7 Best Air Rifles for Training [2022]
Air rifles are commonly used in training new tactical shooters and hunters. They come with easy-to-use features that beginners will find accommodative during training, in this review we go through the Best Air Rifles for Training.
Air rifles are readily available in the market and also come at remarkably affordable prices suitable for those on budget.
With a wide range of air gun models, power sources, calibers, and stocks, it becomes difficult to find one meeting our needs and expectations.
For training purposes, look for an air rifle whose features are intuitive and easy to use.
While the market offers a multitude of air rifles to choose from, here are some of the best air rifles for training purposes.
Best Air Rifles for Training and Target Practice
1) DPMS Full Auto SBR CO2-Powered BB Air Rifle
This CO2-Powered BB Air Rifle is ideal for skill development, training, close-range pest control, plinking at targets in the garden, or fun.
Powered by 2-12 gram CO2 cartridges, this air rifle delivers speeds up to 430FPS. The all-weather ambidextrous stock is adjustable to 6 positions which makes the rifle easy to handle and shoulder.
Additionally, the rifle features a durable synthetic design and up to 1400 rounds per minute. The 25-round drop-out magazine is compatible with traditional 4.5mm steel BBs.
To help you stay on target and enhance your shooting accuracy, this air rifle features removable pop-up sight and adjustable rear sight.
The thumb selector safety ensures proper and safe handling, an important feature for those in training. With the realistic weight, blowback action, and functions, this is the ideal rifle for skill development, training, and everyday fun.
Key Features
- Thumb selector safety ensures proper and safe handling.
- Removable pop-up sight and adjustable rear sight.
- 25-round dropout magazine
- 4.5 cal
- Stock with 6 adjustable positions.
- Delivers speeds up to 430fps.
- Durable, synthetic designs.
- Lightweight and easy to carry around.
- Great for skill development and training.
- CO2 Powered
2) Crosman M4-177 Caliber Pellet and BB Air Rifle
The versatility of the Crosman M4-177 makes it suitable for a wide range of shooting activities which include plinking, pest control, target shooting, and skill development.
This rifle is equipped with intuitive and easy-to-use features that make it ideal for training. What makes it stand out among the rest is the compatibility with both .177 caliber pellets and traditional steel BBs.
You can easily change the caliber you are shooting depending on the activity you are engaged in. The rifle shoots at a variable speed of 350 fps to 700 fps.
Featuring variable control, you can easily adjust your shooting velocity from 350fps to 700 fps. Additionally, the rifle features a durable, water-resistant synthetic design to withstand the harshest outdoor impacts.
By being lightweight, you get to easily carry it around when training. The rifle also features a safety cross bolt to ensure proper and safe handling.
Key Features
- Safety cross-bolt ensures proper and safe handling.
- Compatible with .177 caliber pellets and traditional steel BBs.
- Variable velocity from 350-700fps.
- Durable and water-resistant synthetic design.
- Lightweight and easy to carry around.
- Suitable for plinking, pest control, and skill development
3) Crosman Classic Rifle
Crosman Classic Rifle is available in .177 caliber and has a maximum velocity of 755fps. Able to fire both pellets and BBs, this air rifle features a variable pump power plant for your all-day shooting needs.
Unlike many pump air rifles, this Rifle has a metal receiver and by being durable, it becomes a huge pro for those who want to train. The open sights provided with the gun enhance the shooters’ accuracy.
Weighing less than 5pounds, this gun is easy to carry around without feeling like it is weighing you down.
Key Features
- Shoots both pellets and BBs.
- Rugged and durable construction.
- Shoots .177 caliber pellets.
- A multi-pump air rifle.
- Open sights included enhancing shooting accuracy.
- Lightweight and portable
- Variable speed 400 fps to 800 fps
- Crossbolt safety
- Durable water-resistant
4) Daisy 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit
Daisy Powerline 880 is one of the best air rifles for training and skill development. Featuring a wood-grained, molded Monte Carlo stock and foreman, this multi-pump pneumatic rifle is all you need to advance your shooting skills.
You can easily pour up to 50BBs into the magazine then every time you pull back the bolt and push it forward, you’ll load another BB.
Additionally, you can also load your choice of any .177 caliber pellets and enjoy a maximum velocity of 715FPS. With this air rifle, accuracy is a breeze thanks to the adjustable fiber optics sights.
And that’s not all. Daisy Powerline 880’s included 4×15 air gun scope is easy to mount, helps in quick target acquisition, and improves your shooting accuracy as well. The whole air rifle weighs only 3.1lbs, so it is lightweight and easy to carry around during training.
Available at a relatively affordable price, this gun is good for having fun in the woods or shooting at targets.
Key Features
- Lightweight and easy to carry around.
- Adjustable rare sight enhances shooting accuracy.
- 4×15 scope included brings faraway targets close.
- Blade and ramp front sight.
- Multi-purpose pneumatic rifle.
- Wood grained molded Monte Carlo stock and foreman.
- Uses .177 caliber pellets or BBs.
- Maximum velocity: 750FPS for BBs and 715FPS for pellets
5) Daisy Outdoor Products 992880-603 880 Rifle with Scope
Renowned reliability and durability make the PowerLine 880 one of the most respected air rifles by shooters. You can easily pour up to 50BBs into the magazine then every time you pull back the bolt and push it forward, you’ll load another BB.
Additionally, you can also load your choice of any .177 caliber pellets and enjoy a maximum velocity of 800FPS.
