| Since the beginning of air guns in 1780, militaries have | | | | using a cocking lever to reset the projectile and |
| looked to these firearms as a silent way to | | | | develop the pressure needed to hit the target. The |
| commence military applications. But due to the | | | | various air gun types are suited to the needs of the |
| development of modern era firearms, they have | | | | shooter, ranging from competition to plinking at |
| been all but forgotten amongst military developers. | | | | targets. A large number of farmers have been |
| However, their legacy lives on in the recreational | | | | switching to air rifles for varmints, due to the safer |
| shooters of America, making the air guns truly | | | | projectile, not risking injuries in the far distance. |
| American classics for all type of shooters and | | | | The top names in air guns are Beeman, Benjamin, |
| outdoors enthusiasts. | | | | Crosman, Daisy, EAA, Gamo, RWS, and Walther. |
| Air rifles are some of the most popular traditions in | | | | These manufacturers have been on the cutting edge |
| America; a great way to get familiar with firearms or | | | | of air gun technology and continue to provide new |
| plinking for much cheaper than a standard rifle. The | | | | technology and innovations. The majority of these |
| air rifle has come a long way from the early days of | | | | manufacturers make CO2 powered air guns as well, |
| Red Ryder BB guns, which have become pop culture | | | | which have quickly become the top selling air rifles |
| icons. Now BB guns and other air guns have became | | | | and air pistols on the market. |
| sporting guns used for games known as air soft, | | | | The advantage of CO2 powered guns is the fact |
| which is similar to paintball. | | | | CO2 is relatively inexpensive and provides velocities |
| While a wide range of other countries have bans on | | | | that are unmatched by other forms of propellants. In |
| these air-powered firearms, air guns are some of the | | | | this way, air soft firearms are far different than a |
| best-selling types of firearms on the market in the | | | | typical BB gun or pellet gun. Remember, BB guns, |
| USA. The tradition lives well in America, offering | | | | pellet guns, and air soft guns are not toys and should |
| every type of air rifle, air pistol, and accessory | | | | never be fired at another human, as serious injury |
| unrestricted. | | | | can occur. |
| There are several different types of air gun power | | | | When handled with responsibility, air guns are great |
| sources. One of the most popular is spring piston, | | | | for a first-timer or just plinking around the house. I |
| which is generally cocked before usage. Another | | | | would recommend any of the above mentioned |
| popular type of air gun action is pneumatic, which | | | | names for a friend or customer, due to the high |
| uses pre-compressed air to push the projectile to its | | | | quality and reliability associated with the brands |
| target. Multi-stroke is another type of pneumatic, | | | | themselves. When operated safely and according to |
| which allows the user to pump the air gun to get the | | | | the user manuals, these can be great recreational |
| proper amount of pressure. | | | | tools. |
| Single stroke is probably the best known, generally | | | | |