Page 4 of 18 - Air Rifles

An air rifle shoots or propels projectiles using compressed air. The best way to figure out which air rifle (sometimes spelled airrifle or air rifel) is right for you, consider what type of shooting you'll be doing. So check them out and consider your needs then go ahead and take home one or more air rifles -- could be the best air rifle purchase you've made to date! Here are the basic types of rifles:

• Pump: Single-stroke or multi-pump air rifles use an integrated pump to fill the air chamber that pushes the projectile through the barrel and out to the target.
• Spring Piston: A spring is compressed, and an air chamber fills when the gun is cocked. When the trigger is pulled, the spring pushes a piston that forces the air through the barrel, hurling the pellet toward the target.
• Gas Piston: A chamber of gas (often nitrogen) is compressed upon cocking rather than a spring, which is released with the trigger pull to push the piston.
• PCP: Pre-charged pneumatic air rifles have a bottle of compressed air (around 3000psi or more) that attaches to the trigger mechanism. A valve releases some of the compressed air which is funneled into the barrel to propel the projectile.
• CO2: Carbon dioxide is compressed into a cylinder that is loaded into the gun so the trigger can actuate a valve to release a small amount of CO2 to propel the projectile.

Choosing the right product can be stressful. Not sure what type of rifle you need? Check out our comprehensive guide to buying an air gun.