Where can I buy a toy gun that can be made to look like Bruce Willis' in the 5th Element movie?

October 25, 2009 8:59 PM

Help me complete my 5th Element movie bruce willis costume please! I'm looking for a toy gun that looks sort of like his in the movie. Would like to keep it under $15, just looking for something close. I don't mind painting it or doing some slight modification.
posted by I like to eat meat to shopping (10 comments total)

First thing that comes to mind is the Nerf Maverick Revolver. Should be able to find them at any Toys R US, Target, etc.
posted by swashedbuckles at 9:02 PM on October 25

I had a Nerf suction dart gun that looked enough like Korben Dallas' that with some paint and other simple modificationsyou could probably get by. I mean, it doesn't look THAT much like the one in the movie, but for that kind of money I doubt you could get closer. Go look around Target or ToysRus

This is close to the one I had.
posted by dirtdirt at 9:05 PM on October 25

Boy, down to the Target and Toys R Us recommendations.
posted by dirtdirt at 9:06 PM on October 25

Target : Hasbro Nerf Dart Tag - Orange - online only :( But similar in store, look online for store locations.

TRU: Nerf Dart Tag Strikefire 2-Pack Blaster

Other thoughts - Big Lots, WalMart.
posted by tilde at 9:13 PM on October 25

It may be a little bit too ghetto but maybe you can get away with using a pricing gun. It sort of has that same blunt end.
posted by cazoo at 10:20 PM on October 25

The big problem is that Dallas' gun has a silhouette too much like an actual gun - And the trend has been to move further away from that, mainly for safety's sake.

The good news is it's practically square, so it should be pretty easy to carve.

Personally, I'd take the body of a Black & Decker Powershot and some closed-cel insulation foam, cut the notches in the top out with a steak knife, smash/glue them together and maybe glue a bottlecap onto the front and a jar lid onto the side, Spray it black and call it a night, then come back in the morning and do the silver patterns and geegaws.
posted by Orb2069 at 4:50 AM on October 26

I'd totally go with a Nerf gun sprayed black and silver as well.
posted by orme at 5:19 AM on October 26

This is the most affordable option at TRU. You could probably fabricate the hand guard and blocky top bit pretty easily.
posted by Fleebnork at 9:26 AM on October 26

I think the trick will be, rather than duplicating the gun itself with a Nerf toy (which will be difficult) get a Nerf gun that mostly works, size, shape, etc, and then try to replicate the most noticeable parts; Top black, bottom front, silver. Use a large washer on the side, see if you can find some way to get the chunky "teeth" up on top, maybe using black plastic, or in a pinch, just layers of electric tape could work. There is a metal rod on the top in the back, a silver painted pen worked into the teeth would probably take care of that.

The most noticeable part is the hand guard, see if you can find a dart gun that offers that up front so you don't have to fabricate it, but if you must try to go with something rigid. A bit of square aluminum tubing from a hardware store will set you back about $5, and could be bent and painted something pretty close. Another silver pen and a nail glued to a piece of a plastic clothing hanger under the barrel would probably work for the rest.

Most people aren't going to notice if it doesn't perfectly match, because they are only going to remember the most basic elements of the prop. As long as you are hitting the main points, it should be fine.
posted by quin at 3:36 PM on October 26

Awesome, thanks for all the answers everyone! Quite a few great choices, you guys are awesome!
posted by I like to eat meat at 4:56 PM on October 26