Thinking of buying your first air rifle? Great move—but it can feel overwhelming with so many options. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make a confident, legal, and practical choice as a new shooter in the UK.
Step 1: Know the Law (Before You Buy)
In the UK, you do not need a firearms certificate (FAC) to own an air rifle that produces no more than:
12 ft-lbs of muzzle energy for a rifle
6 ft-lbs for a pistol
This covers most air rifles available from UK shops. You’re legal as long as:
> You’re at least 18 years old
> You have permission to shoot on private land
> You store and transport your rifle responsibly
Step 2: Choose Your Power System
There are three main types of air rifles. Each has advantages and trade-offs:
Spring-Piston ("Springer"
> How it works: Cock a spring-loaded piston manually for each shot
> Pros: Affordable, simple, no external power needed
> Cons: More recoil, harder to master accuracy, louder
> Best for: Beginners on a budget
Recommended: Weihrauch HW95K, Air Arms TX200, Stoeger X20S
Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP)
> How it works: Uses compressed air from a hand pump or dive bottle
> Pros: Very accurate, no recoil, multi-shot, quieter
> Cons: More expensive, requires air-filling gear
> Best for: Serious target shooters or pest control
Recommended: Air Arms S400/S510, BSA Ultra SE, SMK PR900W
CO2-Powered
> How it works: Powered by gas capsules (like soda chargers)
> Pros: Easy to shoot, low recoil, semi-auto options
> Cons: Less consistent in cold weather, ongoing gas cost
> Best for: Casual plinking
Recommended: Crosman 1077, SMK XS78, Umarex CO2 rifles
Step 3: Choose the Right Calibre – .177 or .22? In the UK, the two most common calibres are:
.177 (4.5mm)
> Flatter trajectory
> Better for targets and beginners
> Wider pellet selection
.22 (5.5mm)
> Heavier pellets, more knockdown power
> Better for pest control
> More pellet drop at range
For most beginners, a .177 springer or PCP is a great all-round choice.
Step 4: What Else Will You Need?
Along with the rifle, you’ll want:
> A scope with mounts....there we can help ;) Some kits come with a rifle scope. If not, just ask us or look at a quality starter model from the likes of Hawke rifle scopes Vector scopes. or WULF scopes but please ask if at all unsure. See all our scoeps here, you can filter in many ways to narrow your choice down. For example: rifle scopes budget 50-150 with adjustable parallax focus. Don't worry if you do not know what that is. a) look it up and b) it makes life easier
> Pellets (test a few brands but don't go too cheap, you get what you pay for!)
> A gun slip or bag for transport. Check our Bags, Slings and Cases section
> A pellet trap and targets for home practice.
> Cleaning gear (especially for PCP seals) See Cleaning supplies
If you go with a PCP rifle:
Hand pump or dive bottle
Pressure gauge
Step 5: Budget Guide – What to Expect
Setup Type - Starter Budget - Notes
> Springer Rifle Kit - £150–£300 - Often includes scope and pellets
> PCP Rifle + Pump - £400–£700+ - Pump adds £100–£200 to total
> CO2 Rifle Kit - £100–£250 - Good for plinking
Tip: Look for beginner bundles from SMK, Gamo, BSA, or Air Arms.
Conclusion: What to Buy First
If you’re just starting out, you can’t go wrong with:
> Type: Spring-piston
> Calibre: .177
> Model: Weihrauch HW95K or Air Arms TX200
Start simple, shoot regularly, and your skills will grow quickly.
Next - Understanding UK Air Rifle Laws – What You Can and Can’t Do
Stay tuned to learn how to stay legal, safe, and confident with your new rifle.
