The pellet gun or air gun is a pneumatic gun that can fire projectiles using high gas pressure or compressed air as a propellant. As per the name suggests, this gun fires pellets.

History of Pellet guns

The pellet guns are a representation of the oldest pneumatic technology that has existed since 15th century. These guns were a great advantage over the primitive firearms. These pellet guns were able to fire in wet weather and the rapidity of fire was more than the muzzle loading guns available at that time. They were quieter as compared to the other firearms present at that time. They were totally smokeless and had no muzzle flash. This helped in keeping the position of the shooter a secret.

On the other hand, black powder guns from the 18th and 19th century produced much noise and smoke when fired. Hence the pellet guns were preferred more over them.

Pellet

An air gun pellet is a non spherical projectile. They are different from the bullets that are used in firearms owing to the pressures that are encountered. Firearms require thousand atmosphere of pressure to operate whereas only 50 atmospheres of pressure is required to operate airguns.

There is sufficient pressure generated by the firearms to swage a slightly oversized bullet to fit the bore for forming a tight seal. On the other hand, the airguns require an undersized projectile that is designed in such a way that it obstructs while engaging the rifle and shooting to seal the bore.

The pellets are required to be shot from a smoothbore barrel. Therefore they are designed to be inherently stable. This is similar to the foster slugs that are used in smoothbore shotguns.

The most common design of the pellet found today is the wasp waist pellet or diabolo.

The tip of the diabolo pellets are pointed, flat, hollow or round. This is tapered to a thin waist. The pellet is hollow from the waist back and it flares out to full diameter. The solid part in front of the waist or the head is sized to fit the bore just touching the rifling. This lowers the friction as well as keeps the pellet in the centre of the bore.

Lead, which is a soft deformable material, is used to make the skirt which is thin. Other non toxic alternatives are also available that makes the use if plastic or tin. The skirt will obstruct in order to fit the bore providing a good seal when shot from the pellet gun. This engages the rifling and provides a spin.

There was been quite a large amount of controversy surrounding the air rifle, and various other type of bb guns. With people striking out at an increasing and alarming rate, some individuals have used such guns to threaten and cause panic. There have been frequent reports brought to the forefront of our news in which angry and irresponsible individuals and sometimes groups, use air guns to assault innocent bystander’s and sometimes give the illusion that their guns are real firearms.

It appears that the majority of those individuals who do use such guns for unprincipled behaviors are usually on a younger generation and male. These persons in their mid to late teens and early twenties seen to have a vendetta against the world as dictated by their choice of tools when committing such crimes. Surely many of these younger people thankfully have no access to real firearms and so choose weapons of lesser force.

Everything from drive by shooting using paintball guns, and robberies using bb guns have become all to common. Additionally it is becoming increasingly difficult for both passerby’s and law enforcement to discern the difference between real firearms and their far less then lethal counterparts. This has caused uproars in those communities affected by such criminal activity. Many law enforcement officials have been left with no other option that to treat these cases as though the perpetrators are using real firearms.

There are some who have stated this is nothing more than an overreaction to an antiterrorist mentality but those on the other side of the fence are calling for more stringent laws to better govern those who own an air rifle, or other types of air based guns. Still there are others that cry out for all guns to be banned, both those capable of deadly force and those of lesser danger. Some smaller groups oppose all of these views and would rather see no additional action taken. These individuals believe that while an object may be used to commit a crime, it is ultimately the actions of irresponsible and angry people that cause others harm.

Who’s right depends on your personal opinion though one thing is for certain. When looking to point fingers when minors are involved in such actions, it is only fair to point at parents. In some cases parents have admitted to leaving an air rifle within reach of an irresponsible and immature teenager. What’s worse is that some parents aren’t even aware that their child is having trouble or had access to weapons, even when they are the owners of such things. I think that even the most troubled kids can be better managed by giving and paying a little more attention to them and carefully observing their behavior.

