The Best Air Rifles for Recreational Shooting

We have selected five models that are perfect for beginner shooters and for recreational shooting. They do not require a license, you can take them with you on nature trips or to teach your child how to shoot. These are reliable spring-piston rifles in 4.5 mm caliber. They shoot well and require no modifications, but most of them have great potential for improvement, and at a very affordable price. By the way, we previously wrote about how to choose an air rifle - you can read that article here. Now let's move on to a selection of the best rifles for beginners and recreational shooting!

The main purpose of sports pneumatics

Before moving on to a direct review of a particular weapon model, it is necessary to first understand what sports pneumatics generally are. To do this, you can pay attention to the purpose of the model. Many may think that such balloons are used exclusively in competitions - this is a deep misconception.

The main purpose of sports pneumatics is training shooting. To achieve this, most rifles are equipped with a Quat Trigger system, which allows you to adjust the tightness of the trigger. Beginners often jerk their hand while firing, causing the ballistic projectile to deviate from its intended course. However, if you make the trigger smoother, this will not happen. Therefore, if you see such a system in this or that rifle, you can be sure that this is a sports model.

The simplicity of the rifle is also one of the most important nuances when it comes to a sports model. Yes, such units have the possibility of modification (the presence of a sighting bar or mount for an under-barrel upgrade), however, most “body kits” are prohibited at sporting competitions. So a sports rifle should not have too many unnecessary parts, otherwise its owner will simply not be allowed to compete.

Well, don’t forget that sporting rifles are also intended for use by people of any configuration, including girls and teenagers. Based on this, another important aspect follows - the models should not be too large in size or have too much weight. Otherwise, this will affect the shooter’s accuracy. So when producing weapons, engineers must take into account that the optimal weight of the unit should not exceed 3.5 kilograms.

Device

The design of this pneumatic is very simple. The aluminum or wooden stock can be discarded immediately. The barrel is attached to the receiver, as well as a gas cylinder and a pressure gauge at its end. Inside you will find a reducer, as well as a valve that allows gas to enter a vertical channel that passes into the barrel channel.

The trigger is presented in the form of a trigger, a fuse, and a sear. On top you will also find a bolt and a bullet chamber. Sights are dioptric.

Features of sports air balloons

So, we figured out the purpose of sports weapons. Now it’s time to talk about the main features that distinguish such rifles from other models. Here are a few of the most significant:

1. Caliber. All rifles are divided into large-caliber and small-caliber. For competitions, cartridges with a diameter of 4.5 millimeters are most often used. However, if we are talking about professional sports, then this number can increase to 5.5 millimeters. However, in all cases the bullet must be lead or rubber, not steel.
2. Power. Another important aspect that judges first pay attention to when they decide to admit an athlete to competitions. The muzzle energy of his rifle should not exceed 7.5 J. At professional competitions, this figure increases to 30 J, but compared to hunting weapons this is nothing. At the same time, the rifle should not be weak, like an airsoft rifle (up to 3 J).
3. Sighting device. It would be unfair if some athletes shot with a rifle with open sights, while others used an optic. Yes, there are competitions using pneumatics with optical sights, but in most cases athletes prefer to use a diopter or a standard front sight with a rear sight. There can be no talk of any collimators or thermal imagers.

The method of cocking the trigger also deserves special mention. If sports or airsoft pneumatics have a sliding bolt or full automatic, then sports rifles can boast of having a biathlon or turning point cocking. Both of these systems are extremely inconvenient when used for purposes other than training. Therefore, if there is, for example, a biathlon platoon on one or another aerial vehicle, then its purpose is sports shooting.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of the MP-573 air rifle:

Manufacturers of sporting air rifles

It's hard to believe, but there are not many arms factories in the world that specialize in the production of exclusively sports pneumatics. Most companies try to satisfy the needs of as many people as possible, so they try to produce both sports and hunting or airsoft weapons. However, it is still possible to identify several manufacturers who primarily sell rifles that are intended for sports:

1. Baikal. Weapons from the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant have been very popular among residents of Russia and the CIS countries since time immemorial. Among the model range you can find quite a lot of rifles intended for competitions and sports. Before the collapse of the USSR, models were produced under the IZH (Izhevsk) brand, but with the entry of pneumatics into the international market, they were renamed MP (Mechanical Plant).
2. RAR. Another Russian manufacturer that mainly produces rifles for sporting competitions and target practice. The main difference between the model range and Baikal rifles is the presence of a bullpup stock with reduced weight. Thanks to this feature, rifles gain greater mobility, so they are mainly used in biathlon competitions.
3. Ataman. Yes, yes, again a Russian factory, but what can we do if our craftsmen produce truly high-quality weapons for sport? Unlike the previous two companies, the arms manufacturer is considered quite young. Its main difference is the use of fundamentally new systems in pneumatics. Engineers try not to follow general principles, but develop weapons with a unique design.
4. Crossman. An American arms company that has released hundreds of interesting models of air guns. Among the model range, about 30% are rifles intended for sporting competitions. The products are used by professional athletes from all over the world, because they are highly reliable and have excellent ergonomics.
5. Umarex. The German company does not have many rifles that can be called sports (the main production is concentrated around airsoft weapons), but if such a model appears on the market, many professional athletes begin to use it. Yes, rifles are expensive, but they also boast a pleasant appearance and unsurpassed quality.

