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Vector Air Blog
This isn’t just a blog. It’s where proper guidance, no-nonsense advice, and the occasional opinionated rant come together.
Below you’ll find our featured posts—the ones that tend to get shared, bookmarked, and actually read. After that, dive into the full blog where you can filter by category or just keep scrolling to see everything we’ve got.
From practical how-tos to Behind the Barrel deep dives, it’s all here. No fluff, no filler—just the kind of content we’d want to read ourselves.
Our Recent Blog Posts
Beretta Turns 500: Five Centuries of Making Guns
Beretta is celebrating an extraordinary milestone in 2026: 500 years of making firearms. From a gun barrel order in Italy in 1526 to one of the most recognisable names in the shooting world, the Beretta story is quite something. We might be an airgun and airsoft business rather than a Beretta firearms dealer, but the company's influence reaches us through licensed UMAREX replicas and Stoeger airguns. So, let's take a look at five centuries of Beretta.
Vector Air
5 days ago5 min read
September Staff Picks: Targets, shooting rests, Call of Duty inspired optics and one very expensive month for Craig
September has been another busy one at Vector Air. This month the team has gone accessory-heavy, with a moving target gallery, shooting stick, heavyweight rest and a reflex sight with flip-to-side 3x magnifier all making the Staff Picks. We've also expanded into premium knives, nearly sold out our latest EPIC VISION shipment before the next batch has even arrived, and somehow managed to receive thousands of APOLLO products without finding anywhere sensible to put them.
Vector Air
Sep 239 min read
Introducing Vector Air Knives & Tools: Meet Dachs Knives
Vector Air has added something new to the catalogue, and for once it isn't another airgun. Our new Knives & Tools section brings together everything from everyday carry and folding knives to bushcraft, outdoor utility and premium fixed blades, with filters for blade type, locks, tang construction, steel and intended use. We're kicking things off with Dachs Knives, a small Czech manufacturer producing some seriously impressive blades.
Vector Air
Sep 199 min read
Should You Buy a Replica?
Should you buy a replica airgun or airsoft gun? Probably, but know what you're buying. Replicas prioritise realism, looks and the experience of handling something familiar, which means performance can sometimes take a back seat. We also tackle one of the biggest myths in replica shooting: that pellet automatically means better than BB. After testing both, the answer is rather less straightforward. Plus, why revolvers deserve more attention and our favourite replicas.
Vector Air
Sep 187 min read
August Staff Picks: Quality, Quirks & Things We Probably Didn't Need
August's Staff Picks are all about doing things a little differently. From Helle's premium H3LS laminated steel and the distinctive 3 Legged Thing Modfather, to Rokstad's innovative FMA bipod and Vector Optics' new green-reticle Frenzy Flex GMR, this month's team choices cover everything from Scandinavian craftsmanship to clever modern engineering. See what caught our team's attention this month.
Vector Air
Aug 275 min read
Vector Air Website Update: A Better Way to Find Your Way Around
The Vector Air website is getting a fairly substantial overhaul. We’ve been rebuilding the catalogue structure, adding new disciplines and use filters, introducing handedness options and creating dedicated sections for tools, equipment and our growing range of knives. The aim is simple: make a much larger catalogue easier to navigate, whether you’re an airgun shooter, airsofter, optics enthusiast or simply looking for the right bit of kit. And yes, a few things may break alon
Vector Air
Aug 265 min read
July Staff Picks: Different on Purpose
July has brought a wave of standout products, and this month's Staff Picks celebrate the gear that's doing things differently. From affordable prism optics and lightning-fast LPVOs to an innovative carbon fibre bipod and one of the most distinctive moderators on the market, these are the products our team would happily spend their own money on. See what made the cut and let us know which one you'd choose.
Vector Air
Jul 314 min read
Which Scope Turret is Right for You? - Capped, Standard, Tactical or Zero Stop? A Complete Buyer's Guide
When buying a riflescope, most shooters focus on magnification, glass quality and reticles, yet one of the biggest factors affecting how enjoyable a scope is to use is often overlooked: the turrets. From simple capped designs to locking tactical systems and Zero Stop technology, we explain the advantages, disadvantages and ideal uses for each, helping you choose the right scope for your shooting style rather than just your budget.
Vector Air
Jul 1014 min read
EPIC VISION: Built From Feedback, Not Guesswork
After two years of real-world feedback on the EPIC ONE and TWO platforms, the EPIC VISION arrives as a purpose-built sub-16J rifle designed specifically for UK shooters. Lighter, simpler and more affordable, this isn’t a parts-bin refresh. It’s what happens when a manufacturer actually listens and builds the customer’s vision of the ideal PCP air rifle.
Vector Air
Jul 95 min read
Sound Moderators, Silencers or Suppressors? Whatever You Call Them, We're Finally Posting Them.
After months of asking Nottinghamshire Police for clarification, and following the recent Crime & Policing Act 2026 changes, we've finally received guidance that allows us to begin posting airgun moderators directly to customers. Here's why we held back when others didn't, what Inspector Newton told us, why we're changing our policy, and why this may still evolve as national guidance develops.
Vector Air
Jul 84 min read
June Staff Picks: New Tricks, Old Dogs & Identity Crises
June has been a month of heatwaves, product launches, industry U-turns, and more than a few identity crises. From the FX DRS Mk2 changing names, then changing them back, to UMAREX finally discovering a feature airsoft guns have enjoyed for decades, this month's staff picks all have one thing in common: they're challenging the way things have always been done. Here's what caught the team's attention this month.
