Any man is to some extent interested in such a topic as small arms. Indeed, it is very pleasant to feel a rifle or pistol in your hands, as well as to receive pleasure from a well-placed shot. And if a person has the desire and opportunity to purchase small arms, then it would be best to start with a pneumatic one. There are many varieties of it, it has different functionality and capabilities. This article was written to help you decide on the choice of pneumatic small arms, talk about its purpose, capabilities and characteristics.
Development of pneumatic small arms
Now the industry that produces small arms, including pneumatics, is quite developed. Indeed, if previously the choice of model was limited to standard Soviet rifles such as IZH-38 or MP-512, now there are so many domestic and foreign manufacturers, as well as brands of weapons, that it is easy to get lost in all this diversity. At the same time, the client faces several exciting questions. Which rifle is better to choose? How do different brands differ from each other? What characteristics are most important? All this needs to be looked into carefully.
Characteristics of "Hatsan AT-10"
This model has only positive reviews. These PSP rifles with pre-inflated cylinder are for sale. The caliber of the weapon is 4.5 mm. The number of charges provided by the manufacturer is 10. The muzzle energy parameter is 30 J. In this case, the operating pressure in the tank is 200 bar. One fill can fire about 90 shots. The descent in this model is adjustable. The presence of rifling on the barrel is provided. This pneumatic will cost the buyer approximately $1,100.
Main characteristics of pneumatic weapons and requirements for them
Regardless of the type of small arms, its owners have always been interested in two main indicators - accuracy and power. At all times, designers have wondered about creating the most powerful and accurate rifle, but this goal will never be achieved. Although there are models that are closest to the ideal, the creation of such weapons is still impossible. Largely because these two characteristics are mutually exclusive.
The power of a rifle, or to put it correctly, energy, is measured in joules. Many gun manufacturers ignore this parameter, indicating only the muzzle velocity of the bullet, but power is easy to calculate if you also know the mass of the bullet itself. For this, the formula is used: E = mV2/2.
Low-power weapons (less than 7.5 J) are marked with the letter F, which is indicated in the name or on the receiver. Such rifles are quite widespread, usually in sports disciplines. For sports, such power will be more than enough, because they shoot mainly from short distances.
Weapons that have average power (up to 16.3 J) are designated by the letter J. These rifles are used in a wider range, and they are capable of inflicting a certain amount of damage on the target. In some countries, weapons of this type are required to be registered.
The most powerful air guns (28-30 J) are marked with the letters FAC. These rifles shoot at a decent distance and cause a lot of damage to the target. In addition, such weapons are much less dependent on environmental conditions, while they use heavy bullets, which are more stable than light ones. A powerful weapon ideal for hunting.
The exceptions are samples that have a large caliber, comparable to the calibers of firearms. For example, the Career Dragon Slayer carbine, which has a caliber of 12.7 mm and is intended for hunting. But it is worth noting that such weapons are definitely subject to registration.
As for the accuracy of small arms in general, accuracy is usually taken into account when shooting with fixed aiming and constant external conditions. It is clear that it is impossible to achieve 100% accuracy when shooting, since the aiming point is constantly shifting, and environmental conditions are also changing, which affects the accuracy of the weapon. Such features force shooters to select rifles that best suit their accuracy and also equip them with the correct bullets, which increases the chance of a hit.
History of the appearance of the substance
PCP was first synthesized in 1950 in the USA. The goal of the scientists was to create a powerful anesthesia with a minimum number of side effects. The synthesized phencyclidine turned out to be really strong, helping to carry out complex operations for a long time.
The substance remained legal in Russia until 1979. The ban on its distribution was introduced due to the strong toxic effect caused after one use. Drug addicts were not left out either. They began using PCP to produce euphoria, calling the drug “angel dust.”
What is a PCP rifle?
The abbreviation PCP stands for pre charged pneumatic, which means “pre-charged pneumatics”. This means that the rifle is loaded with a special device automatically or manually before each shot. This design of pneumatic small arms is the most popular on the market, as it has some advantages over other layouts:
— when firing from a PCP rifle there is practically no recoil, and this can significantly increase the accuracy of the shot;
— the design of the rifle is made using innovative technologies and was developed relatively recently;
— the design features of the rifle (pumping system), as well as increased shot accuracy, allow it to come closer to a full-fledged firearm.
These indicators have made PCP rifles the most popular on the modern market of hunting and sporting weapons. Moreover, in countries such as Ukraine or Russia, PCP rifles can be purchased freely without a license.
Design Features
PCP air rifles use compressed air or other gases when firing, just like any other pneumatic gun. But the peculiarity of these rifles is that air is pumped into a special reservoir, which is located under the barrel. Air is pumped using special cylinders that are not included in the weapon system. However, this rule is not strict and many PCP rifles can accommodate this cylinder in their design. But for some options, refueling always occurs using devices such as a pump for a PCP rifle, a compressor, or a pumping station. This is due to the fact that high-quality filling of the cylinder requires high pressure (200-300 atm), and this indicator cannot be achieved with manual filling. In this case, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or air is used to fill the cylinder.
