Good air rifle: rating, review of the best, selection tips and reviews

April 23, 2020
Weapons and ammunition
Ivan Gresko

Small arms are quite popular among experienced shooters and beginners in this matter. Many of them are interested in which air rifles are the best. The fact is that the range of such weapons is very wide. A novice shooter (and even an experienced hunter) sometimes does not know what to choose. Often, owners of pneumatics later regret their purchase.

To prevent this from happening, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the power, caliber, weight and method of loading the weapon. The rating of the best air rifles, based on user reviews, is presented in this article.

Caliber

Perhaps you are wondering which air gun is best for recreational shooting? In this case, we can recommend a rifle unit with the smallest caliber - 4.5 mm. According to reviews, such weapons products are the most popular. In addition, the price of such pneumatics is relatively low.

How to choose an air rifle for hunting without a license

Important criteria:

manufacturer;
power;
shot range;
caliber;
appearance;
weight;
price;
type of construction.

Spring-piston type design

It is in wide demand due to its low cost, ease of use and availability. In the design, the cylinder piston moves thanks to an elastic metal spring. The shot is fired by compressed air pumped when the trigger is pressed. Disadvantages of the design include large dimensions and mandatory reloading of the barrel after each shot.

Gas-cylinder version

Cylinders filled with carbon dioxide are responsible for the functioning of the structure. The advantages of the gas-cylinder version include fast reloading of the nutrient element, the ability to install a 9 mm caliber and low energy, thanks to which the weapon is sold without registration. But after installing the cylinder in the pneumatic, the gas gradually begins to evaporate, so after a while the element will have to be replaced.

Attention! To avoid unnecessary loss of gas, it is recommended to install the cylinders before shooting.

With PCP pre-pumping

PCP pre-inflated air rifles are equipped with special containers containing compressed air. During the shot, the reservoir opens, after which a stream of oxygen under pressure pushes the bullet. The advantage of this design is the large number of shots without reloading. If the tank is completely filled with air, then the pressure is enough for a long hunt. Due to the weak sound of the shot, the rifle does not attract attention. However, before use, you should acquire special equipment and replenish your air supply in a timely manner.

Compression type

Compression-type pneumatic weapons are not in wide demand for hunting. The design is equipped with a special container and a non-removable hand pump, thanks to which air is pumped. The oxygen supply is only enough for one shot. If necessary, you can find a model in which the air flow will provide 10-12 shots. This option is characterized by high power and durability.

Caliber

Air rifles are also distinguished by muzzle energy and barrel caliber:

9 mm - used for hunting ungulates and other large animals.
6.35 mm - intended for small animals.
5.5 mm - the muzzle energy in the caliber is 7.5 J. This option is characterized by high destructive power, accuracy and accurate shooting range, so it is ideal for hunting birds or hares. There is no recoil at all.
4.5 mm - a caliber with a muzzle energy (ME) of 7.5 J is designed for shooting small game.

Weight

Which pneumatics is better to choose so that its operation does not cause discomfort? Experts say that weapons with low mass will vibrate strongly when fired. Many beginners find it difficult to get used to this inconvenience. The greater the mass of the “air”, the weaker the vibration.

However, carrying a heavy weapon is tiring, so it is better not to take such a rifle on long marches. But it is ideal for shooting at a shooting range. When hunting, experts advise taking a good air rifle with little weight. You need to get used to its vibration. Then she won't interfere much.

Ease of use

There are many other considerations in this category such as weight, type of gas prop or action, number of shots, reloading, etc. Most of these are more important if you are going hunting rather than just walking around the yard unless you have really great property. Or if you still don't want to put in a lot of effort, you should think about these good ideas because the easier something is to use, the more likely you are to use it and improve your skills.

If you're going to be wearing it all day, you might not want anything too heavy, and if you're going to be going out all day, you probably won't want to pump it up by hand every time. Even more annoying is trying to transport air tanks to fill them, and spring pistons can beat their gas counterparts. However, there are options where the gas is in a cartridge, and when it can be emptied, a new one can be put in its place.

