Comparison Umarex UX Tornado vs Umarex XBG

The form factor determines the layout and operation of the weapon.

In general, air pistols are significantly more common than air revolvers. But in models with a firearm principle of operation, everything depends on the ammunition: the terms "Flaubert's revolver" and "starter pistol" fully correspond to the form factors most common in each of these varieties. The general features of each of the options are as follows:

- Pistol. In this case, pistols include models that do not have an outer drum characteristic of revolvers (see below). At the same time, the specific type of magazine may be different: some models use a box magazine in the handle, like in real pistols, others use internal drums, others are made single-shot, etc. In any case, this form factor is widely the most popular among all varieties , except for models chambered in Flaubert (see "Type"). This is due to the versatility and general convenience of this layout; in addition, most models of handguns are also pistols, so from this point of view, this form factor is also optimal for shooting training. Among the "floberts", pistols are extremely rare, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, this cartridge has an extremely low energy, insufficient for the operation of pistol automation; secondly, the rim on the sleeve is not well suited for box-shaped pistol magazine...s, but it goes well with drums. Because of this, pistols chambered for Flaubert are rare, and the existing models use magazines of a special design: a dummy box magazine, in the upper part of which a small drum is installed.

- Revolver. Initially, a revolver is a weapon in which the role of a magazine is played by a rotating drum, in the cells (chambers) of which charges are located. Before each shot, the drum rotates, and the next cell becomes opposite the breech breech, actually turning into a chamber. (Note that similar magazines are also found among pistols; the key difference is that the turret is installed openly). This form factor is extremely popular in Flaubert chambered weapons due to the fact that the drum magazine is ideally suited for the rimmed case used in such a cartridge. But in classical pneumatics, for a number of reasons, revolvers did not receive distribution. However, pneumatic revolvers are also produced, and they can use an interesting solution that adds realism - false cartridges that mimic the size and weight of real ammunition. A bullet or a ball is inserted into such a false cartridge, as in a sleeve, and the “sleeve” is already placed in the drum chamber.

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.

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 number of shots on one gas station that an air pistol or revolver is capable of producing. Specified for gas models and PCP (see "Type"); in the first case, the data is usually given for a standard 12-gram cartridge with carbon dioxide, in the second case, for a full filling of the built-in reservoir.

Note that this parameter is quite approximate, since the actual number of shots at a gas station may differ slightly from the claimed one. Nevertheless, according to the claimed number of shots at a gas station, it is quite possible to evaluate different models of pneumatics and compare them with each other. However it must also be taken into account that the last portions of gas / air pressure is noticeably reduced — and this reduces the initial velocity of the bullet and the firing range, and can also lead to problems in the operation of blow-back systems (see below). So if the number of shots from one gas station is important for you, you should proceed from the fact that the number of “effective” shots (with full bullet speed) will be somewhere 10-15% less than the maximum claimed.

The presence of a mount for an additional sight in the design of a pistol / revolver.

Such mounts are placed at the top of the weapon and are intended primarily for optical and collimator sights. The most popular type of fastening in short-barreled pneumatics is the Weaver / Picatinny rail: it has a T-shaped profile and characteristic transverse slots for rigid fixation of installed accessories. Formally, Weaver and Picatinny rails are different types of seats; however, most sights available on the civilian market are compatible with both variants at once, so these types of mounts are usually not separated.

The bulk of weapons with a scope mount are two types of pneumatic pistols: powerful long-range models for high-precision shooting, as well as copies of military weapons, mainly submachine guns (including those intended for airsoft). In Flaubert's revolvers, additional mounts are almost never used: it does not make much sense to install optics / collimators on such weapons due to the small effective range. And in pistols chambered for a blank cartridge, the sight rail can be provided solely as a decorative element that enhances the external resemblance to military weapons; such a “mount” can even be a dummy that does not correspond to standard sizes and is not suitable for placing sights (which, however, is not a drawback in this case).

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.

The total weight of the weapon. As a rule, the "empty" weight is indicated in the characteristics, without consumables (bullets / cartridges, cartridges).

This parameter has two meanings. On the one hand, a heavy pistol / revolver is tedious to hold on weight for a long time; in addition, the increase in weight is often associated with an increase in the length of the barrel, due to which the center of gravity shifts forward - and this further increases the inconvenience. On the other hand, massiveness gives an additional resemblance to military weapons and an overall impression of solidity, and in models with blow-back (see above) it also reduces the perceived recoil. Therefore, many consider significant weight to be an advantage rather than a disadvantage.

Note that in models chambered for Flaubert and a blank cartridge, the weight more or less corresponds to military weapons of a similar model or size. In pneumatics, the dispersion can be quite large, especially since not every such pistol is copied from a combat one. It is worth noting here that PCP models are the most massive (see "Type"): due to the built-in tank, the weight of such pistols is usually 1 kg or more. Multi-compression pneumatics are a little lighter - here you can find weapons weighing up to 900 g and even up to 800 g. The maximum figure for AEGs is 900 - 1000 g..., and in the lightest models, the weight does not exceed 700 g. And among the spring-piston and gas-balloon models, almost any weight is found - from small ( less than 600 g) to significant (more than 1 kg).