How do Blanks work?
- Thread starter alexlacelle
- Start date
Blanks are essentially a slightly longer than normal casing with regular primer and a set amount of powder inside. Instead of a projectile, the end is crimped tight.
When fired in a regular, unmodified non-repeating firearm it just goes bang with large muzzle flash.
When fired in unmodified non-repeating semi-auto firearm, it goes bang and large muzzle flash, no semi-auto action as there is no projectile to provide blowback for the action to continue it's cycle.
In order for prop guns or semi-autos to work, a small restrictor is placed in the modified muzzle to restrict the escaping gasses and use them to work the action.
In the case of a military style firearm a BFA or Blank Firing Apparatus is affixed to the firearm which works similarly to the restricter in the prop gun allowing FA adn SA action, just as if you were firing live ammunition WITHOUT modifying the weapon as in prop guns.
When fired in a regular, unmodified non-repeating firearm it just goes bang with large muzzle flash.
When fired in unmodified non-repeating semi-auto firearm, it goes bang and large muzzle flash, no semi-auto action as there is no projectile to provide blowback for the action to continue it's cycle.
In order for prop guns or semi-autos to work, a small restrictor is placed in the modified muzzle to restrict the escaping gasses and use them to work the action.
In the case of a military style firearm a BFA or Blank Firing Apparatus is affixed to the firearm which works similarly to the restricter in the prop gun allowing FA adn SA action, just as if you were firing live ammunition WITHOUT modifying the weapon as in prop guns.
Blanks also use special powder that burns very, very, VERY fast, so fast that it would blow up the firearm if there was any sort of projectile loaded in front of it. Unlike regular powder, it doesn't require any sort of back-pressure to burn completely. If you were to try to make blanks with some regular powder, the primer would set off a small amount of that powder, but blow most of it out the barrel without even causing it to burn, since it's the rising pressure behind a projectile that allows it to burn completely.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
SDC said:
SDC -
I disagree from the standpointpoint that projectiles placed in launchers on the end of the barrel can be used safely.
Blanks for military rifle ammunition have been used to propel rifle grenades, shot-shell blanks propell a variety of military and life saving projectiles, both centerfire rimfire blanks found in starter pistols propel scare cartridges. Both rimfire and centerfire blanks are used to propel nails into concrete and steel. Blank ammunition is generally made without regard for how it might be used, with the exception of nail gun blanks which come in a variety of strengths. It does not follow that a projectile ahead of a blank cartridge will result in damage to the firearm or shooter, provided that the projectile is placed in a launcher designed for that puropse.
Blanks for military rifle ammunition have been used to propel rifle grenades
Not true, a different round is used to propel rifle grenades. IIRC (it has been over 20 years) the round used for the FN to propel a rifle grenade was called a C33 round. There was no mistaking this round for a blank as there was no long crimped end like a blank round has.
echo4lima, you are close, the BFA was a Blank Firing Attachment.
Not true, a different round is used to propel rifle grenades. IIRC (it has been over 20 years) the round used for the FN to propel a rifle grenade was called a C33 round. There was no mistaking this round for a blank as there was no long crimped end like a blank round has.
echo4lima, you are close, the BFA was a Blank Firing Attachment.
maynard said:
Blank Firing Attachment/Adapter/Apparatus depending on where you are from....doesn't really matter does it? You understood, the only persons who may have nary a clue would be the civvies, and I think the explanation was pretty descriptive of it's intended purpose...
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
maynard said:
Bolt guns ain't so paticular, but in any case you missed my point which was to say that blank ammo is useful beyond making noise, without harm coming to either the firearm or shooter.
"...Blanks for military rifle ammunition have been used to propel(sic) rifle grenades..." It is true actually. Just not regular 'training' blanks. Grenade blanks are much more powerful than training blanks and are designed as such to provide range for the rifle grenade.
'Regular' blanks will launch a rifle grenade, but not to the ranges a proper 'grenade' blank will. Firing rifle grenades is great fun with regular blanks and it does not bother the rifle at all.
'Regular' blanks will launch a rifle grenade, but not to the ranges a proper 'grenade' blank will. Firing rifle grenades is great fun with regular blanks and it does not bother the rifle at all.
Propelling charges (like the tool loads and grenade-launching cartridges) use powder that's slower in its burning rate than blank powder, but faster than normal small-arms powder; it's a VERY bad idea to use any of these for anything other than the purpose for which it's intended. It would be no different than using a load of 700X (pistol/shotgun powder) in a rifle cartridge, or some 4895 in a pistol cartridge.
And don't forget that some lame ass blank guns have a welded in barrel plug, and a hole in the TOP of the barrel, for a much less impressive flash (but it sure keeps your eyebrows trimmed):
Click on the picture for a video I made:
VIDEO - 2.43MB .WMV
Click on the picture for a video I made:
VIDEO - 2.43MB .WMV
They don't produce much recoil at all, especially the one I am firing in the video. All the gas pressure exits out the top of the barrel (not the end), the slide is lightweight, and of course, you're not propelling a projectile, so there isn't much rearward force on the gun.
They are quite loud, just a little quieter then a 9mm.
And yep, that was probably 11. It held 15, but if you loaded more then about 13 it'd jam on the first few shots. Damn double stacks
They are quite loud, just a little quieter then a 9mm.
And yep, that was probably 11. It held 15, but if you loaded more then about 13 it'd jam on the first few shots. Damn double stacks
mebiuspower
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Morontario
sxyglock17 said:And don't forget that some lame ass blank guns have a welded in barrel plug, and a hole in the TOP of the barrel, for a much less impressive flash (but it sure keeps your eyebrows trimmed):
Click on the picture for a video I made:
VIDEO - 2.43MB .WMV
Definitely lame ass because the brass were flying left and right side of the gun...
Yeah, it'd eject them straight out the top of the slide, and sometimes they go right, sometimes left, and sometimes the brass getting ejected hits the next one coming down, and they go all over. One time I caught one in the slide as it was closing... nice.
Blanks Vs. Special Cartridges
Just a Side note the CF just made/Purchased a new Line throwing device/rifle
It's a C7 with safety orange furnature and a clip on weight and spool exact same rifle just a muzzle attachment. the launcher cartridge however is a different story apperently (rumour) if you use the launcher cart. with a BFA on it will caise soome serious dammage to the flash-hidder, BFA and gas tube. the regular 5.56 Blank has a yellow or clear laquer at the crimp and the Line Cart. has a bright orange laquer cap. just a little UFI I'll try to get some Pics of the bright orange funature.
Just a Side note the CF just made/Purchased a new Line throwing device/rifle
It's a C7 with safety orange furnature and a clip on weight and spool exact same rifle just a muzzle attachment. the launcher cartridge however is a different story apperently (rumour) if you use the launcher cart. with a BFA on it will caise soome serious dammage to the flash-hidder, BFA and gas tube. the regular 5.56 Blank has a yellow or clear laquer at the crimp and the Line Cart. has a bright orange laquer cap. just a little UFI I'll try to get some Pics of the bright orange funature.
also about the recoil of blanks Vs. Regular ammo the recoil felt from the blank is only the expanding gas leaving the muzzle and the action cycling. in real ammo you have the projectile leaving the muzzle too which increases the recoil noticably.
