The desire for possession of firearms is characteristic, perhaps, of every man. Hunting rifles do not fully satisfy this need. I would like to feel in my hands the cold severity of the metal of a combat model, but the legislation does not allow it. Pneumatics will help to resolve the issue. For connoisseurs of not only destructive power, but also aesthetics, the best offer is a pneumatic revolver. Some models to the smallest detail repeat the firearm counterparts.
The shot produces compressed gas
In pneumatic small arms, bullet throwing does not occur under the influence of expanding hot gases formed by the explosion of a powder charge, but through the pressure of compressed air or carbon dioxide stored in the tank. Depending on the principle of action of the energy source on the trigger mechanism, three types of these weapons are distinguished:
- In the spring-piston compressed air is generated due to the movement of the piston, actuated by the spring during the fracture of the weapon before firing or with a special lever. One of the subspecies is called multicompression: air is pumped by several strokes.
- Pre-pumped weapons require air to be pumped into the tank with a compressor before firing.
- In a gas cylinder, carbon dioxide is used, which is in the tank or in a replaceable cartridge.
Pneumatic revolvers use a gas-cylinder type of mechanism. Typically, such samples have a caliber of 4.5 mm (0.177 inches according to Western marking) and muzzle energy of not more than 3 joules, which implies free sale in the Russian Federation. The pneumatic combat revolver is not suitable for hunting, but is intended only for entertainment and sporting events.
Pneumatic American Dream
One of the leading manufacturers of airguns is the American company Sport Manufacturing Group (SMG) Inc. The concern offers several dozens of types of samples of various price categories, power and performance: from replicas to modern stylish models. Features of US law leave their mark. Different states have their own power limitations; in some, it is necessary to paint gas weapons in colors other than military ones, or to give a different look. In some regions, this type of weapon is generally prohibited. The gunsmiths took into account all the nuances of not only their country, but also the features of the Eurasian market. The richest assortment is produced under the brand name Gletcher.
The leader in sales in the post-Soviet space
Since 2010, the company has been supplying its products to the CIS countries and Russia. The weapon is specially designed in accordance with domestic law. Due to the fact that the free circulation of firearms is prohibited in our country, the company has undertaken an original marketing move. Gletcher products maximally repeat the work of military analogue mechanisms: made of metal, a movable shutter imitates the shooting of a combat original. Since 2011, customers have been offered a series called Russian Legends. All products have a warranty period of one and a half years. The vast majority of gas revolvers on the shelves are Gletcher products.
Weapons of the Russian Empire
In 1895, the revolver of the Belgian Nagan system was adopted by the Russian army . For decades, this weapon was the most massive in our country. SMG offered Russian customers a replica of the legendary revolver. Gletcher NGT Black ("Gletcher" Nagan black) is recognized as the most popular gas weapon in 2012. The pneumatic revolver in terms of weight and size parameters exactly matches its combat prototype. The developers have tried to make the external similarity almost absolute. A copy of the Nagan compares favorably with other products of the same brand, for example, Smith & Wesson series revolvers (American brand logos were attached to Chinese blanks).
Gletcher NGT, pneumatic revolver. The performance characteristics
The weapon is made of silumin, the color is radically black, burnished steel. A small batch of silver plated was released. Plastic cheeks of the handle imitate wood, made very high quality. The characteristics are as follows:
- Curb weight - 700 g.
- Caliber - 4.5 mm.
- The maximum length is 230 mm.
- Muzzle velocity - 120 m / s.
- Muzzle energy - 3 joules.
- Magazine capacity - 7 rounds.
- Type of ammunition - steel shot BB.
- The energy source is a CO 2 reservoir .
Mechanism action
The Gletcher pneumatic revolver reproduces the most firearms gun. The trigger mechanism allows firing as self-cocking, and with a preliminary cocking of the trigger manually. It differs from the original in that the drum is stationary during the shot, that is, it does not slide along the barrel, but the barrel itself is spring loaded. This is done to more effectively seal and eliminate gas breakthrough during firing. As on the military counterpart, the drum is removed from the frame. On the case there is a manual fuse that locks the trigger and the trigger.
