When a new shooter is introduced to the sport of target shooting, the first guns they often try are pellet and BB guns. These firearms, also known as airguns, fire projectiles powered by compressed air rather than chemical propellants combusting within the barrel. The power source can be either a spring-piston, pneumatic, or bottled compressed gas. Pellets are typically made of lead, and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. BBs, on the other hand, are steel or alloy projectiles that are usually round and available in only one size.
What defines a gun as an airgun is a bit of a gray area. Some guns, like the Girandoni used by Lewis and Clark during their famous expedition, have been considered an airgun for more than a century. The standard definition of an airgun is any smoothbore or rifled gun that uses compressed air to launch a projectile.
Airgun enthusiasts enjoy these weapons for their cost-effectiveness, versatility, and the opportunity to practice basic shooting techniques without breaking the bank on ammo or range fees. They can also be used as a training tool for transitioning to more powerful hunting and sporting firearms. Like other types of guns, they need routine maintenance and care to maintain optimal performance. They can be modified with a variety of accessories, like scopes and bipods, to increase accuracy. airsoft guns