The humble air rifle was an introduction to shooting for many, if not most of us and, like the majority of things nowadays, air rifle technology has come a long way. So this month we salute and celebrate that often overlooked aspect of this great sport with a deep dive into all things air rifle. We’ve put a few aspects of the genre under the spotlight with a look at some of the rifles themselves as well as pellets, both modern and retro, and a purpose-built air pellet chronograph. Elsewhere we take a look at hearing protection, a thermal imaging riflescope and a superb new range of shotgun shells by Italian manufacturer NSI, while senior correspondent Rod Pascoe has everything the budding hand-gunner needs to know about buying his or her first handgun. And of course we have our regular columns, readers’ letters and competitions as we bid farewell to another summer.