Rating of the best air rifles for recreational shooting in 2022

It is difficult for a person who has never dealt with weapons, even pneumatic ones, to immediately make a choice. Having decided to purchase a rifle for shooting at cans, bottles or targets for entertainment or training, you must remember: despite the fact that the air gun has a small caliber and muzzle energy, it is still a weapon and its choice must be approached responsibly.

A shot in such types of weapons occurs due to gas or compressed air. The pressure is generated using a special compressor or carbon dioxide cylinders.

For recreational and training shooting, spring-piston models are best suited. Such specimens are easy to operate, easy to learn and often inexpensive.

Interesting! The word "pneumatic" has Greek roots. "Pneuma" means "wind", "air".

A bit of history

The progenitor of pneumatics is considered to be wind pipes with a primitive design. The “barrel” reached a length of 50 centimeters, and poisoned darts were used instead of cartridges. Such weapons have become widespread among the tribes of North and South America, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia.

In some cases, the length of the product reached 2.5 meters, and sometimes a closed cylinder of a wider diameter was fixed at the end of the tube. A palm strike on the butt created pressure in the “muzzle” and the projectile flew out of it at a distance of up to one hundred meters.

A little later, the mechanic Ktesibius from Alexandria came up with the idea of ​​inserting a piston into an empty cylinder. Thanks to his invention, the world first saw a fire pump, and then catapults and crossbows. Today, similar mechanisms are used in some types of pneumatic weapons.

Leading manufacturers, rifle selection criteria

Spring-piston guns do not need to be filled with gas, which saves on the purchase of CO2 cartridges.

The most popular manufacturers whose products you should pay attention to first of all:

1. Hatsan is a Turkish company founded in 1976. The main activity of the company is aimed at the production of weapons for hunting and entertainment. The main advantage of the company is a large selection of high-quality pneumatics at affordable prices.
2. Baikal is a domestic manufacturer, constantly expanding the range of products offered.The quality of the weapons produced by the company is appreciated by shooters. In addition, it is much easier to find spare parts and components for the company's products than for foreign ones.
3. Gamo - produces less speedy, but no less powerful models.

Fact! Pneumatic weapons are intended primarily for sports and recreational shooting. However, some rifles are actively used by hunters for catching small game, such as pheasants or rabbits.

In addition to the manufacturer, experienced shooters are advised to pay attention to the following parameters:

• Caliber is one of the main characteristics. Today in gun shops you can find pneumatics in 4.5, 5.5 and 6.35 calibers. Ideal for recreational and training shooting - 4.5 mm. Among other things, such weapons are usually inexpensive.
• Weight - the comfort and accuracy of shooting depends on this parameter. But the beginner should understand that the lighter the rifle, the stronger the recoil will be when fired. A heavy gun gives less vibration, but it is difficult to carry it on the shoulder for a long time. However, when shooting with an emphasis, this option is quite suitable.
• Cost - to start training, you can purchase a cheaper model. Hunting stores offer many inexpensive, but quite high-quality rifles.
• Design - it all depends on the shooter's taste preferences: whether he needs a model similar to a real weapon or any option will do.

Attention! The sale of pneumatic weapons is possible only to adults. Shooting at an earlier age is possible only under the supervision of an instructor or parents!

Top 10 Best Rifles for Recreational and Practice Shooting

Silent Cat Air Riffle

10th place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Gamo (Spain)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	threaded
The weight:	2.4 kg.
Type of:	breaking, single shot
Price:	12 000 rubles

This spring-piston breaking rifle with a caliber of 4.5 mm. is very popular among shooters. Users note its low noise and relatively low weight.

The model is single-shot, the barrel is rifled. The kit includes a fiber optic front sight for the sight and a silencer, thanks to which noise is reduced by another 50%. However, the muffler also adds weight.

• high accuracy;
• low noise;
• does not require a permit to purchase;
• ventilated butt pad;
• no CO2 cartridges needed.

