Deciding on which kind of gun to get can be quite tough. With this many options, it is normal for you to get confused.
Air guns or pellet guns are the type of firearm you could use for almost anything. They work great for both beginners and professionals.
Whether it’s for pest shooting, hunting, target shooting, or backyard plinking, a pellet revolver will be the best choice. This is also one of the best guns to own for self-defense.
So, to help you find the most powerful pellet pistol, we have listed down below some options. These are the ones that we think perform and serve the best.
Most Powerful Pellet Pistol in the World
The Benjamin Marauder PCP air pistol (.22), with a .22 caliber, stands proud as the most powerful air pistol in the world. This pistol comes with a speed of 700 FPS and is known to be one of the most accurate models out there. Good for hunting, training, pest control, and recreational purposes, this gun is appreciated by all.
Single action revolvers come with a maximum FPS of 13000 FPS, a semi-automatic pistol comes with a maximum speed of 1350 FPS while double-action revolvers can go up to 390 FPS.
7 Most Powerful Pellet Pistols (Air Pistols)
Choosing the best air pistol from all the ones that are available today can be difficult. Different guns have different qualities and mechanisms that work for different types of situations.
How will you know which one is best suited for you? To help you out, we have made a list of varieties of guns. This list has something for everyone.
1. Crosman 2240 Bolt Action CO2 Pistol: Best Pellet Pistol for Hunting
WHAT WE LIKED
- Bolt action mechanism
- Single-shot with high accuracy
- Great for hunting and pest control
- Good for beginners for target practice
- Ergonomic design with a good grip
- Lightweight
- 460 FPS
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- CO2 tube and barrel are not parallel
A common reason people get pellet guns is to kill or shoo pests and or hunt. Guns that have more accuracy and can shoot with a moderate speed are ideal for actions like these.
This .22 caliber with a speed of 460 FPS is outstanding for hunting. Being a single shotgun with a bolt action mechanism, this gun lets you shoot down large animals such as deer. Even a 1000 FPS pellet pistol cannot get accuracy as great as this one can.
Designed to be quite ergonomic, this gun is a firearm that you can whip out quickly the moment you spot an animal or pest. The ambidextrous grip gives you good control over the gun and allows you to have a strong grasp. Advancements in the bolt design have also made cocking the gun easier.
Weighing just 1.81 pounds, this lightweight gun is easy to carry around and work with. With that, the extreme accuracy of this gun is a feature that makes this a great target pellet pistol. Beginners can use this model to practice their shooting, targeting, and plinking.
You can add moderators like silencers on the 2240 model to cancel out any noise. These moderators help make your gun completely noise-free so that you don’t end up disturbing the neighbors if you’re practicing in your backward.
So you can say that this gun is great for both professionals and beginners as it is both precise and ergonomic. When looking for a powerful pellet pistol, CO2 pellet guns are a good option to look out for. CO2 works great and fast and helps make your gun lighter.
Verdict
With a standard speed of 460 FPS, this gun is great for pest control. The ability to add silencers makes this the best kind of gun to have at home.
2. Crosman American Classic Pump Pellet Pistol: Target Pellet Pistol
WHAT WE LIKED
- Rifle steel barrels
- Precise shooting
- Good for people with not so good eyesight
- Easy-to-pump forearm
- Speed can be adjusted according to your needs
- Low-maintenance
- .177 caliber gun with high accuracy
- Great for long-range shots
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Needs to be pumped before every shot
- Not the best for hunting or pest shooting as needs pumping every time
Pneumatic air pistols like this one need to be pumped from three to ten times before you can shoot. This needs to be done for every shot. Although this might feel like a hassle, guns like these are known to be the most accurate pellet pistols. Rifle steel barrels help increase accuracy even further.
People with weak eyesight have been able to shoot precisely with this model, so you could say that this thing is kind of foolproof. Being a .177 caliber gun, this is one of the best for long-range shooting. This is also a better option than .22s, as they are more accurate.
And this model has a bolt design and is a single shot. An easy-to-pump forearm gives you variable pump power. A feature like this is great to have as you can control the speed of your gun, depending on what you’re using the product for.
Designed just like a classic American pistol, this gun comes in a sleek and classy design. Painted in a slithering black color, not only is this a powerful firearm but a good-looking one too. This model is also made with a fixed blade front, open sights, and an adjustable rear peep.
Maintaining this pistol is quite easy. Just like any other air gun, you just need to oil the piston seal to keep the thing working. This gun does not get rusty that easily but just to be safe, you should oil the exterior with good quality synthetic oil.
Verdict
You can use this one for almost any purpose. The ability to adjust the speed really makes this one of the most innovative models out there. Easy-to-use features also make this gun a must-have.
