Products, manufacturers, and retailers selling air guns are the focus of this part of our web guide.
Air guns differ from firearms in that they use compressed air or gas to propel projectiles, whereas firearms use the combustion of gunpowder or other propellants to achieve the same effect.
Air guns are generally viewed as less powerful and are often subject to less stringent laws and regulations than firearms.
Using energy from compressed air or other gases to propel and accelerate projectiles, air guns include BB guns, pellet guns, dart guns, and others. They may be spring-powered, gas piston, precharged pneumatic, variable, or CO2-powered.
With spring-powered (spring-piston) air guns, the barrel is hinged and breaks open for loading a pellet. Cocking the barrel compresses a spring that propels the pellet when released. Underlever and sidelever guns have a separate lever for cocking, allowing for more stability.
Gas piston (gas ram) air guns use a gas-filled cylinder rather than a spring, and provide smoother cocking and shooting, with less vibration than the spring-powered air gun.
Pneumatic air guns may be pre-charged or pump-action. Pre-charged guns use a reservoir of compressed air and require refilling with a hand pump, air tank, or compressor. Pump-action (single or multi-stroke) guns use air pumped into a chamber, with more pumps increasing the power of the discharge.
CO2-powered air guns use CO2 cartridges, and are popular for their convenience and ease of use. They offer consistent power for multiple shots.
Variable pump air guns allow the shooter to vary the number of pumps, with more pumps increasing the power and velocity of the pellet.
BB guns typically shoot spherical metal balls, known as BBs. They are often used for target practice and plinking, and several different types of guns will accept BB ammunition.
Air guns come in both long gun (air rifle) and handgun (air pistol) forms. Most propel metallic projectiles that are either in pellet or spherical (BB) form, although some use slugs, which are shaped more like a bullet used in a firearm.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, air dart guns were popular because the ammunition could be reused. Less common today, several types of darts are made to be used in air guns, which are commonly known as dart guns. They may also be known as tranquilizer guns, as darts are often used with tranquilizer compounds by animal specialists.
Some modern air guns are designed to propel arrows, and are known as arrow guns or airbows.
Historically, air guns have been used in warfare and to hunt big game, although today, they are generally used for hunting small to medium game, pest control, recreational shooting (plinking), and competitive sports.
The equipment, accessories, and supplies used in air guns include the gun itself, which can be a rifle or pistol. Compressors might be used to fill PCP air rifles and pistols. Accessories might include scopes, sights, CO2 cartridges, pellets, BBs, holsters, cases, ammo bags, cleaning kits, bipods or tripods, and laser sights.
Other supplies that could be used with air guns include targets and traps, maintenance supplies, replacement parts, magazines, speedloaders, or safety gear.
Manufacturers and retailers offering air guns and air gun accessories or supplies are appropriate resources for this category.
Recommended Resources
Carrying a huge selection of airguns from main manufacturers, including Air Arms, BSA, Daystate, Weihrauch, FX Air Guns, Crosman, Gamo, Kral, Sig Sauer, and others, AirGun Centre is in Rayleigh, Essex, England. Directions, hours of operation, contacts, and an online product catalog are available, with details about each, available accessories, and prices. New and second-hand rifles are available, along with pistols, spare magazines, scopes, optics, night vision, and accessories.
https://www.theairguncentre.com/
Opened in 2002, Airgun Depot is an online retailer headquartered in a 10,000-square-foot facility in Draper, Utah, with an alternate warehouse in Ohio. Its catalog features several types and models of air rifles, air pistols, BB and pellet guns, ammo, accessories, and special offers. Its website also features informational articles, guides, videos, and reviews. Dealer and affiliate programs are highlighted, and policy statements and contact data are included.
https://www.airgundepot.com/
Based in the Netherlands, the store specializes in outdoor and airgun equipment. Its location, hours of operation, and contacts are published on the website, and its products are also available online. The store carries air rifles, air pistols, ammunition, scopes, optics, cases, accessories, maintenance supplies, and parts. Manufacturer-backed warranties are available. Deactivated firearms and miniatures are also available. Shipping is available across Europe.
https://www.airgunseurope.com/
In 1882, Walter R. Benjamin designed, patented, and produced a pneumatic, .22 pump-style rifle. Over the next decades, he produced air rifles through Wissler Instrument Company and the St. Louis Rifle Company before forming the Benjamin Air Rifle Company in St. Louis in 1902. His product line expanded to include the Super CO2 pistol. In 1977, he purchased Sheridan Products to add their airgun designs to his product line. Both companies were acquired by Crosman in 1992.
https://www.benjaminairguns.com/
Crosman Corporation is a US-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of shooting sports products, with a strong reputation for its airgun design and tradition of manufacturing BB and pellet guns. However, the company produces several varieties of airgun and airsoft ammunition, CO2 Powerlet cartridges, and airsoft guns. Its online catalog is sorted into airguns, ammo, accessories, sale items, and its custom shop. Safety guidelines and owner's manuals are included.
https://www.crosman.com/
Known primarily as Daisy, Daisy Outdoor Products is a US-based airgun manufacturer known primarily for its line of BB guns. Formed in 1882 to manufacture steel windmills, the company began bundling BB-caliber air guns with each windmill purchase as a sales promotion in 1888. In 1895, the company began solely producing air guns, becoming famous for its Red Ryder rifles. Daisy also sells a line of spring-air rifles marketed under the Winchester brand. An online product catalog is featured.
https://www.daisy.com/
Gamo is a Spanish airgun manufacturer based in Barcelona. It is the largest producer of airguns in Europe and the world's largest producer of airgun pellets. Founded in 1959, the company produces airguns intended for the mass market, including air rifles, air pistols, ammunition, and optics. Its airguns are used in more than fifty countries worldwide. The company is introduced, and its online product catalog includes air rifles, PCP rifles, air pistols, ammunition, optics, and accessories.
https://gamousa.com/
TopGun-Airguns is an online retailer based in Huntington Beach, California. Its online catalog features a wide range of airguns, including brands like Air Arms, Air Force, Daystate, EdGun, FX, Hatsan, RAW Vulcan, and Zbroia, along with accessories like scopes, air tanks, compressors, pellets, and other supplies. An introduction to the company and details of its products and prices are set forth. New and pre-owned guns are available. Videos are available on its website.
https://www.topgun-airguns.com/
