Home Air rifles and pistols 5 of the best tactical and synthetic air rifles

5 of the best tactical and synthetic air rifles

Tactical chassis rifles and rugged synthetic-stocked PCPs are among the fastest-moving corners of the airgun market. Here are five of the best, spanning a £200 entry-level plinker to a £2,700 electronic precision tool, picked to suit every budget and style of shooting

Tactical and synthetic air rifles have come a long way from the wood-stocked sporters most of us grew up with. Synthetic stocks shrug off rain, knocks and changes in temperature, while the tactical chassis rifles borrow their looks and modularity from the centrefire world, giving you rails, adjustable furniture and a more clinical feel in the hands. The result is a class of PCP that runs from genuinely affordable garden guns right up to electronics-laden precision tools.

This guide is drawn from the rifles passing through the Airgun World gear pages and our team’s hands-on knowledge of the market, rather than a single head-to-head test. We have picked five that show the breadth of what is on offer in the UK, one to suit almost every budget, from a sub-£200 starter to a flagship benchrest design. Prices quoted are RRP at the time of publication and may since have changed.

What should I look for in a tactical or synthetic air rifle?

Start with how and where you will shoot, then let that steer the spec. For all-weather durability and a fuss-free finish, a synthetic stock is the obvious choice; for adjustability and add-ons, a tactical chassis with M-LOK or Picatinny rails lets you fit bipods, torches and hand stops. Beyond that, the things worth weighing up are calibre (.177 for flat-shooting target work, .22 for hunting and pest control), whether the action is regulated for shot-to-shot consistency, the fill pressure and shot count, the weight and overall length for the shooting you do, and of course the budget. A bullpup layout, where the action sits behind the trigger, gives you a full-length barrel in a much shorter overall package, which is handy in a hide or in woodland.

The 5 best tactical and synthetic air rifles

Niksan Archero

RRP: £559 (special Airgun World readers’ price £349 while stocks last)

A feature-rich, budget-friendly PCP from Turkey that punches well above its weight. It is built around a smooth, spring-assisted side-lever action with an air-saving anti-hammer-bounce system and an adjustable power wheel, so you can dial the energy back for back-garden target shooting. The slender synthetic stock is strictly right-handed but offers good ergonomics, an adjustable cheekpiece and a match-style trigger, and the rifle ships in a hard case with multiple magazines for excellent out-of-the-box value.

Calibre: .177 and .22
Magazine capacity: 14 (.177); 12 (.22)
Weight: 7.71lb
Overall length: 39.3in–40.5in
Barrel length: 21.6in
Fill pressure: 200 bar
Trigger: Two-stage, multi-adjustable match type
Muzzle energy: 11.4ft/lb

Who it suits: Shooters who want the most kit and adjustability for their money, from garden target practice to general all-round use.

Strengths: Remarkable value, adjustable power for low-energy plinking, complete package with hard case and spare magazines.

Limitations: Right-handed only, so not an option for left-handed shooters.

Verdict: Hard to beat on value, with a spec sheet that shames guns costing far more. To redeem the readers’ offer, simply state “As seen in Airgun World” when ordering by phone, or add the same text when ordering online.

Visit shootingparty.uk

Taipan Veteran II Tactical

RRP: £1,735

A precision-engineered, Czech-made bullpup featuring an ambidextrous side-lever, a regulated air system and an effective silencer. Its standout Anti-Double Feed system keeps things reliable, while the robust aluminium chassis delivers match-grade, sub-quarter-inch accuracy. The bullpup layout keeps the package short without sacrificing barrel length, which makes it easy to handle in a hide or in cover.

Calibre: .177; .22; and .25
Magazine capacity: 10
Weight: 8.4lb
Overall length: 32.25in
Barrel length: 21.7in
Fill pressure: 250 bar
Trigger: Two-stage, multi-adjustable match type
Muzzle energy: 11.5ft/lb

Who it suits: Serious shooters who want top-tier accuracy in a compact, manoeuvrable package.

Strengths: Sub-quarter-inch accuracy, ambidextrous handling, three calibre options, compact bullpup format.

Limitations: A serious investment, and the bullpup balance will not suit everyone.

Verdict: A genuine top-tier choice for the shooter who puts accuracy and compactness first.

Visit range-right.co.uk

Skout Epoch

RRP: £2,700

A cutting-edge, American-made PCP that blends competitive benchrest engineering with futuristic electronics. A solenoid-controlled valve, an OLED display and voice feedback open up a level of customisation no mechanical rifle can match. The modular aluminium chassis carries dual regulators, a multi-calibre barrel-swapping system and magnetic-lock magazines for unmatched consistency.

Calibre: .177; .22; and .25
Magazine capacity: 36 (.177); 30 (.22); 25 (.25)
Weight: 10lb
Overall length: 34.5in
Barrel length: 25in
Fill pressure: 300 bar
Trigger: Two-stage, adjustable, electronic match type
Muzzle energy: 12ft/lb

Who it suits: Technology-led precision shooters with the budget for a flagship, and anyone who wants to tune their rifle from a screen rather than a spanner.