And these are just the main manufacturers of sporting weapons. If you wish, you can find several rifles from almost every company that will perform well in shooting practice and competitions. However, the arms factories described are most popular among both amateurs and professionals.

Rating of sporting air rifles

Now it's time to find out which air rifles are the best in the world. To do this, we analyzed information from various sites, forums and stores, and then compiled a table with a rating based on the opinions of users and experts. The main criteria when arranging seats were the following nuances: value for money, ease of use of the model for sports, build quality and reliability, as well as the number of sales and popularity among people:

As you can see, in the rating you can find both budget and expensive weapons. Some models are suitable for professionals, others are intended for beginners. To take a closer look at each rifle from the top, it is recommended to thoroughly study the technical characteristics of the weapon, as well as consider some of its design features.

RAR VL-12 IBON 505

Many people believe that the RAR VL-12 is the best sporting and target shooting weapon in the world. The reason for this lies in its compactness and lightness. Despite the fact that the price of the rifle is 33 thousand rubles, it is purchased not only by professionals, but also by novice shooters. In addition to convenience and ergonomics, the model also boasts excellent technical characteristics:

As for the design features, the comfortable pistol grip, suitable for shooting by both right-handers and left-handers, deserves special mention. The bullpup stock provides good ergonomics and the ability to quickly aim, and the biathlon cocking allows you not to overexert yourself during reloading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzqApsPiRSk

Due to the fact that most of the body is made of lightweight wood, the weapon is incredibly lightweight. However, this does not mean that its service life is measured in months. Metal parts are cast from high-quality carbon steel, cold-hardened, which ensures reliability and quality.

Baikal MP-512-48

The legendary MP-512 is the most popular air rifle in Russia, as it is used by almost all educational institutions as a training weapon. Those who studied in the Soviet Union remember the IZH-22, which they had to shoot from during life safety lessons. The current generation makes do with a more modern model with the abbreviation MP. As for the number 48, this is the variety number, indicating that the rifle has a black plastic stock with blue accents. The performance characteristics of the 512th model look like this:

It is precisely due to the fact that the rifle belongs to the budget class that it has become so popular among ordinary people. For only 4,500 rubles, the owner receives a reliable weapon that will perform well in training and sports shooting. What can we say about the fact that at many regional and regional competitions MP-512 with a plastic or wooden butt are used as models for the team competition.

The rifle is also very popular because it has wide possibilities for modification. If desired, the owner can install an optical or collimator sight on the weapon, replace the standard spring with a reinforced one, or hang a laser target or flashlight under the barrel. Some even manage to take a rifle with them hunting. True, it is unlikely that you will be able to shoot anything larger than a pheasant or an adult partridge.

Ataman M2R 616/RB

But this rifle can no longer be called an amateur rifle, since its cost is almost 100 thousand rubles. This multi-charge chatter often appears on TV screens during the broadcast of the Olympic Games or other sports competitions where the Russian team is participating. The main feature of pneumatics is the pre-inflation mechanism (PCP). That is, the owner has the opportunity to “pump up” the air tank before going to the competition. As for the performance characteristics, they will very pleasantly surprise anyone:

One of the main disadvantages of the weapon is its fairly heavy weight, which is why not every athlete will be able to use the rifle. However, the model is designed for long-range shooting and has an optical sight mounted on a 22 mm rail. So the weight is calculated taking into account the body kit.

The Ataman M2R is famous for its high accuracy, as well as its convenient bolt cocking, which is practically no different from those installed on sniper rifles. Thanks to this, the model is one of the best for those competitions that involve shooting from a prone position at a target located at a distance of 100 meters or more.

Crosman CH2009S

Classic American professional sporting rifle. Despite its relatively low cost, the model is popular among professional athletes who even compete in national teams. The CH2009S model is made almost entirely of plastic, which is why it is relatively light in weight. And thanks to the presence of a telescopic butt with 10 modes for fixing the position, the rifle has good ergonomics. The technical characteristics of the “American” look like this:

As the main sighting device, the CH2009S model uses a diopter sight, which, as is known, is suitable exclusively for sports shooting. And due to the fact that the bullet speed reaches only 162 m/s, the model is not very popular among hunters or recreational shooting enthusiasts. Also a very inconvenient factor is the single-shot nature of the rifle, which is why you have to constantly reset the zeroed position during competitions.

