Concealed Handgun Holsters

During the course of a hunt, it’s sometimes useful to fire blanks - not when you’re targeting your prey, of course, but certainly if you’re trying to flush an animal out of hiding. A traditional cartridge consists of a bullet, the primer, some gunpowder and a metal casing. Dummy cartridges are remarkably similar, with the main difference being that a bullet is replaced with some wadded up paper.

Since blanks are intended to be all bark and no bite, the powder level is occasionally increased for a more impressive effect. When firing blanks out in the woods, it’s important to keep a few safety concerns firmly in mind. A dummy cartridge can still do some damage at close range, where the rushing air and gunpowder are highly concentrated. Given even just a few inches to disperse, the danger shrinks and eventually disappears. No matter what you are shooting, you should always house your rounds in a cartridge holder.

The design and effectiveness of firearm cartridges have improved steadily over the centuries, to the point where modern gun owners would barely recognize the rudimentary versions. In the 16th century, European soldiers used muzzle-loading weapons to wage war against other nations. They utilized a charge of gunpowder along with a bullet wrapped in paper tubing, which would be loaded into the weapon from the front.

An arms race soon emerged that predated and in a way predicted the Cold War. Rival militaries sought ways to fire their weapons more rapidly and thereby gain an edge over the competition. By the mid 19th century, American manufacturers had developed full metal cartridges, and soldiers began storing them in a cartridge holder as early as the Civil War. Today, cartridges are form-fit for each unique style and specification of firearm.