The 2022 SHOT Show showcases everything from high-tech competition air rifles to pump pellet guns.Jim Chapman shares his picks for new air rifles in several categories

The 2022 SHOT Show showcases everything from high-tech competition air rifles to pump pellet guns.Jim Chapman shares his picks for new air rifles in several categories
The sport of airsoft and airsoft hunting has become popular.This segment has experienced some of the greatest innovation and growth in shooting sports, and this is reflected in the airsoft and related accessories showcased at the SHOT Show.These new products include improvements to existing technologies as well as some new and innovative designs and technologies.
While most of the newer guns on display are based on pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) platforms, there are a few examples of improvements to some older favorites.Here’s a shortlist for the best new air rifle I’ve come across on the show floor.
SKOUT Airguns started out making paintball guns, but their first foray into air guns was the talk of the SHOT Show.They introduced the EPOCH, a competition air gun with an electro-pneumatic valve design.It does not use springs, which reduces cycle weight, and there is no metal wear on the firing mechanism.I’ve been told that the gun’s mechanics have a long life expectancy and require very little maintenance.It uses EPOCH’s MAX-FLOW regulator, which produces consistent and precise air conditioning to optimize consistency and reliability.
While I’ve never been a huge fan of my hunting gear electronics, the potential advantages they offer will be welcomed by competitive shooters.
In addition to the performance benefits mentioned, the gun is TSA compliant and its gas tank can be removed without tools.This may not sound newsworthy, but as someone who has been barred from checking my gear on a flight or two, I can tell you it matters.The gun is still in pre-production, but I’ve been told that the rifle should be available in late summer.
There are a lot of spring piston airsoft guns on the market these days and I’m getting pickier about which ones I like.Gives a smooth firing cycle, decent trigger force, good trigger and built-in accuracy.But I’m also looking for a stock that’s comfortable and ergonomic – one that’s quiet in terms of muzzle reporting and the mechanical noise the gun makes.It never hurts when the gun is easy on the eyes.So, when I first saw Mod 65 and had a chance to deal with it, I knew I had found a keeper.
The Mod 65 is a traditional single-shot barrel breaker spring gun available in .177, .22 and .25 calibers.The barrel is shrouded and uses Hatsan’s SAS damping system, along with the ergonomic stock design, adjustable comb, laser cut squares and rubber stock for a quiet and smooth shot.I also appreciate that Hatsan used their Quattro trigger design in this rifle, making it one of the better triggers on a production spring gun, even more impressive considering the price point of the gun.
As someone who’s been looking for the ultimate compact hunting gear, the Brocock Ranger XR immediately appealed to me.It features a compact semi-bulldog design and a foldable stock that fits easily into a backpack for stealthy transport to your shooting location, or hauling long distances when backpacking.The Ranger XR utilizes a match-grade barrel combined with Brocock’s proven HUMA adjuster and float hammer system to deliver adjustable power and outstanding precision.Before SHOT, I had the opportunity to use this gun in the field, and it has great range and hit rate, making it an excellent small game gun.Considering the tank’s small size, it can deliver up to 20 foot pounds and produce 30 shots per fill, which is pretty good.A three-position power adjuster with hammer-residence adjuster is standard, allowing access and adjustment of the hammer spring when the stock is folded.
The Brocock Ranger XR has an adjustable trigger with a clear rest.You can use its .22 caliber 11-round quick-load magazine (13 rounds in .177) for clipping, or use the included single-shot tray for accuracy.AR-compatible buffer tubes and folding stock mounts are also part of the Ranger’s list of features.My only wish for this great little miniature carbine is to see it in 0.25.
JTS is a new airsoft company that introduced itself on the SHOT Show, but they have a long history in airsoft through their parent company Xisico.Xisico has been manufacturing air guns and components for the OEM market for many years.Most recently, they hired Travis Whitney, an American engineer with many years of experience in the airsoft industry, and provided him with the resources and freedom to develop a portfolio of airsoft products for the American market.
The first guns to be shown at the SHOT Show were the Airacuda series, including the Airacuda and Airacuda Max models.These PCP rifles are available in .22 and .25 and are similar in appearance and size, but the Max is a spec version, not a set in the standard Airacuda version.What impresses me about these guns is the build quality.They only use high quality metal and hardwood – no plastic.The stock is streamlined and elegantly shaped, with laser-cut squares on the grip and stock.But what really impressed me was the pricing.These Airacudas are positioned to compete with guns that don’t even come close to the Airacuda’s combined fit, finish and performance.I hope to see good things from this company in the future.
The Gauntlet platform has been on the market for several years and has done a great job of delivering a feature-rich, high-performance platform at a very competitive price.The .30 caliber version of the Gauntlet 2 features a high pressure bulk gas tank and a regulator set to run on a 2800 PSI charge, producing 25 full power shots with excellent consistency.The Gauntlet .30 comes with two magazines and a single-shot loading tray, which is an advantage when trying out specialty projectiles.
I found the synthetic stock, bolt, air management system and trigger assembly to be ergonomic, well designed and easy to use.This is a great choice for small to medium games.
The Dragonfly offers a classic design that will transport many of us back to our formative years as shooters, waiting for the day we can jump from the Daisy Red Rider to the Sheridan Multi-Pump Rifle.The Dragonfly takes the best of earlier multi-pump designs and improves upon them; the rifle is built with a lightweight frame that’s easy to handle for shooters of all ages and sizes.The rifle features a streamlined beech stock but still fits nicely in the hand, providing a very stable grip.The stock is checkered on the grip and forestock with rubber pads.
To shoot the rifle, draw three to eight times, depending on the power you want.Due to the new design of the linkage between the cocking arm and the pump assembly, the cocking force starts low and stays low until the eighth pump.The gun is available in 0.177 and 0.22, and can reach speeds of up to 800 fps and 630 fps, respectively.Projectiles are fed from self-indexing magazines with a capacity of 0.22″ 7 rounds or 0.177″ 9 rounds.The firing sequence is a bolt action, pump, shoot, and repeat to continue flashing or hunting.
For years I’ve been shooting Air Force rifles – standard and large caliber.They are reliable performers and have proven themselves to be solid guns that can withstand harsh conditions.That’s why when I heard they were releasing a new gun based on their proven design but optimized for firing arrows (bolts, actually), I wanted to take a closer look.
Unlike most arrow guns I’ve used, the AirForce ArrowGun has been optimized to operate at lower fill pressures (1500 psi), so it’s especially suitable for use with a hand pump for filling.This makes the gun less dependent on heavy and expensive filling equipment where this is an issue.There are two versions, the standard model and the carbine, which fires arrows and wide heads at speeds consistent with modern crossbows.Many states allow the use of Arrow firing airsoft guns for deer hunting, and it’s a new gun that offers some key features that appeal to me: accuracy, power, and compactness are among the best.
If you’ve been thinking about getting into airsoft shooting, 2022 is a great year to enter the sport.From target shooting to hunting, there are many excellent air rifles on the market at affordable prices.
Jim Chapman is Outdoor Living’s top airsoft contributor.He has written airsoft reviews of the best hunting air rifles and shares his years of airsoft experience with Outdoor Life readers.He lives in Minnesota with his family.
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