The Best BB Guns on the Market

If you’re looking for a reliable and accurate BB Gun, then check out this guide.  We’ve done all the hard work and put together a complete set of options for your next BB gun.

BB guns have come a long way since their inception in 1886. They started off as toys that can be bought in any convenience store and evolved into powerful training guns that can seriously injure if you’re not careful.

BB guns come in multiple types and models. Some are equipped with CO2 canisters, while others are outfitted with springs. And like real guns, they’re also available in semi- and full-auto options.

With hundreds of models to choose from, it can be a bit of a challenge to find the best BB gun for you. So to help you with your final decision, I’ve reviewed some of the top BB guns on the market today. I’ve also included a buyer’s guide to lead you to your purchase!

 

BB Guns for Training, Target Shooting, and Plinking

Here are some of the best BB guns you can buy today, chosen for their build quality, power, and speed:

Crosman PFAM9B BB Air Pistol – Best Overall

  • Caliber: .177 caliber
  • Weight: 1 lb.
  • Capacity: 19 rounds
  • Action: Full-auto
  • Power type: CO2
  • FPS: 400

Delivering speeds of up to 400 FPS, the Crosman PFAM9B CO2 Air Pistol is a great option for those looking to hone their handgun shooting skills. With its realistic weight, handling, and blowback action, it works like the real deal.

There’s little to complain about the Crosman’s build quality. The gun’s moving parts—the trigger, the slide, the hammer, etc.—are all expertly constructed. It looks and feels expensive, solidified by the fact that it’s made up of about 90% metal.

The PFAM9B CO2 Air Pistol holds up to 20 rounds and fires at a cyclic rate of up to 850 rounds per minute. It shoots hard and fast, with a good amount of recoil.

Pros

  • Ergonomically placed controls
  • Realistic blowback action and weight
  • Rapid cyclic rate
  • Comes with an accessory rail

Cons

  • Louder than your average CO2 pistol

Smith & Wesson M&P BB Gun Air Pistol – Runner Up

  • Caliber: .177 caliber
  • Weight: 1.5 lbs.
  • Capacity: 19 rounds
  • Action: Semi-auto
  • Power type: CO2
  • FPS: 480 FPS

As one of the leading manufacturers in the firearms industry, it’s no surprise that Smith & Wesson is included in this list.

The Smith & Wesson M&P 40 BB Gun Air Pistol is one of the company’s more popular models and considering its construction and performance, it’s not difficult to see why.

Firing up to 480 FPS, the M&P 40 BB Gun features realistic controls and blowback action. It’s a near-perfect replica of an actual M&P 40. The metal slide and catch work like a real S & W firearm, fully equipped with adjustable sights and replaceable backstraps.

Fits great in a We The People Holster.

Accurate to a distance of 25 feet, the M&P 40 BB Gun allows you to shoot targets with double and triple taps at rapid-fire. The fiber optic function makes target alignment an easy endeavor, even if the sights aren’t adjustable.

Pros

  • Great shooting performance
  • Realistic blowback actions and controls
  • Rugged build quality

Cons

  • Range and velocity are a bit lacking
  • Unadjustable sights

Colt Defender BB Gun – Best Accuracy

  • Caliber: .177 caliber
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs.
  • Capacity: 16 rounds
  • Action: Semi-auto
  • Power type: CO2
  • FPS: 410 FPS

The Colt Defender BB Gun Air Pistol is an all-metal, 16-shot, .177 caliber BB air pistol that shoots at 410 FPS. It’s a near-identical copy of the Colt Defender compact 1911 firearm, making it a cost-effective way to get into handgun training without using the real deal.

This BB gun features an authentic double-action trigger, fixed sights, and a spring-powered grip release. Its pellet loading mechanism is perfectly balanced, making it an excellent choice for draw and fire exercises.

Another great thing about this BB gun is its brilliant accuracy and immense power. It shoots hard and fast, powerful enough to tear a clean hole through ceramic and glass. It’s not something you should buy for recreational purposes since it can severely injure or even kill a living being.

Pros

  • Durable construction
  • Authentic double-action trigger
  • Impressive accuracy and power

Cons

  • Takes a while to load

Crosman P10 Kit BB Air Pistol – Best Value

  • Caliber: .177 caliber
  • Weight: 1.31 lbs.
  • Capacity: 20 rounds
  • Action: Semi-auto
  • Power type: CO2
  • FPS: 480 FPS

The Crosman P10 Kit CO2 is a more affordable alternative to the Crosman PFAM9B. It features a 20-round drop-out magazine, a durable polymer exterior, and a white dot on the front sight to help you with training.

Alongside the BB gun, the Crosman P10 Kit comes with BBs, two CO2 cartridges, and a pair of safety glasses—perfect for beginner shooters. Plus, it features a steel barrel that comes with an under-barrel accessory rail and a safety selector. 

Learn more about bb gun safety here.

With a velocity of 480 FPS, the P10 delivers incredible performance for its price. Though its precision could be better, it ticks all the boxes for a beginner BB gun.

Pros

  • Quick-release magazine
  • Comes with shooting glasses, CO2 cartridges, and Copperhead BBs
  • Surprisingly accurate for the price

Cons

  • Plastic exterior doesn’t feel authentic

Beretta APX BB Gun Air Pistol – Best Universal BB Gun

  • Caliber: .177 caliber
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs.
  • Capacity: 20 rounds
  • Action: Semi-auto
  • Power type: CO2
  • FPS: 395 FPS

Powered by a 12-gram CO2 cartridge, the Beretta APX BB Gun shoots .177 caliber steel BB pellets of up to 395 FPS. It’s made with an ultra-durable polymer frame—one that can rival full-metal alternatives.

