Comparison Beeman P17 vs Umarex Browning Buck Mark URX

Type describes the general principle of operation of a pistol/revolver. Among the pneumatic models in our time, you can find gas, multi -compression, compression, PCP and spring guns(piston and gas), as well as electric models (AEG). A separate category is a weapon with a firearm principle of operation - models chambered for Flaubert, as well as starting pistols. Here is a more detailed description of each of these types:

- Gas balloon. The most common variety of short-barreled pneumatics in our time. As an energy source in such pistols, gas from special cylinders is used - most often in the form of standard replaceable cartridges for 12 g of carbon dioxide. The only exceptions are some airsoft models with a caliber of 6 mm - they can use the so-called green gas, which is filled into a tank in the magazine (or handle); and some airsoft guns allow both power options at once. However, in any case, gas-cylinder models have a number of advantages, which ensured their popularity. Firstly, they are easy to use and require a minimum of effort - no need to bother with pumping or cocking the mechanism, it is enough to change cartridges in time. Secondly, this power allows you to use t...he Blow-back system for maximum resemblance to military weapons (see below). Thirdly, all such pistols are made multi-shot. Fourthly, only this type of power is suitable for creating pneumatics in the form factor of revolvers. The disadvantages of gas-balloon systems include the need to buy not only bullets, but also gas, as well as a decrease in efficiency in cold weather; however, these points in most cases are not critical.

— Spring-piston. A mechanism based on the use of a spring-loaded piston moving in a special cylinder. Such a piston, when cocking the weapon, moves back and is fixed by a stopper, and when the trigger is pressed, it is released and moves forward, pushing air into the barrel. Before each shot, you need to manually cock the weapon, and in most of these models, you also need to load the next bullet. This is not very convenient, especially in cases where it is supposed to shoot a lot. In addition, the spring-piston mechanism gives a noticeable return - and quite specific, different from firearms; and for cocking in most pistols of this type, a barrel fracture is used, which also has its drawbacks (for more details, see "Cocking System"). On the other hand, spring-piston models also have noticeable advantages. First of all, it is the simplicity of design, which results in reliability, low cost and extensive tuning options. The second point is the good repeatability of shots, since with each cocking a standard portion of air enters the piston. And the “breaking” pistols are also equipped with rather long barrels, which allows you to increase the length of the sighting line and increase the accuracy of aiming.

- With gas spring. A variation of the spring-piston mechanism described above, in which a sealed cylinder with a special gas plays the role of a spring. Inside such a cylinder, its own piston moves, when the weapon is cocked, the gas is compressed, when fired, it expands, pushing the main piston. Such pneumatics work noticeably quieter and softer than spring-piston models, the recoil is not so pronounced, and the gas spring itself practically does not lose its properties as it wears out and can be stored in a compressed state indefinitely. On the other hand, such mechanisms are quite expensive and cumbersome, and the advantages mentioned are not so often decisive. Therefore, in short-barreled pneumatics, gas springs are not widely used.

- PCP (pre-pumping). Pistols, in which the energy source is high-pressure air pumped into a special non-removable tank. The capacity of such a tank usually allows you to make about a few dozen shots on a single charge, and the pressure inside can reach 200 atmospheres or even more, which makes it possible to achieve a high muzzle velocity. At the same time, PCP pneumatics give good repeatability of shots (at least for most of the refueling, until a critical pressure drop), and it has practically no recoil. On the other hand, the tank inevitably turns out to be quite bulky, which inevitably affects the weight and dimensions of the entire structure; and the only option for its more or less comfortable placement - under the barrel - also significantly affects the balance (the center of gravity is shifted forward). In addition, the refueling procedure itself is quite complicated: you either need to pump air with a special pump (which is far from always supplied), or use additional equipment such as a compressor or a diving cylinder. As a result, PCP pistols are quite rare nowadays, and they are intended mainly for athletes.

