Replica combat pistol
The model or brand 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 that imitate different models of weapons from
Beretta,
Colt,
CZ,
Glock,
Heckler & Koch,
Luger,
Smith & Wesson,
Sig Sauer,
Taurus,
Walther,
Makarov (PM). 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.
On the one hand, copies 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 launch copy often reproduces all the controls of the original. As a result, it often happens that a replica of a real-life model turns out to be even more convenient to use than the original.
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.Shots from one refueling
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.
Total length
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.
Material
The material from which the body of the gun is made.
The main materials found nowadays are metal and plastic. At the same time, the division into
metal and
plastic cases is actually relevant only for pneumatics; models for "flobert" and for a blank cartridge (see "Type") are almost all made of metal. As for the features of each of the materials, they are as follows:
— Metal. The key advantages of metal are strength, reliability and similarity to materials used in firearms. Such cases weigh much more than plastic ones, but this moment is also often referred to as an advantage — it further enhances the resemblance to combat pistols / revolvers, creates a sense of solidity and allows you to effectively practice skills in working with weapons. The main disadvantage of metal is its rather high cost. In addition, note that the composition of this material may be different: in particular, in low-cost models, a lighter and cheaper, but less durable silumin or other similar alloy can be used instead of steel.
Separately, it should be said that in some modern firearms (in particular, Glock) only the casing-bolt is made of metal, and the frame and handle are made of plastic. For air pistols and starting pistols made of similar materials, our catalog also lists metal as the body material in order to emphasize the similarity with combat prototypes.
— Plastic. Material used mainly
...in low-cost models of pneumatics. In this case, it means a body made entirely of plastic — including a casing-shutter, if available in the design. The main advantage of this material in this case is its low cost — this determined the specifics of its application. On the other hand, plastic is noticeably inferior to metal in terms of strength and reliability, and the small weight of such cases is considered by many to be a disadvantage — the weapon is perceived as a "toy". However there are also advanced varieties of plastic — durable, heat-resistant, suitable even for military weapons; however, in pneumatics, such materials are used in rather expensive copies of real pistols, where a plastic frame is combined with a metal casing-bolt — and such cases are already considered metal (see above).Weight
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).