Licence-free backyard shooting
Your guide for backyard targets and safe skirmishes!
Did you know that we have an amazing range of items in store that you do not need a firearms licence for? Purchasers just need to be over 18, or 16+ with a firearms licence. There are many fun shooting activities you can engage with in New Zealand for all ages to experience (with supervision)!
We’ve made this helpful guide to answer your questions and get you into shooting. Whether it’s targets in the backyard or open field playing with mates, we’ve got a wide range of cool gear to get excited about!
Contents
01. Air rifles
A realistic, challenging and fun way to shoot targets
Air rifle target shooting requires focus, patience, and precision. It’s a fun outdoor activity that challenges your skills and allows friendly competition with family and friends.
For a more in depth overview of our air rifle range, take a look at our air rifle buyers guide. Which includes rules, types, tips and much more.
Backyard air rifle target shooting
02. Air pistols
A realistic, challenging and fun way to shoot targets
Air pistols are replicas of real pistols and perfect for backyard target practice. Challenge yourself with paper targets or a fun competition with friends and family shooting our steel spinning targets!
Air pistols run on CO2 or spring/compressed air power. When you pull the trigger the gas or spring propels a slug or bb towards the target. A spring-power air pistol requires you to cock the action whereas with a semi-automatic CO2 model, you just keep pulling the trigger!
Backyard target shooting
Spring or air powered, break barrel
Simple, cheap to run and ready for action! Spring-powered air pistols are the perfect introduction to pistol shooting: no gas, no batteries, just cock and fire.
Semi-automatic C02 powered
Step up to semi-automatic fun! CO2-powered air pistols deliver fast-firing action with a realistic look and feel that makes every shot feel exciting.
Accessories you will need:
03. BB guns & airsoft
An affordable, action packed way to battle in your backyard
Airsoft guns are perfect for target shooting or backyard battles with friends. Using 6mm plastic BBs, they're safe, realistic, and cheap to run!
Airsoft guns run on spring, electric (battery) or gas power. Most airsoft guns have an effective range of up to 25 meters, giving you plenty of distance.
Eye protection is important and we sell safety glasses and facemasks. For BB battles, you need to use a green gas BB gun.
BB gun
Spring powered
Made out of plastic, they are lightweight and spring powered which is a cost effective way to start. To reload, you just cock the spring by pulling back on the slide. We recommend .20gram BB's.
Battery powered semi and full auto
Powered by 4xAAA batteries, this BB gun shoots every time that you pull the trigger. The P30 uses lighter .12 gram BBs that have less impact.
Semi-automatic green gas powered
Semi-auto green gas-powered pistols deliver realistic blowback action and rapid-fire performance that makes backyard battles intense and exciting. We recommend .20 or .25 gram BBs.
Accessories you will need:
04. Gel blasters
A mess-free, family friendly way to battle outdoors
Gel blasters are a great start for backyard fun with your family; they fire soft, water-based gel balls and are cheaper than paintballs, and less painful than airsoft.
Gel blasters are very affordable as they run on rechargeable batteries. The Blasters are lightweight and easy for all ages to hold.
*VIDEO* Backyard target shooting
Bravo 500 Rifle - Full Auto Gel Blaster
Get ready for non-stop action! This fully automatic gel blaster delivers rapid-fire fun with multiple firing modes plus its easy to aim with a stock and foregrip.
Bravo 600 Sidearm Pistol - Full Auto Gel Blaster
Compact and agile for fast-moving battles! This gel blaster pistol delivers rapid-fire action with high-capacity firepower that keeps you in the action.
Accessories you will need:
05. Paintball
A competitive, fast paced way to battle with friends
Paintball is thrilling, strategic, and perfect for competitive outdoor battles with friends and family. Fast-paced and easy to learn, paintball combines teamwork and excitement in a way that keeps every match fresh and fun!
Paintball uses CO2 or spring to fire small, paint-filled capsules that splatter on impact.
When you buy a paintball gun, you will also need a C02 bottle, mask and hopper, we sell these in a convenient package at a discounted rate to get you into the acton!
*VIDEO* Backyard skirmish
Impact skirmisher - Gas powered semi-auto .68 Cal Paintball Gun
This semi-automatic paintball marker delivers rapid-fire action with a comfortable two-finger trigger that keeps you shooting longer without fatigue.