Charging method

According to experts, the ideal option for entertainment and sport shooting would be a good air rifle, the reloading of which is done by breaking the barrel. Such weapons are considered the simplest and most convenient to use.

For hunting, it is more advisable to acquire a multi-charger. Then, in case of a miss, you can continue shooting without recharging. A list of the best air rifles is presented below.

service

This is an important factor to consider when choosing the best hunting air rifle because not holding your gun is never an option. Some pistols are lighter than others, and others, although lightweight, will require more maintenance than other rifles with more complex maintenance needs.

None of this should reflect poorly on the rifle you choose due to an easy to maintain gun that requires more regular maintenance compared to a simple maintenance gun that doesn't offer better accuracy and ease of use when hunting. You must decide how much effort you are willing to put in to get results, as a poorly maintained gun will not perform well anyway.

Beeman Longhorn

This weapon occupies tenth place in the ranking. Judging by the reviews from owners, this is a pretty good break-type air rifle. Its caliber is 4.5 mm. The weapon is reliable, easy to use, has a very powerful spring and a long service life. The 468mm rifled barrel is made of high quality steel. This weapon is effective when fired at long distances. A bullet fired from a barrel travels a distance of 330 meters per second.

The stock is made of high-quality polymer materials, thanks to which the rifle is resistant to humidity and low temperatures. It is worth noting that this model is considered universal, since it is convenient to use for both right-handers and left-handers.

The design includes an automatic safety, which must be removed each time before shooting. The rifle is equipped with optics. The only downside of the Beeman Longhorn is that the bolt of this weapon is quite stiff. The price is 9 thousand rubles.

Crosman F-4 NP

This nitro piston shooting unit is recommended for beginners. It is worth noting that the nitrogen with which the piston is filled each time before firing is no weaker than a coiled spring. The weapon is American-made, has a 470-mm breakable barrel and weighs 2.9 kg.

This is also a very good air rifle. It can remain cocked for a long time. According to reviews from owners, this does not affect the speed of the projectile at all. This model has reduced recoil when firing, low vibration and noise reduced by 30%. The stock is made of plastic. The design features a classic dovetail mechanism, making it convenient to install optics on the rifle.

The maximum energy of the Crosman F-4 NP is 23.9 J. The projectile speed is 365 m/s. This rifle is in ninth place in the ranking. You can become the owner of this rifle unit for 9 thousand rubles.

Hatsan Striker Edge

If you want to purchase the best air rifle for hunting without a license, choose this model. With its help you can catch small fur-bearing animals and birds. The caliber of the Hatsan Striker Edge is 4.5 mm. The weapon is suitable for beginners for shooting at a shooting range. It is characterized by good accuracy and long service life.

The fired projectile flies at a speed of 305 m/s. The muzzle energy indicator is 7.5 J. The disadvantage of this weapon is that its cuff and spring often break. Owners of this rifle often have to replace these elements. This may be why the model ranks eighth in the ranking.

Some owners in reviews report that they often have to tighten screws that become loose due to recoil. Before use, the inner surface of the barrel must be cleaned of factory grease. When shooting, you can notice the diesel effect. This is explained by the fact that the manufacturer treats the cuffs with special canned oil. In reviews, users note that the above effect disappears after a couple of days. Many experts say that the Hatsan Striker Edge is one of the best air rifles. You can purchase it without a license without fear of problems with law enforcement agencies. The rifle costs 8 thousand rubles.

Pneumatic power and the need for a license

The need to obtain an appropriate permit to use an air rifle for hunting purposes directly depends on the power of the weapon and the caliber of the barrel.

Thus, air rifles with a power of up to 3 J can be purchased without any restrictions, since they cannot be considered a full-fledged weapon.

An air rifle and pistols with a power from 3 to 7.5 J and a barrel caliber of up to 4.5 mm can be purchased by anyone over 18 years of age. You don’t need special permission to purchase, just confirm your age.

