Afraid not – The actual guns are usually reused over and over by prop houses in subsequent movies and the really iconic ones are sold to museums or private collections.  My goal is to try to get as close to the same make and model used in the movie, often down to the correct production year, configuration, and finish.   My focus is to show you what actual firearm was used so that if you are able, you can go out and buy one that is exactly the same and know that you own a piece of movie history!

Absolutely!

Every firearm featured on the channel is the real deal. As of now, I haven’t branched into showcasing prop, deactivated, or replica guns—though that’s about to change. Due to popular demand, I’ve begun collaborating with movie prop houses and professional armorers, and future content will include:

• Deactivated firearms converted to fire blanks
• Airsoft and replica guns used in actual film production

But for now, my collection—and my passion—centers around real, functional firearms. I’m an avid shooter, and that’s where my time and expertise are focused.

That’s what she said… (LOL).

In all seriousness, no—I’ve never fired a blank in my life. Every Firearm you’ve seen on the channel works with live ammunition. Just the way the Second Amendment of the US Constitution intended.

Yes—when time and resources allow.

While there are already excellent YouTube channels specializing in live fire and ballistics testing, my niche is different: I focus on the actual models of guns used in iconic movies, examining how they were portrayed, how they shaped the character or scene, and whether Hollywood got it right.

That said, I do plan to incorporate live-fire content in the future—especially to demonstrate how these screen-used guns perform in the real world

Mostly—unless stated otherwise, every firearm you see is part of my personal collection.  On occasion, I might borrow a piece from a trusted source like a viewer, a friend, or the Bear Arms Reference Collection, and when I do, I’ll make that clear in the video.

Yes, and I love getting them!  Raiders of the Lost Ark, John Wick, Leon The professional and The Walking Dead episodes all feature firearms from viewers of the Channel.

Many episodes are inspired by comments and emails from the audience. If there’s a particular movie or gun you want to see featured, drop it in the comments or send a message through the site. Just know it may take time—especially if I need to source a hard-to-find model.

Great question.

Most of the movie clips I use are copyright-protected, which means YouTube disables monetization on those videos. While I wish that weren’t the case, I get it—it’s their content too.

To keep Hollywood Guns going, I rely on:

• Sponsors like SDI and GunsInternational.com
• Merchandise sales from the Hollywood Guns store
• Viewer appreciation and comments —seriously, they mean the world to me

This isn’t my full-time job—it’s a passion project I work on in the evenings after the kids are asleep. The fact that these videos are watched 20-30,000 times a day around the world blows my mind.  It’s incredibly humbling to know there are that many people who share my obsession with firearms and film.

If you enjoy the content, supporting the merch store or even just leaving a kind comment makes a big difference. Thank you.

Nope—I’m just a Civvie – a lifelong enthusiast and self-taught collector and shooter

I’ve spent over a decade shooting, researching, tinkering with and refurbishing firearms, with a special focus on Hollywood history.

No, I don’t sell or appraise firearms.

The goal of the channel is educational and entertainment-focused. That said, I often reference values, rarity, and market trends based on my own collector experience—especially if a gun featured in a movie has exploded in popularity.

Short answer: It depends.

This question comes up a lot—especially from folks with limited firearms experience. Realism in movies depends on several factors:

• The era the film was made
• The genre (Action, Thriller, Drama, Historical, etc.)
• The level of technical advising on set

In every Signature Series episode, I grade Hollywood’s realism based on three core criteria:

1. Capacity – Does the gun seem to have unlimited ammo?
2. Caliber Performance – Do bullets behave believably?
3. Character Portrayal – Could the person realistically make those shots?

Here are my main sources:

• Wikipedia – For general background and service history
• Online Forums – Deep-dive firearm knowledge from other enthusiasts
• IMFDB.org – The Internet Movie Firearms Database, an awesome fan-curated resource
• Other YouTube Channels – From Forgotten Weapons to TFB and more
• Personal Experience – I’ve shot a wide variety of guns over the last decade
• Gun Stores, Ranges, and Shows – There’s no substitute for hands-on experience and good conversation

Whether you’re a local or just visiting the U.S., I encourage you to stop by a local gun store or show. You’ll find that the real magic isn’t just in the firearms—it’s in the people you meet.

If you’re American—please support your local gun stores. If you’re a visitor—go check one out and a public gun range while you’re here!  Yes, in most states you can rent and operate a firearm and see what all the fun is about!

The guns may impress you, but it’s the passionate, welcoming people behind the counters who’ll leave the biggest mark.