Tip 1: This is Nothing New.

While some modern airguns use cutting-edge materials and can have a space-age look, airguns were first manufactured in the early 1500s. Lewis and Clark used an airgun to shoot food and provide protection during their famous expedition up the Missouri River. That .46-caliber rifle could fire more than 20 shots per minute, with a 60-shot maximum.

Tip 2: Not Your Childhood BB Gun.
Today’s airguns are high quality, powerful, precision devices that are easy to shoot and great for any application where traditional firearms are used. While they are not silent, even the largest caliber airguns have almost no recoil and do not require ear protection, which makes them perfect for teaching marksmanship to beginning shooters. They are legal to hunt with in many states – for game ranging from squirrels to deer and feral hogs (be sure to check local regulations). They are commonly used to eliminate pests like pigeons from farms, and even invasive iguanas in Florida.

Tip 3: Imported Innovations.
Many airguns are imported from countries where firearm ownership is tightly controlled, but airguns are allowed, so the market has been developed for many years. Airguns in the United States have always been around, but have traditionally been more of an advanced toy for youngsters (think of the old BB gun). That is changing rapidly as more shooters and hunters gain experience with top-shelf rifles and discover the advantages of air-powered projectiles.

Tip 4: Break, Pump, or Bottle?
All airguns use compressed gas to operate, but there are a number of different ways to obtain that potential energy. Springs or pistons can store enough air for a single shot and can be operated with a break action or pump, like that on a pump-action shotgun. Compressed carbon dioxide cartridges are also used in some models. Many of the newer, high-end rifles are pre-charged pneumatic (PCP), and have a storage tank mounted on the rifle that is filled from a separate bottle (think SCUBA tank). Large tanks keep you charged at the range; smaller recharge tanks are available for hunting in the field. Depending on the model and caliber, you can store enough air to get up to 100 rounds from a single charge. Calibers from .357 to .58 can be used for larger game, but these bullets take more power, so you get fewer shots before needing to recharge the tank.

Tip 5: Good Ones Aren’t Cheap.
While airguns may not need to handle the explosive pressure generated by a conventional firearm, they are very high-quality, durable, and precise machines. As a result, good ones can cost as much as a good conventional rifle (perhaps $500 to $1,000 and up). However, a good airgun should last your lifetime with little maintenance, even if you are young at this point. The bonus is that ammo is very cheap – you can shoot all day (maybe all week) for a couple of bucks.

Tip 6: The Skinny on Scopes.
Airguns have almost no felt recoil, but they vibrate in a way that will quickly destroy a scope that is not designed for them. That’s not a real problem, because there are many companies that make outstanding airgun scopes, and these scopes work perfectly on conventional firearms. Airgun scopes work on everything, but firearm scopes will only work on firearms.

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