Fun with Air Guns

S

Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
5,250
I've been trying to get my son involved in shooting for years but he wasn't interested. Out of no where, he decided to go out and shoot his bb gun (Crossman Powerline 760) and had a blast. Yesterday, I picked up a Beeman Sportsman Series 1026 package (rifle with scope, targets, etc) and we had more fun last night than we have had together in a long time.

I wanted to get a "better" air gun because I'm kind of a snob, but for $75 the Beeman package was pretty nice. Its no R7, but then again it wasn't $350. The trigger is pretty awful, but the scope is okay and its good for "minute of beer can" accuracy in the back yard.

I loved it because I can shoot in my back yard with my son, who normally disappears into his room as soon as he gets home to play video games.

I have to drive 20 miles to go to the nearest real shooting range at my fish & game club and the people there look down on you if you aren't shooting High-Power or competetive trap or skeet.
 
Who cares about the other people. The most important thing is the time you spent with your son. All of my favorite memories I have are good times with my father, doing the same stuff. I glad to hear that you are able to make time with him, it very important. Once he get good at air rifles, introduce him to rifles and firearms. .22 LR are cheap rounds that bring a day of fun, I do it now with my wife. She hated firearms until I took her to the range and now she is hooked.

How about Winchester 1000 its about 150.00
 
Shann,

You may want to look into Airsoft bb guns. Most are electric powered, military replica,compressed air rifles designed to fire plastic BBs in full auto/select fire mode. The better ones are more then capable of tearing a pop can to bits, yet they are safer to play with (will not break skin), and full auto is still alot of fun. Also, these things are taking over from the old paintball games, so there are accessories ranging from simiulated hand grenades and shotgun shells, to multi thousand rounds/minute multi-barreled miniguns, claymores, and mortar shells.

They can get expensive. But, it will certainly get the kid away from the video game console.

Equipment Link here:
http://www.classicarmy.com/

Airsoft battle footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ql85W8yCk

n2s
 
I've been shooting a .177 target pistol of late. Russian-made IZH-46M, single shot, pump. You could probably get something more accurate by adding a zero to the end of the price, but you wouldn't really need it unless you were headed to the Olympics, and it would probably have more fancy stuff to get out of alignment. I don't shoot much at all, but any shots that wander out of the black are my fault. Best five-shot group at 10 meters was inside the 9 ring, and I frequently get 3-shot groups inside a nickel or penny. Runs about $300, which is a good value, but may push your budget for this particular use.
 
I've only shot paper with it, but I'd think you could get a squirrel. The specs say it throws lead at 500 fps, which is on the low end of "hunting" airguns advertised by crossman. Cocking is a little bit loud, so it might make the squirrels jittery once they figured out what was going on. Nothing a little stalking couldn't fix.

Here are a few reviews I dug up through Google. (I have no affiliation with them, and hope they don't mind the link. I doubt the Cantina crowd will bring down any servers just yet.) They mostly reflect my experience, though the cocking motion on the M model isn't super-easy. It's not too hard, but you have to be pretty good about your muzzle discipline. Younger/smaller people might have some trouble. CO2 cartridges are certainly easier. The grips are much like khuk grips - OK for most people most of the time, but get much better with sandpaper and tung oil.

http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2005/12/izh-46mthisun-aint-no-toy.html
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2006/03/izh-46-target-pistol.html
 
Gamo guns makes some mean air rifles and pistols, they are known for quality and you can take cats and coons with them, they also have some junior models. As for Airsoft, I do airsoft and if you introduce it to him right he will have a blast. But the important thing is if you get him an airsoft rifle/pistol, dont get a cheap brand do some research about it before you by one. its not fun with a cheapo. Some good brands are Echo 1, tokyo marui, classic army, G&G, G&P, KWA, KSC, and KJ works. His freinds probably have some sort of airsoft rifle too.
By the way, you should take your son out big bore shooting, get out your 45.'s, and 12 gauge and go blow some shit up, I bet you will hook him even more.
Good luck
 
I think almost anything that gets your kid out of his room and away from those damn video games is a huge step in the right direction! And teaching him to shoot is not only fun and a time honored American tradition, but it just might save his life one day, too. ATTABOY! :thumbup:
 
The only thing I have against using airsoft to introduce someone to shooting is that they tend to teach the point and spray method of shooting. It is hard to resist the urge to just let loose with a semi/full auto rifle.
 
Great stuff!

Glad you had a good time with your son.

Hope it leads to more and more of the same.

take care,

Tom
 
excellent....Tohatchi...you're evil...you've almost convinced me to give up my moratorium on airsoft...!
 
Congrats on the good afternoon, air rifles have a way of doing that! I can't remember how many summers I spent at my dad's place outside with a box of pellets and the rifle. I probably wore through two or three of those shooting until it got to dark to find the tin can at 50 yards.

I really miss having even a tiny spot of land to shoot those things on...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top