Finally found...

...a reputable dealer in nonfiring replicas that isn't charging an arm and a leg for good quality "Law Enforcement blue" pistol replicas. Obviously, bright blue plastic pistols aren't suitable for stage performance (unless you're playing "Mercenary Smurf" in Smurf The Musical - which I pray never happens).

However, rather than a skittish performer having to handle a blank firing piece for the first time on stage, or in rehearsals, the actor can get used to handling and hefting a weapon with a steel interior coated in detail molded plastic. The worst they could do is drop it on their toe.

Being bright blue, they're hard to miss, so as a fight choreographer and/or props coordinator it also helps to be able to track the "weapon" with one eye while still being able to take in the action of the sequence. I can take corrective notes about how the pistol is being drawn, held or aimed much easier without having to focus solely on it during a moment.

In additon using the trainer in the rehearsal period spares the "good" blank firing pieces from being damaged by a novice user who drops them, throws them, or does generally foolish things like actually pistol-whipping someone.

So, we're continually building our arsenal of training and stage safe knives as well as guns! Hooray!