Holiday Shopping: What to Look for in the Best BB Guns

According to statistical data, the holiday season is reportedly the busiest time for gun sales. Not surprisingly, this same spike is also seen in sales of BB guns, air rifles, and pellet guns; as these are often purchased as first-time firearms for beginners. Some may link this increase in BB gun and air rifle sales to the iconic A Christmas Story film of 1983, while many families simply consider gifting a first time BB gun at Christmas to be a nostalgic pastime.

In either case, if you're shopping for someone special this year or if you're looking to treat yourself, our buying guide will tell you everything you need to look for in the best BB guns!

First Things First

Perhaps the first factor to consider when mulling over a BB gun purchase is the intended purpose of your BB gun. Will you be introducing a young shooter to their first experience with a BB gun or possibly a pellet gun? Most often, BB guns are used as a means of target practice or training for proper form and technique.

Are you looking to chase off pests or hunt small game? With so many varieties of these guns available, identifying your intentions for the BB gun will certainly help you on your quest to choosing the best fit.

BB Guns For Beginners

If you're planning to gift a first time BB gun or air gun this season, you'll want to make sure you're taking home a high-quality gun.

Young shooters and also adult beginners will feel much more comfortable shooting a reliable and easy to use piece of equipment. Similarly, size and weight will also be important factors to consider; especially if you're looking into BB guns for kids. A BB gun that is too heavy or too long for your child to handle comfortably could make mastering the basics much more difficult.

Also, high quality doesn't always mean high price. When it comes to high quality, you'll want to consider craftsmanship and the credibility of a knowledgeable retailer.

Size Matters

As mentioned previously, the size of the BB gun is an important factor to consider, and this is due to more than just safe handling and comfort. In fact, modern day BB guns have been crafted in almost every style you could imagine from the smallest pistols to the largest rifles.

That said, other factors to consider in terms of size of the BB gun will be whether you plan to shoot for long-range target practice, in a competition setting, or possibly something for a more advanced shooter such as air rifle hunting.

Ammo Check

The type of ammunition your BB gun uses will also be an important consideration for you.

BB sizes range from 0.777" to 0.50" for the round balls and pellets have a similar range though they offer more variances in size. Naturally, appropriate pellet or ball size will change depending on the intended use for your air rifles or BB guns so these factors will also need to be considered.

Similarly, the material of the ammunition itself will also make a difference for you. For instance, the lead or steel BB's will withstand wind and other elements better than a light plastic variety; so it's all in user-preference and skill level when it comes to choosing the best BB gun.

BB Guns & Matching Accessories

Another important feature to consider when it comes to buying the best BB gun for you comes down to accessories. Any gun enthusiast will understand the thinking behind customizing a BB gun, air rifle, or pellet gun to fit his or her own unique style and preferences.

Maybe your preference lends itself to applying a top-of-the-line air rifle scope, or maybe you're drawn to the look of a full metal airsoft gun. Whatever the case may be, you will want to consider the availability of add-ons and accessories as your skill in the sport advances and develops.

What's All That Racket?

One feature your neighbors are likely to notice relates to the noise-level your BB gun puts forth due to the release of compressed air. However, even if you're in a relatively secluded environment for target practice, someone new to shooting, (particularly those younger shooters), will typically respond better to a BB gun or air rifle that doesn't make too loud of a pop.

Certainly, the type of gun along with the type of ammunition will affect the noise level of the gun. If noise is at all a concern for you, you will want to consult the experts on which BB gun or air rifle might be the best fit for your needs.

When In Season

Let's talk about using BB guns for hunting.

Notably, BB guns are widespread in the world of hunting; particularly after small prey for sport and also pest control. However, when it comes to hunting, not any old BB gun will do. According to the experts, the accuracy of shots fired and the use of pure lead pellets are essential for both satisfying and responsible hunting.

Interestingly, more and more people are deciding to add BB guns and other pellet guns or high power air rifles to their survival arsenals for a myriad of reasons. In case you're curious, some of these reasons include:

• Ease of purchase
• Low cost of ammunition which is also light-weight and easy to store
• BB guns can be handled more safely than actual firearms

In other words, BB guns and air rifles can offer you so much more than just target practice.

A Few Parting Words

From those who have never held a gun previously all the way to the most advanced shooters, there is a perfect BB gun waiting for you. Considering purpose, skill level, size, ammunition, accessories, noise, and hunting capabilities are all crucial factors to take into account when shopping for the best BB guns.

Are you left with more questions about airsoft and BB guns? If so, why don't you visit our blog page? We have a ton of great reads on there that can help answer any of your air gun needs!