How to increase the power of an air pistol: upgrades, replacement of parts, safety measures

The MP-654K air pistol is manufactured at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. It is an exact copy of the PM combat firearm, since most of the parts are common to them. Not every manufacturer of air guns can boast that their production is based on a military analogue. Thanks to such a high degree of similarity, Baikal (MR-654K) has gained wide popularity among weapon lovers, however, there are objective complaints about the model.

During operation, various shortcomings are revealed that were intentionally or accidentally made by manufacturers.

The first problem that owners of pneumatics have to face is the tightness of the valve system. As a result of wear of the locking mechanism, gas is bypassed, resulting in a decrease in pressure in the cylinder. A charged cylinder cannot be carried in a pistol for a long time and the gas must be produced as soon as possible.
The second area for improvement is increasing energy indicators. A simple tuning may involve replacing the spring, but this method is considered not entirely effective. If you eliminate gas leaks, you can increase its efficiency, and therefore the power of the weapon.
Finally, tuning a pistol comes down to changing its appearance. Despite the similarity of the models, a knowledgeable person can easily distinguish a combat PM from its pneumatic copy. But in conditions of self-defense, the main emphasis is on misleading the criminal, and here maximum similarity is needed.

What is the purpose of the upgrade?

If the main use of a pistol is to shoot cans or bottles, then the speed of the bullet or ball is critical. It is much more pleasant and effective to have a weapon that breaks a bottle in no time than a “scarecrow” that barely leaves marks on the glass.

Since an air pistol can be used for self-defense and hunting small rodents, increasing the power of the shot also increases its effectiveness. Keep in mind that using advanced high-velocity weapons may violate the law. Let's look at ways to increase shot speed for amateur shooting tasks.

conclusions

As a result of comparative tests, we can conclude that of the entire range of PM SAS air pistols, Makarov is one of the best. The weapon is distinguished not only by its favorable price and good performance characteristics, but also has excellent ballistics. Generally speaking, there is no clear leader among the presented models. Almost all pistols have the same weight as military weapons. The capacity of the gas cylinder is enough for 80-90 shots. The last parameter is not critical for the test, since most air pistols lose their destructive power after using half of the gas cylinder.

Increasing the power of spring-piston pistols

New concept for upgrading spring-piston pneumatics

Spring-piston pneumatics (SPP) are represented by the most reliable and accurate samples intended for sports or amateur use. Unlike similar rifles, PP pistols usually have a significantly lower firing speed, which is structurally due to the smaller dimensions of the chamber.

There are the following ways to give more energy to a bullet from such a weapon:

increasing the volume of the pneumatic chamber. The method consists of processing its inner surface on a machine, removing a thin metal layer.
This approach requires the involvement of an experienced turner, otherwise you may end up with a pistol that is disfigured and unsuitable for shooting.
replacing the barrel with a longer one. This operation also requires a qualified approach, otherwise there is a risk of radically deteriorating the accuracy of the sample (in case of improper installation);
installation of a more powerful spring. When replacing, you should take a spring several turns larger than the previous one. The main requirement is its length in a compressed state - it must fit in the pistol when cocked;
installing a metal washer one or two coil lengths thick under the spring. This will cause the spring to be slightly compressed, increasing resistance when charged. This method and the previous one are one of the easiest ways to upgrade a pistol;
increase in the mass of the piston pushed by the spring. The principle of the method is to obtain more energy from the part that compresses the air, and due to this, pumping more pressure. A piston of increased size and weight can be ordered from a turner.

Any upgrade to the pistol’s spring-piston system involves exceeding the operating parameters specified by the manufacturer. The power should be increased gradually, avoiding the pursuit of too high speeds, which can negatively affect the performance and durability of the weapon.

Review of three Elite II Umarex, 92 KWC and M-92FS models of the popular Beretta air pistol in one article. Here we discuss their structure and diagram, basic equipment and repair methods. You can read how to modify the Makarov air pistol here. Find out the power and speed of bullets of different models.

Required tools and materials

Let's consider the modernization of gas-cylinder pneumatics used for amateur and sports shooting. Several ways to modify parts to give the bullet more energy:

valve bore;
obturator boring;
barrel seal.

You will need the following tools: a drill; to seal the barrel, a rubber seal of a suitable size.

Gas cylinders

Ways to increase the shot speed in gas-cylinder pneumatics also involve increasing the barrel length and refining the mechanism. Ways to increase power are as follows:

replacing the “fighting” spring with a more powerful one. We are talking about a spring that sets the trigger or barrel in motion, hitting the valve. The disadvantage of the method is that it significantly increases the load on the trigger of the pistol (i.e., increases the trigger force);
boring the chamber with gas (increasing the diameter). Depending on the design of the pistol, you can get a good increase in speed, especially with initially thick-walled chambers;
enlargement of the holes in the exhaust valve through which carbon dioxide escapes. In the classic valve design, gas exits through three internal holes. Their diameter can be increased to 0.5 mm by drilling. You should not make holes that are too large, otherwise the gas will escape very quickly, and the bullet will greatly lose speed during acceleration;
the use of a larger trigger (or a heavier barrel). With increased impact, the valve will remain open longer, releasing more gas. To increase the mass, you will have to turn to a turner again;
increasing the diameter of the seal located behind the needle for piercing the balloon. Do not overdo it in expanding it, otherwise the needle may fall out and will have to be fixed with “super glue”.

