Structurally, the weapon is designed very simply - it's just a hollow tube and charges to it. It is activated by exhaling from the lungs. It was used by man from ancient times, and Europe met him in an era of significant geographical discoveries. As a game projectile, a gun is still used in many countries.
Features of the components
The tube of the gun is made of hard plastic, steel or duralumin. In a shortened version, a tube with a diameter of 6-10 mm and a length of 25-35 cm is adopted. This version easily hides in the sleeve, keeps the best firing distance of about 5-10 meters. The elongated version consists of a tube 70-150 cm long, and a diameter of 8-15 mm. This design can be disguised as a cane or umbrella. Arrows are much longer and heavier. The main condition: the metal tube must be perfectly straight and bend with difficulty.
The battle arrow should not be too light, otherwise the penetrating power of the charge will be small, and the flight will take place in instability. The center of gravity of the arrow should be shifted to the needle, for this purpose it has a weighting agent. An annular seal allows charge to enter the tube with little friction. Heavy long arrows fly close, but at the same time they have significant piercing ability.
The European variation equipped the air rifle with a mouthpiece. He made it possible to increase not only the convenience of shooting, but also power, range of charge release. In the non-European version, the shot is fired differently: the tube is pressed tightly with the lips, the hole is clogged with the tongue, then the cheeks are inflated to failure, and the tongue closing the hole is removed.
Survival tool
In some places on our planet, tribes still live, leading an almost primitive way of life. The air gun for them continues to play the role of a weapon that can silently and covertly hit the enemy. It is unlikely that they will be able to defeat death with a miniature arrow, which is why the tip is most often incised and venom is placed in serif. The maximum damaging effect is achieved by cutting the tip so that it breaks off and remains in the wound.
Shooting with bullets from a gun is found in the notes of the Spanish historian Antonio Guerrera (circa 1622), telling about the peculiarities of the life of the Aztecs. Ball bullets made of hardened clay were able to kill an animal and a person already at an average distance.
Application prospects
Modern industry has perfected an air gun. It is made using the lightest and at the same time durable materials. The length can reach more than 3 meters, their mouthpieces are made with an admixture of silver nanoparticles, optical sights are installed. Every Aboriginal would envy such a model with a set of arrows. Do not ignore the air gun and the military. Units of many countries are usually familiar with this type of weapon. If it is impossible to shoot a powder charge, so as not to be detected, a home-made air gun will come to the rescue, which can be bought at a weapons store. It can also be useful for survival in natural conditions, where animals so simply will not allow the hunter to reach outstretched arms.