What are the criteria for choosing a pellet rifle ?
Choosing the right model of pellet rifle will help you enjoy every shooting session. This choice depends on six main criteria, which we detail in this guide.
The type of use of the pellet rifle
The pellet rifle is for everyone. It is used for shooting in the garden or for training in a club. Your choice of model will depend on the use you wish to make of it: the leisure rifle is not used in the same way as the competition or hunting rifle.
- If you want to shoot from time to time in the garden, choose a simple rifle that is easy to handle. The aim is often to have fun at short distances. A private and secure outdoor area is preferred for practising on natural targets, metal cans and other fun targets. You will need a strong, lightweight rifle that can withstand periods of disuse. People who rarely shoot will prefer the all-in-one pack. It contains a rifle, pellets, targets and sometimes accessories. This way you have everything at your disposal. If you prefer to buy everything separately, please call us and we will direct you to the right pellets and targets for your chosen weapon.
- If you are an experienced shooter, choose a rifle that is comfortable to use. You will need to train more regularly in the open air, at a club or shooting range. If you are going to compete, you might as well do so with a model that offers good adjustability. Invest in an accurate rifle that can shoot at long distances. Look for a gun that suits your shooting preferences, but don't forget the accessories that improve accuracy.
Your budget
As with any other purchase, the bigger your budget, the more options you have! How much you spend on a pellet rifle depends largely on the type of use.
- If you want to discover recreational shooting and you are not sure whether you want to continue, a simple and cheap rifle seems to be the best choice. You can shoot your first targets in the garden and quickly find out if you like the activity. If you want to learn how to use a pellet rifle, you can find models starting at around 50 euros on our online gun shop.
- If you are enrolled in a shooting school or shooting range, you will already have a passion for pellet rifle shooting. You will be able to invest in a high performance model as you are sure to use it more regularly.
- If your budget is limited, choosing a rifle that is easy to accessorise may be a good alternative. This allows you to spread your budget and invest as you go along.
- If you want to give a pellet rifle to a child or teenager, choose a first price model. Just like the beginner, it is not proven that he or she will continue the activity once the pellet box has been used. On average, a child's rifle costs between 50 and 120 euros at Jean Pierre Fusil.
The brand
For some, the brand is not important even if it guarantees a quality product. A good choice is based above all on the relationship: type of use / budget.
Shooters who are used to one brand will more easily choose another model of the same brand. They know its strengths and are sure that by buying a rifle from the same manufacturer, they will be satisfied. Our site will allow you to do a multi-criteria search: brand, price, calibre...
The advantage of the brands is that they produce copies of well-known rifle models such as Black Ops and its model of the same name or Gamo and its HPA. The replicas can be historical weapons or tactical military weapons. If you want to feel like a US Army sniper, this is the kind of model you should be looking for !
La sécurité
Safety is an essential criterion when choosing a pellet rifle. If it is used by a child, a low-powered model should be chosen, with less than 10 joules. Although it can be dangerous, it is much less risky than models with more than 10 joules. Also, the more powerful the rifle, the more difficult it is to cock. Children and teenagers will not be able to cock a 19.9 joule if they are not very strong.
If the rifle is stored in a house with children, it should be equipped with a trigger guard. This small accessory is placed on the trigger and prevents anyone from shooting.
Note: Safety is partly taken care of by the regulations since you have to be over 18 to buy a pellet rifle. In France, powerful weapons are only allowed to experienced shooters who are used to hunting or training in clubs... To buy a rifle of more than 20 joules, you must hold a valid shooting licence or hunting permit.
Those tempted to buy a second-hand rifle should take extra care. The mechanism and some parts may be worn and therefore less reliable. To avoid any incidents, remember to have the rifle checked before you buy and/or use it.
The weight of the pellet rifle
Weight is an important criterion. Particularly for children, for whom a light, easy-to-handle model should be preferred.
A shooter who uses a heavy rifle will have to bear its weight. After a while, it will be more difficult to stabilise the rifle, which will lead to a decrease in shooting accuracy. The shooter can then use a bipod if the rifle is suitable.
Rifle maintenance
Maintenance is not a criterion of choice, since competition and leisure rifles must be cleaned at the same frequency. Since shooting does not produce black powder residue, it takes between 2,000 and 5,000 shots before any lead powder remains. All models can be cleaned with the same materials: rods, brushes and pads. The outside of the rifle can be polished more regularly with gun oil and dried with a cloth.
Number of accessories
All rifles can be equipped with a scope, but only a few specific models are suitable for certain accessories.
- Rifles with 11 or 21 mm rails can be equipped with a red dot sight.
- The Stoeger X5, X10 and X20 can be fitted with a silencer. Other pellet rifles are not suitable for a sound moderator. It is only suitable for 22LR rifles.
- The bipod is only suitable for certain models. However, there is a universal model that fits on thin steel barrels.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 03 21 34 30 47! We will give you the benefit of our 40 years of experience and advise you on the model that best suits your needs.