Conference vmszoo::airguns

    If this isn't controversial enough to get a string going, well...
    
    I'd like to get a real cheap airgun.  Unlike most who want power and
    accuracy, I only need it to be accurate to about 30 feet, and I really
    don't want it to do much damage.  In fact, I'd just as soon it would
    sting a little, maybe not even break the skin.
    
    We have a lot of feral cats that come around our place, because we have
    an indoor cat, and the scent attracts them.  They are a real nuisance. 
    Unfortunately, even though its against the rules, many neighbors have
    cats that they let run around loose, as well.  So I don't want to kill
    or maim them, just make them think twice about strolling into my back
    yard.
    
    I had what was probably a cheap, single stroke "BB" gun growing up in
    the 60s.  A tube filled with BBs (30-40?) screwed into the barrel.  I
    remember shooting rats in our basement, and the first shot was never
    fatal.  If I still had it, I think it would be fine.  Frankly, I think
    a pistol might be more than sufficient.
    
    Is this about the quality of gun you'd get in Wal-Mart or what have
    you?  About what would they run?  Are there different size BBs?  I'd
    think larger would be less likely to do real damage, at least to skin.
    
    Thanks for you advice.
    
    jeb
    

>    accuracy, I only need it to be accurate to about 30 feet, and I really
>    a pistol might be more than sufficient.

Actually, 33ft is competition distance for air pistols.

I had the same kind of need about a year ago only I wanted to go after 
squirrels; not to kill them, just to "get their attention" and cause them some
discomfort.  It took me quite a while to get advice.

Since I was an Expert rifleman for Uncle Sam far_too_many_years_ago, I knew
that the worst thing I could do is get something that would not put the pellets
in the same spot when "bench fired"; I would get so frustrated that I would
stop using the pistol. 

I found that prices for air pistols range from $49.95 Walmart pump-em-up
specials all the way up to over $1K for barrel-break, dual piston competition 
pistols. 

I tried the $50, $80, $150 "el cheapo's".  Best I could do at 33 ft was 
multiple pellets in a 6" circle.  And the bb's go so bloody slow you can 
actually watch them wobbling on their way to your target.

After much searching around, I picked up a Dynamit Nobel/RWS 5 air pistol.  It
is considered to be the bottom_of_the_top_of_the_line target pistols.  Many
folks called it the best buy.  My son fires with a US Marine Corps competition
team and they recommended the RWS 5 for practice. It lists for $250, you can
get it in NH for around $200.  With that pistol, I consistently put 3 pellets
in a 2" circle; If I am careful, I can get 3 pellets in the space of a dime. 

Although the "time of flight" is rated at only 450fps, the RWS 5 puts enough
energy in the shot that you can "get the attention" of a varmint up to about
60ft using the flat headed target pellets.  Of course, you can use the hollow
points which, for some reason that escapes me, deliver even more energy.  Or
you can use the pointed pellets if you want to play Brave Hunter. 

You can get more detailed info on the RWS 5 on their web page at

http://www.register.com/rws/p0000141.htm

Luck,

Dave

    Thanks for the excellent information, Dave!
    
    I figured 30 feet because thats about all the backyard I have.  My
    targets tend to wander in a lot closer than that.  But I'll take your
    advice into consideration.
    
    jeb
    

    Given the proximity, the yard size, and gun laws (if Massachusetts,
    ses note 130.4,.5), you might want to consider a slingshot.
    Quieter, too.  K