MALTA ALLIED AIRGUNNERS CLUB

(MAAC)

Airgun Safety and Information Course

MAAC-ASIC
Version 1_2.2009
Malta Allied Airgunners Club
P.O. Box 38
Naxxar
Malta

E-mail: maacmalta@gmail.com
Website: www.malta-maac.blogspot.com

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 Introduction.

ASIC main reasons:

A. The Maltese Target Shooting Law LN177 demands that any shooting
club must deliver as basic weapon safety course to it members, in
order to recommend them for the appropriate license.
B. MAAC fully support this Law and want to offer an in depth introduction
to its members to ensure safe operation, enjoyment of this sport and to
increase one’s knowledge.

ASIC will deal with three Topics.

A. The responsibility requested by the Maltese law LN177 for Target
shooter B license.
B. Safe gun handling and MAAC Range Procedures and Regulations.
C. Basic Airgun types and operation.

Note : ASIC is dedicated for air operated guns only.

A letter of recommendation is issued by MAAC after the member successfully
participates in this course. The LOR issued thus covers only for air gun (rifle
and pistol) and air soft (rifle and pistols) for Targeted Shooter B license.

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 PART 1: The Law and responsibility for a Target B shooter license
holder.

Introduction.
Up to August 2006 there were two licenses available.
A. To Keep
B. To Carry.

The license to keep was issued when one wanted to purchase an air weapon.
This license entitled you to keep ONLY the weapon at your own property only
for collection and not to use.

The license to carry was issued when one wanted to make use of his air
weapon for sporting reasons. The license entitled you to carry your air
weapon from your property to any range that was authorized for air weapons.

The new law has 4 different licenses designed for collection and shooting
sports.
Collector A – Collector modern fire arms
Collector B – Those having to keep and do not intend to extend their
collection.
Target Shooter A – Fire arm / Crossbow Target shooter license
Target Shooter B – Those having to carry air weapons and do not intend
to purchase new weapons for sporting use and new applicants for Air
weapons, Air soft weapons, muzzle loader weapons and clay pigeon
shoot guns.
(TS-B recommendation issued by MAAC is only for Airguns and Airsoft
guns).

Persons in possession of an airgun “to keep” as known before LN177 to keep

will be given automatically Collector B license, however they will not be able to
purchase any other airguns for their collection or use as new regulations
control and restrict the sales of arms to members of recognized clubs.

Those in possession “to carry” as known before LN 177 will be given Target
shooter B license if they are paid up members of a recognized club and
process a insurance policy to cover their target shooting activities.

For a person who never had any licenses the following procedure is required.
A. The person must join a shooting club.
B. The club must provide a weapon safety course.
C. The club will issue a letter of recommendation to the new member after
completing the course.
D. The new member must submit his/her application to the police office in
his district including the recommendation letter form the club.
E. When the Police process the application the license can be retrieved by
showing valid club membership.

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Target Shooter B license has different branches TS-B is also issued for the
following types of weapons.
a. Clay Pigeon Shoot Guns
b. Air Rifles and Air Pistols
c. Muzzle Loading rifles and Pistols.
d. Air soft rifles and pistols
e. Paint ball guns.

Although all of them carry the Target Shooter B license, the letter of
recommendation (LOR) must specify the type of gun. In this course ASIC,
you will be entitled for Target B air gun (for air rifles and air pistols and Air soft
rifles and pistols ONLY). To obtain a recommendation for target shooter B
license for muzzle loader or clay pigeon you need to join such clubs and
attend their safety course and be issued with a recommendation for that
particular discipline.

The LN177 puts certain responsibilities upon the licensed Target shooter B.
Failing to comply with these can mean removal and confiscation of your
weapons or other actions as stipulated by the act.

Such responsibilities are:

• The License TS-B entitles you to carry and use the air gun to an
authorized air weapon shooting range ONLY or to an authorized
gunsmith.

• The use in private property is limited indoor and must not hinder
or endanger any one.

• The gun can only be used for Target Shooting Sport only.

• The holder must ensure safe keeping of his air guns in his
property.

• The holder must keep his air gun unloaded and away from air
pellets until its use on the authorized range.

