Choosing an air rifle - some of the most important tips

An air rifle is a type of weapon that is powered by compressed air or carbon dioxide. Air rifles are very popular and are used both in competitive shooting (such as Olympic shooting) and for recreational purposes. However, not everyone who wants to buy them has the appropriate knowledge in this regard - in this case it is easy to make a mistake, and the product is not cheap.

Therefore, it is better to learn more about them, their structure, application and what to look for when choosing - only then can you be sure that you will buy a product of the right quality and taking into account your own capabilities and preferences. Air gun with optics or a regular sight? Spring or PCA drive? How to choose the right rifle version of an air gun?

Characteristics of compressors and gas springs of air rifles

It was high time to do this - to collect in one article the characteristics of compressors and optimal (more precisely, maximum-optimal: less is possible, more is not worth it) parameters of gas springs for the main models of air rifles.
And here are the results of the research in front of you. If you suddenly missed a relatively common example, write in the comments and I’ll add it to the table. More articles on the topic:

* Note: Compressor internal diameter and piston stroke in millimeters. Of course, the numbers are rounded; in real measurements, the same piston RH may be not 100, but, for example, 95 mm, or not 120, but 116 mm (like the newest “Hatsan 124”) - in practice this actually does not manifest itself in any way.

And now the necessary explanations.

Firstly, you will find much more significant information, and not just dry numbers, in the article “Mainsprings for pneumatics” (including twisted steel and so-called GPND - low-pressure gas springs). It also examines the unsightly features of the extremely popular so-called “reinforced” springs among beginners, pumped, say, not to the required 170, but to a sky-high 220 atmospheres (i.e., the force on the rod is about 110 kg!), and sold under the big names “ Power", "Magnum", "Premium", etc.

Secondly, keep in mind that it is impossible to install a piston on rifles with a center grip. These are all models of the British AirArms, German Weihrauch (except HW90), Walter and, until recently, Diana, plus their Chinese clones like BAM-12 or Stoeger X5, Smersh R3/R4 /R10" (by the way, do not confuse the Chinese "Smersh" with their Turkish namesakes). However, about three years ago Diana introduced rifles under the symbol N-TEC with a lower hook and a pre-installed proprietary gas spring into its model lines.

Thirdly, let's look at the classes of spring-piston pneumatics.

Well, everything is clear with entry-level models - these are models with a small compressor displacement and weak mainsprings, intended mainly for children. By the way, if there is an idea of ​​some kind of “overclocking” of a future rifle, then you should not purchase such products - no spring can compensate for the small working volume. Although there is information about the transformation of an ordinary “murka” MP-512 into a 20-joule magnum, the costs of labor, time and money are not comparable with the cost of any model originally designed for completely different technical conditions.

The “magnum” class is perhaps the most common and popular models with muzzle energy (“power”) from 16 to 25 J. And, perhaps, the most optimal for any purposes and tasks. The most common is a compressor with a volume of 49.1 cubic meters (25 x 100 mm, where 25 is the diameter and 100 is the stroke), producing a “power” of 18-22 J.

Fortunately, unification in the world of pneumatics is quite developed and GPs for Gamo magnums are suitable for all their clones, no matter what brand they are produced under - Crosman, Stoeger, Remington, etc. Therefore, the problem of choosing and finding a gas spring for the most popular rifles of mass producers is solved quite simply.

The 29x100 mm compressor , which occupied a certain intermediate niche between “magnums” and “supermagnums”, was introduced into wide circulation by the Spanish “El Gamo”. In the USA, the first sign was the extremely popular “Bone Collector” (“Powerful pneumatics and features of national character”), in Europe the “black series”, similar in characteristics - “Black Knight”, “Black Fusion” and “Black Bull” (“Postscript for "supermagnum") Now all of these rifles have been modernized and, as a rule, have acquired a pre-installed proprietary IGT gas spring. Muzzle energy

In 2022, the American “Crosman” released its series of rifles with a 29x100 mm compressor under the general name “NP Elite”. Depending on preferences, they can be considered either an independent development or just another gamo-clone, as you like.

And already in 2020, Izhevsk Guns LLC presented a new product - the IR-616 rifle, which has completely original compressor parameters of 31x100 mm, in terms of performance characteristics it is almost identical to the samples listed above.

