Blanks for Honor Guard

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NMexJim

NMexJim

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I’ve been contacted by a member of a local vets Honor Guard about blanks for AR. They would like their rifles to cycle. I have plenty of cases and primers and a wide assortment of gunpowder.

I’ve searched this forum for how-tos and have made contact with a crimp vendor and have gathered a few answers, but I’ve yet to be able to put it all together. Looking for some assistance on the following:

  • I’m told that standard 5.56 casings will work. Any heartburn here?
  • That blank powder is faster than anything on the market. I’ve read threads on Red Dot. Comments on Red Dot or better choices?
  • To cycle, I understand that I need blank adapters that are basically venturi that are inserted into the barrel under the flash suppressors. I have found these. But, when I look at them, powder and pressure questions pop up. Anyone with first-hand, real-world experience?
  • Effects of barrel length and blank adapters?
  • Effects on gas tubes?
  • Any sites that will give all the info I need?
I’m sure I’m missing a few pieces, but if I can get a general, overall picture, then I’ll start ordering in what I need and start finding my way along.

Of course, if I can get these up and operational, then I’ll donate all they need.

Feel free to PM me if you’d rather. I’d be certainly happy to sign off on any liability waivers needed.

Thanks.
 
You can use Bullseye, or the fastest burning pistol powder you can find. I would start with a 357 Mag, max load and work up until you get full function. You will need wading, a 1/4 sheet of toilet paper, tamped down on top of the powder will do fine. The blank adapter is a must to create enough back pressure to cycle the action. A heavy crimp at the mouth is required to feed from a magazine. By the way, most firing squads do not use blank adapters and hand cycle the rifle after every shot, at the command “ready” they cycle.

Without the blank adapter, this is the same process as used to fire form brass without using a bullet. You just shoot into a cardboard box in your garage with the doors closed.
 
I’d start with ones that are available to start with.

https://bolandfx-com.3dcartstores.com/M200223MilitaryBlank

And the adapter they are intended to be used with.

https://bolandfx-com.3dcartstores.com/223-yellow-military-blank-adapter-16in-m4.html

Later a transition to a “Hollywood” one could be done.

https://www.cdvs.us/product/2235-56-hollywood-blank-firing-device/

The main problem I would have with the project is the “what if’s”. I would almost rather load live ammunition for unknown “they’s” than convert firearms for blank adapters that are not easily recognized and unknown what would happen once a live round is fired.

The USGI one is built to be self sacrificing in that event, at least using their blanks. 4:50 or so in this video.



Seems like a lot of liability to personally take on.
 
Armorer 101 said:
You can use Bullseye, or the fastest burning pistol powder you can find. I would start with a 357 Mag, max load and work up until you get full function. You will need wading, a 1/4 sheet of toilet paper, tamped down on top of the powder will do fine. The blank adapter is a must to create enough back pressure to cycle the action. A heavy crimp at the mouth is required to feed from a magazine. By the way, most firing squads do not use blank adapters and hand cycle the rifle after every shot, at the command “ready” they cycle.

Without the blank adapter, this is the same process as used to fire form brass without using a bullet. You just shoot into a cardboard box in your garage with the doors closed.
Click to expand...

jmorris said:
I’d start with ones that are available to start with.

https://bolandfx-com.3dcartstores.com/M200223MilitaryBlank

And the adapter they are intended to be used with.

https://bolandfx-com.3dcartstores.com/223-yellow-military-blank-adapter-16in-m4.html

Later a transition to a “Hollywood” one could be done.

https://www.cdvs.us/product/2235-56-hollywood-blank-firing-device/

The main problem I would have with the project is the “what if’s”. I would almost rather load live ammunition for unknown “they’s” than convert firearms for blank adapters that are not easily recognized and unknown what would happen once a live round is fired.

The USGI one is built to be self sacrificing in that event, at least using their blanks. 4:50 or so in this video.



Seems like a lot of liability to personally take on.
Click to expand...




Thanks, I'm aware of hand cycling and that is a possibility.

Bolandfx is out-of-stock as is most places. Ergo, the group came to me.

