While it often doesn’t occur to new or inexperienced gun owners, airguns can be a useful tool in firearms training. Rather than using gunpowder to propel a bullet, airguns sling BBs and pellets using a number of different methods, ranging from spring-powered to CO2 and other gasses. 

While airgun training doesn’t exactly replicate the experience of actually shooting a firearm, it can give you experience in the basics of handling and shooting that is otherwise more difficult to get. In fact, there are several advantages to training with airguns to make yourself a better shooter with your rifle or pistol. First, they are relatively inexpensive compared to regular firearms. You can get into the airgun game for under $100, or splurge and buy a more expensive model. Either way, you can gain valuable experience on a  budget.

Airgun Training

Speaking of finances, the ammo for airguns is inexpensive, too, compared to firearm ammunition. You can pick up a tin of 100 pellets at your local Walmart for under $10. Compare that to about $50 or more for 100 rounds of 9mm ammo, and the savings is obvious.

Additionally, a benefit to pistol shooters is that many air pistols are made to “match” real pistol models, making training very lifelike. With the same size grip, slide length and even controls, these airguns can make training more like handling and shooting your real handgun, and that’s a good thing. A good example is the Glock 17 CO2 airgun by Umarex. Not only does it have the same look and feel as a real G17, but it also uses a drop-free magazine operated with a mag release similar to that on Glock handguns.

The fact that airguns aren’t real “firearms” doesn’t  hurt either, since you don’t have to go through a Federal Firearms Licensee (gun dealer) and have a background check to purchase one. Instead, they are sold over-the-counter at many retail outlets, along with being available by mail order through places like Amazon, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. That cuts out a little more hassle when compared to acquiring real firearms.

Quiet & Forgiving Training

The very nature of airguns is also an advantage. Without the loud blast from the muzzle of a regular firearm, airguns allow shooters to work more on trigger control without creating an unwanted flinch because of the loud blast that accompanies every shot. That blast is what causes many new shooters to pick up bad habits. 

There is also no recoil with airguns, so that’s another aspect that is eliminated with airgun training. As with the blast, recoil can cause some new—and even experienced—shooters to concentrate on things other than keeping the sights on target while making a good trigger press. Learning these critical functions without having to deal with recoil is a win-win for airgun shooters, helping them to build muscle memory that can carry over to their cartridge firearm..

Yet another big advantage is if you have a safe place to shoot in the backyard, or even in the garage or basement, you won’t have to travel to a gun range and pay a range fee to shoot with your airgun. Just be sure you have a safe place with enough room and an adequate backstop before shooting at home.

Trigger Time Fun

Along with training purposes, airguns have some other advantages. First, they’re just a lot of fun to shoot. They’re also handy to have around the house for pest control, like keeping rats out of a dog food bin or smacking that pesky squirrel stealing your tomatoes. Plus, hunting small game animals like rabbits and squirrels with an airgun is a “blast” without the blast, along with providing tasty natural protein at dinner time. Some companies now make big-bore airguns used in hunting deer and other medium-sized game.

Note, however, that there are a few things to remember about training with airguns. First is safety. Modern airguns are much more powerful than the Red Ryder BB guns of yesteryear, so if mishandled they can do a lot more than just “shoot your eye out.”

When handling and shooting airguns, you must remember the cardinal rules of gun safety. Treat every airgun as a loaded firearm, keeping it pointed in a safe direction. Always know what is beyond your target and keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. Practice these safety rules always!

Another thing to remember is that training with an airgun is not a substitute for actually training with the firearm you intend to use. You need to hear and feel the blast, experience the recoil and become completely familiar with all aspects of your firearm to be sufficient in its handling and use. So, train with your firearm when you can, and use your airgun when you can’t train with your regular firearm.

Find a place to shoot at NSSF.org.