[Kenichi]

A friend of mine and I are collaborating on making a replica flintlock pistol.  He can make the metal workings and stock, but what he needs to me to do is create a flash, smoke, and possibly a bang.  We can most certainly do without the bang, as we can add that in over the computer.  Safety is most important.  I was thinking a small charge that would ignite and push a plug containing  chalk or flour at the front would create the flash near the flashpan and the desired smoke effect. Any suggestions?

[hmx9123]

Go to your local gun shop and buy some Goex Fg or FFg black powder (NOT SMOKELESS).  Use less 'F's: the more Fs, the faster burning the powder, and you don't need it.  You won't need to put in any chalk at all--just shoot the empty charge--it looks the same as if you fired a real round--it's pretty cool.  Big puff of smoke, etc.

[Kenichi]

thanks, I wasnt sure that the charge itself would create the desired effect.  I know it would create the smoke, but i wasnt sure about the "boom." figured that something had to be there to increase the pressure, to create a larger sound. 

[hmx9123]

Well, most BP weapons don't really have the 'gunshot' report that we think of today.  It's more of a 'fwump' sound, a true deflagration instead of a detonation or a propellant that undergoes a DTD.  I have seen BP rifles loaded with a triple charge of black powder and no round--they look like a flamethrower and are pretty cool.  You'll probably get a whooshing or a fwump sound with just BP.  If the sound is more what you're after, go with some FFFg or FFFFg powder--these are faster burning and will therefore give you a better deflagration sound.