Comparison Umarex Beretta M 92 FS vs Gamo PT-85 Blowback

Model of the combat pistol/revolver from which the product was copied.

Replicas of military weapons are very popular among air pistols; here you can find, in particular, models imitating Beretta M84, Colt M1911, IWI Mini Uzi, Jericho 941, various models of weapons from Smith & Wesson, as well as Makarov (PM), Tokarev (TT) and Stechkin (APS) pistols. Devices chambered for a blank cartridge (see “Type”) are also often copied from firearms, but in Flaubert’s revolvers the situation is different - most of them have a certain “average revolver” shape and design that is not related to a specific model of military weapon.

Copying such weapons from real firearms/revolvers has both aesthetic and very practical meaning. On the one hand, such models are popular among gun fans who, due to legal restrictions, cannot acquire a full-fledged short-barreled firearm. On the other hand, a pneumatic or starting copy often reproduces all the controls of the original, which allows them to be used effectively when training shooters. In addition, when designing “real” pistols, a lot of attention is paid to ergonomics and user friendliness. As a result, it also happens tha...t a copy of a real-life model also turns out to be preferable from the point of view of general convenience.

Regarding starting pistols, it is also worth noting that their caliber does not always correspond to the caliber of the combat prototype. A typical example is the Desert Eagle: the original pistols come in calibers ranging from .357 Magnum to .50 AE, while replicas of this pistol typically use the traditional 9mm blank cartridge. In this case, this is more of an advantage than a disadvantage: 9 mm flash-noise cartridges are ubiquitous, while similar ammunition in larger calibers is not easy to find.

The working length of the barrel installed in the pistol / revolver is from the chamber to the muzzle. In airsoft models (primarily AEGs, see "Type"), the length of the inner barrel is indicated, along which the bullet directly moves. Three main points directly depend on this parameter: the initial velocity of the bullet, the length of the aiming line and the dimensions of the weapon.

In short-barreled (up to 20 – 25 cm) pneumatics and Flaubert's revolvers, a long barrel allows you to achieve higher initial speeds. However there is no rigid dependence here, and models with the same barrel sizes can differ markedly in initial speed (especially since the latter also depends on a number of parameters, primarily the principle of operation — see "Type"). However, long-barreled pistols are generally better for long-range shooting than short-barreled pistols. This is due to the second nuance — the length of the sighting line: a long barrel allows you to increase the distance between the front sight and the whole, thereby reducing errors in aiming. However, with regard to dimensions, the increase in the length of the barrel not only makes the weapon more cumbersome, but also worsens its balance, since the centre of gravity shifts forward because of this.

There are a couple more nuances associated with this indicator. So, in copies of combat pistols (see above), the barrel length is selected in accordance with the size of the weapon from which this model wa...s copied. And for products chambered for a blank cartridge (see "Type"), this parameter is not indicated at all, since there is virtually no full-fledged barrel in such pistols.

Muzzle velocity — that is, the speed of the bullet at the exit from the barrel — provided by the pistol / revolver. Note that for some weapons, the actual muzzle velocity may vary; for more on this, see "Type", and here we note that for such models, the characteristics usually indicate the average value for perfect conditions.

In general, the greater the speed of the bullet, the more long-range the weapon and the higher its penetrating ability. Thus, in some countries this indicator is the basis for legal restrictions on the sale of pneumatics (usually, bona fide sellers have the relevant information). And for airsoft weapons, this moment is important for safety reasons: too high a ball speed increases the likelihood of injury. However, airsoft guns usually give out less than 100 m / s. By the standards of classical pneumatics, this is very little: most short-barreled pneumatics fall in the range of 100 – 125 m / s, in some models the initial speed can reach 125 – 150 m / s and even more.

In "flobers" speeds are higher: an indicator up to 175 m / s is considered relatively low, up to 200 m / s — average, and some long-barreled models give out more than 200 m / s. However, note that we are talking about the speeds claim...ed by the manufacturer, while the actual performance will greatly depend on the characteristics of the cartridge (load, composition, build quality). Therefore, the actual initial speeds in such weapons may differ markedly from those claimed.

The capacity of the magazine provided with the pistol, or the drum installed in the revolver (see "Form factor"). For obvious reasons, it is indicated only for multiply charged models (see "Charging capacity").

Repeatingly charged air pistols / revolvers are conditionally divided into models with magazines up to 15 charges and more than 15 charges. The largest capacity here is airsoft AEGs (see "Type"), copying submachine guns — they are not uncommon in stores for 50 balls or more, and as additional accessories for many models, so-called "bunkers" are produced, where the number there are already hundreds of charges. As for traditional pneumatics, it is worth noting that if the pistol is designed for bullets and balls at the same time (see "Type of ammunition"), then the capacity when using different types of charge may vary — usually, it is higher for balls in such cases, and this figure and indicated in the characteristics as the main one.

As for the weapon chambered for Flaubert, in it the “classic of the genre” is a revolver with a drum for 9, less often for 8 rounds. A greater number of charges is not found — for this the drum would have to be made too bulky; a smaller number — about 5 – 6 rounds — can be found in individual revolvers, as well as models in the form factor of a pistol, where the dimensions of the case do not allow you to install a larger drum. In turn, pistols chamb...ered for blank cartridges usually more or less correspond in terms of magazine capacity to the firearm models from which they are copied; here you can find models that can hold from 5 to 30 charges.

The type of sighting device provided in the design of the pistol / revolver.

