Airgun Depot's Airsenal News

Any time you get involved with airguns, it doesn't take long for the corner of the garage, workbench, or small barn to begin getting cluttered with odds and ends that one just has to have to enjoy the next level of airgunning bliss.

I wanted to take a few moments to mention a few things that may have escaped your radar, some of which aren't offered by all online airgun retailers, and some that are.

First....if you ever want to dive into the innards of your favorite spring rifle, odds are you will need a spring compressor. Here's a link to a design that is so robust, it will take apart any spring gun that I can think of with complete safety. You can build it yourself for a fraction of the cost of buying a pre-made one.  Follow the link to the website that shows you a pic or two of this contraption:

Spring compressor

You don't want to be taking spring-piston airguns apart without some knowledge of how they are put together. After awhile, there will be some airguns that you can get apart with a minimum of fuss even if you don't have a spring compressor,  but it's always a good idea to use the right tool for the job. Spring piston air guns have a pre-loaded spring in them that can do damage to property and person when they are unexpectedly allowed to expand to their full length. That's why the pro's use spring compressors, keeping the pre-load under pressure that is gradually released without harm to the rifle or the person working on it.

Boresnakes are extremely popular in the firearm world for quick cleaning. Most shooters will own one in .22 caliber and larger, but unless they shoot the newer .17 caliber firearms, some won't have one as small as a .177. And since the .177 is the most popular caliber in the United States these days, it behooves one serious about a clean gun to own one of these fine contraptions. Here's a link to Airgun Depot's offering of the Boresnake:

Boresnake

Don't over-do it with the Boresnake, and take precautions to protect the crown of the muzzle, keeping it in tact and free of damage from overdoing the cleaning routine.

Scratches or worn spots on the blueing of your fine air rifle only detract from the enjoyment of owning and shooting such an instrument. Keep the metal work in good shape with Perma-Blue from Birchwood Casey. And don't forget to use a good cleaning solvent to prep the metalwork before applying this product.

Perma Blue

Well, we've mentioned a few items you'll need to take apart a spring-piston rifle, a few products to help remove the marks that invariably come to the metal work, and an item to clean the inside of the barrel. So how about the stock?

If you love good wooden stocks, you need some of the following items in your collection somewhere to touch up nicks, and to protect the finish of your wood stock. There are some really impressive pieces of wood out there these days, and they deserve as much attention as the metalwork on your rifle!

Gun Stock Wax

Tru Oil Stock Finish

The above two items will help you care for your wooden stocks. Finish the wood well with Tru Oil Stock Finish, and protect that beautiful finish with the Gun Stock Wax. Protected from sunlight, water, and damaging oils, these products will both enhance and protect your investment in great wood on your airguns for generations.

Be sure to check out Airgun Depot's product selections to stock up on needed items for your airgunning adventures. As we all know, you just can't have too much shooting "stuff" when it comes to enjoying your sport!

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 06:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OK. Snow everywhere. Kids are out of school. We are all going stir crazy just sitting around, and I've had all the SpongeBob Squarepants I can stand blaring from the TV. It's time to do something else!

If you have a collection of air guns, or even just one that allows you to shoot indoors, then break out the backstop, safety glasses, and have an impromptu competition with the younguns in the house.

Live alone? There are postal matches that are run on the internet where you submit, on your honor, the results of a 5 or 10 meter target round consisting of a set number of shots that you either take a pic of, or send the actual target in for, grading and scoring. Bragging rights are posted on the 'net for all to see!

I have played games of tic-tac-toe with my kids inside during inclement weather, with each participant having to call their shot as to where they would hit in a given square in order to claim that square as either an "X" or an "O". The classic game, coupled with the new twist of shooting, is great fun for kids to enjoy. Adults like it too!

Want a reactive target? What could explode better than a nicely packed snowball about the size of a golfball? They shatter wonderfully when hit, are easy to make, and very environmentally friendly! They don't leave anything but water behind!

Here's a suggestiion. Make a snowman, leaving off the facial features. Use an airgun to try and shoot the eyes and nose onto the snowman. Shoot down the middle for coat buttons or pockets in strategic places. After you're done, go and fill in the holes you made with charcoal, a carrot, etc. Who knew you could use an airgun to make a snowman?

