Exploring The Ins And Outs Of An Air Rifle

The air rifle is extremely popular among hunters, weapon enthusiasts, and target shooters, for plenty of reasons. In this brief read, we will explore a few different types of air rifles and examine their unique abilities and traits. Additionally, we will look into the benefits of air guns, including their impressive power and precision, and the safety reasons that often make them a better choice than substantially more powerful firearms.

At Futurama, you will find an extensive air rifle selection, as well as air guns, pellets, targets, scopes, and cases available for delivery, wherever you might be in the nation. We feel it is essential to offer our customers all the information necessary to make an informed purchase – hopefully, one that you will be pleased about for some time to come.

Different Types Of Air Rifles And How They Work

For those of you who are entirely new to air guns, you may not be aware of the different types and their advantages. So, allow us to walk you through the three main types of air rifles, namely spring-powered, precharged pneumatic, and CO2-powered. As you can imagine, each of these comes with pros and cons, and they all got their names due to the way they operate.

Spring Powered

Spring-powered air rifles, also known as “springers”, have a coiled spring and a piston housed inside the chamber of the rifle. When you cock the rifle, the spring becomes compressed as a result of the pent-up energy. Once the trigger has been pulled, the spring decompresses itself, causing the piston to shoot forward.

The quick movement of the piston causes the air in the chamber to become compressed – this pressurised air then propels the pellet out of the muzzle at high velocity. Most air gun enthusiasts begin their journeys with spring-powered rifles, as they are easy to come by and comparatively inexpensive. There are a few things worth noting about these kinds of air guns; for instance, they allow for powerful, accurate shooting, without the need for CO2 cartridges or any PCP pumps/compressors – this is a major drawcard for many shooters.

To add to this, they are also surprisingly simple to service and modify, and parts are readily available without needing to search for too long. While the benefits are substantial, it is worth noting that “springers” often have more recoil than other types of air rifles, and their performance can begin to decline after several years as the spring becomes fatigued. However, this can be avoided if you ensure that the rifle isn’t left cocked for extended periods. Another downside from the high recoil is that not just any riflescope will work on your air rifle – so you will have to make sure that the riflescope you purchase is air rifle capable.

Gamo Compact Air Pistol – 4.5mm

If you are searching for a balanced, accurate air pistol, you can’t go wrong with the Gamo Compact Air Pistol. Gamo is renowned for their ability to create high-quality air guns, and if you read a few customer reviews, you will notice that many people report remarkable performance after owning the air pistol for years. The pistol utilises a top lever system, which powers the pre-compressed air that sends the pellets down range. The design is ultra-lightweight and ideal for target shooting at a range of around 20 metres.

Precharged Pneumatic

Also known as PCP rifles, they too use high-pressured air in the chamber to force the pellet from the muzzle. The air pressure usually falls between 3000 – 4000 psi, depending on the manufacturer and model, and this is achieved by using a hand pump, scuba tank, or air compressor. Once the air pressure has reached an adequate level, the rifle is ready to go – simply pull the trigger and experience the immense precision and power this type of air rifle produces.

One of the foremost benefits of a precharged pneumatic rifle is that they are virtually recoilless, which makes shooting an absolute pleasure. They also require very little effort to cock, and they are especially effective with larger calibre pellets. One thing to consider is that these kinds of air guns require a fair amount of charging equipment, so there are some additional costs beyond the rifle itself and the pellets. Let’s have a look at a high-quality example of a precharged pneumatic air rifle from our online store:

Zbroia Biathlon PCP Air Rifle - 4.5mm, 0.177

The Ukrainian-made Zbroia Biathlon PCP is a top-of-the-line pre charged pneumatic rifle, with an impressive range of features. To start with, it comes standard with a fully adjustable stock, allowing shooters to personalise the air gun to their exact preferences. The steel barrel also features advanced channelling to ensure optimal rotation, this goes a long way in facilitating pin-point accurate shooting. The maximum pressure sits at 300 bar, which should be more than enough for target shooting or hunting. If a pneumatic-type air rifle is your cup of tea, this offering from Zbroia should be at the top of your list.

