How Do BFAs Work?

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Gunmaster45

How hard is it for some gang member to take a Beretta off a dead cop or buy it from a black market sale? Berettas are common enough that some gangster with one isn't too shocking.

Remember that Steve's in California. Outside of the LAPD, there aren't that many departments that issue the Beretta 92F anymore. Glock accounts for something like 60% of the domestic LE market, SIG-Sauer takes up most of the rest.

[Phoenixent]

LAPD has I believe three authorized manufacturers that can be used for standard issue Beretta, Glock and Smith and Wesson. LAPD Metro SWAT has Kimber 1911. LA County Sheriff still has Beretta and PDs around Southern California use autos of different makes or calibers. I have worked with or met officers from Sacramento to San Diego and I have not seen a revolver used as a primary weapon on a active duty officer for years.

It's funny how this went from How BFA's work to the use of revolvers on film.

Somewhat back on track, thanks to loaders like Joe Swanson who pioneered motion picture blanks, we now have a product that produces CONSISTANT results. Not to diminish anyone else's efforts, there are other blank manufacturers that have copied and improved the designs with new powders, refined crimps and profiles.
It wasn't until we had reliable ammunition that improvements in gun blanking, especially pistols, could more quickly evolve. I'm sure that Steve C would concur that "our guns are only as good as the blanks"
Regarding the crimp, it also keeps the powder retained and burning longer than wads thereby resulting in consistant pressures especially critical for semi/full auto gas operated guns. Without that the 1/4 and solid plug loads (9mm solid plug only 1-2 grains of powder!!) would be even more tempermental.

4570guy

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by 4570guy

Somewhat back on track, thanks to loaders like Joe Swanson who pioneered motion picture blanks, we now have a product that produces CONSISTANT results. Not to diminish anyone else's efforts, there are other blank manufacturers that have copied and improved the designs with new powders, refined crimps and profiles.
It wasn't until we had reliable ammunition that improvements in gun blanking, especially pistols, could more quickly evolve. I'm sure that Steve C would concur that "our guns are only as good as the blanks"
Regarding the crimp, it also keeps the powder retained and burning longer than wads thereby resulting in consistant pressures especially critical for semi/full auto gas operated guns. Without that the 1/4 and solid plug loads (9mm solid plug only 1-2 grains of powder!!) would be even more tempermental.

4570guy

Really interesting info. Thanks! Are you also an armorer?

Originally Posted by MT2008

Really interesting info. Thanks! Are you also an armorer?

Yes I'm an armorer
MT2008, email me-
4570guy

[Nyles]

I'm not an armorer, but I'm wondering if the reason you don't see many P99s in films is because theyre going to get shot alot, and P99s wear out quickly compared to other pistols. I was talking to a guy who runs a rental range, and who's guns see alot of rounds, and he said the P99s were always the first to need replacing. CZ75s last the longest, if anyone was wondering.

I know the question was meant in a film context, but here's the BFA for my C7:




The open section at the back locks around the groove in the flash hider (originally meant for rifle grenades) and then you screw in the plug to block up the barrel. You can even see how filthy it is in there from all the carbon build-up - they come pained safety yellow. Unit SOP is to cam it up with green gun tape though.

[Gunmaster45]

I have a box full of 100s of those little BFAs (colored red) built to thread on a birdcage muzzle break for an AR-15/M16. Sadly I don't own one though. The box also had a SL of blank ammo, much of which I shot through my dad's Ruger Mini-14 while hanging out with some friends (but being safe of course)

[Phoenixent]

Originally Posted by 4570guy

Somewhat back on track, thanks to loaders like Joe Swanson who pioneered motion picture blanks, we now have a product that produces CONSISTANT results. Not to diminish anyone else's efforts, there are other blank manufacturers that have copied and improved the designs with new powders, refined crimps and profiles.
It wasn't until we had reliable ammunition that improvements in gun blanking, especially pistols, could more quickly evolve. I'm sure that Steve C would concur that "our guns are only as good as the blanks"
Regarding the crimp, it also keeps the powder retained and burning longer than wads thereby resulting in consistant pressures especially critical for semi/full auto gas operated guns. Without that the 1/4 and solid plug loads (9mm solid plug only 1-2 grains of powder!!) would be even more tempermental.

4570guy

I agree there were blanks in the early 1900's but they had paper or wood bullets. Stembridge made blanks in the 1920's but Joe Swanson set the bar for consistent and reliable blanks in the film industry.