Airguns reviews

It’s time to delve into the exciting world of Pneumatica Antiqua. It sounds like some rare disease and yes, once you catch it you can't stop thinking about antique airguns.

If you like old air pistols then you may well know the name Webley. Their shared pistol design is a spring chamber with a barrel riding piggyback. On release, the piston pushes the air towards the breech block then up and out into the barrel. Very odd - the air does a U turn. Webley decided to have a go at air rifles but strangely kept to this layout.

The best of the cards I’ve shot is pictured below, as are some other competitors cards, who agreed to let my father publish them. I’ve also asked my father if I could produce a table of the current leaderboard standings, and he’s happily provided me with this data and some photographs above of the competitors at one of the local airgun ranges.

Collecting and using airguns from 100 years ago can be inevitable. One old name that is held in awe by many is Britannia. The name refers to the Britannia Air Rifle which appeared in Edwardian Britain then passed into airgun folklore.

Two key points to note were it's fully recessed under lever and that longer stock with the tip detail. Somebody came up with the idea of shortening the barrel and the iconic Airsporter Stutzen was born 4 years later.

Here’s a top 10 as picked by Gunstar of airsoft firearms we absolutely love on the market at the moment!

Generations of people have grown up with the lightweight accurate pneumatic pump-up airgun. The beauty of the multi-pump is its’ simplicity. Cheap to make, reliable and affordable - it’s been a go-to favourite especially in the US and even UK airgunners fell for the pumper-upper in the 70's and 80's.

Many new Co2 repliguns appeared in the 90's. Barely noticed in amongst the Daisy, Gamo and Crosmans one little air pistol arrived - from Russia. Baikal was already known for shotguns and target shooting.

A well used and looked after airgun will be 'run in' and may well be better to use than when new. Possibly an older air rifle may just be in need of some basic T.L.C. Better is one that's been tuned or customised to a high standard.

The air guns listed are well worth mentioning, as they’re all affordable entry-level CO2, PCPs and springers aimed at introducing someone to the sport of shooting. The list below is in no particular order, and I understand my choice may not be the same as yours and that’s great, as that’s what makes the airgun market exciting.