Soo, what makes an airgunner an airgunner? :-)

[.]

Like many of you, I was hooked on air guns from the start. And right away, I wanted to know what made them work, almost as much as I loved shooting them. Taking things apart and putting them back together is something a lot of people just avoid. Air gun people make up reasons to disassemble their guns, if no real reason actually exists, just to see what makes them tick.

Then...

Not satisfied with knowing how it works, and air gun enthusiast immediately starts imagining ways to make it work better, or faster, or more this, or more that...

Lots of people have insatiable curiosities. Many people enjoy working with their hands. Tons of folks collect nice things. Many strive to get the most out of their tools, toys, and hobby stuff.

But an airgunner does all these things with a passion and obsession that defies logic, and approaches madness at times, perhaps even reaches that level on occasion, too, ha ha! Ima hoping to not end up in air gunner rehab someday, talking to Dr. Drew, lol.

But, I am really struck by how similarly we all seem to think and behave here, no matter how much distance there is between us.

So, tell me this. Is this a passion, an illness, or just too much fun for our own good sometimes?

:-)

[Privateer]

It's a divine gift given to us by the Gods!
 

[SteveP-52]

Do you own even one (#22 is on the way)? Do you enjoy shooting it (every chance I get)? Does it give you the urge to buy more and the stuff that goes with them? Do you belong to one or even several air gun forums (6 at last count)?? Is your favorites list loaded with all the places you can buy air gun stuff from (bookmarks bar and 2 drop down lists of other bookmarks)??

I could list more questions but if you answered yes to even one of these, you're an airgunner and we're here to enab...umm, i mean help in any way we can

[Roadworthy]

I do not consider myself an airgunner - it's just a pastime.  I am most assuredly NOT addicted.  Still, I can answer YES to each of Steve's criteria questions.

Perhaps it's time for a bit of introspection and reevaluation.

[GumpIsrael]

I agree with Jeff!
I would define myself as definitely an airgunner. I love to shoot PB, but it is SO much cheaper for me to shoot my airguns out back. No range, no fees, and much cheaper ammo. I can shoot everyday if I want and I love modding my guns.
Modding, to me is the addiction, I just can't leave it alone. The one exception is my HW30S, I won't mod it, or change it in any way, I love it the way it is.
I believe we all share a passion, not so much an addiction, but a real passion for shooting sports.

[Skillet]

One of my passwords in life was "airgunner," and so there's that.  PC Chick, your piece was very thoughtful and true.  People who take apart stuff just to see how it works have a lot of fun!  People who try to improve their machines have even more fun.  I love working on air guns and will soon try out some barrel bending on a springer that shoots too high!  To me, that's nervy because I fear I'll ruin the barrel/block fit.  But I'll do it cause it needs doing.  After that, I'll be smarter than I am now, by just that much!

I am also thankful to have such a great community at GTA!  I will plop myself down at the computer for "just a little while" and launch into any "room" on GTA and start reading entries to be entertained and to continually learn more and more useful information about our hobby/past time/obsession.  Oh, and like Tom, I surely am also NOT addicted to airguns by any stretch of the imagination, it's just my 'satiable curiosity!

[mobilemail]

I classify myself as an airgunner because I find it fun, it is convenient, and I enjoy the technology, camaraderie and sportsmanship.  What else do I need?

[Skinard88]

 I call this the Madness.  I started Airgunning because of the PB Ammo crunch, and now I can get PB ammo, I would rather shoot my Airguns,  And the modding is half the fun.  I shoot an Airgun from dawn to dusk, and then I dream of shooting.  Even my friends would rather shoot Airguns more than PBs.          The amount of $$$$ that me and my friends have spent on Airguns in the past year is oh um lets not go there. This hobby is the most FUN I have ever had, and the Madness goes on.
Oh yea!  I even learned how to use a computer because of Airguns.

[Springrrrr]

If in the presence of fellow shooters, you discuss airguns more than you discuss powder burners, you be a airblower fer sure. 

[bantam5s]

My definition of an airgunner is someone who loves and owns at least a few airguns, and has enough interest in them to have learned what you really get with your cheap " 1200 fps " springers.