With “supermagnums” everything is much more complicated. For example, in the names of some rifles belonging to this class (“Diana” or “Gamo”) you can find the word “magnum”. The thing is that once upon a time the current division did not exist, and samples that were rare in those years with an energy of more than 16 joules were called magnums, and the concept of “supermagnum” was completely absent. But time passed, the power of pneumatics increased sharply, and it was necessary to somehow distinguish, say, 20-joule samples from 30-joule samples with a new 29x120 mm compressor. The latter were popularly called “supermagnums”. However, this did not affect either Europe or the USA; such a term exists only in the vastness of the former USSR.

By the way, the same “Gamo” recently announced the release of the latest rifles with a monstrous compressor diameter of 33 millimeters and a muzzle energy of 36 joules with the possibility of increasing it up to 45 J! So, all this is nothing more than an advertising gimmick (preserved in the official Catalogs and booklets of the company). Read about the real state of affairs in the article “Heavy-duty air rifles “Gamo Mach1”: the end of the legend, or the sensation did not happen!”.

More information about models of various classes is described in the articles “Choosing the first rifle” and “Air rifles for hunting”

Source

Compression weapon

According to the diagram shown, a piston, driven by a lever, increases the pressure in the reservoir. Pulling the trigger opens the firing valve and gas expands into the barrel. The key difference from the next type is that the lever is cocked only once, which is due to the internal design.

The known samples on the market are mainly represented by compression pneumatic pistols; rifles are still more profitable to make using other designs. Air injection, as a rule, occurs here using a special lever located under the barrel. But there are also exceptions.

Gamo PR-45

Just an exception to the previous rule. The Spaniards chose to keep the combat look of the pistol, but use a compression design - the bolt acts as a lever. As a result, among the compression boots we got something average in orientation and low in price. The pistol cannot be classified as a hunting pistol due to its low power (initial shot speed - 120 m/s half a gram), it is not an entertaining pistol - only one shot per charge, it is not a sports pistol - it does not have the excellent accuracy of pumped air pistols. Something in between, but with a completely combative look.

And this is a domestic compression sports pistol. Classic sports IzhMech. Nothing special, but one of the most famous representatives here in Russia.

Multi-compression weapon

Unlike the previous category, air injection, due to the design, can be carried out in several strokes. So the power itself can be adjusted by the number of strokes, and the maximum limit increases significantly.

Crosman 1377 C

And this is, perhaps, the world bestseller in the class of multi-compression pneumatics. The lever is located under the barrel and produces 180 m/s bullet. A true legend from the world of American pneumatics.

Crosman 2100 rifle

And again the Crosman representative. Inexpensive, popular multi-compression rifle. The lever, as in a number of other rifles, imitates the forend. The rifle is designed for a maximum of 10 swings, providing a muzzle velocity of 221 m/s. An interesting feature is that the manufacturer equipped this rifle with a hopper for 200 BB-type balls, while ordinary bullets are fed one at a time through the charging window.

Zoraki HP-01 Light/Ultra

An air pistol from Turkey, also of a multi-compression type. Produced in two versions - Light and Ultra, differing in barrel length (181.5 and 260 mm, respectively).

The reservoir and barrel are located inside the receiver. The lever is the cover of the receiver with the barrel. In the Light version, 3 shots are made, in the Ultra - 4. The pistol does not use magazines, the bullet fits directly into the barrel. Speed ​​indicators for Light / Ultra models at:

• 1-fold injection of the reservoir - 118 m/s / 126 m/s
• 2-fold pumping of the reservoir - 160 m/s / 172 m/s
• 3-fold pumping of the reservoir - 185 m/s / 200 m/s
• 4-fold pumping of the reservoir — — / 221 m/s

PCP air guns

The top of the development of pneumatics is pneumatic weapons with pre-pumping (Pre-Charged Pneumatics), or more simply PCP.

