These are the Best Air Rifles of 2019
Best of the best?
Similar to the Crosman, the WildCat has a heavy standard trigger which may take a few sessions to adjust to personal preferences. What’s nice about this weapon is the gas piston which will provide durability on a rifle for decades to come.
The rifle weighs in around 5.5 pounds, so one takes on little fatigue in carrying this air rifle around for hours. Its power source also allows the Wildcat to operate in colder climates while maintaining its accuracy and power. This is one of the more powerful and lightweight weapons for pest control or small-time hunting.
BEST .22 AIR RIFLE – BLACK OPS TACTICAL SNIPER AIR RIFLE
If you’re looking to the power to complement the aesthetics of an air rifle, this Tactical Sniper may be the rifle of choice when doing some target practice, shooting rodents, and smaller animals.
The Black Ops air rifle looks exactly as it sounds as it resembles the appearance of a modern-day sniper rifle. It includes an adjustable bi-pod and scope. The cheek pad adjustment, stock, fake magazine, fake cocking bolt, and fake suppressor also give it a very military-esque feel.
Don’t let the looks make it seem less than what it can provide, as the rifle can fire up to 1,250 feet per second. It is a single shot break barrel system that can alternate between 0.177 and 0.22 pellets.
A few factors to consider when purchasing this air rifle is that it looks just as heavy as its construction. The Black Ops rifle weighs in at just over 9.5 pounds, and the cocking effort is rated at 44 pounds which is the heaviest by far. One thing about this air rifle is that it delivers what is asked of it in power and accuracy.
Due to the construction, it is definitely best for target practice or shooting smaller rodents in the backyard. It is not the most ideal weapon to bring along for mass pet control or small game hunting.
The adjustable bipod and cheek pad give it a comfortable edge to be in a prone of sitting position when shooting. The Black Ops Tactical Sniper is a great air rifle for recreational purposes that packs a punch.
AIR RIFLE MAINTENANCE – HOW TO CLEAN YOUR AIRGUN
Maintenance of air rifles is simple and less tedious. Major procedures involve cleaning the barrel and oiling the value and CO2 containers. We highly recommend going over your gun manual to see the suggested method in maintaining your air rifle.
Each rifle is different, and experts that created its manual will know the proper amount of oil to use and the best way to clean it. Once you get acquainted with an air rifle, there are many personal methods to clean a bore, but below we go over the major rules when doing so.
When cleaning the barrel, some basic procedures are recommended for all types whether if you are using a regular, PCP, or nitrogen gun. All barrels share the same rules.
The main rule, to keep in mind, is to always clean your bore from the breech. This is done to protect the muzzle as it will ruin your gun’s accuracy if damaged. Always run clean patches through the bore when cleaning. This will help remove dirt and grease.
Lastly, do not use any solvents when cleaning an air rifle. Valves are normally made from a plastic or rubber material that is damaged when touching solvents. Oiling parts such as the valve is also an important step in maintenance.
If you get one of the best air rifles recommended in this guide, you won’t have to worry about maintenance too much. Some areas to consider oiling are the valve, barrel, CO2 containers, and the stock. Oiling the valve does not require a lot, most of the time it requires a few drops to get the task done.
We always recommend reading your manual for the proper amount of oil to use. In humid environments owners may want to consider oiling the outside of the rifle barrel to prevent rust. This applies to guns with wooden stocks to preserve the grains and prevent cracking.
Lastly, the CO2 containers need a bit of oil at the end the help the transfer when connecting and disconnecting the cartridge. With these basics, your rifle will be kept in great condition.
If you’re still having a hard time deciding which rifle to get check out this video. It’s got a ton of info for those looking for the top air rifle for their money.
THANKS FOR READING OUR AIR RIFLE REVIEWS
There are many types of air rifles out on the market ranging from different power sources, velocity, and purpose. It is also best to start with the purpose of why you are purchasing the air rifle to break down and figure out the best one for you.
The ideal weapon for beginners would be a spring action system which is easy to operate and is the foundation for most types of rifles on the market.
The nitrogen and PCP powered rifles are more advanced and require more effort to load and use in the field. Depending on the fire rate, most air rifles are used for target practice or pest control.
There are semi-automatic versions which are better suited for pests or small-time predators, but that is only necessary if you plan to shoot a large number of small animals.
One factor to consider is that the more complicated the operation, the easier it is to use out in the field. The spring guns are heavier and have more recoil, but can be used almost indefinitely when roaming about.
Compared to spring action rifles, nitrogen or PCP rifles must be refilled of their power source which can be draining after a few dozen shots. In the end, there is always an option that will meet your specifications and the shooter you are.
Whether if you are a beginner or hobbyist in the sport of air rifling, these air rifles are the best in value on the market today.
All air rifles include a scope and most contain pellets to get you started once the rifle is shipped over.
We hope this article helps in narrowing down some of the prospects out on the market to get you started on your next air rifle.
Happy shooting!
This article by Chris Browning originally appeared at Gun News Daily in 2018.
Image: U.S. Air Force