via Mark Platten
"Ace Effects supplied a number of services to the production, including props, pyrotechnics, vehicles and latex make-up. Three different types of gun were required of us.
Jane's renowned armaments catalogues were consulted for inspiration. Interesting to discover that what exists within those pages is very much science fiction in its own right.
The early conceptual visuals I produced were then taken into a well-equipped workshop for fabrication. This example, from the early surviving images, featured a rotating barrel - in actuality driven by a battery powered electric motor.
In practise, it was easier to harvest components from existing replica weapons, or to augment itenms acquired off the shelf : here, the barrel of a replica .45 revolver was sheathed in milled aluminium to create a far bulkier appearance.
Originally, the art director wanted the laser sight on this gun to spring into the position shown when a button was pressed. This idea was rejected on grounds of appearance, and on the final prop, the sight was mounted directly on the top of the barrel - aesthetically more appropriate."