Rating of the best air pistols for 2024

Shooting from pneumatic-type pistols in the Russian Federation is an invariably demanded occupation, which has formed even such an individual type of military-sports entertainment as hardball. The assortment of pneumatic pistols is available in every outlet with sports products, and the choice by replica or functionality is now countless. If a person has a desire to transform outdoor recreation or simply gain experience in high-speed and decisive shooting without the need to issue a permit and ride to a shooting range, spending expensive supplies (in terms of shooting costs, pneumatic weapons, one way or another, have no competitors), then the rating of the best air pistols for 2024 will come in handy.

Features of pneumatics

There are various modifications of weapons on the market for both professionals and beginners. They differ not only in price, but also in parameters. The main one is the power, which depends on the type of cylinder installed. The caliber of a pneumatic pistol is 4.5 mm, and steel balls are used as ammunition.

Weapons also differ in design into the following types:

• Gas cylinder. Acceleration of the bullet is provided by the flow of carbon dioxide into the barrel. The model looks like a combat pistol, has a low weight and high accuracy. Disadvantages: dependence on weather conditions (gas is compressed at sub-zero temperatures), risk of CO2 leakage;
• Spring-piston, in which the shot occurs when energy is released after the compression of the spring. Advantages - firing range, unpretentiousness to the type of bullets. The model is designed for one charge;
• Multicompression combines the characteristics of the previous types. The user manually inflates the cylinder, which causes air to accumulate. The advantage of the pistol is the almost complete absence of recoil. The disadvantage is the need to manually prepare weapons, high cost.

The gas cylinder pistol is the most common. It is suitable for short range shooting. Some models are equipped with replaceable drums, so you can work with lead bullets and metal balls. To learn how to shoot, aim with a pistol, it is recommended to use a spring-piston weapon. The “favorite” of professional athletes is the multi-compression pistol.

The average user is prevented from using this type of weapon by the high price. The rating of high-quality and proven pistols helps to present all the variety and choose a model according to your preferences. Weapons still differ in barrel design into two types:

• Smooth-bore, which is a flat tube with smooth walls. The production process for this type of weapon is simplified, but the range and accuracy of the shot are reduced;
• With a rifled barrel, the inner surface of which is provided with notches. They give the bullet a boost. These weapons are more difficult to manufacture, but they shoot more accurately.

Specialty stores sell a pistol that shoots lead bullets, steel or galvanized shot (balls).

Best Air Pistols

This publication examines the pneumatic type pistols on the market and selects the best ones, guided by both the many years of experience of advanced users and the comments of hardball fans, since they know a lot about this type of weapon.

10th place: Crosman C11

Despite the absolutely "childish" design due to the solid body made of plastic materials, this model is in demand by the majority of users due to its own power.

The pistol produces about 150 m / s "from the box", which not every pneumatics is capable of, in addition at such a cost.

The mechanical component of the model itself has become a subject for replicas in most pistols - despite the fact that when the trigger is pressed, the barrel absurdly extends out of the body, the power of the shot and undemanding gas consumption are obtained in this scheme in the best way.

If the user finds in the store a model with a specific safety slider, which is located on the right side above the trigger, then this means that in front of him is a regular copy of this popular model.

At the same time, the device is quite high-quality, as evidenced by comments on the network from hardball teams and reviews from fans of pneumatic weapons. Therefore, if the resemblance to a real pistol is not an important criterion for a person, a body made of plastic materials does not bother, and power without manipulating a file is necessary, then this model will be an excellent purchase.

The average price is 3,200 rubles.

• Impressive shot power;
• Small;
• Lightweight.

• The case is made of plastic materials without any hints of replicas;
• The sight is not adjustable;
• Uncomplicated packaging.

9th place: Umarex Walther PPS

This model of pneumatic weapon cannot be called a reliable clone of the small Walther PPS, which replaced the well-known "Bond pistol" - Walther PPK: instead of an automatic-type fuse, there is an ordinary button on the trigger, and a latch for blocking the shutter and a "peephole" through which there is the ability to see if the trigger is cocked - artificial.

In addition to the fuse, the design of the model is identical to the Umarex CP99 Compact, but it will cost a person much more affordable, which guarantees excellent quality for an adequate price. The frame of the model is made of plastic materials (like a real pistol), and the flap made of metal materials is equipped with a blowback - the model not only lies perfectly in the hand, but is also fun to shoot from.

