Blank (cartridge)

A blank is a type of cartridge for a gun that contains gunpowder but no bullet or shot. Blanks are commonly used for safety reasons in military training maneuvers, in movies that require gun fights, and in starter's pistols to signal the beginning of races.

Related Topics:
Cartridge - Gun - Gunpowder - Bullet - Shot - Safety - Military - Movies - Starter - Pistol - Race

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However, it should be noted that given the explosiveness of a blank cartridge they are by no means safe. While blanks do not contain bullets, they often contain a paper or plastic plug that seals the powder in the case, called a wad (a term derived from shotgun shells). This wad can cause bruising at medium ranges and severe penetrating wounds at close range. Actors in particular are at serious risk of injury from blank cartridges used on movie sets. Brandon Lee and Jon-Erik Hexum, were both killed in accidents involving blank cartridges. Lee was killed by an old cartridge fragment lodged in the gun, while Hexum died when a wad penetrated his skull. Even the explosion alone can cause damage to the eardrum, so hearing protection is recommended.

Related Topics:
Paper - Plastic - Shotgun shell - Brandon Lee - Jon-Erik Hexum - Eardrum

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Special blank cartridges are also used for applications where the explosive power of a cartridge is needed, but a projectile is not. Blank cartridges were commonly used for launching rifle grenades, though modern grenades are capable of trapping the bullet of a live round. Blank rimfire cartriges are also used in some nail guns, where the power is tapped to force a heavy piston into the nail, with enough force to bury its full length in concrete. Some forms of fast draw competitions use special blanks that are loaded with a layer of slow burning rifle powder on top of a thin layer of faster burning pistol powder. The pistol powder ignites the slower burning rifle powder, and fires it out the barrel much like a shotgun shell. The burning powder only travels a few yards before it completely combusts, but that is far enough to burst the balloon used as a target for those competitions. Wax bullets are also commonly used for competitions and training where a non-lethal projectile is required.

Related Topics:
Rifle grenade - Rimfire - Nail gun - Piston - Concrete - Fast draw - Rifle - Powder - Pistol - Shotgun shell - Balloon - Wax bullets

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