Sports air weapons: rifles and pistols for sports shooting

Purpose

The main task of these expensive toys is to accurately hit the target. The success of the athlete will depend on the accuracy (accuracy) of the weapon, all other things being equal. The requirements for high precision make this weapon the most high-tech pneumatics offered on the market.

Such rifles and pistols always have a rifled barrel and fire “bullets” individually selected for each animal. The composition of the weapon is usual - frame, handle, barrel, cylinder, sights and stock (for rifles). There may be additional things like a set of weights to adjust the balance of the weapon. Parts are made of steel or aluminum. Despite all the sophistication of the designers, a good pistol still comes out heavy, but adjusting the balance corrects this shortcoming.

And still, even with general structural similarity, this weapon differs in appearance from generally accepted consumer pneumatics. All of them have a slightly alien-semi-pirate appearance.

Steyr LP10

And even with all this high-tech and considerable price, they still prefer to finish sports pneumatics: they change the handles to individual orthopedic ones, adjust the trigger mechanism, sharpen the balance and do everything that is not contraindicated by the shooting rules.

Among the interesting points of these rules, we note several checks. So, to comply with the established dimensions, the pistol is placed in a special box - if it fits completely, then it has passed the test. To calculate the minimum trigger tension on an air pistol for sport shooting, the judge hangs a 500 gram weight on it - if it doesn’t fire, it means it passed.

Recommendations

It is worth following the example of Umarex and not striving to achieve the maximum power of the device. We must not forget about the permitted muzzle energy of pneumatic weapons, so that there are no problems with the law. The main thing is targeted shooting. Every little detail is important: the tactical and technical characteristics (TTX) of the weapon, the weight and shape of the ammunition. For example, for magnum class rifles you need to choose heavy bullets, and for weakened models - light ones.

Russian air gun fans should familiarize themselves with the changes in the Federal Law “On Weapons” and the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Repairs must be carried out carefully. For unsuccessfully “accelerating” a rifle to values ​​above 7.5 J, the owner risks losing his freedom, as well as his weapon. How to proceed? You should return the previous technical specifications, or go to the police department at your place of registration to obtain a permit. October 27, 2022

Features of the pistol

All design changes, as mentioned above, are mainly aimed at ensuring a stable, accurate shot. A sports air pistol usually has the following features:

• Handle. The handle is produced semi-orthopedic. As a rule, now they are made of wood, but they are also found in plastic. Many athletes immediately change it to an individual one specially made by a master.
• Sights. An open sight is used. Some models allow you to adjust the length of the aiming line (set a close distance between the rear sight and the front sight when learning to shoot, and increase the distance with experience). Sometimes you come across samples with the ability to change the slot for more accurate shooting.
• Weight. The maximum weight of a sports pistol allowed by the rules is 1500 g. Average samples weigh about a kilogram. On individual samples, the weight can be adjusted using special weights.
• USM. The trigger mechanism provides a bunch of options for adjusting the trigger - from travel to position.
• Operating principle. Nowadays, pre-pumped (PCP) weapons are typically used. The cylinder is usually located under the barrel, providing another adjustment to the balance of the weapon.
• Price. Weapons intended for sport shooting are definitely not included in the class of inexpensive budget pneumatics. Prices for the most basic professional models of air pistols and rifles for sport shooting clearly go beyond 10,000 rubles.

When do you need a permit for an air gun and where can you get it?

The purchase, display and collection of pneumatic weapons is carried out on the basis of a license provided by the police. This permit for pneumatic weapons is issued to citizens over the age of 18 who are not registered with a psychiatrist. Russians with a criminal record that has not yet been expunged or who have previously committed serious crimes will obviously not undergo the licensing procedure. Russians who do not have a permanent place of residence will not be able to obtain a permit for pneumatic weapons in 2022. Citizens who were previously punished for administrative offenses due to non-compliance with hunting rules or due to non-compliance with public order will also not receive a permit.

Manufacturers

The market leaders at the moment in this area are the Germans. The professional world is completely covered with rifles and pistols from Walther, Steyr and Feinwerkbau brands. We won’t look at them too much; we’ll support the domestic manufacturer, but I still recommend admiring these models.

Feinwerkbau 700 Alu

Walther LP400 Alu

Rules for the use of air guns

It is permissible to use pneumatics in two areas.

So, according to Art. 3 of the law in question, the use of the specified type of equipment is allowed:

• in sports, for example, shooting at paper or cardboard targets;
• For the purpose of hunting, as previously mentioned, small animals and birds.

Where can you shoot with pneumatics: is it possible to shoot in a city or town

Based on the norms provided for by administrative legislation, shooting with pneumatic guns is permitted only in those places that meet safety conditions.

Such places are considered:

• Polygon;
• Shooting gallery;
• Stand.

These places must belong to organizations that have received permission from municipal authorities and that comply with the developed safety rules.