Buyers respond very positively to the implementation of the compartment for the spray can: it is pushed into the handle from the back side, and the polyhedron itself, in order to tighten it, is installed in the removable cover, so from now on there is no need to carry the key with you and worry about losing it. If we talk about power, then the model is not able to surprise with anything: on the chronometer, the readings range from 110 to 115 m / s.

The average price is 5 600 rubles.

• Imperfect, but similar to the original form factor;
• Gas consumption adequate for a model with a blower;
• Good performance when it comes to tightening the can.

• Very uncomfortable fuse;
• Following the first shot, the trigger invariably retains the cocked position, and in order to preserve the capabilities of the mainspring, it is necessary to practice removing it by "catching" the flap.

8th place: ASG Dan Wesson 8 "

Not everyone likes revolvers, but for fans of the genre, a model with an 8-inch barrel (the actual length of the inset barrel is 181 mm) will be an excellent purchase. The model comes in two solutions (Gray and Silver), designed to shoot balls of "false cartridges", which are embedded in the drum chambers, and also has good power parameters and incredible, if we talk about a smooth-bore ball thrower, accuracy (which, given the length trunk is not surprising). It is allowed to shoot both independent and preliminary platoon, however in the latter version the pistol shoots better both in speed and accuracy.

If we compare it with the alternatives from Gletcher and Borner (more affordable), then this model is also better in quality, since there is no such tendency as the rapid development of the barrel loosening, and the mainspring is not so fast stretched.

The average price is 8,450 rubles.

• High density;
• Absolute imitation of charging the original Smith & Wesson (swing-out drum device);
• Customizable sight.

• It takes a long time to charge;
• Bulky size makes it difficult to carry;
• Weight is more than a kilogram with significant forward overload.

7th place: Daisy 5501

This model has become known as an additional pistol among hardball fans, which is not surprising: naturally, it is not similar to any firearm, and the "chrome plastic" of the frame is a matter of taste, but in its piggy bank of advantages it is economically consuming gas blowback, the possibility of long-term storage with a working spray, as well as a good shot power of about 130 m / s directly "from the box".

All this for a fairly adequate cost even at a turning point. The model implements a device with a moving barrel - pushing forward while pressing the trigger, it takes a new "bullet" on return and hits the valve, which leads to the lowest gas consumption: even taking into account the blowback, the model is capable of firing about 10 clips ensuring good power.

The response action of the shutter made of metal materials is quite massive, which adds to the involvement in the shooting process. The trigger mechanism is hidden, but the control of its position and the Decock button are taken into account, which safely uncocks it (in much the same way as when placing a loaded PM on the fuse).

The average price is 3,900 rubles.

• Economical gas consumption at an impressive speed of the shot;
• Damper with imitation of a shot from a real pistol (blowback);
• Availability.

• Supplied exclusively with chrome body frame;
• Hard to understand.

6th place: MR-654K

This model has never been good "from the factory", but one way or another it managed to become a real legend for almost two decades of release. Why?

• Firstly, this is an exclusive model for sale today, which is entirely made of strong steel materials;
• Secondly, it is a unique model for which it is possible to easily and at an adequate price to purchase any part, while the trigger design is standardized with the well-known PM;
• Thirdly, there are many tuning accessories for it - smooth caliber barrels with extensions, attachments for firing gas BAMs and "hunter's signal", kits for improving clips, etc.

All this would already make it possible for this model to put the highest marks in the TOP of the best, however, given the frequent need for "refinement by means of a file" immediately after the acquisition (which, by the way, in the circle of owners is considered not a disadvantage, but a chip), one way or another it is 6 th place.

In any case, this model is capable of shooting not 12 months or 2 years, it does not fail when compared with similar pistols made of plastic and aluminum.

As a bonus, a replica should be highlighted in comparison with the PM, the same disassembly device (uncomplicated), as well as the ability to easily get power from it much higher than the declared one. If we talk about replicas, then this model is hardly possible to compare with something: with This position has literally no rivals from the moment Izhevsk stopped the production of the MP-656, produced according to the type of real TT 30-40 years. exit.

The average price is 6 250 rubles.

• Good potential for improvement;
• Great mechanized stability;
• Clone PM, including little things (the line, in the end, included "bearded" flaps and a modified handle).

• Small capacity "from the factory" (but it will be enough, one way or another, for entertainment);
• Systematic need for some amount of refinement.