Featuring a wood-grained, molded Monte Carlo stock and foreman, this multi-pump pneumatic rifle is all you need for tactical training and shooting skills development.
The adjustable rear sights included enhancing shooting accuracy while the 4×15 shockproof and fog proof scope magnifies small-sized targets and brings far-away targets close.
The scope is adjustable for windage and elevation and it also features a crosshair reticle.
Key Features
- Multi-pump pneumatic rifle.
- Lightweight and easy to carry around.
- Adjustable rare sight enhances shooting accuracy.
- 4×15 fog proof and shockproof scope.
- Blade and ramp front sight.
- Wood grained molded Monte Carlo stock and foreman.
- Uses .177 caliber pellets or BBs.
- CrossBolt trigger block.
- 800fps maximum velocity
6) Crosman CFAR1X Full Auto R1 CO2 Powered BB Air Rifle
Crosman CFAR1X is a BB gun that delivers speeds of up to 430fps. Its realistic weight, blowback action, and functions make it great for skill development, training as well as everyday use. Fueled by 2-12 gram CO2 cartridges, this air rifle is capable of firing traditional 4.5mm steel BBs up to a maximum velocity of 430fps.
This air rifle has a customizable 6-position stock with a realistic weight and feel which makes the rifle easy to handle and shoulder. Additionally, the rifle features a durable synthetic design and up to 1400 rounds per minute.
The 25-round drop-out magazine is compatible with traditional 4.5mm steel BBs. To help you stay on target and enhance your shooting accuracy, this air rifle features removable red laser sight. A speed loader is also included to allow reloads in seconds.
Key Features
- Durable synthetic design.
- Accessory rail-mounted red dot sight.
- 25-round dropout magazine.
- Delivers speeds up to 430fps.
- Compatible with traditional 4.5mm steel BBs.
- Customizable 6 position stock.
- Speedloader included for quick reloads in seconds.
- Great for target practice, skill development, and training.
7) Sig Sauer MCX .177 Cal CO2 Powered Air Rifle
From tactical skill development to hunting needs, this CO2-powered SIG MCX Air Rifle delivers outstanding performance regardless of the distance or shooting environment.
Compatible with the .177 pellet, this air rifle offers a maximum shooting velocity of up to 700fps and 30 rounds of rapid-firing as well.
The 18” rifled steel barrel is not only durable but also all-weather resistant. An included 1-4×24 scope and mount improves your shooting accuracy by bringing far-away targets closer while magnifying small-sized targets as well.
The flip-up front and rear sights enhance your shooting accuracy even under low light conditions. You can trust this rifle to deliver outstanding performance and handling for more realistic training and practice.
Key Features
- Lightweight and portable.
- Maximum velocity of up to 700fps.
- 18” rifled steel barrel.
- Flip-up front and rear sights.
- 30-round RPM Pellet Magazine.
- 1-4×24 scope and mounts.
- Suitable for training and practice.
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Air Rifles for Training
With so many air rifles available in the market these days, it becomes really difficult to decide on which air gun to buy. If you are looking forward to venturing into the world of air rifles, here are some of the important factors to consider when looking for the best air rifle for training.
Intended purpose
We all are different and what you intend to use the air rifle for will be different from what your neighbor wants. You might be looking for an air rifle for plinking, target shooting, hunting, or a combination of all.
Look for an air rifle that will help you advance your shooting skills depending on the activity you intend to be engaged in.
Cost
How much do you want to spend on the air rifle? As a beginner, you probably already have a set amount of money with which you want to spend. The market offers a wide range of air rifles to choose from and your budget will probably range from $50-$400.
Remember that there will be additional ownership costs depending on the type of air rifle. For example, if you go for a CO2 Powered Air Rifle, you’ll be required to buy CO2 canisters every time they are depleted.
Shooting environment
Before you settle on a specific air rifle model, think about the environment where you’ll be doing most of the shooting. Will it be primarily on land? If yes, how far do you intend to shoot? If you have a large tract of land, it makes things easier because you can easily use short or long-range rifles.
While you may have just enough room for plinking and short-range target practice, make sure that the caliber you choose has the maximum velocity that you can use.
Weight
Weight is the other important factor to consider when buying an air rifle for training. If you intend to carry the air rifle for longer periods of time, you’ll need it to be lightweight and portable.
A training session will end up being tiresome if you are using a gun that’s weighing you down. Go for a rifle that won’t weigh you down whenever you carry it around.
Versatility
Look for an air rifle that’s suitable for a wide range of shooting activities. You might be engaging yourself in target shooting training now the after a few weeks or months realize that you want to engage yourself in other activities may be hunting or plinking.
With an air rifle suitable for a wide range of shooting activities, you won’t be stuck with a rifle that’s not fit for purpose.
Advantages of Air Rifles for Training
- Multi-purpose application. These air rifles are not only suitable for training and skill development purposes, but also for hunting, plinking, and target shooting.
- Made to last.
- Lightweight, portable, and easy to use.
- High shooting velocity.
- Suitable for a wide range of shooting environments.
Conclusion
Investing in a high-quality air rifle scope for training enables you to better your shooting skills and still get an air rifle to use after you have advanced your skills.
The market offers a wide range of air rifles that are ideal for training and skills development to suit the needs of all shooters. All the rifles reviewed above are great for training and skills development and it’s our hope that you get to love them too.
