Every man has a desire to master small arms. Purchasing an air gun often solves this problem. However, after purchasing it, disappointment often sets in. I wanted an elephant slaughterer, but what I got, at best, was a bottle breaker. Well, what did you want? There is no ideal compromise between price, law and power, and one way or another, you will have to sacrifice something. Today we will look at several models of powerful air pistols with which “you can do a lot of things.” But even a seemingly powerful air pistol does not always have the necessary lethality and bullet speed; in this case, it is first recommended to sort it out in your own head. Let's get started.
Crosman (episode 1377)
The most powerful multi-compression air gun in the world. It is suitable for both beginners who want to learn how to shoot and experienced gun users. The main feature of the Crosman 1377 is that it is high quality, accurate, the most powerful allowed and at the same time cheap. The downside of the model was the need to manually pump air before each shot. For this purpose, the weapon has an under-barrel piston mechanism.
General information about Crosman 1377:
- Power – 7 J;
- The presence of an aiming bar and front sight;
- Extended trunk – 26 cm;
- Compatible with 4.5 caliber;
- Drum capacity – 1 “bullet”;
- The case is made of durable metal with plastic inserts.
The pistol differs from many pneumatic models in its high accuracy. This makes it possible to use it as a sporting weapon. Hitting accuracy is ensured by a steel barrel with rifled elements.
This powerful pneumatic gun has one significant drawback - the need for constant reloading and pumping using an under-barrel piston. However, this inconvenience is compensated by the high muzzle energy and how conveniently the handle of the air pistol lies in the shooter’s hand.
You can buy a weapon for 6-7 thousand rubles. The kit contains nothing except instructions, technical data sheets and tools for disassembling the case.
If a person does not want to pump air every time and prefers repeating pistols, then he is recommended to choose other models that are not inferior to the Crosman 1377 in ease of use and accuracy:
- ATAMAN (AP16 series);
- Gletcher Brt 92 fs;
- Umarex Walther CP99 Compact;
- Veles;
- Daisy 5501.
Also a good alternative to a pneumatic gun would be the Walther CP88 Competition.
In the 90s, pneumatic hunting rifles with a manual air pumping system were especially popular in Russia and the CIS countries. The owners of such weapons were called “scuba divers.”
Choosing the best manufacturer
It's easy to get lost in the variety of pistol brands in the store, especially if you don't know anything about any of them. Therefore, it makes sense to get acquainted in absentia with the most famous manufacturing companies. To do this, we will go on a trip around the world.
Russia
The Izhmekh plant , founded in the war year of 1942, is famous all over the world for its firearms and unique developments in pneumatics. Now he produces products under the Baikal brand. Thanks to the introduction of modern technologies, pistols are comfortable and highly accurate. They are also very popular among shooters because they are easy to upgrade.
CJSC Anix Group is a younger manufacturer that has been producing gas-cylinder models of pneumatics since 1995. Pistols are produced in six basic lines, which have many modifications. The company's own technical developments made it possible to make the weapon fast-firing, reliable and accurate.
Video review of the domestic pistol Anix model 101:
America
Crosman is a well-known company founded back in 1924. Produces a wide range of pneumatics, Airsoft weapons and consumables. The pistols of this manufacturer are distinguished by high quality, durability and unpretentiousness.
Daisy is a company with an interesting history. At the end of the nineteenth century, she specialized in windmills, but the original air pistol, similar to a cannon, invented by her employee, forced her to change her occupation. Today this manufacturer produces pneumatics that are world famous.
China
Let us note that manufacturing companies located in this country usually do not invent something of their own, but copy products of popular brands. By the way, many of them are quite good at it. And if you consider that the price of the product is several times lower than the original, then sometimes it makes sense to take a closer look at Chinese pistols. As an example, let's take the companies VAM and VMK .
Türkiye
Hatsan is one of the most famous Turkish pneumatic manufacturers, whose products are globally competitive.
For 80 years, the company has been producing weapons for various purposes (including firearms and even torpedoes). A powerful production base allows us to produce inexpensive but high-quality air pistols.
Kral is another old company from Turkey, which has long and successfully produced both pneumatic and various firearms.
Torun Arms is a lesser-known Turkish manufacturer in our country. However, reviews from owners of air pistols of this brand are quite positive. And the low price is an incentive to take a closer look at them.
Austria
Steyr is a company founded in 1864 by hereditary gunsmith Josef Werndl. There is no need to advertise the pneumatics of this brand - they are already extremely popular all over the world. Austrian quality never fails.