5th place: MR-651KS

Another wear-resistant pistol from Izhevsk, which is somewhat exclusive, since it can be reloaded with a clip for lead bullets, exposing the full potential of the threaded barrel, and use a clip for explosive balls made of steel materials, which are inserted not directly into the clip, but into an inseparable clip located above the barrel, allowing you to instantly calculate the number of remaining cartridges.

Consequently, the model allows you to shoot both at targets, loading the clip with 8 bullets, and at the containers after reloading the clip and loading 23 balls into the clip (instead of them, you can use lead shot or Gamo Round balls). On the basis of this model, a "practically sports" pistol MP-657 was formed - a single-shot model on bullets with an orthopedic type handle.

The ridiculous design hides great potential for improvement - the “strangled” factory valve expands without much difficulty, technologies for expanding the magnifying camera and the installation of an elongated barrel are developed, with which the model is converted into a real multi-shot rifle (given that the elongated barrel is perfectly hidden in a commercially available for this model rifle attachment).

In addition, the pistol is notable for its uncomplicated device, ease of disassembly and affordable cost.

The average price is 3,000 rubles.

• "Omnivorous";
• No complications with components;
• The developed technology for improving the appearance.

• Clips wear out quickly (however, they are available and available on the market);
• Ridiculous design.

4th place: Umarex Walther CP88 Competition

The bullet model does not always have to be a single-shot "blaster". This pistol in its own modification with an elongated barrel has a rather classic design, which, as it does not refer directly to any pistol, is also loaded with clips for 8 charges. In this regard, in spite of the fact that it looks like an automatic device, in reality it is a revolver made like the Kornet or the MR-651KS.

The advantages of the model include good build reliability. If we compare with other pistols of this company, then the mark "Made in Germany" corresponds to reality, there is a rifled barrel Lothar Walther, the length of which is 141 mm, as well as an adjustable sight. The fuse is double-sided, which makes the model an excellent solution for left-handers.

Nickel or black (it all depends on the modification) model is rather bulky, weighing 1,150 g in the charged position. One way or another, it has good balance and during pre-cocked firing it guarantees good accuracy in order to shoot at targets from a distance of 5-6 m.

In addition, the model is suitable for shooting at targets from a distance of 25-30 m - with high-quality supplies, this is fully possible.

The average price is 19,950 rubles.

• Charged with quick release clips;
• Can be used for both entertainment and sports purposes;
• Build reliability.

• Unsuccessful cartridge piercing system (screw with lever);
• Overpriced, according to users, the cost.

3rd place: Gamo Compact

This pistol features an orthopedic type grip, which is similar to the one used in the original models, which directly indicates the purpose of the pistol.

Following the disappearance of the popular Crosman 1377 from the shops, this pneumatic type model directly marks its place: here, too, a multi-compression device (manual pre-pumping) is used, the model uses steel materials to the maximum, and a 121 mm rifled barrel in combination with a fully adjustable sight guarantees it excellent accuracy, in particular, if the owner finds quality bullets.

Of the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting not the convenience of pumping - to work on the entire barrel module, moving it forward, and then pressing it back to the handle. At the same time, the hand wants to knock down the sight, so you have to be careful.

The average price is 15,900 rubles.

• Gorgeous grip;
• Good accuracy.

• Not the best power, which is 120 m / s during firing with 0.5 g bullets.

2nd place: Gletcher NGT

The popular revolver model was reproduced as needed (including the use of false cartridges), but with a slight hitch: a fuse was added to it, which is not in the real pistol. There is an opportunity to understand the creator, who had to do this, but the mark for the replica for this reason is still lowered. As well as the screws for the inner polyhedron, which were not even seen on the model of tsarist times.

In general, the users were provided with a replica of the "officer" version of the revolver - the firing device is capable of functioning with both pre-cocking and self-cocking, which, if we talk about a real revolver, is ridiculous here.

The average price is 7,000 rubles.

• Excellent, if you do not take into account the small details, the similarity to a real pistol;
• USM double action.

• Alien fuse;
• Elastic and long self-cocking trigger.

1st place: Gletcher Parabellum

The best pneumatic model among replicas. The famous pistol, whose history goes back to the past centuries, has been duplicated many times, even under the Gletcher brand: the predecessor was even more similar to the real model thanks to the brown grip and the absence of “defamatory” markings, however, the body folding into 2 parts and the “artificial” damper, as well as an incomplete clip - "stick".