• The TS-B license holder must be an active member in an Air gun

shooting Club, attended an air gun safety course and must have
an insurance policy to cover his shooting activities with the club.
MAAC suggest a minimum of 4 times unless specified in the arms
act.

• The TS-B license holder must carry the air gun, unloaded in an
appropriate gun carry case or cover from his property to the
range.

• The air gun pellets must be stored and carried separate from the
air gun. Same apply to airsoft BB’s.

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 • Both air gun and air gun pellets should be carried if possible at
the back of your car in a suitable and separate carry cases.
• Same applies to airsoft.

• The TS-B must carry his licence papers of a copy with the air gun
and kit at all times, and present them in case of a police
inspection.

• A maximum of 3 air guns can be carried inside a car at one time

irrespective of the number of shooters inside the car. Same
applies to airsoft.

• The use of sound moderators is allowed on air guns and airsoft.

• The use of beam lasers for targeting is illegal even on air guns
and airsoft.

• The TS-B license holder is responsible for all his/her actions or

the action of others using his/her equipment.

• A maximum of 5000 rounds of ammunition can be kept at home.

(This applies mostly for fire arms but MAAC suggest to TS-B Air
gun holders not to exceed 5000 air pellets or airsoft BB in
storage).

MAAC insists that the TS-B license holder knows and understand this
responsibility. MAAC is not responsible for any of it members actions
which are not in line with these regulations as stated in LN177.

MAAC insists that anyone taking part in MAAC activities should observe the
following:

a. Carry your air gun and air pellets in suitable and separate cases.
Applies to airsoft.
b. Carry a copy of your license and insurance with your airgun
always. Applies to airsoft.
c. Carry and wear your MAAC ID badge on the range at all times.
d. If stopped by the police during a road block while you are
travelling to or from the range always inform the police officers
that you are have an air gun or an airsoft guns and the relevant
document in your car. Do not let them find that out them self.
Warn them before.

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MAAC Probation period.

For NEW MAAC members the following probation procedure applies:

A member who joins MAAC he has a probation period.

During this time the new member must.

a. Attend TS-B airgun course.

b. Obtain the Fedina Penali & Police Conduct (if not already Licenced for
a different type of shooting License example TS-A).
c. Attend a minimum of 4 visits a year unless specified by the arms act to
the range for MAAC activities.

After the completing the TS-B (air gun) course, the new member will be issued
with a LOR for TS-B within maximum of 2 weeks. (New members without any
licence must present the Police conduct prior to LOR issue). The new member
must apply for TS-B license at his district police station presenting this LOR.

The Police will issue the TS-B license if there are no objections within 2
months according LN177. MAAC has no influence on this.
The new member will submit to MAAC their Fedina Penali once issued. MAAC
will issue the ID card. This ID card is required to retrieve the TS-B license
once it is issued and to renew TS-B licence every year.

MAAC reserves the right to block any member who is not deemed worthy of
having the license by informing the Police Commissioner.

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 PART 2: AIRGUN SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES AND MAAC RANGE
SAFETY POCEDURES.

For general airgun shooting activities, MAAC recommends its members to use
appropriate ballistic shooting glasses, even in Air Rifle Field Target (ARFT)
and Air Rifle Bench Rest (ARBR) activities. Participation in Air Pistol Practical
Shooting (APPS) events Ballistic Shooting Glasses are mandatory.

For all MAAC Airsoft activities Ballistic Glasses or Ballistic Goggles are
mandatory. Other protective equipment such as helmets, face /neck guars,
head gear and vest are recommended.
NOTE: The responsibility for not using Ballistic Shooting Glasses in ARFT and
ARBR is that of the shooter him/her self.

The following are the basic safe handling techniques that one must observe
on the shooting range whilst handling air guns or any other type of gun.
Consider them as the 10 fundamental commandments for any shooting
sports. Airsoft guns used in MAAC Airgun Section Sports activities are not
used as for skirmish games used by MAAC Airsoft Section but for target
shooting disciplines, hence it is absolutely forbidden to use such air soft guns
as for skirmish purpose an MAAC Airgun shooting discipline. Doing so will
lead to instant dismissal from MAAC and MAAC Airsoft.

