Comparison Hatsan Gladius Long vs Umarex Hammerli AR20

Rifles made according to the Bull-Pup layout are distinguished by a non-standard arrangement of the trigger and magazine: the magazine (and, most often, the cocking and chambering mechanism) is not in front of the trigger, but behind it, usually in the butt, and the trigger is taken out due to this forward, almost to the middle of the weapon.

In the case of pneumatics, the key advantage of this arrangement is a comfortable balance. The main handle in bullpups is located approximately in the region of the centre of gravity, due to which the rifle becomes more “manoeuvrable”, it is easier to transfer fire vertically and horizontally, and the barrel does not tend to tilt forward so much, and it is easier to support it with a second hand. In addition, due to this design, it is possible to achieve a large barrel length without a significant increase in the dimensions of the entire rifle, which in some cases is an advantage (for more details, see "Barrel length"). On the other hand, moving the handle forward noticeably complicates the weapon, increases its cost, and can make it difficult to reload. In addition, not all bull dads are convenient for left-handers — on the right side there may be various elements (a protruding magazine, a shutter handle) that complicate the tab on the left shoulder, and special "left-handed" versions of such models are extremely rare.

It should also be borne in mind that due to the layout features, such rifles are designed mainl...y for the use of optical / collimator sights and are almost never equipped with a classic full sight. However for the bar provided in most bullpups, you can also install removable flies with rear sights, but this is hardly justified: the aiming line is too short, which makes it difficult to achieve accurate shooting.

Note that in AEG drives (see "Type") the bull-pup format is used for other reasons — in models that copy the appearance of real weapons in this format.

The muzzle velocity provided by the rifle - that is, the speed of the bullet as it exits the barrel.

All other things being equal, a higher bullet speed provides greater range and accuracy, and also simplifies aiming at long distances: the bullet flies along a smoother trajectory and requires fewer adjustments in height, and the influence of side winds decreases with increasing speed. On the other hand, this indicator directly affects the price of the rifle; and in some countries, legal restrictions on the ownership of pneumatic weapons are also related to the muzzle velocity of the bullet.

As for specific values, in the weakest modern rifles the initial speed does not exceed 150 m/s, and in the most powerful it can be 300 - 350 m/s or even more(remember, the speed of sound is 330 m/s). In general, for recreational shooting at short distances, this parameter is not particularly important, and detailed recommendations for choosing pneumatics for more specific situations can be found in special sources. Let us only note that in AEG electric drives (see “Type”) the initial speed extremely rarely exceeds 150 m/s, but this is done solely for safety reasons: such “weapons” are intended for military-tactical games and initially involve shooting at people, and the high speed would be unsafe for players even with protective equipment.

It is...also worth considering that this indicator is not strictly defined. In any type of pneumatic it depends on the weight of the bullet (the lighter the faster); therefore, in the characteristics it is usually customary to indicate a certain average velocity for standard ammunition (usually weighing 0.5 g, in AEG - 0.2 g). In addition, in multi-compression rifles the actual speed of the bullet is determined by the degree of inflation, in gas-cylinder rifles it is determined by the ambient temperature, and in PCP models it is possible to achieve higher speeds than declared by replacing the air with a special gas (for example, helium). Nevertheless, this characteristic makes it possible to evaluate the capabilities of the rifle and compare it with other models, including those that differ in type.

The type of cocking system provided in the design of the rifle.

The cocking system is responsible for placing the trigger mechanism on the combat cocking (in the position of readiness for firing), and with a multi-shot design, it is also responsible for sending the next bullet into the chamber. Such systems are usually divided according to the method of control. Variants found in modern times include but are not limited to barrel fracture, lever ( side or underbarrel), pump action, bolt action (including varieties such as biathlon and bolt action), and autococking. Here are the main features of each of these systems:

— Fracture of the trunk. In rifles with this type of cocking, the barrel is fixed on a rotary axis, and folds down with each reload. In this case, not only the trigger is cocked, but the chamber is also opened, allowing you to load the next bullet. This option is found exclusively in spring models — conventional and with a gas spring (see "Type"), it is with such rifles that a barrel break is best compatible. One of the key advantages of such systems is their low cost. In addition, breaks are very easy to use, do not require special skills and are s...uitable even for inexperienced shooters. So such pneumatics are extremely popular nowadays. At the same time, it is usually made single-shot (with very rare exceptions), constant folding and unfolding of the barrel can be quite tedious, and the barrel mount tends to become loose as it wears, which reduces accuracy and power.

