Originally Posted by
DT Fletcher
I'm sure that Smith wrote this after reading the Crosman promotion materials on CO2. It contains all of the points that Crosman was then making for their new CO2 guns. Smith makes the right emphasis about this applying to the situation then current in the USA. He is directing this advice to an audience consisting of those interested in teaching firearms safety with airguns.
He is not making the case that CO2 guns are inherently superior to spring guns in general, and is very specific about that. One of his biggest concerns is cost. A good English spring pistol like the Webley was 3 or 4 times the cost of an American CO2 pistol.
Personally: I think CO2 guns are far superior to any spring gun; especially when the purpose is to put a single shot into the head of the target. When it comes to pest control, nothing beats a good CO2 rifle.