The best traumatic pistols, a review of the most popular models

To assess the state of the traumatic weapons market, it is necessary to promptly monitor the emergence of new products from manufacturers. Russian legislation determines that a citizen has the right to keep only two units of firearms of limited destruction, which means that acquaintance with the models will be in absentia.

A high-quality review in analytical articles will help you appreciate the benefits of a particular trauma model. Entire sections and forums are dedicated to specific models. Here you can find the opinions of owners, sellers or experts.

Buying a traumatic pistol in most cases is associated with ensuring your own safety. For this reason, a potential buyer is willing to spend some time studying the material in order to choose the best traumatic weapon.

Characteristics of trauma

Each barrel simultaneously has several characteristics that affect shooting efficiency, but the dependence of the pistol’s impact capabilities is quite complex. Several parameters must be taken into account simultaneously.

The muzzle energy value determines the power of the weapon, which is limited by law and is 91 J for the OOOP class.
Number of cartridges in the clip. Despite the indignation of the mass consumer, no changes are expected in the law on this matter. Currently, the maximum allowable number of rounds is 10.
Material of manufacture of the impact mechanism, other mechanical parts, housing. In most cases, metal is used in the manufacture of trauma equipment. The pistol body, like its mechanical part, can withstand heavy loads. The manufacturer is guaranteed to ensure the integrity of the device at the declared resource.
Ammo caliber. This indicator, along with the muzzle energy indicator, can determine the most powerful traumatic pistol.
Manufacturer. Despite the fact that products manufactured in Russia, according to statistics, are of dubious quality, our weapons are valued higher than foreign-made analogues.

Not every novice gun lover will be able to choose and buy the best traumatic pistol based on the parameters presented. In this case, all that remains is to focus on the list of models included in the top most popular injuries. The position of the model in this list is not so important. In different sources you can find different rating distribution options. This is explained by the fact that the opinions of different specialists are taken into account. But if a model is on the list, then a potential buyer should pay attention to it.

Pistol Izh-79-9T

Interestingly, Makarych’s first model was positioned as a gas pistol. Only in 2004, the Izh-79-9T model received the status of a gas pistol with the ability to fire a rubber bullet. This is what traumatism we are used to was called before. Today all models are included in the LLCOP category.

Externally, Makarych resembles the Soviet PM self-loading pistol. Such devices at that time were called rubber arrows. Due to the fact that the pistol is made of real weapon steel, if properly handled, it can serve for a long time without failure, and its fire rate is in the tens of thousands of rounds. Another quality that should be noted is maintainability. All spare parts are available for sale.

Inserts in the barrel, which reduce bullet energy and also prevent the use of live ammunition, can be welded or pressed. A high-quality welded insert can be replaced, and it is not subject to swelling. However, in case of a defect, the insert is often wrapped and the barrel is blocked. Another disadvantage is the need to polish the barrel, otherwise the bullet may tear. Pressed inserts do not need to be polished. When passing through them, the ball loses less energy. A poorly executed insert affects the strength of the barrel at its location. An attempt to align the insert results in the barrel breaking.

Depending on the year of manufacture of the pistol, its bolt-casing could be made by forging or casting. In both cases additional milling was required. Owners of injuries note that its distinctive feature is the long travel of the trigger, as well as the significant force that must be applied to release.

By the way, many note this as a positive quality, because these are exactly the signs that the combat PM had.

Makarych does not pretend to be modern. We can say that it recalls the history of the creation of its prototype. For example, the handle cannot be called comfortable. A short handle set at a shallow angle takes a long time to get used to. Modern weapons embody high levels of ergonomics. In particular, comfort in shooting is a prerequisite for him. Ergonomics directly affects shooting accuracy. It would seem that the awkward grip should turn weapon lovers away from Makarych. But targeted shooting from a traumatic weapon can be carried out at a distance of no more than 8 meters, so the aiming devices serve as a kind of decoration.

