You can now find five different types of air rifles in the marketplace today.
They are – Spring pistons, gas pistons and variable pump guns for PCP air rifles, CO2-powered air rifles, and other air rifles powered by PPC..
Each rifle has its own unique way of working, different benefits and limitations.
Today's guide will focus on the most popular air rifles, and compare spring piston vs gas. So, without any further ado, let’s get into it!
Spring Piston and Its Work Procedure
One of the easiest and most popular rifle types is the spring piston. Many rifle beginners choose spring pistons for their simplicity and ease.
To understand more about spring pistons, let’s see how they work:
- Inside the gun chamber, you will find two main components – coiled spring and piston.
- When you turn the gun on, the spring coil is compressed.
- The piston is pressurized when the spring compresses.
- As you pull the trigger, your spring will be decompressed. This causes your piston to move forward.
- The piston is moving forward and the trapped air is released at high tension.
- The pellet is then released from the muzzle by the pressurized atmosphere at full speed.
The piston's spring facilitates movement of the pellet from the outside of the rifle.
Gas Piston and Its Working Method
If you’re looking for a more sophisticated and advanced version of a spring piston, then you can opt for a gas piston.
A gas piston works in a similar way to a spring piston. However, a gas piston is different in that it has a chamber with a gas-filled cylindrical instead of a coil spring. It works in the following ways:
- The already compressed gas in the gas cylinder becomes more compressed when you cock it.
- The compressed air is very high in tension and under pressure.
- The pellet is forced out of the gun by the pressurized pressure air when the trigger is released. This makes it a much faster mechanism than the spring piston.
What does this tiny change mean for the performance of both the gas pistons and the spring pistons? Understanding their differences is key to understanding them.
Gas Pistons and Spring Air Rifles: The Basic Differences
The main difference between a piston gas rifle and a piston spring-piston is that a piston is made up of a gas-filled cylindrical, while a piston spring-piston rifle uses a spring. Simple? Simple.
Spring rifles use compressed air with the help a coiled spring. A gas piston is a cylinder that's gas-filled.
This major difference may cause differences in accuracy, velocity, or other factors between the guns. 
Accuracy:
Accuracy is a key factor in performance. It affects how the gun hits the target.
You need to know two facts if you want to know which air rifle has more accuracy. First – gas piston rifles are known to be more accurate due to faster lock times. However, they are not accurate enough to be used by beginners.
Contrary to popular belief, gunners with more experience often find that spring-piston rifles offer greater accuracy (or at least the equivalent) than gas pistons.
So, if you’re a If you are a beginner and need a reliable gun, a gas piston might be the right choice. This is a great idea. But, if you’re Experienced is better than a springer This would work much better.
Velocity:
Spring pistons can offer greater velocity, even though they offer more pressure and force than gas pistons.
A spring-piston containing.177 caliber pellets is able to deliver a velocity of approximately 1250 feet per second, according to many gun enthusiasts. A gas piston, on the other hand, offers a velocity of around 1000 feet/s. The velocity for.22 caliber pellets is close to 850 ft/s.
You can choose one or the other depending on what you need. A spring-piston is a better choice if you need an air rifle that has more velocity.
Shot Cycle
The shot cycle for the gas piston rifle is much shorter. This is because the gas release rate is very rapid. This means that the piston is able to move very fast.
You can also shoot more than 10,000 shots with spring pistons, just like other shooters. If you have a high-quality spring piston, the number can be increased to 20,000 shots.
Contrary to popular belief, the shot cycle for a gas piston is only 3000. This is significantly less than spring pistons.
Noise:
If you’re looking for a gun that is neighborhood-friendly and backyard-friendly, then the noise is an important factor. This is especially important if you plan to practice a lot.
In terms of noise, gas rams or rifles have a greater advantage than spring pistons. Here’s why: spring piston rifles have a coiled spring that could lead to more sound when the pellet is released.
Thus, spring rifles aren’t exactly backyard-friendly. The sound can become less audible with time.
Gas pistons, on the other hand come mostly with a ‘Sound Suppression Technology’ This reduces the sound. The fluted shroud protects the gun chambers. This stops the gun's sound from escaping and reduces noise by a significant amount.
So, if you don’t want noise, you can opt for a gas piston rifle.
User-Friendliness:
The ease of using both gas and spring pistons will depend on your skill set.
Gas pistons are, in general, easier to use for beginners than spring pistons. Because you can lock the gas piston easier. This could also lead to greater accuracy.
Beginners can also use gas pistons for training purposes, as they produce less noise than spring pistons. This makes it easier to cock.
