Air Rifles

[iapetus]

Does anyone here know much about air rifles?


I was hoping to get a real rifle, but under UK law, that requires a licence, and getting a licence requires (among other things) having a sufficiently secure place to keep it in. Unfortunately, I'm currently living in rented accommodation, and I don't think my landlady will allow the modifications necessary to qualify, and at present moving house isn't practical for me. (And unfortunately, in the words of one of my fellow rifle-club members, the police won't accept "a big dog and a .357 magnum" as sufficient security).

Several of the club members have suggested I get an air rifle instead, as that would allow me to practice with my own gun until I can get a real one.

Can anyone offer any advice on what to look for in an air rifle, that would make it appropriate for target-shooting (in a similar role to a Ruger 10/22 or a Winchester), and for which the skills used would carry over well when I eventually switch to a real firearm?

 

[trueblue1776]

a steady grip and a good trigger pull goes a long way for all weapons, I would buy the pellet gun with the best trigger and highest quality barrel you can afford, in the US a pellet gun like that will run 200-500 dollars or so, just practice practice practice.

 

[Matt_W]

Does your club have any rifles on their club ticket that you can use whilst on the range? Most clubs do. Alternatively have you spoken to your club secretary about you purchasing a 10/22 or similar and having them put on the club ticket for you to use without having the need to get your own FAC?

Air rifles are good and a lot can be learnt but unless there are other airgunners in your club you might find that the lack of 'competition' will take the shine off the idea of shooting an air gun at the range.

If airgunning is your thing why not join a dedicated airgun club, the fees will be cheaper and the scope for competition and variation greater.

 

[hso]

http://www.nealjguns.com/ss_store/UsedAirRifle.html

http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/show.pl?cmd_rifles=show_menu

http://www.arld1.com/

Air rifles in Europe are much bigger than they are in the US. There are plenty of very expensive competetion grade target guns available from companies like Walther. There are plenty of great "field target" guns as well.

 

[arcticap]

From what I've heard, field target shooting is pretty popular in the UK, more so than it is here. So maybe you want a high powered springer?

Visit this page: http://www.reviewcentre.com/products9.html

There's lots of reviews and helpful information from airgun shooters about their airguns and equipment, including many from the UK.

Also, check out reviews on pellets and riflescopes where many people also include additional descriptions about their airguns and how they perform, and are listed in the sport category and under airgun shooting accessories.

They also have airgun shooting forums: http://www.reviewcentre.com/fcat48.html

 

[DaveP (UK)]

Sounds as if you have found a pretty supportive club!
f you're happy with the club contacts you currently have stick with it, but consider the possibility of joining an air rifle club as well, if competition is important to you.
I know my club has the occasional airgun comp just to add variety, and there are always some people using air rifles from choice or because they are in a similiar position to yourself.
On line UK based resources: have a look at

http://airgunbbs.com/ keep your head down, can be quite abrasive!

http://www.airgunforum.net/agf/index.php? less active but much more tolerant

Both free registration

Air rifles can be very different to firearms from a technique point of view but the importance of things like a proper stance, hold and breath control will be transferable if well learnt. And trigger control - make sure that you get something with a quality trigger 'cos nothing much works without that

 

[iapetus]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll see what I can do with it.

Matt_W

Does your club have any rifles on their club ticket that you can use whilst on the range? Most clubs do. Alternatively have you spoken to your club secretary about you purchasing a 10/22 or similar and having them put on the club ticket for you to use without having the need to get your own FAC?

The club does have rifles I can use.

The main problem is that it doesn't have sufficient security to store them on site, so I am dependent on the person who is looking after them being there at the same time I am. If they haven't come in that day, I would have to borrow someone else's rifle (which is almost always possible, but I sometimes
wonder how "polite" it is to be dependent on using other people's guns).

The other main problem with this is that I'm typically using a different rifle / sight / trigger / ammunition combination each time (all of which are calibrated for the owner), which makes it harder to refine my technique. (Although it is nice to get to experience such a variety of firearms. The converted-to-.22LR
Martini-Henry rifle is particularly nice, even if the stock is slightly too long for my liking).

Air rifles are good and a lot can be learnt but unless there are other airgunners in your club you might find that the lack of 'competition' will take the shine off the idea of shooting an air gun at the range.

If airgunning is your thing why not join a dedicated airgun club, the fees will be cheaper and the scope for competition and variation greater.

The club has two "firearms" sessions a week (where you can use air rifles if you want), and one "airgun" session as well, so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[DaveP (UK)]

Politeness.
Well if your turning up with something of your own to shoot rather than just arriving and standing there looking helpless and folorn then I dont think you need worry unduly! Other members can often remember being in your shoes and dont see it as such a big deal to say "Try this!"
It might be good form to offer to pay for ammo used though, and although most will wave it away I would certainly make sure to have a few quid in change about me. I personally would offer more forcefully if it was .22 ammo because that always has a cash cost. Reloads can be hard to assess which is why people say "Dont worry about it."
Curiosity: Are you sure its a converted Martini Henry? I know they exist but Martini actions used to be the standard for .22 match rifles, and one Martini looks much like another?

 

[iapetus]

Don't worry, I do pay for my ammo. (I normally buy a box or two of .22LR from the club, or else pay individual members if I use theirs).

The in question certainly looks like a Martini-Henry (and nothing like the Martini-action match rifle I used at another club). I am told it is a genuine used-in-the-Zulu-war antique.

 

[DaveP (UK)]

I didnt really think you didnt pay your way! just trying to address your concern (and probably overdoing it).
Jealous of the gun - I bet it looks good, and some of these sleeve down jobs can be real tack drivers!