It should be noted that traumatic pistols created “from scratch” cannot boast of flawless operation of the trigger mechanism. Experienced amateurs know how to choose the highest quality specimen. That is why it is recommended to purchase a barrel at a gun store, where you can choose from several weapons at once.

The mechanism, which is a fuse, in the Izh-79-9T model is reliable. If we judge the quality of the assembly as a whole, then it is not as high as in the PM-T traumatic gun, made on the basis of real PM pistols. Welded inserts cause the bullet to get stuck, after which the barrel swells.

The mass of a traumatic pistol is much less than the mass of its combat counterpart. Makarych is positioned as a light and compact injury. The modification, which is characterized by a different return spring, went on sale in 2006. It is called Izh-79-9Tm. In addition to another spring, it contains a special bushing that protects the barrel from swelling. The shutter play has also been reduced, which has resulted in improved shooting accuracy. Production of Izh-79-9T ceased in 2007. Currently, hobbyists still have copies in their hands that have been independently modernized by replacing some parts.

Advantages of the model

Despite the fact that owners of the Izh-79-9T traumatic gun would like to have a device as similar as possible to a combat pistol, the model has some of its own qualities, which should be discussed separately.

The metal construction increases the level of reliability. Even if the barrel is equipped with welded inserts, if there is a bushing, they remain durable.
Long service life when firing cartridges with energy above 50 J.
Repairable. Almost all spare parts can be purchased without pre-ordering.
Compact. The dimensions of the pistol allow it to be carried concealed, as required by law.
Similarity to military weapons. This quality stands out as positive, as it often plays a decisive role when the situation escalates. The enemy can retreat as soon as he sees the gun.

Disadvantages of the model

Makarych is not without shortcomings, but they can only be judged by reviews. Some factors can be viewed both positively and negatively.

It takes a lot of force to release the hook. It should be noted here that some owners do not note this quality as a disadvantage. They believe that this is an additional safety measure to prevent the hook from unintentionally releasing.
A very uncomfortable handle that you just need to get used to.
Almost non-functioning elements of the sighting device.

Performance characteristics

Tactical and technical characteristics (ttx) are precisely those parameters that are assessed not on the basis of the personal feelings of the owners, but have specific values set by the manufacturer.

The device uses 9 mm RA caliber cartridges. Their size is 9x22 mm. Such cartridges are often used in traumatic guns of other models. They are considered the most optimal, since a large caliber (9 mm is one of them) eliminates penetrating wounds, but the bullet has great energy.
Dimensions include the length, width and height of the gun. A potential buyer cannot evaluate their value. It is important for the user that the model does not have protruding parts that may interfere with removing the pistol from the holster. Makarych is quite streamlined. The only parts that can catch on the holster are the sighting elements. The length of the pistol is 161 mm, the width is 30 mm, and the height is 127 mm. With such dimensions, the barrel length of 93 mm is considered quite small.
In terms of weight, the Makarych pistol ranks average. Different users evaluate this value from different positions. A heavy pistol is less susceptible to recoil, which improves the accuracy of shots. The lightweight pistol is fairly easy to handle, especially when shooting at multiple targets. The weight of the Izh-79-9T model is 630 g. This value is given for a pistol without cartridges.
The pistol chamber contains 8 rounds, which complies with legal requirements.

Fort-12T

This model appeared on the market in 1995. It was developed at the Ukrainian enterprise NPO Fort. Fort pistols were supposed to replace the Makarov, which was in service with law enforcement agencies. Production models until 2002 were assembled in the Czech Republic. This is explained by the fact that the basis for this pistol was the development of the Czech company Ceská Zbrojovka. That is why the injury was initially collected using Czech equipment.

The Fort proved itself to be a reliable pistol, as it was made entirely of weapons-grade steel. The only exceptions were the handle linings.

The pistol is reloaded by the recoil of the bolt. A trigger mechanism of this type provides the ability to fire with self-cocking or with cocking the hammer. Safety in terms of an accidental shot is ensured by a safety lever; it is located to the left of the bolt.

