Blanks are only shipped using UPS or Fed-Ex ground service. This can take from 1 to 10 days in transit time. We cannot use the US Postal Service. We cannot use any expedited [air] shipping.   

Use ear protection when firing any blank. The sounds produced by even the smallest of blanks cause hearing damage to the operator of the gun after multiple firings.

We carry only commercial blanks, and do not load any blanks ourselves. Some styles can be purchased at your local sporting goods store.

Caps and blanks are two different animals. Blanks are cartridges filled with gunpowder and also have  primers built-in to set them off. Caps have no gunpowder and no cartridge; they're just little primers. Only blanks can be used in blank-fire guns. Only caps can be used in percussion (ball-and-cap) guns.

There is one other type of "cap" - those used in toy cap guns. No starter gun or stage pistol can fire those kind of caps. These have both the primer and a small amount of gunpowder. Because toy caps are made to explode right at the point where the hammer makes contact with them, toy cap guns are less safe than blank guns for the person firing them. Go here for more information.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *

described below, from left to right

Ø 6mm crimped - misnamed the "super loud", it is the smallest amount of sound you can find in a commercial blank. The very small amount of gunpowder produces a rather high pitched sound, but if your house is small, this is all you will need. Will fit any 22 caliber gun. Various brand names, the most common being Pobjeda made in Bosnia/Herzegovina. about 27 ¢ each

Ø 22 caliber crimped – Made by CCI and by Remington, it’s one and a half times as loud as the above 6mm crimped.    about 29 ¢ each

Ø 22 caliber blackpowder - don’t confuse this with the above crimped loads. It is three times as loud and much deeper in tone. This is what all but the largest houses or outdoor theatres require.  about 47 ¢ each

NOTE: You are not obligated to use our blanks, but you must use blanks that are designed for starter pistols. Under no circumstance must you ever use "power" loads from hardware stores made for nail guns. Those blanks destroy starter pistols and put the actors in grave danger of injury.

Ø 32 caliber blackpowder    -  about twice as loud as the 22 blackpowder. Also by Winchester. Actor should wear ear protection.     about 95 ¢ each

Ø 8mm full load   -  substantially louder than  the .32 cal. This is the kind used by the semiautomatic blank-fire guns.  Since we no longer carry those guns, we no longer sell the blanks. They are, however, still available from Collectors Armoury.

Ø 9mm full load   -  - (not shown)  beyond loud. Also called .380 caliber.  When fired indoors, even in a large house, it sounds and feels like a cannon. Anyone firing this blank MUST WEAR EAR PROTECTION - no exceptions. The only reason I can see for using these is for an off-stage noise to replicate the sound of a cannon or very large caliber rifle or musket.   65 ¢ each shot

Ø 9mm half load   -  Most theatres can't use the full loads, so these half loads are  available. But remember, half load of 9mm is still going to be twice as loud as the full load 22's.  72 ¢ each shot

Blanks are expensive. We know that. We've seen the cost of blanks quadruple over the past three years. Why? Mainly the drop in the dollar (most blanks come from overseas) and the spiraling cost of the raw materials to make them, especially copper. Add to that a national shortage from American producers, who are the same people who make ammunition for military use. They cover military contracts first, sport ammunition second, and blanks are a distant third on their priority list. As long as we are involved in a hot war (or two), we're bound to see prices continue to go up, and availability dry up.

For rentals of .blank guns we routinely send out more blanks than you can use. You are not obligated to use them, but they're there if you need them. Use what you need, and at the end of the run send back the rest (even opened boxes) with the returned guns, and you are only charged for the blanks actually fired. [We will give only a small partial credit for blanks purchased from other dealers, and only if they match what we already carry]

*    *    *    *    *    *    *

One last thing: PayPal ^® cannot be used to pay for purchase of blanks. If you normally use PayPal^® , you'll need to call us with your credit card info instead.