The Airgun Attraction

As the cost of firearm ammunition continues rise, so does the popularity of airguns for both recreation and small game hunting or pest control.

Higher velocity air rifles, or “Magnum air rifles” like the Walther Talon Magnum are attractive to those looking for speed. These recreation or sporting air rifles are mostly used for plinking or paper target shooting, although shooters that acquire great accuracy with their .177 caliber magnum air rifles do use them for small pest control.

Many states allow air guns for hunting of pests and non-game species and several allow hunting of small game animals like squirrels and rabbits. Hunters of small game are generally gravitating to .22 caliber air rifles with some recent attraction to a .25 caliber air rifle and even larger. Before setting out to control pests or hunt small game with an airgun, be sure to check your local ordinances and state laws. Some cities and towns have regulations against firing an airgun within city limits. It’s a good idea to always know the laws that govern you.

With the increasing cost of ammunition, sidearm owners that simply enjoy the sport of shooting are finding that some air pistols offer them an economical way to shoot. An airgun shooter can fire quality lead pellets or BBs for a couple of pennies and there are some air pistols that offer near replica feel and performance. If the world’s most famous double agent needed to target practice today, he may well choose a Walther PPK/S BB pistol that’s close in weight and function to his actual sidearm. It, along with the Px4 Storm and CP99 Compact, have slides that function, providing a realistic recoil action, and remain in the rearward position when the magazine is empty.