What Customers Actually Bought Last Year

What Customers Actually Bought Last Year

And What The Numbers Didn’t Show At First Glance…

If you’ve landed here after reading our piece in Airgun World, thanks for taking the time to scan the QR code.

The magazine article was always meant to be a snapshot, a single page that hinted at a much bigger picture. This is where we get to slow things down a bit and talk properly about what the numbers actually mean.

Because while the headline lists are interesting, the reasons behind them are where things get genuinely revealing.

First Things First: Yes, Cheap Guns Sell More

Let’s address the obvious straight away.

Entry-level and mid-priced airguns sell in higher numbers. That shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s spent more than five minutes around the sport. People need a way in. Gifts need to be affordable. Not everyone wants to drop four figures on a rifle.

So when you see springers like the Crosman Phantom or PCPs like the Kral Puncher K topping the volume charts, that isn’t a criticism, it’s reality.

But volume alone doesn’t tell you how shooters think. It just tells you where most people start.

Where Things Start To Get Interesting

When we dug deeper into the data, filtering by mechanism, price point, and buying patterns, the story changed.

Suddenly the questions weren’t:

“What sold the most?”

but:

“What did experienced shooters choose?”

“What did people buy after they already owned something decent?”

“Where does confidence show up in the data?”

That’s where things got far more revealing.

PCPs: First Steps Vs Long Term Choices

Looking at the overall PCP list, the top sellers make perfect sense. Rifles like the Puncher K, Mammoth, GX-250, and AP900 are accessible, capable, and familiar. They represent that first serious step into PCP ownership for many shooters.

But once we isolated PCPs over £800, the tone shifted immediately.

Fewer units sold, yes… but every purchase was deliberate.

This is where rifles like the AirMaks Katran and HW100 KT start to dominate. These aren’t impulse buys. These are rifles people research, handle, debate, and then commit to.

At this level, nobody is chasing gimmicks. Regulation is expected. Consistency is assumed. What matters is trust – in the brand, in the design, and in how the rifle will feel a year or five down the line.

Springers: Volume On One Side, Loyalty On The Other

Spring rifles are a brilliant example of how volume and loyalty can live in completely different places.

At the affordable end, rifles like the Crosman Phantom and Vantage continue to sell steadily. They’re simple, honest, and do exactly what buyers expect.

But move up into the £500+ springer bracket and you’re in a very different world.

Rifles like the HW97 K, HW98, and TX200 aren’t in the top 3 — but when they do sell, buyers almost never hesitate. These are purchases driven by feel, balance, and mechanical satisfaction. People buy them because they’ve already decided.

It’s a quiet kind of confidence, and it shows clearly in the data.

CO2: Fun Still Matters

The T4E TR 50 Gen 2 sits at the top simply because it’s great fun to shoot. Nobody’s buying it to land shots on top of the last, they’re buying it because it puts a smile on your face.

That said, seeing airguns like the SMK Victory CP2 and the Crosman Ratbuster 2240 on the list shows there’s more to CO₂ than just fun. Both are popular because they’re practical, easy to live with, and genuinely useful, whether for dispatching vermin or for short target work.

Further down the list, replica-style models underline the same point. CO₂ buyers aren’t compromised or confused. They’re choosing these guns because they’re enjoyable, familiar, and just damn good fun to shoot.

Accuracy always matters, but here enjoyment matters more, and the numbers suggest that isn’t changing any time soon.

Traditional Vs Tactical: The Debate Isn’t Going Away

One thing we touched on briefly in the magazine, and which deserves more space here, is the rise of compact, tactical-style PCPs.

They haven’t replaced traditional blocks of wood. Not even close. But they have become more accepted, particularly among experienced shooters who prioritise balance, compactness, and modern ergonomics.

Some people love them. Some people actively dislike them. Both reactions are completely valid.

What the data shows isn’t a shift away from tradition, it’s simply a broader range of acceptable choices.

So What Does This All Actually Mean?

A few things stand out clearly:

Volume and confidence are not the same thing.

Entry-level rifles bring people in, premium rifles keep them engaged.

Springers still matter, deeply, to the right buyers.

CO₂ remains about enjoyment, not necessarily performance.

Tactical designs are here to stay, whether everyone likes them or not.

Most importantly, it shows that airgunners are thoughtful buyers. They don’t just follow trends blindly. They move through the sport, refining their preferences as they go.

A Final Thought

This still isn’t a list of airguns you MUST buy.

It’s not even a recommendation.

We’re not interested in telling people what they should like. We’re interested in understanding what they actually choose.

If anything, this data should encourage more conversation, not less.

If you agree with the results, great.

If you think they’re completely wrong, even better. We enjoy these conversations, wherever they happen.

And if you’d like a proper, no-pressure chat about what might be right for your next airgun, we’re always here to help. Whether that’s in the shop, online, or by phone, we’re happy to talk things through.

About Bristol Airguns

An Early Introduction

Bristol Airguns officially started in 2015, but the story goes back much further. David, the owner, grew up shooting his dad’s old BSA in the 1970s, and also spent time deer-stalking and shooting .22 rimfire for target work.

Why The Shop Started

While running a pawnbroking business, David noticed something interesting. A lot of second-hand airguns were passing through, and there was real enthusiasm behind them. People were genuinely passionate. That’s when he realised the opportunity to step away from pawnbroking and into something far more rewarding.

What Makes Us Different

We don’t just sell airguns. We care about the person buying them. For us, selling an airgun isn’t the finish line, it’s the first step in someone’s journey as a shooter.

Instead of pushing the first gun on the shelf, we take time to understand what you want and why you want it. We know how important that feeling is when you walk out with a new bit of kit, and can’t wait to get it home, and we want to make sure it’s the right decision, not a rushed one.

Flexible Buying Options

We also know wallet pressure is real. That’s why we offer finance options, including 3, 6, 12, and 24 month plans.

To make the 12 and 24 month options possible, David personally became FCA registered, something not many RFDs do, but it was important to us to give customers more flexibility.

We’ve also added a deposit system, so you can secure your airgun now and pay the balance later, whether that’s in full or through finance.

As a small, independent business, we can’t physically stock every one of the 1,500+ products on our website, but the deposit system means customers get access to a much wider choice without having their money tied up.

Who We See Everyday

Our customers are a real mix, from complete beginners to long-time airgunners with a specific idea of what they want. And we love that variety.

Compared to the days of pawnbroking, the airgun community is a breath of fresh air. Airgunners are generally welcoming, friendly, and a pleasure to deal with. It makes our job genuinely enjoyable.

How We Help You Choose

When someone asks for advice, we start with them, not the product list.
We talk about:

• Your budget
• Your experience
• What you want the gun for
• How it feels when you pick it up

One of the most common mistakes we see is people buying something just because it’s popular. If you’ve handled a gun and you love it, great. But don’t buy what everyone else has just because social media says so.

Community Matters

We wouldn’t be here without shooters talking to each other and sharing knowledge. That’s why we:

• Run bi-annual open days at our range
• Chat with people online
• Engage with forums and social channels

It’s all part of helping more people enjoy the sport.

What We Enjoy Most

Above everything else, what keeps us going are the people we meet. Shooters come from all walks of life, but they’re almost always welcoming and passionate, and that’s one of the best things about this hobby.

Want To Talk Airguns?

If you’ve never dealt with Bristol Airguns before, expect a relaxed, honest conversation with no pressure and no hard sell.

If you want a chat about what might be right for your next purchase, we’re always happy to help:

📞 0333 335 0096
📧 [email protected]
🏠 22 Regent St, Bristol, BS15 8JS

Or follow us:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

We’re always up for talking airguns.