The part about the cheap springers I think is important, because the high fps claim and fact that you don't have to pump  can be so tempting to people. But if you're not a true airgunner you probably won't ever learn than there's more to the airgun world than plastic stuff meant for kids and the inexpensive springers.

[kj]

airgunner, yep....addiction ? who knows , i try not to self diagnos, and who wants to pay some quack when i could buy more airgun stuff. so what if i had crosmans phone number on speed dial so i could order parts ?  so what if i have over 1000 co2 cartridges and 125,000 + pellets on hand...just don't want to run out. extra parts for all my guns in multiples , parts to make several guns any time i get the time. lol...

wellll.....

kj

ps it's my wifes fault cuz she never says anything as long as her and my son are taken care of good.

[PelletsForPests]

I always liked guns and computers. When they screw up, you know there is a scientific method to fixing them, and once they work right, you know you have only yourself to blame for mistakes (aside from the occasional flyers and Windows updates).

There is something incredibly satisfying- magic almost- about hitting a target.. They say the finest games are the ones very simple to understand, but time consuming to achieve proficiency. Once one is a good in our game, in the same way "Mary" gets a little dopamine kick from getting a "like" on Facebook, we airgunners get a little dopamine from hitting on target.

For me, it's like yoga meditation, only I'm actually clearing my mind, relaxing, outside at a scenic viewpoint, not forced to be there by a girlfriend, and not desperately trying to keep from "passing gas".

For my little cousin, it's like being a Ninja Seal Recon Ranger with an ultra accurate, quiet gun.

For my girlfriend, it's shooting an exiting gun that doesn't hurt your shoulder or ears.

We all have our reasons, but at the end of the day, i think airguns and hunting speaks to something timeless, scientific (perfect), primal, and real within all of us. I genuinely pity those who wish to ban our ways of life more than I hate their pretentious virtue signaling..

[anti-squirrel]

I've enjoyed it since the first time I pulled the trigger on a 760.  And ever since then, I've also tinkered with them- much as I've tinkered with everything I own to some extent.

Unlike powderburners, airguns- at their most basic- use energy created by the human body to launch a projectile.  I see this same revelation in archery (I'm sure Manny can attest to this) and a few other pastimes.

But airgunning is what I love, and is something I can do until I'm pushing up the daisies.

Everybody is on-point.  It is not an addiction, nor being enabled.  Instead, it is a way of life- requiring a certain mindset to take it from recreational plinking to being an active member of this part of the community

[Sfttailrdr46]

  I have been shooting since 11 or 12 years old. My first was an old break barrel my dad brought home from his garbage route back in I think 1959. Then I saved my pennies to buy a Daisy 1894 replica lever action bb rifle from there to a Remington Model 513T .22 target rifle for the High School rifle team. Four years ago I rediscovered adult air rifles and the rest is History so yes affliction/addiction/hobby and yes I enjoy shooting, tinkering and making mine all mine with mods 

[redtrucker610]

I guess I would consider myself an airgunner. I have always enjoyed shooting. I really started getting into airguns whe we bought the house with the bigger yard. They are cheaper to shoot then PB's and I don't have to clean up all the empty brass when I'm done. I still shoot my rimfires sometimes. But most times I will grab one of my airguns when I'm in the mood to shoot.

[USAFANG6799]

An airgunner is someone living full-time in the doghouse for obvious reasons.......buying too many airguns 

[.]

It's a divine gift given to us by the Gods!
 

Still my absolute fav answer, than you, Jeff!! :-)

[Habanero69er]

"So, what makes an airgunner an airgunner?"
An airgun???   

[39M]

"So, what makes an airgunner an airgunner?"
An airgun???   

Exactly.
I'm just a guy who likes to shoot. And aurguns let me shoot more often.

[maraudinglizard]

Reliving a childhood that air guns were forbidden in the house or in possession, the saying was "little girls don't play with bb guns". I enjoy shooting but the noise made it restrictive and ammo was beyond the limits of my income, then I found GTA and it was all over for me. Now I enjoy air gunning at its fullest and the income can handle it (sometimes). It's a passion, addiction, obsession, a need, or just plain down right fun to do. It's what is in your heart that makes you an air gunner.