This article will tell you about all modern calibers of traumatic weapons, their characteristics and purpose - we will try to find out which cartridges are the most powerful, which are the most accurate, and whether it is even possible to judge them in such categories. We have already written an article about choosing a traumatic pistol, in which we highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular traumatic pistols on the market. However, the question remains about the effectiveness of a particular caliber, and different cartridges in this caliber.
What is muzzle energy
This is the name given to the impulse received by the bullet as it leaves the barrel. As the distance is covered, due to air resistance, the energy decreases.
The muzzle energy of a traumatic pistol is lower than that of a combat pistol, but it should not be taken lightly: in the wrong hands, the product can be fatal.
In frosty weather, the rubber ball can be harder and if it gets into the eye or neck artery, it can cause death.
These are the same weapons, just created for different purposes. And you need to be even more careful with it than with a combat one: the effect of the latter is quite obvious, while the cartridges of the former sometimes behave unpredictably.
For a better understanding, examples of military weapons with high muzzle energy can be seen here
MP-355 Stechkin
As usual, traumatic weapons are made as analogues of military weapons. However, some are “remakes”, like the Stechkin MP-355 pistol. The model stands out from other weapons because it can easily be configured for automatic fire. The 163mm barrel is quite durable. Despite the fact that there are welded “teeth”, the flat area is long. Thanks to this, shooting accuracy is high.
What muzzle energy is allowed
Beginners mistakenly believe that the higher the indicator, the cooler the gun. Alas, it's not that simple.
According to the law, for civilian traumatic weapons the permissible muzzle energy should not exceed 91 Joules. As for official - 150 J.
To better understand how bullet momentum works, it should be compared to a firearm. You don’t have to look far for examples: the 6.35 × 15 mm Browning pistol, mass-produced from 1908 to this day, has a muzzle energy of up to 60 J. A bullet with such an impulse pierces muscles and organs, and then gets stuck in the bone. Accordingly, a rubber ball with 91 Joules can cause no less trouble.
The Korovin pistol, which was produced in the 1920s, had a cartridge with a powder charge of increased power, reaching an impulse of 80 J. Even when compared with the aforementioned Browning, it becomes clear that the shot is fatal.
It is useless to compare with the modern Makarov pistol, because 304 Joules do not compete in any way with 9 mm RA with 80 J, but it is also wrong to equate “injury” with a toy, because there are combat models with less energy.
However, the indicator may vary depending on the model of the pistol.
Returning to combat, comparing the Makarov and Stechkin, one can notice that the same ammunition produces different impulses due to the barrel length: the PM has 98 mm, therefore when firing 9 × 18 cartridges, the impulse reaches 304 J; The APS with its 140 mm will produce all 350 J.
The same applies to traumatic weapons.
The quality of the ammunition also plays a role: a defective sample can reduce muzzle energy or increase it.
Groza-01 and Groza-05
Contrary to the numbering order, the first pistol in this family was Groza-02. And only in 2009, 01 appeared, which intrigued with its simplicity of design, small dimensions - 95 mm, and reliability. The optimal distance for an accurate hit is limited to 5 m. At long distances, targeted shooting will not work.
But Groza-05 stands out among analogues of traumatic weapons. The presence of a smooth barrel ensures sighting accuracy at a distance of 15 meters. In addition, any ammunition is suitable; weapons can be said to be “omnivorous”, so they are often purchased for self-defense.
Calibers of traumatic cartridges
The market offers a variety of traumatic ammunition from different manufacturers. There are 12 calibers in total:
- 9mm RA.
- 10x22T.
- 380 GUM.
- 10x32T.
- 13x45T.
- 18x45T.
- 12/35.
- 45 Rubber.
- 10x28T.
- 410×45 Rubber.
- 11.43x32.
- 10x23T.
The cartridge consists of a rubber ball (as a striking element) and a sleeve made of various materials.
Bimetallic
“LVE” are also produced. A case made of such an alloy is prone to deformation when there is a large amount of gunpowder, which can lead to jamming of the weapon and difficulties in removing the case. That's why they're not too powerful.
The same alloy from the KSPZ company is distinguished by an increased concentration of copper, which makes the sleeves ductile. In some traumatic pistols, bullets perform excellently, but in others they tear and become deformed, which hints at the need to manually adapt the product to the cartridge.
Brass
Flexible and plastic, therefore easy to remove. In this case, using a high load and shooting from a pistol with a defect in early recoil of the bolt will lead to an explosion of the cartridge in the chamber.
Steel
In manufacturing, not pure steel is used, but an alloy based on it. The bullets are produced with a large powder charge and have performed well with products with chrome-plated chambers. In this case, contamination of the chamber surface leads to jamming.
