*** Originally posted by spencerman ***I have to agree, I found an advert in gun mart for
www.modelguns.co.uk and thought that I would check it out. I was after some leatherware at the time, and went to an advert for Escort Gunleather (I am not sure of their website) because I have had many custom made rigs made by them. They generally advertise western leather now after the handgun ban, but they will still make modern rigs to request, and I have always used them for all my gunsmithing leather needs. They do make some beautiful leather holsters and they wont scratch the gun, molded fit and so forth. One of my personal favourites is a rig that they call the Ghost. I had one custom made for my Walther P99, all moulded to fit my actual gun (at this time, they were relatively unknown gun, and I had to supply it so that they could mould the leather to fit etc.) and it is primarily a shoulder rig, but can be detatched and paced onto a belt also. These guys really know their stuff, and could make up the holster of your dreams for any gun that you like. They are not overly expensive either. The Ghost rig costs around £60 or so depending on the gun model, and as I say, they are all molded to the gun, and if they dont have the mold, then you can send your gun to be cast. As a shooter, my gun leather was as important to me as my gun. Why spend £500 on a gun, and then £15 on a holster that would be uncomfortable and ultimately damage my gun?
Anyway, I was looking for their details, and on the next page was an advert for modelguns. They had a picture of a peacemaker, and I thought hmmm, that looks interesting. It wasnt a picture of the crappy Bruni blank firers, and it didnt look like a pietta or similar. I was intreiged. I didnt know who made this gun, and it looked good. Needless to say, I went there, bought a few guns to try, and was hooked. Modelguns are very good. The only thing that I dont like is the whole "cold to the touch" phrase that seems to be bandied around when people refer to model guns. If you have handled real steel you will understand why, but that is just me. They are great.
As for having to fire anything? I dont think that is necessary. Most people I know who shoot, love the smell more than anything. Some poeple have even said it is like an aphrodisiac (I wouldnt go quite that far as to say that my gun makes me horny). I like the smell of the models. I also like that they are not as loud as blanks. They dont have to be.
The best thing about model guns though? They are safe.
I have always tried to teach any kids in my house that a gun is not a toy, even a toy gun and should always be treated as real and loaded. If a kid knows how to handle a gun, then they will not shoot themselves or others by accident. If they came across a gun in the street, they would know how to make it safe etc. (only a figure of speach, I doubt that they would literally come across a gun in the street). I would feel a lot more comfortable teaching a kid how to use a gun with a model gun, than with a real one.
I found this forum from a google search I did for PFC Caps.
Maybe we should write to Gun Mart and try to get them to a feature article on model guns. It would need to ba a collective effort, but it may just work. You do get some articles about various re enactor groups and models etc, but I dont think that they have ever reviewed a model gun. Perhaps someone could post their contact details here.
Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:58 pm