Do you remember your first airgun? Chances are that it was a spring gun like the Daisy Red Ryder or maybe a multi-pump pneumatic like the Crosman 760. Both guns shoot steel BBs, which are the premier ammo of choice for the entry-level airgun. Most airgunners eventually move beyond the “lowly” BB rifle on their way to the rest of their shooting hobbies. Today we want to try and make you consider looking at BB guns all over again. Here are our top 5 reasons why you should consider BB guns
1 – Affordability
BBs are very easy to make and very affordable to shoot. It’s probably why they are such a good starting point for new airgunners. The typical BB rifle starts at well under $100 and runs on good old-fashioned elbow grease, as you’ll either be cocking a spring or pumping an integrated pump to propel the steel orbs down range. With a bottle of 2400 premium BBs only costing about $7.00, it’s easy to see why it’s a great value for folks that want to get a lot of affordable trigger time.
2 – Amazing Variety
Today there are so many different types of BB rifles on the market. There are spring BB guns, CO2 BB guns, pump BB rifles, and most recently, Barra Airguns released the 400e, bringing to market the first ever AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) AR15 style BB rifle. So, whether you are looking for a pistol or rifle, there’s a BB gun that will deliver hours of fun.
Additionally, some seasoned airgunners may not realize there are many full-sized adult BB handguns and long guns that are replicas of actual firearms. Remember that M1 Carbine you saw as a youngster? Yep, there’s a great replica BB rifle of that very gun. And there are so many other examples that it would take multiple articles to even begin to scratch the surface.
3 – Backyard Friendly
BB guns, both BB pistols and rifles, are great for backyard target practice and plinking. They are generally pretty quiet and don’t produce much power, so they are much safer and easier to manage than higher-powered airguns. Multi-pumps are ideal as they allow shooters to vary the power output based on the number of pumps you put into them.
4 – Outstanding for Young Shooters
Because of the lower power output and affordability, BB guns for kids are great for teaching. The best example is the Daisy Red Ryder, sold by the tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands each year. The form factor of the Red Ryder, as with many entry-level BB rifles, is built for youth shooting with a shorter overall length and a shorter length of pull. When you put all this together, BB rifles make sense for teaching solid gun safety and shooting techniques to young or new shooters.
5 – BB Guns are Fun
When you look at all the features and benefits of BB airguns, you come away with the conclusion that BB guns are just plain fun. While folks often overlook them once they transition to pellet rifles, they are always worth a revisit. Whether you are looking for a semi-auto Glock replica for pistol training, or a Daisy Avanti 499 for competitive match BB competition shooting, BB guns are alive and well.
If you have questions about anything we offer, please don’t hesitate to give us a ring, and we’ll be more than happy to help you navigate the various choices.
