Beginners are sometimes wary of pre-pumped air rifles: they are more expensive than traditional spring-piston rifles, they have unusual calibers and a complex filling system. You can hear stories about the unreliability of such weapons: the high-pressure cylinder under the barrel is a source of increased danger.
These are all myths. PCP pneumatics are safe for the shooter, have enormous power, and their accuracy of fire is often superior to firearms in comparable calibers. But first things first, read the article and learn everything about the nuances of purchasing, modifying and using PCP weapons.
PCP rifle design
Pneumatics with pre-pumping are not something new - pneumatic smoothbore guns with pre-pumping appeared back in 1600, and a full-fledged multi-shot PCP rifle of the Girardoni system even managed to be used by the Austrian rangers and fought with Napoleon.
Since then, the design has changed little: it is still based on a high-pressure reservoir, a trigger mechanism that controls the valve, and a barrel locked by a simple sliding bolt.
Among the modern innovations, we can note the speed adjustment screws on the strike group and the pressure in the gearbox, which allow you to control the energy of the shot, and, in fact, the very presence of the gearbox - the first PCP rifles were exclusively direct-flow.
Reducer or direct flow?
This is the first question new shooters ask. It is impossible to answer this unequivocally - the choice of one scheme or another depends on the tasks for which the rifle is purchased.
- Direct-flow scheme
provides the highest pressure at the moment of firing when the cylinder is full, but as the volume of gas in the tank decreases, it drops. This means that the speed of the bullet drops. Therefore, the first shots from a straight-through rifle will be extremely powerful, and then the pressure will gradually decrease to inoperative, unable to push the bullet out of the barrel. The total number of effective shots of such a rifle will be lower than that of a geared rifle.
- Gear circuit
Before firing, it collects gas from the reservoir into a storage chamber, so the bullet flies out with the specified pressure and speed. And the entire volume of gas is spent efficiently.
It may seem that the advantages of a gearbox make direct flow unnecessary, but this is not the case.
Firstly, the most powerful air rifles in the world are exclusively straight-through air rifles; the accumulating chamber is not capable of providing the pressure necessary to fire a 12.7 mm caliber bullet.
Secondly, the gearbox is a complex and capricious unit, which significantly increases its cost and requires special maintenance.
Thirdly, when there is a strong drop in the gearbox pressure, for example, with a sharp temperature change, the stability of the shot decreases - they say that the gearbox is “leaking”.
Therefore, if you are planning to hunt and are looking for a practical, inexpensive rifle that will take you “through thick and thin,” choose a straight shot rifle.
For sports, in order to place bullets one in one at a decent distance, rifles with a gearbox are better suited.
PCP pneumatic calibers
PCP rifles have a wide range of calibers to choose from like no other airgun. The most common in Russia:
- 4.5 mm (.177)
- the smallest caliber, PCP rifles are almost never found in it. Suitable for recreational shooting.
- 5.5 mm (.22)
— rifles that are suitable for sport and hunting small game — rodents, small birds — start with this caliber. It has good penetration ability, but the low weight of the bullet, on average up to 2.5 grams, gives low persistence. For long-distance shooting, you will have to use a rangefinder and carefully set vertical adjustments.
- 6.3 mm (.25)
- a hunting caliber that allows you to hunt small ungulates and even predators. The effective firing range with it exceeds 100 meters.
- 7.62 mm (.30)
- the largest caliber for serial weapons that are on sale in Russia. Such a bullet has serious energy, close to small-caliber firearms. But, unlike small guns, due to the greater mass of the bullet, such pneumatics have a much greater stopping effect.
Important! Hunting with pneumatics in Russia is allowed only for squirrel, flying squirrel, doves, hazel grouse and crow, and weapons for such hunting should not exceed a power of 25 J and be registered according to all the rules in accordance with Federal Law 150 “On Weapons”.
Bullpup or traditional layout?
Perhaps no other category of weapon is produced in so many bullpup configurations, when the trigger is placed in front of the bolt group and magazine. In the case of pneumatics, this is not such a bad solution, since all the main disadvantages of a bullpup are leveled out: there is no need to come up with mechanisms for extracting cartridges, the shot does not stun the shooter, and the center of gravity shifted to the butt is balanced by a heavy high-pressure reservoir. The result is a very compact, accurate and powerful weapon that is easy to transport and convenient to shoot in a confined space, such as from a car.
But the classic layouts are a couple of hundred grams lighter due to the absence of a support rail, they have a longer aiming line, quick release, and most importantly, they can be reloaded without taking your eyes off the sight and without changing the tab, which can be done in the case of a bullpup problematic.
The best PCP rifles
Below we give a rating of ten optimal air guns and talk about their most important characteristics.
Beeman Longhorn
Traditional pneumatic, suitable for recreational shooting. Its trunk breaks. There is a fairly simple but reliable breaking mechanism. Therefore, the weapon has a long service life.
The spring with which the bullet is delivered into the barrel is very powerful. The barrel is made of the strongest high quality steel. Since it is rifled, the range of the projectile also increases.