Detailed description of the high-quality Austrian pneumatic Steyr M9-A1, ASG:
Germany
Umarex is a huge arms concern of the European level. The “trick” of this company is the production of exact pneumatic copies of legendary models of military firearms. The manufacturer carefully supplies ammunition and accessories for each type of weapon.
Weihrauch is a company that has long been producing pneumatics, as well as weapons using Flaubert cartridges. Having purchased a pistol from this brand, you can rest assured of its quality, high accuracy and reliability. The high price justifies itself “one hundred percent.”
Spain
Gamo El Gamo is a company that domestic shooters know well. Both rifles and air pistols are distinguished by their reliability and ergonomic shapes. After all, experienced designers work on them together with designers.
Norica is a manufacturer that produces not very expensive, but quite high-quality spring-piston pneumatics. This company is a little less known in our country than Gamo, but its pistols are no worse. In addition to weapons, it also produces bullets for pneumatics.
Gamo (Killer Blowback model)
An improved pistol that replaced the P-85 model. Its difference from its predecessor is in the modified shape of the handle and increased muzzle energy. The manufacturer also decided to equip the Gamo Killer Blowback with a set of 50 bullets, a red dot flashlight, a four-sided rail, a barrel extension and a silencer. The P-98 was sold only with instructions and technical data sheet.
Model features:
- Type of food – bottled;
- Functions with 4.5 caliber bullets;
- Magazine for 16 charges;
- Power – 6.4 J;
- Compatible with lead and steel bullets;
- Weight including muffler and flashlight – 1050 grams;
- The body is made of metal;
- The barrel is rifled;
- Non-automatic fuse.
At the owner's request, the flashlight can be replaced with a laser pointer or sight.
Another difference between the Killer Blowback and the P-98 is that the manufacturer equipped the weapon with a system that simulates the operation of a real combat pistol. This makes it possible to feel the recoil when firing.
The disadvantage of the model is the high price. As soon as it went on sale, its cost exceeded $900. Today you can buy Gamo Killer Blowback for $380-440. There are no stores in Russia that sell this pistol, so those who want to become the owner of a powerful pneumatic gun will have to order it online from abroad. You can replace it with a Hatsan pistol (AT-P2 series) or something more powerful, for example, a pneumatic replica MP-40.
Crosman C41
In appearance, the pistol is similar to the legendary Walther P-38, used by the German military during World War II. The developers of the pneumatic model tried to create an exact replica of the German weapon, and they partially succeeded. The difference between the Crosman C41 and a combat pistol is a modified trigger and a proprietary bolt frame.
The weapon is a pneumatic weapon that operates using a gas cylinder. It is filled with carbon dioxide, which is released under a pressure of 5.6 J. One canister weighing 12 grams is enough to fire about 100 times.
Other features of the Crosman C41:
- Reliable aluminum alloy housing;
- The handle is made of impact-resistant plastic, and the magazine is made of iron;
- Availability of manual safety;
- Type of food – gas cylinder;
- Compatible with caliber 4.5;
- Weight – less than 900 grams;
- Magazine capacity - 18 bullets.
The advantage of the pistol is its compactness and lightness. The weapon is small, it is convenient to carry it both in a clothing pocket and in a handbag. The disadvantage is the inability to adjust the trigger mechanism and the non-automatic safety. However, this is compensated by its high muzzle energy and unusual appearance.
You can buy a Crosman C41 for a price ranging from 5 to 7 thousand rubles. Only the technical passport and instructions are supplied with the gun. Balls, a replacement cartridge and a spare magazine will have to be purchased separately. For those who do not like copies of outdated weapons, it is recommended to buy a Crosman C31 or Crosman C11. They have similar characteristics and a modern appearance.
Bullet shooting
Pistols are used in two subtypes of shooting sports: bullet and practical shooting. Shooters use both air guns and firearms of various calibers.
In air pistol shooting, the main task is to accurately hit the target. Our country traditionally performs at a fairly high level in this sport. If we leave the cost of weapons out of the equation, then shooting is a very democratic sport, accessible to all ages and with minimal health restrictions.
In bullet shooting, two components of success are important - the psychophysiological state of the shooter and the correctly selected pistol. The first is achieved through character development and long training, and the second is provided by pistol developers and craftsmen who customize the weapon to the individual requirements of the athlete.
If a sporting firearm is often an adapted copy of its combat counterpart, then sporting air pistols have a rather exotic appearance. The orthopedic handle is made to order, usually from walnut. A gas cylinder is placed under the barrel, and sometimes a rod with weights that allow you to adjust the weight balance. Parts are made of steel or aluminum. The weight of the pneumatic is about 1000 grams. In terms of dimensions, the pistol must fit into a special judge's box, and the trigger tension must be at least 500 grams. Such weapons fire bullets, which each athlete individually selects for his pistol.
