Airguns of this type are popular owing to their mature technology and ease of use. There are various kinds of spring-piston airguns. They can have side levers or under-barrel levers. The most common type has a break-barrel system. The mode of operation is the same in all systems: a piston housed in a cylinder has a spring attached at the front. When you cock the gun, the spring is compressed and the piston is locked in place. When you pull the trigger, the piston is released and it jumps forward. This compresses the air in the space ahead of the piston. The air is driven through a nozzle, accelerating the pellet in front of it.

Thanks to steady progress in the development of CO2models, these guns now bear little resemblance to those of the first generation. Whereas the early models were often simple and indefinite in character, one can now get authentic replicas that closely match the originals in appearance, handling and weight. Multi-shot replicas of this kind cannot be built if other power sources are used. Compact 12 g and 88 g CO2capsules now make it possible to build replicas of almost any kind of weapon. The liquefied CO2in the capsule enters an evaporation chamber where it turns into a gas and can pass a valve. Each time you pull the trigger, a certain amount of CO2is released, forcing a pellet out of the barrel. Users of Umarex and Walther CO2capsules can be sure that the seal between the valve and the CO2capsule will stay intact.

Compressed airguns permit accurate, vibration-free shooting without a large amount of mechanical effort. A refillable compressed air reservoir made of aluminum or steel serves as an energy source. A pressure regulator ensures that the air is not released all at once and that the pressure stays constant. When you pull the trigger, the cocked striker is released and strikes a plunger which allows a certain amount of compressed air to escape. This drives the pellet out of the barrel. The reservoir can be filled using a pump or a compressor. It can also be filled from a refillable compressed air cylinder.

The most important step is of course the first one: purchasing the right kind of air rifle. But you will also need certain accessories that are specific to the rifle, such as spare magazines or, if you have a compressed air system, a filling tube and adapter. In addition, it is essential to have suitable pellets in several different calibers and with different shapes and weights. Finally, you will need targets and pellet traps that are safe and offer some variety.