Are you one of those people that have some critters to get rid of around your house but worry about buying a real gun? Owning the best 22 air rifle can solve both of these problems easily.
Air rifles use a combination of compressed gas and pellets to take out rodents, feral animals and other pests that may be invading your home and causing problems. They are also great for target shooting. The best thing about them is there is a very low chance of a severe mishap occurring with them even if they do end up in a child’s hands.
In this article we will review some of the top 22 air rifle models and tell you a little bit about what key features to take a close look at when shopping for them.
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Comparison Table: Top 22 Air Rifles
|
Model |
Key Features |
Editor’s Rating (out of 5.0) |
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[easyazon_link identifier=”B01HTV2L1S” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″] Black Ops Break Barrel Spring Piston Sniper Air Rifle .22 Caliber [/easyazon_link] |
|
4.6 |
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[easyazon_link identifier=”B01APG0VUC” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″] Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle .22 Cal [/easyazon_link] |
|
4.6 |
|
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01D1O5VFK” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Gamo Magnum Air Rifle [/easyazon_link] |
|
4.4 |
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[easyazon_link identifier=”B00KNB0AL0″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Umarex 3-9X32 Scope Ruger Targis Hunter .22 Air Gun Combo [/easyazon_link] |
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4.4 |
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[easyazon_link identifier=”B01APG0SXM” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″] WildCat Whisper Air Rifle [/easyazon_link] |
|
4.3 |
22 Air Rifle Buying Guide
Here are the most important things to consider when you are shopping for a 22 air rifle:
- Price
There are a wide variety of prices in the gun marketplace as far as 22 air rifles are concerned. You tend to get what you pay for in most instances. The lower priced rifles are usually only good for target practice and the more expensive models are the ones you would use for small game and varmint hunting.
- Intended purpose
We just mentioned that as far as price is concerned it makes a difference what your intended purpose is for your 22 air rifle. Your intended purpose also has to be factored into the kind of quality you want the air rifle model that you will buy to be. You will need higher penetrating power and accuracy to hunt game than you will for recreational target practice or for shooting fun. So it is very important to consider your intended purpose for your new 22 air rifle when making a purchasing decision.
- Velocity
FPS stands for ‘feet per second’ that a pellet fired by a 22 air rifle will travel. You can call it the velocity of a fired air rifle pellet if you will. Why is this important? The reason you need to know this is because if you are using your air rifle to rid your home of varmints you will need the ability for your air rifle to generate much more velocity than if you are just using your gun for recreational shooting.
- Scope
Rigid metal gunsights are not very accurate, to say the least. That is why you can improve your air rifles accuracy immensely if you have a scope. So if a 22 air rifle model you are considering buying has a scope consider that a big bonus.
- Warranty
You and your rifle will be outside in the elements and that gun will be exposed to such things as dirt and moisture. It will also be subject to being mechanically cocked on a regular basis and they are many other moving parts on an air rifle too. You never know when these will fail because of faulty materials or poor workmanship. That is why it will give you good peace of mind to get as long a warranty as possible with your air rifle purchase.
22 Air Rifles Review
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B01HTV2L1S” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/41SqwAysd8L.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”500″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01HTV2L1S” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″] Black Ops Break Barrel Spring Piston Sniper Air Rifle .22 Caliber [/easyazon_link]
The first gun on our top review list of 22 caliber air rifles features some characteristics that make it highly accurate and give it an intimidating look too. This air rifle looks every bit like a real military grade sniper rifle.
Part of its accuracy comes from its premier rifled barrel. When you combine that with the included 4×3 sight you should be able to hit targets very accurately that are as far as 60 yards away. That is not bad at all for a 22 caliber air rifle.
It also includes a Picatinny rail for mounting add-ons and an adjustable cheek rest. This air rifle comes with a complete one year warranty too.
Pros:
- Real sniper rifle look
- Extremely accurate
- 1000 FPS max pellet velocity
- Includes 4×3 scope
- 6 inch Picatinny mounting rail
- Adjustable cheek rest
- 1 year warranty
Cons:
- Included scope has some limitations
- Some users find it heavy
[easyazon_cta align=”center” identifier=”B01HTV2L1S” key=”wide-light” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”131″ identifier=”B01APG0VUC” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/31dkfzH23AL.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”500″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01APG0VUC” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″] Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle .22 Cal [/easyazon_link]
Here is a very well designed 22 caliber air rifle weapon. It has some pop to it, looks good and is easy to sight in so it’s accurate.
The nice features this air rifle has start with its maximum pellet velocity of over 1000 feet per second. That is enough power to take down small game and consistently hit targets accurately when shooting for fun.
