Air Rifles

[Slimslim]

Good point to make Hunstman!

For the first few days when Law and Order breaks down their priority is going to be looting Alcohol rather then food... But depending on the area you can be at risk of random acts of violence. If you look at the example of the London riots then there is the risk of arson for no good reason...More likely to happen in a built up area or if you are close by to shops.

Any recommendations for a relatively inexpensive scope as the one I have for my air-rifle is pretty busted and won't zero anymore...

[bulldogeagle]

SMK scopes arent too bad, i've got them on my Meteor and my SMK co2 rifle, and i dont have any problems with them and i wear glasses.

[Slimslim]

Cheers Bulldog!

[Titchtonka]

I grew up around air-rifles but have not used one in a long time, I am going to be purchasing a .22 rimfire as soon as finances allow - for target shooting at a local gun club and rabbit hunting (to use now rather then preppping for when TSHTF, But that being said, It will be handy to have in any situation)

I think I will also get a nice Air-rifle as a prep tool, the reason being the .22 rimfire would soon run out of ammo after TSHTF, But I can cheaply buy and legally store many tens of thousands of rounds of air-rifle ammo and its just as good for rabbits / squirrels / pigeons etc.

[Janash37]

I know they're cheap and relatively easy to find, but do NOT run out and get yourself one of those Westlake/SMK B2 rifles in .22.

I bought one a few weeks ago (just for plinking mind you) but the number of people I've seen saying that they might be a good cheap option for defence/hunting... Cheap, yes. Good, no.

This thing couldn't hit a man size target at much more than about 15-20 yards I swear, and definitely not anything the same size or smaller than a rabbit (in the kill zone that is, unless you want it to suffer) at more than about 8 yards.

The moral of the story - save your money and either get a good quality airgun or a nice silent crossbow!

[danby825]

for a air rifle here is what you have to choose from

spring powered/gas ram yo cock these your self most popular being a break barrel

compressed air called a pre charged or pneumatic cost a whole lot more and need filling from either a divers bottle or a stirrup pump more cost bottle needs filling where you going to get it filled SHTF but a pump would last years

and Co2 rubbish in cold weather and you have to buy Co2 where you going to get it SHTF

So my advice is a springer something like a BSA Lightning or a weihrauch break barrel these were what I had as my first guns, any springer is good for a SHTF world they dont need recharging like a pneumatic air gun and steer clear of anything needing co2 they need some skill to tune to decent hunting levels and they are no good if you dont have the Co2 to feed them but buy a spare spring and seal kit for a good springer and you will have years of fun

If you have a larger budget then a pre-charged and a good pump with a mostiure filter would be the next step up but they are a little more complicated if something should go wrong.

then it all comes down to the user practice practice practice I now own a springer, a Co2 tuned to 11ftlb and a precharged BSA R10mk2 these are my air rifles I would not bother with a air pistol in this country they are restricted to 6ftlb "you will go to prison owning something over that" the legal limit for a air rifle in the uk is 12ftlb which will easily kill a rabbit at 30 yards with good shot placement my Co2 rifle was taking rabbits at 20yards with 9.6ftlb before it was tuned but its a pain when it runs out of gas hope my ramblings have helped

A AIR RIFLE FOR SELF DEFENCE DON'T BOTHER! In A SHTF situation you would have more stopping power with a bow and a broadhead you can pick up a bow with 50lb draw weight and this will stop a grizzly bear with a heart shot they may run on but yo get the idea ok so its not a .45 or a 12g shotgun but it is licence free if It was me I would go for a pump action 12bore or a semi auto for home defence!!!!!

I picked up a Savage 12g pump action shotgun a few years ago for £50. With buck shot the first person through the door is going to drop and the second and the third " its a three shot you need a FAC for anymore but with practice i can load more very quickly. Im now looking at a .22lr AR15 semi auto to add to my collection for rabbits and if the SHTF it will come in very handy having a tactical weapon to call on.

[unsure]

no good if you dont have the Co2 to feed them :


i can`t see this realy being a problem , just about every pub celler , restaurant or bar will have a few cylinders in the place ,also any local piantball sites as well . even a BOC depot if you happen to have one . you can also fill up off a fire extinguisher . you just need to have fill kit , which if you have a CO2 powered rifle you will have or should have anyway .
i run mine off a 2inch /9oz refillable cylinder , my brother runs he`s off a paintball bottle with a remote hose .[ the bottle stays in his chest rig ] along with anything else he needs to carry , tools , pellets ect

[Triple_sod]

Great post danby825,

Been thinking about getting my lightning switched over to a gas ram as apparently they don’t weaken over time as with a spring. Anyone had any experience?

[nik04]

As for air rifles buy a HW77 in .177, has open sights and dovetail rail for scope, it's a springer so you just cock it and go. They used to be used for FT shooters so very accurate and being german made will last just about for ever, I stupidly sold mine a few years back it is still going strong and still putting out 11.4lbs after around 100 tins of pellets through it on it's original spring.

[danby825]

Come a SHTF scenario I would not want to compromise my self going looking for Co2 far better to have everything you need at home for this reason Im now selling my Co2 rifle xs78 .22 full tune and custom stock plus paint job and silencer £120