Airsoft/BB Toy Shooting - Advise?

[mikeo01]

Hi all,

Not sure if this thread may be off the topic for discussion,

I have not long come back from holiday and had the chance for some target practice using pellets. It was on site so was shocked out little restriction it was.

Looking about regarding the law and from what I can gather it must be 2 tone, under a certain amount of power and to only be used in a secure area in a private zone (back garden?).

So yeah, was wondering if I could set up an area in my back garden (soft back to avoid BBs bounding) for some personal target practice? Found it to be quite enjoyable


I've got 2 in mind and the site states what they are good for, backyard fun etc, no professional airsoft equipment, just your bog standard cheaper makes (£40&<)


Any advise? Should I lay off this hobby "idea"? There aren't any clubs near me and can't think where I may get permission for private land. Just to get a feel for it and have a different hobby.


Touchy subject, so sorry mods if this isn't allowed for discussion.

[Gerrard]

For target practicing only, I personally wouldn't bother with Airsoft; especially if using a cheap gun as each shot will vary without any influence from you. Airsoft is more for running around and shooting at other people. You can get an Airsoft "sniper" rifle that will let you adjust the "hop up" and side spin for the BB's, but they are quite pricey.

I think you might be better off with .22's or similar at a club, but there are people here that would be much better on advising you on that type of shooting.

[Flibb]

You can get a reasonably accurate CO2 air pistol for around £100, this would be much more accurate than an airsoft pistol. Which airsoft gins were you looking at? The rules for using airsoft an air pistols at home are similar, although the airpistol does not have to be orange.

[mikeo01]

Thanks for the input both

Well I am actually looking at simple string loaded air rifles rather than a pistol (plastic spherical pellets, I used metal pointed pellets on holiday). One uses lightweight 0.12G whilst another uses 0.20G. Mainly considering price in case I don't actually get into the sport; reason for ruling out CO2 powered (will be my first owned air rifle) also definitely want to stick to something a lot lower powered.

[Ttaskmaster]

The VCRA requires that a Realistic Imitation Firearm (RIF) be 51% brightly painted, unless you belong to an Airsoft club, theatrical society, re-enactment group or museum (with the use of said RIF being restricted to the above).

On private land (ie your back garden), you can do what you like. So long as your shot projectile does not leave the boundaries, you're good. The instant it does, the proverbial hits the fan.

Cheap BB guns are very cheap and inaccurate beyond about 6', really. Some would even have trouble hitting a Coke can at that range!
Expensive ones are accurate... but expensive.

For target-shooting, you're better off with a lead pellet air rifle or air pistol (which UK law restricts to 12ft/lb and 6ft/lb respectively). Even the cheap ones are good and second-hand prices are reasonable. Most are vastly more accurate than BB weapons and you can also get into vermin hunting with air weapons (landowner's permission, of course).

Set up a decent woodchip backboard of several layers and consider a pellet-catcher target box. Side boards are useful, too.

[mikeo01]

Thanks for the input, for reference here is what I was considering, HERE and HERE. Anything that could hit a paper target or can. I was thinking if the equipment could expel enough force a plastic BB may be able to penetrate light objects such as paper targets.

Problem is aren't all lead/steel air rifles/pistols classed as firearms, I assume I'd need a UKARA license? Reason for going for the 2 tone stuff. Steel/lead pellets would definitely be better and more realistic but I am more worried about the lawful side of things - both license and the danger of them.


HERE is the air rifle similar to what I was using. Wouldn't this require a firearms license?

[Flibb]

There is provision in the law rifles below 12 ft/lb and pistols below 6 ft/lb that requires no firearms or UKARA license. You do need to be at least 18 to purchase one, but they can be used at a younger age under supervision.
http://basc.org.uk/airgunning/basc-a...e-of-practice/

At work so cant link stuff, but look up the crosman ratcatcher, its a low powered, reasonably accurate CO2 rifle. Can be upgraded.

