Comparison Gamo P-900 vs Baikal MP-53M

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 about the speeds claim...ed 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 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 cost,...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 ability to customize the characteristics of the trigger installed in the pistol. At a minimum, we are talking about setting the pressing force; in addition, in most cases, you can also adjust the idle length (distance from the starting position to operation).

This function allows you to adjust the characteristics of the descent to the personal preferences of the shooter, make the weapon as comfortable as possible and, accordingly, improve the accuracy of shooting. At the same time, the adjustment mechanism noticeably complicates the design of the weapon and affects its cost. So it makes sense to use such mechanisms only in models with a long barrel length and high muzzle velocity, designed for high-precision sports shooting. As a result, adjustable trigger models are found mostly among sport (professional) level air pistols. Note that this function in principle does not make sense in starting pistols.

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).