What does shooting blanks actually mean?

Question

For a gun, if somebody is shooting blanks what exactly does that mean? Do they still shoot a bullet but it just isn't a real bullet? Or do they not shoot out anything but the gun makes the sound? I was just wondering.

Answer 1

There is no projectile (bullet) in a 'blank" round. Just the powder. If you watch races, mostly track & field, where they use a pistol to start the race, the round in the pistol is a blank with no projectile (bullet).

Answer 2

The gun doesn't shoot anything out. It's a cartridge without a bullet in it.

Answer 3

nothing comes out its just a sound and a kick its just for like a warning shot.

Answer 4

A blank round will discharge high pressure gasses and some particulate matter, but no slug or bullet.

Mostly what comes out is unburned powder, the paper wad, and bits of the brass casing and primer.

Close range will kill.

Look at the actor from the 80's tv show Cover Up

http://www.moviegunservices.com/mgs_prop...

Answer 5

A blank is a cartridge with no bullet

It makes the noise and flash from the powder explosion but there is no  projectile to come out

Answer 6

A blank round has no bullet or projectile in the end of the cartridge case.  Usually the end is crimped or folded over on the end to keep the powder in.  It goes bang just like a regular bullet when fired but no bullet is involved.  Never get in front of a weapon firing a blank as it is very dangerous.

Answer 7

There is no bullet. Just a bunch of gun powder exploding with the sound of a normal gun fire.

Answer 8

They're blank rounds, no bullets, but they do have sound and smoke powder. If you've gone to a Civil War reenactment, that's what they use and parades if they include tanks, that's what those use. Everything is used except the bullets so there is no accidents and no one is injured.