WTK: Bringing back the "Blank-Firing" forum?

[Kimbo]

Been hoping that the "Blank-firing" forum would come back. Us "Yanks" still can play with blank-firing 8mm and 9mm PAK model guns...so it would be nice to chat with others about blank guns, along with the MGC model guns, as well.

I remember that a gentleman who's screen name was Figaro used to post here, as well. Just a note, I have done business with this fine gentleman and he comes HIGHLY recommended by me.

Anyway, I still have that West German Reck "Commander" 8mm magazine for sale on the "Buy/Sell/ Trade" forum. I may knock off a few USD on it to get it sold. I owe a fine gentleman in Germany the courtesy of replacing his extra money he spent on it after the first one that he sold me got lost in the overseas mail.

What about those Tanaka Ruger AC556 13" blue folders? Are they still available? The last one that I saw was in Francky's inventory. I almost bought that one, but some unexpected financial obligations came up and took priority over a model gun purchase. So, although I am still not in the position to buy one right at this point in time, but I sure would like to know where I can get a NEW one when I am able to buy one. I remember that the earlier AC556 was used, which is OK. But if I had my drothers, I'd rather buy new. Is it a case where Tanaka doesn't make or market the MGC AC556 anymore?

I was at my local Dick's Sporting Goods in the Chattanooga, TN area and saw a "Soft Air" brand U.S. M1A1 Thompson SMG that fired 6mm "BB"s at 465 fps. Pretty darned fast if you ask me. The weight of it was almost as heavy as the original SMG...since it has a FULL METAL body. There's what looks like a "hi cap" pistol mag inside the Thompson 30 rd mag "shell." All in all, pretty darned cool soft air model gun.

Is there any of those MGC all-steel MP40 model guns around anymore? I only saw a few on Ebay and their owners were EXTREMELY proud of their copies. Now, that would be a great and correct represenatation of a WWII German MP40 SMG for anyone's WWII SMG non-gun collection.

Is anyone old enough to remember those Japanese MGC plastic 1:1 scale models of the German Walther P38, P08 Luger and the S&W Model 36 .38 2" revolver...just to name a few? The parts to build them were all on those square "runners" that held all the parts. You simply cut the parts off of them with an exacto knife and used the Testors model glue to assemble the model...just like one would with any plastic model ship, model airplane or model car. Are these still available to purchase? I sure hope so...because I'll be right at my computer desk with credit card in hand.

Are there any blank-firing model gun manufacturers or vendors that are working on some updated engineering of the vent hole location on those Voltran, Kimar and other 8 and 9mm blank pistols? I know that here in the States and I believe across the pond that there pretty darn strict regs about blank guns and how they vent. Wouldn't it be great if bonafide TV, Film and Motion Picture prop houses, along with ALL of us civilians could buy a 8mm or 9mm PAK blank gun that vented as close to the muzzle as possible. I have seen some independent film productions who are stuck having to use those blank guns that vent their flame from the TOP of the slide. I remember that I had a Walther-licensed Umarex PP that vented from the top, but the vent was angled forwards. Couldn't ALL VENT HOLES on all of these blank guns (that MUST be on top or the side of the slide and out of the cylinders on revolvers, as well) BE DRILLED AND ANGLED FORWARD to simulate live fire for the cameras? I mean, what gun vents from the top? Certainly those good people who are paying to see a movie WANT to see a realistic movie (in regards to guns) and top venters are NOT the way to go. But bless the hearts of the fine independents, they're stuck using these. The front venters DO EXIST. I've had them in my hands and shot them, too. These ARE in the States. So why can't there be an exemption for bonafide prop houses and independent film crews to buy and use FRONT-VENTING (from the muzzles) for their films and productions? Heck, you sure can use a LIVE FIREARM using blank ammunition...so why not these zinc blank-firing blank guns? Geez, I mean...do the Feds here have any common sense? I can see top ventors for civilians...because there are those select bad guys who will hold up a convenient store or bank with a front venting blank-firer...sadly to say.

...and get this...here in the States, the cost of real blank cartridges are getting so expensive that independents and some mainstream studio productions are using CGI animation in post production. THEY DRAW FLAME AT THE END OF THE FIREARM'S MUZZLES NOW! The actor either simulates recoil (on single shots) or shakes the firearm back and forth (on a full-auto) to simulate shooting. I mean, NO EJECTED CASINGS, no bolts or actions moving to and fro, no machinegun links emptying out of the sides of MGs and NO MAG CHANGES!!! No THAT really gets in my craw. I've seem WWII action fils where the one good guy who's gonna save the world go into actin with only ONE magazine for his/her SMG and uses that ONE magazine for the entire film. What the...?

Well, that's enough ranting and raving for one Saturday morning. I hope that the fine folks who own this fine (and free) website for all of us to use put the "Blank-firing Discussion" forum back into the line up. (Please?)

A very good Saturday (or Sunday) to you all.

Kim in LaFayette, GA
United States