How do you explain to others why you shoot air rifles

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APerfectMiss

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Jan 16, 2016
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Alright guys try to stay with me if you can. I have had more people ask me why I shoot air rifles than any other hobby I've ever had. I have spent thousands when I raced motor cross, thousands when I competed in 3 gun matches and thousands just to hunt. Now that I have become serious about pcp, and bought a fx impact, people think I have slipped a cog after they discover what I paid for my rifle. I was wondering what others use to explain the beauty behind these air rifles. I have a hard time coming up with words for people that have little to no knowledge in these to assist them in the understanding their limits and feats. People laugh most of the time and simply say "it's still a BB gun". I try not to get mad at people when discussing these air rifles but it is becoming harder and harder to entertain people lately. 

For example. I am at the indoor range in our area and shooting out to 50 yards. I have a guy next to me shooting a 17hmr. The guy was respectful and politely asked what gun I was shooting, but once I explained to him it was a pcp air rifle, he began to pick at the gun like it were a toy from his childhood. I simply asked him if I could shoot a group on his target to demonstrate the ability of the rifle and he allowed. I was able to put up a 5/8" group that was about half the size of his best group. He did raise his eyebrows and asked what it cost. I told him because he can simply search and find it, and at that point I was back to the ridicule of a toy. I politely thanked the guy for allowing me to show him my toy and cleared from the range.

The guy in my encounter was an exception, but how do you guys or gals justify the pcp or high end break barrels?

If you have made it this far, sorry for the long rant...
 
1. I got a big tax refund and I just couldn't decide what else to do with it. 
2. My wife has so many pairs of shoes that she felt guilty and asked me to " please buy something frivolous just for yourself". 
3. It belonged to my great Aunt and it's the only thing she left me. 
4. Powder burners cause global warming. 
5. I no longer felt challenged by high powered rifles so to handicap myself I bought a pea shooter. Do you want to have a contest for pink slips?
6. If all else fails I plead the fifth or insanity. 
 
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If they are being sarcastic?

I'm a grown man and do as I pleased.

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I like that! Never thought of using my age over my maturity level. 
"plinker"4. Powder burners cause global warming. 
5. I no longer felt challenged by high powered rifles so to handicap myself I bought a pea shooter. Do you want to have a contest for pink slips?
6. If all else fails I plead the fifth or insanity.
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These will also be entered into the archives for later use!
 
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This is a recurring conversation and there are folks who will never "get" what's so great about airguns. However, I'll take a stab at it-"they're not cheap to own, but they ARE cheap to shoot" A lot of folks can shoot at home BECAUSE the pellets lose energy quickly and don't carry that far, making them a lot safer than any PB in an inhabited area. This means you get far more use and enjoyment for your $. You might ask how often the PB guy gets to shoot his cannon. They're accurate, often more so than a PB at comparable close ranges, can be shot for hours without disturbing the neighbors or domestic animals, besides that they're fun!
HTH,
John
 
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First you have to decide if the person is worthy of an explanation. Some are not, It`s the casting pearls before swine thing. If they are sincere then I will give them a short list of reasons and let them pick one that interests them. For me one of the main attractions is nostalgia. I spent a large part of my youth carrying my Sheridan and every time I pick up one of my current stock of guns it takes me back to good times.

​I will say my excitement for shooting my airguns has infected my wife, our great nephews (2),my brother-in-law and my best friends twenty something son. If you stay excited others will want to know why. That is when you hand them one of your better guns and hook them.
 
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I enjoy shooting.
Air rifles allow me the ability to shoot in my backyard anytime I please. I can't do that with a firearm unless I build a range $$$$$. 
They are so quiet that my neighbors don't even know that I'm shooting so, I avoid bothering others. Can't do that without a tax stamp and more "devices" $$$.
I would like to hone my shooting skills without wearing out my rifle. Air rifles allow me to do that. 
Cheap to shoot. 
Accurate. In some cases/distances more accurate than a PB. 
I want to be as versed as I am able to be when it comes to shooting across many different platforms from springers to PCP's to match PB rifles to crossbow to bow and arrow to slingshot. 
lol - I don't like earplugs. :)

 
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When someone gives me attitude like I am shooting a toy, I usually shoot them in the leg and say, "Now had that be a real gun, we'd be on the way to the hospital to amputate your leg. Instead, we're just going to dig a little piece of lead out of your leg. Any more questions?" Works very time. Then I drop the mic and walk away. Except that I am usually not holding a mic, I'm holding my airgun and get mad at myself because I just scratched my gun because I had to be all showy.
 
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Simple answer - because I really enjoy shooting them. And if that's not enough to satisfy them, I'd add they're super accurate, inexpensive to shoot, very quiet and open up numerous hunting/shooting possibilities that I simply don't have with firearms or archery gear. If they don't respect that short explanation, or far worse if they actual start ridiculing your choice of shooting hobby, then they're not worth trying to discuss it with any further. Save your time for a kindred spirit, or at least someone who's intrigued and wants to learn more.
 
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This air gun hobby is not as expensive as other hobbies. I have been doing MX and desert racing for the past 15 years. Ordinary folks who are in to dirt bikes spend thousands and thousands of dollars. 8,000 for a bike, 1,000 for a full exhaust, 500 for helmet, 500 for chest protector and riding out fit, 800-1,000 to rework your suspensions, a good health insurance, a truck or trailer, 300 for bark busters, 250 for anti-flat tires, and then finally gas. This is before you even ride your bike. Theirs gas for your bike, truck, and travel, and then entry fee to race. And you have to eat while you travel and motel expense if you don't have a travel trailer. As you can see, this hobby really adds up and most people in this sport never get questioned on how much they spend on their hobby. This is just for one bike. When I was in to MX/desert racing, I had another dirt bike for back up and a quad if I felt like really beating up my body. People who are in the Pro class spend 2 or 3 times as novices. People who are in motor sports like off road competitions, rally cars, sprint cars, drag racing spent a hold lot more then what we air gunners spend. Mechanics can easily put in 10,000 in to their engines. A while back I talked to a guy who was in to long range competition shooting. He shot a 6.5 creedmoor, and he told me just his barrel alone costed him 600. So when I get people who give me a hard time about my hobby, I just try to ignore them because they will never get why a person can be so passionate about a hobby.
 
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Remote-Controlled Airplanes/Helicopters.... I used to be into those for awhile.... you lose a lot of money in a crash. it maybe entirely out of your control also. some guys that were way more into it than I was have spent thousands on just turbines for their jet models.. passion is major factor

I just tell tell people it allows me to shoot in my backyard when I don't have time for the range, and if that doesn't work, I tell them I get great cash back on my credit card!
 
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