The pistol magazine holds 12 rounds, which are placed in two rows. Their caliber is 9 mm, and 9x17 mm, 9x18 mm and 9PA cartridges can be used. According to the passport data, the rate of fire of the model is 40 rounds per minute. Due to its weight, the pistol is quite stable when shooting, which is important for self-defense.

Thunderstorm 021

We can say that “Groza 021” is a Russified version of the Fort pistol. There was previously close cooperation between the enterprises, which was broken after 2014. Groza is a fairly powerful and reliable pistol. Its characteristics have been confirmed by numerous tests. The gun can be partially disassembled without the use of special tools, which is very convenient for its maintenance.

Automatic reloading occurs when the bolt recoils. The trigger, like the Fort pistol, is double action. The sighting device is adjustable in the horizontal direction. The cartridges in the store are staggered in two rows. A total of 15 rounds fit into the clip. The installation of a limiter adapted to Russian legislation is provided. It is possible to use cartridges with rubber bullets, as well as light or sound cartridges. The price of such a pistol can vary from 20 to 30 thousand rubles.

Ratnik 410x45TK

The Ratnik revolver is produced in Nizhny Novgorod. It is an improved copy of the Udar gas pistol. Initially, Ratnik was developed for security forces, but it did not find application in this area. But as a civilian weapon, the device has gained popularity among users. The first thing noted as an advantage is the ability to fire universal-caliber cartridges. Not every traumatic device attracts consumers with its brutal appearance. A certain category of citizens appreciates compact and lightweight models. The warrior has a mass of only 500 g, and this is in a charged state.

The most effective modification of the Ratnik is chambered for the Rubber cartridge, the caliber of which is 16 mm. The length of the sleeve is 45 mm. This cartridge is equipped with a rubber bullet with a weighting agent. The mass of the projectile is about three grams. Prior to this cartridge, 13 mm ammunition was used with two bullets of 1.15 g each.

The owners noted that the accuracy of shooting left much to be desired. The barrel channel of the revolver is absolutely smooth, so that the ammunition will not jam. But at the same time, protection is provided against the use of live shells through the special geometry of the chambers. The drum can only hold five rounds. The sighting device allows the weapon to be used only at short distances.

Which traumatic pistol is better?

Models differ in size and weight, and these characteristics have individual significance when choosing. Which traumatic pistols have proven themselves to be successful among users? The VyborExperta.ru team has conducted research and recommends the following brands:

Groza-01 9 mm R.A. – for concealed carrying;
Arrow M9T is the choice of those who value accuracy of fire;
Vostok-1 – budget solution;
TTK-F 10x32T – for fans of classics and powerful weapons.

All the brands presented in our review are worthy of the attention of users, but only the most reliable and accurate received the status of the best in their categories.

Streamer 2014

The Turkish company Target Technologies developed this traumatic pistol specifically for the Russian market. The import of weapons into Russian territory ceased in 2011. The reason for the ban was the inconsistency of some declared parameters with our legislation.

Since 2014, production of the Streamer 2014 model has been launched in Russia, which, compared to its predecessor, had some design changes.

First of all, they affected the muzzle energy indicator; it was reduced to 91 J.
It is known that the first models produced in Turkey and sold in Russia were made of TsAM alloy. In Russian versions, some parts were made of steel.
The barrel of the pistol has undergone another change. In it, the protrusions that prevent the passage of a live bullet have become even larger. It was decided to make this change in order to improve weapon safety.

In terms of external design, there are two types of design: the pistol is coated in black gloss and the pistol has a black matte surface. Some elements are reinforced with steel inserts for reliability. The pistol fires rubber bullets. Its magazine holds 14 rounds. They are laid in two rows from below, and when moving upward they are rearranged into one row. The large capacity of the clip means that the Streamer has a fairly massive handle.

