Air Guns
Description
Air Guns are pneumatic firearms which let off projectiles or metallic pellets by using compressed gas as a propellant. They are also termed as air rifles, spudguns or potato launchers. Air is accumulated under high pressure inside the gun’s “tank”, which is then released from the barrel to push the pellet out. Air guns are normally manufactured from a material which is pressure rated such as PVC pipe, aluminium, copper, iron and steel etc.
Types
Air Guns are broadly classified into three basic types:
Based on their intend application, air guns are classified as:
Match guns
Field target guns
Hunting guns
Sporting guns
Some of the other common types of air guns are:
Pistol air guns
Soft air guns
Pump air guns
Powerline air guns
Pellet air guns
Target air guns
Hot air guns
Cold air guns
Electric air guns
Automatic air guns
Safety air guns
Advantages
Pneumatic air guns do not recoil and are light weight and compactSpring piston air guns are reliable and durable CO2 air guns are easier for cocking Pistol air guns, although small in size, have a good muzzle velocity
Pumping pistols maintain accuracy and are suited for fast shooting
Applications
Whereas high powered air guns are for hunting purposes, soft air guns are used for gaming. Air guns are used for refraction surveys and marine reflection. CO2 air guns can be used for controlling pests and for offshore and onshore seismic analysis. For plinking purposes, pneumatic air guns are utilized. Cold air guns make use of filtered compressed air to produce air at sub-zero temperatures, which are used for industrial spot cooling.