Air Rifle: Thoughts on getting one.

[JRShield]

I live in the Netherlands, so I can't buy any.

Or does anyone have a way around?

 

[Vampire cat]

Too bad you live in the UK, or I would suggest getting an airsoft rile instead. Works great for target shooting and is very cheap in most countries, but I hear getting a hold of airsoft in the UK is next to impossible, or at least very expensive as you have to buy from people who already own them. Something about not being able to import more? Idk =p, good luck anyway!

 

[Sovvolf]

You sound like just the sort of person who would be good a responsible gun owner, from what you've posted here.

Thank you.

The only thing I'd say is (if you want to stay well and truly within the law) is that shooting any gun in the UK - whether it be a .22 air rifle such as the one you want to get or a 12 Bore shotgun - next to a road is subject to the below law:

Spoiler

4. It is an offense under the Highways Act 1980 s 161(2) to light any fire on or over a carriageway, or discharge any firearm or firework within 50 feet of the centre of a highway which is a carriageway, with the consequence that a user of the carriageway is injured, interrupted or endangered. The section applies to rights of way over which there are vehicular rights, e.g. ways shown on the definitive map as byways open to all traffic, but not to footpaths and bridleways.

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/rights_of_way/knowledge_portal/advice_notes/shooting

Shooting around footpaths is legal, but be careful.

My house is no where near a highway... we have a road but's its a very small and narrow road. fire works are set off around here all the time along with bonfires and it doesn't seem to bother the police. Though I may have to look deeper into this to see if the area I'm in is a legal fire zone if you know what I mean. I don't want to break any law. This is also my backyard which is no where close to the road, not close enough to injure any one. I think my road is a bridleway... I just want to make sure... I want to stay within the law.

So yeah I'd say go for it! Personally I'd recommend firing a gun that isn't air powered if you want the full experience, but I dont know your situation. Maybe your family dont want a more lethal weapon in the house, or shooting ranges are too far away.

My parents back this and they feel I'm mature enough to handle a fire arm... I'm the one who's really questioning the maturity. Any gun would do me as long as it's within the law and I don't have to apply for a license while also less likely to damage any one. I'm just not wanting a BB gun or a real gun.

Whatever though, I'd still recommend you go clay pigeon shooting or rifle target shooting if you get the chance.

Have fun and take care!

I would love to do so if I could find a place that had such event. Though I haven't had much luck so far.

 

[Continuity]

My house is no where near a highway... we have a road but's its a very small and narrow road. fire works are set off around here all the time along with bonfires and it doesn't seem to bother the police. Though I may have to look deeper into this to see if the area I'm in is a legal fire zone if you know what I mean. I don't want to break any law. This is also my backyard which is no where close to the road, not close enough to injure any one. I think my road is a bridleway... I just want to make sure... I want to stay within the law.

I'm pretty sure the legal definition of a highway is pretty much any public right of way, including roads, bridleways, footpaths.. certainly any of these are referred to as highways in the 1980 highways act.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Well, how 'bout a BB gun, but I'm not sure if it is considered or even is (I'm an idiot) a .22 rimfire.

If it's not, try a BB gun first, if it is, excuse my retardedness, it's getting late where I live.

This guy has a good idea. A Pump-Action pellet gun may be a bit more powerful than you need. If you only pump it once, it's not all that dangerous, although you still need to respect it and follow proper gun safety rules; on the other hand, if you pump it fully, it can be as powerful as a .22 rifle, which is fully capable of killing someone. A standard BB gun, however, can only be pumped once, and usually only fires BBs, instead of piercing pellets. Again, you would need to treat it with respect, but it's a whole lot less dangerous than a .22 equivalent pellet gun.

 

[Sovvolf]

Shit.... well thanks for informing me. I don't want to do anything illegal or anything to break the law. This may mean I'll have to find and area that I can shoot. A safe area where the land lord approves.

to clarify, its illegal for a pellet to leave the area in which you are permitted to shot (e.g. your back yard) and its illegal to shoot within 50 feet of a road if doing so causes a nuisance or danger to the public.

I'm not sure who exactly decides what is a nuisance or danger but personally I wouldn't do it anyway.

As said to others. I'm going to look into this a little deeper. I don't want to break the law while I do want to shoot. I may need to contact the police or the council for this and if I should need to I will. This is a hobby I really want to do, however I'd rather abandon the hobby rather than break the law.

Well, how 'bout a BB gun, but I'm not sure if it is considered or even is (I'm an idiot) a .22 rimfire.