This is a trained unit of military vets used mainly for funerals of military vets and they observe a guideline. The Bolandfx device you show has been considered, but it is more desirable to have the firearms as unencumbered as possible.

I'm in touch w/ cdvs. Those devices are the preferred type.

I appreciate the concern, however, I believe I can do this in a safe manner and have plenty of time to go slowly through the process once I get enough insight to proceed.

Anyone with first-hand experience?
 
Armorer 101 said:
You can use Bullseye, or the fastest burning pistol powder you can find. I would start with a 357 Mag, max load and work up until you get full function. You will need wading, a 1/4 sheet of toilet paper, tamped down on top of the powder will do fine. The blank adapter is a must to create enough back pressure to cycle the action. A heavy crimp at the mouth is required to feed from a magazine. By the way, most firing squads do not use blank adapters and hand cycle the rifle after every shot, at the command “ready” they cycle.

Without the blank adapter, this is the same process as used to fire form brass without using a bullet. You just shoot into a cardboard box in your garage with the doors closed.
Click to expand...

Is the "bang" loud enough for the purpose?
 
Not to be dense, but there are no standard mil-surplus blanks available now? Those and the mil-spec blank adapter is the way I would go.

Could paint the adapters black to make them a bit less noticeable. Typically, the firing squad is far enough away no one will notice the adapters.

Have to admit that the blanks didn't always work from my experience so they may have to hand cycle anyway. Adapter may be more safety device than anything.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
Not to be dense, but there are no standard mil-surplus blanks available now? Those and the mil-spec blank adapter is the way I would go.

Could paint the adapters black to make them a bit less noticeable. Typically, the firing squad is far enough away no one will notice the adapters.

Have to admit that the blanks didn't always work from my experience so they may have to hand cycle anyway. Adapter may be more safety device than anything.
Click to expand...


I thought blanks would be pretty easy to find, but not so. I can find a few grenade launcher blanks, but "Hollywood" blanks and adapter are scarce.

I don't disagree that buying would be preferable. It appears blanks are pretty specialized if you want a good-quality blank. I've got feelers out w/ several companies.
 
PM sent.

Shorter barrels will tend to have more flame bypass the BFA, but I've never fired them in less than 10" barrels.

M200 are very dirty, this is the one instance where it might be a good idea to run a couple of the extra long gas tube 'pipe cleaners down the gas tube.

The bang from an M200 blank is plenty loud for the purpose.

My LGS has 40 foreign 5.56 military blanks for sale, my short term memory loss prevents me from remembering which country.
 
Last edited:
NMexJim said:
I appreciate the concern, however, I believe I can do this in a safe manner and have plenty of time to go slowly through the process once I get enough insight to proceed.
Click to expand...

I didn’t intend to question your safety but it’s a project involving others and the USGI ones are designed for use by military personnel...
 
They aren't M200, (necks are longer on M200) the headstamp is FC 18, but several of the cases in the pic are dinged right where an upper with a deflector hits live rounds......I suspect they are reloads on regular brass. M200 also has a cannelure about halfway down the body, supposedly made them easier to extract. But they might work fine for your needs, Jim.
 
NMexJim said:
I thought blanks would be pretty easy to find, but not so. I can find a few grenade launcher blanks, but "Hollywood" blanks and adapter are scarce.
Click to expand...

I think people may be calling things "grenade launcher blanks" to sell them to people with the golf ball launchers and the Can Cannons which go onto an Ar15. I'm not sure anyone ever made a grenade launcher for the 5.56 rifles (more sure the US didn't) as I think that ended with the 30 cal guns. Not sure if 5.56 didn't put out enough power or what.

5.56 brought in the M79 "thump gun" and the M203 to attach to an M16 or M4.

So, all that to say, those "grenade launcher" blanks may be the normal military blanks we used (and they still do) for training.
 
Just to note, while on active duty I served on a funeral team for a couple years doing the honors ceremonies. We used M16A2 rifles. The 'ready' command of ready, aim, fire was pulling charging handle. We didn't use BFAs
 
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