Strengths: Electronic valve control and on-board display, dual regulators, multi-calibre barrel swapping, huge magazine capacity.

Limitations: The most expensive and heaviest rifle here, and the electronics add complexity over a purely mechanical design.

Verdict: A glimpse of where high-end airgunning is heading, for the shooter who wants the very latest.

Visit a-s-i.co.uk

Air Arms S510 Tactical

RRP: £1,499.95

The S510 Tactical blends a legendary British-built action with a military-inspired chassis. It features a regulated Series 7 valve, a shrouded Lothar Walther barrel and a modular Magpul CTR stock with M-LOK and Picatinny rails. Operated by an ergonomic biathlon side-lever, it makes a refined, highly customisable platform for both target and field shooting.

Calibre: .177 and .22
Magazine capacity: 10
Weight: 6.2lb
Overall length: 38.75in
Barrel length: 15.5in
Fill pressure: 250 bar
Trigger: Two-stage, adjustable
Muzzle energy: 11.4ft/lb

Who it suits: Shooters who want proven British pedigree with the looks, rails and adjustability of a tactical chassis.

Strengths: Renowned Air Arms action, regulated Series 7 valve, Lothar Walther barrel, genuinely modular Magpul furniture, and the lightest rifle here.

Limitations: A premium price, though one backed by a strong reputation and UK support.

Verdict: A class act that marries a trusted action to a thoroughly modern, configurable chassis.

Visit air-arms.co.uk

Nova Vista Razer Synthetic

RRP: £199.99

An accessible, entry-level PCP tailored for lightweight handling and all-weather durability. It features a smooth biathlon side-lever action, a built-in sound suppressor and an adjustable hammer spring, and comes with two rotary magazines and a single-shot tray. The result is an incredibly practical, budget-friendly setup for back-garden plinking, target practice and small pest control.

Calibre: .177 and .22
Magazine capacity: 10
Weight: 5.7lb
Overall length: 43.9in
Barrel length: 22.8in
Fill pressure: 200 bar
Trigger: Two-stage, adjustable
Muzzle energy: 11.5ft/lb

Who it suits: Newcomers and tight budgets, or anyone wanting a cheap, light, weatherproof second rifle for the garden.

Strengths: Hard to beat on price, very light, built-in suppressor, and a generous set of magazines included.

Limitations: An entry-level spec, so it lacks the regulation and refinement of the pricier guns here.

Verdict: A brilliant way into PCP shooting that does the basics well for not much money.

Visit justairguns.co.uk

Tactical and synthetic air rifles compared

Rifle	Price (RRP)	Calibre	Weight	Best for
Niksan Archero	£559	.177 / .22	7.71lb	Feature-packed value
Taipan Veteran II Tactical	£1,735	.177 / .22 / .25	8.4lb	Compact bullpup accuracy
Skout Epoch	£2,700	.177 / .22 / .25	10lb	Cutting-edge electronics
Air Arms S510 Tactical	£1,499.95	.177 / .22	6.2lb	British pedigree and customisation
Nova Vista Razer Synthetic	£199.99	.177 / .22	5.7lb	Best value starter PCP

Prices are RRP at the time of publication and may since have changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tactical air rifle?

A tactical air rifle is one built on a chassis-style stock with the rails, adjustable furniture and modular looks borrowed from centrefire rifles. Rather than a traditional sporter stock, you get features such as M-LOK or Picatinny rails for fitting bipods, torches and hand stops, plus adjustable cheekpieces and butt pads, so the rifle can be set up to fit the individual shooter.

What is the difference between a tactical and a synthetic air rifle?

The two terms describe different things and often overlap. “Synthetic” refers to the stock material, a tough polymer rather than wood, which makes the rifle lighter and more weather-resistant. “Tactical” refers to the style and modularity of the chassis. Many tactical rifles use synthetic furniture, but a plain synthetic-stocked sporter is not necessarily tactical.

Do I need a licence for these air rifles in the UK?

In England and Wales an air rifle that produces under 12ft/lb of muzzle energy can be owned by anyone aged 18 or over without a firearms certificate. All five rifles here are set up to sit at or below that limit. Anything generating more than 12ft/lb is classed as a firearm and requires a Firearm Certificate. Scotland operates its own air weapon licensing scheme, so check the rules that apply where you live.

Should I choose .177 or .22 calibre?

For flatter trajectories and target shooting, .177 is the usual pick because it shoots faster and needs less holdover. For hunting and pest control, many shooters prefer .22, which delivers a heavier pellet and more knock-down energy at typical airgun ranges. Most of the rifles here are offered in both, and some in .25 as well.

What is a bullpup air rifle?

A bullpup is a rifle whose action and magazine sit behind the trigger rather than in front of it. This shortens the overall length considerably while keeping a full-length barrel, which makes the rifle easier to handle in a hide, in a vehicle or in woodland. The Taipan Veteran II Tactical in this guide is a bullpup.

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