[mikeo01]

Ah right thanks both. I assumed you'd need some sort of license regardless. I am 21 so no problem there.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will take a look around, see what prices and models come up

EDIT: Regarding pellets, steel BBs seem to be much cheaper than pointed pellets. Possibly a better option.

[Zak33]

I'd not suggest an air rifle or pistol in a garden of normal size so you're right to be cautious.

Pellets can ricochet and you're reponsible for the pellet NEVER leaving your land... bluumin hard to be 100% certain on the odd flier!

http://basc.org.uk/airgunning/basc-a...e-of-practice/

that will help.

[Zak33]

please also bear in mind that an airrifle or pistol even if under the 12 and 6 ftlb law.. counts as a firearm if something goes wrong!

if all is well.. they're not firearms.. but if you end up breaking any laws.. it all changes.

[Ttaskmaster]

EDIT: Regarding pellets, steel BBs seem to be much cheaper than pointed pellets. Possibly a better option.

Most air weapon manufacturers advise against metal BBs, unless the weapon is designed for them.

Pellets can ricochet and you're reponsible for the pellet NEVER leaving your land... bluumin hard to be 100% certain on the odd flier!

Pointed lead pellets deform and ricochet far less than plastic/metal BBs, however...

[mikeo01]

Hmm yeah that is my concern also Zak. I am pretty much set on THIS air rifle (cost, customisability, lead pellets) however as mentioned I am very weary because, well, it can be deadly if it hits someone or something not in my boundaries (+ £1000 fine or worse, a.k.a bleeding scary).

But then we have the non-accuracy, realism but cheapness of Airsoft rifles. But then no one is going to get hurt either (apart from a red mark, still can get into trouble if it exits private boundaries). I have always considered Airsoft rifles as kind of "childish", just because when I was a younger people were running around with them. So that puts me off quite a fair bit. I know Airsoft is not "childish" any more, but you get what I mean. Some of these airsoft equipment out cost BB equipment.

Not really any firing ranges around nor would I like to pay the premium some of these places are charging I will have to look around to see if there are any near by clubs that offer a cheap firing service (own pellets) or even private land that may let me (doubtful).

[Zak33]

Pointed lead pellets deform and ricochet far less than plastic/metal BBs, however...

pointed lead pellets are the worst for deformation and bounce in my very recent experience vs normal round headed.

RWS Superpoint .22 in my Crosman 2240 Rat Buster bounce all over the blummin place.. horrible things.

But yes.. vs BB.... lead bounces less.. just it's not totally safe and pointy ones are worst!

[Zak33]

I am pretty much set on THIS air rifle (cost,

hold up on the choice

lets decide on how to shoot it first.

can you photograph your garden?

How long is it and what's around it?

Lets plan this before you spend a load on a gun you cant use shall we?

[Zak33]

Lets begin with what might work IF it's always safe

You're looking for a large well made back stop WITH sides and a top... like a large wooden box laid on it's side to shoot into.

you're looking for really really absorbent material to allow the pellets to penetrate and NEVER bounce back, but STILL have sides incase a weirdness occurs.

And you're looking for something to be the target inside it.

And .. in my opinion.. you're looking for a totally enclosed space to shoot FROM so as to minimise noise, visibility from external gaze and to limit your field of fire.

it all sounds impossible for some peoples homes and easy for others.

BUT YOU MUST ALWAYS HAVE EVERYTHING LOCKED AND BOLTED to stop people wandering in .. if a Postman pops into the garden to drop as parcel and you pop a cap in his ass.. you're going inside!

Is it worth it?

[mikeo01]

I can't photograph my actual garden but it's similar to THIS. Except it is on a slant (so I could shoot down or up), a lot of vegetation.

Fences either side. I could fire down side the house also as this is an end of terrace.

"pop a cap in his ass"... made me laugh, but very good point


It is very short for a rifle I suppose, but then I am only wanting something small at the moment which was reason I mentioned Airsoft. I mean with my eyes it would be a small enough target

EDIT: Maybe Airsoft is best option to get me started then.

EDIT: Well just looking at it now it seems long enough for some basic shooting; straight up from the back door.