Abstract: An air rifle comprising a tubular casing in which the barrel is mounted. The bullet or other projectile is propelled by the escape of compressed air from a compression chamber produced by a forceful spring actuated movement of a piston having a deformable piston head which strikes a channelled funnel-shaped cap member which forms gas tight closure for the forward end of a compression cylinder within which the piston moves and which also forms a seal around the projectile seat in the shooting position of the compression cylinder. The compression cylinder slideably engages the walls of the tubular casing which has a normally open rear end to which is detachably connected a closure member or rear body which serves as an abutment for the spring and also to support the trigger mechanism and a trigger guard. The rifle is cocked by actuation of a lever mechanism which is pivotally connected to the tubular casing and to the rear body and includes a draw bar which is pivoted to the cap member.