Blanks vs. Bullets

 

This will be a more detailed look at what happens when a semi-automatic or fully automatic gun is fired. It will also ruin a lot of movies, so there’s that.

First, what is a “blank?”

A blank is a round that lacks a bullet. It’s basically a noisemaker. The pistols fired at track meets use blanks. Some nail guns use blanks. To make a blank, you need to take a normal casing, fill it with powder, then seal the end with a paper disk (revolvers and single shots only) or by crimping the end together to make a point. Some use a mix of the two.

When a blank is fired, the powder burns to create gas. That gas flows down the barrel where it makes a noise as it hits the air.

 

BLANKS ARE DANGEROUS!

Rifles: Semi and Fully Automatic

Now we come to the “cool” ones. The rifles that action heroes have been using to sow destruction for over 50 years now. Let’s define some things.

Semi-Automatic Handguns

Earlier I talked about semi-automatic actions in a general way, focusing more on the difference between single and double actions.  In this entry, I’m going to look at the entire class, but in a slightly more detailed way.  This will be mainly for handguns, not rifles or shotguns unless noted.

Semi-automatic is the correct term for a firearm that will eject a fired casing and load a new one to be fired, all without any input from the shooter.  This is often just called automatic, or auto.  I will probably do that too, but technically, automatic weapons will also fire the second round to complete the cycle.  They will do this until the trigger is released.  Just be aware that semi-auto and auto can mean the same thing, just as automatic and full-auto mean the same thing.

Okay, moving on.