Design and principle of operation of spring-piston pneumatics

What is spring-piston pneumatics

Spring-piston pneumatics are a type of weapon that ejects a bullet using a spring or compressed gas. Germany is considered to be the birthplace of pneumatics, where the inventor was the gunsmith Gutter.

People often call the PPP “fracture” because of the type of platoon that is inherent in most models. The legislation of the Russian Federation indicates that any pistol with a power of less than 7.5 Joules is a tool for entertainment or training in shooting, but not a full-fledged weapon, and therefore is on free sale. Only pistols over 7.5 Joules require special permission to purchase.

Several types of projectiles are used for shooting, which are intended for certain models. The age restriction (purchase is only possible for adults) applies only to the Flaubert cartridge.

Pneumatics have types, divided according to the method of initial compression. There are three modern mechanisms that are suitable for pneumatic operation:

1. Pneumatics RSR. Air must first be pumped into the gun’s containers using a compressor or manually.
2. Pneumatics with carbon dioxide. The gun is charged with special cylinders filled with CO2.
3. Spring-piston system. Equipped with a spring that moves the piston, thereby charging the gun with air, filling the freed up space. The spring can be metal or gas

The only weak point of the PPP is the spring that tensions the piston. Frequent use or improper storage can cause rapid wear of the part. Therefore, a metal spring is often replaced with a more expensive gas spring.

Where to shoot?

Despite the fact that air guns do not have sufficient power, if used correctly, such a gun can be very effective during self-defense. First you need to decide where to shoot during the attack. This will depend on the number of attackers and the location of the conflict.

Considering the fact that pneumatic weapons can pierce the upper skin, it is most advisable to aim at exposed areas of the body. A shot in the face can dissuade the attacker, giving him enough time to escape or get help. Moreover, a precise hit can lead to the loss of an eye.

It should be noted that in this context the legal side of such a conflict is not taken into account. If an injury is caused in the form of deprivation of an eye, the defending party may well find itself accused.

Operating principle of spring-piston pneumatics

The principle of operation of the PPP is the simplest and most reliable compared to analog types of pneumatics. They do not have a valve system and there is no container for compressed air. The cylinder is completely adjacent to the barrel. When the gun is cocked, the piston compresses the spring, preparing the gun to fire. The piston will hold until the trigger is engaged.

When the trigger mechanism is activated, the piston returns to its standard position with high kinetic energy under the elasticity of the spring. The piston itself compresses the air between the piston and the bullet, thereby pushing the bullet out of the barrel.

There is a type of complicated design, where inside the air cylinder there is a movable glass, which has a hole in the bottom, with a piston inside. When the lever of such a pistol is cocked, the glass and piston move back, thereby opening the charging window. In this way, the piston is also installed in the firing position using spring tension. When a bullet is placed in the charging window, the erection lever returns to its original position, thereby returning the cup. When a shot is fired, the mainspring moves the piston, which compresses the air, pushing the bullet out of the barrel.

SPPs can consistently produce shots of equal strength. But the number of repetitions is limited, it will depend on the physical aging of the spring that pushes the piston. The only way to avoid wear is to use gas springs instead of metal ones. The firing effect will be identical, since the piston will be pushed out by air. The cost of such weapons is higher than those using metal springs. The advantages of gas spring guns are: quiet operation, low recoil, high accuracy.

PPPs that use gas springs are distinguished by the quietest shot sound. The reason is the absence of a metal spring, which makes rattling noise when straightened. The shot power can exceed 380 m/s.

IPPs that use a metal spring have high recoil, which is especially noticeable in powerful models where the bullet speed exceeds 280 m/s. There is also a high noise from the shot.

Purpose of bullet pneumatics

Every person purchasing pneumatics must imagine in advance the subsequent use of the weapon:

1. Self-defense - in this case, appearance is important. The more similar an air pistol is to a combat model, the higher the chances that the weapon will not need to be fired.
2. Hunting - naturally, it is best to choose a rifle for this. But if you decide to buy a pistol, then you need to pay attention to powerful models with pre-injection of air. It is also necessary to understand that with this weapon you can only hunt small game.
3. For sports shooting, there are established rules and a special type of pneumatics. In addition, the pistol should be comfortable in the hand, have high shooting accuracy and not be heavy.
4. Entertainment is the most popular purpose of an air pistol. You need to select characteristics for specific needs; if you need to shoot in automatic mode, choose a weapon with this ability; you need a copy of a combat weapon - buy a pneumatic replica of the real one.

Domestic models of spring-piston pneumatic pistols

The only domestic PPP model that deserves attention is the Baikal MP-53M or Izh-53, ideal for sport shooting. The Izhevsk Arms Factory donated a large number of high-quality firearms, which are valued all over the world. The same thing happened with the Izh-53, which can often be found in the arsenal of riflemen.

