Barrelless traumatic pistols with an electric capsule have always aroused distrust among potential buyers. The main reason for this is the lack of combat analogues. However, over time, this trend is changing. Today, many believe that barrelless pistols with an electric capsule are the most effective means of protection among the entire range of traumatic weapons. The traumatic pistol "Shaman" is currently considered one of the best representatives of barrelless pistols. Today we will get to know him better.
general characteristics
This model can be called new, since it hit the shelves only in 2010. It is produced by the A + A company, which has already managed to become famous for its pistols of the Cordon family and cartridges 18x45T. The main distinguishing feature of the new “injury” was the use of a 20.5 mm cartridge.
Which cartridge is better?
The debate about this has been going on for quite some time. When firing at solid targets, 18- and 20.5-mm rounds show approximately the same result. But in the case of targets that are similar in density to the human body, a cartridge whose caliber is larger works much more efficiently. The reason is simple - the bullet has a large surface area of contact with the target when hit. The second important argument in favor of this cartridge is weight. The combination of weight and area reduces the penetrating effect of the bullet and increases the stopping power. The impact force of such a projectile is enough to stop a person dressed in winter clothes.
Comparing the cartridges of 20.5x45 and 18x45, in addition to differences in firing efficiency and penetrating effect due to the bullet’s dimensions, it’s worth stopping also at design features. It is important to note that the cartridge 18x45 from the company "A + A" may differ from the same cartridge from another manufacturer. The shell of this shell is made of plastic, and the bullet has no shank. Instead of the latter, it has a smooth back, which is clamped directly in the sleeve with unique cuts.
A cartridge of a larger caliber is similarly executed, with the only difference being that its bullet is larger and heavier. It is interesting that, despite the difference in caliber, the bottoms of the cartridges of both cartridges are absolutely identical in size. This was done not only for reasons of economy, but also so that the Shaman barrelless pistol could work on two types of ammunition. As a result, this feature has become the hallmark of weapons.
Bikalibernost
Instead of clips and magazines, the Shaman pistol uses cartridges, as in the Sentinel or Osa Aegis models. Structurally, they are designed for a 20.5-millimeter shell. To insert cartridges of the 18th caliber into the cartridge, the adapter, simplest in design, is necessary. In fact, it is a nozzle made of plastic, which is worn on the cartridge sleeve 18x45 in order to increase its diameter. No additional adaptation is necessary, since the bottom of the cartridges for cartridges are identical.
There is an opinion that cassettes quickly become unusable, simply put, they crack. This can happen due to inflation of the sleeve. It should be noted that when working with cartridges of the company "A + A" there are no such problems. Therefore, if the cassettes crack, then only when using low-quality shells. There are no problems with fixing the cartridge to the gun body, according to the owners of this injury.
Another nuance
From the foregoing, it can be concluded that a larger-caliber cartridge is superior in efficiency to a smaller one, however there is one more nuance here. Among the ammunition 19x45 there are cartridges that are equipped not with bullets, but with rubber balls. They are called 18x45Sh. The weight of such a bullet ball is comparable to an ammunition of 20.5 caliber. Shooting at various targets showed that under almost any circumstances the ball of cartridge 18x45Sh is not inferior to the bullet of cartridge 20.5x45. If it enters a material identical in density to the human body, the probability of a penetrating wound from the ball is small, but the impact of such a hit is very noticeable even through winter clothes.
Electronics
The Shaman pistol, which we are reviewing today, has the simplest electronics. And even the mechanical fuse, which in such models is usually presented in the form of a switch, is not here. This decision is due to the desire of the creators to completely simplify the design and, as a result, increase its reliability.
Nevertheless, according to experts, the rejection of a mechanical fuse is not at all justified, and there are at least two reasons. First: modern technologies make the circuit breaker fully protected from the most aggressive environments. Second: the gain from such a solution can only be theoretical, since the shutter button has exactly the same contacts that are prone to oxidation as the fuse.
The Shaman traumatic gun has one safety device - a lever located under the shutter release button. It simply blocks the ability to press a key until the gun is held in the user's hand. Given that the firing force in this model is about 4 kilograms, such a fuse is quite enough.
Food
The Shaman pistol is fueled by a lithium battery, which causes outrage among some skeptics. Many of them complain that the battery charge may drop when the gun is in the cold. It is really possible, however, in order for the feed element to discharge so much that the shot would become impossible, it takes a lot of time and very severe frost. The Shaman pistol, the characteristics of which we already know, is usually carried in your pocket, so there are no problems with sub-zero temperatures.
But what really can cause a weapon to fail is the natural discharge of the feed element. So that the user can control the battery level, a corresponding indicator is provided in the gun design. It lights up when the fuse lever is pressed. The battery indicator along with the laser designator practically do not discharge the gun. However, if they turn on in their pockets and remain on for a long time, this is quite possible. To be sure that if necessary a shot will occur, it is recommended to check the charge daily. It is also recommended that you always have a spare battery with you.
Application
The Shaman traumatic gun, the characteristics of which we examined today, can work with a variety of ammunition, including light and sound, which are excellent in protecting against dogs and people. The fact that the gun has only two charges requires a high accuracy and quick reload skill from the user. According to the manufacturer, replacing the cartridge will not take more than a second. However, to achieve such a result in a force majeure situation can only extremely restrained and balanced person, who also did not spare the time to develop this skill.
Despite the fact that the shooter in the first stage of the conflict can operate with only two shots, it is recommended to carry out the first shot with a light and sound cartridge, and the second, if necessary, with an ordinary one. The light and sound cartridge will significantly increase the chances of successful self-defense, since it works for all targets located in the direction of the shot.
Shaman pistol: reviews
As the reviews of the owners show, the main problem with the Shaman pistol is the low level of ergonomics. Despite the fact that there are very few internal elements in the handle, it has a large volume, and not all arrows fit comfortably in the hand. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the gun weighs a little over 200 grams. From the point of view of comfortable wearing, this is an absolute plus, but from the point of view of recoil force - a significant minus. The Shaman pistol, especially with a large cartridge, has a very impressive return compared to other larger traumatic models.
Another problem faced by users of the Shaman is the lack of a comfortable holster that forces you to carry weapons in your pocket. In this regard, there are at least two inconveniences. The first is the likelihood of turning on the LCC and turning off the fuse. As you already know, this can lead to battery drain. The second is the likelihood of the fuse lever catching on fabric, threads or any objects lying in your pocket.
Many users of this weapon believe that a descent with a pressing force of 4 kilograms is heavy. In principle, in most models of traumatic and military weapons, the descent is not easier. This is due to the fact that when you press the trigger, the shooter cockes the trigger. And in revolvers, additional effort is also needed to rotate the drum. In our case, a tight descent is nothing more than the price of safe wearing. There are no constructive justifications for a tight descent in pistols with an electric capsule.
