[AmesVond]

Why do they make pistols specifically to shoot blanks? Why not just make blanks that shoot in regular pistols?

 

[matt g]

I couldn't imagine starting a marathon with a 1911 or Glock.

 

[pioneer461]

I think it is to make sure some idiot doesn't start a track meet with a real pistol, using real ammo. Not to mention, they are a lot cheaper than real guns.

I heard a news story recently about Cincinnati Ohio mayor who refuses to use starter pistols, and insists races begin with a good blow.....on a whistle.

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1187340583133830.xml&coll=2

 

[Stumpy16076]

I am in a Old West re-enactment group, and we use real, live firearms firing black powder blanks. I am also the Safety Officer, and my responsibilities include weapons checks, issuing blanks and making damn sure no one has any live ammo at the performance site. The blank-firing only guns take a special sized blank to ensure no live ammo can be loaded in the gun. The guns themselves are cheap and prone to malfunction which is why our group elected not to use them.