- Multi-compression. As in the PCP models described above, the power source in these pistols is the built-in air reservoir. However, the charge in the tank is only enough for one shot, the air is pumped manually, with a built-in pump, and to achieve full pressure, you need to make several movements with the pump lever. As a lever, a swinging handguard or the upper part of the casing-bolt is most often used; at the same time, the tank does not have to be pumped to full each time, and by choosing one or another number of lever movements, you can adjust the initial speed of the bullet. Multi-compression models are relatively simple and inexpensive, they allow you to achieve high bullet speed, almost no recoil and do not require complex air filling procedures. One of the key drawbacks of this design is the need to pump before each shot, which can be quite tiring. The second nuance is the poor repeatability of shots: even with the same number of pump lever movements, the pressure in the tank may vary slightly from pumping to pumping. In addition, for comfortable use, the pump lever must be quite long, which accordingly affects the length of the entire gun; however, this moment can also be considered as a virtue: an increase in the length of the barrel has a positive effect on the accuracy of shooting, and often on the muzzle velocity of the bullet.

— Compression. A simplified analogue of the multi-compression mechanism described above: the design also has an air reservoir and a built-in pump, however, to fill the reservoir, it is enough to make just one movement with the pump lever. In terms of merits, such models combine the features of multi-compression and spring-piston pistols. On the one hand, they do not recoil and can be cocked for a long time; on the other hand, only one movement is enough to cock a weapon, and most often this procedure is also combined with reloading. The main disadvantage of this type of weapon is that in order to achieve good muzzle energy with just one inflation, a large reservoir and a long pump lever are needed. Because of this, such pistols have to be made very long and heavy, which creates inconvenience in use. As a result, this type of mechanism has not received much distribution.

- AEG (electrically driven). Pneumatics that use an electric motor drive as a power source. According to the design of the working mechanism, it is similar to the spring-piston mechanism - the basis of this mechanism is a cylinder and a spring-loaded piston. However, the piston in this case is not retracted manually, but with the help of the mentioned electric motor. Thus, the shooter does not need to make "excessive movements" associated with a platoon of weapons. In addition, this principle of operation makes it possible to provide for even a fully automatic firing mode - in fact, many short-barreled AEGs do not even copy traditional pistols, but submachine guns. Separately, it is worth noting that AEGs are not particularly common among traditional pneumatics, but they are very popular in airsoft pistols using 6 mm caliber plastic balls (for more details, see "Caliber").

- Under the patronage of Flaubert. A weapon that uses the Flaubert cartridge (caliber 4 mm). For more information about this cartridge, see "Type of ammunition", here we note that most often such models are made in the form of revolvers (see "Form factor"). In essence, they are small-caliber firearms; however, the muzzle energy, penetration and lethal force of such revolvers are so low that in many countries they are legally equated with pneumatics and are sold without special permits. It should be borne in mind that such weapons are more demanding to maintain than pneumatics, they require regular cleaning and lubrication (preferably after each use, since the percussion composition, which is the basis of the propellant charge in Flaubert's cartridges, interacts very aggressively with the metal of the barrel). However, for some users, this moment is more of a virtue - it enhances the resemblance to military weapons. But of the unambiguous shortcomings of such models, it is worth noting the high cost of ammunition: one Flaubert cartridge is much more expensive than a lead bullet and much more expensive than a ball.

- Under a blank cartridge. A type of weapon also known as "starter pistols". Strictly speaking, such pistols are no longer weapons, but special pyrotechnics. So, a blank (“light-noise”) cartridge does not have a bullet (for more details, see “Ammunition Type”) and, when fired, gives only a sound effect and a flash; and a plug is installed in the barrel of the pistol, so it is impossible to shoot a live or even traumatic cartridge from it. Nevertheless, starting pistols usually completely imitate the operation of automatic combat analogues - recoil, ejection of cartridges, slide delay, etc. Initially, such tools were widely used to signal a "start" in sports competitions - hence the name. However, in our time, the scope of their application is much wider: pistols under a blank cartridge are used when shooting a movie, for giving sound signals over long distances, when training service dogs, in training professional shooters (both for idling, and for accustoming to the sound of a shot and recoil ) etc.

The working length of the barrel installed in the pistol / revolver is from the chamber to the muzzle. In airsoft models (primarily AEGs, see "Type"), the length of the inner barrel is indicated, along which the bullet directly moves. Three main points directly depend on this parameter: the initial velocity of the bullet, the length of the aiming line and the dimensions of the weapon.

