Airguns to get us through the shortages?

[JFrame]

On a more serious note, this strikes me as a form of "settling for less." I shudder at the idea of a possible dark future in which air rifles are really common, firearms and ammo are rare, and one day someone in a legislative body somewhere says, "we need to license, limit and regulate these terrible air guns..."

I can't speak for anyone else's intentions, but I just want to make clear that I am not advocating any sort of "settling for less." As I noted, I consider air-guns to be an outstanding adjunct to powder firearms, for inexpensive practice and for those instances when discharging a powder arm just isn't feasible -- and I have felt that way for a couple of decades prior to the current "scare."


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[parsimonious_instead]

I can't speak for anyone else's intentions, but I just want to make clear that I am not advocating any sort of "settling for less." As I noted, I consider air-guns to be an outstanding adjunct to powder firearms, for inexpensive practice and for those instances when discharging a powder arm just isn't feasible -- and I have felt that way for a couple of decades prior to the current "scare."


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Fair enough. Good point.

 

[Ashcons]

I think the Benjamin 397 is a great first choice for an air rifle. My dad picked one up at a yard sale when I was a kid. I didn't care for shooting the 870 or M77 he'd bought me for hunting, but I loved shooting that old air rifle.

 

[goldie]

Ive never seen it as settling for less, just another way to enjoy shooting. And many of these higher priced german airguns, like my Weihrauch HW97k has blueing, precision rifling,& woodwork equall to if not better than some cartridge firearms..

 

[justice06rr]

Its not the same, but if you really can't find ammo anywhere then go for it.

I would get BB guns, air rifles, even paintball if you choose.

 

[BHP FAN]

I have a cheap chinese SKS trainer in .22, and a ''Winchester'' break barrel .177, both of which can break NECO candies at fifteen yards. lots of Airsoft, too. I'm 54. It's not so much to save ammo, as it is I think my neighbors would call the cops on me if I was shooting the .303 in the back yard.

 

[CowtownShooter]

I got one of these two years ago as a Christmas gift from the owner where I work. Adjustable power setings up to 1200fps(on my chrony), quiet and dime sized groups at 35 yds indoors.

http://www.airforceairguns.com/CondorSS-s/73.htm

Dont work for them even though they are made locally to me, Just a very satisfied user.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I love the air guns that pass through my hands from time to time but never really get the same experience as I do from say, even a .22. I guess that's why none of the air/gas guns have really stuck around beyond the novelty phase.

Right now it's a monster of a Mauser "Sniper" rifle from an estate sale but as it is literally the longest long gun I currently shoot - it'll be down the road too while the favorite .22s never leave.

 

[gunsandreligion]

I use a airsoft ar15 for basement plinking sometimes. Although 90% of that is for the happy mode that you cant get without class3. A hanging blanket helps keep the bbs from spreading all over.

 

[MCK0704]

That's true about full auto airsoft. It's also much cheaper than shooting a real gun, with no mess to clean up. (well, not as MUCH mess)

I just got an airsoft replica AK-47 AEG and shooting full auto is really enjoyable.

I knock down all the pop cans in semi-auto and then switch to full auto to roll them around on the ground.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

That's true about full auto airsoft. It's also much cheaper than shooting a real gun, with no mess to clean up.

Tell that to my neighbor - or more to the point, his pool cleaner. Those full-auto "stop eatin' my grass seed you damn flying RATS!" frenzies were a taxing chore for that boy.

 

[r1derbike]

I started off with an 1897 (if memory serves) lever action daisy BB gun, almost 50 years ago, and I never got over the thrill of stuffing the box target with old newspapers, firing prone from about 20 feet, and then declaring myself a hunter. I shot a rat and a few birds, and some other inanimate objects with it, but don't remember what happened to it.

Still have an 880 Daisy pump I got 36 years ago. It doesn't hold air, not worth fixing, but keep it around as it was my first pump rifle. My Gamo CFX in .177 is my most accurate springer. Gave my .22 Gamo CFX to my dad, as his old Beeman had a dirt-dauber nest in the barrel. Got it out, but the rifling and that part of the barrel is ruined. Shoots everywhere, except where it is pointed.

Man, the memories!

 

[d2wing]

I like CO2 guns over springers as they are more like shooting a powder burner.
You have to an artillery hold on springers. For closer range and quiet shooting I use a Daisy pro target single pump repeater. Great for scaled down practice.

 

[MCK0704]

I was thinking of a gun powder mess with having to clean the gun and all.

All my biodegradable pellets disappear into the grass and I never see them again.

I guess I should have said not as much mess.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Biodegradable?

That got myth-busted around here when the cats would pick them up, pooh them out, get eaten by the bulldogs (Cat pooh being naturally occurring "scoobie-snacks" to them) get poohed again and re-consumed by my scat obsessed Bullies.

And STILL those pellets wouldn't break down. Doggone things must have a 20 year half-life!