The weapon requires 4.5 mm bullets. The cartridge flies out of the barrel at a speed of 330 meters per second. The barrel is long - 468 millimeters, and this is an excellent characteristic for pneumatics. The rifle stock is made of high quality polymer elements. The materials are not afraid of temperature changes and humidity.
An additional advantage for the stock was its low weight. There are special notches on the handle and forend, thanks to which the weapon can be held securely in your hands. The rifle's grips are universal; they are suitable for both right-handed and left-handed people.
The trigger is adjustable, and you can change both the length of the free stroke and the force of pressure on it. The weapon's safety operates in automatic mode and must be removed before each shooting. The rifle has special connectors for installing optics.
Crosman F-4 NP
This nitro-piston model was designed by American developers. Before firing, the piston is filled with nitrogen. The gas is very powerful, its effect is stronger than that of a coiled spring.
The rifle can be kept cocked for a long time, and the bullet will fly at the same speed after the break. This technology makes it possible to reduce the recoil of the rifle and reduce the noise of the weapon by 30%. Like other models of standard pneumatics, there is a breaking barrel.
The stock and butt are made of reliable plastic material. It easily withstands both high and very negative temperatures. In addition, it perfectly resists rough physical impacts. The optical sight is attached to the barrel using a dovetail mechanism. Optics are supplied with the weapon.
The weapon weighs 2.9 kilograms - this is a lot for air rifles, however, the weight helps with accurate shooting. The barrel vibrates less when you shoot. The model's shot accuracy is very good for a single-shot model. The cartridge flies out of the barrel at a speed of 365 meters per second.
Hatsan Striker Edge
Pneumatics of this brand are manufactured by the Turkish company Hatsan Arms Company. The barrel of the weapon is made of high quality steel, the caliber is 4.5 millimeters. The cartridge flies out of the barrel at a speed of 305 meters per second.
The rifle is equipped with a classic spring-piston mechanism with an energy source - a coiled spring. The weapon is single-shot; the fracturing method is used to cock the pneumatics. The rifle is equipped with a manual safety lock. The Hatsan Stryker Age rifle is single-shot and the rifle is cocked. The pneumatic stock is made of durable plastic. The butt type is skeleton.
The rifle has open sighting devices: an open front sight and a TruGlo fiber optic micrometer rail. In order to install optics, an 11 mm dovetail strip was made. The weapon is 110 cm long and weighs 3 kilograms.
Crosman Fury NP
The brand's pneumatics are manufactured in Taiwan; production quality control is carried out by Crosman Corporation from the USA. The rifled barrel of the weapon has a length of 450 millimeters and is made of high-quality steel. The caliber of the barrel has a characteristic of 4.5 millimeters. The bullet flies at a speed of 300 meters per second.
The Crosman Fury NP brand weapon has a standard spring-piston mechanism. The cartridge moves under the influence of a gas spring. Single-shot pneumatic, cocked using the breaking method.
The butt of the weapon is made of high quality plastic and is resistant to mechanical stress. The air rifle comes with a Center Point 4 x 32 optical sight, it has a basic dovetail type. The rifle's trigger is adjustable and has a manual safety. The total length of the weapon is 113 cm, the pneumatic weighs 2.73 kilos.
Hatsan 125 Magnum
Weapons of the Hatsan 125 brand are considered one of the most popular pneumatic models sold in Russia. The rifle is manufactured in Turkey, the manufacturer is Hatsan Arms Company.
The pneumatic barrel is made of high-quality steel and has 10 grooves. The barrel is 551 millimeters long. The caliber of the weapon is 4.5 millimeters. The cartridge moves at a speed of 380 meters per second. At the end of the barrel there is a nozzle that makes it much easier to cock the spring.
The gun has a standard spring-piston mechanism. Energy is produced using a coiled spring. The weapon is single-shot, cocked using the breaking method. Pneumatics have an automatic safety lock. The stock of the weapon is made of very durable plastic or wood. The length of the stock is adjusted using removable elastic plates of the TRIOPAD system.
The weapon is equipped with an open sight: a front sight and a TruGlo fiber optic micrometer bar. The bar is adjusted horizontally and vertically. To install optics, there is a combination rail; it includes a dovetail and a weaver. The length of the weapon is 124 cm, weight is within 4.1 kilos.
Ekol Ultimate
This is a standard spring-piston weapon; examples that use a gas spring are also sold. The barrel moves vertically perfectly when cocked. The cartridges use a caliber of 4.5 millimeters. The shape of the stock is ergonomic, made of plastic with polymers.
The butt plate is made of soft rubber, which greatly reduces recoil. The butt has cutouts on the sides, making the weapon comfortable to hold in your hands. Also, due to the cutouts, the hands will not slip when firing. The length of the device with a muzzle is 1155 millimeters, weight – 2.63 kilograms. The rifle is convenient to carry with you for a long time.
The cartridge flies out of the barrel at a maximum speed of 380 meters per second. The hammer is cocked extremely simply, there is no recoil. The rifle has a universal mount for installing optics.