Popularity among sports shooters prompted manufacturers to create three modifications that differ in their configuration and power. If the cheapest model costs 2900, then the price for the richest configuration will exceed 7000 rubles. The expensive version will include not only a pistol, but also additional elements that will be required when shooting: targets, additional magazines, springs and gas cylinders.

Similarity to its combat counterpart

An air pistol for self-defense has a general visual similarity to its military counterpart. For a person who has sufficient knowledge in this area, it will not be difficult to distinguish these two variations. However, in the evening it will be difficult to recognize an air pistol.

A professional can easily distinguish an air pistol by its small-caliber barrel, clamping screw, and also by the presence of a layer of paint on the body. Also, pneumatics can be given away by a cast bolt and the fact that there is no ejector. When the bolt is jerked, there is no characteristic sound accompanying the process of chambering a cartridge into the chamber.

Spring-piston pistols from foreign manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers offer a much larger range of PPPs. A large selection will allow you to find a suitable shooter model based on cost and characteristics.

Blow H-01

Primarily used as a starting pistol for sport shooting. To ensure maximum accuracy, it has a recoil system that allows you to suppress recoil after a shot. The anatomical grip allows the pistol to fit perfectly in the hand. Can be equipped with a sight with an anti-reflective mount. Platooning is carried out by breaking the barrel.

All you need for shooting is 4.5 mm lead bullets. After long use, it will be necessary to replace the springs, which wear out during operation, which will affect the force of the shot, which on standard springs is 120 m/s. The base of the gun is made of steel, which ensures high strength. In this case, the weight of the PPP does not exceed 1 kg. To reduce the cost of the model, plastic is used in the anti-slip handle.

Gamo P-900

The Spanish manufacturer created the P-900 model primarily for practicing aimed shooting. The model is perfect for those who want to regularly practice shooting to get good results. It can be loaded with four types of ammunition:

1. Dart.
2. Lead balls.
3. Steel balls.
4. Pointed lead bullets.

Most of the elements are made of plastic, which explains the lightness of the pistol (560 grams). Low power does not affect shooting accuracy due to the elongated rifled barrel. Accuracy is maintained at a distance of 15 meters.

Daisy Powerline 340

The model has a lightweight design (weights only 320 grams), making it ideal for shooting practice for beginners, children and teenagers. An additional factor influencing the popularity of Powerline 340 is the low price of PPP - from 2000 rubles. The ergonomics and appearance of the original firearm have been preserved. Only 4.5 mm explosive balls are used as ammunition.

The store consists of two compartments: a container and a feeder. The feeder holds 13 bullets, and the container holds 200.

The shot power is no more than 3 Joules, which allows you to send a bullet from the muzzle at a speed of 74 m/s. When purchasing, it is worth remembering that there are no rifling inside the barrel. This negatively affects the accuracy of shooting.

The element that replicates the fuse is a decorative detail. There is no possibility of adjusting the sight. After each shot, it is necessary to feed the bullet using the bolt.

How to choose a pistol for a beginner

Since the beginning of the 70s. The technical performance of pneumatics is constantly improving. All manufacturing companies do not stand still, improving their models. Which pistol will be the best, everyone must decide for themselves, having studied all the pros and cons of a particular product. When choosing a pneumatic, the following aspects must be taken into account: the shape of the handle and the weight of the pistol, the sights and behavior of the weapon during a shot, the overall design and adjustment of the trigger mechanism.

What to look for when choosing an air pellet gun:

1. The maximum weight of a sports pistol according to ISSF rules is 1.5 kg. But not all models have such a mass; more, on the contrary. Manufacturers are trying to make pistols lighter, but the weapon must weigh at least 1000 g, since the weight of the product is required for accurate aiming.
2. The handle should fit comfortably in your hand. It should not be very rough or “slide”, that is, lie in the palm like “native”. It is best to choose a handle made of wood rather than plastic. It is not recommended to treat wood with varnish, as this will make it slippery.
3. The behavior of the weapon when fired. A bullet from a pistol flies at a speed of approximately 120-150 m/s. The energy released when firing a pistol affects its behavior, leading to minor deviations, increasing the swing. Therefore, today pneumatics are made with an absorber that absorbs resistance during shooting, or with a hole on top of the barrel to reduce vibrations. Zeroing the weapon is also important. Each gun may react differently, so not all bullets can be used. They are selected empirically.
4. Most pistols allow you to set the sights at different lengths, thereby increasing or decreasing the line of sight. The width is also adjustable.
5. The trigger mechanism has many technical solutions, but it must be of high quality. The lighter the trigger pull, the better the shooter feels the deflection of the aiming bar. According to ISSF rules, the minimum pressing force is 0.5 kg. But it is best to adjust the trigger pull slightly above this value, this way you can avoid trouble when checking the trigger when inspecting the pistol. Even temperature fluctuations often lead to the fact that the mechanical escapement has a discrepancy of up to 25 g.