3. Crosman Vigilante 357: Best CO2 Pellet Pistol
WHAT WE LIKED
- Very smooth trigger
- Adjustable rear sight
- Pre-oiled
- Comfortable and well-built grip
- 10-shot pellet chip and 6-shot BB clip included along with a holster
- Great deal for the cost
- Both single and double shots
- Semi-automatic and finger molded design
- Revolving style gun
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- 1-feet in length
- Made mostly of plastic
Are you having a hard time choosing between pellets and BBs? Well, you are not alone. BBs are better for pest control, while pellets give you a wider range of sizes to choose from. They come in handy in different situations. That is why having a gun like this one that supports both pellets and BBs is the best solution to your problem. No need to choose anymore.
With your purchase, you get a 10-shot pellet clip and a 6-shot bb clip. A holster is also included, so you don’t have to buy much stuff separately. Pick up some other maintenance stuff, like silicone oil, and you have everything you need.
If you’re into long-range shooting and are trying to get better at your aiming, this is the gun for you. .177 caliber guns like this one are known to be the best for brushing up your skills. Adjustable rear sight in this model makes this more precise, and therefore, better for hunting and pest control.
Powered by CO2, this gun is lightweight and powerful. Although lightweight, being 1-feet in length, this might not be the most compact size. You get both single and double shots to work with.
This semi-automatic gun comes in a sleek finger-molded design that not only looks good but gives you a better grip as well. That, paired with the revolving style, makes this model unique.
Getting a gun with all these features along with being rear adjustable and having a smooth grip at such a low price is quite remarkable. This is a deal that no one should miss.
Verdict
A great option for the classic revolving style gun lovers. The smooth trigger on this semi-automatic gun is also quite impressive.
4. Beeman Sportsman Series: Best Air Pistol for Self Defence
WHAT WE LIKED
- Versatile
- Great for self-defense
- 5-inch in size with a 4.5-inch barrel
- Compact and can be carried around easily
- Weighs only 1.7 pounds
- Single stroke and one pump for quick shots
- Rust-resistant polymer frame
- Rear sight adjustable
- 410 FPS High-speed
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Tough to open and load
If you’re looking for a gun that you want to carry around with you for emergencies, smaller sizes are the best. You can easily fit them into your purse or pocket without grabbing too much attention.
That is why this Breeman Delux is the best air pistol for self-defense. Being only 9.5-inches in length with a barrel of 4.5-inch, this is the ideal gun to carry in your bag. At a weight of just 1.7 pounds, you can move with this firearm with ease. The product won’t add too much weight to your purse or pocket.
With this being a single-stroke pistol, which is one of those rare pneumatic guns which require only one pump, you can use this firearm quickly. This can be quite helpful when you’re in a rush.
A polymer frame keeps the gun in good condition for a longer time. This also prevents rusting and reduces the need for daily maintenance. For elevation and windage, this gun comes with a rear sight adjustable feature.
This is a .177 caliber gun, which is more than what you need for self-defense. Therefore his gun can also be used for hunting or shooting games as the product has a velocity of 410 FPS.
You can add a silencer modification to this high-precise gun, use it for target practice, and then proceed to use the forearm for protection and hunting. A versatile gun like this one is just what everyone needs.
Verdict
This is the gun to go for if you’re buying a firearm for self-defense. The small size and fast operating system make this the best tool for protection.
5. Beretta PX4 Storm Blowback
WHAT WE LIKED
- 16-shot mag for either pellets or BBs
- Dual-ended mag
- Multifunctional
- Realistic functions and control
- Great for training and beginners
- Silencers are compatible
- Easy to open, load and oil
- 380 FPS
- CO2 cartridge is placed in the grip
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Only non-pointed pellets can be used
- Not the safest option
We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again, guns that work with both pellets and BBs are the best. They are more versatile as you get to use your gun for various purposes by shifting between pellets and BBs.
This Beretta PX4 has a 16-shot mag that holds either pellets or BBs. The mag is dual-ended for your benefit. Using non-pointed pellets with this model is a better idea as some customers have said that using pointed pellets has caused a jam in their guns.
Powerful CO2 guns like this one come in handy for many purposes. This gun is great for hunting, pest control, target practice, and also self-defense. The CO2 cartridge is paced in the grip of the gun.
We highly recommend this product if you’re looking for a gun solely for training. With blowback actions and controls that are realistic, you get to get a good grasp on the gun and how to use it. Beginners find it very easy to practice holster work with.
A .177 gun is the best to start training if you want to reach pro-level accuracy. Silencers are compatible with this model, so you can practice without feeling guilty about disturbing your neighbors.
Later on, you can use this 380 FPS gun for hunting and pest control. You might not be able to kill larger animals with this speed, but pests and games can be easily hunted.
