How do you fire blanks? - Answers

Single-shot firearms and manual repeaters such as revolvers, lever guns and bolt actions can fire blanks same as they would live ammunition. Just load and fire as normal. Automatic (both semi and full) firearms can fire blanks, but will not cycle the action without a special device to restrict the flow of gas or increase recoil. Military guns generally have blank fire adapters designed for them to be used for training purposes. They often screw into or in place of the flash suppressor. Some pistols also have such adapters which can attach to the barrel or just replace the barrel with a special blank firing barrel. Most civilian guns do not have such adapters available and may have to be altered to fire blanks with the action cycling properly. This is what is often done with prop guns used in movies.