How the West Was Won With an Airgun

The Forgotten History of Air Rifles Is as Incredible as Some of the New High-Power Creations. Think You Know How the West Was Won? This Just Might Burst Your Bubble.

by Richard Baimbridge

When you think of the early American pioneers -- Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone or Lewis and Clark -- what usually comes to mind is intrepid explorers in buckskins and raccoon hats, armed with muskets and flintlock rifles, a leather pouch of black powder slung over the shoulder and a Bowie knife at the hip.

But what if I told you that a major part of early American history may have been shaped by a repeating air rifle capable of firing up to 20 shots in under 30 seconds? Would you be willing to bet I was wrong?

Well, read on – because this’ll likely blow your mind. And by the end, you just might owe me a beer…  

For most of us, air rifles are a fond childhood memory, shooting pellets in the backyard, maybe taking out a squirrel or two. But it may surprise you to know that they’ve actually been around for centuries, and even played a significant role in warfare, going all the way back to the Franco-Austrian War of the 1790s, where Napoleon earned his chops.  

Not long after that, some of these guns made their way to the New World, and into the hands of the pioneers, including legendary explorers Lewis and Clark. You might recall from history class that their three-year expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean laid the foundation for the great westward expansion.

But what history books don’t tell you is that Lewis and Clark may have leveraged their expedition on airguns – specifically, a .46 caliber Italian-made rifle called the Girandoni that fired up to 40 consecutive shots over 125 yards, using an 800 PSI cast iron canister located in the buttstock. The magazine held a maximum of 22 .46 caliber rounds. According to The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (where the gun is mentioned about 40 times) the group of around 35 men and one Native American woman demonstrated the weapon to every Indian tribe they encountered, possibly as one way of establishing military superiority.

Based on the journals, the natives’ reaction to the powderless-gun was one of shock and awe. Some historians suggest this might have been key to ensuring them safe passage, despite being vastly outnumbered by potentially hostile Indians. Phil Schreir, Senior Curator of National Firearms Museum which now houses the gun, even calls it, “The most important gun in the entire history of the United States.”

In recent times, airguns have seen a major revival as new technology has made them both extremely powerful and exceptionally accurate.

Another plus is the fact that they face far less regulation than firearms. It might surprise you to know that in many parts of the US, you can have a .72 cal air rifle delivered to your front door with no license or background check. To be clear, we’re talking about a rifle so powerful it can take down practically anything, including bear and elk.

But as these guns gain in popularity, they could also face greater scrutiny. The sticking point is that, since airguns use compressed air to shoot projectiles, they’re not technically “firearms” -- and thus not under the jurisdiction of the ATF. Changing the definition could make shooting a spitball out of a straw illegal, too (unless you measure by joules, which is how many regulations now operate).

Nonetheless, basically anyone over the age of 18 can now own one without a license. And some of these guns really have to be seen to be believed. If you haven’t picked up an air rifle lately, I highly suggest you go out and try one. They’ll blow you away – literally. No doubt Lewis and Clark would have been amazed.

Some of Our Favorite Airguns on the Market Today:

AEA Zeus GEN 2 .72 Cal

The most powerful mass production air rifle in the world, The Zeus is chambered in .72 caliber and packs a massive 1500 FPE punch with 850gr slugs. Retail Price: $1200

Umarex Hammer Carbine .50 Cal PCP Hunting Rifle

565 FPE Slings a 350gr slug over 850 FPS. Retail Price: $1100

FX Impact M4 Sniper Copper .35 Cal

156 FPE delivering up to 45 shots per fill, sleek design and iconic in the airgun industry. Retail Price: $2200

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