It’s interesting to see everyone’s different perspective on what their airgun means to them. Depending on why we got in to airguns or the meaning we attach to the word tool or toy determines how each of us view our machines. One thing is for certain, we all enjoy shooting (unless you got a lemon!).
I don’t think the right word is hobby, although I get where you’re coming from. Tool or toy are describing what the machine is to you. Hobby is used to describe the depth at which you’re involved with the machine (or its secondary accessories [ex: compressor, scope, etc]). Hobby can turn into profession(master airgun Smith). A casual shooter plinking his r7 in the backyard may never turn into a hobbyist. That would be a good thread though: Are you a hobbyist, casual shooter, or airgun guru?