If the power of a pneumatic weapon is more than 7.5 J, and the caliber exceeds 4.5 mm, then obtaining the appropriate permit is mandatory.

How to determine power?

Many manufacturers indicate the value directly. Others indicate the muzzle velocity instead of power. You should know that:

the letter F denotes low-power air rifles, the power rating of which ranges from 3 to 7.5 J.
letter J - from 7.5 to 16.3 J.
letters FAC - over 16.3 J.

Crosman Fury NP

In this 4.5 mm caliber spring-piston blowgun, the manufacturer installed a gas rather than a classic metal spring. Thanks to this design solution, the speed of the fired projectile was 365 m/s. It is worth noting that in the Makarov combat pistol this figure is slightly lower. A bullet fired from the rifle in question can travel 320 meters per second.

Crosman Fury NP has a pistol grip made of high quality rubberized plastic. The butt and fore-end are made of the same material. All other parts are made of reliable steel alloys. Since this weapon has a corrugated surface, it does not slip during use. A plastic muzzle is installed on the rifled barrel, thanks to which the “air” has increased combat accuracy.

This rifle uses a manual safety lever. The trigger is adjustable. According to reviews, this shooting unit is convenient to use in poor lighting.

The disadvantage of the rifle is that it is almost impossible to find spare parts for it if necessary. Some owners report in their reviews that cocking a weapon is very difficult to do without physical effort. In addition, the mounting bolts need to be tightened regularly. In the ranking, wind weapons take seventh place. The cost is 9 thousand rubles.

Hatsan 125 Magnum

This shooting model, developed by Turkish gunsmiths, is given sixth place in the ranking. The rifle is a spring-piston type, has a decent firing range (150 m), looks quite stylish, and has a long service life. Weight is 3.6 kg.

This shooting model can be recommended for hunting, training and entertainment. It is equipped with an optical sight, which can be easily installed on the “aircraft” using a standard mount. With such a scope it is easier to hunt small game.

The owners note that the Hatsan 125 Magnum can be disassembled quite easily and without special tools. Industrial grease must be removed before use. Otherwise, the spring and cuff may be damaged. In this shooting model, it is possible to replace the base spring with a gas spring.

In Russia, the Hatsan 125 Magnum with an adjustable trigger and automatic safety is considered the most powerful pneumatic gun, the purchase of which requires a permit. The disadvantage of the model is its significant mass and rather strong recoil. The price is 16 thousand rubles.

Ekol Ultimate

This spring-piston pneumatics is another development of Turkish engineers. Fires 4.5 and 6.35 mm shells. The weapon has an ergonomic stock made of plastic and special polymer materials. The “vozdushka” is equipped with a rubberized butt pad, thanks to which recoil is almost not felt when firing.

There are special cutouts on the sides of the butt, making the rifle comfortable to hold in your hands. You can take it hunting because it weighs only 2.6 kg. The speed of the fired bullet is 380 m/s. The product is easy to cock and has no recoil. It is worth noting that this model has a muzzle guard. It is needed to reduce noise when shooting and increase combat accuracy. With this element, the total length of the Ekol Ultimate is 115.5 cm. The manufacturer installed a metal front sight on the muzzle.

According to reviews from owners, this shooting model has one drawback - the trigger is located near the automatic safety. Because of this, you have to shoot and release the weapon with one finger. Despite this inconvenience, the rifle is very popular, and occupies fifth position in the ranking. You can become the owner of Ekol Ultimate for 15 thousand rubles.

Popular models of air rifles

Crosman Inferno

This model from the American manufacturer Crosman belongs to spring-piston pneumatics.

Crosman Inferno is small in size. Its total length is 1045 mm, and the barrel length is 426 mm. This rifle weighs about 2 kg. It should also be noted the high recoil force when fired. The charge is carried out by breaking the barrel, which brings the gas spring into position. But at the same time, the rifle is automatically put on safety, which eliminates the risk of an accidental shot. The caliber of the rifle is 4.5 mm and fires lead bullets. The bullet's flight speed is 190 m/s.

