FIREARMS

Handgun Overview

The handguns that we rent are one of two varieties; semi-automatic or revolver.

Semi-automatics

Handguns of this variety (see photos at right) 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.** The rounds are held in a clip or magazine that fits inside the gun's grip. Semi-autos typically hold between 6 and 15 rounds plus an additional round in the chamber (recent handgun laws, however, limit the capacity of "civilian-purchased" handguns to 10 rounds) although for theatrical purposes, it is rare that more than 1 or 2 shots will be needed.
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 every bit 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 operate the mechanisms that make the gun function. 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 and 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. If a revolver misfires or just goes "click", however, 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 on 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 are more "high tech" 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 and the instructors at the New York based stage combat school Combat Incorporated will be more than happy to provide these services for those in or around the New York-Washington, D.C.-New Jersey-Connecticut 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.)

Starter's Pistol
Takes .22 crimp ammo

PROP ONLY FIREARMS

*Note that we are unable to ship firearms to New York City and many surrounding states. Please know your state's laws regarding shipping, carrying and using blank firing firearms.

"We will rent no weapon that we would not personally use ourselves."

Weapons by Type:

Axes
Broadswords
Cutlasses
Daggers
Firearms
Gladius/Roman - new
Hero Swords - new
Knives
Leather Goods - new
Maces/Hammers
Pole Arms
Prop Only Guns
Rapiers
Shields
Smallswords
Unusual/Exotic - new

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Basic Weapon Care

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Stage Combat Weapons/ Wear and Tear