Overall, the weapon fits comfortably in the hand. Everything related to ergonomics is implemented perfectly in Streamer 2014. One small drawback is the positioning of the model for right-handed shooting. Putting the pistol on safety, unfastening the magazine or incomplete disassembly is carried out according to the algorithm familiar to the Russian consumer. A flag-type fuse is considered to be on when the flag is pressed down.

The Streamer's trigger mechanism allows firing with automatic self-cocking or by cocking the hammer. Many models of effective traumatic weapons have a similar design. When the pistol is put on safety, the trigger is not blocked. Only the trigger pull is disconnected, therefore carrying a cartridge in the chamber is considered unsafe.

The quality of the design and materials of a pistol is assessed by its service life. The manufacturer claims a firing capacity of 3,000 rounds. This is a small indicator. But in practice, Streamer overcomes this bar. The barrel of the model deserves special attention. Its geometry allows the use of cartridges with different powers. Compared to its classmates, the Streamer 2014 shows better power results when firing the same cartridges.

How to choose a traumatic pistol

Purchasing a traumatic pistol without a license, according to current legislation, is prohibited. A permit is required to carry a weapon, and a passport and license are required upon purchase. After receiving permits, you can begin making your choice. It is necessary to take into account the purpose of the OOOP, the caliber and volume of the magazine. It is worth paying attention to the safety of use, the availability of sight adjustment and tactical rails. This will allow you to buy a weapon that can solve self-defense problems.

Purpose

Firearms of limited destruction are used for personal self-defense and in security structures. Models with muzzle energy up to 91 J are intended for private use. For official purposes, weapons with shot energy up to 150 J are allowed. You cannot purchase such a model without a security license.

For training, it is recommended to choose OOOP with barrels designed for 50-100 thousand shots. Models must have adjustable sights. The most powerful injuries can be purchased for professional security guards: they are heavy, oversized, and cannot be worn unnoticed.

Caliber

If you regularly visit the shooting range throughout the year, it is better to buy a 9 mm caliber traumatic pistol. Ammunition of this type is always on sale and has a low cost. If you plan to use the OOO rarely, then you can choose the .45 Rubber caliber. The advantage of this option is good stopping power. Only 10x32 can compete with this caliber.

Volume of shots

Legislation limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds. This amount is enough to stop an attack by 3-4 people. A weapon with 8-10 rounds of ammunition should be chosen by those who plan to actively train at a shooting range. For concealed carry, small, lightweight models are purchased that can be easily hidden under a suit. Such OOOPs are equipped with magazines with 4-6 rounds. This is enough for self-defense when attacked by 2-3 people.

Other characteristics

The presence of a Picatinny or Weaver rail will allow the use of tactical attachments. This could be a laser sight or a flashlight. The presence of safeties and the absence of a protruding trigger provide a high level of safety, especially when carrying a weapon under a suit or in a holster. For a person with a fragile constitution, it is better to choose a lightweight model. The power of a modern LLC is sufficient even in a small size to stop a criminal.

The best body armor

"Guardian" MP-461

This model has received a certificate for barrelless civilian weapons of the OOOP type. The history of its creation begins in 2002. Trauma was developed at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. The Guard is a two-shot device with a detachable barrel block. The role of the barrel is played by the chamber.

The innovation of the development is the use of an electronic method of igniting the primer.

The developers' task was to make an effective and small-sized pistol that has no foreign analogues. All parts of the Guardian are made of plastic. The use of plastic has significantly reduced the weight of the barrel. It is traditionally believed that a heavy pistol is more stable when fired, since a reaction force occurs after the bullet is pushed out. But this does not apply to an electrically ignited system. Shooting from a light plastic weapon will be quite accurate and effective.

The electrical impulse is induced by the battery charge. On the right side of the pistol body there is an LED indicating the battery status. If the diode lights up before firing, then the battery has enough charge to ignite the capsule. The pistol is chambered for 18x45 mm cartridges. The rubber bullet used can painfully injure the aggressor at a distance of several meters. It is also possible to use a light or sound charge.

