Air rifles

TrueBlue711 · June 18, 2019, 03:36 PM

So I never gave air rifles a glance until recently and I'm pretty ignorant on the subject. I know they're not legally classified as firearms. So here's a question for a potential situation:
I live at the edge of city limits and my backyard borders desert. We got a coyote problem. I would like to shoot at them with a normal rifle, but there's the whole shooting a firearm within city limits thing. However, what about air rifles? Not a firearm. Not sure how loud they are, so not sure if the noise will scare neighbors. Obviously it'll be a problem if I hit something I'm not intending to, but it's open desert.

Gary L. Griffiths · June 18, 2019, 05:23 PM

First of all, you would need to check the city ordinances. Some prohibit discharge of "firearms" only, others include air guns, pellet guns, etc., as well as firearms, and still others specifically define firearms to include air guns.

That said, there are quite a number of powerful air guns, even in 25 and 30 caliber, that would humanely put down a coyote. Bear in mind, of course, that they ARE powerful projectile weapons, and all the rules about being sure of your target and the background still apply.

**Aguila Blanca** · June 18, 2019, 05:28 PM

There are air rifles that have suppressors built in. Since they aren't "firearms" under federal law, the suppressors are legal.

As Gary L. Griffiths commented, check the ordinances. I've been going through local ordinances for municipalities in my state to compile them for the grassroots pro-2A association. Many of them specifically prohibit the discharge of air rifles within city limits. Others define "firearm" in ways that would include an air rifle.

Auto5 · June 18, 2019, 07:37 PM

In Illinois, an air rifle over .18 caliber, which shoots over 800 fps is considered a "firearm". I was wearing a 9mm legally concealed handgun, but I had to wait 24 hours to pick up my pellet gun.

**Aguila Blanca** · June 18, 2019, 08:26 PM

I know next to nothing about anything more sophisticated than a Red Ryder bb-gun, but here's an example of a .177 caliber rifle with a built-in suppressor. It has a rifled barrel and it shoots pellets, not round, steel BBs. Velocity is 1300 fps. Not too shabby. But I don't know if that's enough to dispatch a coyote.

It's also available in .22 caliber, but the velocity drops off. I don't know which would be better. In any case, this is offered just to start you looking, not as a recommendation.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Gamo_...Air_Rifle/4791

5whiskey · June 18, 2019, 09:35 PM

There are pcp air rifles (pre charged pneumatic) that can easily take down coyote. There are 357, 44, and even a 50 caliber models that put up some impressive energy levels. Plenty enough for coyote within 50 yards.

As others have said, don’t assume your town ordinance is ok with air guns. I’m a cop in a town that has an ordinance regarding dangerous missiles. It covers everything from firearms to a kid with a slingshot, absurd as it sounds. It’s typically relegated to firearms only as a matter of discretion, unless someone is attacked with a bow (yes that happened). Then, well... play stupid games you win stupid prizes. Oh, and don’t count on any kind of discretion. It may be there, but you can’t count on it.

TrueBlue711 · June 20, 2019, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the info. I just checked the city (I'm in Albuquerque, NM by the way) ordinances and they only say you can't shoot air rifles in public parks and open spaces (walking trails, etc). The state of NM itself has zero regulations regarding "powderless rifles". Sounds like I found a viable solution to legally dispatching those coyotes hanging out by our property (also, coyotes are considered a nuisance here and you don't even need a hunting license to kill them).

Quote:

There are 357, 44, and even a 50 caliber models that put up some impressive energy levels. Plenty enough for coyote within 50 yards.

From the few websites I searched so far, this checks out. One website asks what size animal you're hunting and then it takes you to the selection of air rifles to do that job. One of the categories was deer! But yeah, coyotes had it's own section and there were like 30 models to choose from. I heard AirForce is a good air rifle company. They aren't cheap though. Costs as much as a normal rifle haha

cslinger · June 20, 2019, 09:06 AM

Couple thoughts

-Honestly if your jurisdiction disallows discharging firearms there is a good chance it will also disallow air rifles.

