In the world of air rifles, there is a long-time discussion that is always popular. I am talking about the discussion about CO2 vs. spring-powered air rifles in the community. If you are just starting and even already have some experience shooting a gun, I am sure you have a question about this topic as well.
In this article, we are going deeper into the topic of CO2 vs. spring powered to see which power source is the right one for you. Before that, however, check out the following if you are looking for the best air rifle for sale on the market.
As you already know, the main power sources in air gunning are the heart of air pistols and air rifles. Everyone who is serious about air gunning will always love to talk about the power source of their choice. Looking for ways to improve the main power source is like going down the rabbit hole where you keep finding more and new things.
CO2 power
Air rifles and pistols that are powered by CO2 power usually use the standard capsule sizes. The sizes are the 12g capsule that was introduced by Crosman or the 88g capsule that you can find on many paintball guns.
The way it works is the inside of the air rifles, which consists of a gas chamber where the CO2 power attaches, a valve for the gas to go through, and a hammer that knocks the chamber. Every part works together on each shot. Creating a smooth process that many people love.
I say smooth because one of the biggest advantages of using CO2 power is the absence of recoil. Thanks to a lack of large inertia inside the spring rifle. So when the trigger is pulled, the hammer only travels an inch forward to push the valve.
Another advantage is the quietness of the mechanism, as most of the noise is only caused by the CO2 gas and pellet coming out of the barrel at high speed. You can pair your air rifle with a silencer to get a nearly silent performance.
This makes CO2-powered air rifles loved by many people who prefer accuracy over anything else. You can easily keep your aim and hit your target from far away. The quietness is also not something that can be understated. No one wants to be bothered by someone who fires their air rifles a lot.
Spring power
I have talked a lot about CO2 power and its advantages. You may be thinking right now that CO2 power wins the debate here, but you are wrong. Spring power is the simplest one compared to other power sources. It has the lowest number of moving parts and doesn’t use high-pressure seals, valves, and some other parts. What this means is that spring rifles are the most reliable power source available.
A big advantage of spring power is that you don’t need gas or refill anything when shooting. You just rely on yourself by cocking and loading the air rifle, and that’s it. This is perfect if you love hunting using your air rifle as you don’t have to carry around spare gas or a diving bottle. Furthermore, you won’t be bothered by changes in temperature; no matter when it is warm or cold, the spring-powered air rifle will always be reliable.
That said, you have to practice a lot with spring-powered air rifles because of the recoil. Some air rifles also have more recoil than others, so keep in mind that. Another downside is the loud noise when shot, as the piston is moving at a great speed and then abruptly stops when shot.
So which one do you prefer?
By studying the pros and cons of each power source, you should be able to determine which one is the right one for you. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from trying out and liking both.