— Autoplatoon. Systems that do not require the shooter to take any additional actions to cock the weapon; found in PCP pneumatics (see "Type"), gas models, as well as AEGs (the latter, by definition, are made only by auto-cocking). In accordance with the name, a platoon in such weapons is carried out automatically before each shot — usually, with sending the next bullet into the chamber (although there are also single-shot models where the bullet must be inserted manually). Anyway, auto-cocking is extremely simple and easy to use. In addition, on the basis of such mechanisms, even fully automatic weapons can be created (see "Automatic mode"), although most rifles with this feature still work in the single-fire format. Among the disadvantages of such systems, one can note the complexity of the design and rather high cost, as well as the fact that air / gas is additionally consumed for the operation of the auto-cocking. This reduces the number of shots per charge, and can also reduce the initial speed compared to similar models with manual reloading (however, the latter is predominantly characteristic of gas-balloon rifles).

— Underbarrel lever. Systems that use a lever under the barrel, which must be pressed down with each cock. Like the barrel fracture described above, this method is used mainly with spring-piston mechanisms and gas springs. It is more convenient and reliable, since the barrel of the rifle constantly remains motionless, there are no fasteners in its design that can loosen up and fail. On the other hand, the lever design is noticeably more complicated and more expensive than the tipping one, and therefore is quite rare.
Note that the inflation lever in multi-compression models (see "Type") is usually not responsible for cocking the weapon, so a different cocking method is indicated for such rifles (although there are exceptions). And in gas-balloon models there is a special kind of underbarrel lever — the so-called Henry brace, as in classic cowboy hard drives (in fact, such pneumatics usually just copies this weapon).

— Side lever. Systems using a lever on the side of the rifle — usually on the right. They are found mainly in models with a spring-piston mechanism or a gas spring. As in the case of the underbarrel lever, the main advantage of this method can be called the immobility of the barrel, which contributes to accuracy and reliability. On the other hand, such a cocking system is usually made for right-handers and can be uncomfortable when firing from the left shoulder; in addition, the side lever is somewhat more difficult to fit into the design than the underbarrel. Therefore, this option is not widely used.

— Shutter. Systems using a classic type bolt handle — sliding back and forth. This cocking does not provide air pumping, and therefore is used only in gas-balloon type rifles, PCP, and some multi-compression models (see "Type"). Pneumatics with shutters are mainly made multi-charged — this is the very idea of \u200b\u200bsuch systems (feeding the next bullet from the magazine); however, there are exceptions. In general, this is a fairly simple, practical and reliable method of cocking, however, nowadays, more specific types of shutters are increasingly being used — biathlon and bolt; they are listed separately in our catalog and described below.

— Biathlon shutter. A variety of bolts (see above), copied from small-caliber biathlon rifles. In such systems, as in traditional bolt mechanisms, the cocking handle is located on the side and moves back and forth. The key difference is that this handle is mounted on a swivel mount and, when reloading, does not slide along the guides, but swings on the axis. The biathlon bolt differs from the side lever of a similar design (see above) in its location (in the rear of the rifle), the shorter lever length, and also in that it does not provide air pumping. Many shooters find this shutter more convenient than the classic one — in particular, it has a very small operating force, so you can move the lever without looking up from the sight. And in some models, for cocking, you don’t even need to remove the “shooting” hand from the handle — just hook the lever with your index finger, pull it towards you with a slight movement of your wrist, and then, if necessary, move it forward with your thumb. The biathlon action is used almost exclusively in PCP rifles (see "Type").

— Bolt lock. A kind of bolt (see above), which, when reloading, not only moves back and forth, but also rotates around its axis — similar to how it happens in many classic firearms like the Mosin rifle or Remington 700. Actually, the similarity with a real weapon this is precisely one of the key advantages of such systems: they are appreciated by fans of traditional rifles, and can also be good simulators for developing basic shooting skills from more serious "bolt" weapons. Most pneumatics with such cocking systems are PCP or gas-balloon, only a few models use the multi-compression principle (see "Type").

— Pump mechanism. Systems that use a movable handguard for cocking — like pump-action shotguns, hence the name. The main convenience of such systems is that cocking can be carried out without removing the hands from the weapon. On the other hand, the constant movement of the forearm knocks down the sight and adversely affects accuracy, so this method of cocking is not very popular in air rifles.

Load capacity determines the amount of ammunition that can fit in a rifle's magazine at one time.

— Single shot. As the name suggests, these rifles can only hold one bullet, usually directly in the chamber (back of the barrel); You have to reload your weapon after every shot. This is not very convenient due to the need for additional manipulations, and the rate of fire suffers significantly. At the same time, single-shot rifles are usually quite simple in design, which ensures, on the one hand, reliability, and, on the other hand, low cost.