Vector Air
Jun 254 min read
Changes to Restricted Item Deliveries to Northern Ireland
Vector Air will no longer offer standard delivery of restricted items to Northern Ireland. Increasing border inspections, indefinite parcel holds, and product destruction by authorities have made shipping certain items commercially unsustainable. This affects airguns, high-powered replicas, moderators, barrels, and power-related components. Bespoke orders may still be possible, but only where customers accept all associated delivery risks.
Vector Air
Jun 243 min read
FX DRS Mk2 Update: The Great Naming U-Turn
Well, that didn't take long. Following widespread confusion across the UK airgun industry, the recent FX DRS Mk2 naming changes have officially been rolled back by the UK distributor. If you found yourself wondering why a Compact wasn't compact anymore and a Micro wasn't really new, you're not alone. Here's what has changed, what's staying the same, and why barrel length is currently the easiest way to identify your DRS.
Vector Air
Jun 173 min read
Vector Air & NEO Airguns & Airsoft: Bringing Affordable Airgun Delivery To London
London customers now have a new option when purchasing restricted airguns and airsoft products from Vector Air. Thanks to our new partnership with NEO Airguns & Airsoft, customers can choose a low-cost transfer service to central London for collection or arrange home delivery within the M25 directly with NEO. With no RFD collection fees and local delivery available, getting your next purchase in London just became considerably easier.
Vector Air
Jun 94 min read
FX DRS MK2: The Great Renaming Exercise Explained
The FX DRS MK2 has arrived, bringing new model names, a new barrel system, a factory-fitted Picatinny rail and, inevitably, a bit of confusion. If you're wondering where the old DRS went, why the Compact isn't actually more compact than before, or whether the price increase is worth it, we've broken down the changes, the models we're stocking, and which version we'd spend our own money on.
Vector Air
May 306 min read
May Staff Picks: Hot Weather, Cool Gear & Mild Financial Damage
England has been absolutely roasting this month, but despite the temptation to nominate air conditioning as everyone’s staff pick, the team has somehow managed to focus on actual shooting gear instead. From compact PCPs and heavy-duty steel targets to ergonomic upgrades and one very stylish replica pistol, May’s staff picks are a proper mixed bag of practical kit, interesting ideas, and products the team would genuinely spend their own money on.
Vector Air
May 274 min read
Behind The Barrel: The Locked-In Generation, Loneliness & Why Hobbies Matter More Than Ever
Gen Z is rapidly becoming one of the loneliest generations in the UK, with more young adults reporting feelings of isolation than ever before. As social habits shift and digital relationships replace physical communities, many are searching for connection in unusual places. This Behind The Barrel looks at loneliness, modern culture, smoking’s strange social comeback, and why hobbies like shooting sports and airsoft might offer something healthier, longer-lasting, and genuinel
Vector Air
May 124 min read
Welcome to the VAULT
The VAULT is now live for members, delivering exclusive monthly discount codes straight to subscriber inboxes. The first code has already been released, and members should check their emails to access it. These codes unlock hidden pricing on selected products and can only be used once, applied in cart or checkout. New sign-ups will receive future drops, but this month’s code has already gone out.
Vector Air
May 73 min read
Strike Industries ARK17 CO2 Blowback 4.5mm Air Pistol: Style Over Standard
Not all Glock-style replicas are created equal. The Strike Industries ARK17 takes the familiar platform and gives it a serious visual upgrade, with a cut-out slide, fluted barrel and aggressive grip texture. Built by KWC and backed by proper licensing, this isn’t just another black polymer lookalike. It’s heavier, sharper, and far more interesting. But is it all looks, or does it actually deliver where it counts?
Bravo26
May 15 min read
Which UMAREX PAC Compressor Is Right for You?
This early guide to the UMAREX PAC compressor range breaks down what we know so far from initial testing and product information. It focuses on helping users understand which model best suits their needs, whether for workshop use or more portable setups. While high-end options like Hill Pumps remain the benchmark, this guide is aimed at those looking for capable performance without the premium price tag. It’s a practical overview of what to look for before making a purchase d
Vector Air
Apr 243 min read
April Staff Picks: Spring Gear, Small Chaos, Big Opinions
April brings its usual mix of chaos, from restocks disappearing faster than expected to the return of flies, questionable but effective pest control ideas, and a few genuinely useful upgrades hiding in plain sight. This month’s staff picks cover everything from budget-friendly fun to serious kit tweaks, plus one Glock that Luke reluctantly admits isn’t terrible. A bit of everything, mostly sensible, occasionally not, exactly how we like it.
Vector Air
Apr 233 min read
Buy The Build: Remington T-REX Thermal
Warm nights mean one thing… rats are back on the move. If you want a setup that handles 10–20m work without rinsing your bank account, this one’s worth a look. A budget-friendly PCP paired with a surprisingly capable thermal makes for a simple but effective combo. No nonsense, no overcomplication, just a solid little build that gets the job done when it matters.
Vector Air
Apr 104 min read
Easter Opening Hours: Please Read
Every year it happens. Someone drives 20 miles, turns up to a locked door, and acts surprised. So here we go again. We are CLOSED on Good Friday. No calls, no order processing, no “just popping in quickly.” We’re back open Saturday, and yes, it will be busy. If you’re planning a visit, maybe… just maybe… check before you leave the house.
Vector Air
Apr 21 min read
March Staff Picks: Chaos, Comebacks & Questionable Decisions
March has delivered exactly what you’d expect. Chaos. Illness, bad luck, life events and at least one person losing their sanity. Despite that, the team have still managed to pick out the gear they’d actually spend their own money on. From a suspiciously familiar AGT choice to a budget tripod that’s surprisingly capable, here’s what caught our attention this month.
Vector Air
Mar 273 min read
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