MALTA ALLIED AIRGUNNERS CLUB

(MAAC)

Airgun Safety and Information Course

MAAC-ASIC
Version 1_2008

1
 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 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.

2
PART 1 : The Law and responsibility for a Target B shooter
license holder.

Introduction.
Up to August 2006 there were two license 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.

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).

Those 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 is they are paid up members of a
recognized club and process a insurance policy to cover their
target shooting activities.

3
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 in his
district including the recommendation letter form the club,
insurance policy for the target shooter B license.

Target Shooter B license is requested for the following types of

weapons.
Clay Pigeon Shoot Guns
Air Rifles and Air Pistols
Muzzle Loading rifles and Pistols.
Air soft rifles and pistols

Although all of them carry the Target Shooter B license the letter of
recommendation must specify the type of weapon. This course will
entitle you Target B 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.

The LN177 puts certain responsibilities upon the licensed Target

shooter B. Failing to comply with these can mean removal and
confiscation of your weapons.

Such responsibilities are:

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

The use in private property is limited and must not hinder any
one.

The weapon can only be used for Target sport only.

The holder must ensure safe keeping of his weapons in his

property.

4
The holder must keep his weapon unloaded and away from
ammo until its use on the authorized range.

The TS-B license holder must be an active member in a

Shooting club, attended a weapon safety course and must
have an insurance policy to cover his shooting activities.

The TS-B license holder must carry the weapon, unloaded in

an appropriate carry case or cover from his property to the
range.

The ammunition must be stored or carried separate from the

weapon.

Both should be carried if possible at the back of your car in a

suitable carry case.

The TS-B must carry his license papers with the weapon at all
times and present them in case of a police inspection.

A maximum of 3 weapons can be carried at one time.

The use of sound moderators is only allowed on air weapons.

The use of lasers for targeting is illegal.

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

the action of other using his equipment.

A maximum of 5000 rounds of ammunition can be kept. ( This

apply mostly for fire arms but MAAC suggest this also for TS-
B Airgun holders).

MAAC insists that the TS-B license holder know and

understand this responsibility, and is not responsible for any
member action not in line with these regulations.

MAAC insists that anyone taking part in MAAC activities should

observe the following:

a. Carry your air gun in a suitable gun case.

b. Carry your Pellets (ammo) and tools in a separate
carry bag.

5
 c. Carry a copy of your license and insurance with your
airgun always.
d. Carry and wear your MAAC ID badge on the range at
all times.

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. Attend a minimum of 4 visits within a time window of 6
months to the range or MAAC activities until he obtains a full
member status.

After the competition of the TS-B course the new member will be
issued with a LOR for TS-B within maximum of 2 weeks. 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.

When the new member completes his 4 visits, MAAC will issue the
ID card. This ID card is required to retrieve the TS-B license once it
is issued. MAAC have the right to block any LOR or license as
deemed necessary, by informing the Police Commissioner.

PART 2 : AIRGUN SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES AND

MAAC RANGE SAFETY POCEDURES.

For general airgun shooting activities, MAAC recommends it’s

members to use appropriate shooting glasses even in AFT and
APBS activities. However in APPS this is mandatory.

The following are basic safe handling techniques that one must
observe on the shooting range whilst handling airguns. Consider
them as the 10 fundamental commandments for any shooting
sports.

6
Airsoft guns in MAAC are not used for skirmish games but as
target shooting disciplines hence it is absolutely forbidden to use
such guns for skirmish purpose in MAAC. Doing so will lead to
instant dismissal from MAAC.

1. Understand the operation of your airgun and never do

modifications unless done by a qualified gunsmith. Keep airguns in
the best possible condition.
2. NEVER hold the airgun in any position other then muzzle down
and facing downrange until you are ready to fire adjacent to the
firing line.
3. NEVER point an airgun to anything that you do not intend to
shoot.
4. NEVER look directly into an airgun muzzle.
5. NEVER load pellets and magazines in your airgun until you are
ready to aim and fire.
6. NEVER touch or handle an airgun that is not yours.
7. ALWAYS consider an airgun as loaded at all times.
8. Carry airguns in appropriate case and do not expose until you
reach the firing area.
9. BE AWARE of what is beyond the target before pressing the
trigger.
10. IF you notice an irregularity or possible danger, inform your
Range Officer.

Transportation.
a. Carry you airgun in an appropriate carry case. Hold you’re
pellets (ammunition) and accessories in a different carry bag away
from the airgun.
a. If possible keep this equipment in the trunk of your car.
b. 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
muzzle facing down range always. Check clear.
d. Before loading your airgun with a pellet or a magazine ask
the Range Officer if shooting is allowed.
e. NEVER ASSUME anything.

7
 f. No one is authorized to go beyond the firing line at any time
unless agreed or allowed by the Range Officer.
g. Keep sharp for any intrusion into the range by unauthorized
persons. If something is abnormal inform Range Officer at
once.

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 facing
down range until you are ready to aim and shoot adjacent to
the firing. Keep pistols 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.

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.

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.

MAAC members and other range customers are to follow and

ensure the best safe practice during refilling of their equipment.

8
Use safety glasses when filling and never look directly into the
pressure gauge. Make sure that all hoses and bottles are correctly
maintained.

When you call it a day at the Range.

a. Ensure that the air rifle or air pistol is empty without pellets or
magazines. If in doubt load and shoot one pellet. Put an air
rifle or air pistol on safe or decock.
b. Rest the air rifle or air pistol on mat or cushion.
c. Open the case and place the air rifle or air pistol 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
including your garbage.

Other Range orders.

a. The airgun 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.
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.

Air Soft.
a. For airsoft pistols will be used for APPS activities, these have
to follow the same rules as air rifles and air pistols.
b. Use Bio Degradable 6mm plastic pellets only.
c. No smoking whilst gas charging of GBB airsoft pistols.
d. Shooting Glasses mandatory when using air pistols including
airsoft GBBs.

9
Part 3 : Air rifle / 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
weapon functions and safeties. Read the manual or ask your
dealer if in doubt. Do not hesitate to ask other club members that
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 they 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.

The airguns 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
airgun range 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.

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 target
shooters. Mostly these are introduction air rifles for plinking use.
VSR Airgun range caters for this type of airgun.

10
Field Target air rifles are designed for two reasons, hunting were
allowed by law or 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-AFT caters for this type of airgun.

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-APBS caters for this type of airgun.

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 pistol run either on CO2 gas (airgun pellet) or Green
Gas (airsoft). These gun vary a lot in the realism offered. Most Co2
pellet guns are static whilst most airsoft GBB (Gas Blow Back)
offers the replicated features of arms proper. The range for such
guns is normally restricted to 10 meters in outdoor activities. Other
air pistols exist, these are single shot spring or pcp guns. They are
normally more accurate the Practical Pistols. 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, 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.
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

11
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.

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 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

12
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.
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

13
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 begins to fade.

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

14
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 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 are 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.

MAAC EVENTS TYPES

? MAAC ARFT ( Air Rifle Field Target )
? MAAC ARBR (Air Rifle Bench Rest shooting )
? MAAC APPS ( Air Pistol Practical Shooting)

MAAC
2008

15