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Types of Air Guns and Their Capabilities

By Alex

If you’re a hunter who’s looking to venture amid the woods, you’d have a wide range of air guns to choose from. Each of these guns, come with a specific set features, pros, and cons. And if you’re looking to make the most out of your hunting session, it’s extremely important to gauge through the overview and the list of features. Once you’ve decided the type, you can always narrow down the options and make a final pick. So what are the different types of air guns and what are their features? Let’s find out!

Variable Pump

The variable pump air gun is a true classic. When you use this gun, you’ll find that the number of strokes is varied, and the air is consistently under high pressure. Due to these underlying conditions, as a shooter, you’ll have the advantage of shooting in variable power. The forearm of the gun will serve as a handle and you’d require no additional devices for operating the gun. If you’re an experienced hunter it’s pretty likely that you started with a variable pump. The only downside to this gun is its reloading mechanism, which can be extremely slow at times. In addition, the gun also requires a significant amount of movement. Here’s a quick overview.

Benjamin 392 Bolt Action Variable Pump Air Rifle (.22)

  • Rifles are usually short and lightweight.
  • Strokes are varied.
  • Requires the hunter to pump it at least eight to ten times.
  • Involves a great deal of movement

C02 Powered Rifles

C02 powered air guns are distinguished by their use of a C02 canister which provides them the necessary power while shooting. Although these canisters are available in various sizes, the most popular variants are the relatively smaller, around 12 grams. Here’s a quick overview of this rifle.
Crosman 1077 Repeat Air Semi-Automatic CO2 Pellet Gun Air Rifle

  • Powered by Co2 canisters.
  • Does not require you to pump them before shooting.
  • Limited in terms of power.
  • Certain environmental factors can impact its performance.
  • Canisters can be costly.

Spring Piston/Break Action

Off late, the Spring Piston rifles have been widely popular among hunters. Like the C02 powered ones, these rifles are available in several variants. One of the most common versions of the rifle is a side lever rifle that utilizes a hinged lever while leaving the barrel in a fixed position. Another equally popular variant is the cocking level. This one utilizes a rod which is held under the barrel. This rod is then pulled downwards for cocking the barrel. Here’s a quick overview of the features of spring pistons.
Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal

  • Available in different variants like the cocking lever and the side lever rifle.
  • Widely used in hunting for the high velocity they produce.
  • Long, relatively heavy and noisy.
  • Its effective range lets you hit objects 30-35 ft away.
  • Comes with an efficiency of 1000-1400 fps.
  • Requires proper practice.

Nitro Piston

This is a recent innovation rolled out by Crosman. The nitro piston rifles are relatively smaller and lightweight. Their working mechanism too is pretty simple. Here, the cocking rifle will move the piston to the rear. However, unlike other popular air gun variants, it won’t compress a spring and would rather compress nitrogen in a cylinder. When this rifle is fired, the compressed gas will propel the piston forward so that it compresses the air in its receiver right behind the projectile. Here’s a quick overview that’ll help you understand it better.
Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 1500 .177 Caliber Nitro Piston Air Rifle with Hardwood Stock Includes 3-9 X 40mm Scope

  • The gas (used as a power source) is lightweight.
  • The pistol itself is sleek and non-heavy.
  • Significant reduction in the vibration and noise.
  • Lets you cock the rifle for an extended period of time.

Pre-charged Pneumatic

In this rifle, air is usually pumped to a big reservoir in a rifle which pre-charges it. In this process, it only allows a part of the air to escape after the rifle has been used for a long period of time. Using this rifle is pretty simple and it is, therefore, a popular option for newbies. Here’s a quick overview.
Crosman Benjamin Discovery Pre-Charged Pneumatic PCP Dual Fuel .22 Cal Air Rifle

  • Reloading ammo is simple and hassle-free.
  • Doesn’t exude any noise.
  • It has been observed that only air moves when the firing takes place.
  • Doesn’t require a long receiver where the piston will move.
  • The reservoir can be pre-filled according to your preference.
  • Requires a lot of pump strokes (20-30).

Final Thoughts

Every individual air rifle fits in a specific category which has its own sets of pros and cons. So use our guideline to explore your options and make the best pick.

Filed Under: Air Gun Blog, Air Gun Usage

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