A few years ago I met Mr. Larry Piercy at a national shooting
competition in Las Vegas. It was interesting to see the competitors
relative to their styles, demeanor, and their varied backgrounds; not
everyone was a military sharpshooter or law enforcement swat team
member. In the past, the traditional hand-gun or rifle used in shooting
competition fired a bullet from a powder loaded cartridge of a specific
caliber. The primer in that cartridge ignites the gun powder and bang,
you have a bullet traveling at 600-3,000 feet per second. (In Las Vegas
which is near sea level, the speed of sound is about 1,126 feet per
second.) But, like most sports, the cost of fun can be expensive and
that applies to firearms also. But, today there are options if you want
to be "fun challenged" without using firearms; enter the realm of the
"air gun".
Recently, Mr. Piercy came through Reno on a multi-state dealer development program for Precision Airgun Distribution of Gilbert, AZ and called me to get re-acquainted. As the National Dealer Sales Manager he is totally focused on making new believers and converts as to the future of air guns. First, I learned that air guns are not an upgrade to my old Red Ryder BB gun I got for Christmas when I was 6 years old; we are talking about some very serious backyard target practice/competition rifles/varmint eradicators/ hunting rifles and pistols.
Precision AirGun has put together a very professional approach to gun aficionado-rifle and pistol. At the same time they are showing, what otherwise might be gun adverse people, a new sport. A large van has been designed to display a wide sample of their air gun products; this is inclusive of video display monitors to explain the attributes of the sport.
There are approximately 100 manufacturers of such products from around the world and Mr. Piercy estimates there are thousands of these guns on the market in the U.S. of varying performance and capability. "As a general rule, air gun rounds come is four calibers - .177, .22, .25, .30 and .45," said Piercy. "The 45 is referred to as a big bore rifle and these rifles are highly accurate to about 150 meters and they can kill a bear in the hands of a good shooter."
I do not mean to imply that air guns are a new phenomenon; they have been around for approximately 500 years and actually preceded powder firearms. In fact, some believe they are more accurate than a conventionally fired cartridge rifle. Mr. Piercy goes on to say that some competitions in fact handicap the air gun competitors because of their accuracy. Remember, with an air gun the projectile is propelled out of the rifle/pistol by compressed air; there is no smoke from gun powder or a loud noise. There isn't really traditional recoil when a pre-charged is fired.
Whether smaller bore pellets or the large bore .45 caliber style bullet/projectile, there are significant savings in cost of ammunition with these options versus conventional cartridge rounds. The most expensive round is approximately $0.16 each versus a .45 caliber conventional pistol round is $0.40 each.
There are many attributes to air guns versus conventional firearms when used for target practice, competition: (Home defense is not a primary use, although they can be used as such in a pinch.)
Like a lot of things we buy, it's the add-ons that can be a shock; air guns are no different. If I had a penchant for value to cost ratio analysis I would expect to pay approximately $300-400 for a great all around high-end air gun that delivers accuracy and firepower for most applications on my wish-list. Any of the above firing option systems for rifles or pistols (pre-charged system, spring, or single stroke) can deliver value, fun and usefulness for the individual or family outing. The scope seems to be a highly desirable option that exponentially improves the performance and thus fun for the user. A good scope, some specifically designed for these guns, can cost approximately $200. The actual model chosen may be determined by a user's ultimate plan for their pistol or rifle choice.
Any rifle or pistol is not generally an impulse buy. So check out the product on-line first, go to dealers who sell air guns and talk to them about performances and price points, test fire a few and talk to owners who own air guns. Like most everything, even air gun designs are really all about the art of compromise and as a customer you may need to compromise on some lesser important features to realize the optimum air gun experience.
Recently, Mr. Piercy came through Reno on a multi-state dealer development program for Precision Airgun Distribution of Gilbert, AZ and called me to get re-acquainted. As the National Dealer Sales Manager he is totally focused on making new believers and converts as to the future of air guns. First, I learned that air guns are not an upgrade to my old Red Ryder BB gun I got for Christmas when I was 6 years old; we are talking about some very serious backyard target practice/competition rifles/varmint eradicators/ hunting rifles and pistols.