It comes with an included 9×40 scope and its compressed air is generated by the popular Mach 1 gas piston system. The trigger on this gun is also fully adjustable and the manufacturer stands by this model air rifle with a full 5-year warranty too.
Pros:
- 1020 FPS velocity
- Single break barrel cocking
- Reputable MACH 1 gas piston
- Gamo 3-9×40 scope
- Adjustable trigger
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Unlike its name implies it is a little loud when shot
- Not easy to break the barrel for pellet loading
[easyazon_cta align=”center” identifier=”B01APG0VUC” key=”wide-light” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”118″ identifier=”B01D1O5VFK” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/21VP4mom0UL.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”500″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01D1O5VFK” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Gamo Magnum Air Rifle [/easyazon_link]
We all really felt this was an impressive air rifle package. For one it packs the biggest punch velocity wise of all the 22 caliber model air rifles on our top review list. Its 1300 FPS max pellet speed will easily take down all types of small game.
This is an accurate weapon also thanks to its enhanced barrel design and its included precision scope. The adjustable trigger can be customized to suit your individual shooting style and the cocking mechanism is smooth and easy working.
It also features a nice looking all weather stock and comes complete with a 5 year warranty to back it up too. This is truly one of the nicest 22 caliber air rifles you will find in the firearms marketplace.
Pros:
- 1300 FPS max pellet velocity
- Gamo 3-9×40 adjustable scope
- Custom Action Trigger
- All-weather stock
- Smooth cocking
- Low vibration and recoil
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Scope has a thicker reticle
- Its power makes it tougher to adjust its accuracy
[easyazon_cta align=”center” identifier=”B01D1O5VFK” key=”wide-light” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00KNB0AL0″ locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/31Mb32B0kWL.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”500″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00KNB0AL0″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Umarex 3-9X32 Scope Ruger Targis Hunter .22 Air Gun Combo [/easyazon_link]
Umarex has come up with an air rifle design that is both sturdy and powerful. This model will hurl a pellet at speeds over 1000 feet per second. It makes it a reliable weapon for target shooting or bagging small game.
The included scope greatly improves the accuracy of this 22 caliber air rifle. Not only is accurate and powerful but it also has a stylish black look to it too. It is easy on the ears when firing it too thanks to its built-in suppressor.
This 22 caliber air rifle is not recommended for smaller stature users or kids to shoot because it is hard to cock and a little heavy. The automatic safety on it is a nice feature too.
Pros:
- Sleek black look
- Single cocking piston
- Automatic safety switch
- 4×32 Air gun scope
- 1000 FPS max pellet velocity
- Suppressor chamber to reduce noise
Cons:
- The suppressor chamber is not removable
- A little too the heavy side
- Hard for some users to cock
[easyazon_cta align=”center” identifier=”B00KNB0AL0″ key=”wide-light” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]
[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”131″ identifier=”B01APG0SXM” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/31ykxKdJtFL.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”500″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01APG0SXM” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″] WildCat Whisper Air Rifle [/easyazon_link]
Here is yet another high quality air rifle product from the Spanish gun maker Gamo. This gun is an example of why they are so popular when it comes to consumers who buy 22 caliber air rifles. This weapon is both accurate and dependable and can be used for a variety of different purposes.
Like most Gamo rifles this one is powerful and accurate. It comes with a good supplied scope to help with target acquisition and it also features a somewhat customizable two stage trigger system. It is simple for most people to cock too.
This is also one of the more budget friendly 22 caliber air rifle products that this popular company makes.
Pros:
- 4 x 32 Shockproof Scope
- 2-stage trigger
- Good price/quality mix
- High velocity
- Smooth cocking
- 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Included scope is average quality
- A little to the noisy side when firing
- Takes a little work to zero it in
[easyazon_cta align=”center” identifier=”B01APG0SXM” key=”wide-light” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]
Conclusion
As you can see by the customer ratings on our quick review chart these are all very good 22 caliber air rifle models. There is not much that separates them in quality and they will all nicely take care of your recreational shooting and small game hunting needs. If we had to pick a model we thought had a slight advantage over the others it would be the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01D1O5VFK” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Gamo Magnum Air Rifle[/easyazon_link].
One of the things we really liked about this 22 caliber air rifle is its 1300 FPS max pellet velocity. That was by far tops of all the models that we reviewed. It also comes with one of the better included scopes out of the rifles on our review list and it features a durable and lightweight stock too.
It has recoil and vibration dampening characteristics built into it also. Gamo nicely backs up this 22 caliber air rifle with a full 5-year warranty.
So if you are looking for a new 22 caliber air rifle that packs some punch and works great we highly recommend you consider this model air rifle. It truly is among the best 22 air rifle products you will find in the gun marketplace.
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