• difficult to find on sale;
• only suitable for right-handers.

Ruger Blackhawk Combo Air Rifle

9th place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Umarex (Germany)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	threaded
The weight:	4.0 kg.
Type of:	breaking, single shot
Price:	11 200 rub.

This model is an excellent option for shooting at long distances, with an optimal price-quality ratio. The rifle is suitable for both left-handers and right-handers, making it a versatile attachment.

The weapon is produced under license - a guarantee of quality from Umarex.

Despite the rather large weight, the gun is comfortable to use, and the fracture mechanism works smoothly. This means that a lot of effort when reloading is not required.

• quality assembly;
• price-quality ratio;
• light platoon;
• suitable for long distance shooting;
• ergonomic design;
• open and optical sight in the set.

• great weight.

Interesting! In carabiners with pre-pumping - PCP, air is pumped into a special cylinder. In the nineties of the last century, the owners of such weapons were jokingly nicknamed "scuba divers". Such rifles are convenient in that they can be mounted on barrels of any caliber.

Daisy Outdoor Products Red Ryder Gun

8th place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Daisy (Japan)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	smooth
The weight:	1.1 kg.
Type of:	lever, multi-charged
Price:	5 990 rubles

The legendary model, stylized as a western hard drive, has been admired by shooters around the world for decades.

Red Ryder is a classic version of a spring-piston rifle, designed primarily for beginners and young shooters, since it weighs only a kilogram.

More than affordable cost, with a good build quality, makes the gun a desirable purchase, and the magazine capacity of 650 balls will allow you to shoot even from morning to evening.

Of course, compared to professional pneumatics, the power and range of the model is small, but for entertainment and education - just right!

• design for real weapons;
• capacious store;
• good build quality;
• butt and forearm made of wood;
• affordable cost.

• low power and range.

Interesting to know! Initially, Daisy Outdoor Products was engaged in the construction of mills. Each customer was offered an air rifle as a thank you gift by the owners. As a result, everyone liked these guns so much that the company stopped taking orders for the creation of mills and started producing airguns!

Hatsan AT44-10 Wood

7th place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Hatsan (Turkey)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	smooth
The weight:	3.4 kg.
Type of:	lever, multi-charged
Price:	$38,895

This carbine is one of the highest quality repeating rifles. The AT44-10 stock is made of plastic or wood.

The cocking lever is on the side. In addition, manual pumping is required.

The magazine holds ten lead bullets.

Thanks to its excellent rate of fire, power and accuracy, the gun is suitable not only for recreational shooting, but also for hunting small game.

The model has open sights, but experienced shooters say that it is better to purchase an optical sight. There is a mount for it on the top of the barrel.

• quality assembly;
• verified manufacturer;
• high accuracy and range.

• big weight;
• manual pumping;
• high price.

Interesting fact! There is no specific word in Russian for airgun cartridges. They are simply called "bullets" or "balls". But the British have such a word - "pellets".

Benjamin Marauder

6th place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Crosman (USA)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	smooth
The weight:	3.4 kg.
Type of:	lever, multi-charged
Price:	39 900 rubles

A classic model from the American manufacturer Crosman. The rifle is dressed in a wooden stock and equipped with a ten-round magazine.

Among other things, the developers provided for the presence of a pressure gauge and a convenient fuse.

Thanks to the manual bolt and spring-loaded magazine, the cartridges are delivered to the barrel on their own, which makes the carbine semi-automatic.

Users speak positively about the accuracy and range of fire from the described model.

• solid wooden bed;
• high accuracy and firing range;
• reliability, proven over the years;
• independent supply of bullets to the receiver.

• the rifle is heavy;
• high price.

IZH-60

5th place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Baikal (Russia)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	threaded
The weight:	2.2 kg.
Type of:	lever, single shot
Price:	4 150 rubles

Another classic model, but Russian-made.

The main advantages of the carbine are an affordable price, a fairly high-quality barrel, a lot of details in the design, which can be easily found in almost any gun shop.

