DUMMY GUN availability

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

I was checking out the dummy gun rental thread and it made me ponder an idea. I have a hard getting the dummy guns I want. I'm sure several of you guys do as well. Duncan's Customs requires a minimum of four orders before they will cast a dummy gun. How many of you are interested in using a forum thread to guage shared interest in having specific models cast?

If you need a specific gun cast, you make a post to let everyone know you want that model (a post declairing your interest in a dummy gun would be treated as a commitment to buy). Anyone else who also wants that model would add a +1. Once we hit four requests, all interested parties would place a call to Duncan's.

One of the issues with trying to get a dummy gun cast is comming up with a gun to send in in the first place, and covering the costs. I would be interested in floating some extra money towards anyone who is willing to send their pistol in if that was an option, and I'm sure some of you guys would do the same.

So what do you think?

Description Legend:

• C&L: this means the pistol is to be cast with hammer back, and the safety on.
  
• D-C: this means the pistol is to be cast de-cocked with the hammer down, but with the safety off (ready to fire).
  
• D-C/S: this means the pistol is to be cast de-cocked with the hammer down, but with the safety on.
  

Here's my interest list:

1. 4" bbl 1911 C&L. Either a Kimber Pro Carry II, or a Springfield Champion. Preferably, the pistol to be cast would have an ambidextrous safety.

2. H&K USP series; USP45 C&L, USP45C C&L, USP9 C&L, USP9C C&L, USP45 Expert C&L and D-C, USP9 Expert C&L and D-C.

3. H&K VP70z.

4. H&K P7M10.

5. H&K P30L

6. Browning Hi-Power MKIII C&L

7. Kahr K9

8. Kahr T9

9. Kahr TP9

[Tac]

Jeff,

I have no experience with the Duncan cast aluminum dummy guns. Can you advise what the average cost would be for a model that they already produce? Is there a price difference if you are ordering one of the first four guns? (Reduced cost with volume purchases ?)

I am curious and interested in this concept. I am not sure that I have as large of a need as others, but I am still interested.

-Tac

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

Right now Duncan's charges $45 per gun and $12 dollars per magazine. They usually need a little clean up with a dremel before they are ready to use, but it is worth it when you end up with a mold that won't wear out.

[Jared]

I'm honestly surprised at the lack of interest. I figured everyone had at least one gun they couldn't find or get ahold of.

[Shorts]

I'm honestly surprised at the lack of interest. I figured everyone had at least one gun they couldn't find or get ahold of.

I have a few on my list that I need. My concern is the up front cost lump sum and Duncan's guns in general.

I've been looking into dummy guns myself. There is interest for sure. I'm hoping to find a solution that includes reproduction capability.

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

I know of a few people that have looked into it, some quite extensively. I already tracked down a material to make my own molds and cast dummies from a very strong polymer. I was planning to sell extras to recoup costs, but that is where you run into problems. Any dummy gun made from non-metallic materials is an infringement on the patent ASP holds (I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice). I know that John Rings pays a royalty to asp to build blue guns. A little operation like mine just isn't able to do that. Thus, I am dealing with the dummy gun companies that are available, or perhaps casting my own at a higher expense.

[dickf]

So throw some old shred of aluminum cans in your polymer and now it's metallic.

Seriously, what a joke. I am interested to see what you guys come up with.

[Windom Leather]

Forgive me I am still fairly new to this. Can you get these dummy guns as revolvers like an old colt and clones of such? I'm into cowboy action shooting and have been thinking of expanding into the old west cowboy gun leather. My next question is, are they exact duplicates or do they make them so say the front sight extends all the way back to the rear of the gun so when you block the leather it doesn't trap any protrusions? I agree with dickf, what a bunch of crap about an infringment!

[Jordan]

Don't know about the revolver question but the addition of a wooden dowel between the sights usually takes care of the catching problem. I think with a western style holster it would not present that much of a problem, as the holsters are not molded in the barrel area as close as the autos are.

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

kwranch,

you can get dummy guns for older revolvers if you are into CAS. That isn't what I deal with, but I certainly don't mind you leaving a list of what you are looking for in this thread. That having been said, it isn't horribly difficult to get your hands on several cowboy action revolvers. Duncan's Currently has the following in stock as of the 24th:

Colt 1903

1847 Walker Dragoon

Colt Single Action Army

Ruger New Model Vaquero 5.5"

Ruger New Model Vaquero 7.5"

Ruger Old Model Vaquero 5.5"

Ruger Vaquero Montado 3 5/8"

They add more from time to time, but this is what they have available right now.

A couple of things to consider -

You can use a mallet head and hammer handle to form most CAS holsters. John Bianchi does this in his video. You can also get non firing prop guns for most of the cowboy revolvers with ease. As mentioned you can also use a dowel rod as a front sight clearance rail, although I didn't find that necessary on the cowboy rig that I built (only one I ever made, so my experience here is extremely limited). On my modern dummies I install an aluminum rail, but the holsters are all tightly pressed and bones so it is necessary.