How powerful can you make an air gun?

I remember a history course in college where it was referred to that the Swiss had an airgun during the Napoleonic Wars that had more range and was faster to reload than were the flintlocks of the era.

Question: is it possible to make an airgun that would be at least as equal to most pistol ammo carbines (such as the Ruger PC-4)? How bulky would it be? Or would this be just to big to be useful?

Since we do not have many regulations against airguns, might it not be able to make an airgun, even full auto, that would slide under the regulations?

# I remember a history course in college where it # was referred to that the Swiss had an airgun during # the Napoleonic Wars

It was the Austrians (Austro-Hungarians). If the stories are true, the French were so upset they threatened to execute anyone caught with one; typical gun control attitude. <g>

# that had more range and was faster to reload than were the flintlocks of the era.

Especially since it was a repeater of sorts. More importantly, it didn't have to be filled with powder, primed, etc. each time.

# Question: is it possible to make an airgun that # would be at least as equal to most pistol ammo # carbines (such as the Ruger PC-4)?

With a compressed air reservoir? Sure. Via pumping is another matter; of course it could be done but I'm not going to stand around doing it.

# Since we do not have many regulations against airguns, # might it not be able to make an airgun, even full auto, # that would slide under the regulations?

If you made one the regulations would probably change very quickly. Crazy as it might seem, air guns are already considered 'firearms' (despite the lack of fire) in some states and localities.

Let's not make it worse, please.

I have a BB Minigun & 1 BB machinegun as far as being as strong as a modern firearm, these 2 are not.. But there are some that are especally in the larger calibers.. Here is one of them www.montysminiguns.com

Happy Shooting, Monty..

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N9NWO asks:

# is it possible to make an airgun that #would be at least as equal to most pistol ammo #carbines (such as the Ruger PC-4)?

Considering all those decades that Daisy and Benjaman and others spent on the technology, it seems if they could have made a practical deer rifle they would have done so.

Ssshhhh! That's what the politicians call a loophole!

RH

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At one time in US history there was a steam cannon. Not exactly 'air' but similar. This cannon was located on Hilton Head Island, SC. Nothing remains except part of the foundation. It's on private property and not accessible to the public currently.

Alf

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We already have such devices.

.69 caliber paintball guns.

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yep

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# I remember a history course in college where it # was referred to that the Swiss had an airgun during # the Napoleonic Wars that had more range and was # faster to reload than were the flintlocks of the era.

That weapon really existed, but the stories about it have been exaggerated a lot. It was much less powerful than a flintlock musket, but probably was accurate to a longer range because of the rifled barrel. It was used by specially trained marksmen. And I believe it was fielded by the Austrians, not the Swiss.

# Question: is it possible to make an airgun that # would be at least as equal to most pistol ammo # carbines (such as the Ruger PC-4)?

Not practical.

There have been a few airguns that encroach on the power level of firearms, but they tend to be very exotic and expensive, not to mention finicky.

I think one of the most successful has been the Airrow. It fires a special arrow by releasing high-pressure air inside the shaft. It's more powerful than most hunting bows and can be used to hunt deer. But of course, the range is very limited compared with firearms (just like a bow).

Generally speaking, one of the main the main advantages of an airgun is its lower power. You can shoot them in places where a firearm would be impractical or unsafe. I have a Theoben Classic that I use around the yard here

Well, they can be pretty powerful.

However, the most powerful airguns are the pneumatic guns, and the most powerful of them operate at about 3000-3500 psi. A black powder firearm operates at significantly higher pressure than that (I'm guessing 10,000 psi or more), and a modern smokeless firearm can operate at up to 50,000 psi or more.

# #I remember a history course in college where it #was referred to that the Swiss had an airgun during #the Napoleonic Wars that had more range and was #faster to reload than were the flintlocks of the era. # #Question: is it possible to make an airgun that #would be at least as equal to most pistol ammo #carbines (such as the Ruger PC-4)? How bulky #would it be? Or would this be just to big to be #useful? #

I have read in several sources that the the Lewis and Clark expedition (Corp of Discovery) had a compressed air rifle along that was powerfull enough to bag deer with. That was about 1803 I think. The real problem would be a tank strong and light enough and still store enough air. Bill Van Houten (USA Ret) 'No matter how hard you try, you can't throw a potato chip very far.'

I've participated in the last few 'Big Bore' air rifle shoots in this country. The year before last ony guy had a home built model that shot a 3000 grain slug that developed over 1000 foot pounds of energy. A new world record. I have a Stoutenmeyer of London Butt resevoir rifle that shoots a ..62 calibre ball at approximately 650 - 700 feet per second. That's enough to take a deer at up to 25 - 30 yards.

There are quite a few large bore airguns out there now. Check out this web site: http://ns.connext.net/~glbarnes/ He makes some very nice large bore airguns.

The Antique ones were made all the way back to the early 1600's. They used either a Butt resevoir, Ball resevoir (under the reciever or sometimes over the top of the reciever) and in rare cases they even had a barrel resevoir. This was a shroud over the barrel that acted as the air storage. Lewis and Clark brought one along on their expedition. It is commonly believed to be a Lukens of Philidalphia and is believed to be the one at the Virginia Military Institute.