cost of air gunning

I think that no doubt it’s very expensive. Do I enjoy it? Certainly, but wish it was more affordable. I actually have a budget for getting a high end compressor and other guns. But I still think it’s off the charts expensive. $3K for a compressor and $2K for a gun is $5K. That would buy you one of the best .22 rimfires for $1K and $4K would buy a lot of ammo. That being said, I cannot shoot a .22LR in my suburban home, while I can shoot my Cricket. They are also more troublesome and prone to needing repair, which usually means shipping it to another state at a not so cheap cost. 

Other indulgences like cars, boats, photography, computers, etc. aren't cheap either and resale value is most always going to be a big loss. My DSLR camera was over $2000 new and it's probably only worth 1/4 of that now. If it's something you enjoy then I say go for it as long as you don't get into debt. As for me I'm 70 years old and I can't take it with me. 

It's very expensive but so are any other hobby. I look at it as a long term hobby to be enjoyed over many years. I budget everything I buy for the hobby and not strain my finances or sacrifice other obligations in favor of it. I don't work just to pay bills so I don't feel guilty paying for airgun related stuff.

Initial investment to get into the hobby isn't too bad, I'd call it a low cost investment....but the fact you technically consume two things (pellets and air) is what can be expensive in the long term, even if you fill your own air the electricity cost will certainly add up and there is no return on your investment in this hobby. You can easily eat up several thousand dollars worth of lead and air in a year, which when you add up the costs over a life time can equate to tens of thousands of dollars. Collecting stamps/pennies or something is a hobby that has a return on your investment/time...

I can go through a 4500 psi/ 45min tank in a week which costs 10$ to air up, and the pellets used would cost around 15$. 25$/wk or 100$/mth isn't too bad but 12k over a period of 10 years certainly adds up...

IMO the oh so great thing about the world we live in is there is no hard cap on any costs of most hobbies, you can go spend millions upon millions on a the same hobby that another individual enjoys just as much but at 1/100th the cost. One air gunner could spend over 10k a year in the hobby while another spends 1k, the 10k guy is shooting 5 different guns including 50 big bore shots average a day compared to the 1k guy shooting 10 shots with his sole .177 cal...to each their own they say!

-Matt

It’s not cheap. My addiction began years ago with a CO2 pistol that was “modifiable”. That $100 airgun over time turned into an investment of over $1000 that I could never recoup. A bit older now and am shooting Edguns, which I spend a lot on. I agree with all points made, if you can afford this or any hobby while still meeting your essentials, go for it! 

I agree Sylvan 100%. I also agree that as long as you can afford it, why not buy what makes you happy and brings some fun into your life. Of course I wish these things were cheaper though...

I try to keep what I consider an investment away from what I consider fun. If I'm always worried about resale value and my toy's condition then the fun disappears.

To each his own I guess. For the price of a semi decent used car you can get a air source, nice gun and a bottle. It's not cheap but I have spent more on fishing gear and boats through the years. Happy hunting.

I suspect it costs me more money to drive to and from either of my exurban permissions (≈6 miles each way), than it does to actually air up and shoot. In the last 10 days, I've made 7 round trips, and expended almost 350 pellets, so maybe it is a toss up?

"intenseaty22"I think that no doubt it’s very expensive. Do I enjoy it? Certainly, but wish it was more affordable. I actually have a budget for getting a high end compressor and other guns. But I still think it’s off the charts expensive. $3K for a compressor and $2K for a gun is $5K. That would buy you one of the best .22 rimfires for $1K and $4K would buy a lot of ammo. That being said, I cannot shoot a .22LR in my suburban home, while I can shoot my Cricket. They are also more troublesome and prone to needing repair, which usually means shipping it to another state at a not so cheap cost.

Click to expand...

I use CCI 22 Quiet ammo and found it to be accurate and quieter than many air guns. They generate 45 fpe at 710fps with 40 grain lead. That said I prefer airguns dialed in for less than 30fpe for my suburban situation. My rimmies include a CZ long barrel for noise reduction, and an Henry pump for open site fun.

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=3&loadNo=960 

With my spending habits, I could never spend much over $1000 for an air gun. I came close with an FX Royale or Daystate Wolverine, but I couldn't do it. I spend a fair amount of money on golf also and just got a $1k set of clubs plus annual membership at the private course.

