Your Cart is Empty
Blank Ammo & Starter Pistols for Dog Training: A Complete Guide
Choosing the right starter pistol for dog training, and the right blank ammo to go with it, is one of the most important early decisions a bird dog trainer makes. Get it wrong and you risk creating a gun-shy dog that's difficult or impossible to fix. Get it right and you'll have a dog that associates the sound of a shot with the excitement of birds.
This guide covers everything you need to know including how blank pistols work, the differences between .22, .32, and 209 primer calibers, which caliber to use at each stage of training, and what each option costs.
We carry a full lineup of blank pistols and ammo for dog training at Lion Country Supply, all in stock and ready to ship.
One of the first jobs you have when training a hunting dog is to make sure he or she is not gun shy. Hunting dogs are smart creatures. But they are also sensitive - their hearing is a lot more acute than ours. Dogs can hear sounds that are higher and softer than we ever can. Your dog can hear various frequencies at more than twice the range that you can. They can also distinguish sounds with exceptional accuracy, at literally four times the rate of humans. Their sense of hearing is nearly as good as their sense of smell.
Your dog has more than eighteen muscles in their ears. They can tilt them, rotate them, and raise or lower them. Their ears are a lot like antennae or radar when it comes to honing in on sounds. This range of movement, along with his more sensitive range allows him to focus in and determine exactly where a sound is coming from. Loud sounds will bother your dog a lot more than they bother you.
Noise Training with Blank Pistols
Because of these sensitivities, you need to get your dog, preferably while he or she is still a puppy, used to the sights and sounds of guns. And if you do not, it is very hard to cure gun shyness (although not impossible). Still, it's preferable to treat your dog right and get him or her on the right path from the very start. Your dog is your hunting partner, so introducing him or her correctly will go a long way to making it a more enjoyable experience for your canine buddy, and for you.
Blank pistols and blank ammunition are a great way to safely teach your dog that the loud noise is a part of working with you. Dogs want very much to please us. In return for their loyalty, it pays to condition and gradually introduce them to the sounds and sights of hunting. Have patience and don't just spring it on them! This is a process, and it entails blank pistols and blank ammo.
Choosing the Right Starter Pistol
Blank pistols, also called starter pistols, are ideal for your dog training needs. These come in .22 and .32 caliber, or in shotgun primer.
An advantage to the .22 is that it is better if you are just getting started with gun dog training. A .22 can come with single or double action. A .22 pistol with double action means you will not need to cock the pistol every time you fire. Combined with .22 blanks, you can make fairly low to midrange volume sounds. This is a 
better choice when your dog or puppy is just getting started. We have found that a gradual introduction to the sights and sounds of hunting works best. The LCS Champ Blank Pistol is a workhorse and comes in both .22 and .32 caliber models.
A .32 is generally a better choice for a professional trainer.
A shotgun primer makes a much louder sound when shot than a .22 caliber starter pistol. Therefore, you would not want to use it for beginning gun dog training. However, one advantage to shotgun primer is that it is easier to find the ammunition for it in any sporting goods store or reloading shop.
| .22 Caliber | .32 Caliber | 209 Shotgun Primer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Level | Moderate — sharp crack | Loud — closest to shotgun report | Quieter — pop, not a crack |
| Best For | Conditioned dogs, upland training | Field simulations, advanced steadiness | Puppies, early introduction, budget training |
| Cost Per Round | ~$0.25–$0.30 (CCI), ~$0.15 (crimp) | ~$0.50–$1.50 | ~$0.05–$0.10 |
| Pistol Price Range | $30–$80 | $80–$200+ | $60–$90 |
| Ammo Availability | Widely available | Specialty — harder to find | Very easy — any sporting goods store |
| LCS In Stock | Yes — pistols & ammo | Yes — pistols & ammo | Yes — pistols & primers |
Shop Starter Pistols for Dog Training
- LCS .22 Caliber Starter Pistol ($39.95)
- LCS Starter Pistol — 209 Primer ($84.95)
- Shop All Blank Pistols & Ammo →
The Right Blank Ammo for Each Pistol
Blank ammunition comes in .22 caliber, .32 caliber, and shotgun popper rounds. In addition, you have the option of using 209 primer in our 209 primer pistol or shotgun primer inserts, which are available in all shotgun gauges. For every blank gun, there is the right blank ammunition.
When it comes to a .22, you have some choices and they will vary when it comes to sound lever. For example, .22 crimp blanks are better for a young dog or pup you are first introducing to gunfire. A louder type of .22 blank ammunition is CCI .22 blank ammo, which gives forth a midrange volume report. This makes them ideal for training when live birds are being reused. We recommend this type of blank ammunition for a mature started dog already conditioned to gunfire.
