Attention air gun hunters and plinking enthusiasts: it’s time to pay heed to the Benjamin break barrel air gun. A quick look at a break barrel overview will reveal that our distinctive break barrels are truly exceptional.

Break barrel air rifles are classic choices that continue to prove their worth as top contenders. In this article, we break down what makes the break barrel a stand-out option and why they might be the right air guns for you.

Why Use a Break Barrel Air Gun?

Break barrels are one of the most popular choices on the market — and for good reason. They’re an effective and affordable choice for precision shooters, producing speeds from 600 fps all the way up to 1500 fps with a whisper-quiet shot, especially if you opt for a Benjamin break barrel air rifle. Let’s slow things down though and start with the basics.

In the world of break barrels, there are two main categories:

Spring Powered Break Barrels:

As the name denotes, this style of air gun uses the decompression of a spring to activate the firing mechanism of the air gun. When we ‘break’ the barrel, the main spring gets compressed inside the cylinder. When this spring is released by pulling the trigger, the air generated propels the pellet at a high speed.

The pros of spring-powered break barrels are:

• Easy to operate
• Fast, effective, and reliable shot
• Low maintenance costs

Countless break barrel air gun overviews will tell you that a spring-powered Benjamin break barrel air rifle is a great choice for beginners.

Gas Piston Break Barrels:

Gas piston break barrels (at Benjamin we call them “Nitro Piston”) use a pneumatic piston system that replaces the air gun’s mainspring. This pneumatic piston system provides a smoother and more progressive cocking, which results in 70% sound reduction as compared to spring-powered break barrels.

The pros of Nitro Piston break barrels are:

• Improved shooting consistency and precision
• Smoother cocking
• A 70% quieter

The Benjamin Break Barrel Collection

At Benjamin, our break barrel collection is all Nitro Piston, making them great for small game hunting, plinking, and other outdoor activities. Here’s a look at Benjamin break barrel air rifle models.

The Benjamin Prowler NP boasts a lighter and smoother cocking force than other air rifles in its class, generating sizzling velocities up to 1200 fps with .177-caliber pellets and up to 950 fps with .22-caliber pellets. The Prowler offers reduced recoil and shoots with 70% less noise than other break barrels. With its rifled steel barrel, two-stage adjustable trigger, and 4x32mm scope, the Prowler delivers power and accuracy in a contemporary package — it’s no wonder it consistently receives positive break barrel air gun reviews.

The Benjamin Trail XL Magnum features a handsome, checkered hardwood stock and daunting velocities of up to 1500 fps (.177-caliber), 1100 fps (.22-caliber), and 900 fps (.25-caliber), making this Benjamin break barrel air rifle an exceptional choice for small game hunters. One simple cocking motion and your follow-up shots are fast, quiet, and easy. Each Benjamin Trail NP break barrel comes with a 3-9×40 mm precision scope, featuring an adjustable objective and range estimating reticle. Trail NP air rifles feature a bull barrel, Picatinny mounting rail system, installed sling mounts, and a ventilated rubber recoil pad.

The Benjamin Vaporizer break barrel is loaded with features and set into an all-weather stock, ready to dispatch small game and obliterate cans, bottles, fruit, or anything else you put downrange. This Benjamin break barrel air rifle features improved Silencing Barrel Device technology — a modified suppressor designed to make this air gun three times quieter than other break barrels in its class. This streamlined suppressor is specially crafted to stay out of the sight picture of the included 9×40 AO scope that mounts to the top Picatinny rail. Its synthetic stock features multiple textured handholds for an easy grip, plus sling mounts for field carrying. Expect lead velocities up to 1150 fps with .177-caliber pellets and up to 950 fps with .22-caliber pellets.

Own a True Original

Whether you’re looking to hone your sharpshooting skills or enjoy some time outdoors, a Benjamin break barrel air rifle provides the rugged reliability and superior performance you need to make the most of your time. Check the break barrel air gun reviews, and you’ll see that the community agrees. Ready to get started? Shop the full collection of Break Barrel air rifles, and don’t forget to stock up on ammo while you’re at it.

New to the sport? Check out our guide to getting started with air guns.