Ammo
As ammunition, a metal shot is used, coated with a layer of copper. To prepare for firing, bullets should be secured in the false holders. The NGT pneumatic revolver uses original ammunition; it will not work from other models. The loading procedure corresponds to the original: cartridges are inserted one at a time into the drum during rotation clockwise, like a real firearm. When equipping a cartridge, the bullet must be immersed until it clicks. The recessed shot should be flush with the rubber pad. The peculiarity of the raised patrons is that two rubber inserts are pressed into them: in the front part and in the end. This ensures minimal gas loss. The drum mechanism is not folding. The gas cylinder is placed in the handle and covered with a plastic overlay. Clamping screw disguised as a trench.
Air Gun Shooting
The supply of gas in one cylinder is enough for 105 shots (15 equipped drums). This figure is significantly higher than other similar products. For 60 rounds, the manufacturer declared the bullet’s flight speed of 120 m / s, and then the performance drops to 85 m / s and lower. It is about using a spherical bullet BB. The self-cocking descent force is about 3 kg, three times lighter than its counterpart, which is very comfortable and positive for the accuracy of use. Accuracy is within the norm for this type of small arms.
Revolvers Borner
The leading manufacturer specializing in airguns is the American company Central Bornership Company (CBC) Inc. Products are manufactured under the brand name Borner. The company entered the domestic market in 2011. The high quality of products is evidenced by the fact that Gletcher and Crosman acquire licenses for the production of some samples. The flagship line of revolvers is represented by three smooth-bore models similar in parameters:
- Pneumatic revolver Borner Super Sport 708: weight - 1020 g, drum capacity - 6 rounds for explosive bullets, muzzle velocity - 120 m / s, prototype - Smith & Wesson in the Military Police version. Installation of a collimator or optical sight is possible.
- Super Sport 703 is a very powerful pneumatic revolver: weight - 1040 g, drum capacity - 6 explosive bullets, bullet flight speed - up to 135 m / s, barrel length - 8 inches (203 mm), has no combat prototype. The design provides the ability to install sights. Very convenient for aimed shooting.
- Super Sport 705: weight - 650 g, flight speed - up to 130 m / s, drum capacity - 8 explosive bullets, barrel length - 4 inches (102 mm). The appearance is stylized to fit the Smith & Wesson model in terms of size. The developers have provided for the installation of a collimator or optical sight.
Also popular are the eight-shot Super Sport 705 (weight - 700 g, six-inch barrel), six-shot 702nd model weighing 900 g. All samples use false cartridges and are equipped with a drum folding mechanism.
Threaded brothers
A type of weapon that uses the kinetic energy of expanding cold gases for firing is a rifled pneumatic revolver. The barrel with the cut provides greater accuracy and accuracy of fire. In this niche, Gletcher offers a replica of one of the models of the famous Smith & Wesson revolver. The model is called Gletcher SW R6, in the basic version it is equipped with a rifled barrel of German production Lothar Walther. Owners note a fairly accurate imitation of performance and the realism of the shooting process. A reclining drum complements this effect. Steel bullet flight speed - 120 m / s. However, the use is a bit overshadowed by the need for additional equipment for the false holders: a round steel bullet must be removed and a lead one inserted. Samples with a Umarex barrel have a higher cost.
It should be said that rifled weapons are very expensive. Not all leading brands have similar pneumatic revolvers in their product range. The most powerful representative of this class - Vigilante from the weapons company Crosman. Model 357-6 does not have a combat prototype, but is vaguely reminiscent of a firearm Stealth Hunter from Smith & Wesson. The manufacturer claims that when firing explosive ordnance, the bullet’s flight speed is 140 m / s. This revolver is omnivorous: a 10-shot drum is intended for shooting with lead bullets, and a 6-charge drum for balls. True, not the whole drum, but its moving segment. The barrel length of 6 inches (152 mm) contributes to high accuracy.
What is the most powerful revolver?
Summing up, we can say that the products of different companies are almost identical. The same source of energy is used, the same ammunition, mechanical parts are similar. The difference is only in the quality of execution and appearance. Models with a barrel length of 8 inches (203 mm) have the greatest power. As a rule, for these samples the initial speed of the bullet reaches 140 m / s with the standard declared in the passport 120. In these indicators, the gas-balloon weapon is significantly inferior to the spring-breaking weapon and with preliminary pumping, in which the speed of the bullet reaches 210 m / s and even more. and muzzle energy - the maximum permissible by law of 7.5 joules. The record holder is Zoraki Hp-01 Light - Turkish air gun. The revolver does not appear on these lists. And not only because of its design features, which do not allow masking the bulky piston mechanism. This weapon pursues other goals, primarily aesthetic. In a ballistic sense, the revolver is inferior to the pneumatic pistol.