In this guide
Buying your first air rifle, or upgrading from one you have outgrown, should not mean wading through spec sheets and forum arguments. After nearly 20 years selling and servicing airguns from our Rochester workshop, we have put together an honest guide to the air rifles worth your money in 2026, whatever your budget or whatever you are shooting for.
Every rifle below is in stock right now at Platoon Stores. No paper launches, no “coming soon”, just kit you can actually hold, try and take home. You can browse the full air rifle range here, or read on for our picks.
First, the law: sub-12 ft/lb and no licence needed
In England and Wales you can buy and own an air rifle without a firearms licence as long as its muzzle energy stays under 12 ft/lb (and an air pistol under 6 ft/lb). Every air rifle we sell to the general public is sub-12 ft/lb and licence-free. You just need to be 18 or over, and we will check ID. Anything over 12 ft/lb is a Firearm Certificate (FAC) item and a different conversation entirely.
That keeps things simple: pick the rifle that suits you, and you are good to go.
.177 or .22? The only calibre debate that matters
Two calibres cover almost everyone:
- .177 (4.5mm) is a flatter, faster pellet with a straighter trajectory. Easier to aim at varying distances, so it is the go-to for target shooting, plinking and field target.
- .22 (5.5mm) is a heavier pellet that dumps more energy on impact and drops faster. The traditional choice for pest control and hunting at sensible ranges.
If you are mostly punching paper and cans in the garden, go .177. If humane pest control is the plan, .22. Neither is better, they are built for different jobs, and we stock both.
Springer vs PCP: how the rifle makes its power
There are two main types of air rifle, and which one suits you comes down to how much fuss you are willing to put up with and how you like to shoot.
- Spring or gas-ram (“springer”) rifles are self-contained, with nothing to fill and brilliant value. There is a knack to shooting them well (the “artillery hold”), but they are the honest starting point and last for decades.
- PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) rifles store air in an onboard cylinder, topped up from a pump or dive bottle. They are recoilless, consistent and multi-shot, so they are easier to shoot accurately, but you will need a way to fill them (we stock pumps and bottles too).
The picks
Best first air rifle: Stoeger RX5 Combo Air Rifle Kit (£149.95)
Our most popular air rifle, for a reason. The Stoeger RX5 Combo is a break-barrel springer that comes as a complete kit with a scope, so there is nothing else to buy to get shooting. Well made, forgiving and backed by Stoeger reputation. If you want one rifle that just works out of the box, start here.
Best budget air rifle: SMK DB3 Synthetic Under-Lever (£79.90)
The most affordable rifle on this list and a genuine bargain for a first plinker. The SMK DB3 has a smooth under-lever cocking action and a synthetic stock that shrugs off knocks and weather. If you want to try airgunning without a big outlay, the DB3 is the one.
Best value springer: SMK Syntarg (£119.99)
A well-priced break-barrel springer for anyone who wants a step up from entry level without going near three figures of extra spend. The SMK Syntarg is a dependable garden and range rifle with a weatherproof synthetic stock. Pick your calibre on feel when you are in the shop.
Best for pest control: Remington Pest Controller (£129.95)
Does exactly what the name says. The Remington Pest Controller is a no-nonsense springer set up for humane pest control, most popular in .22 for the extra knock-down. If rabbits, rats or pigeons around the smallholding are the problem, this is a sensible, affordable answer.
Best entry PCP: SMK XS 57 .22 (£179.90)
The cheapest way into pre-charged pneumatics. The SMK XS 57 is a single-shot .22 PCP that gives you recoilless, consistent shooting for not much more than a good springer. Ideal if you want PCP accuracy on a budget and do not mind loading one pellet at a time. Pair it with a hand pump to fill.
Best all-round PCPs: Stoeger XM1 (£299.95) and Remington T-Rex (£319.95)
Step up to multi-shot PCPs and shooting gets a lot easier. The Stoeger XM1 and Remington T-Rex both come scoped and ready, both are recoilless and repeatable, and both are firm favourites with our customers. The XM1 is a clean, modern all-rounder; the T-Rex offers real PCP performance at a keen price. Either will flatter your grouping.
Best premium PCP: Remington Spirit X Wood Target (£549.99)
For the shooter who wants their last rifle first. The Remington Spirit X is a wood-stocked pre-charged target rifle with the consistency and finish to match serious range work. If your budget stretches and you want something to grow into rather than out of, this is the one to handle in person.
What else you will need
- Pellets to match your calibre (.177 or .22). We stock both, plus a range of weights.
- A way to fill a PCP: a hand pump or a filled dive cylinder. We sell both and can advise on what suits your rifle.
- A scope. Most of our combos include one; if not, we will help you zero it in.
- Eye protection and a safe backstop. Non-negotiable, even in the garden.
Not sure what fits? Come in and try before you buy at our air rifle shop in Kent. Our Rochester showroom has the range on display, the team shoots this kit ourselves, and we service airguns in-house too if you ever need work done.
Our picks at a glance
| Category | Our pick | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best first air rifle | Stoeger RX5 Combo Air Rifle Kit 4x32 scope | £149.95 | Choose options |
 | Best budget | DB3 Synthetic Under Lever Air Rifle | Original price was: £99.95.£79.90Current price is: £79.90. | Choose options |
 | Best value springer | SMK Syntarg Break Barrel Air RIfle | £119.99 | Choose options |
 | Best for pest control | Remington Pest Controller | £129.95 | Choose options |
 | Best entry PCP | XS 57 single shot .22 PCP Air Rifle | Original price was: £199.99.£179.90Current price is: £179.90. | Add to basketView details |
 | Best all-round PCP | Stoeger XM1 PCP Air Rifle with 3-9 x40 AO Scope | £299.95 | Choose options |
 | Best all-round PCP (alt) | Remington T-Rex Bullpup Kit | £319.95 | Add to basketView details |
 | Best premium PCP | Remington Spirit X Wood Pre Charged Target Air Rifle | £549.99 | Choose options |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence for an air rifle in the UK?
No, as long as it is under 12 ft/lb muzzle energy (the legal limit for licence-free air rifles in England and Wales) and you are 18 or over. Everything we sell to the public is sub-12 and licence-free.
Is .177 or .22 better for beginners?
For general target shooting and plinking, .177 is the easier, flatter-shooting choice. Choose .22 if your main goal is humane pest control.
Springer or PCP for a first rifle?
A springer is the best-value, no-hassle starting point, with nothing to fill. Move to PCP when you want easier accuracy and multi-shot, and you are happy to pump or bottle-fill.
Can I buy an air rifle online and collect in store?
Yes. Order online and collect from our Rochester shop, where we will check ID (18 or over) before handover. Air rifles are collection-only, not posted.
