BB pistols have come a long way from the cheap plastic guns you might remember as a kid. These days, air pistols come in all shapes and sizes, from ultra-realistic replicas to precision target shooters. Whether you’re looking for a training tool, a backyard plinker, or just something fun to shoot, there’s a BB gun that fits the bill.
Some of these pistols are designed to mimic real firearms, making them great for practicing draw, trigger control, and handling without burning through expensive ammo. Others are built for accuracy, offering impressive precision for target shooting. And of course, some are just plain fun, built for rapid-fire action and blowing through magazines in seconds. This list breaks down some of the best BB pistols available.
Umarex Legends Colt Peacemaker
The Umarex Colt Peacemaker is one of the most realistic single-action BB revolvers out there. It’s all metal, with a stainless-style finish and true-to-form operation. The trigger is crisp, the weight is spot on, and loading the steel cartridges feels just like handling the real thing. The working ejector rod and half-cock cylinder rotation make it even more authentic.
Accuracy is solid, and since it doesn’t have blowback, CO2 cartridges last longer. The only downside is needing those cartridges to fire, but that’s part of what makes this revolver feel real. If you like old-school cowboy guns, this one’s a great pick.
Sig Sauer 1911 Emperor Scorpion
The Sig Sauer 1911 Emperor Scorpion BB gun is a well-built, full-metal replica of its .45 ACP counterpart. It has a blowback slide, functional safeties, and a great weight balance, making it a solid choice for training. The FDE finish and realistic barrel give it the look of a real firearm, and the white three-dot sights are easy to pick up.
The biggest downside is that the sights aren’t adjustable for elevation, so it might not hit exactly where you want out of the box. Still, it’s a fun, reliable BB pistol that operates just like a real 1911 and works well for practice.
ASG CZ Shadow 2
The ASG CZ Shadow 2 is a full-metal, full-weight replica of the popular CZ competition pistol. From the adjustable rear sights to the red fiber-optic front sight, it’s built for accuracy. The blowback action cycles the slide, and the trigger is one of the lightest in any BB gun.
One standout feature is the hop-up system, which lets you adjust the BB’s backspin for a flatter trajectory. Tuning it takes a little time, but once dialed in, it improves accuracy. It’s pricey at $250, but if you want the most realistic BB pistol for training, this is the one.
Umarex Glock G17
The Umarex Glock G17 BB gun is one of the best replicas for Glock owners. It has a polymer frame, metal slide, and realistic blowback action. The removable magazine holds both the CO2 cartridge and BBs, and it even locks open after the last shot, just like the real thing.
Accuracy is decent, and it fits most G17 holsters, making it a great dry-fire alternative. The only drawback is the fixed sights, which aren’t always perfectly aligned. But at just $62, it’s a budget-friendly option for training or backyard plinking.
ASG Ingram M11
The ASG Ingram M11 is based on the notorious MAC-11, a compact submachine gun. This CO2-powered BB gun has a 39-round magazine and a folding wire stock. There’s no blowback, which means better CO2 efficiency, and you can fire through multiple mags before needing a new cartridge.
The sights are barely functional, and the mostly plastic build feels a little cheap. But if you just want to dump BBs downrange and rattle some cans, this thing is a blast. It’s not practical, but sometimes, shooting is just about having fun.
Sig Sauer P365
The Sig Sauer P365 air pistol is a near-perfect replica of the real thing, making it a great training tool for those who carry the actual P365. It has the same grip, sights, and controls, and even fits most P365 holsters. The blowback action gives it a realistic feel, and the removable magazine holds both the CO2 cartridge and 20 BBs.
The biggest letdown is the trigger—it’s noticeably different from the real P365. Accuracy is also lacking, with groups around 4.8 inches. Still, for practicing draw and basic handling, it’s a solid choice at an affordable price.
Umarex Legends Mauser M712
The Umarex Mauser M712 is one of the most exciting full-auto BB pistols out there. Modeled after the famous Mauser C96, this replica has a metal frame, wood-look grips, and a select-fire switch for semi or full-auto mode. The magazine holds 18 BBs and the CO2 cartridge, and the gun cycles just like the real thing.
Full-auto mode is an absolute blast, emptying a magazine in seconds. The downside is that it burns through CO2 quickly, getting about 36 shots per cartridge. It’s not the most accurate pistol, but for $120, it’s one of the most fun air pistols you can buy.
Crosman American Classic
The Crosman American Classic has been around for decades, and for good reason. It’s a pump-action, single-shot air pistol that shoots .177 pellets with impressive accuracy. Since it doesn’t use CO2, there’s no need to worry about cartridges—just pump it up, aim, and shoot. It’s affordable, easy to use, and has adjustable sights for precision shooting.
With five pumps, it shoots around 404 fps with extremely consistent velocity. At 7 yards, it grouped under an inch, which is better than most CO2 pistols. The downside is that it’s a single-shot, so reloading takes time. But if you want an accurate, budget-friendly air pistol that lasts for years, this is it.
ASG Dan Wesson 715
The ASG Dan Wesson 715 is one of the most realistic air revolvers out there. It has a full-metal build, a rubber grip, and a swing-out cylinder that loads just like a real .357 Magnum. The included brass-colored cartridges hold individual BBs, and the revolver even comes with a speed loader.
It shoots well in both single and double action, with decent accuracy at 2.2-inch groups. The built-in CO2 wrench in the grip is a nice touch, making cartridge changes easy. The only drawback is needing those cartridges to fire, so losing them means trouble. For $120, it’s a well-made, satisfying revolver to shoot.
Crosman 2300S
The Crosman 2300S is a precision air pistol built for target shooting. It’s a single-shot, CO2-powered gun with adjustable sights and a fine-tunable CO2 system. At 7 yards, it shot a tight 0.875-inch group—better than some rimfire handguns. It feels a lot like a Ruger Mark IV, with a comfortable grip and a smooth trigger pull.
It’s not cheap at over $300, and it’s not a general-purpose shooter. This pistol is made for serious accuracy, and it delivers. If hitting small targets with precision is the goal, this is one of the best options out there.
Umarex Legends P08 Luger
The Umarex Legends P08 Luger is a well-made, full-metal BB gun that feels just like the real thing. The blowback action cycles realistically, and the toggle-link moves just like on an actual Luger. The magazine holds 21 BBs and a CO2 cartridge, making it quick and easy to reload.
At around $70, it’s one of the best-value replica BB guns available. It’s not the most accurate at 3.1-inch groups, and it burns through CO2 quickly, but for a fun backyard shooter, it’s hard to beat.
Barra Schofield
The Barra Schofield is a beautifully aged replica of the revolver used by Old West outlaws. It’s got the weight and function of the real thing, with a break-open action that even ejects spent cartridges. The metal frame and worn finish make it look like it’s been through years of use.
One issue is the built-in CO2 wrench in the grip, which isn’t very durable. It’s best to use a separate Allen wrench instead. Otherwise, it’s a well-made and accurate revolver that’s perfect for backyard shooting or collecting.
Springfield 1911 Mil Spec Stainless
For anyone who loves 1911s, this Springfield Mil Spec air pistol is about as real as it gets. The all-metal build, good trigger, and working blowback action make it feel just like a real .45 ACP version. The CO2-powered slide even locks open after the last shot.
Like most semi-auto BB pistols, accuracy isn’t great, but it’s good enough for training or plinking cans. At $110, it’s a solid buy for anyone looking for a realistic 1911 BB gun.
*This article was created with the assistance of AI.