-Air rifles capable of putting down a coyote quickly and humanely will be EXPENSIVE and also very loud if Not suppressed as they are largely fairly powerful pre charged pneumatic guns. (PCP)

-Filling a PCP gun requires specialized equipment. A shop compressor or bike pump will not do it. You need gear to handle pressures in the 3000 psi range. This gear is not cheap. If you have a place near you that can fill a reservoir that is probably your best option. Pumping a large cylinder by hand will be a chore.

-Shooting a PCP Gun is EASY. Very little recoil. Shooting any kind of spring Gun is HARD. They recoil like a sonofabitch (relatively speaking) in all directions and follow through and a light hold are paramount. The more powerful the more pronounced.

At any rate those are a few of my thoughts.

Maybe, if legal, a crossbow would be a more cost effective, quieter option? Just a left field thought.

Ricklin · June 20, 2019, 09:09 AM

I've spent a little time on their site, they get good reviews overall. Getting in to the PCP type rifles is an expensive proposition if you want to shoot a lot.

The budget can quickly go to 1.5 or 2 k by the time you buy the rifle and a high pressure air compressor to fill it up. AFAIK we don't have a scuba shop in my little town.
The alternative is buying a spare air tank or two. Paintball shops may also offer refills. It is a few bucks to get the tank filled with high pressure air.

Lewis and Clark brought an air rifle with on their journey. They enjoyed shooting it for the natives. Note I said for, not at. High power air rifles have been around for a long time.

cslinger · June 20, 2019, 09:12 AM

One clarification before I do a dis-service to competition air gun shooters.

When I say shooting a PCP gun is easy I mean that relative to firearms or spring Guns and in the application of hunting/plinking/shooting for fun.

The literal one hole accuracy required of competition air gunning is MIND BOGGLING in the amount of skill it takes even with the best equipment.

**4V50 Gary** · June 20, 2019, 10:25 AM

Some municipalities, like San Franciscograd, prohibit airguns. My dad drove me across the bridge and I bought one from Oakland. Check your laws.

I'd use a 25 cal pellet gun and do lung shots on them. They go away and die.

BarryLee · June 20, 2019, 02:43 PM

Also, consider how your neighbors might react to you shooting and/or killing animals in your backyard. I have a few acres in suburban Atlanta and my immediate neighbors could care less, but some others in the community would most certainly call the Police. Even if legal it could cause you unnecessary harassment or create a bad impression in the neighborhood.

TrueBlue711 · June 20, 2019, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Even if legal it could cause you unnecessary harassment or create a bad impression in the neighborhood.

I don't mind. I'm more concerned about protecting my pets and can care less what my neighbors think about it (so long as I'm legal). If somebody calls the cops on me and they come to make sure I'm not using a firearm, no problem.
Thankfully, I know all my neighbors within 4 houses in each direction and they all hate coyotes too. Many lost cats and small dogs to them.

Skans · June 20, 2019, 04:33 PM

Unless you are shooting a higher end PCP in a larger caliber, Shooting a Coyote sized animal with an ordinary .177 or .22 air rifle would be considered cruel. It doubtfully would kill the animal, or certainly not quickly.

Oh, and by the way regarding PCP compressors, the prices have come down substantially. You can find small compressors (made in china, of course) for about $230- lots of new ones on ebay. From what I understand, you need to be careful using them and you need to run water through them to keep them cool while running. But, I've been told they work pretty good. Because these pumps are readily available, I am seriously considering getting into a good PCP rifle.

osbornk · June 20, 2019, 05:00 PM

I bought my grandson a nitro-piston break barrel 22 caliber air rifle and it works great on squirrels, rabbits and the like but I don't know about larger. https://catchthemeasy.com/best-nitro...rifle-reviews/

T. O'Heir · June 21, 2019, 01:59 PM

"...coyote problem..." No you don't. You have a location and fencing problem. However, any air rifle powerful enough to kill Wiley humanely will be very expensive.
"...can't shoot air rifles in public parks and open spaces..." That says no shooting 'em. Discharge laws nearly always cover air power and archery.

