Air Shotgun Opinions Needed!!

I have a number of youth sized firearms for my kids including .410 and 20ga shotguns. My kids are all to young to get started with the firearms. I have had them shooting airguns alot lately and they enjoy it very much. I have been thinking about getting them an air shotgun? The Gamo is low priced and sure the quality is typical gamo which I am ok with just for the sake of a training tool. I have read that it isn't very effective at more than 10 yards? PA offers the stock Viper and they offer a version they put a gas ram in. Does anyone have experience with either version? I have actually considered getting the AV wingshot because I am sure it is of good quality and it is said to be plenty powerful enough for the kids to actually take game with. Any and all opinions and experiences welcomed!!
 
Hi
I handled the wingsshot at shot show I liked how it shouldered.
i believe you can also shoot 50 cal ammo out of it as well through the smooth bore barrel.( the rifle is pretty much a dragon claw with a smooth bore barrel)
Also you can purchase empty shotgun casings to load your own shells.
i am not very familiar with the gamo shotgun

hope this helps 

Dave

 
Two things concern me about that gun:
1. The shotshells they sell for that gun are too expensive, about twice the cost of low grade shotgun shells. I wonder why a guy couldn't use a shot load with a paper or felt wad before and after, like they did with early shotguns.
2. Is the bore choked? If it's straight bore combined with the airgun's lower velocity, it would have an awfully short practical range. Kind of like an underperforming .410 :). If it's a choked bore, I wouldn't mind busting some hand trap with it.
 
sharroffAj,


I also looked at air shot guns, but seems like range and effectiveness is a real issue with anything but the Yang 50 based model. And I don't believe that is backyard friendly.

Wondering why you'd go for an air shotgun when one could underload a 410 or 20 gauge with better results?




First, I am not a fan of cutting back a firearm so the kids can shoot it. If they can't handle shooting a particular gun then they have no business shooting it at all. Secondly, noise is of no concern.

I thought an air shotgun would be fun and give my oldest a chance to possibly take pest birds at close range and add to the kids growing gun collection. While I do enjoy airguns, if I based everything off of effectiveness of a particular airgun then I would have little to no use for any airgun as all my firearms have every advantage over airguns. While I am certain that an air shotgun is not as capable as a 20ga or even .410, I am also certain that non of my .22 airguns are as capable as any of my .22lr's!! Hell, even my .30 has less power than a .22lr. Just sayin.
 
I wouldn't go below minimum recommendations on a rifle or pistol with solid projectiles either, but I have reloaded youngster friendly 410s and 20s. Helps them get used to the gun without developing twitches or bad habits due to initial recoil experiences for practice. Moved them up when hunting.

Yes,. to air shot gun being fun for moving targets and if noise isn't a consideration I think the 50 is the best I've seen so far from a power / shot versatility perspective. Thought about getting one myself but most things I shoot sit still eventually. Almost bit on that $179 .22 shotgun Pyramid advertised but after seeing it's shot pattern at 10 yards I was concerned about wounding more often than killing. Stuff under 10 yards is perfect for 10M air pistol practice and over that rifle for me.

Got it re the .22 power vs airguns, but around the neighborhood I grab my .177 or .22 air rifle or pistol over one of my several 22 LRs rifle/pistols every time. 



 
I have a Trapmaster 1100 and have to say it's a pretty awesome little shotgun.I've taken birds,rats with the gun out to 30yrds. I also took a few rabbits using some .375 pellets. The gun runs on CO2 and has a reasonable amount of power considering. It's very efficient and well made. Few have toiled with running HPA but have found that the gun runs almost better on Co2. I had bought mine from MAC1 with a minor power mod done to it. The gun even has a high and low power setting. These can be found between $175/300 depending on condition. The 1100 is by far one of the most versatile Airguns I own. :)