Unicorn?

**Aguila Blanca** · March 28, 2025, 11:20 PM

I have a recollection that a number of years ago I saw an article about one of the Italian SAA clone makers (don't remember if it was Uberti or Pietta) coming out with a non-firing dummy revolver made expressly for safe fast draw practice. If my memory is correct, it had a cylinder that didn't have the bores drilled all the way through, so it couldn't even be loaded with blanks, and the cylinder was not removable.

Was that actually a thing? If so, who made it, and are they still available?

Hawg · March 29, 2025, 12:12 PM

I remember seeing steel revolvers that couldn't be fired but I don't know who made them. Denix makes non firing replicas but if you dry fire them they will break.

bamaranger · March 29, 2025, 10:13 PM

Seems I recall a video or film clip of crank and author Phil Spangenberger (?) doing fancy gun twirling and his narrative was something to the effect of he was using dummy guns made for twirling.

Circa early '90's.....maybe, not anytime recently for sure.

**Aguila Blanca** · March 30, 2025, 12:32 AM

Hawg, what I'm remembering (or think I'm remembering) was definitely not the Denix junk. They were made by Uberti or Pietta.

Hawg · March 30, 2025, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca

Hawg, what I'm remembering (or think I'm remembering) was definitely not the Denix junk. They were made by Uberti or Pietta.

I know they were steel frames but I don't know who made them.

**Aguila Blanca** · March 30, 2025, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg

I know they were steel frames but I don't know who made them.

That's my problem, too. I don't remember who made them.

I'm about 95% certain it was Uberti or Pietta, because I think by the time I read the article they were the only two Italian clone makers left. It might have been Armi San Marcos, but I don't think so.

I found this, but this is a blank-firing replica (albeit a high quality one). I still think the one I saw written up was non-firing.

Hawg · March 30, 2025, 05:23 AM

Why not use a real one?

**Aguila Blanca** · March 30, 2025, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg

Why not use a real one?

I could. I have one. This is just one of those things that popped into my head, and now I can't get it out of my heads without tracking it down to see if it existed, or if I'm imagining it.

March 28, 2025, 11:20 PM	#1
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 19,034	Unicorn? I have a recollection that a number of years ago I saw an article about one of the Italian SAA clone makers (don't remember if it was Uberti or Pietta) coming out with a non-firing dummy revolver made expressly for safe fast draw practice. If my memory is correct, it had a cylinder that didn't have the bores drilled all the way through, so it couldn't even be loaded with blanks, and the cylinder was not removable. Was that actually a thing? If so, who made it, and are they still available? __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

March 29, 2025, 10:13 PM	#3
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,788	memory Seems I recall a video or film clip of crank and author Phil Spangenberger (?) doing fancy gun twirling and his narrative was something to the effect of he was using dummy guns made for twirling. Circa early '90's.....maybe, not anytime recently for sure.

March 30, 2025, 12:32 AM	#4
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 19,034	Hawg, what I'm remembering (or think I'm remembering) was definitely not the Denix junk. They were made by Uberti or Pietta. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

March 29, 2025, 12:12 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,376	I remember seeing steel revolvers that couldn't be fired but I don't know who made them. Denix makes non firing replicas but if you dry fire them they will break.

March 30, 2025, 05:23 AM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,376	Why not use a real one?