If the bullet is defective, two problems may arise:
- Not enough gunpowder - it will get stuck in the barrel. You will have to disassemble the gun, remove it manually, and then reassemble it.
- Too much gunpowder is even worse: the barrel, or even the gun itself, will burst.
Considering that steel-cased cartridges are manufactured with high muzzle energy in mind, the second factor can lead to injury.
In the manufacture of traumatic ammunition, two types of primers are used:
- Berdan capsule - applicable in the production of domestic cartridges, resistant to punctures, and has two ignition holes in the cartridge case. The last factor is negative, since without proper care the gun deteriorates due to the combustion products of gunpowder.
- Boxer capsule - used in foreign-made cartridges. It does not have the above disadvantage due to the presence of one ignition hole. With a balanced amount of gunpowder, it equally increases muzzle energy and is resistant to chipping.
The most common calibers of traumatic cartridges will be discussed below.
TT-T
8 years ago, an analogue of the legendary TT appeared in catalogs of traumatic weapons. It is noteworthy that not a single part was made from scratch, which indicates the durability of the model. The only thing is that during adaptation, the automation circuit has undergone changes, and the TT-T now works with a blowback shutter.
A special pin was added in the barrel to eliminate smoothness as this would interfere with certification. There are two advantages. The first is complete external similarity with the original military weapon. The second is effective shooting. AKBS 10x28 cartridges with a small amount of gunpowder are used. High-quality ammunition ensures range and good aiming.
Osa PB-4-2 and OSA PB-4-1 ML
The main difference between the PB-4-2 modification is the cartridges used. These are 18.5x55T action bullets, which are large-caliber rubber with a core made of reinforcing metal. Of course, the enemy will not receive serious bodily harm from a distance of 1 m. However, it will have a stopping effect in any case.
Stronger power - 93 J puts the PB-4-2 in an advantageous position compared to the 85 Joules of the previous PB-4-1 ML. The new version is longer and features horizontal groove chambers. There is also a laser pointer. The safety bracket has been enlarged, allowing a person to fire shots while wearing gloves. Otherwise, these versions are no different and are common among barrelless weapons.
R226T TK-R
This is an expensive injury, which except for the barrel is completely manufactured by Sig Sauer. The company specializes in the production of firearms. The forged body provides a resource of 100,000 shots. During the tests, it was revealed that the R226T TK-R is capable of firing ammunition with a power of 300 J without subsequent deformation. Thus, this model is the most durable among traumatic weapons in the world. The magazine holds 10 rounds, and the aiming capabilities allow you to shoot with accuracy at a distance of 20 meters.
Grand Power T12
The project of the Slovak designer Jaroslav Kuracin is included in the top 5 most powerful ones. The 10x28T caliber used brings this model closer to the K100 combat model. In addition, there are guides on which it is easy to install a guidance unit and a tactical flashlight, which allows the Grand Power T12 to be positioned not only as a self-defense pistol, but also as a sports pistol.
Thanks to innovative materials in parts, the weight of the structure is reduced and the service life is increased. The magazine is designed for 10 rounds, and the built-in power in close combat will immediately stop the enemy due to the painful effect. Disadvantages include the large size, which makes it impossible to hide the pistol from strangers.
Mauser HSc mod.90T
The German manufacturer presented this traumatic weapon in catalogs in 2005. Buyers were skeptical, as they are with any injury not made of solid steel. But one cannot help but list the advantages - light weight, small size and attractive appearance. But that, unfortunately, is all. The 10x22T caliber turned out to be an unbearable burden for the Mauser, so 9mm cartridges are optimal.
Taurus LOM-13
Traumatic revolver made in Brazil. The drum has recesses for five 9-gauge cartridges. The material of the parts is steel. The reloading speed is determined by the presence of plate clips. The barrel is a non-removable structure made of one piece.
Shooting occurs when the hammer is cocked, or by automatic self-cocking. A distinctive feature of the Taurus LOM-13 is its proprietary security system, which makes the presence of mechanical fuses unnecessary. The versatility of the weapon is also worth noting. Both cartridges equipped with rubber, gas and noise are used. The Taurus LOM-13 has proven itself to be a reliable, accurate and compact revolver.
Phantom-T
Another Turkish creation that claims to be a powerful traumatizer. The ammunition, indeed, has high kinetic energy, as well as a standard 10x22T caliber. Convenient magazine capacity – 10 rounds. Engineers paid special attention to the issue of safety. An automatic safety is provided, and shots are fired both by self-cocking and by trigger.
