12-Aug-2026
If there’s a safe recommendation in British airgunning, it’s Air Arms. The Sussex-based maker has spent decades building rifles that win competitions on Sunday and shoot rats on Monday, and its used values tell the story: Air Arms rifles simply hold their worth. But the range spans everything from a classic underlever springer to multi-shot PCPs, and the model names (S400, S410, S500, S510, TX200, Pro-Sport…) don’t explain themselves. This guide untangles the line-up so you can pick the right Air Arms for your shooting.
The brand: British building done properly
Air Arms manufactures in England, and it shows in the details: deeply blued metalwork, genuinely nice walnut or beech stocks from Italian stockmakers, and Lothar Walther barrels throughout the range. The philosophy is the opposite of the tune-it-yourself school: an Air Arms arrives set up as the factory intends, and the factory happens to be very good at it. That consistency is why the brand dominates recommendations for first “serious” air rifles and why club armouries lean so heavily on them. All standard UK models are supplied at sub-12 ft·lbs for unlicensed ownership, with FAC-rated versions of the PCPs available to certificate holders who need more power for pest control at longer ranges.
S400: The single-shot workhorse
The S400 is the foundation of the PCP range, a single-shot, bolt-action rifle of legendary simplicity. There is very little on an S400 to go wrong, which is exactly why so many hunters and HFT shooters swear by them. The single-shot discipline suits target shooting particularly well, and used examples are plentiful and sensibly priced. If you want the purest, most dependable route into PCP shooting, this is it.
S410: The multi-shot favourite
The S410 is the S400 with a ten-shot magazine, and it’s arguably the definitive British hunting PCP. Quick follow-up shots matter when you’re controlling rabbits or feral pigeon, and the S410’s sidelever-free bolt action keeps the rifle slim and snag-free. It’s the model we’d point most newcomers towards for all-round hunting duty.
S510: The refined flagship sporter
The S510 adds a smooth sidelever action, higher shot counts and, on current versions, a regulator for even tighter consistency. It’s the S410’s more sophisticated sibling: a little more money, a little more refinement, the same fundamental reliability. Our full Air Arms S510 review covers it in depth, and if you’re weighing it against its great German rival, see our S510 vs Weihrauch HW100 comparison.
TX200: The benchmark Springer
Not everyone wants a PCP, and the TX200 is the reason. This underlever spring rifle is widely regarded as the finest production springer ever made, the rifle by which all others are judged, and a perennial winner in springer-class HFT. It demands proper technique, as all springers do, but rewards it with astonishing consistency and zero reliance on charging gear. Buy one, service it occasionally, and your grandchildren will still be shooting it.
Pro-Sport: The elegant alternative
The Pro-Sport takes the TX200’s internals and wraps them in a sleeker stock with an enclosed underlever for cleaner lines. It’s a touch heavier, and the cocking action is less convenient in the field, which is why the TX200 remains the competition pick, but many owners think the Pro-Sport is the prettier rifle, and it shoots every bit as well from a bench or hide.
Which calibre: .177 or .22?
The perennial question applies to every model above. For target disciplines, HFT, benchrest, and club competitions, .177 is the near-universal choice thanks to its flatter trajectory at sub-12 ft·lbs, which forgives small errors in rangefinding. For hunting, opinion splits: .22 delivers more pellet weight on target and remains the traditional vermin calibre, while plenty of modern hunters use .177 successfully with well-placed head shots. Air Arms barrels shoot both calibres superbly, so let your primary use decide. If the rifle will do double duty, .177 is the more versatile compromise; if it’s a dedicated ratting and rabbit tool at close ranges, .22 still makes a strong case. Whichever you choose, buy a tin of several premium pellet brands and let the barrel tell you which it prefers; even identical rifles can favour different pellets.
Buying used Air Arms: What to look for
Air Arms rifles age gracefully, making the second-hand market a happy hunting ground. On PCPs (S400/S410/S510), check for consistent shot-to-shot behaviour, ask when seals were last replaced, and confirm the rifle holds air overnight, a slow leak is fixable but should be priced in. On springers (TX200/Pro-Sport), listen for twang or harshness that suggests a tired mainspring, and check the underlever locks up positively. Originality matters less than condition: a well-maintained rifle with a service history beats a safe queen with a perished seal. For budget context across the wider market, our best air rifles by budget guide shows what Air Arms models cost against the competition at each price point.
FAQ
What’s the difference between the Air Arms S410 and S510? Both are ten-shot hunting PCPs. The S510 adds a sidelever action, higher shot count, and (on current models) a regulator. The S410 is simpler and cheaper; the S510 is more refined.
Is the TX200 still worth buying? Absolutely. It remains the benchmark spring rifle for accuracy and build quality, and used examples hold their value exceptionally well.
Are Air Arms rifles made in the UK? Yes, Air Arms designs and builds its rifles in England, with Lothar Walther barrels fitted across the range.
Which Air Arms is best for a beginner? For a first PCP, the S400 or S410. For a first springer, the TX200, if the budget stretches, it’s a rifle you’ll never outgrow.
Browse Air Arms listings on Rightgun.uk
Interest in Air Arms is climbing on Rightgun.uk, and the listings move quickly. Compare the whole family side by side on our dedicated Air Arms page, new and used S410s, S510s and TX200s from sellers across the UK. Upgrading? Listing your current Air Arms on Rightgun.uk takes minutes and puts it in front of buyers searching for exactly that model.
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