Ok, this is part 3 of our series on some neat products to consider as we kick off 2014. We’ve looked at pistols and rifles, all around $100 give or take bit, now we’re going to keep the same parameters for our accessories. Remember that not every accessory is compatible with every product, so be sure to check your manual, or give the folks at Airgun Depot a call to make sure that your chosen accessories are compatible with your airgun.
Hawke Optics Sport HD 2-7X32 AO Scope w/ Mil Dot IR ReticleGood glass equals better accuracy…
I’m asked by various manufacturers to evaluate pre-production products and one thing that I’m always telling them is that if they are going to make the customer rely on a scope for sighting, then the scope needs to be up to the task. If you can’t see it, you can’t hit it. Unfortunately, while they all agree with me, the price point may not allow for a quality optic all the time. So, one of the best upgrades an airgunner can invest in, will be to upgrade the bundled optic. Here are some wallet friendly options.
One of the best scope values, in my opinion, is the Hawke Sport HD IR 2-7×32 AO mil-dot scope. It has the advantage of a really wide field of view for hunting small game, with enough magnification to be effective at 50 to 60 yards. It has an illuminated, etched glass reticle that’s really resilient against the harsh recoil of most magnum springers. Add a good set of heavy duty Hawke Match Grade 11mm mounts, and you’re good to go.
One scope that’s certainly caught my attention, but I’ve yet to test one, is the BSA Stealth Tactical 3-9x40AO scope. It certainly has some impressive stats: lifetime warranty, adjustable parallax, mil-dot reticle, and a long eye relief. This may be a great scope for those airguns that don’t leave you enough adjustment to get the scope rearward enough to be comfortable. I’m going to have to get one for testing soon. If you have an 11mm rail on your gun, stick with the Hawke Match Grade 11mm mounts for a secure hold to your airgun.
Gamo Stealth Tactical Green Laser and Flashlight Combo with Scope MountLight’em up laser beam style…
I’m going to date myself a bit here, but when I was in high school one of my classmates brought in a red dot laser from his work. The thing was the size of a shoebox. Today, you can buy one for under $50 and mount them to your airgun.
I’ve been using the UTG Red Laser for years and have found it pretty reliable, especially for the price point. It comes with a weaver / picatinny rail mount and it’s always held a pretty good zero once it’s dialed in. I don’t use it on springers, but co2 and pcp guns are no problem for this little guy.
If you want to do some night shooting, then you may want to go for the Gamo Stealth Tactical Green Laser and Flashlight combo. I’ve used products like these in the past. The flashlight illuminates your target to the point you can use your traditional scope. For close range point and shoot, you’ve got the laser. It’s a great combination. Again, I wouldn’t really mount this to a magnum spring airgun, but it would be ideal for a high powered PCP airguns like the Hatsan AT44 Tactical or the Benjamin Marauder.
Gamo Competition TargetPractice time is target time…
I’ve grown to really enjoy using the Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C targets. The self-adhesive targets work really well over top traditional airgun targets or just on the back of card stock. They let you know, without having to walk down range, exactly where your shot landed.
There are tons of other fun target options, from Daisy’s ShatterBlast targets, to Gamo’s Competition Target that spins when you hit it, actuating a moving Gamo logo. The first one to move the logo across the bar wins! These types of accessories are relatively inexpensive and provide hours of shooting fun.
It’s nice to have something to hang your targets on. There are two traps that I use all the time. The first is the Campion Rimfire Bullet trap. If you shoot high powered airguns, and want to know that you’re stopping that lead, then this is the trap for you. It is made from heavy gauge steel and will stop .22 rimfire so you know it will stop your lead pellets.
If you want to stop your pellets and keep the noise down, then the Air Venturi Quiet Pellet Trap is going to be your best friend. It comes ready to go, just add the putty, drop in the shot card and target, and start shooting. It will stop magnum springers up to .25 cal, but don’t shoot the same spot over and over, as it will eventually give out. When you are done for the day, you can clean out the pellets from the putty, remold it back into the box, and you are ready for your next round of shooting. This is really a “must have” if you have close neighbors and you want to keep the noise down.
What are some of your favorite accessories?
As with our last segment, there’s WAY too many cool airgun accessories to cover in just one short article. But, that’s what the comment section is for. Let us know about some of your favorite accessories. We look forward to hearing from you and your contribution will go a long way to helping other airgunners.
