I’ve had a number of these over the years and have watched the industry advance the technology to a point where virtually every modern firearm can be found in one version or another. (Non-firing, Blank 9mm PAK, Front firing PAK, Etc.)

Although it is true that these guns (in theory) would be fairly easy to machine, the manufacturers have always used fairly reliable techniques to keep end-users from making these modifications. One example would be the “obstruction in the barrel” mentioned by the author. In this particular case it isn’t just that the barrel is “plugged,” it is the way they are plugged and how difficult it can be to remove the obstruction.

Usually the plug will have one end that simply can not be accessed. Semi-automatic versions of these weapons will typically have a non removable slide/barrel group, or they will design it so that the version can not be disassembled thus denying access to the barrel from the breach end.

The end that is usually accessible would be the front where the bullet normally exit’s the weapon. Taking a drill and simply running it through the barrel doesn’t work though because the obstruction (or plug) is shaped like a “cone” inside of the barrel. This stops any drill bit from having a flat surface to use. The drill bit will simply slide off of the cone and refuse to bite into the metal. Attempting to continue anyway will result in the destruction of the barrel.

The other and most important safety feature used in the manufacture of these simulated weapons is the material used to make the gun to begin with. Instead of the high quality, high strength steel necessary to withstand the pressures involved in firing a real bullet, the prop gun will be made with a very brittle and weak cast Aluminum. This makes the gun look and weigh just like the real thing, but structurally they are not strong enough to fire real ammunition without destroying the gun in a catastrophic failure. (Without blowing it up)

I guess the point I was really trying to make was that although this article “sounds good” in theory… In practice, the processes involved in converting one of these guns to fire real ammunition are so complex and materials intensive that actually completing a successful conversion is practically impossible.

Note that I did say “PRACTICALLY!”