1. Understand the operation of your air gun/airsoft gun and never do

modifications unless done by a qualified gunsmith. Keep airguns in the best
possible condition. Applies to airsoft.

2. NEVER hold the air gun in any position other then muzzle facing downrange
or safe direction until you are ready to fire adjacent to the firing line.

3. NEVER point an air gun to anything that you do not intend to shoot. Applies
to airsoft.

4. NEVER look directly into an air gun/ airsoft gun muzzle. Applies to airsoft.

5. NEVER load air gun pellets and magazines in your airgun until you are ready
to aim and fire. Applies to airsoft.

6. NEVER touch or handle an air gun that is not yours. Applies to airsoft.

7. ALWAYS consider an air gun as loaded at all times take special care when
recharging PCPs. Applies to airsoft.

8. Carry air guns / airsoft guns in appropriate case and do not expose in public
until you reach the range firing area. Applies to airsoft.

9. BE AWARE of what is beyond the target before pulling the trigger. Applies to
airsoft.

10. IF you notice an irregularity, have a problem or identify a possible danger,

inform your Range Officer. Applies to airsoft.

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Transportation.
a. Carry you air gun / airsoft gun in an appropriate carry case. Hold you’re
air gun pellets (ammunition)/ airsoft BB’s and accessories in a different
carry bag away from the Airgun/Airsoft gun.
b. If possible keep this equipment in the trunk of your car.
c. Always carry a copy of license, insurance policy and club member ship
card with you in a separate pouch.

Range safety.
a. Transport your rifle and equipment from your car to the firing line in
appropriate case and bags.
b. Layout your equipment in an orderly method.
c. Open the gun case and remove the air pistol or air rifle / airsoft rifle and
airsoft pistol, muzzle facing down range always. Check clear.
d. Before loading your air gun with a pellet or a magazine ask the Range
Officer if shooting is allowed.
e. NEVER ASSUME anything.
f. No one is authorized to go beyond the firing line at any time unless
agreed or allowed by the Range Officer.
g. Never sight air guns or airsoft guns when people are down range. In
airsoft sighting on other person is not allowed until game has
commenced on RCO orders.
h. Keep sharp for any intrusion into the range by unauthorized persons or
animals. If something is abnormal stop shooting inform Range Officer
at once.
i. Follow all instructions issued by RCO.
j. Never rest muzzle on foot or rest elbows on muzzles. The muzzle
should point always down when you carry air rifles or airsoft guns.
k. There is no specific dress code during shooting but open shoes such
as flip flops or clogs are not allowed.

Airguns general range safety precautions.

If you need to move with your air rifle or air pistol from point A to point B
always make sure the air rifle or air pistol is:
a. Uncocked and unloaded.
b. If you have a magazine installed do remove it before moving from point
A to point B.
c. Keep the muzzle of an air rifle facing down at all times when moving on
soft ground (soil) and up when moving on hard ground (concrete)
facing down range until you are ready to aim and shoot adjacent to the
firing. Keep pistols on safe without magazine in holster until ready to
load and fire down range.

When going from a standing position to a sitting or prone position with air
rifles.
a. Place down the air rifle on the shooting mat or cushion, muzzle facing
down range.
b. Take your position on the shooting mat.
c. Pick up the air rifle, position yourself, load pellet or magazine, aim and
shoot.

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To go up from or sitting position after your shot.
a. Do not reload your rifle.
b. Place the air rifle on your side on mat or cushion facing down range.
c. Get up.
d. Pick your air rifle and turn muzzle down.
e. Move to next shooting lane.

When loading break barrel rifles take special attention to keep barrel pointing
down range and finger off the trigger.

When loading pellets to break barrel or under lever air rifles with week hand
hold the barrel or lever with strong hand load pellet. Never let the break barrel
or under lever un supported. Be safe do not rely on mechanical safety.

PCP air rifles - compressed air filling.

PCP air rifles require constant refilling of the main air cylinder. Compressed
Air bottles must be kept in the air cylinder storage area. No compressed air
bottles are allowed on the Firing line at any time.
MAAC members and other range customers are to follow and ensure the best
safe practice during refilling of their equipment. Point the muzzle down range.
Use ballistic safety glasses when filling and never look directly into the
pressure gauge. Make sure that all hoses and bottles are correctly
maintained.

