I like air guns for a few reasons. They are pretty inexpensive, or can be. The two pellet pump pistols, 400fps and upto 600, really only cost a tin of pellet. These two seem very accurate so precise shots are easily possible. They have single shot operation with essentially no recoil and little noise. This combination is ideal for giving starting shooters a cheap, convenient (on the backyard or garage), and non-intimidating introduction to the fun of shooting.

I've been able to get a few non-gunners to have some fun killing icecubes and tin cans, something I wouldn't be able to do even with a single-shot 22lr. The blow-back, repeating airsoft is a nice next small step up.