PCP air rifles

[grand cherokee]

I dare not post this on any air rifle forum for fear of getting burnt at the stake for being a witch!

I've been around centre fire rifles/shotguns all my life - including a period in Perthshire when I was a sporting agent/semi pro deer stalker using .243/.270/.308 centre fire rifles

my experience of air rifles was limited to an old BSA Airsporter in my youth

however, I have a rat problem on a lake I fish and so looked at what was available to control the 'herds' of the buggers

bought a secondhand Gunpower Stealth in .22 because it met my requirements as a working gun - simple, good ergonomic design that has no fancy wood to be damaged

however, from my experience with centre fire rifles I immediately wanted some modifications/tweaks including a better suppressor/safety catch/scope etc

I was pointed in the direction of two 'one man outfits' who specialised in modifications on PCP guns

been to see both and quite frankly am shocked to the core by their customers who were on the premises!

absolutely no concept of safe weapons handling - lost count of the number of times I had a weapon pointed at me - when I complained was told to 'chill' as its not loaded - bullst its poor discipline, you will make a mistake with a hot weapon at some point

also they are obsessed with 'power' to try and exceed the legal limit of 12fp

'glass' (scopes) they are fitting scopes to air rifles that I would use out to 400yds plus with say a .270 - madness

really some quite scary individuals who I'm glad don't have access to fac weapons - think they have fantasies of being a Team Six sniper?

also they seem to have an obsession with knives as well - both traders sold all sorts of knives inc throwing knives!!!

then there are those with 9mm PCP weapons (fac) - what the fk are those about?

9mm = .357 ammo - a handgun/assault sub round - the Lapua .338 effective to 2000yds is a smaller round

I feel as if I dropped into a very strange and potentially dangerous gun owning cult?