Hi, Cracker yes it's true. This gun fills off the scuba tank and also have a manual pump(hard work). I have put some time and money into the airgun hobby. Have had airguns in the $1000 range. Just like firearms there are wildcatters. This gun is among the most accurate and easy to shoot. It is offered in .177, .20, .22, .25, 9mm. There are larger ones like you say and even shotguns. In some foreign countries these are used to hunt including deer. I quit counting at 6000 kills with this rifle that I have put over 20,000 pellets through. The kills include mostly birds/squirrels/gophers, but also coon 1 coyote and many unmentionables.