Air rifles have established themselves as popular leisure and sports devices. The fascination of shooting sports captivates many people. At the same time, interest is growing in optimizing these weapons in terms of performance and precision. A well-known approach to tuning air rifles is the use of export springs. But what exactly are they and what benefits do they bring? And even more importantly: What legal aspects must be considered in Germany?

What are Export Springs? 

Export springs are stronger compression springs designed to increase the output power of an air rifle. They are often exported to countries where higher muzzle velocities for air rifles are allowed than in Germany. In this country, air rifles with a projectile energy of more than 7.5 Joules require a permit (meaning one needs expertise and a firearms ownership card), which restricts or prohibits the use of stronger springs.

Why Tune with Export Springs? 

The motivation to tune an air rifle is diverse. Some shooters simply want to achieve a higher projectile energy to shoot more accurately over longer distances. Others want to improve the overall performance of their rifle or enjoy the technology and possibilities of tuning.

Legal Situation in Germany 

Firearms law in Germany is strict and unambiguous when it comes to tuning air rifles. An air rifle that has a projectile energy of more than 7.5 Joules is subject to a permit and no longer falls under the category of "freely available" weapons. Therefore, anyone who upgrades their air rifle with an export spring and exceeds the 7.5 Joules threshold converts it into a weapon that requires a permit. 

The unauthorized upgrading and possession of such a weapon without the necessary permit is punishable and can result in fines or imprisonment. Even if the intent is purely sporting or hobby-related, the law will apply if the limit is exceeded. We therefore strongly recommend refraining from using export springs!

Possible Technical Challenges 

In addition to the legal aspects, there are also technical challenges when installing export springs. Not every air rifle is designed to operate with a stronger spring. Increased pressure can lead to increased wear and even damage to the rifle. Additionally, the increased power may result in reduced precision, as the shooting behavior changes with the stronger spring.

Alternatives to Spring Tuning 

Instead of focusing solely on the spring, there are other legally unproblematic ways to optimize an air rifle. This includes improving seals or adjusting the barrel. The use of high-quality ammunition or optimizing the trigger unit can also lead to better shooting results without entering legal gray areas.

Are Export Springs a Good Option?

Tuning air rifles, especially with export springs, can lead to performance enhancement, but it also carries both technical and legal risks. In Germany, it is essential to inform oneself about the legal regulations before making any modifications to the weapon and to comply with them. Firearms law is clear in this area, and violations can have serious consequences. Therefore, anyone considering tuning their air rifle should seek comprehensive advice and always stay on the safe side of the law.