Steel Storm Umarex
The best air pistol is a machine gun, developed and manufactured by the German company Umarex. Its body is made of high-strength plastic, and the drum holds 30 bullets. The weapon mechanism allows you to change the firing mode from single to automatic. In the second case, the submachine gun will fire 6 “bullets” in a row.
Characteristics of Steel Storm Umarex:
- Weight – 1250 grams;
- Caliber – 4.5 mm;
- Muzzle velocity - 4.2 J;
- Built-in sight (sighting bar and front sight);
- Powered by co2 cylinder.
Pneumatic models that run on carbon dioxide are not in great demand among gun enthusiasts. The reason is that the pressure inside the carbon dioxide canister depends on the air temperature outside.
The advantage of this “air gun” is that it does not require frequent reloading and has two firing modes. The downside of choosing Steel Storm is that the weapon is large in size, so you won’t be able to carry it with you. It is suitable for sports shooting enthusiasts or for protecting your home. It is not practical to use it for self-defense.
The submachine gun comes complete with:
- Key for disassembling the mechanism;
- User's Manual;
- Two air cylinders;
- Shop;
- Three hundred bullets;
- Manufacturer's warranty for 3 months.
The price for Steel Storm is up to 6 thousand rubles. In addition to this model, Umarex offers several more powerful types of air pistols:
- Umarex Beretta Elite II;
- Umarex Beretta (model 92FS);
- Umarex (Walther CP88 series);
- Umarex MP German.
All of them have good technical characteristics, are easy to use and are made of quality materials. The difference between them is in the design and caliber of rubber bullets, as well as in the muzzle energy (from 3 to 4 J).
Operating principle of pneumatics
Let's consider those models that convert the energy of compressed gas into the kinetic energy of a bullet. The gas can be ordinary air or carbon dioxide.
To imagine the principle of operation of a pneumatic weapon, it is enough to recall the spitting tube, from which, probably, everyone in childhood shot red rowan fruits.
Despite the fact that such a homemade wind device is in no way reminiscent of modern air pistols, the principle of operation remains unchanged.
By pressing the trigger, the shooter releases gas from the cylinder, which, expanding, transfers energy to the bullet. Based on the method of gas compression, all pneumatics can be divided into three groups.
- Devices that require constant air pumping.
- Weapons that use carbon dioxide in cylinders.
- Piston type devices.
It must be emphasized that the most successful rifle designs are based on a piston mechanism. The first two types of weapons are represented by pistols and revolvers.
- Paging systems. After each shot, the tank must be refilled with compressed air. For this purpose, manual or compressor pumping is provided. Most rifles are built on the basis of manual pumping, but pistols are also found. When pumping manually, the shooter moves a lever connected to a piston, thereby refilling a special reservoir. The speed of a bullet in this type of weapon is quite high, it can reach a value of 200 m/s. If pumping is done using a compressor, then one fill is enough for 15-20 shots. Naturally, with this pumping method, the bullet speed exceeds two hundred meters per second.
- Carbon dioxide systems. Perhaps pistols that use bottled carbon dioxide can be called the most popular. Despite expensive maintenance, such systems are easy to use. Simply insert the cylinder into the handle and release the gas into the reservoir. Among all the characteristics, the exact number of gas shots from one cylinder cannot be specified. The fact is that the amount of gas used depends on external climatic conditions. The bullet speed in pistols of this type is about 120 m/s.
- Piston systems. A rifle with a piston device will have to be reloaded every time, but recently semi-automatic weapons have appeared, represented not only by rifles, but also by pistols. Reloading occurs from the energy of the return spring, which means that after firing the weapon is ready to fire again. Piston-type devices are considered the least powerful. Their muzzle energy does not exceed 3 J, which allows you to buy such specimens without any restrictions.
ASG Dan Wesson 8
Inexpensive and beautiful revolver, made in Denmark. It is a pneumatic replica of the legendary weapon designed by Smith and Wesson. It retains all the exterior features of a real revolver and most of the internal structure, such as the trigger mechanism.
The body of the ASG Dan Wesson 8 is made of metal, but the weapon is lightweight and fits comfortably in the hand. The main difference between a replica and a classic revolver is that the “bullets” are not loaded into a folding magazine, but into cartridges that imitate real ones. There are only six of them, so you can only install 6 balls at a time.