If it's not, try a BB gun first, if it is, excuse my retardedness, it's getting late where I live.

This guy has a good idea. A Pump-Action pellet gun may be a bit more powerful than you need. If you only pump it once, it's not all that dangerous, although you still need to respect it and follow proper gun safety rules; on the other hand, if you pump it fully, it can be as powerful as a .22 rifle, which is fully capable of killing someone. A standard BB gun, however, can only be pumped once, and usually only fires BBs, instead of piercing pellets. Again, you would need to treat it with respect, but it's a whole lot less dangerous than a .22 equivalent pellet gun.

I've used BB guns before. They don't go far enough or accurate enough for sport shooting in my opinion, they are also heavily effected by the wind. BB guns are seen as toys by many here... though you actually need to be 18 to own one. Besides I really do want a rifle. I like the look and feel of them, closest I'm going to get to firing a real gun without a license.

 

[Wadders]

Too bad you live in the UK, or I would suggest getting an airsoft rile instead. Works great for target shooting and is very cheap in most countries, but I hear getting a hold of airsoft in the UK is next to impossible, or at least very expensive as you have to buy from people who already own them. Something about not being able to import more? Idk =p, good luck anyway!

Honestly, it's as easy to legally get a shotgun in the UK, as it is to buy an airsoft gun what isnt covered in bright paint. Ridiculous.

You sound like just the sort of person who would be good a responsible gun owner, from what you've posted here.

Thank you.

The only thing I'd say is (if you want to stay well and truly within the law) is that shooting any gun in the UK - whether it be a .22 air rifle such as the one you want to get or a 12 Bore shotgun - next to a road is subject to the below law:

Spoiler

4. It is an offense under the Highways Act 1980 s 161(2) to light any fire on or over a carriageway, or discharge any firearm or firework within 50 feet of the centre of a highway which is a carriageway, with the consequence that a user of the carriageway is injured, interrupted or endangered. The section applies to rights of way over which there are vehicular rights, e.g. ways shown on the definitive map as byways open to all traffic, but not to footpaths and bridleways.

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/rights_of_way/knowledge_portal/advice_notes/shooting

Shooting around footpaths is legal, but be careful.

My house is no where near a highway... we have a road but's its a very small and narrow road. fire works are set off around here all the time along with bonfires and it doesn't seem to bother the police. Though I may have to look deeper into this to see if the area I'm in is a legal fire zone if you know what I mean. I don't want to break any law. This is also my backyard which is no where close to the road, not close enough to injure any one. I think my road is a bridleway... I just want to make sure... I want to stay within the law.

So yeah I'd say go for it! Personally I'd recommend firing a gun that isn't air powered if you want the full experience, but I dont know your situation. Maybe your family dont want a more lethal weapon in the house, or shooting ranges are too far away.

My parents back this and they feel I'm mature enough to handle a fire arm... I'm the one who's really questioning the maturity. Any gun would do me as long as it's within the law and I don't have to apply for a license while also less likely to damage any one. I'm just not wanting a BB gun or a real gun.

Whatever though, I'd still recommend you go clay pigeon shooting or rifle target shooting if you get the chance.

Have fun and take care!

I would love to do so if I could find a place that had such event. Though I haven't had much luck so far.

Well it sounds like you'll be fine shooting in your yard then, but yeah, if you really want peace of mind, check with the police.

As far as maturity goes, I'd say you're more than suitable to own an air rifle, given the amount of thought you have obviously put into this.

And yeah shooting real guns is great fun, as long as everyone remembers to stay safe. You obviously have to have more security though, if you ever wanted to get a real gun. Doesnt cost much though, my security cord as about £30.

Shame you've not had any luck locating a range, but I'm sure you'll get the chance one day. More often than not they're in the countryside which is alright if you live there like I do, but if you're in a town it might be a bit more problematic.

Given any thought to a particular make or model of air rifle yet?

 

[esliang]

If you're careful, shouldn't be a problem. I sport-shot for a while when I was younger (BB and .22) and with proper safe handling an air-rifle isn't very dangerous at all. I will say, though, that you should be careful if you have younger siblings or such, since they can get seriously injured (obviously). You sound like a pretty reasonable and cautious person though, and I personally think you've put enough thought into this matter. Go for it.

 

[Sakurazaki1023]

If you are really that concerned with the possible dangers of a .22, start with a cheap airsoft rifle or pistol. It's not as dangerous as a pellet and the ammo is far cheaper. If you just plan on sitting in your backyard and shoot at targets, than a spring powered airsoft gun would be perfect.

