Starter pistols for athletics
A starter pistol, sometimes called a starting gun, is the signal that sends athletes off the line, whether you are running a school sports day, a club meeting or a full track event. Our athletics starter pistols are blank firing, so they are made for starting races rather than anything else. Check each product page for full details before you order.
Choosing between 0.22 and 0.38 starting pistols
We stock the Bruni Blank Firing Starting Pistol in 0.38 and the Bruni Blank Firing Starting Pistol in 0.22. Both have alloy construction and are intended for light use. The 0.22 uses lower cost ammunition than the 0.38, which can matter if you start a lot of races. Your choice of pistol also decides which blanks you need, so it is worth deciding on gauge first.
An electronic alternative to a starting gun
If you would rather not use blank cartridges, the Halo Electronic Starter Device from Gill Athletics is an alternative to a traditional starting pistol. It runs on a single 9V battery and can connect to speaker systems wirelessly or by auxiliary input. It is also compatible with timing systems such as FinishLynx and Eagle Eye. Take a look at our wider range of electronic systems if you are building a complete start and timing set up.
Blank ammunition for starting pistols
Starting pistol blanks need to match the gauge of your pistol, so choose 0.22 blanks for a 0.22 pistol and 0.38 blanks for a 0.38 pistol. We stock Victory 0.22 blank ammunition in long or short, and Fiocchi 0.38 blank ammunition, sold by the box of 50. If you are not sure which blanks suit your starter gun, get in touch and we will help.
Cleaning and maintaining your starter pistol
Black powder residue can build up quickly inside a starting pistol, even after a single use, and a pistol that jams on the start line is the last thing an official wants. Regular cleaning keeps it reliable and extends its life. Our range includes a black powder cleaner, gun oil, a gun brush in 0.22 or 0.38 and a lint free cleaning cloth. Our guide, how to maintain a starting pistol, walks through the process step by step.
Accessories for starters and officials
The start is more than the pistol. We stock ear defenders, a hi-vis starter sleeve, a mousetrap clapper starter and warning cards for marksmen and starters, in both UKA and World Athletics versions. You will also find lane draw pads, officials guidance cards and the UKA rule book. For signalling at the start and around the track, browse our warning horns, whistles and loud hailers and our books and DVDs.
More equipment for athletics officials
Starting is just one job on race day. Browse our full range of athletics officials equipment, including stopwatches and timing, gauges, tapes and tools, tape measures, markers and flags, and record keeping and numbers.
