Whether used for recreation, training or as a historical replica, bb guns offer a unique recreational experience that enhances hand-eye coordination and marksmanship skills while also providing a fun family activity. BB gun ownership does come with certain responsibilities, however, including proper storage and compliance with all applicable laws and safety regulations. When handled properly, BB guns can be safe for people of all ages to use.
Often called airguns, bb guns are non-powder guns that shoot steel spheres (referred to as BBs or bullet balls) at high muzzle velocity. The name “BB” originates from the size of lead shot in a smoothbore shotgun shell: The larger sized shots were known as buckshot, while the smaller BB-sized shots were commonly referred to as birdshot.
Today, BB guns are available in a variety of styles and sizes for a wide range of needs. Depending on the model, they may be powered by springs, pumps or CO2 mechanisms. The most popular BB guns are the break-barrel, spring or gas piston models that rely on decompression of a coiled spring or nitrogen-gas filled chamber to propel a steel BB forward.
BB guns are an affordable and accessible way to get into the shooting sports for both beginners and advanced shooters. Their lower power output and affordability make them an ideal choice for teaching safe gun handling and marksmanship to young people of all ages. They are also a great way to get started with the hobby of collecting firearm replicas, since many popular guns from World War I and II, as well as revolvers from the Old West, are available as BB guns that let people experience these classics without the cost of an authentic gun.