Definitions of the 6 basic types of of phneumatic (air) guns
1. Pneumatic AIR RIFLE , PISTOL:
Compressed Air is used to power pneumatic air rifles, and the way the air is compressed further divides pneumatic air rifles into three categories, namely multi-stroke or pump-up, PCP, and single-stroke. Multi-stroke pneumatic air guns require you to apply two to ten strokes using the pump lever. This creates the internal pressure needed to thrust the pellet out from the barrel at a high velocity. These rifles are lightweight, compact, and do not cause much recoil. They can be used for target shooting in a short to medium range.
Pros:
Air-reservoir can be filled using the in-built air pump. No need to carry other equipment with you Low cost
Cons:
Needs to be pumped multiple times Hard to hit a moving target
The single-stroke pneumatic air rifle is a popular type of air gun and is used in many shooting competitions. To use this gun, you need to compress the air using just one stroke of the lever. Many professional shooters prefer this type of air rifle because of the low recoil and high accuracy. While this does not offer much in terms of power, it is ideal for a 10-meter shooting competition. Pros:
Good consistency Highly accurate
Cons:
Not very powerful at long range
The pneumatic PCP, also known as Pre-Charged Pneumatic, combines the best factors of the multi-stroke and single-stroke types. It allows you to set the power level, which ranges from low to high. It enables you to get a lot of shots off from a single air charge. Furthermore, it has superior accuracy and almost no recoil. To charge this type of gun, you need to attach the gun to a carbon fiber or scuba tank using a special hose that comes with a pressure gauge. This allows you to monitor the pressure as you siphon the compressed air from the tank and into the air gun. PCP air guns are versatile and can be used for general targets, 10-meter shooting, hunting, and pest control. Both multi-shot and single-shot variants of this type are available.
Pros:
High power, high accuracy Cocking effort is less. Easy to shoot a second round
Cons:
Separate charging equipment required A bit expensive
2. Spring Powered Air Rifle, Pistol
The different types of air rifles all have their advantages and disadvantages. Some airguns are powered using a metal spring These guns have a compression chamber, where there is a piston, along with a metal spring that stores mechanical energy. To operate this gun, you have to cock it, to make the piston compress the spring. The piston holds its position due to the trigger mechanism. When you press the trigger, the spring applies pressure on the piston, pushing it forward. Consequently, the pellet travels through the bore, plus out of the gun at a velocity that can reach up to 1250 feet per second. This is an inexpensive way of creating the energy needed for shooting and air rifle. Among all the types of air rifles, this one is the most instantly recognizable due to its signature break barrel action where the gun barrel snaps in two. This is done to move back the piston and compress the spring, as the trigger locks the piston in place, until the time you are ready to fire the gun. When you pull back the barrel, the pellet is locked in place and released when you pull the trigger. However, some spring powered air guns use a lever to prime the gun.
Pros:
Easy to use Inexpensive Self-contained, no need for pumping equipment Generates decent energy
Cons:
Has more recoil than the other types of air rifles Requires a lot of practice Loses power after a few years of usage
3. Gas Ram Air Rifles, Pistols
These types of air rifles have the spring working principle as the spring-piston gun, but the difference is that in place of a coiled spring, gas ram air rifles have a cylinder filled with gas. When you cock the gun, it applies more pressure to the already compressed air inside the cylinder. The compressed air is stored under tension up till the point you press the trigger. When you pull the trigger, the compressed air stored inside the cylinder expands and returns to its original volume, which applies pressure on the piston and causes it to move forward. When the piston moves forward, the air is forced into the compression chamber. Thus, the pellet gets ejected, and it travels through the barrel and exits the gun. Firing the gun once does not exhaust the compressed air, however, and it can be used multiple times. These air rifles are ideal for use in cold climates, as spring powered guns may freeze up in the cold. These guns can reach a muzzle velocity of up to 1222 feet per second.
Pros:
Long-lasting and durable Less recoil than a spring-powered air rifle Does not require frequent charging
Cons:
It is challenging to find gun parts for modifications. In the case of gas leakage, the gun stops working.
4. Spring Piston Air Rifles, Pistols
These are among the most common types of air rifles you will find in the market. These air rifles are easy to operate and maintain, and for this reason, spring-piston air rifles are extremely popular. Some of these guns have the break-barrel action where you have to cock the gun by breaking the barrel in half while holding the stock. This way, the piston moves backward and compresses the spring. The sear of the trigger keeps the entire mechanism under tension. Pulling the trigger causes the sear to release the piston, and quickly moves forward due to the energy supplies by the spring. This applies massive air pressure on the pellet, and it passes through the barrel and exits the gun with a velocity that can reach up to 1000 feet per second. These guns are preferred by hunters who like the steady recoil.
Pros:
Not affected by changes in temperature. It is easy to find parts for replacement. Good for beginners
Cons:
Less power than other types of air rifles A bit noisy
5. CO 2 Air Rifles, Pistols
These air rifles use a CO2 canister to create enough power so that the projectile is thrust out of the barrel. These air guns save you from the time needed for manual cocking and loading. The gas used to power the air gun either comes from a 12 g CO 2 canister, or a large tank containing CO 2. The working principle is similar to that of a PCP gun. First, the spring is compressed, and when you pull the trigger, a tiny valve gets released in the CO 2 tank inside the gun. The gas is released down the barrel, which pushes the pellet out of the gun. The CO 2 gas is stored in liquid form inside the capsule, and it is converted to gas when is released. For a 12 g capsule, you get to shoot 60 rounds, while for an 88 g capsule, you get about 220. The muzzle velocity of a CO 2 air rifle is around 600-700 feet per second.
Pros:
Delivers consistent power Fast firing rate Almost zero recoils during firing
Cons:
Due to fluctuations in temperature, shot accuracy might be affected. You need to re-supply on CO2 from time to time.CO 2 canisters do not come cheap
6. Nitro Piston Rifles, Pistols
This is a new type of air gun that follows the same principle of a spring gun, except it uses a cylinder filled with nitrogen as the power source. The nitrogen inside the cylinder is kept compressed. When you cock the gun, more pressure is applied to the nitrogen. When you pull the trigger, the air that was kept under pressure expands and the piston moves forward due to the pressure. The piston arrives at a port where compressed air is stored. Thus, the air applies huge pressure on the pellet and pushes it out of the barrel. The firing speed can reach up to 800-900 feet per second. These reliable air guns can be used for hunting or target practice.
Pros:
Lightweight and compact Significantly less recoil than a spring-piston air rifle You can leave the gun cocked for several days. Produces less noise than a spring gun
Cons:
It is hard to find a replacement nitro piston. Hard to find parts for modification
In a Nutshell Now that you know about the different air rifles types, it will be easier for you to make a decision regarding which type of rifle to buy. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, so your choice of air rifle depends on your preferences. You also need to consider for what purpose you’re going to use the rifle.
