There are many differences between an airsoft gun and an airgun. Primarily, an airsoft gun has a lot less power and is more of a toy than an airgun.

For instance, airsoft users primarily shoot at each other whereas this is the very last thing you would do with an airgun.

Arguably, the most powerful type of airgun is the Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP).

Depending on the gun, the pressure can be up to around 3000 psi which can deliver .177 caliber pellets at supersonic speeds. Of course, the higher the caliber pellet, the more mass it carries and the slower it will be (but the more stopping power it will have).

I would argue that you might not actually need to. However, if you’ve had your gun (particularly a spring-piston) for some time and have noticed a drop-off in performance, perhaps it’s time.

The best way to clean your Air Rifle is to use a couple of cleaning pellets every time you get through a tin. This will clean the inside of the barrel. You should also ensure the gun is only stored when perfectly dry and not kept in humid conditions, which can damage any wood.

NO, Dry-Firing an airgun is not recommended, especially if you have a Spring Piston variety!

If you don’t have a pellet in the breech then there won’t be a cushion of air protecting the piston from slamming hard into the internals of your gun. This does your seals no good at all and will shorten the life-span of your gun.

There is at least one manufacturer (Gamo) who creates most of their rifles in such a way that it doesn’t matter as much if you accidentally do this, but they still don’t recommend it.