Practice with An Airgun (870-related)

[chrisb507]

I purchased my first 870 a few months ago. While I’ve made it out for several games of wobble trap and have a few hundred rounds through it, I’m looking for an even cheaper, easier way to practice mounting, firing, etc. (Of course, Dave McCracken’s BA/UU/R is a mantra I’m working toward.) I’ve seen some folks recommend a BB gun. I’d like to find an airgun with a similar stock/LOP to the 870 to do some plinking.

Can anyone recommended an airgun that’s similar enough to an 870 to warrant a purchase? Any recommendations on BB gun that’s worth it for SG practice?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Bud Tugly]

No idea about which air-gun to buy, but I first learned to shoot with a BB gun. It was an old Daisy lever action and the front sight had been knocked off years before.

I shot many thousands of BB's out of that thing, and the lack of sights taught me to point at a target rather than aiming at it. I'm convinced it helped my shooting accuracy when I finally scraped up enough money from my paper route to buy my first shotgun a few years later.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

I shoot pump air guns in the backyard for practice.



It also gives me some exercise!

 

[chrisb507]

That's what I keep hearing/reading...airguns give you a great skill base! Any thoughts on which one is best to "build up" to an 870 Express?

Should I just go out and get a Red Rider and risk shooting my eye out?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Nope, all I know is their so light that its hard to hold them still. Hitting a 1" target from 10yrds has become routing with a pistol and 1' at 30 yards with an air rifle is doable but much harder than with a centerfire gun.


Train with something crappy, and when you step up to the real thing its all gravy.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

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[RaisedByWolves]

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[RaisedByWolves]

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[Two Cold Soakers]

I got the regular Crossman pnuematic (735?) at the local department store and took off the rear sight. It had an adult-ish sized stock. Pumped it up 2-3 times.

The secret to improvement was, like Brister outlines, to look at the target, only the target and let the bb fly to where my eye was pointed. Also, to learn, by repetition, a consistent gun mount.