Educate me on airguns

[JohnKSa]

Any optical device will get a hammering if it's put on a springer. That said, only the manufacturer of the particular device can tell you if it will stand up to the hammering or not. If they say it will, try to get it in writing (make your inquiries by snail mail so they have to respond in kind) so they can't back out later when you send it back...

Personally, I wouldn't put anything as expensive as a night vision device on a spring-piston airgun as it's not terribly uncommon for a powerful springer to even break scopes that are rated for spring-piston airguns. Particularly since it's very unlikely that the manufacturer considered spring-piston recoil when they built their expensive, military-oriented device.

If you want a night vision device on an airgun, the best alternative is to go to a PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) that fills from a high-pressure pump or a scuba-like tank. They have virtually zero recoil and can be quite powerful. The downside is the hassle of the tank or pump, and the expense.

Some of the Russian guns are almost the exception to the "you get what you pay for" rule. They tend to be very accurate and shootable, but are very rarely pleasing in the aesthetics department. I've heard a lot of positive things about the IZH line, and if you want a shootable "bargain" they're about as close as you can get.

 

[mainmech48]

Ditto the IZH-61. Not a fire breather, but an amazing number of truly nice features in one inexpensive package. IIRC, I paid about $80 for mine. Space Gun looks take some getting used to, but you find that the form all serves function in some concrete way.

While my $30 Chinese side-cocker is really basic as to features with SKS/AK style irons, orangey mystery wood stock and a cap gun-like trigger it is amazingly accurate and not-too-shabby for power with a .177 pellet doing around 820 f/s 10 ft from the muzzle. One caveat: while a cheapie RF scope will mount on the grooved receiver and give you a better idea of the accuracy potential, it'll be toast in short order. Even moderately powerfull spring airs generate a sort of reverse recoil that'll destroy anything not specifically engineered to withstand it.

Personally, I like a side-cocker better than a barrel cocker. Probably because I shoot the Whee! out of my air rifles and they seem to hold consistent accuracy and power levels longer under extended hard use for me.

 

[Khornet]

JohnSka knows what he's talking about

I wouldn't bother with a cheapo airgun. The best airguns are the most accurate guns made, period. Without mortgaging the farm you can still get an airgun that can shoot far better than you can, and have tons of good shooting at little cost.

I would say that you should expect to spend on an airgun what you'd spend on a good firearm. After that, though, it will be much cheaper and you'll get to shoot it more. And though the guns themselves are more accurate, they require better form from the shooter since the time up the barrel is longer. So if you shoot airguns a lot, you'll shoot firearms better.

Here in my little NH town we have a weekly 10 meter air pistol match. It's amazing what those shooters can do.

Derek, I'd spring for the best airgun you can afford. You won't be sorry. Another source is Pilkington. I thing the address is www.pilkguns.com