T4 Terminator
Another model that is closer to gas weapons. It was created on the basis of a pump-action shotgun and has a menacing appearance. The caliber of cartridges is 12 mm. In addition, the shortened shape increases the traumatic effect. If we talk about practical use, this is definitely not a model for daily wear. Due to the enlarged barrel, the T4 Terminator is better suited for protecting property; it can be stored at home or in a car.
Walther P22T
The appearance of this model allows a person ignorant of weapons to mistake the pistol for a toy. The extreme lightness of the design plays a positive role in everyday wear. Speaking about the history of creation, the Walther P22T became the first injury weapon converted from a gas pistol. Therefore, finding ammunition for it is not an easy task.
In the practical sphere, the use of traumatic cartridges is possible only in theory. Despite its positioning, this German invention remained a gas pistol. Accordingly, there is no need to talk about self-defense, and even less so about sports shooting.
Fort-12RM
The most popular model among injuries, characterized by a pleasant design. The material of the parts is steel, with the exception of plastic linings, which already characterizes the weapon as durable. The manufacturer specifies a resource of 50 thousand shots. In terms of power, Fort may well be included in the ranking of the most effective. Also attractive is the ability to fill the magazine with 12 rounds.
Streamer 1014
Turkish production, but the use of metal alloys in parts makes consumers wary of it. At the time of release - 2008, there were often negative reviews due to the frank marriage. However, Target Technologies subsequently took into account the disadvantages and promptly eliminated them. One of the positive aspects is that the magazine holds 13 rounds of 10x22T. This sets the Streamer 1014 apart from others, where the chamber is designed to hold 10 rounds of ammunition.
VPO (501) "Leader"
The development of this injury was carried out on the basis of the legendary Tula Tokarev. This is a self-loading device designed for self-defense. The use of 10x32T ammunition is allowed. Each cartridge has 2 bullets weighing 0.7 grams. The “alteration” is of quite high quality, and in appearance it is practically indistinguishable from the “TT”. The speed of the VPO shot (501) is 308 m/sec, and the energy is approaching 100 J.
Viking
A very small - 54 mm revolver is one of the cheapest traumatic ones. Ammunition suitable for the Viking is 380 GUM. This caliber produces weak shot power, so the Viking, although positioned as traumatic, is limited in capabilities. In theory, it is possible to use 50 J cartridges, but then the durability is called into question. The weapon cannot bear such a load, so it is recommended to take a closer look at ammunition with a kinetic energy of 30 J. In principle, for an inexpensive price, the Viking is adequately designed. And the ease of carrying in a pocket due to its small size often attracts representatives of the fairer sex when choosing a weapon for self-defense.
Guard MP-461
The only pistol family to use electric primer cartridges. The guard is staying afloat, although by traumatic standards it is considered obsolete. The manufacturer IzhMekh set a goal to “outdo” the popular “Osa”, so it reduced the dimensions for greater convenience. However, because of this we had to sacrifice the number of cartridges.
As a result, instead of 4, only 2 fit, also located vertically. However, there are also undeniable advantages of the Guardian over the main mentioned competitor. Thus, the contacts that conduct current to the cartridges are retractable, which has a positive effect on shooting technique.
Jorge
This is the Russian version of the legendary Fort-12R. In 2006, after the appearance of this injury in catalogs, it became in demand among sports shooting enthusiasts. This is due to the reliability and durability of the model. All parts in the assembly are of high quality; plastic is used only in the overlays. Of course, as a result, the weight “suffered” - 830 grams, which can burden the owner with constant wear.
In 2007, Jorge was slightly improved by replacing the trapezoidal barriers in the barrel with two solid ones. This made it possible to use more powerful ammunition without losing sight accuracy. For self-defense, the manufacturer recommends using 9mm PA cartridges.
Dimensions
There is no clear opinion here, since everyone has their own needs and requirements for traumatic weapons. Some people want to carry weapons ostentatiously, while others, on the contrary, prefer to carry them concealed. Large dimensions significantly increase the weight of the pistol, and a heavy pistol, as we remember, shoots more accurately due to less toss when firing. A small pistol is good for the effect of surprise - suddenly seeing the barrel of a pistol, the attacker will most likely hastily retreat to somewhere far away.
Shaman
According to technical characteristics, this is the most powerful traumatic pistol. Firstly, the advantage lies in the caliber of 2 cm. And the energy of the model is 120 J. Speaking of practical characteristics, the “shaman” can knock down a heavy opponent from a distance of 1.5 meters. And, if we compare the power of this model with the “Wasp”, then the first is three times superior in all respects. Thanks to such power, the pistol was popularly called a “gun.”
