The Signal of Truth: Choosing Your Starting System
In track and field, the "sound of the gun" is more than a tradition—it’s the official synchronization point for every timing system on the field. For athletic directors and meet officials, the choice between traditional blank pistols and modern electronic starters often comes down to facility requirements and logistical ease. Our 2026 collection focuses on reliability and safety, offering high-visibility "orange-tip" pistols and the latest in strobe-light technology to ensure that both the athletes in the blocks and the timers in the stands never miss a beat.
Traditional Reliability Meets Modern Precision
We stock specifically chosen starting equipment to ensure your officials can manage the line with total confidence.
- Traditional Blank Pistols: We carry heavy-duty .22 caliber and .32 caliber starting pistols. These are designed with solid barrels (incapable of firing live rounds) and feature high-visibility finishes to comply with modern safety standards. The .32 caliber is often preferred for large stadiums where the sound needs to carry over significant crowd noise.
- Electronic Starting Systems (ESS): The future of track is electronic. Systems like the Gill Electronic Starter eliminate the need for costly blanks and the logistical hurdles of transporting explosive materials. These systems produce a simulated gun sound through a PA system while simultaneously triggering an LED strobe light and the electronic timing system (FAT).
- High-Performance Blanks: For those sticking with tradition, we provide premium smokeless and black powder blanks. Our .22 caliber "crimped" blanks are the standard for high school meets, providing a consistent report without the heavy residue of older ammunition styles.
- Official Safety Gear: Starting a multi-day invitational is hard on the ears. We offer professional-grade hearing protection and holster kits to keep your starters comfortable and their equipment secure during long sessions on the rostrum.
Why Buy Your Starting Gear From Morley Athletic
Since 1931, Morley Athletic has been a trusted family tradition and a leading supplier of premium track equipment for schools and universities. We understand the sensitive nature of purchasing and shipping starting equipment—especially regarding hazardous material (Hazmat) regulations for blanks. We proudly accept school purchase orders and offer specialized guidance on which systems best fit your facility's timing needs. When you shop with Morley Athletic, you are partnering with 95 years of expertise dedicated to getting every race off to a perfect start.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between .22 and .32 caliber pistols?
.22 caliber pistols are the standard for most high school and small college meets; they are loud enough for typical stadium environments and the blanks are generally more affordable. .32 caliber pistols are significantly louder and produce a larger puff of smoke, making them the preferred choice for large-scale invitationals and collegiate championships where timers are positioned far from the start.
2. Are these considered "real" firearms?
No. The starting pistols we sell are "non-guns" with solid, plugged barrels. They are designed specifically for track and field and theatrical use. They cannot be converted to fire live ammunition. However, they should still be handled with the same respect and safety protocols as a firearm and stored in a secure location.
3. Why should I switch to an electronic starting system?
Electronic systems are becoming the gold standard for three reasons:
- Cost: You never have to buy blanks again.
- Logistics: No "Hazmat" shipping fees or storage requirements.
- Accuracy: They provide a direct, lag-free signal to Fully Automatic Timing (FAT) systems and integrated strobe lights for manual timers.
4. How do I ship starting blanks?
Starting blanks are classified as explosives (Small Arms Primers/Cartridges) and must be shipped via Ground transport with a Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) surcharge. Because of these regulations, we recommend schools buy their season's supply at once to consolidate shipping fees.
5. Do I need black powder or smokeless blanks?
Black powder blanks produce a distinct "puff" of white smoke, which is essential for manual timers who start their watches based on the visual signal. Smokeless blanks are cleaner and leave less residue in the gun but offer less visibility, making them better suited for meets using Fully Automatic Timing (FAT) where the visual smoke isn't required for timing accuracy.
6. Do you accept school purchase orders for starting guns and blanks?
Absolutely. Morley Athletic has worked directly with schools and universities for over nine decades. We happily accept school purchase orders. Athletic directors and meet managers can easily submit a formal PO to purchase pistols, blanks, electronic starters, and holsters for their entire program.
Are you looking for a traditional .22 caliber setup for your daily dual meets, or are you ready to upgrade to a maintenance-free electronic system for your varsity stadium?
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