The desire to own a firearm is characteristic, perhaps, of every man. Hunting rifles do not fully satisfy this need. I would like to feel the cold weight of the metal of a combat sample in my hands, but the law does not allow it. Pneumatics will help resolve the issue. For connoisseurs of not only lethal force, but also aesthetics, the best offer is a pneumatic revolver. Some models repeat gunshot counterparts to the smallest detail.
The shot produces compressed gas
In pneumatic small arms, bullets are thrown not under the influence of expanding hot gases formed by the explosion of a powder charge, but through the pressure of compressed air or carbon dioxide stored in a tank. Depending on the principle of the energy source acting on the trigger mechanism, there are three types of these weapons:
- In spring-piston compressed air is generated due to the movement of the piston, driven by the spring during the fracture of the weapon before firing or by a special lever. One of the subspecies is called multi-compression: air is pumped in several strokes.
- Pre-charged weapons require air to be forced into the reservoir by a compressor before firing.
- The gas cylinder uses carbon dioxide in the tank or in a replaceable cartridge.
Pneumatic revolvers use a gas-balloon type of mechanism. As a rule, such samples have a caliber of 4.5 mm (0.177 inches according to Western markings) and a muzzle energy of no more than 3 joules, which implies free sale on the territory of the Russian Federation. The pneumatic combat revolver is not and is not suitable for hunting, but is intended only for entertainment and sporting events.
Pneumatic American Dream
One of the leading manufacturers of airguns is the American company Sport Manufacturing Group (SMG) Inc. The concern offers several dozen types of samples of various price categories, power and performance: from exact copies to modern stylish models. Features of American legislation leave their mark. Different states have their own restrictions on power, in some it is required to paint gas weapons in colors other than combat, or even give a different look. In some regions, this type of weapon is generally banned. Gunsmiths took into account all the nuances of not only their country, but also the peculiarities of the Eurasian market. The richest assortment is produced under the Gletcher brand.
Leader in post-Soviet sales
Since 2010, the company has been supplying its products to the CIS countries and Russia. Weaponspecially designed in accordance with domestic legislation. Due to the fact that free circulation of firearms is prohibited in our country, the company undertook an original marketing move. Gletcher products maximally repeat the operation of the mechanisms of military analogues: they are made of metal, the movable shutter imitates the firing of a military original. Since 2011, customers have been offered a series called Russian Legends. All products come with a one and a half year warranty. The vast majority of gas revolvers on the shelves are Gletcher products.
Weapons of the Russian Empire
In 1895, the revolver of the Belgian Nagant system was adopted by the Russian army. For decades, this weapon was the most massive in our country. SMG offered Russian customers a replica of the legendary revolver. Gletcher NGT Black ("Gletcher" revolver black) is recognized as the most popular gas weapon in 2012. The pneumatic revolver in terms of weight and size exactly matches its combat prototype. The developers tried to ensure that the external similarity was almost one hundred percent. A replica revolver compares favorably with other products of the same brand, such as Smith & Wesson series revolvers (American brand logos were attached to Chinese blanks).
Gletcher NGT, pneumatic revolver. Performance characteristics
The weapon is made of silumin, the color is radical black, under blued steel. A small batch was produced coated undersilver. Plastic cheeks of the handle imitate wood, made very high quality. Features are as follows:
- Curb weight - 700 g.
- Caliber - 4.5 mm.
- Maximum length 230mm.
- The initial speed of the bullet is 120 m/s.
- Muzzle energy - 3 joules.
- Magazine capacity - 7 rounds.
- Ammunition type - steel shot BB.
- Source of energy - reservoir of CO2.
Mechanism action
The Gletcher pneumatic revolver reproduces the gunshot revolver to the maximum. The trigger mechanism allows you to fire both self-cocking and manually pre-cocked. It differs from the original in that the drum is stationary during the shot, that is, it does not slide along the barrel, but the barrel itself is spring-loaded. This was done for more effective sealing and to prevent gas breakthrough during firing. As on the combat analogue, the drum is removed from the frame. There is a manual safety on the body that blocks the trigger and trigger.