In short-barreled (up to 20 – 25 cm) pneumatics and Flaubert's revolvers, a long barrel allows you to achieve higher initial speeds. However there is no rigid dependence here, and models with the same barrel sizes can differ markedly in initial speed (especially since the latter also depends on a number of parameters, primarily the principle of operation — see "Type"). However, long-barreled pistols are generally better for long-range shooting than short-barreled pistols. This is due to the second nuance — the length of the sighting line: a long barrel allows you to increase the distance between the front sight and the whole, thereby reducing errors in aiming. However, with regard to dimensions, the increase in the length of the barrel not only makes the weapon more cumbersome, but also worsens its balance, since the centre of gravity shifts forward because of this.

There are a couple more nuances associated with this indicator. So, in copies of combat pistols (see above), the barrel length is selected in accordance with the size of the weapon from which this model wa...s copied. And for products chambered for a blank cartridge (see "Type"), this parameter is not indicated at all, since there is virtually no full-fledged barrel in such pistols.

Muzzle velocity — that is, the speed of the bullet at the exit from the barrel — provided by the pistol / revolver. Note that for some weapons, the actual muzzle velocity may vary; for more on this, see "Type", and here we note that for such models, the characteristics usually indicate the average value for perfect conditions.

In general, the greater the speed of the bullet, the more long-range the weapon and the higher its penetrating ability. Thus, in some countries this indicator is the basis for legal restrictions on the sale of pneumatics (usually, bona fide sellers have the relevant information). And for airsoft weapons, this moment is important for safety reasons: too high a ball speed increases the likelihood of injury. However, airsoft guns usually give out less than 100 m / s. By the standards of classical pneumatics, this is very little: most short-barreled pneumatics fall in the range of 100 – 125 m / s, in some models the initial speed can reach 125 – 150 m / s and even more.

In "flobers" speeds are higher: an indicator up to 175 m / s is considered relatively low, up to 200 m / s — average, and some long-barreled models give out more than 200 m / s. However, note that we are talking a...bout the speeds claimed by the manufacturer, while the actual performance will greatly depend on the characteristics of the cartridge (load, composition, build quality). Therefore, the actual initial speeds in such weapons may differ markedly from those claimed.

The cocking system provided in the weapon - that is, the method of transferring its mechanism to the position of readiness to fire.

This parameter is relevant mainly for classic pneumatics; here you can find pistols with automatic cocking, barrel fracture, as well as bolt and trigger systems. Almost all weapons chambered for Flaubert and blank cartridges (see "Type") are auto-cocked, as an exception, there are individual trigger models. And the features of various systems are as follows:

- Autoplatoon. Systems that provide for automatic cocking of weapons before each shot; in other words, with such a pistol, the shooter does not need to perform any additional actions to cock the weapon. The advantages of such systems are obvious - they make shooting as simple and convenient as possible. So it is this option that is most popular in modern short-barreled pneumatics; other cocking systems are used mainly where they are indispensable for structural reasons. However, it should be borne in mind that the features of the auto-cocking may be different, depending on the type and form factor of the weapon (see above for both). So, blow-back pistols (see below) and AEG-type models usually have auto-cocking in the full sense of the word - that is, for each shot, it is enough to press the trigger, and the trigger pull re...mains unchanged and rather low. However, for the first shot in such pistols, it may be necessary to cock the hammer or even move the bolt. In revolvers, automatic winding usually means the so-called double-action mechanism, where the cocking of the trigger (and turning the drum) is carried out by the muscular strength of the shooter when the trigger is pressed. This format of work requires significant effort on the trigger, so most of these revolvers allow you to cock the trigger separately; there are also pistols without blow-back with this feature. And for compression and multi-compression models, auto-cocking is indicated if the pistol mechanism is cocked right during the inflation process; in such a weapon, you still cannot do without “extra movements” between shots.

- Shutter. Systems that provide for manual cocking before each shot using a bolt. They are found mainly in two types of air pistols. The first type is most PCP pneumatics. In such models, the shutter has the form of a separate handle or lever; in multi-shot models, due to its movement, the next charge from the magazine is fed into the barrel, in single-shot models, the chamber opens and closes, allowing you to load the weapon. Thanks to this format of operation, the number of parts that move in the weapon at the time of the shot is reduced to an absolute minimum, which in turn reduces shock - an important advantage, given that PCP pistols are used mainly in sports precision shooting. The second type of pistols with this cocking system are spring-piston models. At the same time, in classic pneumatics of 4.5 mm caliber, the role of the shutter is usually performed by a lever, such weapons are usually made single-shot and have an original design; and airsoft models of 6 mm caliber copy combat pistols and the platoon in them is carried out in a similar way - by moving the casing-bolt (bolt frame) back and forth.