Pneumatic shooting is a classic for teaching initial skills in handling weapons, and the basis for further sports shooting. This is a good reason to pay great attention to the technical parameters described above, since with a good pistol, learning the correct technique will be much more effective.

Since it is not always possible to use the recommendations of professional shooters, all pneumatic products come with an instruction manual. The manual describes assembling and disassembling the weapon, cleaning it, adjusting the sight and adjusting the trigger mechanism. You can learn everything else yourself, having acquired even minimal skills in handling a pistol.

Choosing a pistol for sport shooting

It is necessary to pay attention to the power and accuracy of shooting. If beginners can limit themselves to budget models for 2000-4000 rubles (for example, Izh-53), then for high-level shooting they will need to choose PPP from the highest price segment. Examples of good pistols for professional shooting are the Diana LP 8 Magnum and the Hatsan Mod 25 Supercharger.

Both models cost more than 12,000 rubles, but they allow you to make accurate shots at long distances thanks to the power and long barrel with threads along the entire length.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of a spring-piston pneumatic:

• reliability;
• simplicity of design;
• constant power of shots;
• accurately hitting the target at a short distance.

Disadvantages of air guns without a cylinder:

• the spring wears out over time;
• tangible double impact;
• weak penetration force.

Choosing a Pistol for Fun

Not every pistol you purchase will be used for professional shooting. In most cases, IFR is used for shooting with friends. Then it is best to choose lightweight models that allow mechanical delivery of the bullet.

Crosman PSM45

The best examples are the Daisy Powerline 340 and Crosman PSM45, which have similar characteristics and are equipped with a magazine. In most cases, Powerline 340 is preferred due to its low cost.

Pros and cons of a gun without a gas cylinder

How much does PPP cost?

To choose a suitable pistol, you need to take into account the technical characteristics of the weapon. They are the ones who determine the behavior of the PPP when shooting. Additionally, you should pay attention to models from famous manufacturers that are famous for their build quality.

Separation of bullets by caliber

The most popular bullets are 4.5 mm caliber. Their average weight is 0.50 g. The 5.5 mm caliber is slightly larger, but it is already used for hunting, the average weight is 0.80 g. There are also calibers in air guns - 5.0, 6.35, 7.62, 8 and 9 mm.

In America and Great Britain the caliber is designated differently. So the diameter of 4.5 and 5.5 mm has the following form: .177 and .20. This is due to the conversion of millimeters to inches. Please note that conversion to another metric system is not exact, and dimensions may vary.

Umarex Beretta 92FS | 120 meters per second

The Umarex Beretta 92FS is the eighth most powerful unlicensed air pistol. The model belongs to the line of premium weapons and is an excellent copy of the famous Beretta, which is in service with many countries. The barrel is rifled, which guarantees high-precision shooting. The magazine holds 8 lead bullets. The shot speed is up to 120 meters per second, and the range is 350 meters. Externally, the air pistol looks exactly the same as its famous firearm prototype. It is almost entirely made of metal, so it weighs quite a lot - 1.26 kg.

Crosman 1377 | 180 meters per second

The Crosman 1377 is in fourth place in our ranking of the most impressively powerful air pistols. This model, known on the market for quite a long time, has not lost its relevance and has not lost its position even now. The initial firing speed is 180 meters per second. The barrel is rifled, made of steel. The magazine holds 1 round of ammunition. Using a removable stock, you can turn the pistol into a full-fledged carbine.

ATAMAN AP16 | 200 meters per second

ATAMAN AP16 , new 2015 from the Russian, takes second place in the list of the most powerful air pistols without a license. The barrel of the weapon is made of steel, and the anatomically shaped handle is made of valuable wood. The drum-type magazine holds 7 bullets. This is one of the most powerful air pistols of recent years, since the initial bullet speed of the model is 200 meters per second. Convenient, compact and lightweight (weight – 900 grams) the pistol is suitable for both shooting professionals and amateurs. The disadvantages of the model include the high cost of the weapon - a pistol costs about 50 thousand rubles.

Gamo Killer Blowback | 170-175 meters

The Gamo Killer Blowback , manufactured by Gamo, ranks fifth on the list of high-power air pistols that can be purchased without a license. The appearance of this model caused a great stir among connoisseurs of quality weapons. The pistol can fire both lead bullets and steel balls. The double magazine holds 16 rounds. The bullet speed reaches 170-175 meters per second, which makes the pistol of the Spanish manufacturer one of the most powerful types of air weapons. Weight – 1.05 kg.

Anix A-112 | 150 meters per second

Anix A-112 is one of the most powerful domestically produced air pistols, which has proven itself well and is very popular. Many owners of air guns put it first among other brands of air guns.

The pistol is designed to hold 15 bullets. The initial firing speed is 150 meters per second. The rifled barrel ensures high accuracy and firing power. The weight of the model is 980 grams. Seventh place in the ranking.