All of us have heard such concepts as “gas gun” and “pneumatic”. However, not everyone knows what is hidden behind these words. Today we will find out how the pneumatic gun is arranged, what types of these weapons exist, where it is advisable to use them, and we will analyze several popular models.
Principle of operation
Air pistols, the characteristics of which we are considering today, shoot thanks to the energy of compressed gas. Typically, carbon dioxide or air is used. The simplest airgun can be called a wind tube, which was used for hunting thousands of years ago. Modern pistols in comparison with it are a miracle of technology, however, the basic principles of operation have remained unchanged. When you press the trigger, the gas is released and transfers its energy to the bullet. In pneumatic weapons, this principle can be implemented in the form of:
- Pumped systems.
- Carbon dioxide systems.
- Spring-piston system.
The latter is usually used in rifles, and the first two are used in pistols. We’ll talk about them additionally.
Pump system
Pumping can be done manually or using a compressor. Manual pumping is usually used in rifles, but as an exception, it is sometimes found in pistols. The main feature of this system is that you need to charge the weapon with air after each shot. This is done with the help of a lever, which, when cocked, moves the piston filling the special tank with air. The initial speed of a shot from such weapons can reach 200 m / s.
Compression pumping allows you to create a higher pressure in the tank. As a result, weapons can fire without swapping 15-20 times. For pumping, a compressor, a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher or a cylinder with compressed gas is used. This type of charging is also called pre-pumping, or PCP. The speed of bullets in such weapons is slightly higher than that of that equipped with a manual pumping system.
CO2 systems
This is the most common system in amateur pneumatics. It is easy to use, although more expensive. As a charge, a carbon dioxide cylinder is used. It is inserted into the corresponding part of the gun (usually a handle) and pierced so that the gas enters the tank. After each shot, the valve delivers the appropriate amount of gas from the cylinder. The pressure of carbon dioxide can vary depending on the temperature, so the number of shots from one cylinder can vary. The initial velocity of a bullet in such systems is an average of 120 m / s. For pistols, as a rule, 12-gram cylinders are used.
Having dealt with the principle of operation of pneumatic guns, we move on to their device.
Shock mechanism
It is used in pumped pistols and the ability to fire multiple shots. When you pull the trigger, the trigger strikes the valve, opening it. Triggers can be open and closed. Open allows manual cocking.
The energy of the trigger is transmitted to the mainspring, through traction or directly. The spring can be plastic or screw (more common). There may be a hammer between the trigger and the valve stem. Its back is called the brisk. Holding the spring in the cocked state is possible thanks to such a detail as a sear.
Trigger mechanism
It is necessary to keep the weapon in a state of combat platoon and its descent. Convenience and accuracy of shooting directly depend on the smoothness of the trigger mechanism. There are such triggers:
- Single action. Before descending, you need to cock the trigger.
- Double action. Shooting is self-cocking. That is, when you press the trigger, the cock cockes and strikes the valve without setting it to the intermediate position of the combat cock.
- With the ability to vary the two above modes.
Circuit breakers
A fuse is an integral part of any weapon, with the exception of pneumatic pistols. The characteristics of this weapon are far from military analogues, but it is still dangerous. The fuse can be automatic or non-automatic. The first prevents a shot when cocking the lever, an unblocked bore and so on. The second includes the same flags and sliders that we used to see on pistols. As additional safety equipment, the design of the pistol may include: leverage from a combat platoon, cocked weapon status indicators, and so on.
Dispensers
Knowing the basic technical characteristics of pneumatic guns, we can conclude that gas dispensers are a very important part of them.
In the classic balloon version, the main elements of the dispenser are a valve and a spring. When the cylinder is put into place and clamped, it punctures. As a result, gas fills the dispenser chamber in which the valve is installed. When the trigger strikes the valve stem, the chamber opens and gas is released. Using the spring, the valve returns to its place, clogging the chamber until the next shot. This knot is the weak point of most balloon models. Due to its insufficient tightness, gas quickly leaves the cylinder, even if you do not shoot with a pistol. Thus, it is impractical to charge a weapon with gas in advance.
Typically, carbon cans are located in the gun store. Piercing a balloon can occur in several ways. The most common scheme is with a clamping screw. When tightening the screw, the cylinder is pressed and punctured. The second option is a wedge. In this case, the balloon is pierced only when the store falls into place. There are more sophisticated options, for example, the Ataman-1 model, piercing occurs when you press the trunk (there is a kind of button) with a hard surface.
In the case of pumped systems, the role of the additional valve is played by the pressure inside the tank. So that it is constant from shot to shot, special regulatory devices are installed.
Trunk
Accuracy and accuracy of fire largely depends on the barrel. Pneumatics can be smoothbore and sliced. Pistols, as a rule, have a smooth barrel and shoot round bullets. In smooth-bore weapons, the barrel diameter corresponds to the caliber. Gauges of pneumatic pistols are very scarce in comparison with firearms. The most common is the caliber of 4.5 mm. Less commonly, a 5.5 mm air gun can be found, and even less commonly, 6.35 mm caliber weapons. There are other calibers, but they are almost never found.
