Many older shooters may have childhood memories of a BB gun or airgun. Maybe it was a Daisy Red Ryder, Crossman 760, or other timeless model of airgun. Thing is, airguns have grown up over the years just the same way you and I did ... but most beginners and even some experienced adult shooters don't know just how great they can be. Here's why you owe it to yourself to take a fresh look at airguns, even if you're a dedicated "gun guy" (like me)!
When I first started reviewing airguns for NRA Family, I thought I might have enough content for a year or two. Then I started digging into the subject, and found out that the industry making airguns can hardly keep up with the demand for more features, specs, power, and performance, and that companies are using technology to make incredible guns at price points that many Americans can afford. I found so many airguns with a performance and fun factor that was unheard-of in the airguns of my childhood.
Over the past few years I have reviewed and tested military look-alike airguns that felt like the real deal. I've fired a BB gun at full auto--laying waste to cans in my big backyard--without disturbing my neighbors one bit. I have also tested silenced air rifles that are capable of knocking squirrels out of trees at 70 yards. GAMO makes a number of break-barrel guns that are used for small game hunting, and also for controlling invasive iguanas in Florida. They are so accurate that they can be safely used in suburban areas in the right hands.
There are also large-caliber air rifles that will down big game. I tested a few such guns that will send a .35 caliber pellet through a sheet of plywood without an issue at 50 yards! They are real tackdrivers, too: There are now air rifles on the market that are so accurate that they punch one hole with multiple shots when firing at the range.
There are others that are more about the fun and nostalgia, like the military replicas or replicas of current modern-day guns that may be not be extremely accurate, but they have a fast rate of fire, or operate the same exact way as a real firearm, and are of interest for that reason. I am currently testing an air pistol that is so impressive in how it is made compared to its “real gun” template that I may buy the real handgun due to how well the air pistol feels in my hand and how it operates.
Airguns nowadays come with accessories such as red dot optics, rails for lights, great scopes, and multiple magazines. Of course some are single-shot, some semi-automatic, some fully automatic, all without needing a special license to purchase or a background check run. Ammunition is far less expensive, and therefore a lot more shooting can be done with far less money! Additionally, while some airguns can be pricey, they are often considerably cheaper than a modern-day firearm may be.
It should be noted that airguns aren't toys. They should be treated just like regular firearms. The same safety rules apply to ALL guns, air powered or not. Safety should be a habit for everyone. This is particularly true with automatic airguns and realistic look-alike guns, as those less trained or kids curious about what they are looking at should be closely supervised, airgun or not.
If you are reading this and have not taken a serious look at airguns, you are missing out and will be highly surprised at what is available from a variety of manufactures for every need or desire. Do yourself a favor and check my archives, or better yet, go to your local gun shop and take a look. You won’t be disappointed.
