Now this is something totally different.......

Had the chance to check out one of these MP-513M air rifles recently.

http://www.baikalinc.ru/en/company/117.html

What makes it unusual, is that it is a spring piston airgun that has an exposed spur hammer that has to be cocked in order to fire the gun (like an exposed hammer shotgun). The hammer acts upon the sear, knocking it out of engagement with the piston. The premise is that a much lighter trigger pull is attainable. I wasn't able to actually shoot it (it was at a store), so I can't comment on it's actual feel, firing bahavior, or how the hammer drop sear arrangement affects the lock-time, etc. I can't really recall seeing this type of an arrangement on a springer in the past, so this may be a new innovation in the airgun world. Is there anyone else other than me that this is "news" to? Anyone own one of these rifles that would care to comment on firing behavior?

Also, forgot to mention in my initial posting - much of the metalwork is aluminum alloy. For the sheer size of this magnum class rifle, it is super light in weight. I have some apprehension as to how well that aluminum alloy main tube will stand up to the rigors of a magnum class springer, and as well, how well the steel lined alloy barrel will withstand cocking a very powerful mainspring. I guess time will tell. The finish looks similar to parkerized steel.

[vinceb]

Been there, done that.

The old Daisy model 1894 (like the one my Dad bought me when I was 8) has that arrangement - although I never realized it until I rebuilt 2 of them fairly recently!

And yes, I like that idea very much. It seems like it should promise a much lighter trigger, since the trigger is only trying to release a lighter hammer spring rather than the heavy mainspring. Dunno if it really works out that way in practice, though... those Daisy triggers were nothing to write home about!

[DAMAGE]

The triggers aint to bad on them  but they have a rather thin barrel & are very hard to cock  i chose my shadow over one of those cause they were going for a simillar price over here.

vinceb - 8/25/2006  6:54 PM
The old Daisy model 1894 (like the one my Dad bought me when I was eight) has that arrangement - although I never realized it until I rebuilt 2 of them fairly recently!

Thats very interesting - I'll have to see what info I can dig up on that Daisy. I wasn't aware of any other airguns that used this sytem before, but I guess it isn't such a new development at all. Thanks for the info.