Airsoft AEG’s safety precautions.

Put all guns to safe unless in use.
Check clear by removing magazine and giving a couple of dry shots to make
sure no BB’s remain in the hop up chamber area the place back to safe.
If jamming occurs, remove magazine and drive clear, if jam cannot be cleared
remove battery to correct mechanically.

Airsoft Gas Pistols and Rifles safety precautions.

Put all guns to safe unless in use.
To check clear removed magazine and check clear nozzle / hop up area.
Ease spring and dry fire.
Take caution when toping up gas.

When you call it a day at the Range.

a. Ensure that the air rifle or air pistol/ airsoft gun is empty without pellets
or magazines. If in doubt load and shoot one pellet. Follow AGE or Gas
Airsoft clear procedure. Put an air rifle or air pistol on safe or decock.
Put airsoft guns on safe.
b. Rest the air rifle or air pistol or airsoft guns on mat or cushion.
c. Open the case and place the air rifle or air pistol or airsoft guns in its
case always facing down range.
d. Pack the rest of your equipment and transfer all to your car.
e. Make sure that you do not leave any items behind you that including
your garbage.

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Other Range orders.
a. The air gun range can only be utilized when a MAAC or Victoria
Shooter Range Officer is present.
b. MAAC official range day is Sunday from 06.00 to 12.00. Airsoft session
is currently Saturday from 13:00hrs onwards.
c. MAAC has its own targets for all to use. Should one prefer to bring
along his own targets MAAC finds no objection, however the targets
must be non frangible type. Anyone bringing his own targets must
dispose of them correctly after use.
d. The distance markers, flag post, flag, trees, surrounding boundary
walls and other objects belonging to the infrastructure of the range
cannot be shot at intentionally.
e. Air Pistol shooting is allowed any time from behind the firing line. Air
pistol shooting in movement is only allowed in APPS events and
dedicated sessions.
f. During APPS dedicated sessions no air rifle shooting is allowed as
events will be taking place down range.
g. During competitions no other air gun shooting is allowed.
h. Airsoft can be conducted in the pistol pen area when Airgun range is
being used or all area when Airgun range is not in use.

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 Part 3 : Air rifle / Air pistol Types.

This course caters for air guns handling and safety thus we will give you a
brief introduction to these types of guns for your better understanding. It is
imperative that you understand your own air gun functions and safeties. Read
the manual or ask your dealer if in doubt. Do not hesitate to ask other club
members who are always willing to help you out.

Air Rifles & Air Pistols.

Before we discuss the mechanical operations of air rifles or pistols we need to
understand the types available. There are different kinds of air rifles or air
pistols but not all of them have the same function. They differ in power and in
accuracy and price.

The air guns are used in the following air gun target sport are:
a.10 m match air rifles and air pistols. (Normally 6-10 ftlbs)
b. Plinking rifles and pistols. (Between 6-12ftlbs)
c. Field Target air rifles. (Between 12ftlbs and over. Max at VSR air gun range
in ARFT is 40ftlbs).
d. Bench rest air rifles. (Between 6 and 40 ftlbs)
e. Practical Pistols. (Co2 and Gas operated air pistols of airsoft pistols).

10 meter match air rifles and air pistols used in indoor Olympic Match
disciplines. These are specialized air rifles and pistols and the choice of
materials and refinement in manufacturing makes them ultra expensive.
However their power and range is limited since they are designed to operate
indoor. MAAC do not cater for this kind of sport. However anyone interested
should contact MAAC committee since we can refer you to MARPSC who
specialize in this Olympic discipline.

Plinking rifle or pistol is for general fun shooting, various mechanisms are
available and they come in non expensive or mid range prices. Although there
is variations in power and accuracy these rifles are not normally to perfect
choice for series FT and BR target shooters. Mostly these are introduction air
rifles for plinking use. VSR Air gun range caters for this type of air gun also.