**Aguila Blanca** · June 21, 2019, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. O'Heir

"...can't shoot air rifles in public parks and open spaces..." That says no shooting 'em. Discharge laws nearly always cover air power and archery.

An individual's back yard is not a public open space.

June 18, 2019, 03:36 PM	#1
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	Air rifles So I never gave air rifles a glance until recently and I'm pretty ignorant on the subject. I know they're not legally classified as firearms. So here's a question for a potential situation: I live at the edge of city limits and my backyard borders desert. We got a coyote problem. I would like to shoot at them with a normal rifle, but there's the whole shooting a firearm within city limits thing. However, what about air rifles? Not a firearm. Not sure how loud they are, so not sure if the noise will scare neighbors. Obviously it'll be a problem if I hit something I'm not intending to, but it's open desert.

June 18, 2019, 05:23 PM	#2
Gary L. Griffiths Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: AZ, WA Posts: 1,466	First of all, you would need to check the city ordinances. Some prohibit discharge of "firearms" only, others include air guns, pellet guns, etc., as well as firearms, and still others specifically define firearms to include air guns. That said, there are quite a number of powerful air guns, even in 25 and 30 caliber, that would humanely put down a coyote. Bear in mind, of course, that they ARE powerful projectile weapons, and all the rules about being sure of your target and the background still apply. __________________ Violence is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and valorous feeling which believes that nothing is worth violence is much worse. Those who have nothing for which they are willing to fight; nothing they care about more than their own craven apathy; are miserable creatures who have no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the valor of those better than themselves. Gary L. Griffiths (Paraphrasing John Stuart Mill)

June 18, 2019, 07:37 PM	#4
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	In Illinois, an air rifle over .18 caliber, which shoots over 800 fps is considered a "firearm". I was wearing a 9mm legally concealed handgun, but I had to wait 24 hours to pick up my pellet gun. __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

June 18, 2019, 09:35 PM	#6
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,652	There are pcp air rifles (pre charged pneumatic) that can easily take down coyote. There are 357, 44, and even a 50 caliber models that put up some impressive energy levels. Plenty enough for coyote within 50 yards. As others have said, don’t assume your town ordinance is ok with air guns. I’m a cop in a town that has an ordinance regarding dangerous missiles. It covers everything from firearms to a kid with a slingshot, absurd as it sounds. It’s typically relegated to firearms only as a matter of discretion, unless someone is attacked with a bow (yes that happened). Then, well... play stupid games you win stupid prizes. Oh, and don’t count on any kind of discretion. It may be there, but you can’t count on it. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946 Last edited by 5whiskey; June 18, 2019 at 10:47 PM.

June 20, 2019, 09:06 AM	#8
cslinger Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,045	Couple thoughts -Honestly if your jurisdiction disallows discharging firearms there is a good chance it will also disallow air rifles. -Air rifles capable of putting down a coyote quickly and humanely will be EXPENSIVE and also very loud if Not suppressed as they are largely fairly powerful pre charged pneumatic guns. (PCP) -Filling a PCP gun requires specialized equipment. A shop compressor or bike pump will not do it. You need gear to handle pressures in the 3000 psi range. This gear is not cheap. If you have a place near you that can fill a reservoir that is probably your best option. Pumping a large cylinder by hand will be a chore. -Shooting a PCP Gun is EASY. Very little recoil. Shooting any kind of spring Gun is HARD. They recoil like a sonofabitch (relatively speaking) in all directions and follow through and a light hold are paramount. The more powerful the more pronounced. At any rate those are a few of my thoughts. Maybe, if legal, a crossbow would be a more cost effective, quieter option? Just a left field thought. __________________ "Is there anyway I can write my local gun store off on my taxes as dependents?"

