Comparison Latek RF-431 vs Ekol Viper 3"

The type of barrel fitted to the pistol.

Smooth-bore pneumatics in our time is much more common than rifled ; Flaubert revolvers with smooth and rifled barrels on the market are approximately equal; and models for a blank cartridge are equipped exclusively with muffled barrels. Here are the features of each option.

— Smooth. Trunks having a smooth, rifling-free inner surface. The main advantage of this option can be called ease of production and, as a result, low cost. In addition, in the case of pneumatics, the smooth barrel is "omnivorous", with it you can use both bullets and balls (although most often such pistols are compatible with only one type of ammunition). We also note that the airsoft "weapon" in principle is made only with a smoothbore; and the absence of rifling greatly simplifies cleaning, which is especially important for models chambered in Flaubert. On the other hand, in smooth barrels, the bullet is not stabilized by rotation, and the dispersion of such weapons is noticeably greater than that of rifled ones. This does not play a special role in recreational shooting at short distances, however, this type of barrel is not suitable for high-precision weapons.

- Rifled. Barrels with spiral grooves on the inner surface. Due to the rifling, the bullet spins around the longitudinal axis while m...oving along the barrel - this provides additional stabilization and reduces the weapon's own dispersion. Actually, higher accuracy is the main advantage of rifled models over smoothbore ones; and "serious" sports pistols for high-precision shooting are equipped only with this type of barrel. The disadvantages of this option include, first of all, the higher cost than that of smooth ones, as well as the additional difficulty in cleaning - it can be difficult to thoroughly clean the rifling. In addition, in the case of pneumatics, rifled weapons are designed mainly for bullets and are poorly suited for cheaper balls: in most cases their use is not allowed at all, and where allowed, it is desirable to use special soft lead balls. This is due to the fact that the hard metal from which most balls are made wears the rifling a lot; and the promotion of such a charge turns out to be uneven and does not stabilize it, but, on the contrary, leads it away.

- Silenced. A variant found exclusively in pistols chambered in blanks. In such devices, a special plug is installed that blocks the bore and completely eliminates the possibility of firing any projectile (be it a bullet or shot). We emphasize that an attempt to fire from such a “weapon” with a non-blank cartridge (even with a rubber bullet) will most likely lead to a rupture of the barrel and serious injuries to the shooter and people around him.

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.

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).