Verdict
If you are okay with not being able to use pointed pellets, this is a great CO2-operated gun. Realistic functions on this one opt for better training and practice.
6. Walther PPQ .177 Caliber Pellet or BB Gun Air Pistol (2256010)
WHAT WE LIKED
- Can be used with both pellets and BBs
- 8-shot rotary magazine for either pellets or BBs
- Good for recreational activities, practicing and hunting
- Manual slide lever makes this product very safe
- Fixed front and rear sight control
- Easy to mount, open and load
- The synthetic frame makes this very lightweight
- Resistant to rust
- Works with pointed pellets as well
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Slots for the BBs are quite tight, so the BBs need to be pushed in
The Walther PPQ is a semi-auto pistol that is no less than a real firearm. Like most other high-quality air guns that we recommend, this one also supports both pellets and BBs. The gun has an 8-shot rotary magazine for both.
If you’re looking for a gun to practice shooting with or for hunting, give this one a try. With a speed of 360 FPS, this is the best hunting gun for beginners. You’ll be able to do it all with one in your hands: brush up your aiming skills, control pest, and hunt small animals.
We highly recommend this one to people with less experience because of the amazing safety features. A manual slide lever gives you full control of the gun so that no mishaps can occur. With that, you also get rear sight control and fixed front to ensure full safety.
Also, as this model is easy to mount thanks to the integrated Picatinny, beginners feel more comfortable and confident while practicing. CO2 cartridge guns are airy on their own, but the synthetic frame on this one makes it ultra-light. This frame also helps prevent corrosion and rust.
You’ll rarely find a gun that is more accurate than a .177 caliber gun. This is one of the main reasons why people of age love and prefer this gun. Even with flawed eyesight, people can get perfect shots.
Verdict
This is a lightweight synthetic frame gun that gets the job done. Preciseness and a rust-resistant frame are what make this model so desirable.
7. Browning Buck Mark URX: Most Powerful Break Barrel Air Pistol
WHAT WE LIKED
- Single shotgun with a speed of 360 FPS
- .177 caliber
- The ideal speed for shooting birds
- Great level of accuracy
- Spring power-operated gun which means high power; low complications
- Ambidextrous grip
- Easy to control
- Integrated weaver rails
- Fixed front blade sight
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Not the sturdiest frame
Constructed to be a single-shot gun that works at a speed of 360 FPS and is .177 caliber, this is the most powerful break barrel air pistol you’ll come across. This speed is ideal for people who love to shoot birds. Hunting down other small animals will also be easy with this thanks to the spring-powered air pistol.
The best thing about spring pistols, other than being very lightweight, is that they can be used for hours. Spring power is one of the oldest mechanisms used in air gun making. This method is still used because of the great power it can deliver while being so easy to operate.
Grips on this gun are made to be as ergonomic as it gets. They’re ambidextrous and give you great control making the product safer. To make the gun even easier to use, integrated weaver rails allow you to mount accessories and optics quickly. Loading the gun does not take much time as well.
For you to get comfortable with a gun, there needs to be the option to make adjustments. Browning Buck keeps that in mind and thus allows you to adjust the rear sight and also gives you a fixed front blade sight. This is important when you want elevation and windage.
Verdict
A great spring power-operated gun is available at a budget price point that most can afford. Adjustable features allow you to customize the gun according to your preference.
How Does a Pellet Pistol Work?
Pellet guns have now become the choice of firearm for many people. This gun uses one of the oldest pneumatic technologies known to man. Although the process of how an air gun works is quite simple, the gun works meticulously well.
The air in front of the gun is compressed by a force of a piston to power the pellet. Then the piston is pushed where the gun is fired by a charge of compressed gas or a powerful spring. Gunpowder and dynamite also work well with guns like this. Most powerful air pistols are made to work this way.
Pellet Pistol Types
Five types of air pistols are available to us.
- Spring Powered
A piston and a spring work together to power these types of guns. The spring is compressed when the gun is cocked. When the trigger is pulled, the spring decompresses and pushes the piston forward. These guns are simple to use and the most affordable.
- Precharged Pneumatic (Air Pistols)
In this type of gun, high-pressure air is used. This air helps force the pellet to discharge. Air pressure in guns like these can be compressed by using hand pumps or scuba tanks. Known to be compact and virtually recoilless, this type is one of the best blowback air pistols. They are also called PCP air pistols.
- Variable Pump
Inside the chamber of a variable pump gun, there is a pressure cylinder and a piston. These work to create compressed air, which then propels the pellet.
- CO2
These work just like precharged pneumatic guns, but instead of using high-pressure air, CO2 is used. The guns are highly accurate and easy to cock as well.