The rifle barrel is made of steel, and the butt is made of matte plastic, which will prevent slipping during use. This rifle model is equally suitable for right-handers and left-handers. There is a rubber pad on the back of the stock that reduces recoil by absorbing some of it.

There is a dovetail rail that will allow you to use the rifle with sighting optics. The front sight has a fiberglass thread, due to this you can hunt in the dark, because it will make it easier to center on the target.

The average price is 6,000 rubles.

air rifle Crosman Inferno

Advantages:

Suitable for beginners;
Optimal weight;
Rifled barrel type;
Comfortable stock;
Suitable for left-handed and right-handed people.

Flaws:

Reload after each shot;
Low bullet speed.

Crosman Vintage NP R8-30021

This model from Crosman will appeal to lovers of classic design. It has a steel barrel and a butt made of natural wood. This combination of materials gives the weapon elegance and style.

The length of the rifle is 1140 mm, where 430 mm is the barrel length. The bullet's flight speed is 365 m/s, and the muzzle energy reaches 7.5 J. The weight of the weapon is 3.1 kg. Caliber – 4.5 mm. Nitrogen is pumped into the rifle's piston, which creates a smooth shot. The Crosman Vintage has a gas spring installed, which reduces recoil when firing and thanks to this you can install an optical sight.

The rifle is charged by breaking the barrel. The barrel can remain in this position for a long time; this does not affect its performance. It is also worth noting that the Crosman Vintage model has a Center Point optical sight with four times zoom. The sight has individual settings that do not get lost during long-term use. Using the scope you can shoot at a distance of up to 70 meters. For close-range shooting, there is a special TruGlo device where you can adjust the bar and front sight. And the presence of fiber-optic threads makes the sight accurate.

Such a weapon is suitable for hunting small game and rodents, and is also used in sports and recreational shooting.

The average price is 11,500 rubles.

air rifle Crosman Vintage NP R8-30021

Advantages:

Classic design;
Does not create much noise when fired;
There is an optical sight;
High bullet speed;
There is TruGlo.

Flaws:

The fuse is not automatic.

Hatsan Torpedo 150 MW

This model of a spring-piston rifle from a Turkish manufacturer will appeal to fans of high-quality pneumatics. The rifle is black and brown in color. The body is made of durable plastic, resistant to external damage and stylized as wood. The barrel is made of weapon steel and covered with bluing. This provides protection from moisture and other adverse environmental factors. The rifle combines reliability, efficiency, durability and elegance.

This model of rifle is cocked not by breaking the barrel, but by using a lever. Bullets of 4.5 mm caliber are used. The spring mechanism creates energy with a power of 7.5 J and provides a bullet speed of up to 380 m/s.

The rifle has a shock absorption system, which will prevent rapid wear of parts and allow you to use the weapon for many years. There is a mechanism for adjusting the trigger, which will avoid accidental shots. There is also a TruGlo sight with fiber optic threads. Thanks to this, the target range in conditions of poor visibility is 60 meters.

For ease of aiming, there is a cheek pad on the butt. And to reduce recoil, there is a Triopad butt pad made of special rubber. You can also additionally install an optical sight; there is a special rail for this.

The length of the rifle is 1210 mm, of which 430 mm. makes up the trunk. Weight is 4.3 kg.

The average price is 20,000 rubles.

air rifle Hatsan Torpedo 150 MW

Advantages:

The charge is carried out by a lever;
Possibility to install an optical sight;
High bullet speed;
Availability of automatic and mechanical fuse;
Adjustable trigger mechanism.

Flaws:

Hatsan Flash

The Hatsan Flash is classified as a pre-pumped (PCP) rifle. A 163 cc non-removable aluminum tank is used. see, and for the possibility of constant monitoring a pressure gauge is provided. A full charge of the tank is enough for 100 shots.

