Introduction to Air Gun : Power Source – Air gun has evolve since invented. In the past air gun use simple pneumatic system (like single stroke pump or multi pump) to generate air pressure that in turn push pellet away when trigger pressed.
But today air gun become more sophisticated. It has different power source and most of it can be adjusted.
Air Gun Power Source
Multi Pump
First and most simple power source for air gun is multi pump. This is old fashioned way work by pumping your air gun several times using pumping handle before you load pellet and shoot.
Pros
Cheap
Easy and simple to use
No additional device (pump or tank)
Cons
Pumping took some time
Low power
CO2
CO2 air gun basically use compressed CO2 in bottle or power let to push pellet away from muzzle. This type of air gun usually use 12 gram or 80 gram as power source. CO2 for me is more convenience than multi pump since I don’t need to pump every time I want to shoot. Most of the air gun could achieve 10 – 30 shot per single 12 gram power let.
Pros
Cheap
Easy and simple to use
No additional device (pump or tank)
More convenience than multi pump
Cons
Affected by temperature or weather
PCP / HPA
For today standard most air gun use HPA (highly pressured air) as power source. While it is not easiest power source to work with it definitely best if you looking for power and stability. HPA basically use highly compressed air to push pellet from your gun. You need pump or compressor to fill your air gun.
Pros
Easy and simple to use although need time to fill
More powerful than other power source
Stable, not affected by weather
More convenience than multi pump or CO2
Cons
Need additional device (pump or tank)
Expensive
Spring or Gas Piston
This kind of air gun use spring or gas piston as power source. When you cock your gun (usually by breaking its barrel) you push spring or gas ram back and when you pull trigger piston will move forward compressing air and push your pellet.
Pros
Simple and easy to use
Not affected by weather
No additional device (pump or tank)
Cheap
Cons
Tend to broke your scope due to its vibration.
Which One to Choose?
Everyone has their own personal choice and in the end it depend on your need. If you only look for plinking then multi pump or CO2 is enough, but if you looking for hunting let’s say rat or bird maybe you will need from more power full break barrel or PCP.