 

[Continuity]

This is pretty clear on the matter:

http://www.basc.org.uk/download.cfm/docid/8201D2D3-E4B1-4333-B24BA94A9790765C

 

[Sovvolf]

Well it sounds like you'll be fine shooting in your yard then, but yeah, if you really want peace of mind, check with the police.

First thing I'm going to do before getting this rifle. I may go down to the gun store tomorrow though and explain the situation... maybe this could mean avoiding brining the police to area to check it out. Though if the store owner as no conclusive answer... then the police it is.

And yeah shooting real guns is great fun, as long as everyone remembers to stay safe. You obviously have to have more security though, if you ever wanted to get a real gun. Doesnt cost much though, my security cord as about £30.

While I do want to shoot a real gun at one point (mainly on a shooting range) I don't think I'd ever want to own one. Not for at home anyway, unless your talking about buying a gun that is left at the gun range?.

Shame you've not had any luck locating a range, but I'm sure you'll get the chance one day. More often than not they're in the countryside which is alright if you live there like I do, but if you're in a town it might be a bit more problematic.

I live in the town of Barnsley, between Leeds and Sheffield. Which I don't think is close to any shooting ranges.

Given any thought to a particular make or model of air rifle yet?

Honestly?... no, I don't think I'm gun savey enough to know the types.

I've seen this on http://www.airguns-online.co.uk which is sort of the type I'm after. Single loaded too, I'd like that. Means I'd take more time with my shot. Looks a decent rifle too. I'm looking for a cheap rifle to start with, maybe if I like the practise enough I'll go out and buy a more expensive one.

 

[Eri]

Its an air rifle, why does this require any thought? If you have the cash for a computer than drop the 50 dollars(or 40 euros) and get one. Its not exactly a big decision, if you decide you don't like it, than give it to some neighborhood kid you think wont use to to shoot dogs.

This. It's a freaking air rifle.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I've used BB guns before. They don't go far enough or accurate enough for sport shooting in my opinion, they are also heavily effected by the wind. BB guns are seen as toys by many here... though you actually need to be 18 to own one. Besides I really do want a rifle. I like the look and feel of them, closest I'm going to get to firing a real gun without a license.

Alright then. I forget, you're from the U.K., which has stricter gun control laws. Coming from redneck central, USA, I tend to think of even a pellet gun as a toy, albeit one the owner should be careful with. I probably know some people who think of a .22 rifle as a toy, for that matter. A pellet gun can be a lot of fun, just be careful and follow proper gun safety guidelines. There isn't a British equivalent of the NRA you could get some pointers on that from, is there?

Edit:

I've seen this on http://www.airguns-online.co.uk which is sort of the type I'm after. Single loaded too, I'd like that. Means I'd take more time with my shot. Looks a decent rifle too. I'm looking for a cheap rifle to start with, maybe if I like the practise enough I'll go out and buy a more expensive one.

That is one sexy air rifle. The difference in responses you're getting may be a cultural thing. In America, you don't really see air rifles that look like that, because they're something that rural kids learn gun safety and how to shoot on before either getting a real rifle, or growing out of it and doing something else. I guess with the strict gun control laws they have in the U.K., you see older people taking them more seriously.

 

[Ian Caronia]

No references to A Christmas Story? I'm disappointed.

You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

You'll shoot your- MOTHER FUCK!! I...I wasn't the first...
*sigh* Well, I guess I have to go hang myself now...

OT: Get the rifle all you want, but you're not a REAL man until you've killed something big with it. Like a deer or a moose...

...Or a cheating slut. >_>

 

[skywalkerlion]

When you say "air rifle", do you mean air soft rifle? Cause if you do, then you should know that air soft rifles can do little to no harm to most unless you get really fucked up with it. Of course, in the same sense you could kill someone with a spoon. Just make sure you get the right bbs, and you can shoot people with it (with protective eye-ware) to have little "airsoft wars".

 

[Sovvolf]

Its an air rifle, why does this require any thought? If you have the cash for a computer than drop the 50 dollars(or 40 euros) and get one. Its not exactly a big decision, if you decide you don't like it, than give it to some neighborhood kid you think wont use to to shoot dogs.

This. It's a freaking air rifle.

Well as mentioned below by Owyn_Merrilin... I'm not American... I'm a Brit and we have very strict gun laws. To you a pellet gun may be like a toy. Over here it's taken with extreme seriousness, over here it's not a toy.

