FIREARMS
Handgun Overview
The handguns that we rent are one of two varieties; semi-automatic or revolver.
Semi-automatics
Handguns of this variety are commonly seen in movies and on television in the hands of police, military and your various urban thugs and criminals. Semi-automatics are so called because one pull of the trigger (assuming the gun is loaded with a live round in the chamber) will fire the chambered round, automatically chamber another, and be ready to fire again.** The rounds are held in a magazine (NOT a clip) that typically fits inside the gun's grip. Semi-autos typically hold between 6 and 15 rounds plus an additional round in the chamber (up until recently handgun laws limited the magazine capacity of "civilian-purchased" handguns to 10 rounds) although for theatrical purposes, it is rare that more than 1 or 2 shots in a row will be needed. This is fortunate since many commercially available blank guns tend to jam rather easily.
There are two drawbacks to using a semi-automatic handgun theatrically. The first is that these handguns are only able to fire full loads which means they are almost as powerful as a "real" round fired from a "real" gun and the shots will be very loud and possibly not suitable for use in many smaller houses. The reason for this necessity is that the firearm uses the force of the escaping gases from the fired round to force back the slide which then, powered by a spring, snaps forward and carries the next round into the chamber, ready to fire at the next pull of the trigger. (see the action in motion here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3NRyP7uFI0&feature=player_embedded#at=22 ) Smaller loads (half or quarter) will not provide sufficient force to do this and the gun will invariably fire once and then jam. The second drawback is that semi-autos are slightly less reliable ("idiot-proof") than revolvers. If, for whatever reason, the semi-auto doesn't fire or becomes jammed the gun will cease working, period. At that point the gun must be carefully handled and taken directly to the production's qualified weapons coordinator. On the other hand, iIf a revolver misfires or just goes "click" another pull of the trigger should be all that is needed to advance and fire the next round, no problem.
Revolvers
These are the handgun of choice for TV private eyes and "veteran police officers that get partnered with hot headed young rookies armed with a flashy .45 (Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon for one example)." Revolvers get their name from the cylinder in the center of the handgun that holds the ammunition. When the trigger on a revolver is pulled (or the hammer is cocked which is necessary to fire a single action revolver) the cylinder revolves and lines up a new round with the barrel, ready to fire. As mentioned before, one reason people prefer revolvers is that they tend to be more reliable than semi-automatics. This is due to their more simple operating mechanism. Another reason for this preference is that they are able to handle a variety of different loads, making them more versatile and often the best choice for a small theatre or intimate space. Their only drawback is that they don't quite have the flash and sleek appearance that is sometimes required (James Bond). Also, for productions dealing with the military/police (20th century) or that require a more "high tech" look the semi-automatic is the only way to go.
IMPORTANT
Every firearm, whether non-functional reproductions, blank-firing theatrical guns or "real" guns, MUST be treated as though they were actual live ammunition firing weapons.
There are no exceptions to this rule. Fatal accidents occur when a "prop" gun is wrongly believed to be harmless.
We will provide detailed written information on safety and operation for each firearm that we provide and will be glad to answer any questions that you may have. However, there is no substitute for an experienced Fight Director/Weapons Coordinator and one should be consulted any time firearms are to be used. We at Preferred Arms will be more than happy to provide these services for those in or around the Washington, D.C. area.
Remember, if you have questions at all, drop us an email.
** (Fully automatic guns such as machine guns, sub-machine guns, assault rifles, etc. will continue to fire as long as the trigger is held down and the ammunition lasts.)
Handgun Overview
The handguns that we rent are one of two varieties; semi-automatic or revolver.
Semi-automatics
Handguns of this variety are commonly seen in movies and on television in the hands of police, military and your various urban thugs and criminals. Semi-automatics are so called because one pull of the trigger (assuming the gun is loaded with a live round in the chamber) will fire the chambered round, automatically chamber another, and be ready to fire again.** The rounds are held in a magazine (NOT a clip) that typically fits inside the gun's grip. Semi-autos typically hold between 6 and 15 rounds plus an additional round in the chamber (up until recently handgun laws limited the magazine capacity of "civilian-purchased" handguns to 10 rounds) although for theatrical purposes, it is rare that more than 1 or 2 shots in a row will be needed. This is fortunate since many commercially available blank guns tend to jam rather easily.
There are two drawbacks to using a semi-automatic handgun theatrically. The first is that these handguns are only able to fire full loads which means they are almost as powerful as a "real" round fired from a "real" gun and the shots will be very loud and possibly not suitable for use in many smaller houses. The reason for this necessity is that the firearm uses the force of the escaping gases from the fired round to force back the slide which then, powered by a spring, snaps forward and carries the next round into the chamber, ready to fire at the next pull of the trigger. (see the action in motion here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3NRyP7uFI0&feature=player_embedded#at=22 ) Smaller loads (half or quarter) will not provide sufficient force to do this and the gun will invariably fire once and then jam. The second drawback is that semi-autos are slightly less reliable ("idiot-proof") than revolvers. If, for whatever reason, the semi-auto doesn't fire or becomes jammed the gun will cease working, period. At that point the gun must be carefully handled and taken directly to the production's qualified weapons coordinator. On the other hand, iIf a revolver misfires or just goes "click" another pull of the trigger should be all that is needed to advance and fire the next round, no problem.
Revolvers
These are the handgun of choice for TV private eyes and "veteran police officers that get partnered with hot headed young rookies armed with a flashy .45 (Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon for one example)." Revolvers get their name from the cylinder in the center of the handgun that holds the ammunition. When the trigger on a revolver is pulled (or the hammer is cocked which is necessary to fire a single action revolver) the cylinder revolves and lines up a new round with the barrel, ready to fire. As mentioned before, one reason people prefer revolvers is that they tend to be more reliable than semi-automatics. This is due to their more simple operating mechanism. Another reason for this preference is that they are able to handle a variety of different loads, making them more versatile and often the best choice for a small theatre or intimate space. Their only drawback is that they don't quite have the flash and sleek appearance that is sometimes required (James Bond). Also, for productions dealing with the military/police (20th century) or that require a more "high tech" look the semi-automatic is the only way to go.
IMPORTANT
Every firearm, whether non-functional reproductions, blank-firing theatrical guns or "real" guns, MUST be treated as though they were actual live ammunition firing weapons.
There are no exceptions to this rule. Fatal accidents occur when a "prop" gun is wrongly believed to be harmless.
We will provide detailed written information on safety and operation for each firearm that we provide and will be glad to answer any questions that you may have. However, there is no substitute for an experienced Fight Director/Weapons Coordinator and one should be consulted any time firearms are to be used. We at Preferred Arms will be more than happy to provide these services for those in or around the Washington, D.C. area.
Remember, if you have questions at all, drop us an email.
** (Fully automatic guns such as machine guns, sub-machine guns, assault rifles, etc. will continue to fire as long as the trigger is held down and the ammunition lasts.)