Izhevsk rifles and pistols

Now let’s look at the currently offered samples of sports pneumatics from IzhMech.

Rifles

MP-573

PCP sporting rifle. There is a training trigger without working out the valve group, as well as an adjustable stock.

MP-532

Compression air rifle. Among the advantages, the manufacturer highlights full adjustment of the trigger (force, stroke, character, position) and, again, adjustment of the butt.

Pistols

MR-46M

The IZH-46 sports air pistol is a classic sports weapon of the Russian period, domestically produced. Produced since 1988, it is suitable for both training and professional shooting. Professionals still prefer foreign models, but this pistol also has many awards.

The single-shot pistol is made using the compression principle of operation. For pumping, an under-barrel lever is used. Wooden handle with adjustable support. The sight has micrometric adjustment in two planes. In the "M" version of the pistol, the compressor was enlarged, which slightly increased the power of the pistol.

MP-672

An updated version of the pistol, based on the IZH-46 using the PCP principle.

Criminal liability - Criminal Code of the Russian Federation

In previous paragraphs, pseudo-weapons up to 3 J were excluded from the list of liability, but here everything is different. The use of weapons will always be an aggravating circumstance, and for some particularly good articles, the use of other items used as weapons, which may include a product structurally similar to a weapon, will also be an aggravating circumstance. Let's go through the most possible articles using affordable pneumatics. We will not take the latest article - the probabilities and ideas about the possibility of murder with a pneumatic gun have already been covered on our resource.

Article 37 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Necessary defense”

1. It is not a crime to cause harm to an attacker in a state of necessary defense, that is, when protecting the personality and rights of the defender or other persons, the legally protected interests of society or the state from a socially dangerous attack, if this attack was associated with violence dangerous to the life of the defender or another person, or with an immediate threat of such violence.

2. Protection from an attack that is not associated with violence dangerous to the life of the defender or another person, or with an immediate threat of such violence, is lawful if the limits of necessary defense were not exceeded, that is, deliberate actions that are clearly inconsistent with the character and the danger of encroachment.

2.1. The actions of a defending person do not exceed the limits of necessary defense if this person, due to the surprise of the attack, could not objectively assess the degree and nature of the danger of the attack.

3. The provisions of this article apply equally to all persons, regardless of their professional or other special training and official position, as well as regardless of the ability to avoid a socially dangerous attack or seek help from other persons or authorities

The necessary self-defense is not proven in the simplest way, but the effectiveness of pneumatics in defense has already been discussed here more than once. And it’s difficult to apply, and the law is not very happy.

Article 213 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Hooliganism”

"1. Hooliganism, that is, a gross violation of public order, expressing clear disrespect for society, committed:

a) using weapons or objects used as weapons;

b) for reasons of political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or for reasons of hatred or enmity towards any social group, –

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of three hundred thousand to five hundred thousand rubles, or in the amount of the wages or other income of the convicted person for a period of two to three years, or by compulsory labor for a term of up to four hundred eighty hours, or by corrective labor for a term of one to two years, or forced labor for a term of up to five years, or imprisonment for the same period.

2. The same act, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy or by an organized group, or associated with resistance to a government official or another person performing duties to protect public order or suppressing violations of public order, –

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of five hundred thousand to one million rubles, or in the amount of the wages or other income of the convicted person for a period of three to four years, or by forced labor for a term of up to five years, or by imprisonment for a term of up to seven years.”

We understand that even pointing a toy at a person can be regarded under this article in favor of the victim, and this is not to mention physical impact

Article 258 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Illegal hunting”

1. Illegal hunting, if this act is committed:

a) causing major damage;

b) using a mechanical vehicle or aircraft, explosives, gases or other methods of mass destruction of birds and animals;

c) in relation to birds and animals, hunting of which is completely prohibited;

d) in a specially protected natural area or in a zone of environmental disaster or in a zone of environmental emergency, –

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of up to two hundred thousand rubles, or in the amount of the wages or other income of the convicted person for a period of up to eighteen months, or by compulsory labor for a term of up to four hundred and eighty hours, or by corrective labor for a term of up to two years, or by arrest for a term of up to six months.

2. The same act committed by a person using his official position or by a group of persons by prior conspiracy or by an organized group,

shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of one hundred thousand to three hundred thousand rubles, or in the amount of the wages or other income of the convicted person for a period of one to two years, or by forced labor for a term of up to two years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years or without it, or imprisonment for a term of up to two years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years or without it.

We kill a Red Book bird from a tuned pneumatic Makarov and have fun for some time on state support.

In general, the Criminal Code is very rich in imagination, so a number of other articles can also be recalled here: 167 (intentional destruction or damage to property), 111 (intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm), 115 (intentional infliction of minor harm to health), 105 (murder), 245 (cruelty to animals) and many others.