You need to increase the size of the holes gradually, periodically assembling the gun and testing the resulting diagram. If the upgrade was planned before purchase, it is better to purchase a model without Blowback, for the operation of which most of the gas energy is lost.

Methods for increasing the efficiency of pneumatics

You can use different methods and complexes to achieve optimal results. Often, a specialist in the service center will improve the magazine, install a more efficient cylinder, select high-quality and durable cuffs, change or supplement the spring, and work with the shape and inner surface of the barrel. These manipulations make it possible to make the bullet exit more powerful, softer, and avoid deformation.

As a result, the gun owner gets the following results:

the shot becomes more accurate; when aiming, there is no need to take into account the ballistic trajectory;
accuracy improves, which has a good effect on accuracy in different shooting conditions;
the impact of the bullet on the target increases, so that the weapon receives new functionality;
the bullet exit speed increases, this also has a positive effect on the efficiency of firing;
At the same time, the trigger mechanism is adjusted, which allows you to fire a shot smoothly and without jerking.

High power is becoming a necessity for many pneumatic applications. In our workshop, specialists use only proven methods for improving spring-piston pneumatics and PCP-type weapons. High-quality components are used in the work, the customer receives a guarantee.

With pre-pumping

Diagram of the modernized Crosman 1377 air pistol

Tuning for higher speed in pump pistols has much in common with modifying CO2 pistols. The general method is to judiciously increase the length of the barrel. You can also use the following approaches:

reducing valve spring stiffness. This increases the time it takes for the gas to escape from the chamber and increases the speed of the shot;
boring the valve holes (see above);
increasing the stiffness or length of the mainspring driving the trigger;
work on the gearbox in models equipped with it. If the gun does not have a pressure regulator in the pneumatic chamber into which the gas enters after the main cylinder, the reducer will have to be removed and adjusted manually.

The price for increasing the power of the shot is an accelerated decrease in pressure in the cylinder. If the goal of modification is only to increase the speed of the bullet, then you can experiment with the gearbox being as open as possible, avoiding its excessive spinning.

Ways to improve

Now I would like to dwell on the main ways to increase power offered by the Internet.

Among one of the top methods on the Internet in an attempt to understand how to strengthen an air pistol, there is a secret method of an inventor who, with the help of ballpoint pens, television antennas, magnetic fields, antimatter and other magic, accelerates airsoft guns to the power of excellent air guns. A cascade of such devices, when applied to a conventional pneumatic ball blaster, is apparently capable of propelling a BB gun beyond the fourth cosmic speed (550 km/s), thereby leaving a fiery lead greeting to the alien intelligence (intergalactic hardball). This is where the search interestingness ends, what follows is the pure truth. Those interested can read the whole story in a small abbreviation:

There are a lot of ways to make an air gun more powerful, most of them lie within the range of increasing the final speed by 10-20 m/s. For some, these may seem like ridiculous numbers, but within the framework of the hardball movement with its regulated restrictions, this is sometimes more than enough. The main thing is not to overdo it and not to create conditions for reviewing safety precautions, because after all, we are for a safe pastime.

Safety precautions when upgrading

Although air guns are considered non-lethal, their bullets have significant penetration and can seriously injure a person. Even a slight increase in bullet speed can significantly increase its traumatic properties. Thus, an increase in speed by 20 m/s, with an initial value of 100 m/s, increases the shot energy by almost 1.5 times.

A separate article is the resulting power of the weapon - if after acceleration it exceeds 7.5 J, this is fraught with legal consequences.

After the upgrade, it makes sense to calculate power by measuring the speed and mass of the bullet. The energy of the shot is equal to the product of the mass of the bullet (in kg) by the square of the velocity (in m/s) divided by two.

When deciding to increase the power of your pistol, pay attention to safety precautions:

too strong a spring in the PPP can lead to deformation of metal parts when arming and cause a premature shot;
the increased speed of the bullet makes it dangerous at long distances. When using a “pumped” pistol, pay special attention to the absence of people in the direction of shooting;
Do not allow excessive thinning of the walls of the discharge chamber when boring. This reduces the overall rigidity of the structure and can cause injury if gas escapes through defects.

Of all the types of pneumatics, spring-piston pistols are the least susceptible to modernization. This is facilitated by the small volume of the pneumatic chamber and the difficulties that arise when using more powerful springs.

Carbon dioxide pistols have more acceptable acceleration characteristics, and the champion is pre-inflated pneumatics. Do not forget about the established limit of 7.5 J, so as not to become a victim of your own creativity when it falls into the hands of law enforcement agencies.

Military weapons converted to fire blanks appeared on the market

A new round of the “arms race”: several Russian companies have immediately released military weapons onto the market that have been converted to fire blank cartridges.

Including legendary systems: the Maxim machine gun, PPSh.

