The Often Underrated Compressed Air Gun

By Jim Carmichel
Published on May 1, 1981
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The spring-piston air rifle is a common type of compressed air gun.
The spring-piston air rifle is a common type of compressed air gun.
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Pneumatic air guns are sometimes referred to as pump-up guns.
Pneumatic air guns are sometimes referred to as pump-up guns.
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Because a cartridge containing liquid carbon dioxide provides the motive force, a CO2 gun doesn't need to be pumped.
Because a cartridge containing liquid carbon dioxide provides the motive force, a CO2 gun doesn't need to be pumped.

All the folks here at MOTHER EARTH NEWS were pleased with the response generated by Gary Kent’s article, “Homestead Firearms“.  Many readers are interested in having a practical gun on hand to protect their livestock and homes, and occasionally put food on the table, and those readers who aren’t interested in owning such weapons don’t begrudge others the right to do so.

Furthermore, a good number of the letters received here asked for more information on firearm alternatives. Well, it would be hard to imagine a more practical tool for such tasks as controlling pests, repelling small predators and putting meat in the homestead freezer than the compressed air gun. Such firearms are often surprisingly powerful (and, therefore, must be handled with the same respect as “real” guns), quite accurate, easy to maintain and extremely inexpensive to shoot. For a total spare-parts-and-ammunition investment of well under $200, you’ll be able to add a rabbit to the pot, as times demand, for years to come!

Spring-Piston Gun

The most common air gun mechanism is the so-called spring-piston type used in millions of American BB guns. Since this basic mechanism is the power source of our simplest, least expensive air guns, one might conclude that it is relatively inefficient. Such is not the case. Essentially the same mechanism is used in the most expensive, most accurate and most powerful air guns. 

In simplest terms, a spring-piston gun is powered by a spring-powered piston that’s contained in a closely fitted, tube-like chamber. This chamber serves as the gun’s receiver, which is mounted in the stock with the barrel attached to one end and the firing mechanism attached to the other. When the gun is cocked, the piston is forced to the rear of the chamber, where it is held in place by a catch, or sear, linked to the trigger. At this point the mainspring is compressed to full tension.

When the trigger is pulled, the powerful mainspring slams the piston through the chamber, driving and compressing the air in front of it. This body of air escapes through the barrel, driving the projectile.

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