Air is pumped into the tank in advance using a compressor or a cylinder with a filling station. Unlike previous models, the PCP can fire several powerful shots at once from pre-pumping (depending on the 30-150 model). PCP air guns are divided into:

• Direct-flow - air from the tank, when dosing the combat valve, is immediately supplied to the barrel. With each shot, the pressure drops, speed and accuracy decrease. To monitor the residual pressure in the tank and make adjustments, owners use pressure gauges on the tank. More than suitable for hunting and recreational shooting.
• Gearbox - a gas reducer is installed on the way to the barrel, which ensures stable gas pressure. The pressure in a special tank is lower than in the general one. When the pressure in the common tank drops below the level behind the gearbox, the rifle begins to operate as a forward flow.

It is clear that using high-pressure pre-pumping schemes it is possible to create super-powerful pneumatic models, but we should not forget about the increase in the final cost of the weapon. Moreover, you will have to overpay not only for the technology, but also for a pump or cylinder with a filling station, as well as optics for long-range shooting, for which PCP is excellent.

Hatsan 44-10

One of the most popular, and at the same time one of the cheapest (in the category up to 20,000 rubles) air rifle based on the PCP from Hatsan. A 10-round Turkish carbine that allows you to fire up to 30 shots from pumping.

Crosman Benjamin Marauder

Classic rifle with a wooden stock, magazine for 10 bullets. An interesting offer in the category up to 30,000 rubles.

Of course, there are other more expensive rifles. In the budget for 50 thousand rubles. Interesting representatives from Russia are appearing, but inexpensive models are still more popular. Don’t forget about the most famous pneumatic models, for which special “whales” were developed to convert them to PCP.

Crosman 1377 PCP

And again model 1377. Now this is a pre-pumped air pistol. It is not available in its pure form in the PCP version, so you will have to sort it out a little by hand. The set is installed at once - a reservoir, a receiver, a butt, turning it into a full-fledged carbine.

MR-60, MR-61

Classic spring-piston rifles from a domestic manufacturer. Cheap, can be filed. The market has not ignored them, and offers several proposals for transferring to PCP.

This is where we will finish our acquaintance with the world of air guns with a pumping system. Of course, many models from this world are not applicable for our usual pastimes, but still, the obvious benefits of PCP have not been canceled.

Features and design of the IZH MP-512 rifle

The model has a standard open sight with micrometric adjustment vertically and horizontally, as well as a dovetail mount for installing optics. Cocking is carried out by breaking the barrel all the way. In this case, the IZH MP-512 barrel pushes a piston through the cocking lever, which compresses the mainspring. The protrusion of the piston, moved to the rearmost position, clings to the sear and cocks the trigger mechanism. Thus, the MP-512 piston is fixed by the sear hook, and the sear itself is fixed by the “step” of the trigger.

When a rifle is fired, the trigger moves and releases the sear. Under the action of a spring, its left side goes down, and the right side rises sharply. In this case, the protrusion of the MP-512 piston disengages, and the piston itself moves forward, compressing the air and pushing out the bullet.

By the way, standard lead bullets are used to fire the IZH MP-512. Simple, inexpensive and reliable.

An automatic safety is provided in the trigger area. Its design is somewhat unusual for beginners, but its intuitive execution does not cause any serious difficulties. After a little practice, your hand will find the right lever on its own. Some owners of the IZH MP-512 speak negatively about its dimensions (the protrusion is really not very large) and the rather large switching force. However, this was done deliberately. As mentioned in the article, the rifle is often used for target practice, and the design of the safety makes it almost impossible to accidentally switch it.

The butt of the MP-512 air rifle is made of plastic or wood. Both options have both standard and updated (more modern) designs. The wooden version is somewhat more expensive, but attracts many buyers with its aesthetic appearance. However, a plastic stock is more suitable for upgrading the MP-512 air rifle.

Separately, we note that external changes in the appearance of the IZH MP-512 have significantly increased its convenience. The butt has improved ergonomics and comfortable rubber inserts in the holding areas: on the fore-end and neck of the butt. This significantly reduced the slipping of the MP-512 air rifle and made it more comfortable in rainy weather.

The barrel is made of reliable weapon steel and has 6 precise right-hand rifling. Its high-quality performance is one of the main reasons for the high accuracy, which is noted by all owners of the IZH MP-512.

Like any pneumatic, the MP-512 is not without certain disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages of the rifle is the tight, uneven trigger with variable force. In this case, the force on the trigger depends on the power of the spring: the more powerful it is, the harder the trigger. However, this problem (like some others) can be easily resolved by upgrading it yourself.