The design of such a rifle uses a special gearbox, which is designed to reduce air pressure as it exits the barrel. This solution is used because different gases behave differently. While carbon dioxide is affected by temperature, air and nitrogen are less sensitive. Therefore, it is important to know what kind of gas is used in the rifle you purchase. Depending on this, the gearbox is also selected.
It is equally important to strictly follow safety rules when working with tanks that contain liquefied air. Any careless handling of them may result in an accident that could cause harm to the owner of the rifle. A rupture of the cylinder or hose to which the PCP rifle refill station is connected is a rather unpleasant occurrence, so you should try to avoid it.
Reducer or direct flow
The principle of direct flow of PCP pneumatics is simple. The devices demonstrate maximum power if the tank is full. With each shot, the pressure and initial velocity of the projectile rapidly drops. The volume of air in the cylinder may not be enough to push the bullet out.
PCP with gearbox – new generation models. Compressed air is collected in a storage chamber, which allows the shooter to control its flow. The pressure in the cylinder drops slowly, and the initial speed is stable.
Direct-flow rifles will not lose user interest, as they are endowed with advantages:
- power exceeds gear systems;
- structural simplicity reduces the cost of pneumatics, no special maintenance is required;
- shots are stable and do not jump, unlike geared weapons, where a sharp drop in pressure has the opposite effect.
Geared systems are ideal for sport shooting, where it is important to accurately place projectiles on target from a long distance. It is better for a hunter to choose a straight-flow rifle, which is unpretentious, powerful and low in price.
Rifle caliber
For a modern PCP rifle, caliber matters. After all, the size and, consequently, the weight of the bullet depends on it, which directly affects the range and quality of shooting. The most common calibers of PCP rifles are: 4.5, 5.5, and 6.35 mm. But there are also rarer calibers, such as 5.0, 7.62, 9.0 or 12.7 mm.
To use in a certain discipline, you need your own caliber. For example, small caliber rifles (4.5 and 5.5 mm) are used in sports, as well as for recreational shooting, while larger calibers (6.35 mm and above) are used for hunting (such rifles have more power, which and implies their choice for catching large and small game).
What’s noteworthy is that 5.5 PCP rifles can be purchased freely without a license.
There are also several types of bullets. Standard ones are made of lead or other metal. Such ammunition has some stability in flight and is not capable of penetrating a serious obstacle in its path. They can be spherical or cap shaped. It is not recommended to shoot spherical bullets from a rifled rifle - this reduces shooting accuracy and worsens the condition of the rifling. However, spherical bullets have high ballistic effect and penetration compared to cap bullets. Cap bullets, on the contrary, do not penetrate the target so well, but are more stable in flight, which increases the chance of hitting the target.
For hunting, it is recommended to use specially shaped bullets, for example with a conical or hemispherical head. This design ensures reliable penetration, conservation of shot energy during flight and good stabilization. The bullet may also include a core made of a harder metal, which improves its penetration and lethal performance.
There are also special purpose bullets, such as hollow point bullets. When they hit a target, they open up, causing serious damage, and are therefore used for hunting.
Types of PCP rifles
A PCP rifle that operates via a cylinder is not the only option. There are also other varieties that have both pros and cons.
The multi-compression rifle has a specific design. It includes a pump for manually inflating the tank. This pump is built into the forend, allowing you to fill the rifle with air in a few simple movements. The classic example is the Crosman Classic (2100 B). MK rifles have a number of advantages over conventional PCP rifles. In particular, at the moment of firing, all parts of the MK are absolutely motionless, which ensures higher accuracy. You can also adjust the power of the shot by simply lowering or increasing the amount of pumping motion. But such weapons can only be used for hunting, since prolonged shooting can be very tiring. In addition, the constant movement of the pump can cause wear of parts or even failure, after which you will need to go to the workshop.
Manufacturers of PCP rifles
Nowadays the commercial market is quite developed, so you can find many manufacturers of PCP rifles. Each of them has its own approach to the production of weapons and their improvement. However, among those who produce the best PCP rifles are the following:
— Crosman is a fairly well-known American company that approaches the production of its weapons with the utmost seriousness. It is known for the quality of production, as well as the original design of weapons. Its latest line, the Benjamin Sheridan, features a design that minimizes recoil and vibration when fired.
— BSA Guns is a British company that produces firearms and air guns. Its products are widely known throughout the world. The company produces weapons for both right-handed and left-handed shooters. Its rifles are versatile and suitable for both sport shooting and hunting or entertainment.
— Diana is a German company specializing in the production of various air guns. They are known for producing quality rifles through tight controls at every stage of production. This weapon is often chosen by professionals in sports disciplines. An example is the Diana-52 PCP rifle.
