Blank firers in Poland

I compiled information about blank firers in Poland to let you know why these are not a good alternative for modelguns.


Blank firers are treated as firearms here and require a permit to buy/possess/use, unless the caliber is <=6mm. This excludes most of interesting models - it does not make sense to make permit for a 8mm or 9mm blank firer if you need to go through the same hooplas as for a real gun. Such restriction is most harmful to military history reenactors, as they cannot use blank MP40s or other firearms from their periods - these do not come in 6mm caliber.

I've seen people in Poland (including law enforcement officers) comment that modelguns are not permitted by law because they are "7mm caliber". This ignores fact that modelgun cap uses pyrotechnic material, not primer or explosive, and is therefore completely excluded from the category - it is not even a "blank firer", so talking about caliber does not make sense.

It is quite clear that there is not much market for 6mm blank firers (outside of Poland), so most of available models are produced locally by two Polish companies: "Marko" and "Start".

"Start" was founded in 1977 as a family business, and it remains so. This is the largest company producing blank firers in Poland - not surprising, as it is practically the only one still in business. Homepage (in Polish): http://www.start-mateja.com.pl/

Over the years they have developed series of 6mm blank pistols and revolvers:

• Orkan-1, a single-shot model, extremely basic. It's main goal is probably flare launching. Mechanism is different from the following models, as there is only one short blank, fired by a hammer, and empty casing is automatically ejected. Price: ~21$. Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLRp9m4yyRw
  Start-1, a small 6-shot model using short blanks. Price: ~34$. Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzUaatDnu90
  
• Start-2, a larger 8-shot version of Start-1 that has been enhanced with a safety switch. Price: ~39$. Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCgnQ1_xrlw
  
• Start-3, 11-shot model that looks more like a real pistol (perhaps similar to TT-33). Except for the external shape nothing has really changed.
  
• Lexon 11, another 11-shot model, but using long 6mm blanks. It was also made to look more modern, a tiny bit like a Sig P226. Price: 71$. Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVrKgfCeLSs
  
• Baflo 9 (aka Start-4), 9-shot revolver for long 6mm blanks. There are two barrel length variants: 3" and 4". Price: 75$. Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vubTF8XKttI

"Marko" is the second company. I know of two models that were available already in 1990s:

• RK-95, a 7-shot model using short cartidges, based based on looks of Polish P-64 pistol widely used by Police and other forces in the past. Many people mistakenly say this is copy of Walther PPK. Price: ~60$.
  
• RK-98, a 10-shot version based on looks of Glock 19. Grip has storage slot for a spare magazine Price: ~100$

All of these are front-venting and support attachment for launching flares. Depending on model this can be an attachment supporting a single-shot, triple-shot or a longer single-shot version for larger flares. Performance of flares heavily depends on model, the best one is supposedly RK-98 due to barrel construction (short barrel + long flares).
Flares can be bought for ~12$ per box of 20. Blanks cost about 7.5$ per box of 100 short 6mm and 12$ per box of 100 long 6mm.

Construction is very similar between all these models (except revolver of course) and has nothing in common with real pistols. Main shell is made of solid metal. The only controls are trigger and magazine gate, in some models also a safety switch.


Two models of imported 6mm blank-firers:

• Perfecta model S, 8-shot model using short blanks. Top-venter! Magazine is actually loaded into the grip, similar to real pistols. This model ejects empty shells through the top. Price: ~34$
  
• Reck revolver model 36, 7-shot revolver using long blanks. Price: ~135$

There are also controversial "Keseru" brand revolvers. They are very unusual, as they allow to shoot either 4.5mm bb or a 10mm rubber ball using blanks! This falls into a grey-ish area in law. Exact wording of law forbids using explosive material to launch projectils, but blanks do not use explosives, they use primers, following a different chemical process. Therefore it is claimed that such revolvers are more similar to compressed air/gas models. Claim is supported by the importer of Keseru revolvers based on formal opinions from Military Institute of Armament, and Polish Society of Criminology, saying it's not a weapon.


Below you can find some pictures of Marko RK-95, both assembled and disassembled.
Note: "safety switch" is molded with the shell, it does not work.

This model has a magazine gate that pretends to be a hammer. Loading/unloading follows a procedure that will create a VERY BAD HABIT: after you open the gate you have to PULL THE TRIGGER to release magazine (or to let it inside). Gate acts as a switch and disconnects trigger from firing pin, but you can just imagine how bad this system is :-/ It took me about an hour to figure out how to remove the magazine, and you certainly understand how uneasy I felt.

