We've been giving away firearms like door prizes, and anything AR or AK is our favorite thing on Earth to talk about. So why in the world are we writing about air rifles? There are many reasons! Not only does Classic Firearms carry the top names in air rifles, we understand their versatile and important roles. For this article, we are not talking about BB guns, we are talking about real functional rifles with various air, spring, gas, and pneumatic operating systems. An air rifle is simply an essential tool for your arsenal.

WHAT ARE AIR RIFLES GOOD FOR?

TARGET SHOOTING

Well, let's get the obvious out of the way first. Target shooting is the first thing that comes to my mind when the subject of air rifles comes up. But, do you know why air rifles are great for target shooting? A good air rifle has a decent effective range, pellets are much cheaper than ammunition, pellets are abundantly available, and you can fill up both of your front pockets with a few tins of pellets and shoot them in your own backyard. No need to drive to the range or invest in range gear.

HUNTING

The correct selection of an air rifle will give you a trusted and durable hunting gun. Even when hunting with a traditional rifle, most of the small game, birds, and varmints are taken at less than 300 feet. All of those situations can be addressed with an air rifle. Best of all, air rifles have greatly reduced sound when they are fired. A lot of times, that means that if you miss, you get another shot! Just like traditional rifles, you can add a scope (some even come with one), a sling, or any other accessory that you want to optimize your shot. Just like ammo, pellets come in a variety of sizes and you can customize your hunt by the selection size of your air rifle. You can purchase pellet sizes from .177" to .50". That includes the popular .22's and .25's. For distance and trajectory, small game or varmint hunters usually select those two pellet sizes. For larger game or nuisances, the .50" is a legitimate pellet size that is capable of taking down coyote, small to medium deer, and wild hogs. Just like hunting with a traditional rifle, make sure you aim and hit a vital organ. Pellets are capable of passing through game, causing either an inhumane death or a dangerous injured animal.

PREPPING

Preppers love air rifles! Preppers get it. It is not only about stockpiling guns and ammo for your homefront protection, you have to eat too. Without shopping around for expensive and available ammunition, you can literally order your air rifle and thousands of pellets today! The rifles and the pellets are both very affordable. Preppers know that having one or several air rifles available to them will make the difference in surviving on just vegetables or surviving with necessary proteins and vegetables together.

HOME DEFENSE

I saved this topic for last on our list, largely due to my mixed opinion on the matter. I recently read an article by a couple of criminalists that stated something like when a BB or air gun was presented by the homeowner towards an intruder, it deterred 92% of them. So my initial thought is "don't bring a knife to a gunfight". I was taught that if you ever pull a gun on someone, the circumstance has risen to a dangerous threat level and you need to be prepared to take a life. I would have to agree that the majority of firearms-related incidents do not end in discharge of a firearm by either party. With that in mind, I understand the theory that an air rifle could be used as a deterrent. Well that, and the fact that a .50"' pellet would definitely be more than just an attention-getter to an intruder. In short, I neither support nor disclaim the use of an air rifle for home protection. You need to make that decision for yourself.

ARE THEY LEGAL?

By now, we have established that an air rifle is an actionable device in several situations. Some places have minimal restrictions when it comes to air rifles, other jurisdictions may have criminal law regulations. As with a lot of firearms, the legalities will vary by state. Find out what the laws regarding air rifles are in your state before making a selection. For the most part, the majority of states will allow you to own an air rifle without a permit, however, some states may actually require you to have some sort of license, especially if you intend to hunt with your air rifle. You may even have to get a hunting license in some municipalities to hunt small game. Keep in mind that if there are bag limits for certain game, those limits will still apply when using an air rifle. On the other hand, there may be no regulations at all when it comes to your personal property, farming, and varmints.

