a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun shell but in a pinch I've used a BIC pen, a screwdriver, Chapstick or a short piece of dowel rod.

 

[zoom6zoom]

S&W calls them prop rods, and factory ones are much sought after by collectors.

 

[Grassman]

Yeah, that was a stupid question. But I learned something.....

 

[hedrok]

One more thing you might want to know...most places that offer them for sale are at around $25/ea and may cut you a deal at 3 for $60.
Around NE Ohio...that's what Ruger, S&W and one other type were asking. At that price, I'll get by with an old, chewed up pencil.

 

[HKGuns]

I learned something as well. Never knew they were so hard to acquire and didn't know they were called prop rods.

I'd really like to get one of every brand I own, it would appear that would be a bit expensive for what they are......Seems kind of silly the MFG's wouldn't sell them for $5.....They'd sell like hotcakes at that price and there would have to be a healthy profit in them even at that price.

 

[Jim K]

Pieces of dowel rod are hard to beat, can't damage the bore, and are real cheap.

Jim

 

[MADDOG]

I didn't think your question was stupid. Asking a question is the best option to getting a question answered.

 

[Sam Cade]

OP: I've been wondering the same thing for twenty years or more.

 

[Skribs]

I just prop them up on the couch when taking photos...

 

[rondog]

For handgun photos, I usually try to find something I can put under them to prop them up, something that won't show in the photos. I've used all kinds of things, from film canisters to empty brass, anything that'll hold it up at the angle I want, yet isn't visible. I just don't like using triggerguard kickstands, no matter what the material or how clean/unobtrusive it is, just a quirk of mine.

 

[hedrok]

The only "stupid" question is the one that wasn't asked if you don't know.
And to those who mock that question...whatdya bet that most of them don't know either and don't have the STONES to ask?

 

[Shuler13]

Pistol kickstands

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005MQXQJ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1369173579&sr=8-3&pi=SL75

 

[Havok7416]

Those rods are called rods.

You can use a ball point pen, an empty shotgun shell, or buy a 36"x1/2 wood dowel rod at the hardware store for a dollar two fifty.

And saw it up in 4" lengths for about .22 cents each.

rc

Thanks for the laugh RC! I haven't laughed that hard in awhile!

 

[Odd Job]

You can get a clear acrylic rod and cut it up. $10 not a lot to spend:

http://tinyurl.com/o7b3vum

 

[PRM]

Magic Markers, sometimes a shotgun shell - our LGS is low tech

 

[Fleetman]

I think plastic rods would probably be best since wood dowels COULD potentially suck oil from the metal. I use shotgun shell hulls myself though but only because I haven't gotten around to making the plastic rods....it's a fresh idea though since I've only thought about doing it for the past 20 years or so!