The muzzle makes it possible not only to increase the accuracy of shots, but also to reduce the level of noise emitted. The front sight on the muzzle has metal protection; it does not get knocked to the side during use. The automatic safety is located close to the trigger and can be removed with the same fingers that press the trigger.
SPA PR900W
An original copy, it can be used to shoot both with a 9-round magazine and with a special single-round magazine. The rifle has a rifled barrel with a diameter of 4.5 millimeters.
The weapon operates using air pumped into an internal tank with a volume of 100 cubic cm. It maintains pressure up to 200 atmospheres. Thanks to this, the initial bullet speed during the first thirty shots reaches 275 meters per second.
The delivery set includes a fitting for the tank, as well as a high-pressure pump that quickly inflates the tank. The magazine is made of the strongest aluminum alloy and is closed with a plastic lid. The sight can be adjusted - the rear sight moves in two planes at once, the front sight is placed on the muzzle. The latter has a built-in sound moderator. This greatly reduces the noise level.
The optics are placed in one of three locations - above the bolt action, near the magazine, and replaces the rear sight. An optical sight is not included in the package, but there is a universal mount for its installation.
The device has a push-button type manual safety device; it is located so that you cannot accidentally move it. The stock is made of beech and has a special notch to make it comfortable to hold in your hands. It is well impregnated with varnish, and therefore it is not afraid of serious temperature changes. The rifle can be used even in conditions of high humidity.
Magtech N2 Extreme 1300
The gun has a conventional spring-piston design, the barrel is loaded by breaking, and its caliber is 4.5 millimeters. The rifle's stock is semi-pistol, made of high-quality plastic, and perfectly resists physical impacts.
The handle is straight and has three indentations for finger grip. In addition, there are 3 through cutouts, they are located along the butt (from the butt plate to the handle). The butt plate has a shock-absorbing pad and is made of rubber that is highly resistant to extreme temperatures.
The trigger system is equipped with two sears; the movement of the trigger cannot be adjusted. The manual safety, if closed, completely blocks access to the trigger. The rear sight and front sight are equipped with fibeoptic threads. The first one can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. The bracket at the front sight is connected together with the muzzle.
Hatsan Bullboss
The copy went on sale relatively recently. The weapon has a unique design. The rifle has an advantageous cocking system. It is located close to the butt, as a result of which the rate of fire of the pneumatic has increased significantly. The bullet flies out at a speed of 295 to 326 meters per second. This depends on the model and barrel volume of the device. The rifle can be manufactured for projectiles of different diameters (4.5, 5.5 and 6.35 millimeters).
It uses the latest Quattro Trigger technology and features a two-stage trigger. To reduce the noise level, we introduced another modern system – QuietEnergy Technology. As a result, the sounds of shooting became about 2 times quieter.
The manufacturer also provided a Picatinny rail, which is universal. With its help, you can install any bracket and select the appropriate optical sight. The forend has a special section of the bar. Various side items are placed there, for example, bipods, flashlights and others.
The gun looks impressive and solid. It can withstand all kinds of physical impact and does not require any additional care. Immediately after unpacking, the new weapon can be used.
Kral Al-145
This is a rifle from an airgun manufacturer known throughout the world. The gun has a rifled barrel, its butt and stock are made of extremely durable plastic. The cartridge moves at a speed of 210 meters per second.
There is a pistol grip on the butt, which is convenient to use. In addition, there is a non-adjustable cheek piece and a rubber heel. These accessories help reduce the level of recoil, as well as keep the pad in its original form throughout the entire time you use the weapon. If necessary, the gun can be easily mounted on a special holder: there is a special insert on the forend.
All sight devices in the rifle are open and can be adjusted. Optical filaments are available in contrasting colors. This makes it possible to easily aim even at a moving target in the evening or at night. More about Kral.
The front sight has a muzzle that has a grooved appearance. It is made of strong plastic, so cocking the hammer is not difficult at all. There is a bar on the barrel for fixing optics. A manual safety is installed, so you won't fire the gun by accident.
Design and parameters of Evanix rifles
From the moment it entered the market, the corporation professes simple truths - weapons must be of the highest quality, practical and affordable. Therefore, the company's air rifles are based on classic, proven technologies. The corporation carefully introduces the latest technology as it strives to maintain the high quality and practical operation of its rifles.
PSP models have the following features:
- German barrels from the manufacturer Lothar Walther are used in the design;
- the butt and stock are made from elite wood or high-quality plastic, these parts are difficult to damage;
- metal used in production is from trusted suppliers;
- During the manufacturing process of PCP rifles, a number of quality control steps are applied;
- Using different recommended consumables, you can adjust the power of the shot.
Evanix not only produces weapons, but also develops weapons technology. The latest models allow you to fire up to 90 shots with one cylinder. The design of the needle and trigger mechanism is ideal; it will not require modifications to increase power or improve reliability. Everything about this weapon is initially made with high quality.