Bird feeder patrol! I've taken starlings the past two days who pester my native birds at their feeder that I keep stocked for them. And squirrels are also inclined to empty out the feeder if I let them. So I get in some target practice on live targets during snowy days like these. I am even able to use my CO2 guns in cold weather since I often shoot from inside the house through an cracked open window or door.

There is always the opportunity to do maintenance on your airguns during bad weather. Break them down, oil them up, change some scopes around.....whatever needed doing on your collection. What better time to do that than when you can't be outside hunting or shooting?

And last, but not least.....go online, like you are now, and catch up on the gossiip, advice, new products, golden oldies for sale.....all those great sources for airgun information that fill the internet. It's a good use of your time! For example, today I:

1. Bought a new airgun

2. Found schematics for a spring compressor I want to build.

3. Verified receipt of payment for a gun I had listed online for sale.

4. Chatted with friends about what shooting I was doing today.

5. Shot some pest birds while taking a break from the 'net.

As you can see, there is plenty to do that is airgun related if you just use your imagination and refuse to let the bad weather keep you from having fun. So go ahead.....go airgunning in the snow! 

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Beretta PX4 Storm

For the shooter who enjoys the realistic action of today's BB and pellet guns, you need look no further than the Beretta PX4 Storm. This highly accessorized pistol features real blow-back action, giving the shooter the sensation they would experience when shooting a real gun. And did I mention accessories? Just look at all the goodies that show up in this package:

Included in the package with the Berettal PX4 Storm, you will find the following:

Weaver Rail Assembly

Muzzle Compensator

Walther Top Dot Green Dot sight

Walther Tactical Flashlight

Adapter to allow use of flashlight by hand or by touchpad

You can configure the Beretta PX4 Storm a number of ways to fit your shooting requirements. Full blown, with all the accessories mounted, the gun will look something like this:

If you decide that all the accessories are just not what you are after for a particular shooting session, you can dismount the Weaver Rail Assembly and shoot the gun with or without the compensator in place. All it takes is a minute or two to loosen the fastening screws with the included allen wrench.

During the shooting phase of this test, I did my best shooting without the rail. However, for realistic scenarios, the full blown rig with all accessories mounted would be great for training and re-enactments.

To get the Beretta PX4 Storm ready to shoot, you must first charge it with a CO2 powerlet. On the back of the grip you will find a cover that pops off and allows the insertion of the CO2 cartridge used to power the action.

Following the included directions, pop the cartridge in place, tighten it as snugly as possible, then rotate the bottom of the butt to puncture the CO2 cartridge. Replace the cover and you are ready to go.

The magazine ejects the same way that a real gun would, with the ejector button right by the thumb on the right side of the grip. Push it in and the magazine will shoot out from the bottom of the grip. The magazine is double-sided, so you can load 8 rounds on one end, and another 8 rounds on the other. Fire 8 shots, eject, turn the magazine upside down, and re-insert it for another quick 8 shots!

The Beretta PX4 Storm will shoot either BB's or pellets, but my best results were with good quality lead pellets. Velocity is near the advertised speed, though my pellets may have been heavier than the ones tested at the factory.

The action of the Beretta PX4 Storm is single or double action, with a non-adjustable trigger. The sights are fixed, but the green dot sight you can mount on the Weaver Rail adapter has some adjustability to it should you need it.

With some practice, you can really rip through 16 shots pretty quickly. I'm not a good pistol shooter when it comes right down to it, but I could see myself in a fun competition with this gun, or even out in the barn at night with the flashlight attached chasing mice and rats through the shadows. The fast follow up shots would be welcome and put to good use in a rodent-hunting scenario. For larger critters, you need to move up in power to a more powerful air gun due to the lower velocity that the Beretta PX4 Storm delivers. 

The Beretta PX4 Storm is currently selling for $99.99 at Airgun Depot right now, but the sale won't last forever! Take advantage of this great price on a fun and fully accessorized package called the Beretta PX4 Storm!

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 06:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)