Safety in the event of a fall or impact of the rifle is ensured by an explosion protection system. You can load the rifle using a magazine or using an adapter with one bullet at a time. The kit includes 2 magazines, designed for 14 bullets of 4.5 mm caliber. It is possible to adjust the length and force of the trigger. There is a non-automatic safety above the trigger guard. It is also worth noting that the barrel allows the installation of a muffler.

This model does not have sighting devices; during manufacturing, emphasis was placed only on installing an optical sight.

The bullet's flight speed is 170 m/s, but after amplification it can reach speeds of up to 325 m/s.

The body of the Hatsan Flash is made of black plastic and has a steel rifled barrel. There are notches on the handle that are designed to improve grip. The total length of the rifle is 915 mm, and the barrel length is 450 mm. It is light in weight because... made of lightweight materials.

The average price is 24,000 rubles.

air rifle Hatsan Flash

Advantages:

Light weight;
Fully adjustable release;
One charge of the tank is enough for 100 shots;
Availability of an explosion protection system;
Bolt platoon.

Flaws:

Without enhancement, the bullet has a low flight speed.

Ataman ML15 Bullpup 5.5

Ataman ML15 is a modern rifle that will make its owner stand out from the crowd.

This model has become more compact due to the location of the trigger in front of the striking mechanism. Thus, it was possible to reduce the length of the rifle. The total length is 800 mm and the barrel length is 605 mm. Weight is 3.2 kg. The ML15 stock is made of wood. The magazine holds 8 rounds of 6.35 mm caliber.

The compressed air tank has a volume of 250 cubic meters. see, it is enough for 150 shots. A pressure gauge for monitoring pressure is located on the rifle stock. Now you don't need to turn the rifle to control it. It is possible to install an optical or collimator sight.

The bullet's flight speed is 300 m/s.

If proper care is taken, the rifle will last for many years, even with daily shooting.

The average price is 50,000 rubles.

air rifle Ataman ML15 Bullpup 5.5

Advantages:

Compact size;
Little recoil;
Convenient recharging;
Trigger lock.

Flaws:

High price;
Unusual center of gravity;
Trigger sensitivity has been reduced.

Kral Temp

This model from a Turkish manufacturer is known in the world under the name Kral Puncher, but in the Russian Federation it is certified as Kral Temp. Appearance - in a classic style. The compressed air reservoir is located under the rifle barrel and has a volume of 280 cc. see this is enough for 60 shots. The speed of the shots is 380 m/s.

The magazine holds 14 rounds of 4.5 mm caliber. The set includes 2 magazines. Cocking is carried out using a bolt. The trigger is adjustable. It is possible to change the stroke and trigger force. You can also adjust the pressure force to suit your desires and needs.

The stock is made of Turkish walnut and has a varnish coating. Which makes the appearance of the rifle very presentable. Metal parts are covered with blued coating, which will protect them from external factors. The stock has a universal cheek piece that is suitable for both left-handers and right-handers. The manual safety, power regulator and pressure gauge are on the right side and are easy to reach. There is a dovetail rail for mounting an optical sight.

The overall length of the rifle is 1000 mm and the barrel length is 480 mm. This model weighs 3.2 kg.

The average price is 29,000 rubles.

air rifle Kral Temp

Advantages:

Suitable for both sport and hunting;
All rifle settings are made at the factory;
High bullet speed;
Adjustable pressure force;
Impeccable appearance.

Flaws:

Not suitable for professionals due to weak barrel threading.

SPA PR900W

This wind model is given fourth place in the rating. The caliber of the weapon is 4.5 mm. Ammunition is supplied from a magazine designed for nine shells. A durable aluminum alloy is used to make the holder. This model provides for the use of air pre-pumped into the tank. For the first thirty shots, the projectile moves at a speed of 275 m/s. The design provides an adjustable sighting device that can be set in two planes. There is also a front sight, the location of which is the muzzle. The rifle costs 15 thousand rubles.