Paintball marker starter kit 2 player kits - Impact Skirmisher .68
Grab a 2, 4 or 10 player kit to get everyone into the action! Perfect for families or groups wanting to jump into backyard paintball battles right away.
Splatmaster - smaller balls, softer impact, no gas required
Splatmaster paintball guns were designed for kids starting out in the game. They have smaller .50 cal paintballs that travel slower and hurt less. They are also spring powered and very affordable!
Accessories you will need:
06. Slingshots
A perfect, affordable starter for young shooters
Slingshots are compact and easy to use, making them a great starter option for backyard target practice. They’re are extremly affordable, with the simple satisfaction of lining up a shot and hitting your mark.
A slingshot works by stretching and releasing an elastic band to propel a projectile, the further the band is pulled back, the more energy is stored and released when you let go. It is incredibly satisfying to learn the technique and hit your target!
backyard slingshot target practice
Outdoor outfitters Powerline 2.0 Slingshot - Classic fun
A modern take on a classic design with arm brace to help you stay steady when firing. Grab one and give it a go!
Accessories you will need:
07. Crossbows
A stable, accurate way to shoot with bow power
A modern take on archery, the crossbow enables you to shoot mini arrows (bolts) with surprising accuracy. Our range of crossbows include target and hunting models with some really amazing features! A bonus is that you can continually reuse the arrows and the only power needed is that to cock the string.
We have a great range of targets to make your crossbow shooting even more fun and help you develop your aim!
Backyard crossbow shooting
The basic start - Air Chief 50lbs Crossbow
A compact and easy way to get into crossbow shooting. The 50lb draw weight offers easy cocking and accuracy for backyard target practice, making it ideal for those wanting to try crossbows.
Cobra 90lb - A great target model with easy cocking system
The Ek Archery Cobra crossbow combines the best of a pistol and a recurve crossbow to make it an easy-to-use and fun backyard target crossbow.
Jag 1 Hunting & Target Crossbow - red dot sight included
The Jag 1 is the entry level to Hunting with a 220 fps speed, however it is also great for targets with a comfortable stock, foregrip, and attached red-dot sight.
Accessories you will need:
08. Blowguns
Wind powered target shooting fun!
Blowguns are perfect for backyard target practice. Using nothing more than lung power and a dart, they deliver a satisfying challenge that sharpens your aim!
A blowgun works by blowing air through a long, narrow tube to create pressure behind the dart. The harder you blow, the faster the dart flies. This is surprisingly challenging and fun, starting at $54.99
Blow gun ballon shooting
Air Chief Big Bore blow gun - a great package with 48 Darts
Built for precision and control! This 1.6m blowgun delivers consistent performance powered by your breath, perfect for target practice or quiet hunting. Comes complete with 48 darts, quiver, and foam grip to get you started.
Accessories you will need:
09. Archery
Grab a bow and arrows and enjoy the challenge of hitting your target!
Bows are a timeless choice for target shooting and hunting. Archery helps develop skill and focus, making each target strike hugely rewarding. Available in a range of sizes, there’s a bow suited for any age or experience level.
Archery bows come in two main types: recurve (classic) and compound (modern tech). We also highly recommend giving Archery Tag a go!
Archery target shooting
Crusader 12lb - A simple and affordable starter
The Crusader bow is a small and lightweight bow, a great way to start children in archery.
Archery Tag - A fun back yard activity
Archery tag will get your heart racing as the foam tipped arrows fly through the air. This is a great sport to have a go at and our packages include arrows and masks. For further distance we recommend the 'Beetle' bow.
Ek Exterminator Compound Bow | 15-70 lbs - Great for hunting and targets
With its cam systems to generate a good amount of power in a compact profile, the Exterminator can be adjusted for shooting close range or further out for shooting at targets or hunting.
Accessories you will need:
10. How to buy
Option A: Head into your local Gun City
Bring ID for 18 years and older or 16 years with a firearms licence
or
Option B: Buy online and collect from your local Gun City
For instore pickup: bring ID for 18 years and older or 16 years with a firearms licence
or
Option C: Buy online and delivery
For delivery we will contact for proof of age. 18+ or 16+ with a firearms licence
11. Still have questions?
For any questions you still have, call or drop by and visit a Gun City store close to you.