- Gas Piston
This works the same way a spring-powered gun works, but instead of a coiled spring, there is a gas cylinder that helps push the piston forward. The pressurized air releases when the trigger is pulled. Gas pistons are lighter in weight, easy to cock, and also more long-lasting than spring powered air guns.
BB vs. Pellet: Which One Is Good?
People always get confused when it comes to choosing between BB and pellets. We’re pointing out some of the basic differences for you so that you can choose for yourself.
- Size
BBs only come in one size, 4.5mm. On the other hand, pellets come in a lot of different sizes. Pellets are available in sizes as large as 50 calibers.
- Accuracy
Comparatively, pellets are more accurate than BBs, especially when it comes to long-range shooting. BBs are okay if the shooting distance is short.
- Hunting
BBs are recommended for pest control, while spring-powered pellet pistols are great for hunting and pest control as they are more accurate.
Best Pellet Pistol Brands
There are hundreds of brands that sell pistols nowadays, but only a few stand out. These are the brands that provide high-quality guns that help hunt and also get better at shooting.
- Crosman
Crosman is known for making durable pistols. Their products, such as the Crosman 2240 Bolt Action CO2 Pellet Pistol, have a sturdy frame and will last you for years.
- Beeman
A compact gun such as the Beeman Sportsman Series Deluxe Air Pistol is the best option for self-defense. These guns are easy to carry around and also work quickly.
- Browning Buck Mark
This brand makes the best break barrel air guns. The Browning Buck Mark URX Single Shot Break Barrel .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Pistol is one of them.
- Beretta
Known for making versatile pistols that are best used with non-pointed pellets, this brand rarely disappoints. Beretta PX4 Storm Blowback .177 Caliber Pellet or BB Gun Air Pistol is the best lightweight gun you’ll get for training.
- Walther
When looking for air guns, safety should be your priority. The Walther PPQ .177 Caliber Pellet or BB Gun Air Pistol is a gun that is made to give you great control. This helps prevent accidents and keeps you protected.
Maintenance Tips
To make sure that your gun is ready to shoot at all times and in good condition, you need to take good care of it. Keeping your gun in good condition requires only a few tasks that need to be done.
- Oiling the Piston Seal
Guns that have worked with older mechanisms need to be oiled more frequently than modern ones. A good rule of thumb suggests you oil the seal of your gun every 1000 shots. If keeping a count of your shots is tough for you, you can oil the seal every six months.
Never use just any household silicone oils for this purpose. Always buy good quality silicone chamber oil that can handle the heat created by your gun.
- Cleaning the Exterior
Cleaning your gun after every use is a vital step that you must follow. Damage in the exterior of your gun can deteriorate the firearm’s performance. For this, we recommend using a good quality gun cleaning oil.
These oils keep your gun clean, wipe off any gunpowder residue, and also prevent rusting. Rust that is already on guns can be melted off using oils like these.
- Gun Barrel Maintenance
One thing that everyone will tell you is to not clean your gun barrel. Leave that part alone. If you’re using good pellets, there are no possibilities of getting any deposits or gunpowder residue. Messing around with this part of your gun might cause more damage than good.
- Store Your Gun Safely
If you own a gun, you will probably store your firearm in a gun cabinet. To keep your gun working great for a long time, try and keep the cabinet dry. Avoid condensations or moisture. Adding sachets of Napier VP90 corrosion inhibitors inside the cabinets might help a lot in keeping the interior moisture-free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If this is your first time buying a pellet gun, you might have a lot of questions on your mind. To help you out, we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions.
- What is the fastest pellet pistol?
With a speed of 700 FPS, The Benjamin Marauder PCP air pistol (.22) is the fastest.
- Is a .22 or .177 better?
.177 guns are more accurate. You can rarely find a .22 pistol that can match up to the accuracy of a .177. This is the gun that is internationally recognized for long-range shooting.
However, a .22 pistol is more powerful, and therefore, better for hunting. There are benefits to both, but which type is the best depends on what you are using the gun for.
Check more on .177 vs .22 pellets.
- Will an air pistol kill a rat?
Yes, air guns are great for shooting rats. Get a gun that is more accurate to avoid injuring the rat instead of killing it so that the rat does not run off, die somewhere else, and stink.
- Can a .177 pellet gun kill a dear?
If shot in a short distance, this pellet will surely take out a deer. The problem might arise when you are at a distance. At a speed of about 900FPS, a .177 pellet pistol can kill a deer if aimed at the head.
Learn more about top .177 pellets in this article.
Final Words
Owning the most powerful pellet pistol means better hunting, shooting practice, and a better shot at self-defense. These are the best guns to get started with once you get to know how the firearm works. Also, if maintained properly, these guns will last for decades.
Remember to always stay safe and responsible while handling guns.
