Stage gun

The stage gun is what you use if a sound effect is going to be a little underwhelming and you want a big pointless and totally unrealistic flash.

Overview

It's basically a 5-shot starter revolver operating from a double action, in 9mm calibre.

This means that:

- It can fire 5 times before needing to be reloaded

- That the cartridges are stored in a rotating cylinder

- Double action means that too fire all that need be done is for the trigger to be pulled*

Safety

Although not a 'real' gun, the stage gun looks plenty real enough and could potentially cause some interesting injuries if not carefully handled.

Storage

Normally the stage gun is kept in a locked metal box which is itself locked in the safe in the cupboard behind the box office.

When in use by a show, the gun should be kept in it's metal lock box and out of sight and out of the way in a non-public area of the theatre. The stage manager is responsible for the gun whilst it is outside of the safe.

Handling

When fire, the gun produces a large flash out to the sides. The scene needs to be blocked such that no one is within 3-5 feet of the revolver. If you come within that distance you may be burned by the hot gases escaping from the cylinder.

Sound

The gun is very loud. It is intended for a much larger venue than bedlam. Blank cartridges are often considerably louder than live cartridges. It is necessary for the stage manager to provide ear protection (available for a couple of quid from most music shops - the nearest is on Nicholson Street just up and opposite EBS) to any cast members he or she deems necessary. Additionally, signs must be placed on both entrances to the auditorium warning that 'This performance may contain loud bangs'.

Failure to Fire

Sometimes you'll pull the trigger and the cartridge won't go off. This is a 'Failure to Fire' (FTF). This is usually because the firing pin hasn't hit the primer with enough force to set of the cartridge. When this happens, and it will, take the cartridge that has FTF'd and put it in the lock box until the end of the show. At the end of the show, notify everyone and then fire off the FTF'd cartridges.

DO NOT PUT THEM BACK IN THE BOX AND LEAVE THEM THERE. DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN THE GUN. ONCE THE PRIMER IS DENTED THE CARTRIDGE IS THEORETICALLY CAPABLE OF GOING OFF WITH A SHAKE OR OTHER IMPACT.

Notes for Stage Managers

It's a good idea to brief the entire cast on the operation and safety aspects of the stage gun. Speak separately to the cast members who're going to actually fire it.

It's also a good idea to do a demonstration firing with the whole cast (if possible get the cast members to fire it) and to do one practice in preferably both the technical and dress runs.

Operation

Loading

Release the cylinder by pulling the locking rod forward (The locking rod sits below the barrel)

The cylinder will swing out to the side and down to the left of the revolver's frame.

Cartridges are then pushed into the chambers in the cylinder so that their bases are more or less flush with the rear of the cylinder.

The cylinder is then clicked back into the frame of the revolver. The cartridge primers should align correctly with the firing pin.

Firing

Firing can be via two methods: Double Action and Single Action

Single Action

In single action operation, the hammer is cocked manually by the user. This action also feeds the next cartridge into alignment with the firing pin. The trigger, when pulled, will release the hammer and fire the cartridge.

Double Action

In double action, the pulling of the trigger automatically cocks the hammer, feeds the next cartridge into alignment and allows the hammer to fall - firing the round.

Why is the difference important?

Double action mode allows you to reliably fire several cartridges in quick succession

Single action allows a build up in dramatic tension as the gun can be pointed, ready to fire, for a time before being actually fire.

Additionally, the trigger pull in single action is far lighter than in double action. If firing from the off-hand (IE - a right-hander shooting with with their left-hand) it is almost impossible to pull.

Cleaning

The stage gun is very very dirty. This is the result of years of neglect. It's literally caked in power residue.

Edinburgh University Rifle Club will eventually get round to detail stripping and cleaning once Mal gets his act together.