Reloading ammo
Metal shot coated with a layer of copper is used as ammunition. To prepare for firing, bullets should be fixed in false cartridges. The NGT pneumatic revolver uses original ammunition, other models will not work. The loading procedure is identical to the original: cartridges are inserted one at a time into the drum in a clockwise rotation process, like a real firearm. When equipping a cartridge, the bullet must be immersed until a characteristic click. The sunken shot must be onflush with rubber pad. The peculiarity of false cartridges is that two rubber inserts are pressed into them: in the front and in the end. This ensures minimal gas losses. The drum mechanism is not folding. The gas cylinder is placed in the handle and covered with a plastic overlay. The clamping screw is disguised as a trench coat.
Shooting from a pneumatic revolver
The supply of gas in one cylinder is enough for 105 shots (15 equipped drums). This figure is much higher than other similar products. For 60 shots, the bullet speed of 120 m / s declared by the manufacturer is maintained, and then the indicators drop to 85 m / s and below. We are talking about the use of a spherical explosive bullet. The self-cocking trigger force is about 3 kg, three times lighter than on an analog, which is very comfortable to use and has a positive effect on shooting accuracy. Accuracy is within the normal range for this type of small arms.
Borner revolvers
The leading manufacturer specializing in airguns is the American company Central Bornership Company (CBC) Inc. Products are manufactured under the Borner brand. The company entered the domestic market in 2011. The high quality of the products is evidenced by the fact that Gletcher and Crosman acquire licenses for the production of some samples. The flagship line of revolvers is represented by three similar smoothbore models:
- Pneumaticrevolver Borner Super Sport 708: weight - 1020 g, drum capacity - 6 cartridges for explosive bullets, muzzle velocity - 120 m / s, prototype - Smith & Wesson in the Military Police version. It is possible to install a collimator or optical sight.
- Super Sport 703 - a very powerful pneumatic revolver: weight - 1040 g, drum capacity - 6 explosive bullets, bullet flight speed - up to 135 m / s, barrel length - 8 inches (203 mm), no combat prototype. The design allows the installation of sights. Very handy for aimed shooting.
- Super Sport 705: weight - 650 g, flight speed - up to 130 m / s, drum capacity - 8 explosive bullets, barrel length - 4 inches (102 mm). The exterior is stylized to match Smith & Wesson models. The developers have provided for the installation of a collimator or optical sight.
Eight-shot Super Sport 705 (weight - 700g, six-inch barrel), six-shot 702 model weighing 900g are also popular.
Rifled brothers
A type of weapon that uses the kinetic energy of expanding cold gases to fire is a rifled pneumatic revolver. The rifled barrel provides greater accuracy and accuracy of fire. In this niche, Gletcher offers a replica of one of the models of the famous Smith & Wesson revolver. The model is called Gletcher SW R6, in the basic version it is equipped with a rifled barrel of a Germanmanufactured by Lothar W alther. The owners note a fairly accurate imitation of performance and the realism of the shooting process. The reclining drum completes this effect. The flight speed of a steel bullet is 120 m / s. However, the use slightly overshadows the need for additional equipment for false cartridges: a round steel bullet must be removed and a lead bullet inserted. Samples with a Umarex barrel have a higher cost.
It should be said that rifled weapons are quite expensive. Not all leading brands have these air turrets in their product range. The most powerful representative of this class is the Vigilante from the weapons company Crosman. Model 357-6 does not have a combat prototype, but vaguely resembles the gunshot Ste alth Hunter of the same company Smith & Wesson. The manufacturer claims that when firing explosive ammunition, the bullet speed is 140 m / s. This revolver is omnivorous: a 10-shot drum is designed for firing lead bullets, a 6-shot drum for balls. True, not the entire drum, but its movable segment. The 6-inch (152 mm) barrel provides excellent shooting accuracy.
Which is the most powerful revolver?
Summing up, we can say that the products of different companies are almost identical. The same power source is used, the same ammunition, and the mechanical parts are similar. The difference is only in the quality of execution and external design. Models with a barrel length of 8 inches (203 mm) have the greatest power. Typically, thesesamples, the initial speed of the bullet reaches 140 m / s, while the standard declared in the passport is 120. In these indicators, gas-balloon weapons are significantly inferior to spring-fracture and pre-inflated weapons, in which the bullet speed reaches 210 m / s and even more, and the muzzle energy is maximum legally permissible 7.5 joules. The record holder is Zoraki Hp-01 Light - a Turkish air pistol. The revolver does not appear on these lists. And not only because of its design features, which do not allow disguising a bulky piston mechanism. This weapon has other goals, primarily aesthetic. Ballistically, an air pistol is inferior to a revolver.
