Athletic Blanks and Starting Pistol

A starting pistol is a blank-firing device used to signal the start of athletic events, particularly track races and competitive swimming events.

The sound produced when the pistol is fired provides an audible signal for athletes to begin the event. The visible smoke produced by the blank cartridge provides a visual indication to timekeepers that the race has started.

Starting pistols are also used in K9 dog training, where an audible firing signal can be incorporated into controlled training exercises and conditioning programs.