How Do BFAs Work?

[k9870]

I'm wondering how a blank adaptor allows a slide to cycle with such low power loads.

[Gunmaster45]

They block the gases from escaping the muzzle so this gives the gases enough power to kick the action back.

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Gunmaster45

They block the gases from escaping the muzzle so this gives the gases enough power to kick the action back.

Of course, it also tends to make the actions much dirtier and wear them down faster than live rounds.

[Phoenixent]

The the weapon is not a direct blow back then it needs modification for it to work with blanks.

[Gunmaster45]

Something like an AR needs no more than a BFA but something like an M1911 needs adjustments to the barrel including a muzzle plugs and milling down the part of the barrel seen in the ejection port.

At least that's what I think I know.

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Gunmaster45

Something like an AR needs no more than a BFA but something like an M1911 needs adjustments to the barrel including a muzzle plugs and milling down the part of the barrel seen in the ejection port.

At least that's what I think I know.

Maybe I'm wrong about this (Steve can correct me), but don't 1911s need the ejection port widened because of the fact that blanks have extended brass heads to hold the extra powder? I imagine that this would present problems in an un-modified 1911 because it would have trouble fitting properly through the ejection port while the gun was cycling. Or, at least, there would be a higher risk of a stovepipe malf.

[Clutch]

Kind of a semi-silly question, but how reliable are Walther P99s as converted blank guns? Seems like the only ones I ever see in movies are first-generation models, like the Umarex models in Casino Royale or the QPQ-slide P99s used by Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld movies and Karl Urban in The Bourne Supremacy. I've yet to see any of the 2nd or 3rd-generation models in movies (though Activision and Treyarch modeled one for the Quantum of Solace videogame recently). What's up with that?

[Phoenixent]

Originally Posted by Clutch

Kind of a semi-silly question, but how reliable are Walther P99s as converted blank guns? Seems like the only ones I ever see in movies are first-generation models, like the Umarex models in Casino Royale or the QPQ-slide P99s used by Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld movies and Karl Urban in The Bourne Supremacy. I've yet to see any of the 2nd or 3rd-generation models in movies (though Activision and Treyarch modeled one for the Quantum of Solace videogame recently). What's up with that?

The only ones I have seen are the ones that Bapty and Ellis Mercantile had and they were early versions. It's not that they are difficult to convert to blanks and the reliability is based on how they were converted. The main problem is that to some prop masters they looked like Glocks. Also some armories went and purchased SW99 because they looked close enough to the Walther P99.

[k9870]

I don't see why revolvers aren't used more, no adaptor needed, and they are popular among shooters.

[Phoenixent]

Originally Posted by k9870

I don't see why revolvers aren't used more, no adaptor needed, and they are popular among shooters.

Name a large metro police department the uses revolvers? The same goes for military units. Although revolvers are popular among shooters they fall far behind the popularity of semi-auto pistols. You will see revolvers in shows but only a couple compared to the rest unless it's a period film. The period films being made has more 1911 and Colt 1908 Pockets in them now.