Although GunsHolstersAndGear mainly covers news and reviews on firearms, air guns of all kinds are something of interest to a large number of our readers. So, I have decided to include a number of reviews and other informative articles about these kinds of guns on the site.
Air pistols and air rifles, such as the modern .22 and .25 caliber hunting guns, have become powerful options for the shooting enthusiast. No longer is the Daisy Red Rider BB gun considered state of the art. Rather, modern air guns offer a wide range of options including sound attenuators and semi-automatic capabilities.
These are not to be confused with airsoft guns. This is a completely different kind of tool with air powered projectiles. Airsoft guns can be used for training purposes in addition to fun target shooting. For a law enforcement officer or armed citizen, getting force on force training using airsoft or marking rounds can be a real eye opener on what techniques actually work in a dynamic environment.
Both air guns and airsoft guns have a place in hands of many firearms shooters. So, here on this page, I will list all of the reviews and other articles I have done on air powered guns. If you have any suggestions for new guns I should cover, please drop me a note.
Air Gun Accessory Reviews
SIG Sauer Airgun Reflex Target – I take a look at the spinning double target from SIG SAUER. This target does have its drawbacks, but it is a fun spinner to shoot with an air rifle. I would avoid it if you are shooting a 12g air gun.
SIG Sauer Airgun Quad Gallery Target – Out of all the SIG Airgun target systems I’ve tried, this one is my favorite. It does share a drawback that the other SIG targets have. However, if you understand this issue, you will be able to make an informed purchasing decision.
SIG Sauer Airgun Texas Star Spinner Target – This one left me disappointed. You’re not going to want to shoot this one with a common pistol. Beyond that, mine arrived needing to be fixed. What did the world do before JB Weld?
Air Gun Reviews
Crosman Nitro Piston – This review is of the break barrel Nitro Piston. Crosman built this fine and affordable airgun. The one I tested came with a 3-9x scope and was chambered for .22 caliber projectiles.
HatsanUSA Gladius – This is my current favorite air rifle that doesn’t break the bank. It offers a wide range of features and is deadly accurate. Read my review for the full scoop.
SIG SAUER P320 Airgun – Sadly, this gun disappointed me. While it looks like the popular P320 centerfire handgun, I found the 12g cartridges delivered inconsistent velocity and accuracy. Additionally, the magazine was tedious to load and seemed flimsy. There is a use case for it, but you should probably read my evaluation before buying.
Airsoft Guns and Accessories
CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1 Introduction – Action Sports Games introduced a very cool airsoft reproduction of the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1 sub gun at the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The unit is a select fire model with semi-automatic, three round burst and full auto rock and roll. It was the best looking new airsoft gun at the show that year.
Miscellaneous
Inevitably, there will be a product I review that does not fit into one of the normal categories. That product or products will go here.
What Is an Air Gun?
An air gun or airgun is a gun that uses energy from compressed air. They can fire a variety of projectiles including pellets, BBs or even arrows.
What Are Air Guns Good For?
Airguns are good for many uses including recreational shooting, pest control, hunting and competition. Additionally, many people use air guns as an affordable way of training with firearms when a shooting range is unavailable or too expensive.
How Powerful Is an Air Gun?
Air guns vary significantly in the amount of power they generate. Low power BB guns may produce only a few foot pounds (ft-lbs) of energy while high end hunting air rifles can generate more than 100 ft-lbs of energy.
In general, spring-powered BB guns are the least powerful. Varying types of air rifles can push a .22 or .25 caliber projectile beyond 1,500 fps.
Will a BB Gun Stop an Intruder?
No. A BB gun is unlikely to penetrate an attacker’s skin and even less likely to penetrate a body deep enough to cause significant blood loss or injury to vital organs.
Likewise, a BB gun can sting, but the pain is not enough to deter an attacker.