Virmin

[Bangersanmash 3,231]

Hi guys just a couple of questions. I'm wanting to buy an air pistol but not wanting to spend too much on it. The air pistol is only to use in my back garden to get rid of some rats. I've tried the routine of going down the road with traps but no good. I'm worrying because I've got birds  " an a know that rats can sometimes get into your averies and wipe the birds out ".  Can any one give me advice on what to look for cheers guys 

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

Unless it’s very close range mate ,forget pistols .Any spring air rifle  will kill a rat shot  in the head at ranges out to 25-30 m .Look on the net for an air rifle in your budget range .

[j j m 6,555]

as above a cheap springer will do ,not a pistol mate

[LuckOrJudgement 437]

Using a pistol will just make them skittish and wary because they're simply not accurate enough for kill-shots on rats. As above, get a rifle and a half decent scope, practice at paper to the range you intend to shoot the rats and you'll be spilling blood in no time - its very satisfying and rewarding. You may even find you have a natural talent.

[Bangersanmash 3,231]

Cheers guys I've seen the crossman ratcatcher but it''s co2. Then I've seen a bsa metior spring £130 local ?

[LuckOrJudgement 437]

2 hours ago, Bangersanmash said:

Cheers guys I've seen the crossman ratcatcher but it''s co2. Then I've seen a bsa metior spring £130 local ?

Dont bother with co2. It does strange things in cold weather and the power curve is horrible.

The Meteor will be just the ticket out to about 25 meters.

[Bangersanmash 3,231]

3 hours ago, LuckOrJudgement said:

Dont bother with co2. It does strange things in cold weather and the power curve is horrible.

The Meteor will be just the ticket out to about 25 meters.

It's about 8 yards from my back door to my bird penn where the b*****ds are. Had one this morning on fen trap but the youngens keep walking over it and not tripping it off . One of the lads on here said I would have trouble with it with the youngens. Be running rings round me so thought I need a little shooter to drop the bastsrds

[Bangersanmash 3,231]

What would you say 1.77 or 22 

[villaman 9,983]

2 hours ago, Bangersanmash said:

What would you say 1.77 or 22 

25

[villaman 9,983]

2 hours ago, Bangersanmash said:

What would you say 1.77 or 22 

Either will do the job with head shots 

[philpot 5,031]

I would agree regarding the use of a pistol for live quarry however, a couple of years ago on another forum several guys bought and used an SMK PP700w on rats but you will need an air supply and you would need to be close but I suspect you would not be keen on buying the pistol, scope and air tank just for a few rats.

Buy a springer rifle.

Phil

[Bangersanmash 3,231]

54 minutes ago, philpot said:

I would agree regarding the use of a pistol for live quarry however, a couple of years ago on another forum several guys bought and used an SMK PP700w on rats but you will need an air supply and you would need to be close but I suspect you would not be keen on buying the pistol, scope and air tank just for a few rats.

Buy a springer rifle.

Phil

I know what your saying just a few rats Phil. But it's just a few rats that become's alot of rat's if the problem isn't resolved and I've got expensive birds . 

[wilbur foxhound 480]

3 hours ago, Bangersanmash said:

It's about 8 yards from my back door to my bird penn where the b*****ds are. Had one this morning on fen trap but the youngens keep walking over it and not tripping it off . One of the lads on here said I would have trouble with it with the youngens. Be running rings round me so thought I need a little shooter to drop the bastsrds

Set the pedal on the fen trap lighter

[Dervburner 2,549]

I sometimes use an old Webley senior .22 air pistol for humane dispatch in cage traps, but the range is only a couple of feet maximum. It runs at about 4 - 5 ft lbs and I won’t use it on squirrels because I don’t believe it has enough punch to put them down instantly. It seems to do rats ok, but as others have said, use a rifle. I wouldn’t attempt to shoot rats, even at a few yards with an air pistol. Even if you’re a crack shot with a pistol, the striking energy of the pellet would be marginal at best in my opinion. 

[LuckOrJudgement 437]

8 yards from the back door is too close for my liking.

As much as it pains me to say it, you need to make sure they have no access to the bird seed whatsoever and then get some rodenticide down.