Bergeron
Member
I'm doing some research on blank firing guns and blank firing adapators. If anyone could point me in the right direction to get some general info, history, etc, I would be very grateful.
Blank Firing Guns
- Thread starter Bergeron
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Greg L
Member
Well, according to Google 
, this should get you started.
http://www.dfendyourself.com/link_directory/blank_firing_pistol.html
, this should get you started.http://www.dfendyourself.com/link_directory/blank_firing_pistol.html
Devonai
Member
I could tell you all about the trials and tribulations of running blanks through an M16A2 if you're interested.
Bergeron
Member
Yeah, send me a PM on what that was like, it would be helpful. I'm not trying so much to buy one, but to obtain info about them. The manufacturer's sites are not the most helpful.
Devonai
Member
I think this is interesting enough to share with the .org.
I've seen all kinds of results using blanks with the M16A2, from flawless performance mag after mag to complete and total "f-you" jams. The primary problems are caused by the fact that the blank cartridges are not the same overall length (OAL) as live cartridges.
The most common jam while using blanks is when the tip of the blank cartridge jams against the feed ramp on it's way to the chamber. The cause is carbon fouling that prevents smooth sliding. Usually a quick wipe of the chamber mouth/feed ramps will fix this.
The second most common problem is under-powered blanks which will not cycle the action properly. This can be quickly addressed by yanking smartly on the charging handle, but care must be taken to angle the ejection port down to allow the cartridge case to clear the receiver. I've seen many bad jams occur when the operator fails to do this and the bolt closes on the fired case. If the case gets jammed up under the gas tube, expect to be out of the action for awhile to clear it.
The third problem is, for whatever reason, the magazine angles the loaded rounds down too far. This can cause a failure to feed no matter how clean your feed ramps are. Some troopers have been able to counter this problem by manually angling the magazine forward with their non-dominant hand. I have a couple of magazines that I marked because of their tendency to do this; they work fine with live rounds but don't come with me to training any more.
The last problem, which occurs not often, is that there's something wrong with the BFA itself. In desperate times some troopers have simply removed the BFA and converted their rifle into a straight-pull bolt action repeater. This is better than nothing.
Sometimes, troopers who are having problems with their rifles on semi-auto have solved fixed it by switching to three-round burst. I have no idea why this works but it sure isn't good for your ammo supply
I've seen all kinds of results using blanks with the M16A2, from flawless performance mag after mag to complete and total "f-you" jams. The primary problems are caused by the fact that the blank cartridges are not the same overall length (OAL) as live cartridges.
The most common jam while using blanks is when the tip of the blank cartridge jams against the feed ramp on it's way to the chamber. The cause is carbon fouling that prevents smooth sliding. Usually a quick wipe of the chamber mouth/feed ramps will fix this.
The second most common problem is under-powered blanks which will not cycle the action properly. This can be quickly addressed by yanking smartly on the charging handle, but care must be taken to angle the ejection port down to allow the cartridge case to clear the receiver. I've seen many bad jams occur when the operator fails to do this and the bolt closes on the fired case. If the case gets jammed up under the gas tube, expect to be out of the action for awhile to clear it.
The third problem is, for whatever reason, the magazine angles the loaded rounds down too far. This can cause a failure to feed no matter how clean your feed ramps are. Some troopers have been able to counter this problem by manually angling the magazine forward with their non-dominant hand. I have a couple of magazines that I marked because of their tendency to do this; they work fine with live rounds but don't come with me to training any more.
The last problem, which occurs not often, is that there's something wrong with the BFA itself. In desperate times some troopers have simply removed the BFA and converted their rifle into a straight-pull bolt action repeater. This is better than nothing.
Sometimes, troopers who are having problems with their rifles on semi-auto have solved fixed it by switching to three-round burst. I have no idea why this works but it sure isn't good for your ammo supply
mdsteele
Member
Greg L
Member
Thinking about it, we used to have fun in the NG at AT with the various blanks that we had. If you take off the BFA & stick a fired piece of brass upside down in the muzzle you can make a projectile weapon when fired. And if you happen to fire that in the general direction of the infiltrating Op-For (into the trees above their heads) they will think that you have live rounds & will quickly exfiltrate the area leaving the rest of your evening peaceful 
(or at least until the SFC of the Op-For complains & you have to think up a quick reason for the branches breaking off above them 
). Also I heard somewhere
that you can do the same type of thing with a cleaning rod if you need a dart 
.
Then there was the time during ROTC training when we were doing squad drills. I got volunteered to hump the 60 around, lucky me . We were practicing crossing a hostile danger area & I was security off to one side with the plan being that I would be the last one to cross. While crossing I would let loose a short burst as soon as I hit the open area. Apparently the CPT observing us lost count of who had crossed over. He also didn't see me laying down on the other side of the tree that he was watching from (I didn't see him either, it was a BIG tree). We both stepped out at the same time & I stitched a line of scorch marks on his BDUs right across his chest. Both of us looked like this after it happened. Of course he also had to change his underwear so I guess I won .
(or at least until the SFC of the Op-For complains & you have to think up a quick reason for the branches breaking off above them ). Also I heard somewhere
that you can do the same type of thing with a cleaning rod if you need a dart .Then there was the time during ROTC training when we were doing squad drills. I got volunteered to hump the 60 around, lucky me
. We were practicing crossing a hostile danger area & I was security off to one side with the plan being that I would be the last one to cross. While crossing I would let loose a short burst as soon as I hit the open area. Apparently the CPT observing us lost count of who had crossed over. He also didn't see me laying down on the other side of the tree that he was watching from (I didn't see him either, it was a BIG tree). We both stepped out at the same time & I stitched a line of scorch marks on his BDUs right across his chest. Both of us looked like this after it happened. Of course he also had to change his underwear so I guess I won .
Devonai
Member
My only OPFOR experience with the M60 is trying to keep the damn BFA from flying off during fire! 
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