Such a sample is suitable for entertainment, as well as for teaching children. Of course, under adult supervision.

However, before buying, it is worth considering that you will have to use a file immediately after purchase. In this case, accurate shooting at a distance of 50 meters is ensured.

• availability in gun shops;
• quality stem;
• affordable price.

• lack of ergonomics;
• uncomfortable butt;
• obligatory processing by a file.

CZ200T

4th place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Česká zbrojovka (Czech Republic)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	threaded
The weight:	3.0 kg.
Type of:	single shot
Price:	49 500 rubles

This single-shot rifle is presented by a well-known Czech company, stylized as the Air Arms S200 and is distinguished by high shooting accuracy.

The owners of such a model speak positively about the quality of production and assembly, despite the simplicity of the design.

The carbine is equipped with a separate wooden stock. Cheek and trigger are adjustable.

Despite the rather large weight and high cost, the rifle is popular among beginners and lovers of sports shooting.

• design for the original weapon;
• quality assembly;
• adjustable trigger;
• high shooting accuracy.

• big weight;
• high price;
• difficult to find spare parts.

Airforce TalonSS

3rd place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Airforce Airguns (USA)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	threaded
The weight:	2.4 kg.
Type of:	single-shot, pre-pumped
Price:	75 000 rubles

This single-shot model is originally from the USA and consists essentially of three parts:

• a high-pressure cylinder that also acts as a butt;
• receiver shock-lubricating mechanism;
• twelve-inch Lothar Walther barrel.

Depending on the pumping of the tank, the number of shots is regulated. In addition, the shooter can change the caliber and length of the rifle barrel in a few movements.

On the left side of the body there is a special wheel for controlling and changing the power of the shot.

• quality assembly;
• multifunctionality;
• light weight;
• power adjustment wheel;
• the ability to change the caliber and length of the barrel.

• high price;
• expensive and hard-to-find replacement parts.

Beeman Longhorn

2nd place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Airforce Airguns (USA)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	threaded
The weight:	3.7 kg.
Type of:	single-shot, breaking
Price:	10 000 rubles

The traditional rifle with a breakable barrel stands out among other models for its special strength and ease of operation. The breaking mechanism is simple and reliable, the spring is elastic and durable.

The rifled barrel, made of high-strength steel, increases the range of the shot.

The stock of the carbine is made of a special polymeric material that can withstand changes in temperature and humidity. In addition, such a stock is much lighter than wood.

For a comfortable grip of the weapon, on the handguard and handle, ergonomically shaped, special notches are provided.

• quality assembly;
• anatomical handle;
• suitable for both left-handed and right-handed;
• durability of operation;
• optical sight in the set, with the possibility of replacement;
• affordable price.

• hard shutter;
• quite a lot of weight.

Al-145

1 place

Main technical data
Manufacturer:	Kral (Turkey)
Caliber:	4.5 mm.
Trunk:	threaded
The weight:	2.9 kg.
Type of:	single-shot, breaking
Price:	$6,020

The leader of the rating is a model from a Turkish manufacturer, specializing mainly in pneumatics.

The model is equipped with a high-strength plastic buttstock and stock and a high-quality steel rifled barrel. The butt is made in the form of an ergonomic pistol grip. The non-adjustable cheek and heel counter are made of honeycomb rubber. This provides a comfortable grip, reduces recoil when fired and increases the life of the weapon.

There is an insert on the forearm that allows, if necessary, to fix the rifle on a special holder.

The sights are open, adjustable, equipped with optical threads in contrasting colors. On the barrel there are straps for mounting an optical sight, which is purchased separately.

• quality assembly;
• strap for fixing optics;
• high speed and accuracy of the shot;
• easy to find spare parts;
• affordable price.

• not found.

Attention! The article is informational. In order to avoid mistakes when choosing, before buying, you should check the characteristics and prices with a consultant in a hunting store or by phone with a customer support operator.