Airsoft guns as movie props
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Almost every action film has firearms in it and the majority of the guns in action movies are props. Buying real firearms for movie production can be costly and many times requires permits to use on the set. Many movies producers choose prop guns as a result. Prop guns for movies are easy to aquire and are usually very cheap, by comparison. Interestingly enough, many of the prop guns in movies are actually airsoft guns. The Airsoft guns being produced today are manufactured with so much detail that even a close up shot would never reveal it's actually an airsoft gun. It's that detail which makes them a favorite of movie prop departments world-wide.
The best place to get cheap airsoft guns for movie or stage props are defective airsoft guns from an airsoft retailer's salvage lots. Many times, airsoft retailers have airsoft guns returned due to manufacturer defects. Most of these airsoft guns are stripped for spare parts, leaving just the airsoft gun body. It's the left over gun bodies that are easily converted to an authentic looking movie prop. Usually this only requires painting over the orange tip. Most real guns have an airsoft cousin. The most popular airsoft guns used as movie props are the Airsoft M4, M16, MP5, G36, AK47, M249 SAW, and XM8 assault rifles. Airsoft pistols are also widely used as movie and stage props.
in addition to defective airsoft guns, many airsoft retailers offer low end, working airsoft guns that make great props. Just keep in mind you may have to pay retail for working airsoft guns. The advantage to buying working guns is you'll have a better selection of guns. Also, some of the defective guns may have body damage which may not make them ideal for use as a movie props.
Article By: www.OnTargetAirsoft.com
- Article By: OnTarget Airsoft
Airsoft guns at great prices. Tested, Chronographed, and guaranteed! Check out our Airsoft Salvage page for affordable Airsoft movie props
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Viper,
I've seen the guns you mod. they are awesome! I don't recommend going out in public with them. :-)
great read!
How do you get around the federal law that there must be orange tips on all 'fake' guns. I'm shooting a film that requires guns, but painting over the tips is illegal from what I read. How does that work?
as long as its your own property its fine. it just needs the orange tip when transporting or not on private property
Right Jaob.
As far as filming in public with them, you need to obtain a permit from your city / county municiple office and you need to specify that you will be using prop guns. There will then be extra steps to clear this with your local PD, as not to get shot by your local PD. lol
Isn't it illegal to paint over the orange tip? How about painting over it and using a orange barrel plug when not in use?
I heard it was only illegal to SHIP guns without orange tips, or use them in public.
What I'd do is remove the tip, film my scene, and make my own orange tip with a piece of plastic stuck in the barrel or something.
On our prop guns we just use a strip of bright orange gaffers tape on the muzzle when we are transporting weapons and between takes in public. During storage or in the studio you don't need to worry about it.
can any body tell me where to get some cheap broken airsoft guns?
i dont care if they dont work, or are cheap plastic. as long as they look real! but i cant find any props like that! they are all really expensive, by my standards at least. i could really go for a 15 dollar prop! not 300!
PITVIPER1 3 years ago
hub a riffic post. My JG HK 416 QUALIFIES AS A REAL LOOKING WEAPON. DOWN TO THE HK 416 5.56 MARKINGS.