The Best Quiet Air Rifles Suitable For Use In The Neighborhood
Whether you want to hunt small vermin such as rodents in your backyard, or you simply want to spend your spare time recreationally shooting targets with friends, there’s plenty of reasons why you might be in the market for a new air rifle, regardless of whether you’re an experienced shooter or a newbie.
There’s just one problem, though. Guns are known for emitting a large ‘bang’ after every shot, and air rifles are some of the worst culprits due to their barrel designs.
Though this might not be a problem for shooting in rural areas, you might find yourself in some hot water if you plan on using one around other people.
So, what can you do? The answer is pretty simple, and that’s to find yourself an air rifle specifically designed to have a low noise level.
Sure, though these guns might not be able to offer a 100% silent operation, they’re pretty close to that mark, and we’ve just so happened to round up the top models currently available to buy. Read on!
OUR TOP PICK
If you’re in the market for an air rifle that is guaranteed to offer you a quiet operation, then look no further than the Raptor Whisper Air Rifle - you won’t be disappointed!
Unlike other air rifles currently available to buy, the Raptor Air Rifle is available to buy in either a .22 or .177 caliber pellet, depending on your needs and what you are planning on using the air rifle for.
It has been carefully made using an Inert Ga Technology (otherwise referred to as IGT) rather than a traditional spring-piston design, which allows this air rifle to offer additional velocity for more power, without compromising on its quiet sound.
It’s so quiet, in fact, that it has been made with something known as WHISPER Noise Reduction Technology, which will ensure that the noise level is significantly reduced, which means that you can catch pesky rodents or shoot some cans with your friends without any noise complaints!
Plus, thanks to that all-new Inert Gas Technology we talked about, it means that you will experience less vibration and more consistent power, while its SAT (smooth action trigger) will maximize accuracy and make the trigger action feel more smooth.
So, in other words, it’s great for shooters of all levels!
In addition to this, the Raptor Whisper Air Rifle has been made with your comfort in mind and features a shockproof scope and shock wave absorber that will be able to absorb the impact of the recoil, so you can enjoy multiple shootouts without fear of any strain or aches. Raptor has really covered all bases.
While the Raptor Whisper Air Rifle might seem like the stuff of dreams for shooters on the search for the quietest rifle there is, there are also plenty of other options to choose from that cater to both varying price points and personal preferences.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
EDITORS CHOICE
If you prefer a wooden-style air rifle, then the Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle is a great air rifle to consider.
Featuring a rebalanced wood stock design, this .25 caliber pellet rifle is able to achieve up to 900FPS, making it the perfect choice for those looking for an air rifle that they can use for pest control, small game hunting, and even target shooting in the backyard.
Besides that, as this wood stock air rifle is powerful, you can even use it to hunt medium-sized games such as coyotes and turkey.
Not only that, but thanks to its pre-charged pneumatic rifle, you’ll be able to enjoy a higher velocity than standard spring-piston guns, all while being able to enjoy fewer vibrations, which will help to prevent strains and aches.
As soon as you load the Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle and shoot it, you will hear a ‘pop’ noise rather than a loud bang, which is all thanks to its built-in noise-muffling technology.
This makes it suitable for use in your neighborhood, as you won’t have to worry about any noise complaints!
Not only that but thanks to its pre-charged pneumatic design, it means that you will be able to make more accurate shots than if you were to use a gas or spring-piston designed air file, meaning that you’ll be able to enjoy higher accuracy - even if you’re not the best shot!
BEST VALUE
If you’re a hunter looking for a rifle you can use to practice your aim in the backyard, then you might want to give the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach Air Rifle a look.
Created by Gamo Outdoor USA, which is one of the leading manufacturers in the industry of high-quality air guns, the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach is one of the best air rifles currently on the market.
Featuring a clever noise dampening technology that is trusted by shooters all over the world, the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach contains an integrated muzzle and noise reducer molded over the entirety of the barrel design.
Upon use, the pellet will travel directly through two different chambers in order to compress the development of any noise expansion.
Thanks to that, you’ll be able to use your air rifle in your yard, without the added worry of causing an annoyance to your neighbors.
In addition to this, the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach Air Rifle has also been made with Inert Gas Technology, which will be able to enhance your shooting experience with a larger velocity that won’t cause any additional noise exertion.
IGT will also allow for fewer vibrations with better overall power, so you can enjoy higher-precision shots without any arm strain.
Alongside the Inert Gas Technology, the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach Air Rifle also comes complete with SWA (Shock Wave Absorption) which is a unique type of recoil pad that will be able to offer a higher level of absorption from the impact of the recoil than any other recoil pad on the market (74%).
This will help to reduce the chances of you developing any injuries.
RUNNER UP
If you’re a shooter on the hunt for the best quiet air rifle that will offer you maximum precision, take a look at the Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle.
Ensuring that you’ll be able to use it in your neighborhood without any complaints, the Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle has been made with Whisper Noise Reduction Technology that will be able to ensure that this rifle emits a low noise level while in use, all thanks to its integrated noise and muzzle blast reducer.
As soon as you load its chambers with pellets and prepare to make the shot, the pellet will be released through two different chambers upon pressing the trigger, which will help to compress the noise, all while helping to prevent less of a kickback that could cause strain.
Plus, to guarantee that you are able to make high-precision shots, the Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle comes with a 4x32 scope that is not only shockproof but strategically placed on top of the rifle to ensure that you are able to spot your targets clearly, even while stood at a distance.