Now about the positive aspects of weapons. First of all, it is worth mentioning the excellent ergonomics. Despite the relatively light weight (recoil is practically not felt during a shot). Also worthy of attention is the very capacious air tank, which allows you to fire up to 100 shots without pumping. Well, a nice addition to all of the above will be the presence of a sound moderator, which almost completely muffles shots.

Umarex LG 400 Expert

If people did not pay attention to the price tags, then this rifle would probably become the winner of our top, since it is much closer to the concept of “ideal sports rifle” than others. However, due to the fact that not even all professional athletes can afford the model, its rating is not even in the top three. However, you should not think that the weapon is inferior to the reviewed models in terms of technical characteristics:

The main advantage of the rifle over all reviewed models is the quality of the material. The metal parts are made of carbon steel, and the plastic has a high polymer content. The warranty on the rifle is 7 years, which is a definite reason to think about purchasing a model for those people who are not used to counting every hundred thousand rubles.

Unlike other rifles, the design of the model is fully automatic, which allows you to concentrate on firing a series of shots and not change your comfortable position. The ergonomics of the rifle are in no way inferior to its American counterpart, and the presence of a unique pistol butt makes the aiming process even more convenient. However, the high price does not allow everyone to appreciate the model, so the weapon is only in 5th place.

Upgrade

In fact, pre-pumped rifles are very easy to tune. Increased performance is achieved by replacing certain parts. For example, you can install a longer barrel with more precise processing and a diameter as close as possible to the diameter of the bullet (we are talking about hundredths and thousandths of a millimeter). However, in our case, it would be advisable to change only the gearbox, since this will not require large financial costs, but can significantly increase the power of the shot.

The gearbox can be selected from those already on sale, but pay attention to the mounting method, as there are several options. It can also be made to order, and given the shape and design, this will not be a difficult task. Our goal is to select a spare part that will increase the operating pressure from 80 atmospheres.

It's very easy to change it. One side of it is screwed into the receiver, and the gas tank is screwed onto the other side. Unscrewing the cylinder should be done as the second step. Then we just put it back together in reverse order.

This will allow you to significantly increase the power of the shot, but can cause several problems. Firstly, gas consumption will increase and the series of stable shots will be reduced. Secondly, there will be excess pressure at the exit from the barrel, which negatively affects the trajectory of the bullet.

To avoid this, it will be necessary to increase the barrel length, which in turn will cause significant costs.

Sports shooting from an air rifle

To purchase a suitable air rifle for practice shooting and competitions, you will first have to understand how sports shooting differs from amateur or hunting. Here are a few nuances that people usually pay attention to:

1. Shooter position. Unlike airsoft or hunting, the athlete is almost always at rest. Shooting is carried out from a standing, sitting or lying position. Therefore, it is important to choose a weapon with good ergonomics that will suit a person in terms of size and weight.
2. Target. As a rule, a black paper target with white lines printed on a piece of paper is used as a target in sports competitions. When hitting a certain circle, the shooter is awarded a certain number of points. Therefore, it is extremely important to buy a rifle that has high accuracy.
3. Distance to target. Unlike hunting and airsoft, the athlete always knows exactly from what distance he will have to make shots (5, 10, 20, 50 or 100 meters). Thanks to this, you can select a weapon that has the optimal sighting range, as well as the flight range of a ballistic projectile without deflection.
4. Venue of the competition. Typically, military tactical games and hunting are carried out outdoors, where weather factors have to be taken into account when shooting. However, the location of sporting events is usually announced in advance. This could be a shooting range, gym or training ground. Therefore, it is not always worth choosing the rifle that has a higher bullet speed.
5. Competition rules. A rifle with a classic optical sight is not always used as a weapon in sports competitions. Sometimes athletes are invited to participate in shooting competitions with optics or diopters. So it is worth choosing a rifle with the appropriate sighting device.

And these are just the main aspects by which you can distinguish training shooting from recreational or hunting shooting. Also, do not forget about individual preferences, since it is extremely important to choose a rifle that satisfies the requirements of not only the judges, but also the owner himself. Otherwise, you will have to put up with an inconvenient platooning method or the lack of opportunities for modernization.

Despite the fact that sport shooting is no longer popular among young people, arms factories do not stop surprising people with new models of rifles, tailored for competitions. A novice athlete can easily choose a weapon that suits his personal requirements, and also does not conflict with his financial capabilities. The most important thing is not to forget to read reviews left by real owners, and also check the ratings, so as not to purchase an unsuccessful model.

Principle of operation

When you press the trigger, the air valve opens and air from the gearbox enters the barrel, thereby pushing the bullet. The operation of this rifle really is that simple.

What does a gearbox do? It greatly limits the operating pressure. This gives a great advantage, since as long as it is less than the pressure inside the cylinder, you can shoot stably, and the force of the shot will be the same all the time. This design allows you to make a huge number of shots without loss of accuracy, whereas in direct-flow systems, when the pressure decreases, the flatness suffers greatly.