For experienced gunners, spring piston rifles are more suitable. This rifle requires you to be proficient in artillery holding skills.
The artillery hold is basically the ability to hold your gun so that it can recoil in all directions. This skill can take time, which is why spring pistons might be less intuitive for beginners.
(This post contains more information about the best air rifles to start with.
Air rifle usage:
Depending on what you use, you can determine which piston rifle fits your needs.
Long distances can be covered by spring pistons better than with gas pistons. They are also more suitable for hunting and target shooting. This could be because spring rifles are faster than gas pistons. These rifles could also be used for competitions, just like they did in the Olympics.
Gas pistons work better for small game hunting, pest control and plinking. This is a great option for anyone who wants to improve and train their shooting skills.
(See this post for more information about the best air rifles to shoot squirrels.
Maintenance:
Because spring piston rifles need less maintenance, the maintenance requirements for gas piston rifles is very similar.
Keep these points in mind when you are looking for spring pistons:
- To ensure smooth shot cycles, it is important to lubricate the piston and spring of a spring piston.
- Make sure the spring piston isn’t cocked as this may cause wear out.
- Use lubricating oils for piston seals, but not more than one to two drops.
The rules for a gas piston are the same. However, a gas piston may not need to be lubricated as often as a spring one.
Price range
There are certain things you need to keep in mind when you’re opting for either a gas piston or a spring piston. The initial costs of purchase and repair are the first.
Spring piston air rifles tend to be more expensive. While they are usually priced at $200, the best-quality models may go up to $200. However, gas piston air rifles tend to be cheaper as they usually cost less than $200.
Spring pistons are easy to fix and repair. So, the repair costs won’t be too much. However, it is possible to spend a lot of money to have a gas piston repaired.
Gas Piston vs. Spring: Which Is More Popular?
Gun enthusiasts love both spring piston and gas piston air rifles.
Only one difference is that gas piston rifles are more popular with beginners. This is due to the fact that these guns are relatively simple to use. They’re also cheap and backyard-friendly which makes them excellent for training purposes.
However, experienced gunners prefer spring piston air rifles to gas piston air rifles. If you have the right skills, these air rifles can offer exceptional accuracy and shot cycles.
Pros and cons of Spring Piston vs Gun Piston Air Rifle
Let’s check out some of the pros and cons of gas piston air guns vs spring-piston air guns.
Spring Piston
Although the spring-piston air rifle has its pros and cons, it is an excellent choice. It is an excellent air rifle for skilled and experienced people.
This post contains more information about the best air rifle break barrel that hits like a pro.
Gas Piston
The gas piston uses a more sophisticated mechanism than spring rifles. Is it worth it? Let’s check the pros and cons for that.
Final Verdict: Gas Piston or Spring Piston – Which One Is Better?
Spring air rifles and gas piston rifles are designed to cater to different gun enthusiasts. The differences between gas ram and spring piston are obvious.
You might choose gas pistons, for example, if:
- You’re a beginner wanting to train.
- You're looking for a less expensive gun option.
- A gun is used for small hunting and pest control.
- A backyard gun is what you want.
A spring-piston is another option if you:
- You’re a more skilled person with a proper artillery hold.
- You need more accuracy, speed, or shot cycle.
- You don’t have any budget restraints.
- A gun is necessary for hunting, target shooting, and competitions.
Depending on your needs, you can choose one of the two!
End Note
The most well-known air rifles include the spring piston and gas piston. Both are highly efficient, ideal for hunting, and much more affordable than other options.
You must consider your specific needs to determine which gun is best for you. Use this guide to help you choose the right gun.
Frequently Asked Question
Which Lasts Longer In Storage – Spring Piston Rifle or Gas Piston Rifle?
If you’re planning to store your gun, it is preferable to get a spring-piston rifle as gas one may not last long. Moreover, if there’s any damage, spring rifles are cheaper to repair and maintain.
What is the life expectancy of spring piston rifles and gas piston rifles?
If they are properly maintained and used correctly, spring rifles and gas piston guns can last more than ten year. However, they will still need to be maintained well to ensure a high level of performance.
Remember that gas piston rifles are less durable than spring rifles, according to many hunters.
What is an IGT Gas Piston Rifle and How Does It Work? Is it better than spring piston?
IGT, also known as gas ram pistons or inert gases technology pistons, is a gas-filled cylinder which replaces spring pistons. This is a more advanced version of the spring piston, but they both have their own pros and cons.
For example, gas piston rifles can be easier to cock, whereas spring pistons have better accuracy and greater velocity.