I've used BB guns before. They don't go far enough or accurate enough for sport shooting in my opinion, they are also heavily effected by the wind. BB guns are seen as toys by many here... though you actually need to be 18 to own one. Besides I really do want a rifle. I like the look and feel of them, closest I'm going to get to firing a real gun without a license.

Alright then. I forget, you're from the U.K., which has stricter gun control laws. Coming from redneck central, USA, I tend to think of even a pellet gun as a toy, albeit one the owner should be careful with. I probably know some people who think of a .22 rifle as a toy, for that matter. A pellet gun can be a lot of fun, just be careful and follow proper gun safety guidelines. There isn't a British equivalent of the NRA you could get some pointers on that from, is there?

I honestly have no idea, this needs researching. Though Continuity as selflessly provided me with a PDF which I'm currently reading and I'm sure the gun store owner would be able to hand me some advice. Though I'm sort of mixed on the gun control in both America and the U.K. I think America could do with being a little stricter with weaponry while I feel Britain needs to loosen up a little with it. I find it a little... funny and I feel a little stupid talking about all this when I'm getting treated like a guy buying a toy with some lol while I'm treating it as a real weapon lol.

Edit:

I've seen this on http://www.airguns-online.co.uk which is sort of the type I'm after. Single loaded too, I'd like that. Means I'd take more time with my shot. Looks a decent rifle too. I'm looking for a cheap rifle to start with, maybe if I like the practise enough I'll go out and buy a more expensive one.

That is one sexy air rifle. The difference in responses you're getting may be a cultural thing. In America, you don't really see air rifles that look like that, because they're something that rural kids learn gun safety and how to shoot on before either getting a real rifle, or growing out of it and doing something else. I guess with the strict gun control laws they have in the U.K., you see older people taking them more seriously.

Damn you ninja'd answered in your edit lol.

When you say "air rifle", do you mean air soft rifle? Cause if you do, then you should know that air soft rifles can do little to no harm to most unless you get really fucked up with it. Of course, in the same sense you could kill someone with a spoon. Just make sure you get the right bbs, and you can shoot people with it (with protective eye-ware) to have little "airsoft wars".

No I mean as in a pellet gun.

 

[halfeclipse]

If you're that concerned about hurting someone try and get something with a lower fps. 300-400 fps isn't bad for a backyard. If someone gets hit they're going to know about it, but it's not likely to do any permanent damage. if you end up getting something in the 600+ Fps range you need to be far more careful since that's getting up to the speed of actual bullets.

 

[thesnipist]

Now, it seems like there may be a little confusion here. There are the .22 pellets, and the .22 powder cartridges. The powder cartridges come in long rifle (LR) and Short. The LR cartridges are much louder than any pellet gun, and can punch pretty good holes in stuff, while the Shorts are about the same as a pellet gun as far as power and sound goes. Many of the older .22 caliber rifles (30's-50's) will handle .22 Short, Long, and LR. The long cartridges, however, are no longer manufactured. There are also 3 basic calibers of air rifle. There is .22, .177 (4.5mm), and 6mm. The .177's are generally used for target practice (and cheaper), while the .22's are used more for hunting. The 6mm's are airsoft pellets, which are commonly used for competitive shooting, much like paintball, in which teams are pitted against each other, and is an extremely fun pastime. Another big question is, how far are you intending to shoot? If the distance is 50 feet or less, you will want a gun that shoots 400-600 f.p.s., but anything longer than that, 1000-1200 would be ideal. I live in Oregon (a western state in the U.S.) and its not uncommon for a majority of people around here to own multiple guns, and shoot them often. Popular calibers include 7mm, .30-06, .338 Lapua, and so on. I recommend purchasing an air rifle, because they are loads of fun and cheap. if you have a little more money, however, purchasing a more powerful rifle would be suitable, provided you have access to a suitable shooting area. Just the thoughts of a gun-loving Yank.

 

[The Night Shade]

Buy one it isnt a big deal just dont shoot people or animals

 

[Sovvolf]

This is pretty clear on the matter:

http://www.basc.org.uk/download.cfm/docid/8201D2D3-E4B1-4333-B24BA94A9790765C

While I thank you for that PDF my main problem is that I don't know what my street is. Yes I'm a little stupid when it comes to stuff like this.


Here, I've edited out the street name for privacy reasons but here's a picture of my house, street and shooting area. Maybe you could help me with this or maybe some one else could give me a hand. The picture is old and it's from google maps. The fence in the picture had been ripped down and a new more thicker fence as been put up and the garden doesn't look a mess... also the front of the houses have been extended but that's the basic street.