Due to the built-in sound moderator, the noise of the shot is reduced. It is noteworthy that an optical sight is not included in the kit. However, the rifle is equipped with universal mounts, with which the owner can install the necessary optics (they will have to be purchased separately). The rifle has a push-button manual safety in its design and has high accuracy. The disadvantage of the SPA PR900W is that its sighting structures do not have fiber optics.

thoroughness

When you point out small game, the most important feature of your weapon is that it is accurate. A small game is just small. Like most animals that fall at the bottom of the food chain, their senses of smell, sight and sound are much better, and so unless you have top-secret abilities, you'll often have to shoot very wide.

A smaller target requires more user skill and precision in the tool to ensure that you have a better chance of hitting your target, because if your weapon is not accurate and fails, you will most likely scare your victim. Any other potential prize.

Another advantage of precision weapons is that they are actually more human than most other traps and weapons when used correctly. With greater precision, you can be sure that you hit the game in the exact and appropriate place, which will result in a precise and instant death.

The game you're trying to catch shouldn't be harmed, and there's a lot to be said for the quality of meat from stressed animals if your goal is to eat the prey. The worst part is that if you hit your target and don't die instantly, but the animal manages to escape with the projectile embedded in its body to suffer every day.

Magnetch N2 Extreme 1300

This weapon takes third place in the ranking. According to experts, this spring-piston pneumatic model appeared on the Russian arms market relatively recently, but quickly gained great popularity. Its caliber is 4.5 mm. Plastic stock of semi-pistol type. The handle is straight with three special finger grooves. Soft rubber is used to make the shock-absorbing butt pad.

Rifle unit with manual safety. Fiber-optic threads are provided for the rear sight and front sight. If necessary, you can adjust the rear sight in the horizontal and vertical planes. The muzzle and the front sight bracket are a single unit. Due to the very powerful spring, it is quite difficult to break the barrel for charging. This requires significant physical effort. According to reviews, this is the only drawback of this weapon. It costs 22 thousand rubles.

Hatsan Bullboss

This model of air gun has a rather original design and takes second place in the ranking. The cocking system is located near the butt, thanks to which the “air gun” has a high rate of fire. A projectile ejected from the barrel can reach a maximum speed of up to 326 m/s. Depending on the modification of the rifle, there are calibers of 4.5 mm, 5.5 and 6.35 mm.

The weapon can be equipped with any bracket for more suitable optics. The forend has a special place for placing various accessories (bipods, flashlights, etc.). Overall, the air rifle has a very solid and stylish appearance. According to the owners, this gun can be fired immediately after purchase. For this model you will have to pay 40 thousand rubles.

power

This is where the power comes. If there is not enough energy behind the pellet, it will not be able to penetrate the game to kill it. You should also consider caliber size when calculating the power needed for your hunting assignments. Many air rifles come in several caliber sizes, the size of the caliber, along with the speed, will change what you can effectively kill.

A slower .17 caliber air rifle will usually only kill small birds. You will never get the distance or ability to shoot something small and hairy like a squirrel. But you can get higher velocity .17 caliber guns that will do the job. Note that it is recommended to use .22 caliber pellets for small stuffed animals such as squirrels, groundhogs, rabbits, hares and possums, as the weight of the pellet with the right force behind it will be more likely to kill that target.

The best air rifle

The first place in the ranking is occupied by the Kral Al-145 model. This is the brainchild of Turkish engineers. Rifle caliber - 4.5 mm. The length of the rifled barrel is 58 cm. This element of the pneumatic weapon is made of pure iron. The stock is made of good quality wood. In the manufacture of stocks and shock-absorbing backs, the manufacturer uses plastic and high-quality rubber. The total length of the rifle is 105 cm. Its weight is 3.4 kg.

A bullet fired from the barrel flies 210 m in 1 second. Many owners also like this model because in case of repair it is easy to find the right part for it. This pneumatic is very comfortable and ergonomic. You can become the owner of such a gun for 38 thousand rubles.