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