Air Pistols
www.adifferentcalibre.co.uk
With the great number of models plus the huge price spread in airguns today, picking one specific gun is a challenging task. It's even more difficult for someone new to air-gunning who has to learn the technology before making a choice. In the UK pistol power is regulated to below 6ftlbs. This is essentially half the power of an 'adult' air rifle. They are not suitable for hunting unless you are very close to your target.
You want to get something right away, but how do you know whether it's the right gun?
To narrow the field, you need to answer some questions:
1. Budget. Typically air pistol prices start at as low as £30 for a simple break barrel, low power pistol. These are not recommended and neither are the cheap end 'bb' pistols as they don't tend to last. Having said that, have an idea of what you are willing to spend before you even begin to look.
2. What will the pistol be used for? Competition, Close range vermin control, fun targets in the garden? This will also impact on your budget. With air pistols, you really do get what you pay for.
Different guns have different 'power sources'. Typically they are split into 4 groups, these being CO2 capsule powered, break barrel, pre-charged pneumatic or 'pump-up'.
To begin with, lets look at some break barrels.
Pros
No ongoing expenses except pellets.
Fairly easy to operate
Can have more 'power' than CO2
Generally cheaper
Cons
Some recoil
Noiser
Single shot
Heavier and longer
The Bear Grylls pistol is a great beginners gun and ideal for back garden target shooting. It doesn't have the power for any vermin control and is probably not accurate enough for competion shooters. At £99 for the complete set though it is very good value and is suitable for the younger shooter or someone new to the sport.
The other type of break barrel are similar to the Benjamin Trail NP £120. These pack more of a punch than the BG guns and are ideal for close quarter vermin control (trapped rats etc).
Again single shot, but fairly accurate and getting on for the UK legal limit of 6ftlbs of power.
CO2 powered pistols are very popular. These can be single shot (for accuracy) or multi shot rapid fire for those of us that like to play.
Pros:
No need for cocking
Semi-auto (in some cases)
More authentic look and feel (with the replicas at least).
Cons:
Ongoing cost with CO2 capsules
Some can be less accurate (semi-autos)
The single shot guns are popular with those that like accuracy and are more serious about their target shooting.
The Airforce One Trophy pistol comes in .177 or .22 and there are both multi-shot and single shot versions available. The multi shot requires a bolt to be moved each time which makes it more accurate than a semi-auto.
These are suited to the shooter that enjoys rapid fire action and are by far the most popular type of air pistol that we sell and most of our staff enjoy using these as well. Our own guns include the Umarex PX4 Storm and the Walther CP88.
Prices range from £75 for a Crosman Vigilante
In the same price range is the Crosman Iceman at £80, a bit 'plasticy' for my liking, but it does the job.
For those that like accessories on their guns there is a multitude of sights and other bits that can be added onto these.
Check out the Beretta XX-treme at £270 with a red dot sight and silencer
There are so many variations on these. Check out our website at www.adifferentcalibre.co.uk for a full list of what's available in the shop.
Pre-charge air pistols tend to be more expensive, but very much more accurate and are more for the serious target shooter.
Examples include the Brocock Grand Prix S6 at £460
Then there are the really serious Pre-charged such as the Steyr and Hammerli ranges. You can expect to pay upwards of £700 for these competition guns.
Come into our shop and have a look at the range we have available.www.diffcal.co.uk
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