On top of that, the Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle has also been made with IGT (Inert Gas Technology) that replaces the standard spring-piston with a gas-piston, which will allow for more terminal velocity than ever before (1300fps), without compromising on the quiet performance.
Quietest Air Rifle Buying Guide
Before you go ahead and make a purchase, there are a few things that you should know that will help you to make the most informed choice possible.
From noodle levels to design, read on to hear a little more about what you should keep in mind when selecting an air rifle:
Noise Output
Considering that you’re in the market for a quiet air rifle that can be used in your neighborhood, it only makes sense that your first priority should be that it’s quiet!
As we’re sure you’re already aware, the noise levels of each rifle will vary from brand to brand, so it’s important that you make sure that the model you choose is quiet enough that it won’t disturb nearby people or animals, especially if you want to shortlist some other options yourself.
For convenience, we’ve made sure that all of the rifles we have recommended will operate at a very low noise output. This will ensure that you are able to use it in your backyard without any complaints. Out of all of them, though,
Caliber
The next factor you’ll want to consider is the caliber of the air rifle, which is the part of an air rifle that is able to determine how fast a bullet will be able to travel down its intended trajectory.
Generally speaking, the smaller the caliber, the faster it will shoot out of the gun, although a smaller caliber isn’t always the best choice for everyone, so it’s important to consider before you make a purchase.
Out of all the calibers on the market, there are three that are the most common. Let’s take a look at them and their individual benefits:
- .177: This caliber is known as being the best for all competitive type shooting. It’s lightweight and agile, making it especially good at target shooting, though accuracy can falter if shooting over a large distance, which is something to keep in mind.
- .22: The .22 caliber is almost always the choice of hunters who prefer small game. The reason for this is because though this caliber is not as fast as other types, it has a very powerful impact that ensures both precision and accuracy.
- .20: Known as the best ‘all-rounder’ caliber, .20 is a popular choice for shooters of all skill levels as it offers a versatile balance of both speed and power. This makes them great choices for anyone that wants to shoot for fun, deal with pest control and even hunt occasionally.
Design
When it comes to selecting an air rifle, another important factor to take into consideration is what type of design you would most like.
The most common types of internal shooting constructions that air rifles have are gas rams, spring-pistons, and pre-charged pneumatic.
If you are just starting out or don’t have a lot of experience handling guns of any nature, then we suggest going for an air rifle that features a PCP (pre-charged pneumatic).
They are super easy to get the hang of and feature more ammo clips per round, which means that you’ll be able to enjoy the benefit of multiple shots in one go.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced shooter or simply want to step away from PCP air rifles, then you might be interested in trying some of the other types of air rifles on the market.
Both the spring-piston and gas ram air rifles operate in similar ways, however, these types of air rifles have been specifically designed to be cocked before firing, which makes them fun to use.
It also makes them a little bit more complicated to get the hang of, which is why we don’t recommend them to beginners.
The only main difference between these two types of air rifle designs is that one takes in new air with each shot to boost power (spring-piston), while the other keeps air sealed inside a little tube to help boost power during each shot (gas ram).
Safety
Last but certainly not least, the final consideration that you should make while selecting an air rifle is how safe it will be to use.
Regardless of whether you are a beginner or seasoned expert, using an air rifle will always come with risks, so it’s important to always put your safety first.
Usually, air rifles will come with either a ‘manual’ lock or an ‘automatic’ lock.
Both types of locking systems are designed to lock the trigger so that accidental shots cannot be made, the only difference between the two is that one will lock itself after every shot you make, while the other will only lock when you choose to lock it yourself.
If you’re a beginner, then we recommend considering going for an air rifle that has an automatic lock, as it will take away the worry of having to lock the trigger yourself, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with guns in the first place.
By choosing an automatic locking rifle, you’ll be able to handle the gun with more confidence, as you’ll have the peace of mind that you won’t make any accidental shots!
On the other hand, if you’re an experienced gun handler, then you’ll likely get the most enjoyment out of an air rifle that has a manual locking system.
If you’re confident that you’re able to safely handle a gun, then you’ll probably find an automatic lock to be annoying, as you will need to release the safety each time you would like to make a shot.
By choosing to go for an air rifle that has a manual lock, you’ll be able to manually decide when you would like to lock the trigger, especially if you want to take multiple shots in quick succession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes air rifles quiet?
Usually, when you make a shot with a gun (whether that be an air gun or rifle) you’ll hear a loud noise emitted as soon as the bullet is released.
The reason for this is usually caused by gases, upon taking the shot, the trapped air exits the gun at the same time as the bullet, making the infamous ‘bang’ that is synonymous with gun usage.
However, there are air rifles on the market that have been specifically designed to help counteract this issue and, in turn, allow for quieter noise levels.
Many spring-piston guns are considered to be the quietest type of air rifle on the market because they do not release any air when shot.
In addition to this, pellet guns, though not an air rifle, are deemed to be one the quietest guns you can get, as they feature something known as a ‘shrouded barrel’ which allows them to operate more quietly than other types.
Is a .177 caliber or .22 caliber quieter?
Good question! There seems to be much debate in the gun world over which type of caliber operates the quietest, as well as which one is the most powerful.
The general consensus is that the .177 operates at a lower noise level than the 0.22, as the 0.22 has a higher velocity.
In contrast, the .22 caliber is the most powerful due to its higher velocity, while the .177 caliber is not as powerful.