Best materials or methods for making prop guns?

I'm going to start practising a bit more and I'm want to make a few short action flicks. I need some prop guns to use but I live in Australia so the only way is to make props, not buy them. Any methods I could use or ideal materials EG wood/pipes that you recommend? Or even some simple DIY plans.
 
Spray paint water guns with flat black paint specific for plastic/patio furniture, then kinda keep the camera not fixated on them.

One consideration is that viewers can still note weight, or absence of, in the way the actors manipulate the light plastic, so you still gotta fill 'em with water.

If you're going for a sci-fi/military exotica look then spray paint a nerf dart gun.

And spray in the tiny nooks, crevices, and cracks on your first pass.
Leave the exposed handling surfaces for last.

There are youtubes for this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjoe03VCw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE-ZmwATS8E
 
What about blank guns? Most places that don't allow guns will allow blank guns that don't vent the gas through the front. Of course I'm not Australian so the laws may differ, but it's worth looking in to.

If you're going to make a gun out of plastic/wood/cardboard, then it probably wouldn't work as well if the movie takes itself too seriously. Cardboard warfare is the perfect example. If you're going fake, keep it light.
 
A word of warning, if Ozzie laws are like the UK there is a very good reason why toy guns are brightly coloured, imitation firearms are illegal as is modifying toy guns (painting) to look realistic. Check with your local police about it and I suggest destroying any replicas you make as soon as you finish.
 
Ive done a lot of mold-making from actual firearms using silicone or rubber molds.
You can see some great video from BITY mold supply, but there are other suppliers (smooth-on, etc)... I'm sure there are some in AU.

http://www.youtube.com/user/brickintheyard

You can cast the props in rubber and they look like black metal, they're safe and you can make several for not much money....
 
As said above, if airsoft guns are banned, chances are modifying fake ones is too. I'd do some legal research. I'll be perfectly, honest: look at your props, and look where your filming, and make a judgement call. I was filming in the backwoods of an area one day where maybe one runner a day comes through, so we used some pretty realistic props and put up signs on the path to warn people.
 
I dont know much about your laws where you are but maby try asking for a permit in your area to film with props...it never really hurts to ask. At least you would know how to walk in the grey area without stepping over the line and you could use the info later on because eventually you will run in to this problem again.

Now these show how much you can do with some time and tools...they may not be what you are looking for but it does show how much can be done and may even give you some ideas...

http://youtu.be/2jjk-ROK_yc

http://youtu.be/aBLcot4foA4

http://youtu.be/JFAzfK9Wi4k

http://youtu.be/rOzgYbUnExo
 
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you guys dont have airsoft guns in austrailia, do you? because thats usually they easiest route.

Theres a kid on youtube I was watching that makes functioning replica guns from paper, its pretty amazing. Not that the time spent is a viable option, but it proves that you can really use just about anything.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Tacome1942
this is the kids youtube channel, you should check him out, its both amazing and inspiring.
 
I realise a few have been posted but this shows a really straightforward way to turn a standard water gun into a gun. The main issue I suppose would be getting a water gun that looks enough like a real gun.

As others have said if airsoft guns are banned in Australia, definitely check about using them, especially if you're gonna be filming in public. It would definitely be the easiest route if you could get your hands on one, though.
 
that is pretty cool! but obviously this kid knows about guns and how they work...lol but still that would become a excellent tool! prop making out of paper! 2 thumbs up on that!

yeah, his gun knowledge is pretty extensive, especially considering how young he is.

but to make your own props, you'll need to know a little about guns. The basics. Luckily though, there is the internet and you can learn anything you want with it.

I think you could make some pretty convincing props with PVC pipe, wood, cardboard, so on. If you have to make a convincing looking stock, the best way to recreated a good wood grain is to use actual wood. You could make a double barrel shotgun pretty easily with those materials and it would be pretty convincing as long as you made it from reference and paid attention to detail. Then go from there.

learn your way around a hacksaw, glue gun, and sandpaper and you can make just about any prop you want out of whatever you can get.
 
Do you have space for a workspace and building materials and tools?

Get detailed photos of the guns you want to make. Order a collection of wooden dowells in different size and some rectangular blocks of wood. You will need a collection of wood files, sand paper, and carpenter's glue. Sculpture your gun. Make a plaster of paris mold around it. Let it dry and harden. Cut the mold in half with very fine Jig saws. Take out the wood gun. Now, you have a mold to make a latex or rubber gun you can paint flat black.
 
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