June 18, 2019, 05:28 PM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,459	There are air rifles that have suppressors built in. Since they aren't "firearms" under federal law, the suppressors are legal. As Gary L. Griffiths commented, check the ordinances. I've been going through local ordinances for municipalities in my state to compile them for the grassroots pro-2A association. Many of them specifically prohibit the discharge of air rifles within city limits. Others define "firearm" in ways that would include an air rifle.

June 18, 2019, 08:26 PM	#5
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,459	I know next to nothing about anything more sophisticated than a Red Ryder bb-gun, but here's an example of a .177 caliber rifle with a built-in suppressor. It has a rifled barrel and it shoots pellets, not round, steel BBs. Velocity is 1300 fps. Not too shabby. But I don't know if that's enough to dispatch a coyote. It's also available in .22 caliber, but the velocity drops off. I don't know which would be better. In any case, this is offered just to start you looking, not as a recommendation. https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Gamo_...Air_Rifle/4791

June 20, 2019, 09:09 AM	#9
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	I want one I've spent a little time on their site, they get good reviews overall. Getting in to the PCP type rifles is an expensive proposition if you want to shoot a lot. The budget can quickly go to 1.5 or 2 k by the time you buy the rifle and a high pressure air compressor to fill it up. AFAIK we don't have a scuba shop in my little town. The alternative is buying a spare air tank or two. Paintball shops may also offer refills. It is a few bucks to get the tank filled with high pressure air. Lewis and Clark brought an air rifle with on their journey. They enjoyed shooting it for the natives. Note I said for, not at. High power air rifles have been around for a long time. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

June 20, 2019, 09:12 AM	#10
cslinger Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,045	One clarification before I do a dis-service to competition air gun shooters. When I say shooting a PCP gun is easy I mean that relative to firearms or spring Guns and in the application of hunting/plinking/shooting for fun. The literal one hole accuracy required of competition air gunning is MIND BOGGLING in the amount of skill it takes even with the best equipment. __________________ "Is there anyway I can write my local gun store off on my taxes as dependents?"

June 20, 2019, 10:25 AM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	Some municipalities, like San Franciscograd, prohibit airguns. My dad drove me across the bridge and I bought one from Oakland. Check your laws. I'd use a 25 cal pellet gun and do lung shots on them. They go away and die. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

June 20, 2019, 02:43 PM	#12
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	Also, consider how your neighbors might react to you shooting and/or killing animals in your backyard. I have a few acres in suburban Atlanta and my immediate neighbors could care less, but some others in the community would most certainly call the Police. Even if legal it could cause you unnecessary harassment or create a bad impression in the neighborhood. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

June 20, 2019, 04:33 PM	#14
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Unless you are shooting a higher end PCP in a larger caliber, Shooting a Coyote sized animal with an ordinary .177 or .22 air rifle would be considered cruel. It doubtfully would kill the animal, or certainly not quickly. Oh, and by the way regarding PCP compressors, the prices have come down substantially. You can find small compressors (made in china, of course) for about $230- lots of new ones on ebay. From what I understand, you need to be careful using them and you need to run water through them to keep them cool while running. But, I've been told they work pretty good. Because these pumps are readily available, I am seriously considering getting into a good PCP rifle.

June 20, 2019, 05:00 PM	#15
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	I bought my grandson a nitro-piston break barrel 22 caliber air rifle and it works great on squirrels, rabbits and the like but I don't know about larger. https://catchthemeasy.com/best-nitro...rifle-reviews/

June 21, 2019, 01:59 PM	#16
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...coyote problem..." No you don't. You have a location and fencing problem. However, any air rifle powerful enough to kill Wiley humanely will be very expensive. "...can't shoot air rifles in public parks and open spaces..." That says no shooting 'em. Discharge laws nearly always cover air power and archery. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!