— Multi -charged. Rifles that can hold multiple bullets or pellets in a single charge. For their placement, special devices are used — removable or non-removable stores, drums, etc. The capacity is usually between five and several dozen rounds of ammunition. At the same time, for "omnivorous" models (see "Type of ammunition"), the capacity for balls is usually higher than for lead bullets — often 2-3 times; there are even options that are multiply charged only when using balls — bullets in them can only be loaded one at a time. The advantage of a multi-shot weapon over a single-shot weapon is obvious: you can fire several shots from it without being distracted by reloading. Reloading itself, if more difficult, is not much. On the other hand, due to the complexity of the design, such models are significantly more expensive; and in some types of...pneumatics (see above), multiply charged is not applicable by definition.

And in models like AEG (see “Type”) and other airsoft weapons, the capacity is indicated for the standard magazine supplied in the kit; in this case, the magazine, as a rule, is removable, and if desired, it can be replaced with another one that differs in capacity. It is worth noting here that airsoft magazines are usually divided into “bunkers” (high capacity) and “mechanics” (low capacity). Mechanas typically hold up to 150 pellets, and some of these magazines have the same capacity as real weapons. This variety is appreciated by lovers of realism and experienced players. In “bunkers,” in turn, the capacity is already hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of bullets. They are convenient for beginners and undemanding airsoft players, but a serious drawback of such magazines is noise - the balls, hanging in the main compartment of the “bunker”, turn it into a rattle, making it difficult to move covertly.

The highest internal gas pressure that a PCP-type rifle cylinder can withstand without consequences (see "Type"). The maximum pressure in the cylinder does not fundamentally affect the characteristics of the rifle — models with the same value can differ significantly in muzzle energy, muzzle velocity, the number of shots at a gas station, etc. This parameter is indicated solely for safety purposes — in particular, so that the user does not “overdo it” when refueling: for example, in scuba cylinders used for this, the pressure can vary from 180 to 300 bar, while in most modern pneumatics the tanks are designed for 200 bar , and connecting more pressure is fraught with unpleasant consequences.

For comparison: the working pressure in a bicycle tyre is on average about 3-4 bar.

The type of sight the rifle is originally equipped with. Note that many models allow the installation of other sights — in addition to standard sights or to replace them. And the optics or collimator can initially be combined with a mechanical sight (front sight + rear sight), which in such cases plays the role of a spare. However, these features are not available in every rifle, so when choosing, it is best to focus on the type of complete sight.

Nowadays, in addition to the traditional sighting bar with a front sight, in air rifles you can find diopter, optical and collimator sights, and in some models regular sights are completely absent. Here are the features of each of these options:

— Aiming bar and front sight. Devices in the form of a front sight and a rear sight, which has the form of a horizontal bar with a slot; when aiming, you need to combine these devices so that the front sight is visible exactly in the middle of the slot and flush with its edges. Such sights are extremely popular in modern pneumatics: they are as simple as possible, inexpensive, compact and reliable, besides they do not depend on batteries and are quite resistant to shock and shock. In addition, the front sight with a bar is not as restrictive as an optic or a collimator, and is better suited for shooting at moving targets....The main disadvantage of this option can be called the fact that effective aiming requires a certain skill — after all, you need to control not only the aiming itself at the target, but also the relative position of the front sight and the slot. On the other hand, this moment can turn out to be a virtue — in particular, when learning to shoot: having learned how to shoot effectively with such devices, the shooter will feel quite confident with other types of sights. It is also worth noting that the front sight does not give any magnification — this makes it difficult to shoot at small and/or distant targets; however, again, this feature is not always a clear disadvantage.

— Diopter sight. A kind of mechanical sighting devices (that is, front and rear sights), using the diopter principle of operation. The rear sight in such devices is a plate with a small hole through which the shooter looks at the front sight. Such a rear sight is easier to use than a traditional slotted rail, especially for beginners: even without special skills, the shooter subconsciously chooses the position of the eye in which the front sight will be in the centre of the hole (as it should be when aiming). In addition, the small aperture gives a slight zoom effect and enhances target definition, which is especially important at longer distances. On the other hand, diopters noticeably limit the view, are poorly suited for low-light conditions and are easily clogged with various contaminants. Therefore, this type of sight is used extremely rarely in pneumatics — mainly in powerful long-range rifles, mainly for sports purposes.

