This portion of our web guide focuses on air guns, sometimes spelled as one word: airguns.

Air guns, available in rifle and pistol styles, utilize compressed air or gas to propel projectiles. They are popular for recreational shooting, competitive events, and hunting due to their cost-effectiveness, safety, and versatility.

Unlike traditional firearms that use explosive propellants, air guns utilize spring-piston, pneumatic, or CO2 mechanisms to create the required pressure to propel the projectile.

Spring-piston air guns use a coiled spring and piston mechanism. When the spring is compressed and released, it propels the piston forward, compressing the air and driving the projectile out of the barrel.

Pneumatic air guns include single-stroke and multi-stroke guns. They use a built-in pump to compress air into a chamber, releasing the compressed air to propel the projectile.

Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns have a built-in reservoir filled with compressed air from a high-pressure tank or hand pump. They provide consistent pressure and power over multiple shots.

CO2 air guns use carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridges as a power source, offering convenience and increased ease of use, with consistent power over multiple shots.

The ammunition used in air guns is specific to the weapon.

BBs are spherical projectiles made of lead, steel, or plastic, commonly used in BB guns. They are less accurate than pellets but are popular for plinking and casual shooting.

Pellets are the most common type of ammunition used in air guns today. Typically made of lead or alloy, they come in various shapes, including wadcutter (flat nose), domed (round nose), pointed, and hollowpoint.

Slugs are heavier and more aerodynamic than pellets and are used in several high-powered air rifles for longer-range shooting and hunting.

Darts are specialized projectiles designed for target shooting and small game hunting. They feature a pointed tip and fins that offer stability in flight.

In the context of air guns, caliber refers to the diameter of the gun barrel's bore and the corresponding size of the ammunition used.

Used for target shooting and plinking, .177 caliber (4.5mm) is the most common caliber for air guns. Due to its smaller size, .177 ammo travels at higher velocities, making it ideal for target shooting, including the Olympics. It is found in BB and pellet form.

Although less common than .177 and .22 calibers, .20 caliber (5mm) ammo is still used in some air guns. It balances the high velocity of .177 caliber and the impact power of .22 caliber. .20 caliber ammo comes in pellet form.

.22 caliber (5.5mm) ammo is popular for small-game hunting and pest control because it provides increased stopping power and a larger impact area. It is available in pellet, slug, and BB form.

.30 caliber (7.62mm) ammo is used in specialized, high-powered air rifles. It provides significant energy and penetration and is suitable for big-game hunting and long-range shooting. .30 caliber ammo is available in slug and pellet form.

The first known use of an air gun was in 1580, and early air guns were used in combat and hunting. In combat, air guns were helpful because they allowed for stealth. A well-placed shot could be effective without the noise of a firearm.

During World War II, air guns were used mainly for training purposes, allowing soldiers to practice shooting skills without the expense and danger associated with live ammunition.

In the late 18th century, the Austrian army used the Girandoni air rifle, which could fire multiple shots without reloading.

Air guns may also be used in simulated combat scenarios. Using air guns, soldiers can learn tactics and shooting techniques without the risks of firearms.

For many of us, a BB gun was the first gun we owned that could be used to shoot something. I grew up in a rural area in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, so I was seven or eight years old when I got a BB gun, and about twelve when I got a .22 caliber rifle that was a firearm. That was a long time ago.

Today, kids are less likely to receive a BB gun for Christmas, and firearms add another several degrees of complexity.

Legislation related to air guns varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In the United States, air guns are not classified as firearms under federal law, but individual states or cities may have their own regulations. Typical regulations include age restrictions, restrictions on their use in public places, and restrictions on the power and caliber of air guns.

The United Kingdom regulates air guns as firearms, requiring certificates for those exceeding a certain power threshold. Minors are restricted from possessing air guns. Other countries have similar laws, often requiring licenses or permits for high-powered air guns and limiting their use in urban areas.

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