The redesigned pistol is a careful replica of the KWC P08 airsoft gun in 4.5mm. This revolver is extremely similar to the present one, since even the blower that drives the lever-type shutter is not artificial - the next bullet is sent into the barrel directly by the shutter, and when the ammunition in the clip runs out, the shutter becomes on hold.

Partial disassembly is also similar to a firearm, in spite of the fact that it is not so high quality when compared with the popular MP-654 in relation to the "Makarov". By the way, and the real "revolver" go practically without any manipulations. In this regard, if necessary, it is possible to make an almost full-fledged dimensional pistol that can shoot.

The model is accurate, as befits a revolver, despite the fact that it does not surprise with power - a large amount of gas is spent on the functioning of a complex damper.

Alas, but there are "childish" nuances: if the original modification for airsoft, which worked on green gas, functioned without failures, then the transition to carbon dioxide, which is characterized by high pressure, increased the load on the device and the frame made of zinc and aluminum alloy.

The average price is 7,000 rubles.

• Absolute similarity in size, weight, partial disassembly, extremely similar to the original;
• Absolutely workable blowback;
• Good accuracy considering that this is a short-barreled air pistol.

• Users complain about poor build;
• Low shot speed.

Which pneumatics should you buy?

A pistol with a power of no more than 2 J. is more suitable for a beginner. The speed of the bullet should be approximately 120 m / s. An air gun should weigh no more than 700 g and be compact. Thinking about which one is better to buy, you should pay attention to the presence of a manual fuse.

Ammunition type

Most of the pneumatic-type models are intended for entertainment and firing from a short distance, and therefore they are charged with balls of explosives made of steel, releasing them from a smooth barrel (except for models from Izhevsk, which use rifled barrels, despite the fact that sub-caliber balls are notches are not screwed in). They are excellent at breaking glass materials, but from long distances during firing at targets they are characterized by poor accuracy.

Relatively multifunctional pistols with an elongated barrel, but the Russian MP-651KS and MP-654K have the ability to load the Gamo Round from lead materials, if there is a desire to practice accuracy directly. Models on bullets from the position of accuracy are much more exciting - bullets fired from a rifled-type barrel shoot more concentrated, but you will have to pay for this with less ammunition, since you can place the bullets exclusively in the revolving clip or recharge them one by one.

Gas or multi-compression?

The key advantage of "breaks" and models of the MK type is that there is no need for cylinders: it is more profitable to shoot, however, the speed of the shot drops significantly. Such pneumatics are single-shot, which, in principle, quickly fills the "discipline of the shot", since it will not work to quickly shoot about 10 supplies at the target, adjusting the rear sight on the go.

Internal mechanics

As for the internal structure of models on gas cartridges, with all the variety of solutions of different form factors, there are not many:

Fixed barrel

In designs with a fixed-type barrel, during the impact of the trigger mechanism on the valve, the gas flow envelops the ball, which is located at the top of the holder (for example, the MP-654K model) or from the drum chamber facing the valve (revolvers), pushing it into the barrel.

The design is simple, of high quality, the fixed-type barrel is distinguished by good accuracy, however, at the same time, there are large side costs (in the first situation - into the barrel of the clip, between the clip and the barrel, in the second - between the frame and the drum), in connection with which such models or they do not fire so much, or consume a large amount of gas.

Movable barrel

The design of the movable barrel takes into account the fact that the mainspring is installed directly on the barrel: when pressing on the trigger, the barrel moves forward, extending beyond the size of the pistol, then, removing from the sear, takes the ball and hits the valve, at the same time strengthening the play.

Ultimately, a powerful shot is obtained with little gas consumption, but at the same time, there is a need for firing exclusively by self-cocking (this results in a complex and long-stroke trigger), and the barrel itself after some time (and if you purchase an affordable pistol from China, then and immediately) will acquire a backlash.

Is a blowback necessary?

Of course, imitating the return of the damper adds realism, but it needs its own dose of gas, in other words, the model will either not be as powerful or "eat" more gas. At the same time, not in every case, the blower is operational, in other words, the damper there, solely for beauty, comes back, without erecting a trigger and not sending a ball.

On more sophisticated pistols, the function of the blowback is to a lesser extent cocking the trigger - as a result, a smooth descent and good accuracy, while in the available models, one way or another, you will have to fire self-cocking.

In conclusion, it should be noted that buying pneumatics for the purpose of self-defense is meaningless and ridiculous. Even on the Internet, they often joke about this, saying that only one model is suitable for these purposes, namely the domestic MP-654K, because it will not break if it hits someone.