- Fracture of the trunk. A cocking method found exclusively in spring-piston models (see "Type"). The barrel in such pistols is mounted on a swivel mount and turns down when cocked, due to which the weapon literally “breaks” in half (hence the name). In this case, the piston becomes cocked, and the chamber opens for reloading (such weapons are made only single-shot). Breakthrough models are simple, inexpensive, easy to handle and require a minimum of skill, making them suitable even for beginner shooters. On the other hand, it makes no sense to make such weapons multiply charged, and the barrel mount can become loose as it wears. It is also worth noting that the barrel in the “breaks” should be quite long - otherwise the cocking force would be too high for normal work with the weapon. This nuance can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the planned use of the pistol.

— Kurkovy. Systems in which the hammer must be manually cocked before each shot. Quite a rare option; found, in particular, in individual pistols, where auto-cocking was abandoned for the sake of reducing cost and / or simplifying the design, as well as some miniature revolvers, where the size of the weapon did not allow for a full-fledged double-action mechanism (auto-cocking).

The presence of a fuse in the weapon — a device that prevents an unwanted shot.

The specific control format for this function may vary. So, the most popular option is the traditional fuse (most often in the form of a characteristic thumb flag), turned on and off by the shooter exclusively manually. In "breaks" (see "Cocking system") automatic systems can be installed that block the descent after each reload; to make a shot, such a weapon after cocking must be manually removed from the safety lock. There is also another kind of automatic fuse — a key on the handle that does not allow a shot to be fired until the shooter tightly takes the weapon in his hand (as in the Colt M1911 pistol), or a protective mechanism directly on the trigger (as, for example, in Glock pistols), thanks to which the shot occurs only with a clear press on the trigger. (At the same time, pneumatic copies of the Glocks may also have a manual safety — usually in the form of a slider under the barrel).

Note that in addition to providing additional security, the fuse can perform another function — in copies of military weapons, it allows you to practice skills in handling such weapons. In terms of prevalence, models with a fuse make up the majority among air pistols. Some specific types of such weapons are not equipped with this device — in particular, inexpensive spring-piston models, where additional equipment was abandoned in order to reduce co...st, as well as high-end single-shot PCP pistols, designed for experienced skilled shooters. As for weapons under the "flobert" and under blank cartridges, the presence of a fuse in them is typical for most models in the form factor of pistols, but in revolvers, on the contrary, such functionality is rare.

In conclusion, we emphasize that the presence of a fuse does not eliminate the need to strictly observe safety rules when handling weapons.

The overall length of the weapon is usually from the muzzle to the part protruding farthest back (usually the bottom of the handle). This parameter not only allows you to evaluate the overall compactness of the pistol, but can also be useful for selecting accessories for it — for example, a holster, case or carrying bag.

The total weight of the weapon. As a rule, the "empty" weight is indicated in the characteristics, without consumables (bullets / cartridges, cartridges).

This parameter has two meanings. On the one hand, a heavy pistol / revolver is tedious to hold on weight for a long time; in addition, the increase in weight is often associated with an increase in the length of the barrel, due to which the center of gravity shifts forward - and this further increases the inconvenience. On the other hand, massiveness gives an additional resemblance to military weapons and an overall impression of solidity, and in models with blow-back (see above) it also reduces the perceived recoil. Therefore, many consider significant weight to be an advantage rather than a disadvantage.

Note that in models chambered for Flaubert and a blank cartridge, the weight more or less corresponds to military weapons of a similar model or size. In pneumatics, the dispersion can be quite large, especially since not every such pistol is copied from a combat one. It is worth noting here that PCP models are the most massive (see "Type"): due to the built-in tank, the weight of such pistols is usually 1 kg or more. Multi-compression pneumatics are a little lighter - here you can find weapons weighing up to 900 g and even up to 800 g. The maximum figure for AEGs is 900 - 1000 g, and in the lightest models, the weight does not exceed 700 g. And among the spring-piston and gas-balloon models, almost any weight is found - from small ( less than 600 g) to significant (more than 1 kg).