Field Target air rifles are designed for two reasons, hunting were allowed by
law or sport target shooting for longer ranges outdoor at ranges of 50meters.
Due to this fact their power and accuracy in design is imperative. The price of
this kind of rifles depends on make and quality. MAAC-ARFT caters for this
type of air gun. MAAC is not related to hunting activities. Hunting in Malta with
air gun is possible for rabbit however this requires special recommendation
from a hunting club and special permits.

Bench Rest air rifles are normally Field Target air rifles in standard
configuration or modified for precision outdoor shooting at ranges of 25 or 50
meters. MAAC-ARBR caters for this type of air gun.

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Practical Pistols are replica pistols of arms proper but designed to shoot
airgun pellet in 0.177 or 0.22 caliber or airsoft 6mm plastic pellet. These
pistols run either on CO2 gas (airgun pellet) or Green Gas (airsoft). These air
guns vary a lot in the realism offered. Most Co2 pellet guns are static whilst
most air soft GBB (Gas Blow Back) offers the replicated features of arms
proper. The range for such guns is normally restricted to 10-15 meters in
outdoor activities. Other air pistols exists, these are single shot spring or PCP
guns. They are normally more accurate the Practical Pistols and some of
these pistols are Olympic match grade which means they cost a lot of money.
Still both types can be used in various MAAC – APPS activities.

Air rifle/pistol mechanism

There are 3 common types of mechanical designs for air rifles and pistols.
The most common are spring-plunger type, Pre Charged Pneumatics and
CO2. Another type exist this is Gas Ram but this not found commonly in the
market.

Basic components of a Spring (Springer).

Lever.
Plunger (piston_ cylinder)
Spring
Breach
Barrel
Trigger
Stock

Springer Plunger Type.

A Springer is known with this name simply because the action of this air gun is
performed by the driving force of a spring over a plunger. The shooter must
first compress the spring with the plunger through a “cocking” mechanism.
There are terms like break barrel, side lever and under lever. These terms
describe the way the spring of the rifle is cocked or compressed. Different
styles of cocking a rifle give different styles of rifles with different advantages
and disadvantages. A typical example a break barrel is more subject to wear
and tear causing accuracy flaws. Generally a break barrel hits the low end
market in air rifle or air pistols.

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When the spring is cocked by the lever, the spring - plunger assembly are
compressed. Energy is stored in the spring under compression. The plunger is
at one end of the cylinder inside the rifle. The shooter places a pellet inside

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the breach and closes the breach. Then shooter takes aim and squeeze off
the trigger. The trigger releases the spring. The spring releases the contained
energy and expands pushing the plunger inside the cylinder. The plunger has
a seal and the air is compresses the between the plunger and the pellet inside
the breach. The pellet is the weakest point in the set up. The build up of
pressure will move the pellet inside the barrel and out of the rifle.

A Springer has certain advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:
Power source is always available.
The consistency is always the same (only deteriorates by wear and tear over
a period time and use)
Accurate and powerful enough.

Disadvantages.
Springer gives recoil in two steps. Forward recoil on the release of the spring
and backward recoil when the pellet starts to move, however this can be
mastered.

Dry firing of a Springer is not recommended. When there is no pellet inside

the breach there is no buffering for the plunger as air escapes through the
barrel directly. Thus the plunger assembly will impact directly internally. This
will cause damage if this is done repeatedly.

Pre charged Pneumatic.

Basic Parts.
Pressure Vessel
Valve/port
Bolt / Striker
Trigger
Breach
Barrel
Stock

The PCP air rifle or pistol has a pressure vessel. This is required to contain
air under a specify pressure as recommended by the supplier. Special
attention is required for handling compressed air as this could be lethal. In
normal atmosphere on flat ground at sea level the air is measured at 1 bar. If
we have a vessel that holds 1 liter of air which is open to atmospheric
pressure then there is air inside the vessel is still at 1 bar. If we compress
another liter of air inside the vessel and contain it then we have 2 bar of
compressed air.

The vessels of an airgun can contain between 200 to 250 bar or more bars
depending on the specifications supplied by the manufacturer. If your vessel
contains 1 liter volume and it is filled to 190 Bar it means that there are 190
liters of air in volume of 1 liter. This must be given special attention and care.
If you release this air, energy and heat is released as the air rapidly expands.
This released energy is the driving force for you pellet in a PCP.