For a .32, the blanks have a louder report and can even release a clearly visible puff of smoke when using black powder rounds. These kinds of .32 blanks are ideal for any dog-training situation where birds are to be reused. Make sure to wear ear protection.
Our exclusive LCS Shotgun Primer Inserts are a great way to turn any shotgun into a training blank gun. Our inserts are precision machined to perfect fit the respective gauge of the shotgun and except any standard 209-shotgun primer. The brass inserts also come engraved with the respective gauge and with LCSUPPLY so there is no questioning what gauge you are using (410 do not have the engraving due to limited rim size).
Shop Blank Ammo for Dog Training
-
CCI .22 Blank Ammo ($29.95)
Industry standard. Consistent report. Box of 100. -
LCS .22 Crimp Blank Ammo (2-Pack) ($37.95)
Budget option. Softer report. 2-packs of 50. - Shop All Blank Ammo →
Which Caliber for Your Training Stage
The biggest mistake trainers make is starting with too much noise. A .32 blank fired next to an unconditioned puppy can create a lifelong gun-shy problem. Here's a stage-by-stage approach:
Stage 1: First Introduction (Puppies & Young Dogs)
Start with a 209 shotgun primer pistol or .22 crimp blanks. Both produce a softer pop that won't overwhelm a young dog. Fire at a distance of 50+ yards while the dog is excited chasing a bird, eating, or playing. Gradually close the distance over multiple sessions.
- Best ammo:209 shotgun primers (cheapest, quietest) or .22 crimp blanks
- Best pistol:LCS 209 Primer Starter Pistol
Stage 2: Conditioning & Yard Work (Conditioned Dogs)
Once the dog shows no reaction to 209s or crimp blanks at close range, move to CCI .22 blanks. These produce a sharper crack that's closer to a real gunshot. Use them during bird introductions, retrieving drills, and yard obedience with distractions.
- Best ammo:CCI .22 Blank Ammo
- Best pistol: LCS .22 Caliber Starter Pistol
Stage 3: Field Simulations & Advanced Steadiness
For dogs that are fully conditioned and working in the field, .32 caliber blanks produce the loudest report closest to a 12-gauge shotgun. Use these during planted bird work, steady-to-shot drills, and hunt test preparation. A .32 blank pistol is also the go-to for NAVHDA and AKC hunt test gunners.
- Best ammo: .32 black powder blanks
- Best pistol: LCS ProTrainer .32 caliber blank pistol
Stage 4: High-Volume Training & Budget Work
If you're running through large quantities of ammo — training multiple dogs, running drills daily, or working as a professional trainer — the 209 primer pistolis hard to beat on cost. At roughly $0.05–$0.10 per shot, you can fire hundreds of rounds per week without breaking the bank. Many pros keep a 209 for daily drills and a .22 or .32 for field simulations.
Safety Tips for Blank Pistols & Blank Ammo
Blank pistols are not toys. While they don't fire a projectile, they do produce a muzzle blast of hot gas that can cause injury at close range. Follow these safety rules:
- Never fire a blank pistol at a person or animal at close range. The muzzle blast can cause burns and hearing damage.
- Always wear hearing protection when firing blanks repeatedly, especially .32 caliber.
- Store blank ammo in a cool, dry place away from children and pets. Treat it with the same respect as live ammunition.
- Check your local and state laws. Some jurisdictions regulate blank pistols the same as firearms. Most states treat them as non-firearms, but it's your responsibility to verify before purchasing or carrying one.
- Inspect your pistol regularly. Carbon buildup from blanks can cause misfires. Clean your blank pistol after every few training sessions.
Get Started with the Right Blank Pistol & Ammo
The right dog training pistol and blank ammo setup depends on where you are in training and how much volume you need. For most trainers, the best approach is to start with a 209 primer pistol for early introduction work, then move to a .22 starter pistol with CCI blanks as your primary training tool. Add a .32 if you're doing advanced field work or hunt test preparation.
Lion Country Supply carries a complete selection of blank pistols and ammo for dog training from budget 209 primer pistols to premium .32 caliber options. Everything is in stock and ships fast.
Shop Blank Pistols & Ammo for Dog Training
Starter pistols, .22 blanks, .32 blanks, and 209 primer options. All in stock at Lion Country Supply.
- Browse All Blank Pistols & Ammo →
- LCS .22 Starter Pistol
- CCI .22 Blank Ammo
- LCS 209 Primer Starter Pistol
- Questions? Call 1-800-662-5202
Related Reading
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