Life is short, buy yourself something nice.

When you swim in the deep end of the pool, EVERY hobby is expensive. Consider bicycling, boating, skiing, camping, guitars, etc. Top gear is always $$$$.
Thankfully, there are many great products in the low and mid-range of our hobbies, so we don't have to spend big $ for quality fun.
Enjoy the ride!

Just like all Hobby's airgunning can be cheap. If you just like to plink I have a Gamo Hornet and Beeman P17 that are both .177 and both very accurate and fun too shoot and between them both have about $150 and thats with a cheap scope on the break barrel. However they can be very expensive as well. My WARP COBRA cost over $2000. But it's also a MOA at 100yds shooter. I look at it this way. I've tried many different Airguns and would have them for alittle while and sell and try something else. I consider it like rent and educational experience. With all the ones I've tried I now know exactly the ones I want and the ones I'll keep from now on without buying and selling more which is down to 2 guns. I also can't use my PBs in the way that I can use these airguns. Haven't even shot my PBs since I got into airguns again. Being a hunter/pester I also don't burn through pellets like others might. Maybe shoot once or twice a week and less than 50 pellets per time. And also being my only hobby I don't mind putting the money in that I have. My wife and I have a good budget where we save a good 25% of our income every month and pay all our bills and get some play money on the side. All my play money just goes to this. My buddies like to drink and chew or smoke and stuff like that and I rarely drink anymore and quit chewing a few years ago. You want to know expensive how about 2-3 cans of dip a week at $8 a pop. Add that up and I'm money ahead and alot more enjoyment!

Ya it’s expensive. Even going with lower end guns. You buy an inexpensive hand pump, then a tank, then a compressor. Now .you have free air so you buy another rifle. Or two! And all the mods!

BUT, unlike my snowmobiling or walleye Fishing, I can stay home and shoot off the deck. Or walk back to the woods and shoot on our range. I don’t need to drive anywhere, haul anything or even take time off work. Priceless!

I forgot to add that if you are the competitive type then you will end up spending more money on travel than equipment. All part of the hobby though.

Like any hobby there are costs associated with the level of ones enthusiasm In the sport. I'm just a back forty plinker, pester, and Hunter. I enjoy the open/friendly/helpful nature of other airgunners. There is something appealing about the complexity and science of lobbing pellets vs other forms of high speed kinetics--it justifies the cost.

Please do remember even pcp's can be done on a low budget. Along with all airguns are fun. I've certainly seen Thomas & RAW & such at FT shoots ( and honestly know people who have shot squirrel with each but that's just odd) but also Gamo , Crosman - as in Quest home tuned, ugh, but he did have fun- C02 rigs on and on. All were able to hit targets at 55 yards so basically could do anything an airgun can do ( yes my sub 12fpe rig will group at 115 yards , if ). 
There is now at least one ( count sales and you can get some pcp gamo with a BSA barrel on it for under $250) regulated rifle that doesn't scare me to death for $300.00. Still need to put any scope on it, most of my PB friends use 4x or so. Add air, cost has DROPPED so fast on ( used ) tanks , compressors & boosters , hand pumps now cost what they should if you shop. Pellets are pellets ( walmart, no please ) so you still need to buy $150.00 at a time but then it's low cost.

Love a fine airgun with excellent Walnut, trigger, general fit & finish and true one hole groups - I can seldom shoot these days- from day one but for most ( not all ) I do recomend some of the more budget minded airguns. Marauder with a coupon comes to mind.

My QB78HPA does not shoot as well as many competition FT rig's but if you handed it to any shooter who could win a Nationals, they just might be able to do it with that $200.00 rig.
Watched Doug Miller finish the Nationals one year using doubling up on a Discovery and he was smiling most every shot.

If you've got the money to spend, do it, air guns are fun!
If you really dont have a lot of money, it is worth having an airgun ( or two ) , airguns are fun and fun is healthy.

Have fun,

John.

If anyone needs to feel better about spending all this money on airguns break it down. Figure out what you spent and divide that by the number of days you have owned it. For me I as of today I spend $2 a day and it just keeps going down. 

Can you really put a price on happiness???