Starting pistols

Starting

— pistols designed only for blank (flash-noise) cartridges. Such a cartridge completely imitates the external effects of a shot from a firearm – sound, flash (though from a special hole in the chamber, and not from the barrel), and the operation of automation. However, there is no bullet in its design, and pistols for this ammunition have plugged barrels, which do not allow firing live or traumatic cartridges (we emphasize that such an attempt is fraught with rupture of the barrel and serious consequences for the shooter and others). Thus, formally, these are not even weapons, but special pyrotechnic means.

Almost all such devices are pistols (see “Form factor”). Initially, they were widely used to signal “start” in sports competitions – hence the name. However, the actual scope of application of “weapons” chambered for blank cartridges is much wider; it can be used, in particular:

– for training shooters, including for developing the habit of hearing the loud sound of a shot;
– when filming movies, in plays and other performances;
– for training service dogs;
– for sending sound signals over long distances, etc.