CO2 Powered

The way that CO2 air rifles function is almost identical to their PCP counterparts, the only difference is that they use carbon dioxide cartridges rather than pressurised air. Upon pulling the trigger, the CO2 is immediately released from the canister, causing the pellet to exit the barrel with impressive speed. There are many upsides to these kinds of air guns, firstly, they are deadly accurate and allow for unparalleled consistency.

This can be put down to the surprising lack of recoil. This means tight grouping should be a breeze if you opt for a CO2-powered air rifle, and the fact that you can shoot at a semi-automatic clip only sweetens the deal – meaning you can fire as quickly as you can pull the trigger. Perhaps the only downside is that you need to replace the CO2 cartridge semi-regularly, however, most options on the market are inexpensive. Many air guns fall into the CO2-powered category, let’s have a look at one particularly excellent option:

Umarex Hammerli 850 Air Magnum CO2 Air Rifle  - 4.5mm

If you are looking to take your shooting back to its roots and remind yourself of how enjoyable airgunning can be, the Umarex Hammerli 850 is certainly worth your consideration. It includes a polymer stock that was painstakingly designed for ease of use and ultimate comfort while shooting. The impressive design is fully ambidextrous, and the Monte Carlo-style cheek rest should allow for both left and right-handed shooters to achieve remarkable precision. Additionally, it comes with a multi-shot rotary magazine that facilitates fast-paced shooting without constant reloading. The 850 from Umarex is an unmissable addition to any shooter’s collection.

The Many Benefits Of Air Rifles

For those of you who are wondering why one might choose an air gun over a regular firearm, allow us to fill in the blanks. Of course, if protection is your main concern, then a firearm certainly makes more sense, however, there are many other reasons why an air rifle could be the ideal choice – let’s delve into them.

Safety – If you are shooting for practice or simply for the pure enjoyment of it, air guns are a much safer option. This is especially applicable to those who are not overly familiar with the proper use of firearms, as the risk of accidents or injury can be significant. However, with an air rifle, while injury can still occur if safety protocol isn’t correctly followed, the risk is greatly reduced. Nowadays, most air guns are equipped with comprehensive safety features, like automatic safety catches and safety, that make accidental firing almost impossible.

They Are Considerably Less Costly – If you compare the price of purchasing and maintaining an air rifle to that of a traditional firearm, you might begin to realise why this is the deciding factor for many individuals. Firearms can be extremely expensive, and the ammunition they require can cost a fortune if you head to the shooting range regularly. On the flip side of the coin, air gun pellets are inexpensive, and you won't need to worry about the costs adding up over time. Also, air rifles are known to outlast many traditional firearms in terms of longevity, as the firing mechanism is substantially less violent – meaning replacements are few and far in between.

Licensing – As you may know, a gun licence is required in South Africa for any rifle that exceeds 5.6mm calibre . Luckily, most air rifles do not fit into this category, and as a result, do not require a gun licence. The process of acquiring a gun licence can be a lengthy one, including a comprehensive process of checks, tests, and verifications. Not to mention all the compulsory training that is required to attain a proficiency certificate. So, for many people, avoiding this process is a large drawcard.

Basic Maintenance And Care

Finally, let’s have a quick look at a few pieces of advice that should ensure your air rifle remains in perfect shape. It is crucial to carry out regular cleaning of your airgun, especially if you have been shooting outdoors, or in particularly dusty areas. To do this, run a soft, wet cloth over the exterior of the rifle, paying closer attention to dirty or muddy spots.

Secondly, try to lubricate the articulated parts of your airgun frequently. In line with the manufacturer’s recommendations, place a few drops of lubricant oil on the interior moving parts. This slows down wear and tear and greatly extends the lifespan of your airgun. Lastly, where you store your airgun has a major bearing on longevity, despite most manufacturers utilising extremely high-quality materials.

Avoid leaving it in places with high humidity, temperature contrasts, or in direct sunlight, as this can result in gradual deterioration. Rather, store your air rifle somewhere clean, dry, and protected, preferably locked away or out of reach. To add to this, ensure that the rifle is not loaded before storing it, as this can damage the components over time.