So I want to start shopping for a BB gun for the boy now that we live out in the country. What's a good way to go? I just saw these air soft guns which look cool, boesn't seem like they do much harm. I think one was like 175 fps...aren't some BB guns much higher than that?

What do most people get the air soft guns for? Would they be any fun for shooting paper targets, cans, etc? Any good at running off varmints from the trash cans?

I'll take what ever info you guys got on CO2 guns, etc, etc!

 

First off, do you believe your kid is old enough and responsible enough to own a firearm?

Second, some airguns are powerful enough to kill animals. So are you plinking? Hunting? warding off varmints?

I started with a daisy Red Ryder. It was a great gun and I fired it thousands of times until it broke one day.

I believe airsoft is less then this^ and you can get alot more powerful.

Remember CO2 cartridges either need to be replaced or refilled. At the age of 10, I would not have wanted a CO2 gun b/c I think they run out fast (as compared to loading a hundred bbs in the red ryder and it never ran out of juice {It's Spring Loaded}) As I got older though, of course the more powerful guns have their appeal

 

I would take a look at Pyramid air. I bought my pellet rifle from them last year and have been very happy with it.

http://www.pyramydair.com/

 

Ummmm, not to sound like a tool, but if I didn't think he was, and if I didn't think we lived somewhere safe for him and others I would not have started this thread.

I had my share of BB guns growing up, but don't remember much about them technically. I don't what you're getting into as far as power (fps)...and what's a good range for the reasons I listed. Not looking at hunting or killing anything.

I know my son would probably love the air soft guns because of the looks, so that's why I was trying to get educated on their purpose and what guys are using them for, when compared to BB guns that shoot at 600-700 fps and better easily, where the air soft guns I've looked at seem to be down below 350 or so. I have nothing to reference to put these numbers into perspective.

 

Paintball gun 190FPS
Airsoft any where from 390-550fps
Redrider 350fps
Pellet rifle 1000 fps

 

The Red Ryder, - noithin but.

 

Red Ryder...

Not unless you want him to start really safe then go with the air soft......

Or you can get him the kind I shoot in winter league......2000fps .20 cal pellets and 2300fps .177 cal.....only takes 75ft lbs to pump them......

 

Yep. And there is a big difference between buying a BB gun for an 8 year old and a 13 year old.

Why I asked

 

Wheres the BB gun for removing woodpeckers in shops? I'd use my .40 but I'm sure I'd be pissed about the hole in the roof, or in my case, holes.

 

Sorry, but that's not what I was asking. I have no problem finding this technical info. I know you're trying to help me get the info and I'm greatful, but I don't know what these numbers are telling me. Will an airsoft gun penetrate a coke can at 50'? I'm not trying to be retarted, I just don't know what to relate these numbers to. The gearhead in me says get the pellet rifle at 1000 fps, that's obviously the best. But I don't want to get a air soft just because they look cool if it won't even knock over a coke can at 20' or **** off the racoon that gets in my trash, ya know?

 

Booth my girls have Red Ryders, one w/custom stock lol. I still have an old Crossman 760 pump around here somewhere lol.

 

An air soft will penetrate cardboard and knock over coke cans all day long and will be safer to shoot in doors because the plastic BB's will not ricochet like metal ones will. I have an .177 caliber 1100 FPS break action pellet rifle that I use to kill pigeons at work and I can take a 35-40yd shot and kill a pigeon with that gun.


Edit: Spend some time on Pyramid Air reading they have some really good info there.

 

For the Raccoon, - I suggest an Ithaca Tactical SRT Slug Gun (12). That will do more than **** it off.

 

The kids in my neighborhood have air soft guns and they run around shooting each other.
Damn little rubber ***** all over my yard.

You'll shoot your eye out.