The manufacturers of the ASG Dan Wesson 8 replica slightly changed the internal structure of the revolver and added a high-speed reloading mechanism – SpeedLoader. The body of the weapon is equipped with mounts for a flashlight, making it easy to use even in complete darkness. If desired, the lighting element can be replaced with a collimator-type sight.
The earliest air guns featured a piston and spring system that gave the bullet high velocity without compromising the gun's accuracy.
Today, the ASG Dan Wesson 8 is considered one of the most powerful air revolvers allowed for purchase without a license. Its muzzle energy is 3 J. Analogues:
- IZH-40;
- Crosman PSM4 (spring pneumatic);
- Anix A-112;
- Ataman-M2.
You can purchase ASG Dan Wesson 8” at a price of 7 to 8 thousand rubles. It comes with a set of rubber bullets and a scope. The flashlight will have to be purchased separately.
Skif A-3000
For many years, the Anix company has been pleasing fans of air guns with high-quality and powerful pistols. The best of them was Skif A-3000.
It has a classic appearance and a comfortable handle. The controls (shutter stop switch and on-off safety) are on the left side. The magazine release lever is located on the right. The body material is a durable composite, and the barrel cavity is made of aluminum alloy.
The main feature of the Skif A-3000 is that it has an open sight, adjustable in two planes. Not every air gun can boast of it. In addition, the pistol has a spacious magazine (for 28 bullets). This allows its owner to reload the weapon less often.
The disadvantage of the model was the fragile magazine. Its base is plastic. With prolonged use or regular impacts of the pistol on the ground or other hard surfaces, there is a high chance that the inside of the magazine will crack or the bullets will not be supported by the rollers. In most cases, such faults cannot be repaired. But if someone agrees to repair the store, it will cost a pretty penny; it’s easier to buy a new one. Its price does not exceed 600 rubles.
The Skif A-3000 can be loaded with different umbrella-type cartridges of 4.5 mm caliber. The pistol does not fit with “bebeshki” and elongated bullets like darts. Also, when choosing cartridges, you need to avoid bullets with sharp elements. They will quickly render the store unusable.
You can purchase Skif A-3000 in official Anix stores or via the Internet. The average cost of a pistol is 3,000 rubles. Its power is 3 J. It is sold together with an additional magazine, a stick for cleaning the barrel, tools for disassembling the case and a technical passport.
Gletcher Parabellum
Gletcher Parabellum first appeared on the airgun market in 2014. It is a complete copy of the German Luger P08 Parabellum. Today there are several versions of the combat pistol. One is from Win Gun and the Gletcher Parabellum is from KWC. Both models are no different from each other, except for price and equipment.
Characteristics of Gletcher Parabellum from KWC:
- Compatible with 4.5 caliber;
- Muzzle energy – 2.5 J;
- Magazine capacity – 21 bullets;
- Weight – less than 900 grams.
The body of the pistol is made of light metal alloy, and the decorative elements are made of plastic. The original Parabellum was brown, while the modern copy is black. This gives it elegance and removes hints of antiquity. According to fans of pneumatic guns, the appearance of the weapon is spoiled by the inscriptions on its body.
Another minor difference with the Gletcher Parabellum replica is the full-size 21-bullet magazine. Previously it was a pencil type. The air cylinder is installed in the magazine. The disadvantage of the pneumatic gun was that the manufacturer did not equip it with a lock. Therefore, the owner will have to constantly charge the gun while holding the spring.
Gletcher Parabellum single trigger magazine. This means that before each shot you need to cock the trigger, which is no different from the original one. The author's addition was the presence of a bolt stop, which significantly increased the effectiveness of the weapon.
The price of Gletcher Parabellum from the KWC company is 9,000-10,000 rubles. Along with it, the kit includes a tool for pressing the cylinder and a registration certificate. All this is packed in a cardboard box with an explosion diagram.
What does the law say about such air pistols?
As already mentioned, domestic legislation (the Law on Weapons) does not take into account pistols with a power up to the limit of 7.5 J - any of them can be easily bought in a store upon presentation of a passport.
No one will check how you store your weapon. When purchasing, information about the muzzle energy of a specific device can be found from its certificate or passport. You need to look at the section there called “additional information”.
There is a ban on wearing such pneumatic weapons at public events, as well as in a platoon state in populated areas.
If the power of the pistol exceeds the cherished number (7.5) but does not cross the border of 25 joules, then you will have to apply for a permit. Register, get a license, and only then will you be able to buy a powerful model. By the way, permission to carry and store is issued for only 5 years, and then it will have to be renewed.
