Winter is most certainly upon us, so what does that mean for airgunners? Can all airguns do just as well in warm weather as cold? The short answer is, not exactly. In this article, we’ll take a look at seven of the best cold weather airguns and why you should consider them for your winter airgunning.
1 – Daisy 880
You may have been thinking that we’d jump right to PCP airguns, and we’ll certainly get there, but maybe you don’t want to spend that kind of coin just to get in some cold weather trigger time. That’s where the Daisy 880 comes in. The 880 has been around for decades and continues to stand the test of time with its reliable multi-pump power plant, ease of operation, and good power and accuracy for a multi-pump airgun. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you keep the pump lubricated per the manual, so get out there and get in some cold weather trigger time.
2 – Crosman P1322
Let’s continue down the path with the upgraded Crosman P1322 pellet pistol. Like the 880 mentioned above, this iconic airgun has been around for many decades and is based on tried and true mechanics that work in just about any environment. Being chambered in .22, the P1322, in the hands of the right shooter, can even be used for light pesting and ratting, even in cold weather. Be sure to check the manual regarding required maintenance so that your pump stays in top working form.
3 – Hatsan Mod 135 Carnivore
We have a couple of gas-ram break-barrel airguns here in our list, starting with the Hatsan Mod 135 Carnivore. Generally speaking, if you are going to shoot a break barrel in cold weather, you want to make sure that it uses a gas ram powerplant and not a traditional spring power plant. Traditional coiled metal spring-powered airguns may have sticky grease on the spring to help reduce vibration and harmonics. This grease can get very thick and may decrease the power of the gun in cold weather. Some lubricants may help mitigate the problem, like Tune-in-a-Tube. But you’re better off going with a gas ram.
The Hatsan Mod 135 Carnivore is a big bore break barrel. It’s the only big-bore break barrel currently made, and it’s perfect for bringing the most power to the table in cold winter hunts. It can push over 30 foot-pounds with one-inch accuracy; it only makes sense to put it on our list.
4 – Weihrauch HW90
The Weihrauch brand is known for top-tier airguns, and the HW90 is no exception. It’s a gas piston-driven break barrel, available in .22 and .25 calibers. The Weihrauch HW90 comes with some of the best ergonomics you’ll find in a traditional wood stock, break barrel airgun. It also comes with one of the best triggers you’ll find on a break barrel.
5 – Benjamin Marauder
Now we are getting to PCP airguns, and we are starting with one of the most popular models ever produced. The Benjamin Marauder hit the scene many years ago and took the American airgun market by storm. It’s available in many different configurations, from traditional to tactical. Over the years, it has more than proven itself as a target shooter and serious hunting platform. It’s affordable, well built, and will certainly deliver plenty of good trigger time, even in cold climates.
6 – AirForce TalonP Carbine
AirForce makes everything from small-bore pistols to .50 cal big bore airguns that can achieve over 800 foot-pounds at the muzzle. It’s hard to pick just one AirForce gun for this list, but we are going to go with the TalonP Carbine. The simplicity of the AirForce products makes them very suitable for cold weather target shooting and hunts. In addition, the Airforce TalonP Carbine is a very compact powerhouse that can deliver exceptional accuracy for target shooting or hunting.
7 – Seneca Eagle Claw
So how did we come up with the Seneca Eagle Claw as our top cold weather airgun? That’s a darn good question! It came down to several factors. First, regardless of weather conditions, the Eagle Claw is a great airgun. However, when considering cold weather, we found its simplicity, bundled with shot count, power, ease of adjustability, and operation, provides a great mix of cold-weather features.
If you are looking for an air rifle this winter and need some help, just give us a call here at Airgun Depot and we’ll be more than pleased to help you find just the right combo.
