Like getting a standard rifle, buying a BB gun Australia firearm shops have today also requires careful thinking and consideration, especially if you are buying your first of these firearms. After all, educating yourself will ensure you are getting the right piece for the shooter or hunter that you are.
What Is a BB Gun
Technically speaking, a BB gun is a type of rifle or pistol that uses compressed air to fire pellets or BBs, thus the name. However, they are not considered as standard firearms, but rather replicas of such. Depending on the design, they use different types of propulsion systems, such as:
- High-pressure compressed air
- CO2 canister
- Spring-piston mechanism
These guns can also be used with accessories, like Vortex scopes, for better precision and accuracy. And, they can serve a variety of purposes based on the user’s intended use.
Typical Uses of a BB Gun
Those who are buying a BB gun usually use such a firearm for the following activities.
Target shooting
BB guns have been around for many years, and they have always been used in target shooting activities, such as plinking, target practice, and competitions.
If you are new to shooting, then joining these activities with a BB gun is a good way to improve your skills.
Small-game hunting
With the type of ammo that they use, BB guns are also preferred by many people to hunt small game, such as rabbits and squirrels. However, for successful hunts, you need to make sure your rifle meets the propulsion and calibre criteria. Typically, guns that fire steel or lead BBs are more effective than plastic projectiles in this type of activity.
Varmint control
Like small-game hunting, these guns are also used to eliminate varmint, such as rats. After all, they are safer and more cost-effective in eliminating pests than regular guns or rifles.
A .20 calibre BB gun with a minimum of 1,000 feet per second (fps) of power will be more than enough for this task.
Key Considerations When Buying a BB Gun
When buying a BB gun Australia firearm shops sell, there are important factors to look into to ensure you are getting the right piece for yourself.
Precision
The level of precision you need from a BB gun would depend on your intended use. While it might not be a major factor for plinking, it will play a major role when you are target-shooting or joining competitions.
Propulsion
As you look for higher precision, you will need to consider what propulsion mechanism your gun uses. As previously mentioned, you will have three options.
- Spring piston – This is one of the most common propulsion methods that BB guns use, as it is consistent and provides more power. However, it could come with different cocking mechanisms—under-lever or side-cocking. While this does not affect the performance of the gun, it could matter to your level of convenience, so you should assess which one would fit your style best.
- CO2 – As the name suggests, this mechanism pertains to guns that are powered by carbon dioxide. CO2 BB guns are popular amongst those who are into shooting competitions as they are easy to use. They are only cocked once and fire repeatedly until the gas runs out.
- Pneumatic – This system uses compressed air to fire projectiles. It works by employing a pump action to compress air for each shot. A variation of this system, known as “pre-charged pneumatic”, provides more power and precision, thus a good option if you are joining competitions.
Budget
Of course, you should have a budget to stick to. So, before you go out and shop at gun sales, determine how much you can afford. Do your research and come up with a list of pieces that are within your budget.
Accessories
Some BB guns also work with some accessories, like Leupold scopes, to provide better precision and accuracy. So, you might want to take these accessories into account as well when setting your budget.
Durability
The BB gun you buy should have good reviews in terms of durability. This is important when you often use it for outdoor hunting, where it will see heavy usage.
Safety
Like regular firearms, BB guns can also cause harm when not properly handled. To prevent accidents, you should check if the one you are buying has the necessary safety features, such as trigger safety.
Conclusion
A BB gun Australia firearm shops sell can be an expensive purchase to make, so you need to make sure you are buying a piece that will give the most bang for your buck. So, do your research and keep the essential information in mind.
Of course, you should only buy these guns from a dealer that avid shooters and hunters trust. Not only do they offer the best deals, but they will also give you some useful pieces of advice on using your firearm.
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