So, who's got an air rifle? When I was a kid (late 70s/early 80s), every "older brother" had an air rifle, a slingshot, and a bag of fireworks. In most countries it's still relatively easy to *legally* own an air rifle. I'd like to know who's got one, and where you're from, and the hoops (if any) you had to jump though to get it. If you don't personally have one, do you know somebody that does?
My 12-year-old son and I go to Bass Pro Shops fairly frequently these days. He is into airsoft guns right now and they are next to the air rifles and the BB guns. There are no licensing issues for any of these types of guns, as far as I am aware and we have bought a lot of airsoft guns. We live in RI, but our Bass Pro Shops is actually in Foxboro MA sharing a parking lot with Gillette Stadium where the NE Patriots play football here in the US. Many years ago, when I was a kid, I had an excellent air rifle as did most of the neighborhood boys. Our favorite way to use them was to stick them about 3/4 inch deep into hard dirt to get a plug of dirt at the end of the barrel. Then, push a small rock into the sand plug. Done right, it was a pretty good projectile that was worth dodging in battle. If the rock didn't get you, the sand would still get in the victim's eyes. (no one had goggles or other such sissy stuff...)
Weird how i come across this thread after purchasing an air rifle yesterday. I had quite a few air rifles when i was younger. Cant remember any of the specifications but the one i bought yesterday is this: HW 97 KT Tactical Weihrauch’s legendary spring powered rifle now fitted with Tactical thumb- hole stock . Underlever action. A scope only Karbine air rifle. Fixed barrel precision, with underlever action and sliding breech. The rifles’ specification includes: Clean barrel with fixed silencer, Rekord two-stage trigger assembly with automatic cross bolt safety, anti-bear trap assembly. rubber recoil pad, raised cheekpiece and extended fore-end. £389/$660 Specifications Style Thumbhole Weight 4.2kg System Spring Power Action Type Underlever Power 11+ft lbs Barrel Length 300mm Over All Length 1020mm Trigger Type Rekord
Really? Do you mind me asking what you paid for it in the UK? 97Ks aren't permitted in AU anymore because of the barrel shroud. -- I just got a hybrid HW77K with a HW97KT synthetic stock. Urhh!
Yeah with extra's it cost me £489 heres the link to the site https://www.theairguncentre.com/rifle-combinations/weihrauch/hw-97-kt-tactical Bummer that the 97k is not permitted in AU anymore. Whats the problem with the barrel shroud?
When I was a kid over in the Soviet Union we had small shooting ranges all over the place where you for a few pennies (kopeiks) could shoot air rifles. Those were primitive but very powerful and reliable air rifles. They kinda looked like this one: http://www.gunauction.com/buy/10077...ian-baikal-mp-513m-magnum-.177-cal.-air-rifle Maybe you should acquire a Russian air gun?
Note that when I was a kid, the air rifle that I had did not have the ability to shoot projectiles (it had a small steel rod at the end of the barrel to prevent anything being fired.) So, dirt clumps were about all that you could shoot, as a projectile. It basically made noise, otherwise. BB Air Rifles were different, of course, and could shoot projectiles.
It "looks" like it could be a silencer, or could be made into a silencer, or some rubbish along those lines. That's enough to have them on the prohibited list in AU. Sad. Including the Hawke? I've heard lots of good things about those Hawke scopes. I got my 77/97 for $590 AUD (apx £325) with a cheap bag and tin of Baracudas thrown in. We generally pay a huge markup in AU - for example, the Gamo CFX retails for $500 here! A Weihrauch for an extra $90? Yes please. ----- I very nearly bought a Baikal side lever a few years ago. They have a very good reputation in AU.
anschutz makes the best, had one as a kid. Damn good. Won competitions at the olympic training center.