The barrel is usually made of steel. The result of shooting directly depends on the accuracy of execution, alignment and straightness of the barrel. If the barrel has thin vibrating walls or a movable structure, which is widespread in low-cost pistols, the accuracy drops.
Food
The holder for the pneumatic gun is used to store bullets and send them to the "chamber". As a rule, pneumatic pistols have a rechargeable design with automatic bullet dispatch. For pistols firing lead bullets, reel-clips using the revolving principle are used. For weapons that shoot balls, a magazine is used, which is usually located in the handle, as in combat analogues. It is arranged like children's pistols - a spring-loaded groove with a lock. The magazine capacity may vary depending on the model of the gun and its device. It can range from tens to hundreds of bullets.
The use of air guns
Unlike traumatic, pneumatic weapons do not always oblige the owner to obtain permission. Therefore, many are interested in the question of which pneumatic pistols are the most powerful without a license. From the point of view of the law, it is only possible to buy, store and carry pneumatic weapons without proper permission if their caliber does not exceed 4.5 millimeters. Apparently, because of this, this caliber has become the most common. Below we look at specific models, and you can find out which pneumatic guns are the most powerful. Without a license, you can purchase all of the models that will be considered.
Use such weapons for training and entertainment purposes. For self-defense, pneumatic pistols, the characteristics of which you already know, are unsuitable for at least two reasons. Firstly, the power of the pneumatic is not enough to stop the attacker, especially if he is wearing winter clothes. An exception may be a hit in the face. Secondly, most modern pistols have problems sealing the gas compartment. Therefore, carrying a gun loaded does not make sense, since at the right time it may simply not be gas. Well, to load a gun before use, it takes time. In self-defense, every second is important, so the air gun is of little use. At best, he will scare away the attacker due to his resemblance to firearms.
Now that we know the basic technical characteristics of air guns, we will get acquainted with some popular models.
Mr-654K
The gun is a pneumatic analogue of the notorious Makarov pistol. Moreover, it is made on the basis of a real gunshot model. Rumor has it that the gun is made from defective gunshots. They are confirmed by the fact that in most instances there are various kinds of defects. Nevertheless, this gun is very fond of, first of all, for its appearance.
The technical characteristics of the Makarov pneumatic gun are as follows: caliber - 4.5 mm; type of charge - balloon; magazine capacity - 13 bullets; shot speed - 110 m / s; weight - 0.73 kg. A gas cylinder is enough for about 40 aimed shots.
There are several foreign replicas of the PM pistol, which are similar in characteristics to this model, but are cheaper.
Ataman M1
This model is also produced in Russia. It is not a replica of firearms, but it slightly resembles the legendary "Beretta 92". This gun has a number of critical advantages over its competitors. Firstly, the clip for the Ataman M1 air pistol holds as many as 120 bullets of 4.5 mm caliber. The store has a conical shape and is located in the handle. It consists of six longitudinal compartments with 15 bullets each. Secondly, the gun has a unique refueling system. It can combine two types: PCP and CO 2 . In addition, it immediately accommodates two carbon dioxide cylinders.
But that's not all. The main advantage of the gun is that it is completely sealed. Unlike almost all competitors, Ataman M1 can be in a charged state for months. On the one hand, this allows you to save and save yourself from unnecessary trouble, and on the other hand, use weapons for self-defense. But the power of the gun, again, does not contribute to this.
The main drawback of the gun is its appearance. It is very cute, but many users still want to hold in their hands the analogue of a firearm.
Above, we discussed models, the prototype of which was a firearm. Now consider a couple of distinctive pistols that are aimed not at entertaining, but at sports use.
Air gun MP-53M
The model is characterized in that its cocking is performed by breaking the trunk. After each shot, this procedure is repeated. Shoots a pistol with lead bullets (not balls), caliber 4.5. Thus, the model can be purchased without registration. However, due to the not very attractive appearance, athletes often buy it.
The second reason is the large dimensions that do not allow you to put the MP-53M air gun in your pocket. The characteristics of the model also did not become its trump card in the market: initial speed - 120 m / s, weight - 1.3 kg, barrel length - 215 mm.
Air gun IZH-40
The characteristics and scope of this model are similar to the previous gun. It is also a single-shot “fracture” of 4.5 mm caliber. The exit speed of the bullet is 125 m / s, the weight of the gun is 1.31 kg, and the barrel length is 220 mm.
The last two pistols cannot boast of special attractiveness and ease of use, but they shoot much more accurately than entertaining models.
Conclusion
Today we learned what pneumatic pistols are. The characteristics of this weapon make it accessible to a wide range of buyers. Nevertheless, even with such weapons must be handled extremely carefully.