The vast majority of short-barreled pneumatics, "floberts" and starting pistols are equipped with the simplest mechanical sights in the form of a front sight and a rear sight. In pneumatic weapons, models with adjustable and non-adjustable sights are approximately equal; in Flaubert's revolvers, the possibility of adjustment is somewhat less common than non-adjustable front and rear sights ; and in models for a blank cartridge, in principle, it makes no sense to provide adjustment. There are pistols / revolvers without sights at all.

Here are the general features of different types of scope:

— Unregulated. Front sight and rear sight, fixed motionless and without any additional settings. The advantages of this design are simplicity, low cost and reliability; in addition, such a sight is almost impossible to shoot down due to an accidental impact of the front sight or rear sight on a foreign object. The main disadvantage is the actual impossibility of adjustment, which does not allow adjusting the sights for a change in distance, side wind or deviations due to production errors. On the other hand, for recreational shooting at short distances, these moments are not decisive, and serious factory defects are extremely rare in fact. So i...f maximum accuracy is not critical for you, a non-adjustable sight may be enough.

— Adjustable. Sights with the ability to adjust; however, the specific possibilities of such adjustment may be different. One of the most popular options is to adjust the rear sight in height, for zeroing weapons at a specific distance. For this, a micrometer screw is usually used. Another option is a rear sight with the ability to move horizontally, it is mainly designed to compensate for errors in the design of the weapon itself, which give a lateral displacement of the point of impact. The most advanced models — mostly high-precision sports pistols — allow you to adjust the rear sight on both axes. Anyway, an adjustable sight is more complicated and more expensive than an unregulated one, it may require additional adjustment by the user himself, but with such devices you can achieve maximum shooting accuracy.
Also note that on the market you can find pneumatics equipped with optical or collimator sights; they are also adjustable.

— Is absent. The absence of their own sights is an extremely rare option, found in two varieties of pneumatic and similar weapons. The first is some spring-piston and PCP pistols (see "Type") with long barrels and high muzzle velocity, designed for high-precision shooting. They have sight mounts (see below) or slots for such mounts, allowing the shooter to choose the sights to their taste. The second variety is revolvers (mainly chambered for Flaubert) of miniature size, originally not designed for aimed shooting in the classical sense of these words.

The presence of an additional mount under the barrel of a pistol / revolver.

Such a mount usually takes the form of a characteristic bar with transverse slots (Weaver / Picatinny standard or similar). It is designed to install various optional accessories; the classic variants of such accessories are the underbarrel flashlight and the laser designator.

Note that nowadays you can find both pneumatic weapons with underbarrel mounts, and pistols chambered for a blank cartridge (see "Type") with this feature. Moreover, in the second case, the mount plays a predominantly decorative role, giving the “weapon” a resemblance to a combat prototype; however, it can also have quite a practical meaning. For example, by installing an underbarrel flashlight on a starting pistol, you can train basic skills (moving, aiming, reaction to a shot) for actions in low light conditions. However if you are planning such an application, before buying, it's ok to make sure that the selected pistol provides for exactly the standard mount, and not an external imitation, unsuitable for installing a “body kit”.

The presence in the pistol of the Blow-back system — a mechanism that simulates the operation of automation and the recoil of a real weapon. Note that blow-back models are found only among air pistols; in weapons chambered for Flaubert (see “Type”), such systems are not applicable due to the extremely low energy of the ammunition, and for pistols chambered for a blank cartridge, the term “Blow-back” itself is not relevant — they already use full-fledged automation, the same as in firearms.

This feature enhances the resemblance of an air pistol to a real firearm: with each shot, the casing-bolt moves back and forth, creating a characteristic recoil with a barrel toss. The second important nuance is that the blow-back actuation cocks the trigger, reducing the force on the trigger — and this, in turn, makes it easier to control the weapon and contributes to increased accuracy. And in many models with such systems, a full-fledged slide lag is also provided: when the cartridges run out, the casing-bolt is fixed in the rear position, and to continue shooting, you need not only to change the store, but also remove the weapon from the delay. Many amateur shooters appreciate blow-back pistols solely for their general resemblance to combat counterparts, but this feature also has a very practical meaning: it allows you to develop useful skills in working with recoil and reloading weapons. On the other hand, note that gas is additionally cons...umed for the operation of automation; and the muzzle velocity in such pistols is lower than in similar models without blow-back.

The overall length of the weapon is usually from the muzzle to the part protruding farthest back (usually the bottom of the handle). This parameter not only allows you to evaluate the overall compactness of the pistol, but can also be useful for selecting accessories for it — for example, a holster, case or carrying bag.

A material used in the finish of a pistol/revolver grip.

The base of the handle is usually made of the same material as the body (see below), however, for additional convenience, the design may include pads that differ in composition from the body. Therefore, the material of the handle (material of the overlays) is specified separately in the characteristics. Also note that many models are available in several finishes at once. As for specific options, they are as follows:

— Plastic. The most popular material nowadays: models with plastic handles make up the majority among pneumatics, and among “floberts” and starting pistols(specifically, models for a blank cartridge almost all have similar handles). This is due to the fact that plastic is quite durable and practical, pleasant to the touch and at the same time inexpensive.

- Wood. Material designed for fans of the classics. The tree has a characteristic appearance, for which it is mainly valued, it is pleasant to the touch, but inferior to plastic in practicality: such handles are more susceptible to scratches, chips and cracks, and at the same time they cost more. Most models with grips made of this material are flaubert revolvers, and most often wood is not the only finish available. But pneumatics in a tree is extremely rare.

- Rubber. Rubbe...r is somewhat softer than plastic, which makes it more pleasant to the touch, moreover, it does not crack even from strong impacts. On the other hand, it has no other noticeable advantages, but it costs much more. Therefore, pneumatics with rubber grips have not received distribution, and most Flaubert revolvers with this feature are available in other finishes.