Air gun

Air gun is a type of gun that uses compressed air or other gases to propel projectiles. Unlike firearms, which use a chemical reaction to generate the force necessary to launch the projectile, air guns use mechanical means.

History

The earliest known air guns were developed in the 16th century, and were used for hunting and warfare. The Girandoni air rifle, for example, was used by the Austrian army in the late 18th century. These early air guns were often large and cumbersome, but they had the advantage of being able to fire multiple shots without reloading.

Design and operation

Air guns use a variety of mechanisms to compress air or gas, including spring-piston, pneumatic, and CO2. The compressed air is stored in a reservoir, and is released when the trigger is pulled. The sudden release of pressure propels the projectile down the barrel of the gun.

Spring-piston

In a spring-piston air gun, the user cocks the gun, compressing a spring and piston. When the trigger is pulled, the spring is released, pushing the piston forward and compressing air in the chamber. This compressed air then propels the pellet or BB out of the barrel.

Pneumatic

Pneumatic air guns use a manually operated pump to compress air. The compressed air is stored in a reservoir, and is released when the trigger is pulled. These guns can be single-stroke, requiring the user to pump the gun once for each shot, or multi-stroke, allowing the user to pump the gun multiple times to increase power.

CO2

CO2 air guns use a disposable or refillable CO2 cartridge as their power source. When the trigger is pulled, a valve opens, releasing a small amount of CO2 gas and propelling the projectile.

Uses

Air guns are used for a variety of purposes, including hunting, pest control, and competitive shooting. They are also popular for recreational shooting due to their low cost and ease of use.

Safety

While air guns are less lethal than firearms, they can still cause serious injury or death if not handled properly. Users should always treat an air gun as if it were a firearm, and follow all safety guidelines.

See also

• List of air gun manufacturers
• Airsoft gun
• BB gun
• Pellet gun