Browning Airstar 200

[hectmarr]

I am struck by this spring compressed air weapon, which compresses the spring with an electric motor and reduction gears, using a chain similar to those used by motorcycles. Interesting!

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Good find! I knew about it but had never seen footage of it in action.

A very fascinating device, useful for those with limited upper body strength but you can see why it did not become a huge commercial success.

Airsoft electric guns use a similar principle but they do not have a separate trigger sear, they just release the piston when the sector gear reaches a certain position:

[hectmarr]

It is the same in airsoft, as you explain. The concept survives there.

[Anatine Duo]

I love it, and the breech is interesting too.

I have often wondered why the electric airsoft guns didn't use a sear. It would give the trigger a more realistic feel, completing the firing cycle rather than starting it, and would allow better reduction through the gears so a weaker motor could be used.

Now lets add a bit of fuel and a repeating mechanism to that Airstar...

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I have often wondered why the electric airsoft guns didn't use a sear. It would give the trigger a more realistic feel, completing the firing cycle rather than starting it, and would allow better reduction through the gears so a weaker motor could be used.

It would add more complexity to an already complex and breakage-prone mechanism, that is constrained by having to fit in the envelope of a real firearm.

That being said, things have come a long way with the use of electronic fire control units.

Some models allow for what is known as "pre-cocking". Basically after shooting in semi-auto, instead of stopping at the rest position, the motor continues to run until the spring is compressed just before its release position. This gives an almost instant trigger response on the next shot.

Now lets add a bit of fuel and a repeating mechanism to that Airstar...

I still believe that a dieseling repeater hybrid is possible, without the need for electric piston cocking. Essentially an internal combustion engine where the exhaust gas fires a projectile.