— Optical sight. Traditional optical sights in the form of a "spyglass" with a reticle applied in the field of view of the shooter. Initially created for high-precision long-range shooting, mainly at fixed targets; in the same role are used for pneumatics. However not every air rifle with optics is a powerful long-range weapon — there are also relatively “weak” models. But even such pneumatics can be a good training tool for high-precision shooting: a small distance in this case can be compensated for by a small target size. On the other hand, optics significantly affect the price of the rifle and require careful handling. Of its features, it is also worth noting that such sights necessarily have a certain magnification; due to this, they allow you to better consider small targets at the same time limit the field of view. It should also be borne in mind that optics are not well suited for offhand shooting and require careful insertion: the eye must be exactly on the optical axis of the sight, otherwise the aiming point may not coincide with the point of impact.

— Collimator sight. The working part of a collimator sight is a glass window onto which a luminous aiming mark is projected using a special optical system — a dot, crosshairs, a circle with a dot, etc. Sights of this type usually do not have magnification and are intended for shooting at short distances, including on moving targets and offhand. So in application, the collimator is similar to the front sight with the whole; and its key advantage lies in ease of use: no need to combine the front sight and the slot, just find the aiming mark in the window and aim it at the target. At the same time, unlike optics, it is not necessary to keep the eye strictly opposite the centre of the sight: the parallax effect (see "Adjusting parallax") in collimators is very weak, if not absent at all. The main disadvantage of this type of sights is that they require batteries to operate; in addition, collimators are noticeably more expensive than traditional mechanical sights, and also require more careful handling (although they are still less delicate than optics).
It's worth noting that these attachments are especially popular with airsoft guns like most AEGs (see "Type"): collimators are great for fast-paced fights.

— Is absent. The absence of any sighting devices in the original delivery set — there are only mounts for installing such devices. See below for more details on the different types of fasteners; here we note that such equipment does not allow the use of a rifle “out of the box”, however, it makes it possible to choose a sight for it at your discretion, without relying on the choice of the manufacturer. This is especially true if you plan to use optics — nowadays a wide variety of such sights are produced, for different tasks and usage scenarios. Actually, most air rifles without a scope are designed just for the installation of optics, although the possibility of using collimators is often also allowed; and in airsoft pneumatics, removable front sights with rear sights are also used.
It is worth noting that spring-piston rifles and models with a gas piston have a specific double recoil, which not every sight is able to transfer — even if it can be used with powerful firearms. So when looking for optics or a collimator for such pneumatics, you should be especially careful — for it you need to choose sights that were originally designed for such rifles.

The type of mount for mounting sights provided in the design of the rifle. Most often in such cases we are talking about an optical or collimator sight; and the most popular mounting options are Weaver/Picatinny rail and dovetail. Here are their features:

— "Dovetail". This type of mount has a cross-sectional view of an inverted trapezoid (expanding upwards); the clamp on the sight covers this trapezoid from two sides, and the transverse cutouts, unlike the Weaver / Picatinny rails, are not provided for in the design — fixing in place is carried out in other ways. Dovetail mounts were originally used in civilian hunting rifles, as well as in Soviet-style military weapons. Nowadays, due to their simplicity, low cost and versatility, they are extremely common in air rifles. In addition, we note that you can even install a Weaver / Picatinny rail on a dovetail (such rails are available separately) and use a sight with the appropriate type of mount.

— Weaver / Picatinny rail. Fastening in the form of a bar with a T-shaped profile and characteristic transverse slots — they serve to rigidly fix the installed accessories in one place. Technically, Weaver and Picatinny rails are different types of mounts, they differ in the size of the slots; these differences are such that the sights and other “body kit” for the Weaver rails easily get on the Picatinny rail, but the opposite option is f...ar from always possible. However, in the civilian market, most weapon accessories for such slats are made specifically for the weaver, so this nuance, most often, is not fundamental, and both types of slats are combined into one category.
In general, for a number of reasons, such straps are much less common in air rifles than the dovetail. At the same time, classic pneumatics are most often equipped with Weaver mounts, but in airsoft copies of real weapons, Picatinny rails (or compatible NATO STANAG 4694 rails, also known as RIS 22 mm) can also be used.

— Is absent. The absence of any standard mounts for the sight in the design of the rifle. Most often, this designation means that the rifle is equipped with a classic front sight with a whole and does not require the installation of additional sights. However, there is also a more specific option — pneumatics, in which original mounts are used to install optics or a collimator, which are not related to the standards described above. Such rifles can be supplied with or without scopes; there are even models with non-removable optics, although extremely rare.

The presence of a retainer for additional (spare) magazines in the design of the rifle. Such a latch usually has the form of a nest (or several nests) on the bed or butt, where, in fact, the magazines are inserted. This is much more convenient than keeping a spare ammunition in your pocket or bag: magazines for pneumatics are usually small in size, and it can be difficult to “catch” them among other contents throughout the entire volume of the pocket / bag. The latch also allows you to keep the ammunition in a strictly defined place at the shooter's hand.