Where to get .22 air rifle?

ScottishDanny

Hi,
I'd like to get a cheap and cheerful .22 air rifle, I have a rat problem at the bottom of my garden and I've tried traps and poison but they're too smart. I'm not a bad shot (but it's been about 10 years and the last thing I fired was a .38 revolver). Can anyone offer any advice on this? Are there legal issues etc (I'm 32 so over age).
Thanks

Danny

civdef

The main legal issue is that an air rifle needs a firearms cert, same as if you wanted a cartridge rifle. Your firts port of call would be a gun shop, then the local Gardai to see about a licence - depending how big your garden is they mightn't be fierce enthusiastic about shooting in it.

ScottishDanny

OK, Thanks that looks like a non-runner then! I didn't realise it was so strict but thats fair enough.

civdef

If you're able to get close enough to shoot them with an air-gun, how about a catapult? I'm honestly not joking here, some of the Black Widow type catapults will launch a ballbearing or fishing weight with plenty of energy to ruin a rat's day, and with some practice they're surprisingly accurate.

Umiq88

if your able to get that close

well....


or failing that

Terrier

ScottishDanny wrote:

Hi,
I have a rat problem at the bottom of my garden and I've tried traps and poison but they're too smart.

I had the same problem, I used double entry (no smart comments) mink traps along their runs.. took 5 rats in 3 days.. no sign of any since...

ScottishDanny

Terrier wrote:

I had the same problem, I used double entry (no smart comments) mink traps along their runs.. took 5 rats in 3 days.. no sign of any since...

I've heard that if there are rats around you won't see mice as they don't coexist, not sure if its true though. I might try the black widow, I used to have one when I was a kid.

spideog7

Catapult is very effective if you are good at it and you use ball bearings (spray paint cans )
heard of a guy setting a fire in a barn and standing at the door with a hurl for the fleeing rats ........................hang on did I read that on here ????? :rolleyes:

RE*AC*TOR

where can you buy black-widow type catapults?

I assume they are legal...?

Degsy

YOu can get them in places like Millets camping in mary street,or the other camping shop just round the corner (i think its called little britain st).You may also be able to get them in Rory's fishing tackle in temple bar,they certainly used to sell them years ago.Better yet head up to newry if you can,they're much cheaper up there.They're legalin that you dont need a firearms cert for them,but subject to the offensive weapons act as in you dont fire them in public or use one to threaten your milkman!

slugster

My Nephew recieved his catapult from the states. I dont know what site he ordered it from but it has a wrist barce fiber optic aimers and stabilising bars. I tried it yesterday and ...Dam its on the money 90% of the time and thats using it for the first time. It cost him 12 bucks. Not Bad

Degsy

Here's one
http://cgi.ebay.com/Catapult-Black-Widow_W0QQitemZ7246915138QQihZ015QQcategoryZ117141QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Umiq88

http://cgi.ebay.ie/NEW-BARNETT-PRO-DIABLO-ULTIMATE-HUNTING-SLINGSHOT_W0QQitemZ7246294132QQcategoryZ117141QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.ie/NEW-GENERATION-BARNETT-COBRA-SLINGSHOT-KIT_W0QQitemZ7246296504QQcategoryZ117141QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.ie/HIGH-POWER-BARNETT-STYLE-PISTOL-SLINGSHOT-CATAPULT_W0QQitemZ220000178211QQcategoryZ117141QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.ie/Black-Shadow-Catapult_W0QQitemZ7247284669QQcategoryZ117141QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Best - worst in order some are pretty pricey but deadly lookin if you take your time and wait the old wooden barnett catapults come up that never make that much but are good quaility catapults

Degsy

Or you could make one out of a bent coathanger and some knicker elastic!