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Filling the vessel is done by a scuba tank or hand pump. Special care and
maintenance is required for PCP air rifles and pistols and the accessories that
accompany them.

The shooter pulls the bolt to compress the striker (hammer weight) and spring.
This is a very small pin and a small spring when compared to a Springer and
thus the release of this spring has no effect on recoil as its energy is so small
enough that it is absorbed by the other components. Once the bolt is cocked
the shooter loads a pellet in the breach. The shooter pushes the pellet from
inside the breach with the bolt. The bolt is locked and in turn seals the
opening in the breach behind the pellet.

The shooter takes aim and squeezes the trigger. At this point the striker
released the energy of it release is given by the energy of the striker spring.
The striker gains speed and momentum and hits open a valve. The valve is
directly connected to the pressure vessel. The pressure of the air in the vessel
keeps the valve closed in a normal condition. The striker pin opens the vale
for a certain amount of time i.e. until the pressure overcomes the energy in the
striker pin and closes back the valve. During the time the valve is opened air
escapes through the valve port. The port is situated between the pellet and
the locked breach. The air is under pressure when released to atmospheric
pressure it will expand releasing all the energy. The pellet is the weak spot
and starts to move inside the barrel and out of the rifle driven by the
expanding air.

Advantages of a PCP.
Recoil les or nil..
Accurate and powerful.
Less mechanical parts.
No ill effects on dry fire.

Disadvantages.
Inconsistency in the first shots until air pressure / striker harmonizes. This will
be mastered by the shooter.
Limited amount of shoots.
Need addition power source – Scuba tank or pump.

CO2
This is more common in air pistols and rarely used in air rifles.
The system behaves like PCP however it uses commercially available
disposable containers filled with compressed CO2.

The mechanism is similar to PCP with some minor differences to compensate

for the expansion of this medium. CO2 tends to freeze the area where it
expands.

However the main difference between CO2 and Air is that until there is still
CO2 in liquid state inside the cartridge the pressure remains constant. Only
when all CO2 changes to gas inside the cartridge the power begin to fade.

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Advantages.
Low or no recoil unless used on blow back pistols.
Small disposable containers suitable for pistols.
Can give a substantial number of shots with just 12oz of gas.

Disadvantages
More expensive to run.
Freezing can be an issue to shoot rapid.
CO2 tends to damage seals require maintenance often..
Inconsistency of the pressure once CO2 in cartridge becomes gas

Gas Ram.
This is a specialized sector. The design is a combination of an advance
Springer with gas. The Springer mechanism is usually moving on guided
bearings and the plunger ram is also aided by gas. The result is smoother
operation and higher power.
Some manufacturers claim that their designs are recoil less.

Gas Blow Back (Green or Red Gas)

Very similar to CO2 but the green gas (propane) is less expensive to run.
Green gas is actually a mixture of propane and silicon additives required for
the lubrication of components inside a gas blow back. Gas Blow Back is
normally found on Airsoft pistols. This replicates 100% all the functions of an
arms proper and that is why it is most popular choice in practical pistol sports.
Gas is directly loaded inside the magazine alone with 6mm plastic BB’s. The
power of GBB’s is quite low around 1Joule. However this is enough to punch
through card bard targets at 15m and knock down light steel poppers.

Rifle Scopes.
This is a vast subject. If you are considering airgunning target sport you
require at least a scope with a magnification (zoom not less then 18x) and a
minimum of 44mm objective lens. The best is to discuss this with other
shooters during your club visits. When one purchase as scope he has to take
into consideration also the reticule to choose this can make a big difference in
some particular sporting events. Setting up correctly a scope is a process that
we will not discuss here. However the members at the range are always
happy to help you in your setup. Another element one needs to take into
consideration is the mounts for the scope.
The mounts must be suitable for your eye relief and head position on the
stock and also suitable for the type of air rifle you purchase.

Airsoft
Airsoft gun work on the same principle of spring Airguns however the piston
diameter and spring forces used are designed so as to keep the power of
airsoft guns as low as possible. Airsoft gun normally produce a power of 1 J
which is designed not to kill or maim any person or animal.

