Abstract: The present invention embodiments provide a barrel component with the forward under-portion of the barrel configured in various manners. For example, the configurations may include an upward displacement, or angular or radial contouring, of barrel material at the forward underside of a barrel component understation or projection. These configurations provide clearance to allow the barrel to bypass frame-mounted impediments to blank-fire, and permit proper timing and coordination of rearward barrel motion under impact of the recoiling slide and the resultant barrel drop into recoil position without interference with, or re-capture by, the reciprocating slide component. In addition, the blank-fire barrel may be configured to incorporate a laser device for marksmanship training and conducting realistic tactical training exercises.