I note that the weapon, which is recognized as a symbol of the era, has long been available to hunters. But this is not easy to buy. The barrel is rifled, so a person who dreams of becoming the owner of a hunting PPSh, “Maxim” and “Degtyarev” must first obtain permission for a smooth-bore gun and only after five years try to obtain documents for a rifled one.

It’s not the same with someone who is emasculated. These are the same legendary army and police pistols, machine guns and machine guns, but they are sold freely: no medical examinations, no certificates, no visits from the local police officer.

The RG correspondent studied the market for new products: what and how much they offer us to arm ourselves with.

Boys play war

The most popular product is the Makarov pistol. Light-sound cartridges have been developed for the PM: they fire loudly, “in an adult way,” and do not burst with compressed air, like its pneumatic counterpart, and do not slam the capsule, like the signal version. And the automation works like a combat one: it shoots in semi-automatic mode, that is, the cartridge case is ejected and a new cartridge is loaded.

Of course, you shouldn’t even try to force a live cartridge into the chamber: it will explode to hell. The engineers at the factory took care of this: they inserted a liner (insert) into the barrel, plus pins in the barrel and in the bolt, and loosened the guides. The pistol is certified.

The development of small arms was discussed online in Tula

It cannot be turned back into combat, but it looks like the real thing. Until you look into the barrel (or take it apart), you will not understand that this is not a combat pistol.

Included is a passport, where from the first page in capital letters they try to exhort and guide the owner on the true path. They intimidate: do not scare innocent people with a pistol. If there are children, pregnant women and psychopaths nearby, then it is better not to take it out of your pocket. Do not point the gun at law enforcement officers, collectors and armed guards - you will get a bullet from your opponent.

And it is not recommended to use it for self-defense.

Naturally, this begs the question: why is one needed then? And for cultural and educational purposes. For military-patriotic education, participation in film and theater productions, for historical reconstructions.

PM is the most widespread and relatively affordable quenched pistol. But far from the only one.

The market offers a serious choice: Nagan revolvers, TT pistols, carbines and Mosin rifles, SVT self-loading rifles, Shpagin and Sudaev submachine guns, Degtyarev light machine guns, Kalashnikov assault rifles have been converted for different light-sound cartridges. And at the top of this pyramid is the legendary Maxim machine gun.

If you have enough funds, you can create a small weapons museum at home.

We're after the price

Cooled weapons are at a great price. “Makarov” in Russia is already being shut down by four enterprises. We were the first to establish production in Vyatskie Polyany. The recommended retail price for dealers is 18.5 thousand rubles. Interestingly, sellers often keep prices even lower. On specialized forums it is sold for 14-16 thousand.

The Kalashnikov assault rifle will fire with minimal recoil

Mosin carbines and rifles cost 26-29 thousand, and Kalashnikovs cost about the same amount. Self-loading Tokarev and PPSh submachine gun - from 35 thousand. The Shpagin disk holds 71 rounds, you will fire it in a matter of seconds. Multiply the disk capacity by the price of the cartridge - that is, by 20-25 rubles. When you empty your wallet, you won’t have time to look back.

MP-371 - the best weapon for modification

In order to determine the model of the best signal pistol for converting it, for example, into a traumatic weapon, you need to take into account its price category and the amount of work performed on it. According to these criteria, the MP-371 model is in the lead. It’s not hard to guess that it’s easiest to work with this particular model, since it was created on the basis of the PM combat pistol, and besides, it’s quite easy to find all the necessary parts on the market.

All modifications to the signal pistol can be divided into two categories. The first category is criminal, it is characterized by the fact that it is converted into a trauma, that is, the type of weapon completely changes.
The second category includes work in which the weapon does not receive damaging properties, but only some improvements in operation or transformations in appearance.

Sawn-off shotgun brother 2 emasculated SHP conversion into combat

What do you need to know when purchasing?

Such weapons must have a passport and markings.
The passport contains methods for deactivating the model.
The write-off data is indicated on the case.

How does a cold weapon shoot? SHP weapons are a sought-after product today; the stock for them is often traumatic weapons, which are considered defective. It is an exact copy of the combat one. To shoot, Zhevelo capsules are used; they are inserted into cartridge simulators. Starter pistols use brass cartridges because plastic substitutes can melt. Starting pistols are more convenient because they produce signals such as sound, light, and smoke; there are even flash-and-noise options. Cold weapons for self-defense Many people willingly buy cold weapons for self-defense; experts call the “TT” model the best option.

Converting a signal PM into a combat one: myth or reality

Ammunition is loaded into the magazine according to the standard scheme, after which it is inserted back into the pistol grip. Transformation When wondering: a cold weapon, what it is, you should remember that it is not capable of firing cartridges that could harm human health or life. Craftsmen who try to transform it into a combat version risk their own freedom. Criminal liability is provided for such actions. As a rule, modifications for dry firing are modified with the expectation that it is impossible to restore lethal characteristics. It is necessary to pay attention to one more nuance that a cold weapon has. Most models are visually no different from army modifications. Therefore, you should not openly carry converted copies in public places, much less shoot from them.