MAKING THE SELECTION

Classic Firearms has a nice selection of air rifles to fit all of your needs. We have brand names that you are all familiar with, and a few newer manufacturers that have developed some serious air rifles with the latest in technologies. I would be proud to mount any of these air rifles beside my Henry American Beauty. The difference is....I would actually use the air rifle :). I am going to give you 5 various selections to consider, but by all means, take the time to look through all of our options of air rifles. We are proud to carry them and without a doubt, you will find one that appeals to you!   1- BENJAMIN AIR RIFLES - You will not go wrong with the purchase of any of our Benjamin air rifles. These are great air rifles with a wide selection. Let me give you just one example in this line - The BENJAMIN MARAUDER-The Marauder goes lightweight with an all-weather, synthetic stock and an ambidextrous raised comb, designed to be well-balanced for carrying in the field. This powerful PCP air rifle offers all the features needed for pest hunting small to medium-sized game. The choked and internally shrouded barrel provides both precision and ultra-hushed operation, producing the most accurate and quietest rifle in its class. The two-stage, adjustable, match-grade trigger system helps to make every shot smooth and steady, while the innovative 10-round magazine (8-round in .22) allows for fast follow-up shots. With the built-in pressure gauge and quick-disconnect Foster fittings, this gun is quick and easy to fill so you can refill and return to shooting sooner. The ambidextrous bolt has been adapted for a cleaner look and to keep the action debris-free. The simplified breech design makes for ease of assembly and service while providing a more stable platform for larger scopes. Benjamin made top secret changes to the valve, resulting in a 12% power increase and a 30% increase in shot count (.22 and .177). The Marauder has a Dovetail mounting rail, sling mounts, and a factory-installed de-pinger to change the sharp "ping" to a dull thud resulting in a less-perceived noise level.

Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle

  2- GAMO WHISPER FUSION MACH 1 - It is an integrated noise and muzzle blast reducer over-molded on the barrel, making this air rifle quiet. It also features the IGT Mach 1, which replaces the standard spring powerplant with an Inert Gas Cylinder. The IGT Mach 1's monster 33mm cylinder delivers more velocity and terminal penetration, not to mention smooth and consistent cocking efforts with constant power delivered to any pellet you fire. It comes with a fiberoptic scope with 3x-9x magnification. With an overall length of 46", this air rifle weighs a very comfortable and balanced 6.61 pounds.

Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1

3- CROSMAN GF76 AK CARBINE SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL - The AK-style airsoft rifle has collapsible stock that makes it easy to maneuver in CQB scenarios and the ability to fire up to 700 rounds per minute.

Crosman GF76 AK Carbine Air Rifle

4- SIG SAUER AIRGUNS MPX MRD: The MPX by Sig Sauer is a semi-automatic CO2-powered air rifle. This MPX features an all-aluminum handguard, a 30 round magazine, flip-up front and rear sights, a 20mm Sig 20rd red dot, and an 8-inch rifled steel barrel.

Sig Sauer MPX MRD Air Gun

5- DAISY 880 POWERLINE AIR RIFLE - Daisy Manufacturing 880: The PowerLine Model 880 is Daisy's best-selling multi-pump pneumatic rifle with good reason. It features a Monte Carlo-styled, molded woodgrain stock and forearm with a rifled steel barrel, fiber optic front sight, adjustable rear sight, and a cross-bolt trigger block safety. The receiver is made of engineering resin with a dovetail scope mount. The PowerLine 880 will shoot .177 BBs and pellets with a velocity of up to 800 fps (665 fps for pellet). It has a capacity of 50 BBs or a single shot pellet.

Daisy Powerline Air Rifle

IMPORTANT PARTING SHOT: Air rifles are fun to shoot and more than capable for hunting. Air rifles can also look identical to higher-powered firearms. As a MAMA and a former Law Enforcement Officer; Parents, please keep these air rifles out of reach and deny access to children unless you are right there with them while target shooting. Armed Police Officers, as well as Armed Citizens, cannot tell the difference between an air rifle or a high-powered rifle. Anyone, regardless of age, with one of these air rifles in public, could be perceived as a threat. Shop All Air Guns
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