The Magic

[Garvin]

Has the "magic" gone from air guns? I've just been browsing a contemporary catalogue(stacked with dire warnings,I might add-well,I have added!) and illustrations of weapons that look rather sinister and bellicose. Thirty or forty years ago no-one was overly concerned about an airgun looking like a Colt single action-or even a trusty 1911-they were AIR GUNS.Gradually,the classic firearm look-a-likes have metamorphosized into what appear to be SAS tactical weapons-and shooters dress to compliment their hardware.Where is the bloke with plus fours and a cheese-cutter,eager to give a squirrel or rabbit or even a rook an even break? At this moment I hear a thunderous applause and stamping in the house of commons-like bloomin'har har!
Another question,"should we put our immediate thoughts on a public website?!!!!!

I know what you mean, Trev. But we had our Jackals/BSA Scorpion derivatives/ASI military look-alikes back then and they didn't spoil the innocence of it all (Sussex Armoury even evolved into the excellent air rifle company Air Arms is today). I think the UK firearms bans of the late '90s and the parallel legalisation of CO2 airguns had a big effect on air pistol design. Politicians leading the UK into various wars probably had an effect too...

I expect a 'militarisation' of airguns, if it's really happening, would make restrictive laws easier to pass in the future. But in terms of the number of sales, maybe the classic Weihrauchs, Air Arms, and cheaper break barrel springers are the vast majority still sold?