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Have you ever wondered, “Why are some guns blue?” This guide breaks down exactly what Blueguns are and explains why blue training guns are a safe and effective tool for shooters of all experience levels. 
A Brief History of Blueguns
Before Blueguns found their way into police academies and training facilities, they were in the hands of Hollywood’s hottest stars.
- Ring’s Studio Gun Rental was established in 1989 and supplied fake weapon props to movie studios.
- In that time, the inert firearms were made from a mixture of various rubbers.
- A few years later, the company purchased a rubber-molding facility and created Ring’s Manufacturing.
- They eventually began making props from urethane foam.
- As they rose to the top of their industry, law enforcement took notice. Orlando P.D. inquired about having realistic “props” they could use as training weapons and gear.
- Thus, the Bluegun “Firearm Simulator” was born, and BLUEGUNS became the official name of the product.
What Are Blueguns?
Blueguns are inert, detailed replicas of actual weapons and are made from impact-resistant polyurethane with steel reinforcements. While pistols and long guns are the most popular types of Blueguns, there are detailed replicas of other weapons and accessories that law enforcement and the military may use or encounter in the field: 
- Knives
- Magazines
- Radios
- Flashlights
- Pepper spray
- Flashbangs/stun grenades
- Frag grenades
- Rubber ball style/riot control grenades
- Smoke grenades
- Claymore mines
- Batons
Blueguns are available in weighted and unweighted models. Weighted Blueguns are the exact same weight as the original weapon and offer a more realistic experience than unweighted models.
One of the most interesting things about Blueguns is that they are available with accessories “equipped” or as other variations of the firearm. For example, Blueguns can be molded to include different combinations of weapon accessories like: 
- Laser sights
- Rails
- Grenade launchers
- Open or closed stock
Why Are Blueguns Blue?
After experimenting with various pigments, Ring’s Mfg. selected “Law Enforcement Blue” as the official color, which is dubbed by Blueguns as “the most recognized safety color in the world.”
However, that’s not all there is to the pigment choice. Believe it or not, color psychology is real, and there are strong correlations between colors and emotions.
Blue is a common color of trustworthiness and calmness
Making these training guns blue overtly displays that these “weapons” are not threatening. Plus, if training guns resembled the color of their counterparts, it may be difficult to tell if it is real from a distance.
What Are Blueguns Used For?
Besides their moments on the silver screen, Blueguns are mainly used for training purposes and by holster manufacturers for proper fitting.
Training with Blueguns
The most popular use of Blueguns is for training law enforcement, the military, and others who frequently handle firearms. Blue training guns resemble the real firearm they’re modeled after down to every crevice and weighted Blueguns allow trainees to feel the actual weight of the weapon, which better prepares them for a real-life encounter.
Some common Blueguns training techniques and exercises include:
- Takeaway drills
- Helping cadets become familiar with wearing a full duty rig
- Learning to protect the side they carry on
- CQB (Close Quarters Battle) search and entry/sweep drills with long guns and SMGs (Sub-Machine Guns) to master maneuvering
- Practice holstering and unholstering a weapon (holster draws)
Holster Manufacturers
Many holster manufacturers use Blueguns while molding and fitting their holsters (another testament to their realistic design). They may also use Blueguns to safely model their holsters for customers. In these cases, an unweighted Bluegun will suffice unless they want to test how the weapon’s weight affects the integrity of the holster.
This is another reason why holster training with a Bluegun is so effective; if you can master it with a Bluegun, you will be able to translate that mastery to a real firearm.
Why Should You Buy a Bluegun?
Unless you plan on DIY holster alterations, your main reason for buying a Bluegun is for training purposes. Safety is the top priority at any place or any time. While weighted Blueguns can act as a blunt object, they are above and beyond a safer training aid than a real gun.
Going off that point, Blueguns help deliver peace of mind in training scenarios. Unfortunately, we live in a world where students and employees need to practice active shooter safety drills. With Blueguns, you can provide realistic and detailed training to classrooms, offices, and seminars without raising alarm.
The blue color assures the audience that the “gun” is harmless, and there is no cause for concern. A lot of people are uncomfortable around guns, and Blueguns are the perfect training tool to deliver the best, most realistic training possible without introducing your audience to a real firearm.
Blueguns Pass with Flying Colors
Blueguns are the ultimate training tool because they provide the realism of a live firearm without the associated risk. They are also an excellent product for fitting and altering holsters for specific gun models. Here’s a quick wrap-up of what we’ve learned so far:
- Blueguns are harmless replicas of actual firearm models, but they are also available in other weapon and accessory formats.
- Blueguns can be unweighted or weighted to resemble the actual gun’s weight, and there are blue training guns with optics, lasers, and other molded accessories.
- Blueguns are blue because it is a recognizable color of safety and is scientifically proven to be a calming color.
- Blueguns can be used in countless training exercises like takeaway drills, weapon holster draws, and tactical sweeps.
- You should buy a Bluegun if you want to create the most realistic and safe training experience without using a real firearm.
If you’re interested in training safer and smarter, shop for Blueguns and other training gear at OpticsPlanet today!
