Gun Collecting: Replicas To Fill the Void in a Collection

To some the mere idea of a copy or replica is something less than real. The truth however is that it isn’t always possible to have a completely “real” item. Consider that many museums have replicas, and even real tanks and aircraft have been heavily repaired, restored and otherwise modified.

When it comes to collecting some firearms, replicas and copies, as well as dummy guns fill a void, and much more. Gary V. Caprio, senior technical advisor for Keystone Arsenal Replicas talks about what his company offers.

FirearmsTruth: How long has Keystone Arsenal Replicas been around, and how did the company get started?

Gary V. Caprio: KAR was formerly Ballistic Technology of Anaheim. Bal-Tech had been since the late 1950’s, serviced the Studios exclusively, and quietly closed around 1991 due to increasing weapon restrictions in the Golden State. After a good bit of harassment by the former Bal-Tech lead gunsmith, Greg Peterson, KARs Owner re-opened in Pennsylvania in 2001 as KAR with the Replica gun collector in mind.

FirearmsTruth: While the products you sell aren’t technically guns, are you finding it harder than ever to do business? There must be endless laws on parts kits, problems finding those parts kits, and of course restrictions at both the federal and local level.

Gary V. Caprio:  Well, the law is what it is, you work within its confines, and since changing the law is out of our control, we just accept it and move on. Finding it harder to do business? No, not at all. People will always have a need/desire for high quality replica weapons.

As for the laws regarding parts kits, they have changed from years ago, gotten stricter, especially the re-construction of parts kits into “Dummy Guns.” We’re painfully careful to make sure the guns fall within the guidelines. Regardless of the laws, we don’t want anyone converting anything we have sold. Also, some parts kits are so easy to convert; we won’t even keep them in house.

Namely, Sten gun parts kits. We have Sten dummy guns, but we contract out for those. I just don’t want Sten parts kits in my shop.

FirearmsTruth: What are currently some of the more popular sellers?

Gary V. Caprio: Replica guns trend like anything else, but the trend is easy to follow. All you need do is watch current TV and Movies. People want the guns their heroes use on camera. In 1979, you couldn’t keep the UZI’s on the shelf, but now, with virtually no media exposure, there is little interest in that particular weapon….

It’s always been trends like that; in the 1950’s everyone wanted “cowboy guns.” Seemingly every show on TV was a western, and a similar onslaught of Western movies in the cinema. The 1960’s, when I started collecting, brought with it a slew of Hollywood WWII blockbusters and in turn, an interest in WWII era weapons. The 1970’s favored Police style guns. The 1980’s saw “Rambo” style assault rifles take off, etc. but now, it seems that there are other influences aside from Movies and TV shows. Guns are being featured in television and Internet news, as well as video games. Right now, modern military weapons, like those our boys use overseas, are popular with the younger collectors. WWII era guns, traditionally the interest of older fellas, have seen resurgence in popularity with the young due to video games like Call of Duty, Brothers in Arms and Medal of Honor. Also movies like Saving Private Ryan, and Band of Brothers. 

That being said, “Western” guns have always remained popular throughout the decades. I suppose there is no denying our Western heritage as a nation.

FirearmsTruth: You supply movies as well as collectors and re-enactors, so why do you think that your products, especially the dummy guns and replica guns are so popular?

Gary V. Caprio: Many times we want a gun, but the price is in the stratosphere. Then there are the laws. For example, if you want an MG-42, Assuming you can find one, and assuming you live in a Class Three state where full auto weapons are legal, you will pay $60,000 for the gun.  Our dummy MG-42’s sell for about $1600 (US). It would cost approx. $25,000 for an MP-40 or Thompson, when our dummies are under $300. I could go on and on.

Then there is the safety. I have had real guns and replica guns all my life. I have had more fun with the replicas because you can “play” with them. Use that pistol as a paperweight; display it on the wall of the living room. No one is going to get hurt.

There is also another factor we are seeing lately: There are some re-enacting events that are banning real weapons. So, the fellas who would have brought their real M1 Garand now need a replica substitute. This is a direct result of post 9/11 erring on the side of caution. It’s unfortunate; especially since there are really no blank firing only non guns (BFONGS) to replace these venerable WWII shoulder weapons. It hurts the shows.

FirearmsTruth: How are your dummy guns made? Are these essentially parts kits built on dummy receivers?

Gary V. Caprio: There are five basic types of faux firearms: We carry most types, and try to use the best of each category. While each category is unique, it would not be improper to refer to any of them as “Replica Guns”.

