October 15, 2014 0:00
// Pneumatic weapons
The principle of operation of any pneumatic weapon is based on using the energy of compressed air or other gas to give the initial acceleration to the bullet. The instantaneous expansion of the pre-compressed gas ensures the transition of the potential energy of the compressed “working fluid” into the kinetic energy of the bullet flight.
Components of pneumatic weapons
By analogy with firearms , pneumatic systems include:
- the trigger mechanism is in a simplified version, since there is no capsule in the cartridge case and there is no need to use a massive bunch of trigger – striker – firing spring. The trigger mechanism should protect against spontaneous triggering of the shock mechanism – an accidental fall of the weapon should not provoke a shot;
- the safety system is designed for safe transportation and storage of weapons. There are automatic systems that block the shot until the end of the free movement of the trigger or when the barrel channel is loosely closed. Non-automatic systems are switched off manually, with a certain effort;
- the dosing system is an element missing in firearms. It is a pressure regulator that supplies compressed air or gas to the working chamber in precisely measured portions;
- the barrel of a pneumatic weapon consists of the same elements as in firearms: a bullet entrance and a rifled inner part. The chamber is present only in pneumatic weapons with a pumped cartridge;
- the feeding mechanism supplies ammunition to the sending line. For pneumatic weapons, the range of ammunition used is very extensive, so the main requirement for the power supply mechanism is to ensure uninterrupted supply without delays and deformations of the bullet;
- the ejecting mechanism in pneumatic weapons is used only in systems with cartridge pumping;
- automatic firing systems. In such systems, the full cycle is automatically recharged after a single trigger pull;
- sighting system of any type – mechanical, optical, laser-illuminated or collimator systems;
- Ergonomics is an important parameter for air rifles. It depends on the balanced design of the retention organs – this is the rifle bed;
- auxiliary devices in the form of compensators, shock absorbers and silencers are used in the design of powerful air rifles.
Types of pneumatic weapons
There are 6 main types of pneumatic weapons, differing in the pumping method and complexity of the design:
For pneumatic weapons using spring-piston systems and a system of bypass valves, one condition must be strictly observed – no blank shots. The destruction of the working spring and complex repairs are minimal damage from unreasonable “shooting” without cartridges, but with pressure in the working tank.
