Model gun
Model guns - also known internationally as model guns - are generally replicas of real handguns (pistol, revolver, rifle, assault rifle, submachine gun, machine gun) in different scales, with a wide variety of details, made from a wide variety of materials. The most common scale is 1: 1.
A model weapon (not airsoft weapon ) is characterized by the fact that it is modeled on the original down to the smallest detail, but cannot fire projectiles.
In addition, a distinction is made between model weapons according to their shot simulation properties. So there are so-called blowback variants - i.e. models that simulate recoil - which, with the help of a special charging cartridge that looks like a real cartridge, the mechanical process when firing, through the use of a so-called firecap (which provides the necessary kinetic energy) empathizes.
The second variant is model weapons that are loaded with dummy cartridges - so-called dummies - but do not allow a shot simulation. With these models, manual loading is necessary to study the repeater function. An exception in the field of model weapons are z. For example, the 1: 2 scale models designed by the Swiss small series manufacturer Leon Crottet, which are manufactured as fully fireable versions of original weapons.
History and Development
The model weapons are a development that originated in Japan, where privately owned weapons have been strictly forbidden since the end of World War II.
The first model guns hit the market in Japan in the mid-1950s. However, the images of real weapons produced at this time were not very authentic and the details did not correspond to the originals, so that the demand was limited.
With the precise adaptation to the models, the manufacturers saw opportunities to increase sales. In the mid to late 1960s, for example, the model guns became more and more similar to their models. This went so far that many of the models were made from solid materials such as sheet steel, brass and zinc-aluminum.
Resourceful hobbyists on the Asian island took advantage of this fact to convert the model weapons into firearms, so that they could fire real ammunition without any problems.
The government's reaction was not long in coming. Legal steps have been taken to get this industry to prevent such rebuilding. As part of self-restraint, the model gun manufacturers (e.g. Marushin , MGC, Hudson , Tanka , Shoei ) tried to forestall a total legal ban by deciding to make their model guns visually clearly distinguishable from real guns - they coated their products with silver, gold or chrome colored coatings. They also built barrel barriers made of hardened steel pins into the barrels of the guns and potted the barrels with zinc.
But the government banned all model weapons made from sheet steel and steel. This affected the MP40 and Sten from MGC, but also models from other manufacturers. In addition, the owner of such model weapons was forbidden to sell or give them away, he was only allowed to leave them to the authorities.
These new regulations contributed to the fact that the model gun manufacturers switched their products and increasingly made the models from plastic and zinc - that is, they used a hybrid material in order to remain on the market without any problems. This also enabled them to keep the models as realistic as possible.
However, there are still manufacturers today who make their models out of metal. For example Marushin, Hudson and Tanaka.
Today the demand for model guns has decreased significantly. This is mainly due to the boom in airsoft guns, because unlike airsoft guns, model guns do not fire any projectiles, but only simulate the function of the respective real weapon. On the other hand, such a simulation is quite impressive to look at and hear, especially when it comes to the function of a submachine gun, for example.
Despite the trend outlined, the big players in the industry - Marushin, Hudson, New MGC - but also specialized models like Shoei keep coming onto the market.
In the recent past, Marushin brought out the MP40 , Uzi , M16A1 and the XM177 in ABS / zinc construction as a kit and finished model. Hudson is represented with the metal version of the Russian PPSH41. New MGC, the successor to the insolvent MGC, offers the MAC-10 and M3 Greasegun submachine guns in mixed construction. The family company SHOEI offers high-end model weapons made of high-quality materials (almost only metal), e.g. Currently in the program: FG42 , MP44 , MG42 , Gewehr 43 (G43).
Today some model guns made in the past are absolute rarities. Above all, the MP40 from MGC should be mentioned here, which comes very close to the original thanks to its steel construction. In general, one can say that model guns that were brought onto the market by the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 80s are coveted collector's items.
But model weapons are not only a coveted commodity among collectors and technology enthusiasts. The film industry has also discovered them as an inexpensive and quite uncomplicated (especially with regard to legal restrictions) alternative to the Propguns . For example, in the film “Full Metal Jacket”, tons of MGC's M16A1 were used.
Types and function of the model weapons
As shown above, the different model weapons can be divided into the following groups:
- Models that use dummy ammunition, i.e. display ammunition
- Models that have a blowback function. This means model weapons that simulate the mechanical function of the real weapon using weak propellant charges.
- Models that use scaled down real ammunition.
All model weapons do not have a firing pin , so accidental use of real ammunition is harmless.
A dummy model weapon largely corresponds to the original. A model of this type is designed so that it can be loaded with these ammunition display bodies. Loading through, pulling the trigger and manual ejection (using self-repeating) is also possible. There are models here that can be dismantled down to the smallest detail.
