Why air rifle / guns over Fire arms /guns what are the advantages of air rifles?

Certainly a hand pump WILL fill the rifles you mention. Naturally you realize the marauder (which can be found refurbished for $300ish w/30 day factory warranty, 3,300psi (3,000 rated + 10%, got to shop) $150 in hydro on craigs list, fill yokes actually cost very little if shopping around ( DO pay attention to MAX working psi, NO Co2 stuff eh).


Why airgun over firearm? If not shooting a .25 (kidding) pellets are darn cheap, but, dollar for dollar you just can not get the same - closer range, 100 & under- groups with a firearm as you can with an airgun.
And there is the safety issue for some folks, if shooting diablo style pellets say at squirrels in trees you need MUCH less distance behind your target to still be safe (you still need to be safe but not at all like using a .22RF.

Where I live I can shoot a .50BMG ( and they manufacture them just down the road (love TN) on my front porch legally and w/out complaint however (cost and) less noise is nice when just shooting 50 to 100 yards.

I took a reworked Bam 50 to our local informal BR match, was allowed to shoot my "BB" gun, took first place -against several $1,500+ RF's and THEN they wouldn't let me shoot me BB gun anymore "unfair advantage" even if no one there could say what it was.

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Jo

Hello Alin

I am also new to this hobby or sport and an avid firearm enthusiast all my adult life. The driver for me to purchase an air rifle initially was reduced sound level and safety. On either side of my 5 acre property are neighbors and the entire development is a neighborhood with 50 homes all on large lots. Even though I am out of the city limits and believe it is legal to shoot firearms on my property, I just didn't feel comfortable target shooting and reducing the pesky ground squirrel population with a 22 LR. Even though the modern PCP's still need to be handled as a potentially lethal weapon, they are still much less likely to produce a damaging ricochet and the sound level is unquestionably neighborhood friendly compared to a firearm.

Aside from the above drivers, I developed some level of satisfaction in supplying my own power source for the projectiles over just purchasing ammo at Cabellas...similar to reloading. Also, in my opinion, air rifles require more skill to shoot accurately at distance (wind, trajectory, etc.) and resulting target groups and varmint kills are much more rewarding. Finally, it is convenient to order pellets, assessories, and the rifles themselves online and delivered to doorstep without being limiter by gun stores in your area or knowing someone with an FFL.

Actually I have a .22 Marauder and fill it with a FX 4 stage pump. It takes a few minutes and ~100 pumps to top it up. No big deal really. I then get 30 consistent shots. Fyi, topping up is from ~1800 to 3000 psi.

Air rifles are very quiet, pellets are fairly cheap and can be extremely accurate. This makes them perfect for backyard plinking or pesting. They are also less likely to scare away other game when hunting.

I'll try to take a stab at this and not get too long winded.

Firearm talk is normally prohibited on airgun forums, however, in this case it warrants a reply. The main case for using an air gun over a firearm (unless you have a lot of land) is noise and the ability to shoot in your own backyard. There is no need to pack up all of your gear and make the trek to the range.

As far as the guns on your list. Both can "easily" be filled with a hand pump. I put easily in quotation marks because some of us are a little stronger than others so it may take a bit more effort. But the pump itself is more than capable of the task.

If you want to get a tank, then you will have to find a place to fill it. If you want a compressor, they are a good route to go if you have the funds available. Plus it gives you some much freedom when it comes to tuning your air rifle.

I could go on and on. But right now my advise is to learn all you can about rifles, tanks, fill whips, pellets, etc. before you purchase. Ask all the questions you need. But please become educated about this sport as much as you can. All of us have either made mistakes and/or regret certain purchases. We are here for you. Just continue to reach out. 

Welcome to the forum and to our great sport.

Keith.

Looks like some people type faster than me.

Welcome to the Nation Alin. I will pass along a tip I got from a fellow member. For info on how to charge a pcp, how to work up a cheap carbon tank setup and just about anything use the search function. I works really great. The answers to your questions about tanks, etc. can be found that way. I suggest this so you can see posts others have made on your questions. Look up SCBA tanks for a cheaper air supply. You might even be able to get on filled at the fire dept. Look up Firehouse adapter also.

For me an air gun allows me to practice my shooting skills at the house without having to drive miles to a range which has odd hours. It allows me to take care of pests around the house. I use my Marauder to develop long range shooting skills. Skills I can use with a powder burner at 1000 yards. I like to tinker and see if I can make something work better. The adjustability of the Mrod allows this. But most of all shooting my Mrod is fun! Smacking squirrels and starlings is a blast! You will enjoy reading and posting here. The members are a great bunch who are willing to help others with valuable advise.

You don't have to spend $800 on a scope. I have a $170 Hawke Varmint on my 25 Mrod and find it to be entirely satisfactory. That said I am fitting a SWFA fixed 10x ($300) in the near future. You can get a 45 minute SCBA tank with 8 years left off Ebay delivered for $250. Get a $30 hydro test, build a $50 - $100 fill station with whip and you are off to the races.

Something of note too. If you are in the 800 for a scope and 600ish for an Marauder or 900 for Armada. You might want to consider an even more accurate barrel. FX Smooth Twist product is where its at from all the reports in from people. 

The Armada packages already come scoped at the 900 mark. 

As stated. Scopes do not have to be top of the line. I wanted to put a Leopold on mine. Unnecessary. If you do though, to each is their own. Cant argue with great optics. 

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Why,. - I travel, and travel a lot! I can take a high powered air rifle without paperwork almost anywhere I travel Internationally too. Went from USA to MEXICO driving over the border without issue. The border patrol checked my rifles upon re entry and made a big deal over the scopes. The Mexican Border patrol said, no, its ok. No problem. Usa guys were trying to find NV gear and ding me for that. Smart me, I only had my illuminators and IR Filter removed camera. So they didn't even have a clue what was there. 

Absolutely no other issues wherever I traveled. 

Now, when I want to hunt in a respective state, I normally get a license digitally through their online resources. 

Filling can be a pain. I offset that with the minimal cost of ammo/ pellets and how quiet i am able to make it. I can legally suppress it without issue. Manufacture and experiment with my own with no recourse. 

i also have children. they love to shoot and honing skills on a PCP/ Ait gun is much more fun and less expensive in the long run. No burning up barrels because of too many rounds through it. 

We use tanks and break barrels now. I will invest in a fill station. SCUBA grade or better. We do dive also and having our own supply is much more convenient for a family of 6 in our endeavors. 

- Controversial - call me the devils advocate, but - - - There is also a legal loop hole for people with blemishes on their records, being that it is NOT a firearm. With all the big bore air rifles now, gives EVERYONE a chance at hunting again regardless of their past. This is a controversial point that never is talked about. Some people make mistakes and pay for it the rest of their lives. 

Here is a thread where we gave lots of reasons as to why air guns. Read through all this: http://airgunnation.dev/topic/why-airguns/

Theres a great 'round table' about this @ around 19:21 - I think this is also the 'TED' episode too.