Firing is simple - load magazine, insert into blank-firer, pull the trigger (very hard, very long pull). This will fire blank and move magazine one position backwards. When all shots are fired, open gate and pull trigger again, letting the magazine fall out (gravity!) of the back.

I use a Walther PPK leather holster, it fits RK-95 just right.

External pictures:






Magazine is a solid piece of metal with round holes where you place blanks. Blanks face upwards. Magazine is loaded into a magazine channel - in some models it is from the front, in some from the back. Firing pin will strike blanks from below, gas is ejected through an opening between magazine channel (right over the blank that is fired) and barrel.
Trigger pull is very heavy, as it has to not only fully cock and release the firing pin, but also transport the magazine backwards. This is achieved using simple mechanical system of levers and springs.




Both halves are held together with three screws. Inside you can see the simple mechanism.
There are two pins that operate on magazine. One (closer to the front of the model) travels with trigger and pushes magazine back by one position. At the same time back of the trigger pushes on firing pin, moving it downwards against spring (copper-coloured). When trigger is in the backmost position, firing pin will fall, or rather spring up, setting off the blank. When trigger is released, firing pin now holds magazine in place, while trigger pin folds down (it is spring-loaded) while it moves toward the front.

"Hammer" is in reality magazine loading gate. When it is open, it will move the levers going to the trigger, and prevent trigger from reaching backmost position. This means that firing pin still gets pushed against the spring, just not released to fire blank. I wonder if this is a safe mechanism...

Very good read Smootik! Nice to see some insights into blank firers from various countries - for me in HK I can only get deactivated blank firers (BFs are treated as real steel in HK - and as the only genuine reason for civilian getting live real steel in HK is "target shooting" so blank firers become inappropriate unless it's deactivated after granting a deact weapon exemption) so I just won't be bothered...

Interesting. If I was able to get some of those 6mm semi-auto looking models in the US, I'd have use for them. Often smaller theatrical productions don't want the volume of an 8mm or 9mm blank, or don't want to deal with the shell casings rolling around on the floor, but they still want a modern looking prop.

I've sometimes used the little starter pistols built in the same style but less realistic looking, like this:
(kinda resembles a little .25 pocket pistol, but not a real combat handgun).

At least once a theatre had a problem where the force from one blank apparently set off a chain reaction, and they had a burst of automatic fire unexpectedly. Also occasional complaints about powder spraying back on the hand.

Interesting comment, it certainly makes sense to use weaker cartridges in such circumstances.

I completely forgot about another manufacturer - Rohm. They have a range of blank pistols and revolvers in this caliber, but are not as widely available as the previous list. Only RG 300 seems to appear now and then.

• RG 3, a small 6-shot pistol. It has a proper safety with fire/safe/unload setting.
  http://www.roehm-rg.de/158.html?&L=1&tx_UserRG_pi1[showUid]=54&i=1f
  
• RG 300, a larger 10-shot modern-looking pistol, also with a 3-position safety. Price: ~70$
  http://www.roehm-rg.de/158.html?&L=1&tx_UserRG_pi1[showUid]=55&i=2
  
• Little Joe, a miniature (10cm long) 5-shot revolver that can be hidden in a belt buckle.
  http://www.roehm-rg.de/157.html?&L=1&tx_UserRG_pi1[showUid]=62&i=1
  
• RG 56, a 7-shot revolver. Price: ~110$/
  http://www.roehm-rg.de/157.html?&L=1&tx_UserRG_pi1[showUid]=63&i=2&cHash=1494ecc210
  
• RG 46, version of RG 56 revolver with an integrated flare attachment.
  http://www.roehm-rg.de/157.html?&L=1&tx_UserRG_pi1[showUid]=64&i=3

Took some pictures of a Keseru that belonged to a colleague.

Look and mechanism are typical for modern revolvers (sorry guys, I'm really not that good with revolvers).

Frame is made of some zinc/aluminum alloy, I think. It is painted in black, looks worse than metal modelguns, more like a painted toy. Edges and other places where revolver made contact with something (holster?) have paint peeled off.

Grips are plastic.

Left side says: "KESERU FEGYVERGYAR" (name of manufacturer), "MAGNUM DEFENDER K-10" (name of a model), "MADE IN HUNGARY" (obvious) and "KESERU" with an arrow (trademark of mechanism). Right side has "KESERU" with an arrow repeated in two places. Top features "cal.6mm short" (caliber) followed by visibly different stamping of "MADE FOR KOLTER" (Kolter is Polish importer), "PL" (for Poland, I think) and a serial number (blacked our part, not sure if it is really serial number).

