PCP pistols

PCP (pre-pumping)

— pistols with a built-in high-pressure reservoir, into which a supply of air is pumped for a significant number of shots (usually on the order of several dozen). The pressure in the tank of such a weapon can reach 200 atm or even more, which makes it possible to achieve a high muzzle velocity. At the same time, PCP pneumatics give good repeatability of shots (at least for most of the refueling, until a critical pressure drop), and it has practically no recoil. The main disadvantages of such pneumatics are bulkiness and high cost. So, the tank has a rather large size and weight, it is usually placed under the barrel, which worsens the balance of the weapon; and high pressure places higher demands on the quality and reliability of individual components. In addition, the refueling procedure itself is quite complicated: you either need to pump air with a special pump (which is far from always supplied), or use additional equipment such as a compressor or a diving cylinder. As a result, the PCP scheme is now used predominantly in professional pistols, designed primarily for athletes.