Editing Air gun (section)

====Air cartridge system====
First developed in the [[United Kingdom]] during the 1980s as the Saxby-Palmer Ensign,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2006/01/brocock-air-cartridges/|title=Brocock air cartridges|last=Gaylord|first=Tom|date=18 January 2006|publisher=Pyramyd Air Blog|access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref> and then by Brocock as the "Brocock Air Cartridge System" (BACS) and later into the "Tandem Air Cartridge" (TAC),<ref name="BACS">{{cite web|url=https://www.airgunmagazine.co.uk/features/air-cartridge-system-10-years-later/|title=The air cartridge system – 10 years on|last=Cross|first=Rupert|date=1 September 2013|publisher=Airgun Shooter Magazine|access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref> this variation of the pre-charged pneumatic design have no pressure reservoir built into the gun, but instead use removable and reusable metallic [[gas cylinder]]s often known as "Brocock cartridges" after its British manufacturer.  Each air cartridge is essentially a self-contained gas reservoir housed inside a [[cartridge case]] (usually in the size of a [[.38 Special]]), with an internal [[bash valve]] designed to release the content when the base of the cartridge is struck. Prior to shooting, each cartridge is pre-filled with sufficient [[compressed air]] for one shot (typically via a multi-stroke [[hand pump]]) and has a [[.177 caliber|.177]]/[[.22 caliber]] pellet pre-seated to its front slot, and the entire cartridge is then inserted into a [[chamber (firearms)|chamber]] in the [[gun barrel]]. When shooting, the [[hammer (firearms)|hammer]] hits the rear of the air cartridge, mimicking the function of a [[centerfire ammunition]]. This allows the airgun to be constructed and operated in similar fashions to genuine firearms. It also allows for higher shot consistency because each cartridge can be easily filled to an identical air charge, essentially removing the "power curve" of conventional PCP guns and bypassing any need for [[pressure regulator|regulator]]s. It also simplifies the magazine feed design and eliminates the risk of deforming the projectiles when the [[action (firearms)|action]] seats each pellet, as the soft lead pellet is protected from contact with the action probe by the harder cartridge casing.

The air cartridge system, both in the [[rifle]] and [[revolver]] forms, was at the peak of its popularity throughout the 1990s. The popularity of the Brocock range was such that, by 2002, estimates put the number of air cartridge guns in circulation around 70,000-80,000.<ref name="BACS"/> However, a small number of incidents relating to the alleged illegal conversion of (mainly) Brococks to [[improvised firearms|allow them to discharge live ammunition]] sparked a [[media frenzy]]. In early 2002, the [[BBC]] reported that figures from the [[National Criminal Intelligence Service]] showed converted Brococks accounted for 35 per cent of all guns recovered by the police,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1779349.stm|title=Live-bullet airgun a 'major problem'|last=|first=|date=24 January 2002|publisher=BBC News|access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref> and David McCrone, firearms adviser to the Association of Chief Police Officers and Deputy Chief Constable of [[Greater Manchester Police]], told the BBC's ''[[Newsnight]]'' "there is evidence which would justify banning them". After the [[UK government]] implemented the [[Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003]] in January 2004, it became illegal to possess such airguns without a [[firearm certificate]] in the United Kingdom.  Brocock subsequently ceased production of all air cartridge systems and turned to focus primarily on PCP airguns.