Front sight is fixed, rear is adjustable, maybe partially as there is only a single screw.

Magazine opens to the left after you pull lever backwards. It can be freeky taken off the axis for loading/unloading/cleaning. Rear side of the magazine has reinforced holes for inserting 6mm short blanks, front side has much larger openings for 10mm rubber balls that have to be fully pushed inside.
I have fired it twice - you can see that two balls are missing. One chamber is already reloaded with a fresh blank, but no ball.

Pulling the trigger detonates blank, vertical detonator pin is directly on hammer. Blank has enough power to shoot ball for a few meters, then it starts dropping off. K-10 is short-barrel version, there is also K-56 with a longer barrel. Both are available in Poland in another variant (different barrel and magazine), shooting 4.5mm lead pellets instead of rubber balls.
Keseru produces also many more variants for export to other countries, depending on legislation. Calibers are 8mm blanks, 6mm long blanks, .380 blanks as well possibility to shoot 5.56mm lead pellet or 12mm rubber ball.

As already written, this is a very strange and controversial device due to way it works. Of course you can make more damage using a normal bb gun (CO2 powered ones usually have more power), but using blank makes this one more "dangerous" in eyes of many people.

Manufacturer webpage for export products is in English, but it is available only for people who declare they are wholesale dealers:
http://www.keseru.hu/oldal.php?M=1&O=bejarat_en

Took a close look at "Baflo 9" revolver - it is similar quality to Keseru shown above. Pretty poor casting, rough paint, and only half of cylinder opens to avoid modifications (the other half is fixed).

In a surprising move Keseru is no longer manufacturing revolvers for Kolter (Polish importer). Design has been outsourced now to Zoraki (R1 variant), it appeared at shops just a few days ago. It is MUCH higher quality now, night and day difference in details, finish, material. I would say on par with Reck and even real firearms. Tempting

Another interesting development thanks to Umarex/Walther!

As you know from this thread Poland limits caliber of blank-firers to 6mm, making 9mm PAK a "weapon" that requires a weapon permit.

In a brave move Umarex/Walther have just challenged that!
They released in Poland Walther P22Q, which is a 9mm blank firer. This is a country-specific modification with barrel featuring an insert (similar to plastic modelguns) that reduces open area to about 5mm equivalent. Based on literal legal definition of caliber (short: smallest cross-section area inside barrel) they have claimed this is under 6mm caliber and can be sold without a license. Barrel is also made in such a way that real one cannot be used as replacement etc so other conditions are also met.

Their next move is that 9mm blanks can be fired in such a blank firer because law says nothing about ammo (which was until now widely regarded to be same as "caliber"), only caliber.

Ministry of Internal Affairs (responsible for weapons and licenses) admitted in writting that this is a correct interpretation of the law.

I am looking forward to more blankfirers now in 9mm! I hope Umarex/Walther will follow with more Poland-specific models, so at the very least military reenactors can enjoy their hobby without jumping through hoops to get permit for a WWII-era looking blankfirers (made in 9mm PAK) :-D

Yeah also reckon calibre restriction shall not apply to blank firers / modelguns when projectile isn't involved...and good to see there're still some relatively understanding government out there...

Wonder if Poland is the only country having such restrictions... Normally makers won't go through all these just for one market unless it is the US...or Poland have a huge demand for these...

Must be a fluke with this government approval ;-) Overall they are very anti-gun and listen more to Police who says any weapon ownership should be verboten.

Poland is a virgin market as nothing like that (9mm PAK) was available until now without permit. Umarex will have first-mover advantage. If the followup with MP40 and other such models, they will sell tons of those. Poland is also one of the largest populations in Europe, right after Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy. As Umarex/Walther sold little here, those blank-firers can be a big hit and opening of a very new market.

I don't know of another country with such specific restriction on caliber. Usually it's either a ban on anything pistol-like (including modelguns) or blank-firers of (almost) any caliber allowed (with restrictions like 18 years of age or some kind of exemption ).

From this I can see why those of us in Australia have to deal with current situation...the shooters aren't united enough / no manufacturer / lobby group willing (or able) to stand up for the shooters / we tend to focus more on the shooting aspect before so once the ban comes we lose it all (almost - be it real steel / replicas / blank-firers)...also we're a relatively small population so God Bless our smaller neighbour New Zealand as one of the last Gun Paradise around...

I'd still love to get ahold of one of those RK98 glock-looking .22 blank guns... for many theatres, 9mm or 8mm are too loud, but they want a semi-auto. Anyone know if there's a way to get those in to the US?