Here's an odd question: 5 in 1 Blanks??

Smithhound · Jan 27, 2013

I've seen these for sale off and on but never paid much attention to them, tonite my Wife and I were poking around the web for brass (well, I was and she caught me) and she asked me what they were and how they worked. I had to admit I had no idea.
Are they what they sound like? 5 blank shots from 1 cartridge? If so how does that work? Not something I'm interested in ever owning or shooting but now that I've been asked I've got to know.
Anyone have experience with these or an answer?
RD

mjr · Jan 27, 2013

They were used in Hollywood westerns, in revolvers chambered for .45 Colt, .44-40 and .38-40 (that's three), and in rifles/carbines chambered for the .44 & .38 (that's two more--making five in one). There were no .45 Colt carbines when these blanks were named.

Thuer · Jan 27, 2013

Count the .44 Russian in. I didn't fit my sample of the 5 in 1 blanc in the cilinder chamber of my New Model 3 yet. But I expect it will fit. Then follows the .44 special and .44 magnum.
Nice cartridge.

Smithhound · Jan 27, 2013

So, they could be used in 5 different firearms, not fire 5 times from one cartridge? That would make more sense, I couldn't see a way one blank could be made to go off 5 times. Even tho' I know I've seen John Wayne fire his SAA about 30 times without reloading before.
I knew someone would have an answer.
RD

feralmerril · Jan 27, 2013

I have a ancent partial box of them out in the garage. Someone must have gave me them. I used to work in the studios 40 years ago but these look older than that.

Muley Gil · Jan 27, 2013

Thuer said:
Count the .44 Russian in. I didn't fit my sample of the 5 in 1 blanc in the cilinder chamber of my New Model 3 yet. But I expect it will fit. Then follows the .44 special and .44 magnum.
Nice cartridge.

No, these blanks won't fit in a .44 Russian/Special/Magnum chamber. Too wide.

sceva · Jan 27, 2013

1 blank cartridge fits

1 - .45 Colt

2 - 38-40 Revolver

3 - 44-40 Revolver

4 - 38-40 Rifle

5 - 44-40 Rifle

I expect that the size mimics the 38-40 case which will chamber and fire in a 44-40 or 45 Colt.

Thuer · Jan 28, 2013

Here is a picture of the subject.
Compared by a .44-40 and .45 colt.

cowart · Jan 28, 2013

Muley Gil said:
No, these blanks won't fit in a .44 Russian/Special/Magnum chamber. Too wide.

Incorrect - "The 5-in-1 blanks in use today have been redesigned and are made with plastic cases which can be used not only in .38-40, .44-40 and .45 Colt calibers, but also .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .410 Gauge firearms. They are available in Crimped and Open Ended/Balloon blank varieties and are made using Black Powder, Smokeless Powder and Half Load types."

Western Stage Props: Plastic Blank Ammo for Blank Firing Guns, Rifles

therevjay · Jan 28, 2013

sceva said:
1 blank cartridge fits

1 - .45 Colt

2 - 38-40 Revolver

3 - 44-40 Revolver

4 - 38-40 Rifle

5 - 44-40 Rifle

I expect that the size mimics the 38-40 case which will chamber and fire in a 44-40 or 45 Colt.

This is true. Also you can safely fire 44/40 or I 'spose 38/40 out of a .45 Colt. But don't expect to hit what you are aiming at. How do I know? Well put it this way, when you are in a hurry (cause you overslept) at 5 AM 44/40's and .45 Colts look a awful lot alike.

Muley Gil · Jan 28, 2013

cowart said:
Incorrect - "The 5-in-1 blanks in use today have been redesigned and are made with plastic cases which can be used not only in .38-40, .44-40 and .45 Colt calibers, but also .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .410 Gauge firearms. They are available in Crimped and Open Ended/Balloon blank varieties and are made using Black Powder, Smokeless Powder and Half Load types."

Western Stage Props: Plastic Blank Ammo for Blank Firing Guns, Rifles

I wasn't aware of the new plastic 5-in-1s. I'm only familiar with the older brass cased blanks.

ElToro · Nov 23, 2016

Sorry for resurrecting a years old thread. Out near Zion this week with my family. Currently At a state park near St George and found an old brass 5-1. Case mark says. REM-UMC. 5-IN-1. The landscape and rocks where I found it would be ideal western filming site. I can't imagine somebody would randomly be shooting blanks out here. Any idea on the date ranges of these ?

Edited to add the visitors center had a display on some westerns that were filmed there in the 50's.

Here's an odd question: 5 in 1 Blanks??

Smithhound

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mjr

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Thuer

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Smithhound

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feralmerril

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Muley Gil

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