Barrel length
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.
Caliber
The nominal caliber of a pistol / revolver - that is, the diameter of the barrel bore installed in the weapon.
Note that the caliber in this case is closely related to the type of weapon (see above). Here are the most common options:
- 4 mm - the standard caliber of the Flaubert cartridge.
- 4.5 mm - the most common caliber of traditional pneumatics (not related to airsoft equipment). In many post-Soviet countries, this is the maximum caliber of pneumatic weapons that does not require special permits. Short-barreled pneumatics of larger calibers are almost never found in this region: they are, in fact, equated with firearms pistols, the possession of which is very limited - and those who have the right to such pistols usually prefer "firearms" for serious tasks (and pneumatics , if desired, are bought in a commonly available caliber 4.5 mm).
- 6 mm. The standard caliber for airsoft guns. Such models are actually not weapons, but sports equipment, they are not designed to cause damage, but rather to simulate hits in which the risk of injury is reduced to an absolute minimum (hence the name "airsoft" - that is, "soft pneumatics"). For such purposes, balls of relatively large caliber, but small mass, having a very low penetrating power, are optimally suited.
- 9 mm. A caliber found exclusively in pistols chambered in blanks. Such weapons are often made on the basis of combat pistols and using parts from them; so the optimal cartridge cas...e size for such weapons will be the same as in combat counterparts. And the most popular pistol caliber in our time is just 9 mm. Other calibers (such as .45 ACP) are also found in stun guns, but are extremely rare.
Muzzle velocity
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.Magazine capacity
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.
