I’ve seen a lot of misinformation about airguns on this forum, and I think it’s time to clear some things up. First off, let me say that if you can own a firearm, that’s always the better choice for home defense.
But not everyone can legally own a gun due to laws, criminal history, or other reasons. In those cases, airguns might be a viable option. Modern airguns are much more advanced than the pellet guns you might remember from childhood. They now come in larger calibers (.357, .45, .50, etc.) and can deliver significant power.
There are airguns capable of producing enough muzzle energy to cause serious harm—some even exceed the power of common firearm calibers like .45ACP. While airguns have their drawbacks (like needing to refill with compressed air or having smaller magazines), they can still be effective in certain situations.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Airguns require maintenance and may have local regulations, so check your area’s laws.
They can be expensive and usually need additional equipment like a compressor or hand pump.
The effectiveness depends on the specific model and caliber.
What do you all think? Are there better alternatives for home defense when firearms aren’t an option?
I don’t know much about airguns, but I’ve seen some powered by electronics that seem pretty good. My concern is whether they can stay ready to fire for months like a regular firearm. Will the air leak, or the battery die? Also, how do legal issues play out if you seriously injure someone instead of killing them?
@Vance
Most airguns have pressure gauges, and you can leave them pressurized for months without problems. As for the legal side, you’re right that it can get messy if someone is injured but not killed. Still, the goal in defense situations is often the same.
Reid said: @Felicity
If you can’t have a gun, your best bet is to leave and call someone who does.
That’s not always an option. What about people who can’t leave?
Any weapon is better than no weapon, but if you’re using something like an airgun, you’re starting at a disadvantage. Even a powerful airgun won’t match a firearm in most situations. Running away is often the safest choice.
@Reid
I hear you, but there are airguns that can penetrate walls and furniture and have muzzle energy similar to a .45ACP. They’re not the toys people think they are.
Does storing an airgun loaded for a long time damage the seals or cause it to lose pressure? Home invasions are rare, so it might sit unused for a while.
JANE123 said:
Does storing an airgun loaded for a long time damage the seals or cause it to lose pressure? Home invasions are rare, so it might sit unused for a while.
Most airguns are designed to stay pressurized for months without any issues. Many even have pressure gauges so you can keep an eye on the levels.
JANE123 said: @Felicity
That’s helpful to know. I’m actually considering one for quiet pest control near some rental properties I manage.
Airguns are perfect for that. Many come with or can be fitted with suppressors, and they’re much quieter than firearms. You might not even need ear protection unless you go for the bigger calibers.
Safezone said:
Didn’t you already post about this and get downvoted? Why bring it up again?
Because people need accurate information. In the last thread, no one could give a good reason why airguns aren’t a viable backup option when firearms aren’t available.
In the UK, airguns are heavily restricted. You can only own pistols up to 6 ft-lbs and rifles up to 12 ft-lbs without a license. That’s not much stronger than a paintball gun.
Darryl said:
In the UK, airguns are heavily restricted. You can only own pistols up to 6 ft-lbs and rifles up to 12 ft-lbs without a license. That’s not much stronger than a paintball gun.
True, and Canada has similar rules. It’s unfortunate, but it means you have to rely on other strategies for defense.