— Hatsan is a Turkish company. She is new to the airgun market. PCP Hatsan air rifles are known for their design as well as the use of advanced technology.
— Walther — this company needs no introduction. In the early and mid-twentieth century, it produced weapons exclusively for the needs of the German army. Subsequently, subsidiaries were opened that produce air guns, known for their reliability and quality.
Application of PCP rifles
The PCP rifle is a fairly versatile weapon that can be used for various needs. Of course, the main area in which this powerful weapon is in demand is hunting. An example of PCP hunting rifles is a weapon such as the BSA Ultra SE 1814. This rifle successfully combines such innovations as a bolt mechanism that significantly speeds up reloading, a barrel with an aerodynamic compensator and a full-size stock with the ability to adjust.
In fact, the power of the rifle is important for hunting, which is calculated based on who exactly needs to be hunted. It is logical to assume that for hunting small animals or birds you need rifles of low or medium power, since a bullet fired from a powerful weapon will simply tear the prey apart upon impact. On the contrary, for hunting large animals, a powerful rifle will be a priority due to its high lethality, stopping effect and killing power.
The priority for sports models is accuracy and accuracy of fire. The power of the rifle is not so important here, since the goal is not to cause damage, but to hit the target as accurately as possible. Therefore, athletes try to choose rifles that can shoot accurately and quickly.
Air pistol PCP EVANIX GTK-SP (SHB) 9 mm
PCP EVANIX GTK-SP (SHB) 9 mm
The air rifle PCP EVANIX GTK-SP (SHB) is made of the Bull-Pup type, that is, its bolt part is located in the butt, and the ammunition source is located behind the pistol grip. Like all drives in the GT Advanced model range, the weapon has a good initial firing velocity of the cartridge.
The drive device uses a special gearbox, which is a proprietary design of G&G Corporation. Its unique feature is the ability to optionally equip the rifle with a 19-tooth piston and a larger cylinder.
In addition, such a 9 mm PCP rifle requires rapid disassembly and timely repair, since the upper part of the cylinder-piston block is detached without much effort. The battery is located in the forend, the dimensions of which allow the use of batteries with a larger capacity. Based on these technical characteristics, it is also worth looking at the material about the SVU ac rifle and the Matador rifle.
Technical and constructive aspect:
| Model of the presented weapon | PCP EVANIX GTK-SP (SHB). |
| Calibration of ammunition used during shooting | 9 mm caliber bullets. |
| Rifle ammunition type | Detachable box magazine, designed for 7 rounds. |
| The maximum initial firing velocity of the cartridge is | 160 m/s. |
| Overall length of the model | 1.19 m. |
| Barrel and butt length | 60.5 and 50.4 cm respectively. |
| The weight of the weapon does not exceed | 4 kg. |
| Starting price for PCP 9mm rifle | from 100,000 rubles. |
Advantages:
- the presented sample is considered the best rifle for a beginner in the weapons world;
- compact weapon sizes;
- does not require special skills when repairing weapons.
Flaws:
- low firing speed of cartridges;
- very high price segment;
- The quality of the rifle, and therefore its durability, leaves much to be desired.
Fans of retro rifles should look at the photo of the Mosin sniper rifle.
Read about the longest-range sniper rifle in the world here.
For information about one of the most powerful rifles of our time, the Barrett m99, see:
Prices
Modern PCP air rifles are quite expensive. But, in addition to the weapon itself, you also need to buy the equipment necessary for the normal functioning of the rifle. It includes such expensive devices as a filling station for PCP rifles and a pump. You will also need bullets. Their cost varies depending on the type, but, as a rule, purchasing bullets is the least problematic. Especially if the gun owner knows what ammunition he needs.
An example is a weapon such as the PCP Hatsan AT44S-10 rifle. It comes complete with rings, valve, and adapters. It would seem that, compared to the price of the rifle itself, purchasing these parts would be cheap. But many other factors must be taken into account. The rifle can be equipped with a Picatinny rail, as well as an optical sight. And this will have to be purchased for additional money. In addition, it would be a good idea to purchase both a pump for the PCP rifle and a bipod, since you will have to shoot while lying down, and without a bipod this task will be difficult to accomplish. So, if the owner is not satisfied with the standard equipment and wants to optimize the rifle as much as possible for himself, he will have to spend additional money.
Brief conclusion on the topic
PCP rifles and pistols bypass PPP in many respects. The price tag is high, but the owner can strengthen the device to the limit. The main thing is not to violate Federal Law No. 150 “On Weapons”: making changes to the design is punishable.
Is it worth buying PCP weapons that cost more than 50,000 rubles?
Definitely. Turkish rifles demonstrate power and accuracy, but in terms of build quality they are inferior to their German counterparts. It all depends on the financial capabilities of the aerial fan. The listed weapon models are reliable and perform well. It is important to remember that proper, periodic care of the device will ensure its long-term operation. October 19, 2022
