Comparison Crosman 1911TAC vs Gamo PX-107

The model or brand of the combat pistol/revolver from which the product was copied.

Replicas of military weapons are very popular among air pistols. Here you can find, in particular, models that imitate different models of weapons from Beretta, Colt, CZ, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Luger, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Taurus, Walther, Makarov (PM). Devices chambered for a blank cartridge (see “Type”) are also often copied from “firearms,” but in Flaubert’s revolvers the situation is different - most of them have a certain “average revolver” shape and design that is not related to a specific model of military weapon.

On the one hand, copies are popular among gun fans who, due to legal restrictions, cannot acquire a full-fledged short-barreled firearm. On the other hand, a pneumatic or launch copy often reproduces all the controls of the original. As a result, it often happens that a replica of a real-life model turns out to be even more convenient to use than the original.

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 type of barrel fitted to the pistol.

Smooth-bore pneumatics in our time is much more common than rifled ; Flaubert revolvers with smooth and rifled barrels on the market are approximately equal; and models for a blank cartridge are equipped exclusively with muffled barrels. Here are the features of each option.

— Smooth. Trunks having a smooth, rifling-free inner surface. The main advantage of this option can be called ease of production and, as a result, low cost. In addition, in the case of pneumatics, the smooth barrel is "omnivorous", with it you can use both bullets and balls (although most often such pistols are compatible with only one type of ammunition). We also note that the airsoft "weapon" in principle is made only with a smoothbore; and the absence of rifling greatly simplifies cleaning, which is especially important for models chambered in Flaubert. On the other hand, in smooth barrels, the bullet is not stabilized by rotation, and the dispersion of such weapons is noticeably greater than that of rifled ones. This does not play a special role in recreational shooting at short distances, however, this type of barrel is not suitable for high-precision weapons.

- Rifled. Barrels with spiral grooves on the inner surface. Due to the rifling, the bullet spins around the longitudinal axis while m...oving along the barrel - this provides additional stabilization and reduces the weapon's own dispersion. Actually, higher accuracy is the main advantage of rifled models over smoothbore ones; and "serious" sports pistols for high-precision shooting are equipped only with this type of barrel. The disadvantages of this option include, first of all, the higher cost than that of smooth ones, as well as the additional difficulty in cleaning - it can be difficult to thoroughly clean the rifling. In addition, in the case of pneumatics, rifled weapons are designed mainly for bullets and are poorly suited for cheaper balls: in most cases their use is not allowed at all, and where allowed, it is desirable to use special soft lead balls. This is due to the fact that the hard metal from which most balls are made wears the rifling a lot; and the promotion of such a charge turns out to be uneven and does not stabilize it, but, on the contrary, leads it away.

- Silenced. A variant found exclusively in pistols chambered in blanks. In such devices, a special plug is installed that blocks the bore and completely eliminates the possibility of firing any projectile (be it a bullet or shot). We emphasize that an attempt to fire from such a “weapon” with a non-blank cartridge (even with a rubber bullet) will most likely lead to a rupture of the barrel and serious injuries to the shooter and people around him.

The capacity of the magazine provided with the pistol, or the drum installed in the revolver (see "Form factor"). For obvious reasons, it is indicated only for multiply charged models (see "Charging capacity").

Repeatingly charged air pistols / revolvers are conditionally divided into models with magazines up to 15 charges and more than 15 charges. The largest capacity here is airsoft AEGs (see "Type"), copying submachine guns — they are not uncommon in stores for 50 balls or more, and as additional accessories for many models, so-called "bunkers" are produced, where the number there are already hundreds of charges. As for traditional pneumatics, it is worth noting that if the pistol is designed for bullets and balls at the same time (see "Type of ammunition"), then the capacity when using different types of charge may vary — usually, it is higher for balls in such cases, and this figure and indicated in the characteristics as the main one.

As for the weapon chambered for Flaubert, in it the “classic of the genre” is a revolver with a drum for 9, less often for 8 rounds. A greater number of charges is not found — for this the drum would have to be made too bulky; a smaller number — about 5 – 6 rounds — can be found in individual revolvers, as well as models in the form factor of a pistol, where the dimensions of the case do not allow you to install a larger drum. In turn, pistols chamb...ered for blank cartridges usually more or less correspond in terms of magazine capacity to the firearm models from which they are copied; here you can find models that can hold from 5 to 30 charges.

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 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 material from which the body of the gun is made.

The main materials found nowadays are metal and plastic. At the same time, the division into metal and plastic cases is actually relevant only for pneumatics; models for "flobert" and for a blank cartridge (see "Type") are almost all made of metal. As for the features of each of the materials, they are as follows:

— Metal. The key advantages of metal are strength, reliability and similarity to materials used in firearms. Such cases weigh much more than plastic ones, but this moment is also often referred to as an advantage — it further enhances the resemblance to combat pistols / revolvers, creates a sense of solidity and allows you to effectively practice skills in working with weapons. The main disadvantage of metal is its rather high cost. In addition, note that the composition of this material may be different: in particular, in low-cost models, a lighter and cheaper, but less durable silumin or other similar alloy can be used instead of steel.
Separately, it should be said that in some modern firearms (in particular, Glock) only the casing-bolt is made of metal, and the frame and handle are made of plastic. For air pistols and starting pistols made of similar materials, our catalog also lists metal as the body material in order to emphasize the similarity with combat prototypes.

— Plastic. Material used mainly...in low-cost models of pneumatics. In this case, it means a body made entirely of plastic — including a casing-shutter, if available in the design. The main advantage of this material in this case is its low cost — this determined the specifics of its application. On the other hand, plastic is noticeably inferior to metal in terms of strength and reliability, and the small weight of such cases is considered by many to be a disadvantage — the weapon is perceived as a "toy". However there are also advanced varieties of plastic — durable, heat-resistant, suitable even for military weapons; however, in pneumatics, such materials are used in rather expensive copies of real pistols, where a plastic frame is combined with a metal casing-bolt — and such cases are already considered metal (see above).

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).