Precision AirGun has put together a very professional approach to gun aficionado-rifle and pistol. At the same time they are showing, what otherwise might be gun adverse people, a new sport. A large van has been designed to display a wide sample of their air gun products; this is inclusive of video display monitors to explain the attributes of the sport.
There are approximately 100 manufacturers of such products from around the world and Mr. Piercy estimates there are thousands of these guns on the market in the U.S. of varying performance and capability. "As a general rule, air gun rounds come is four calibers - .177, .22, .25, .30 and .45," said Piercy. "The 45 is referred to as a big bore rifle and these rifles are highly accurate to about 150 meters and they can kill a bear in the hands of a good shooter."
I do not mean to imply that air guns are a new phenomenon; they have been around for approximately 500 years and actually preceded powder firearms. In fact, some believe they are more accurate than a conventionally fired cartridge rifle. Mr. Piercy goes on to say that some competitions in fact handicap the air gun competitors because of their accuracy. Remember, with an air gun the projectile is propelled out of the rifle/pistol by compressed air; there is no smoke from gun powder or a loud noise. There isn't really traditional recoil when a pre-charged is fired.
Whether smaller bore pellets or the large bore .45 caliber style bullet/projectile, there are significant savings in cost of ammunition with these options versus conventional cartridge rounds. The most expensive round is approximately $0.16 each versus a .45 caliber conventional pistol round is $0.40 each.
There are many attributes to air guns versus conventional firearms when used for target practice, competition: (Home defense is not a primary use, although they can be used as such in a pinch.)
- Firing the air gun is less expensive
- They are highly accurate
- No or significantly reduced noise when fired (the large bore rifle does have some noise)
- No recoil in pre-charged models except for the very large bore models that are still recognized as minimal
- Maintenance on air guns (such as cleaning) are minimal
- The rifles look similar to conventional ammunition fired rifles
- Ammunition is readily available-rounds can cost as little as $0.021 to $0.16 each
- Most states have no governmental purchasing controls
- Great way to get the family familiar with firearms
- Air guns, depending on the quality and caliber, are very accurate at 150 meter range
- Great option for hunting if long ranges are not a major consideration
- Range could be perceived as a negative if a target is beyond 150 meters
- Cost of rifle or pistol can be more expensive than a conventional firearm, but depends on quality
- Ancillary equipment adds to start-up costs which can include an air tanks to recharge the compressed air cylinder used on some rifles and pistols
- Pressure pumps-Requires multiple pump actions to fully charge
- Single stroke-One pump charges up the pneumatic chamber
- Pre-Charged system-A single charge from a tank (hand pump, scuba tank or compressor) into the rifles pressure chamber allow for multiple shots (estimated to be about 40-50)
- Spring-Piston-A spring rams a cylinder into an air chamber to generate pneumatic pressure
- CO2 gas cartridges-These cylinders of compressed CO2 have been around for many years. They are also used to carbonate water.
Like a lot of things we buy, it's the add-ons that can be a shock; air guns are no different. If I had a penchant for value to cost ratio analysis I would expect to pay approximately $300-400 for a great all around high-end air gun that delivers accuracy and firepower for most applications on my wish-list. Any of the above firing option systems for rifles or pistols (pre-charged system, spring, or single stroke) can deliver value, fun and usefulness for the individual or family outing. The scope seems to be a highly desirable option that exponentially improves the performance and thus fun for the user. A good scope, some specifically designed for these guns, can cost approximately $200. The actual model chosen may be determined by a user's ultimate plan for their pistol or rifle choice.
Any rifle or pistol is not generally an impulse buy. So check out the product on-line first, go to dealers who sell air guns and talk to them about performances and price points, test fire a few and talk to owners who own air guns. Like most everything, even air gun designs are really all about the art of compromise and as a customer you may need to compromise on some lesser important features to realize the optimum air gun experience.