Airsoft was designed specifically for tactical training without the risk of injuring
any of those practicing and not to inflict damage to the surrounding areas.

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Airsoft Springer type guns.
This was the very first basic design. Not so popular nowadays since the
introduction of AEG and GBB. Today quality airsoft spring types are normally
used in sniper rifle designs although one can still find airsoft pistols available.
The airsoft player is taking up a sniper role in airsoft game. The new modern
spring design makes it possible to increase the power even up to 2Jules. The
reason is to give the sniper the possibility to engage targets at longer ranges.

The airsoft BB pellets are normally loaded into a magazine or a specially

made replica shell which is then loading into a magazine.
The cocking of the spring and piston is done wither by a bolt action or by
racking a slide on a pistol or a lever on a single shot rifle.
When the cocking mechanism is returned the first BB is pushed by the nozzle
into the chamber just before the barrel. During the cocking mechanism
operation the trigger engages the sear and locks the compressed spring
plunger assembly. Normally a safety lever can be used to block the trigger. If
the trigger is not blocked by a safety lever it can be pressed. When the trigger
is pressed the sear is released and the plunger spring assembly is let go. The
plunger will compress the air through a nozzle. This air will in turn push the BB
out of the barrel. To shoot another BB one must recock the gun.

Airsoft AEG
AEG stands for Airsoft Electric Gun. This was the development that
revolutionized airsoft. The standard spring one shot design was automated to
allow airsoft users operate without the need to recock after every shot. With
this development airsoft gun became semi auto and full auto loader. This
increased the rate of fire and also improvements could be achieved in
accuracy, power and range.

The operation of an AEG in theory is exactly similar to the spring plunger

design. The major difference is an electronic trigger and an automated
electrical re cocking system.

The cocking is done by a high torque electric motor driving a high speed gear
box. The gear box is linked mechanically to the spring and plunger.

The AEGS have also a selection lever for safe, single shot or full auto. Earlier
models had bust but this proved some difficulties and was by time removed.
The selector puts the trigger in 3 different modes. Safe cuts out all electric
power to the motor. Single shot allows one cycle of the gearbox and auto
allows continual cycles of the gearbox.

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When the system is on single shot and the trigger is pressed the gearbox
motor receives electric current from a battery normally hidden in the rifle stock
or fore grip. The current starts to turn the motor. The gearbox makes one full
cycle that is compression of the spring plunger, moving of the nozzle to load a
bb for a magazine into the chamber and release of the spring plunger to drive
the BB out of the gun. This creates the semi auto version of the AEG. To shot
an other shot the trigger must be released and repressed.

If the system selector is on full auto the current will flow continuously to the
motor which will continue to produce cycles. This effect creates a full auto
version of the AEG. If the trigger is kept pressed the full auto cycles will
continue until battery expires.

Gas Blow Back Pistols - Rifles (Green or Red Gas)

Very similar to CO2 but the green gas (propane) is less expensive to run.
Green gas is actually a mixture of propane and silicon additives required for
the lubrication of components inside a gas blow back. Gas Blow Back is
normally found on Airsoft pistols. This replicates 100% all the functions of
arms proper and that is why it is most popular choice in practical pistol sports.
Gas is directly loaded inside the magazine alone with 6mm plastic BB’s or in
other areas of the rife housing. The power of GBB’s is quite low around
1Joule. However this is enough to punch through card bard targets at 15m
and knock down light steel poppers. Blowback pistol and rifles simulate recoil
and can operate semi auto or full auto. The disadvantage is that they are far
more expensive to run but more realistic.

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MAAC EVENTS TYPES
Once you become a fully licensed MASC member you can enjoy the
following disciplines.

MAAC ARFT ( Air Rifle Field Target )

MAAC ARBR (Air Rifle Bench Rest shooting )

MAAC ARHFT (Hunter Field Target)

MAAC APSPC ( Air Pistol Steel Plate Challenge)

MAAC APDS (Air Pistol Dynamic Shooting)

MAAC members interested in airsoft can enjoy airsoft skirmishing.

The level of airsoft skirmishing depends on your interest. If you are really into
airsoft, special tactical training is available to STAG team members.

MAAC-2009

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