blank firing gun

[Deniz Turkmen]

I need a blank firing handgun that has muzzle flare for a movie I'm shooting. The gun I have makes only the sound -- no flash. Does anyone know where I could purchase a blank gun that will have a flash? I'm trying not to add them in post?

Thanks

[Ken Tanaka]

No, I don't know. But I do believe that you need to be licensed to use firing props like this.

[Deniz Turkmen]

I've never heard of needing a license for a blank gun. However, I do plan on hiring someone to handle it -- just to make sure it's loaded correctly and that everything works properly.

[Ken Tanaka]

It turns out that blank-firing guns are not as simple or safe as they may seem. For example, there are a variety of loads that can be used with them, depending on the effect needed. More flash/less sound, more sound/less flash, minimum distance to anything with a pulse, etc.

To keep from getting fined, jailed or shot by some over-anxious police officer I'd check on the matter with the municipality in which you plan to stage your shoot-em-up.

[Deniz Turkmen]

I agree. Notifying the police is a must. I'll find out any regulations in my area. In terms of safety, I have no intentions of actually firing them at anybody. Do you know where I could get more information regarding blanks? I'd like to learn as much as I can before using them. I've searched the web but haven't had much luck.

[Ken Tanaka]

Google is your friend.

[Michael Ansbro]

I'd swear that some (not terribly low budget) films I've seen simply put a flash on the screen for a couple frames.
I looks pretty crude if you really care, but I don't think the audience notices.
That can be done in the NLE or Photoshop.

[K. Forman]

Most firearms can shoot blanks. Just pick your weapon of choice, and either search for blanks, or have them made for you. As long as it is done safely, there should be no problems. Just remember- there are still red hot debris coming from the barrel, so do not fire towards anyone.

[Heath McKnight]

My students had the front of the gun slightly off camera, then brightened the shot for 3 frames and added a little yellow tint (it was a darkly-lit scene, btw). Looked like the muzzle flash lighting up the whole area. Looked good!

heath

[Boyd Ostroff]

One of the best resources for firearms, swords and other weapons from all periods is Weapons of Choice. They're located in Napa California, but will ship anywhere in the US. We've used them for stage weapons for as long as I can remember and have always found them very helpful, reasonably priced and they have a phenomenal inventory. They do both rentals and sales.

[Rick Bravo]

Different firearms need different types of ammo.

A revolver and shotgun need blanks that contain wadding whereas an automatic needs to shoot "crimped" blanks which contains no wadding.

The obvious danger in both is that regardless of what you are using, there is always something that is "fired" when the trigger is pulled...wadding, un-burnt powder, etc.

When using an automatic, the barrel needs to be retrofitted with a "plug" which in effect acts as a bullet would. In other words, the plug allows the gasses to build up thus making the slide blowback, ejecting the spent cartridge and cycle forward, loading the next round.

In either case, minimum safe distance from the barrel is 25 feet and the weapon should NEVER be pointed at your actors, they should always be pointed just slightly off axis. Use camera angles to disguise this.

Take a look at this thread in DVINFO http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=22752

Be safe, RB.

[Jacques Mersereau]

There have been a couple of actors killed by blanks.
They were under the impression that 'firing blanks' equals safe.
Basic firearm safety says that ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
and to be treated as such.

Who was it that was goofing around and held the magnum against his head and pulled the trigger? The results were like taping a cherry bomb to a melon. ;(

Firing a gun near to someone's head can burst ear drums
and/or pop an eyeball out of the socket.
If you hold an automatic pistol (like the Walther PPK) the wrong way the slide can
tear the top of your thumb off.

I don't think safety can be stressed enough when dealing with firearms.
And blanks with their inherent, "they can't hurt you" attitude can
be even more dangerous to the inexperienced.

Okay, enough soapboxing . . .

[Chris McKee]

<<<-- Originally posted by Jacques Mersereau :

Firing a gun near to someone's head can burst ear drums
and/or pop an eyeball out of the socket.
If you hold an automatic pistol (like the Walther PPK) the wrong way the slide can
tear the top of your thumb off.

-->>>

...you can just edit these things out in post.
;)

[K. Forman]

"...you can just edit these things out in post"

Be sure you are using non-sag actors, or the Union will be all over you...

[Boyd Ostroff]

I think Chris was just trying to be funny. He got a good laugh out of me at least...

Obviously firearm safety is a serious matter however.