If you have been searching for an airgun even for a short period of time you have probably realized that there are basically three different types, pneumatic, spring piston and co2. Each has different abilities and pros and cons. Keep reading to decide which is the best for you.
The pneumatic airgun uses compressed air to propel the bb or pellet out of the barrel. There are a few different ways to compress the air depending on which type of pneumatic. Probably the favorite among pneumatic enthusiasts is the multi-stroke also known as a pump-up. It is a pretty simple process. Typically the gun will need between 5 and 15 pumps to compress the small amount of air that is needed to achieve the internal pressure used to propel the pellet out of the gun.
Some people think that they will get more power if they pump the lever more than the manufacturer’s instructions, but that is rarely the case. The pros of the pneumatic airgun are that they are lightweight, easy to handle and have virtually no recoil and they have moderate power. The downside to the pneumatic is the time required to fire a shot due the need to pump the lever several times. If a second shot is needed you can pretty much forget about it before your prey gets away.
The spring airgun also referred to as the spring-piston is a little more complicated in how it works but it takes less time to get a shot of. They are also the easiest to maintain and operate. The way this gun works is pretty simple. To cock the gun the shooter holds the barrel in one hand while having a firm hold on the stock with the other hand. The shooter then “breaks” the gun in half at the breech of the gun. This simple action moves the piston back and compresses a very sturdy spring behind the piston. The sear of the trigger actually holds all of this in place until adequate pressure is placed on the trigger which causes the gun to fire.
Last but not least you’ve got the co2. This airgun is increasing in popularity each year. As stated in the name this gun is powered by co2 which is compressed into a small cartridge. Co2 guns are some of the most accurate on the market but if you didn’t know any better you might disagree. For these guns to be accurate the co2 must be at room temperature. Many people to follow the directions of letting the cartridge acclimate to room temperature and end up being very inaccurate. With a little knowledge and practice this airgun is the favorite among many enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