DUMMY GUNS: These are guns built from de-milled parts kits on a dummy (usually solid) receiver, or a re-welded receiver. These guns generally have no moving parts except removable mags if applicable, and moving triggers. Federal laws precisely dictate how these must be made, but essentially, the barrel must be fixed to the receiver, the receiver can’t be easily converted, and the dummy gun can neither chamber live ammo, nor be able to accept a real bolt.

DEMILLED GUNS: T he same as a dummy gun, with a few subtle differences. Instead of a gun made from a parts kit, De-milled guns start out as real guns, and (typically) torch cut receivers. With a De-milled gun, generally you get a real re-welded receiver, and all of the numbers match. Visually, a De-milled gun is not much different from a dummy gun.

REPLICA MODELS: Or Replica Guns, these are made from the ground up as replicas and will not accept any parts from their real counterparts. Typically these guns have working actions, and removable magazines. This is the most popular category, as it’s not dependent on the ebb and floe of parts kit availability.

DECORATOR MODELS: Generally we don’t carry these with a few exceptions. A decorator model is an item that looks like a gun, but without a working action. Good for wall hangers, and throw-down guns for the entertainment industry. Essentially a decorator model is just a cheap replica.

PFC GUNS: PFC guns are typically made from plastic, and are sometimes available in kit form. They are guns that cycle 1, 2, 3, or 4-piece brass “Shells” that are loaded individually with caps that fire and cycle the action. These “Caps” use a type of powder/propellant that is corrosive to both metal and plastic. They require much cleaning and vigilant maintenance. They are also very “Quiet” compared to a real blank firing only gun. Sometimes these are called “Blank guns” but that is a misnomer. A PFC gun is not a true blank gun, not even close, and does not provide enough satisfaction, if used as intended, to justify the maintenance. They are also in general, “Jam Prone”. Many collectors never fire their guns.  KAR does not carry PFC guns. PFC guns enjoy almost a cult status.

**AIRSOFT GUNS: Technically not a replica gun, Airsoft guns are guns that fire small plastic pellets, usually 6mm, but up to 8mm. Originally developed in Japan in the 1980’s to be compatible with new Japanese Laws regarding Replicas, these guns are made from either plastic or metal, and fire their projectiles with either spring, electric, or gas power. These guns aren’t as powerful (Or as dangerous) as the BB guns many of us are familiar with. Generally speaking, they are VERY good replicas of the firearms they imitate, and while they could be classed along with BB guns, because they do fire a projectile, most of them are truly outstanding replicas. The All-metal Airsoft guns are particularly nice.

FirearmsTruth: What new products should we looking for in the coming months?

Gary V. Caprio: Two major bits of news: KAR is constantly striving to bring new guns to market. Remember, we’re collectors too, and many of the custom guns we offer are a direct result of our love of collecting. These guns will never be “Just Product” to us like some of the larger companies…. Which brings me to our good news. We have been sending our detailed observations and comments to manufacturers for years.

Recently, we were contacted by one, and asked for our advice. You see, all of the advice we were supplying for years seemed to be much more accurate than input from several very large companies. This is what they told us. So, we are involved in getting several new guns made for our collectors, and US Military Clients. What is in the pipeline is: an M4 Replica, an M3 greasegun, a Browning BAR, an MP-44, and a new M1 Carbine! The M1 Carbine should hit our shops by Spring 2011… The other guns will follow.

The second bit of news falls under the “Too good to be true” category, and on the heels of last years extreme disappointment regarding the release of a select fire BFONG MP-44, I hesitate to write this. However, it seems there will be a real BFONG Thompson available in the near future. There has been a BFONG Tommy gun, and MP-40 available in painfully limited quantities for a short while with a price tag in the thousands. We are working with a company who is right now putting the finishing touches on the third production

prototype of a Thompson 1928 and a Thompson M1A1 to submit to the ATFE for approval. It seems all of the concerns from the ATFE have been addressed in the third prototype, and there will even be several options of barrel designs, etc. for them to choose from. Hopefully, this gun is less than a year away from production. These new guns will be made from scratch, and not parts kits like the other/former guns. This will remove any limitations on weapon availability.

Now we also carry full size replica field artillery… 37mm, 75mm and full size 105 Howitzers. No kidding. These are custom made for Museums, and the Military, but are now available to the public. It takes about 6 months to build a “Big boy” 105, and they can be made to fire black powder charges!  Think of it as the biggest, “Conestoga : Big Bang” Carbide cannon ever made. The price is much cheaper than you would imagine for a 20 foot long 1.5 ton Howitzer replica, and the detail is exact enough, that these are starting to replace existing artillery pieces in US Military Museums. We also have dozens of other projects in the works.

Thank you to Gary V. Caprio for talking with us.

Keystone Arsenal Replicas