The blowback version is probably the most common variant among model weapons. In general, these models are also similar to the original. For safety reasons, however, the manufacturers often deviate slightly from the dimensions of the real weapon in order to prevent parts from being replaced. So is z. B. the closure of the Hudson PPSH 41 approx. 2 mm wider than the real one. Another example is the metal Marushin MP40. The magazine well is larger there than on the original Erma submachine gun. This is immediately noticeable when you z. B. want to use an original magazine.
The biggest difference to the dummy versions is that these versions simulate the function of the weapon. This was achieved by the use of so-called papercaps until the late 1970s. These were cartridges made of paper and filled with black powder. These fragile and very unreliable charges were increasingly being replaced by so-called PFC - plugged fire cartridges and CP cartridges (cap plug).
Due to the design, model weapons that use the last-mentioned cartridge variants have a very significant change compared to the original: A pin - also called a detonator or firing pin - is built into the cartridge chamber, which is mounted against the normal direction of fire. This pin is responsible for the release of the charge - also known as the Firecap - inside the cartridge.
Blowback cartridge types
All model weapons, especially the automatic ones, are based on the same technology. One thing is the same to them: they need strength to simulate the intended function of the weapon. This force has been generated since 1981 by so-called plastic cap firecaps, which are used in charging cartridges.
Therefore, the manufacturers of model guns to optimize their products have been concerned with improving the cartridges since that time. Her development work focused in particular on factors such as lightness, good force distribution, avoidance of load jams and low maintenance and cleaning costs.
The most popular cartridge systems are those of:
- Tanaka (Tanaka Parallel Division Cartridge)
- Marushin (New Marushin Plugged Fire Cartridge - PFC)
- MGC (Cap Piston Heavy Weight Slide Cartridge - CP-HW)
Tanaka Parallel Division Cartridge
The system devised is very similar to that of the CP-HW, but has been improved by Tanaka. The cartridge, which is designed for 5mm Firecaps, consists of six individual parts. The only moving part is the valve, which moves in the direction of the shock base on which the Firecap lies.
The advantage of this cartridge system lies on the one hand in the good power delivery and on the other hand in the good noise development. The Tanka system is also easy to clean.
The disadvantage is the laborious loading procedure and the need to clean the cartridge soon after use.
Marushin New Plugged Fire Cartridge
With this system, the Firecap is placed below the valve. The Firecap is moved along with the valve movement in the direction of the shock base - this is the main structural difference. The Marushin New PFC is available for 5 mm and 7 mm Firecaps. Like the Tanaka cartridges, this cartridge consists of six parts.
Since the Firecap has to move within the cartridge, there is an additional source of error compared to the Tanaka, which is why malfunctions can be more frequent. Due to the complex assembly of the sealing ring, the maintenance of the cartridges is relatively labor-intensive.
MGC CP-HW cartridge
In addition to MGC (now New MGC), MGC cartridges are also used by Tanaka, Hudson and Kokusai. With this system, the Firecap is placed on the bumper. The valve moves towards the cap and ignites it. The CP-HW is available in versions for 5 mm and 7 mm Firecaps. This system is characterized by its high reliability. It is very powerful due to the use of the O-ring for sealing - hence the term HW (the cartridge is able to move heavy slides / closures). These cartridges from MGC only need five individual parts, which reduces the cleaning effort.
Firecaps
The Firecap used today consists of a plastic carrier that looks like a small thimble. The powder is firmly placed in this open-topped construct.
Firecaps are manufactured by Kanecap in diameters of 5 mm and 7 mm, and are offered by Marushin and MGC. A package contains 50 or 100 pieces, which are attached to a flexible cast spigot. The Firecaps are gold or silver in order to clearly differentiate between the properties (charge, volume and effects).
Manufacturer
Marushin, MGC, New MGC, Hudson, Shoei, Crottet, KSC
Legal situation
Since the amendment of the Weapons Act in the Federal Republic of Germany, where u. a. the so-called appearance paragraph has been dropped, replicas of military weapons (war weapons) are also permitted. This applies in any case to model weapons that are delivered with dummy cartridges.
Fully automatic blow-back weapons are also not forbidden fully automatic weapons in the sense of the Weapons Act, but "objects that are intended for play and from which only amorces can be fired". As apparent weapons, however, they are subject to the ban on carrying under Section 42a of the Weapons Act. Firecaps are pyrotechnic objects that are subject to the Explosives Act and therefore have to pass a type test in accordance with the Explosives Act so that they can be obtained legally in Germany.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Assessment of so-called fire caps and blow-back weapons (March 23, 2011) ( Memento of the original from March 4, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Determination notice of the BKA, accessed on April 22, 2011. Published in the Federal Gazette No. 54 of April 6, 2011.
