Newer air
pistols and varieties of BB guns
Air pistols come in a wide variety of designs, and not all of them are BB
guns anymore. Some of the most popular air pistols today are of the
airsoft variety, which shoot plastic pellets larger than the
traditional metal rounds that are used in most BB guns. The same
engineering idea goes into both kinds of weapon, though. A rush of
released gas or a coiled spring pushes the projectile down the gun
barrel and out.
Crosman 1377 American Classic
Air
pistols can be powered by pumping action (pneumatic),
a battery charge, a
metal spring, or compressed CO2. Older BB guns were almost all of the
pump style, which causes an increasing build up of air pressure with
each pump. Squeezing the trigger released the air to push the pellet
out of the barrel. The problem with this method was two-fold: that's a
lot of pumping between shots, and the piston would wear out pretty
quickly.
Newer
air pistols - easier to use than older BB guns
As demand has risen for air pistols that are easier
to use, the old pneumatic pump style has taken a back seat to CO2 and
even single-cock electric-powered BB guns. While certainly more
convenient for the shooter, both of these newer styles also present
new problems.
Air
pistols using CO2 cartridges are notorious for inconsistent power,
which of course leads to less accuracy in your BB guns. This is
especially true when it's cold outside, as the lower air temperature
apparently interferes with the compression of the gas.
Gamo PT-80 Air Pistol
(with Laser Sight!)
Electric air pistols are the new kids on the block,
and they are definitely the easiest to use. Several manufacturers even
make semi-automatic BB guns (very cool!). However, this added realism
and convenience comes with a higher price tag. Batteries need to be
replaced fairly often, and the airgun's mechanisms are more intricate,
making them expensive to replace when they wear out.
Pellet Guns | BB Guns | Air Rifles | Air Pistols | Airsoft Guns
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