You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid

So, you've decided to get a bb gun as a present for a special kid in your life! 

Rules of the road for airguns, bb guns and new shooters in the shooting sports! I thought I would make a quick introduction for those interested in becoming air gun owners and for those thinking about getting their kids a bb gun. First rule of the road is air guns, bb guns and pellet guns are not toys. They are sporting equipment. Toy guns are found in the toy department and are usually safe for kids to play with unsupervised. I am focusing on bb guns for first time buyers in this blog post. 

There are many types of air guns in the shooting sports. The most basic is the Daisy Red Ryder and Buck bb guns. This is the most common model for new shooters for Christmas and birthdays. It's a lever action bb gun with a spring piston power plant.  The velocity of a steel bb that is .177 caliber or 4.5 mm from these two basic guns is 200 feet per second or 200 F.P.S. In comparison a standard 22 caliber long rifle round will travel at over a thousand feet per second. The next most common type of beginner bb/pellet gun is the multi-pump air gun. The Daisy 880 model is small enough for a young teen or older child and yet very accurate and can be used for hunting small game. Multi-pump air guns require a pumping action from 3 to 10 pumps to compress the air internally. The velocity can reach 800 to 1000 feet per second depending on type of ammunition. The next common beginner bb gun is the cartridge powered gun. A steel cartridge filled with 12 grams of liquid CO2 is used to power the gun instead of spring pistons and multi-pumps.  The maximum velocity is around 450 feet per second. These guns are mainly used for target shooting and competitions. The next type is more for expert levels and are pre-charged with air from a compressor or air tank. These set ups can cost thousands of dollars and are geared toward hunters. I will not be talking about those types of air guns.

Air guns have been around for hundred of years and have been used by the military in conflicts in the past. This is not a new technology in any stretch. The term "bb" refers to weight of the ammunition used. Pellets are made of lead and measured in grains. Pellets offer a wider variety of types of ammunition and purposes. Pellets come in many calibers but most common are .177 and 22 pellets can be designed for target practice or hunting. You will find many brands, weights and styles to choose from. A standard bb gun is not designed for pellet use but you will find combination air guns designed for pellets and bb's such as the Daisy 880.  Pellet rifles have a rifles barrel or makings inside the barrel that give the pellet a spin and stability in air. The standard bb gun, such as the Red Ryder has a smooth bore with no rifling for bb do not require the spin for stability. 

Our next talking point is safety! First, though most airguns can used inside you also need to ensure no ricochet will occur or another words bb's bounce. You need something called a backstop whether shooting inside or outside. For outside a bail of hay or mound of dirt works well. You want something that will not only stop the projectile but prevent it from bouncing as well. In the movie, A Christmas Story, Ralphie placed his target on a steel sign and it caused the bb to bounce off and hit his glasses. Needless to say, steel bounced off steel and steel or rubber targets will also bounce. Hence, you want something called a pellet trap to catch the bb's and pellets. Pellet traps can be purchased or made. I make my own with a cardboard box, stuffed with rags and a bulls-eye target taped to the widest area.  I shoot in the backyard and use a dirt mound and old wood for a back stop. You can also use what is called a ballistic curtain by finding an old comforter or thick blanket that is ragged and hang it up behind your target.  Also, wear protective shooting glasses and always keep the air gun pointed in a safe direction and never put your finger on the trigger until ready to fire. When teaching children ensure they do not fire if anyone is standing near the targets. Sometimes kids get a little ahead of themselves. Also, teach them to never point the gun at another person or play with it like a toy. It is not a toy! 

Targets! Targets can be the funnest part. If you are crafty you can make your own that react when hit with the bb or pellet. Daisy has a few targets on the market that you can purchase. I prefer to simply shoot metal cans. I save any cans from food, wash and peel off the label. I place the cans in a bag and I have a wide verity of interactive targets at my disposal. A high powered air gun can rip through a can so beware of that fact if you get a multi-pump. A Red Ryder or Buck will simply dent the cans. Do not shoot glass for if it breaks you have shattered glass to clean up and you will have a safety issue and could get cut. 

I have covered the basics for beginners to bb guns. Don't shoot your eye out kid!