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Ok, like the title says which companies make lead miniatures? My cousin who is 12 wants to start getting into painting minis but her mother is worried about the whole Lead=Poison. So I'm going with her to my local LGS and I'm helping her choose some figs but still right now I'm not really sure which companies produce lead based minis.

Mini companies stopped making minis out of lead years and years ago - the term is purely used now as a generic term for any metal mini. Most companies use some form of pewter or alloy I believe.

Most large companies do not use lead any more.

It is both toxic and expensive.

Most metal miniature will be made from a non toxic white metal alloy. Though this should be displayed on the packet, don't buy if it is not.

The obvious solution is to just post her in the direction of GW. She can choose to avoid metal by buying plastic minis and what metal they do sell is safe, but expensive.

Personally I have been playing with toy soldiers since the 80's so lead and otherwise and no harm done [I have 2 degrees and a good job so the old noggin must be okay, of course i'm a 33 year old man playing with toys so YMMV].

Even if you do own led minis you will not get any damage from lead unless you ingest it which is easily avoid by washing your hand and not eating metal figures. Plus once they are painted then they are sealed so the problem [if it is one?] end there.

I hope it helps, not very specific i'm afraid.

Thanks notprop! That's a lot of help for me

I gave her a box of Sisters of Battle but she prefers using other companies' female figures. She says that they look pretty much like space marines with boobs and short haircuts. So I'm off to help her find some figures she likes

If you want females the Shadowfodge will suit you down to the ground, some of them are a bit blokey but I think that thats the way you Assies like your wimmin.

Also they are in Oz, but you probably know that!

Even high lead content miniatures are safe once undercoated. Short of putting them in your mouth you are not going to get lead poisoning. That said, most companies do not use lead in their models anyway, there's more likely to be lead in the paints, and even they are being cleaned up.

There are about six companies making a variety of fantasy, SF and historical figures in plastic. They also make figures in metal.

All the other companies use metal.

As noted above, the metal is non-toxic providing you don't file it down to dust, dissolve it in acid and drink it.

GW has the widest range of fantasy and SF plastic models.

It is going to be hard to get a model which is entirely lead free as I think (not entirely sure) that many models made from "White metal" contain small amounts of lead. However it's so small that unless you eat the pack you will be fine.

Reaper has a low cost lead line but they're clearly marked. The rest are plastic, resin or pewter AFAIK.

Thanks everyone for the answers! We went down to the LGS today and she found the Malifaux line and I have to say it ain't half bad. She got a couple of The Neverborn while I got myself an awesome mercenary.