• caliber: 0.177
• velocity: 625.00 ft/sec
• Warranty: One year limited warranty
• Silver Scope

Product Description
The 760 Pumpmaster with a black synthetic stock, silver barrel and silver 4x scope. This is what all the other multi-pump pneumatics want to be! In production for decades, over 10 million 760s have been sold. It shoots BBs (as a repeater) or .177 pellets (single-shot) and does so with power and accuracy. At less than 3 lbs., it's a great starter air rifle. The Pumpmaster takes up to 10 pumps to send BBs 625 fps and pellets 600 fps. The checkering on the grip and the... More >>

• caliber: 0.177
• velocity: 440.00 ft/sec
• 1911 Compact Gun, CO2

Product Description
Colt Defender BB pistol Looks & feels like the Colt Defender compact 1911 firearm Uses 12-gram CO2 cartridges (fits in the grip) Built-in 16-shot BB magazine Fixed front & rear sights All-metal construction Double-action only Accessory rail under the barrel Unique grip release to access CO2 cartridge ... ... Colt Defender CO2 BB pistol, 1911 compact, 16-shot mag...... More >>

• caliber: 0.177
• velocity: 1200.00 ft/sec
• Warranty: One year limited warranty
• Skeleton Stock & 4x32 scope!

Product Description
This new model will change the way you think about hunting with airguns. Offering 1200fps with PBA or 1000fps with standard lead, your sure to be ready for the elements. The non-removable noise dampener reduces the noise by up to 52%.Amazon.com Product Description
The GAMO Silent Cat Air Rifle with 4X32 Scope, Mounts and PBA Ammunition will change the way you think about hunting with air guns. This high-powered adult air gun is ideal for small game hunti... More >>

A CO2 BB gun is a gun that is powered with CO2 mechanism and it is used to fire ball bearings or BBs.

Most CO2 guns use a powerlet which is a disposable cylinder. It is purchased as pre-filled with 12 grams of liquid carbon dioxide. Some expensive models of this CO2 bb guns use large refillable CO2 reservoirs like the ones used in paintball markers.

The gun that is powered with carbon dioxide has following advantages over a pre charged pneumatic guns:

1. Pressure regulator is not required. There is a very little need to regulate the suitable pressure for low and moderate power air guns that is within a temperature range tolerable to humans. The pressure of the vapor does not depend on the tank size but only on the temperature till some liquid CO2 remains in the reservoir.

2. A small liquid volume converts to large pressurized gas volume which is a very simple system for storage of energy.

Thus owing to the above mentioned advantages, the guns are more simply constructed with CO2 than using a pressurized air reservoir. The reservoirs of the CO2 powered guns are fixed or detachable that is loaded with a pressurized gas from a large cylinder.

The standard 12 gram powerlet disposable cylinder that was invented by Crosman is used in most of the CO2 powered guns. A new 88 gram disposable airgun cylinder has also been introduced by the same company which can be used in some of the CO2 bb guns.

The element of cost does not rise with the PCP gun as it uses a pump combination of free air or a low cost refill from the driver's tank. On the other hand the liquefied CO2 for the gun needs to be purchased.

Unlike air guns, CO2 guns have a compact package the offers power for repeated shots. Hence there is no need for complex filling or cocking mechanisms. Repeating arms are also possible as there is an ability to store power for repeated shots.

The guns and the required ammunition are inexpensive hence they are popularly used for training. Moreover no specialized facilities are needed for safety as they are much safer to use.

In some areas where possession of firearms is banned outright or strictly controlled, these guns can still be purchased.

This system of CO2 guns has been used in the non lethal weapons for law enforcements on an experimental basis. Few examples of this is bean bags out of a launcher that is gas powered, non lethal shotgun system with lower velocities or rubber batons launched with high power delivery systems.

• caliber:  
• Warranty: 90 Day Limited Warranty
• Toy Blowgun

Product Description
The Taconic toy blowgun is engineered with the adventurous kid in mind, looking for a new and exciting target shooting challenge. The Taconic features a soft foam grip and a one way mouthpiece which prevents the suction cup safety darts from being inhaled.... More >>

• caliber: 0.177
• velocity: 525.00 ft/sec
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Unique Thumbhole Design

Product Description
The lightweight ergonomic design allows for fast deployment and reloading, with the durability to deliver years of sport shooting. Like all GAMO airguns, the recon is not a toy and young shooters should always be supervised by an adult.... More >>

• caliber: 0.177
• velocity: 360.00 ft/sec
• Warranty: 90-day limited repair warranty
• Awesome 10-meter target pistol!

Product Description
This handy Russian breakbarrel pistol will keep you shooting for hours! The light cocking effort is just the beginning of the many great features in this bargain-priced airgun.The molded plastic stock has an ambidextrous grip, so everyone can shoot it equally well. The two-stage adjustable trigger can be suited to your shooting preferences. The rear sight is adjustable, making it easier to quickly home in on your targets. The rifled steel barrel is hammer-forged and... More >>