Ammo

Recommended cartridges for PM of any model are KSPZ. As a rule, operation occurs using 9 mm cartridges. It is worth noting that all cartridges for a traumatic Makarov pistol must have a special mark, which will indicate that the ammunition is designed for a specific weapon. If we develop the theme of how demanding this weapon is when it comes to ammunition, then it’s worth saying that the best representative is the MP-80, which has surpassed its closest relatives. Due to the large caliber, the thickness of its barrel was increased, which made it possible to use cartridges made of harder rubber.

Taurus LOM-13

The Taurus revolver is made in Brazil. It is made on the basis of a real combat barrel produced at the same enterprise. The revolver drum is loaded with five cartridges. This is an excellent model in its class and is used by the police. The frame and drum are made of steel, which suggests a high degree of reliability of the weapon. With its power, a 9PA caliber cartridge will deliver a strong and noticeable blow to the enemy, even to a protected area of the body.

The drum and barrel of the revolver cannot be dismantled. This is how manufacturers protect weapons from attempts to convert them to use live ammunition. There are no fuses for the Taurus, but there is a lock that can be locked and unlocked with a key. This lock prevents the trigger from moving. When locked, the revolver can be carried or transported without fear of an accidental discharge. The accuracy of the shots allows us to classify this model as a sporting weapon. This is only a theoretical fact. In practice, the Taurus is certified as a traumatic weapon.

"Leader"

In appearance and mechanism, the Leader pistol became an almost complete copy of the famous TT pistol. It has fulfilled the dream of many users who want to find an alternative to military weapons.

The powerful traumatist fires 10x32T cartridges, which contain two bullets. The mass of each of them is 0.7 g. Many owners note as a disadvantage the relatively small capacity of the magazine, designed for 7 rounds. In fact, the Leader pistol has been brought to legal standards and does not require handicraft modifications in order to change technical parameters. The amount of muzzle energy directly depends on the type of cartridge. In any case, it varies from 80 J to 100 J. The pistol is quite massive, since its main parts are made of weapon steel.

True Trauma

“Makarych” should not be confused with the PM-T traumatic pistol, which was created from a combat PM using the method of alterations. The trauma equipment we are considering was created independently, copying the appearance of the PM pistol as much as possible. However, there is no talk of constructive similarity and complete external similarity. The entire mechanism has nothing in common with the trigger of a combat pistol.

Over the course of several years of the heyday of traumatic weapons, the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant produced several modifications of the Makarych, which differed primarily in caliber.

The developers took an independent step, eliminating the basis of the combat PM, for reasons that owners of traumatic pistols would not think of converting them to use live ammunition. The Makarych series of pistols, developed by ZAO TsSZ Kolchuga and the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, includes models such as Izh-79-9T, MP-79-9TM and MP-80-13T. As for the caliber, here it varies from 9 to 13 mm.

The three models we have chosen are considered representatives of the same line. They were released at different times and each subsequent model serves as a continuation of the previous one with certain improvements. However, even the earliest versions have their own distinctive features that cannot be missed, so we will conduct a comparative analysis of the presented models, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.

"Shaman"

In terms of the power of traumatic weapons, the Shaman occupies a leading place in the ranking. This is a completely Russian development, mass-produced since 2010. Among themselves, amateurs call this model a cannon, since they use 18x45T caliber cartridges. The diameter of the bullet is 20 mm. It is also possible to use more powerful 20.5 mm cartridges.

The Shaman does not have a clip. Instead, there is a cassette into which cartridges are inserted. When using 18x45 cartridges, an adapter must be installed. At its core, it is an attachment that increases the diameter of the sleeve. If you use original cartridges from the manufacturer, the adapter will last a long time.

Separately, we should talk about the muzzle energy of the weapon. Initially, the pistol showed good results. But a value of 120 J puts the device outside the law, so manufacturers were forced to set some restrictions. Despite this, you can purchase high-power cartridges that can be affected by light or noise. Rubber bullet cartridges can protect against an attacker, even if he is wearing a winter jacket.