Modelguns
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The word Modelgun or modelguns refers to Japanese firearms replicas or toys. The Japanese "hobby" of modelgun collecting began after the second word war. Since the Japanese are forbidden by Japanese law(s) to possess "live" firearms, and swords(in rare cases, they may be permitted to possess live shotguns)they have developed a fascination for them. The first "modelguns" where developed in the late 1950's .These where fairly "crude" approximations of actual firearms with few operational features. Many of the first modelguns where imported cap guns from the U.S. These imported cap guns where eventually replaced with indigenous designs. The Japanese modelgun/airsoft inventor Tanio Kobayashi, is considered by many Japanese to be the "father" of the modelgun. As Mr.Kobayashi's internal modelgun designs led to the modern version(s) of the modelgun.The various Japanese laws on modelguns can be quite confusing to anyone that cares to look. The initial modelguns where fairly unregulated and some models where closer to real firearms than replicas. In 1965, the Japanese government began regulating the replica firearms industry. Changes included requiring that the barrels have internal blocks to prevent the firing of projectiles. Later revisions to the Japanese swords/firearms law(s) pertained to materials and other safety changes.
Modelguns can be found in many configurations and types. These range from small pistols/revolvers to machineguns (with the sole exception of belt fed machineguns)handgun models where and still are quite popular in Japan. Pistols/revolvers,rifles,shotguns,Assault rifles and sub machinegun models can be found in both all metal and plastic versions. Modelguns can be found in the display only or the cap firing versions. The modelguns do not and cannot use conventional blank cartridges due to their construction. Modelguns use small flexible plastic, caps (usually from 5 to 7mm in diameter)that have a phosphorus composition filler.These caps fit into machined brass, multi piece cartridges. These cartridges have several parts these are: The primer,base,piston,O-rings and the "bullet" The cartridge design as well as the parts count/description varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The Japanese manufacturer Marushin, invented the modern plastic bodied cap in the early 80's. Heretofore, the caps where quite similar to the paper roll caps that where common in the U.S. However, the Japanese paper caps where "printed" on flat sheets of red paper.
The current modelgun manufacturers are MGC,Marushin,Tanaka,Hudson,Kokusai and CAW.
