Air Guns

If you have always thought that an airgun is a gun that shoots air, we’ve got some news for you. While air guns use air (or other gases) as a primary force, they fire physical projectiles just like any firearm. The difference is that airguns don’t use gunpowder and are less lethal compared to traditional firearms. Since they aren’t classified as firearms, air pistols and air rifles are free from federal regulations, making them easier to purchase and own. Popular uses for airguns include sport shooting, plinking, and even small game hunting.

Mechanics of Airguns

Instead of utilizing chemical reactions to pressurize gases, airguns fire projectiles pneumatically with mechanically compressed air or other gases. The component that provides the air pressure to propel projectiles bears the name powerplant. There are three major powerplant varieties: spring-piston, pneumatic, and compressed gas. Each of them operates on different principles, but they all do the same thing.

• Spring-Piston: These airguns utilize the elastic energy stored in the spring-loaded piston pump assembly. 
• Pneumatic: Pneumatic airguns propel projectiles with the help of the potential energy of the compressed air that is pressurized and stored inside the gun. They are split into:
• Pump Airguns that can pressurize air autonomously.
• Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) airgunsoperate the air from an external source (a diving cylinder or air compressor).
• Compressed Gas (CO2 guns): The last category utilizes compressed gas from detachable pressure reservoirs and is known as CG guns.

Airgun Ammunition

As we’ve already mentioned, airguns have their own type of ammunition. You can often hear the word combination airgun pellets, and while those are indeed the most common airgun ammo type, they are not the only one. A BB is another projectile that is extremely popular.

BB ammo is simply round steel balls used in BB pistols or AR-15 BB rifles made for recreational purposes. On the other hand, pellets are optimized for stability and accuracy, with their characteristic wasp-waisted diabolo shape.

The speed of the projectile is expressed in FPS (feet per second), another important metric in air guns. When choosing an airgun for small-game hunting or long-range shooting, you need an airgun with a higher FPS rating, like 800-1000 fps, to ensure flatter trajectories, longer effective range, and more power on impact.

Pellet airguns are widely represented on this page, but we didn’t abandon BB guns either:

• Choose a CO2 air gun in .177 BB if you plan to use it for plinking. We have a wide range of realistic BB guns, providing enthusiasts the feel of traditional pistols/rifles without live ammunition risks. Look for blowback CO2 pistols if you want realistic recoil for training.
• Choose a high FPS pellet gun if you want a tool for precision shooting or hunting. Competition-grade and hunting pellet air guns are usually chambered in .177 or .22 pellets, although there are options that shoot larger projectiles like .45. Single-stroke pneumatic air guns are reliable, simple, and great for shooters who value precision over rapid fire.

Airguns & BB Guns for Sale at GRITR Sports

At Gritr Sports, we pride ourselves on offering some of the best airguns for sale. Whether you’re after a high-powered BB pistol and BB rifle for plinking, a tactical BB AR-15 rifle, a realistic semi-auto CO2 air pistol, a pneumatic air rifle for precision shooting, or a full auto air pistol, we’ve got you covered. Our range includes industry-trusted brands such as Umarex USA, KWA, Crosman, Sig Sauer, and more. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or a beginner, our selection ensures there's something for everyone.