Air rifle and air pistol shooting for beginners

If you want the simplest, cheapest, lowest-fuss way into target shooting, this is it. Air rifle and air pistol shooting is where a great many shooters begin, and not as a lesser version of the sport: the marksmanship fundamentals are identical to the bigger disciplines, and air shooting goes all the way to the Olympics.

This guide is part of our getting into target shooting series.

Why air is such a good start

• It’s affordable. The equipment is cheaper than centrefire kit, and clubs lend you what you need to begin.
• It’s indoors and year-round. No waiting for a dry day on a long-range outdoor range.
• The rules are simpler (more on that below).
• The skills transfer. Breathing, position, trigger control, follow-through, you learn them all on air, and they apply to every discipline you might shoot later.

The discipline: 10-metre air

The standard target discipline is shot at 10 metres at a precision target, with two events: 10-metre air rifle and 10-metre air pistol. Both are Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, shot from club level all the way up, and both are governed in the UK by the NSRA (the National Small-bore Rifle Association), which looks after smallbore and airgun target shooting.

It looks deceptively gentle and is wonderfully demanding: at 10 metres, the smallest wobble shows, so it rewards stillness, control and concentration.

The rules, in plain English

Air weapons have their own, simpler set of rules, which is part of why they’re such an easy start. In England and Wales:

• An air rifle under 12 ft·lb of muzzle energy, and an air pistol under 6 ft·lb, can be owned by an adult without any certificate.
• Above those limits, an air rifle becomes a Section 1 firearm needing a certificate, and more powerful air pistols are prohibited.

Two key points on top of that:

• You must be 18 to buy or hire an air weapon. But you don’t need to own one to learn, younger shooters can take part under supervision, and clubs are exactly the right place for that.
• Scotland is different. Since 2016, owning any air weapon in Scotland has required an Air Weapon Certificate (AWC). If you’re in Scotland, sort that out before buying anything.

For the wider licensing picture, see do you need a licence to start target shooting?

Types of air gun

You’ll come across a few different mechanisms, and it’s worth knowing the names:

• Spring/piston (“springers”): a coiled spring, cocked for each shot. Simple, robust and self-contained, with a characteristic recoil that takes a little learning.
• Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP): powered from a reservoir of compressed air. Recoilless and very consistent, which is why target shooters favour them, though they need a way to refill the air.
• CO2: powered by a gas capsule. Convenient, though performance varies with temperature.

For target work, recoilless PCP rifles and pistols dominate, but the best advice is not to rush out and buy. Start at a club, shoot their guns, and learn what suits you first.

Juniors and air shooting

Air is one of the best ways for young people to start, safely and legally. Under-18s can shoot under supervision, and at a Home Office approved club under-14s can take part under supervision too. Many clubs have junior sections built around air shooting precisely because it’s accessible and safe. If you’re a parent, ask clubs about their junior provision.

How to get started

1. Find a club that shoots air. Browse the directory and filter by discipline.
2. Get in touch and ask about a visit or taster. Many clubs let you shoot a few sessions before joining, using their equipment.
3. Turn up and have a go. You’ll be shooting, under supervision, from your first session.
4. Join if it’s for you, and let the club’s coaches develop your technique.

It really is that straightforward, and because air needs no certificate within the limits in England and Wales, it’s the fastest route from “curious” to “actually shooting”.

Ready to try? Find a target shooting club near you.