This BB gun features a fixed rear sight and a blade fixed front sight, a front Picatinny rail for accessories, and a realistic blowback action without huge CO2 cost.

The APX’s 20-round drop-free magazine provides an authentic loading experience, making it suitable for training, target shooting, or plinking.

The removable CO2 handle cover doesn’t come off as easily as, say, the Glock 19 BB Gun, but the extremely affordable price makes up for it.

Pros

  • Decent build quality
  • Realistic blowback
  • Consistent accuracy

Cons

  • Low FPS compared to other BB guns on this list

Glock 19 Gen3 BB Gun Air Pistol – Best Glock Replica

  • Caliber: .177 caliber
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs.
  • Capacity: 15 rounds
  • Action: Semi-auto
  • Power type: CO2
  • FPS: 410 FPS

With its large magazine capacity, concealability, and easy handling, the Glock 19 is the quintessential American handgun.

The Glock 19 Gen3 BB Gun Air Pistol is a spitting image of the popular Glock 19.

It has the classic white front sight, U rear sight, and a rail system at the end of the barrel. Even the fit and finish are similar.

So if you’re not confident with your Glock 19 quite yet, use the Gen3 as a training gun.

The Glock 19 BB gun has a rate of 410 FPS and a 15-round capacity. It’s heavier than most BB guns on this list at 1.6 pounds, but that only adds to the realistic weight and feel of the BB gun.

Pros

  • Made of durable polymer plastic
  • Comes with combat sights as seen on original Glocks
  • Modeled after a 45 caliber Glock

Cons

  • Doesn’t shoot as accurately as a real Glock

Umarex XBG BB Gun Air Pistol – Best Budget Pick

  • Caliber: .177 caliber
  • Weight: 0.9 lbs.
  • Capacity: 19 rounds
  • Action: Semi-auto
  • Power type: CO2
  • FPS: 410 FPS

If you’re on a budget or simply looking for something without all the bells and whistles, check out the Umarex XBG BB Gun Air Pistol.

This 19-shot, .177 caliber BB air pistol shoots in double action at 410 FPS. It doesn’t feel as “authentic” as an actual gun, but it’s still impressive considering the cost. It has a realistic magazine release, making reloading fast and easy, and a functional slide and muzzle design.

Though almost entirely made of polymer, it comes with an ergonomic design and textured grip to ensure comfort during use. 

Thanks to its powerful velocity and penetration, this BB gun is often used for rodent elimination alongside target practice.

The Umarex XBG is the lightest BB gun on this list at only 0.9 pounds. This makes it a good option for individuals with low arm and hand strength, like teenagers and those with arthritis.

Pros

  • Great performance for the price
  • Powerful penetration; shoots hard and fast
  • Sturdy construction

Cons

  • Not the best accuracy

Factors to Consider When Buying BB Guns 

With hundreds of models to choose from, buying your first BB gun can be a bit of a pain. Instead of scrolling through dozens of pages, limit your selection with the following factors:

Intended Use

BB guns have multiple functions. They can be used for training, hunting small game, or for recreational purposes. It can also be used for plinking and pest control.

Some models are more suited for specific applications than others, so always check the BB gun’s intended purpose before committing to it.

Propulsion Method

Generally, BB guns come in three different propulsion methods: CO2, spring-pistol, and pneumatic.

CO2 BB Guns

CO2-powered BB guns are the most popular type of BB guns. As the name suggests, CO2-powered BB guns are powered by CO2 bulbs or CO2 bottles.

These bottles are often pre-filled with about 12 grams of liquid carbon dioxide and can be refilled with either green gas or CO2 when the liquid runs out.

These BB guns are cheap, lightweight, and readily available. They’re mostly used for informal target shooting, and since they have minimal recoil, they’re often the go-to option for beginner shooters and shooters who struggle with heavy training guns.

That said, CO2 BB guns aren’t as consistent and powerful as spring-pistol and pneumatic BB guns. They also have a shorter range.

Pneumatic BB Guns

Pneumatic BB guns, also known as Pre-Charged Pneumatic Airguns (PCPs), feature a reservoir that holds compressed air of about 2500 to 3000 PSI (as opposed to 800 PSI in CO2 BB guns).

Depending on the size, this reservoir can fire anywhere between 30 to 500 shots worth of air. This massive increase in pressure grants the BB gun more power than CO2 BB guns, which in turn translates to better accuracy.

Spring Power BB Guns

If you’re not a big fan of refills, spring power BB guns are your answer. These guns rely on mechanical power, meaning they only have to be cocked to work.

With this comes the obvious advantage of not having to worry about carrying spare gas during training or hunting. They also aren’t affected by temperature changes like CO2 and pneumatic BB guns.

However, they have powerful recoil and can be noisy when shot. They’re also not the most durable as the metal spring loses its springiness over time, resulting in a drop in power.

Speed 

The speed and power of BB guns are measured in feet per second (FPS).

CO2 pistols have a maximum power of 500 FPS, while PCP pistols have a maximum power of 750 FPS. Spring pistols range from 300 FPS to 600 FPS.  Some can go even faster than that!

Naturally, BB guns with high FPS outperform BB guns with low FPS (i.e., less than 300 FPS). BB guns with high FPS travel faster and thus cover more range and distance, which contributes to accuracy.  

If you’re using the BB gun for target practice, aim for at least 350 FPS. For pest control and self-defense, 400 to 500 FPS is preferable.

Fit and Finish

A BB gun’s fit and finish don’t necessarily affect the overall performance and effectiveness of the gun, but they do have an effect on the durability and aesthetic of the gun.  Grab the right tactical pants and shirts and you are going to be ready for an immersive game of airsoft!

Generally, BB guns come in two finishes: metal and polymer. All-metal BB guns are more durable and realistic than polymer BB guns, making them suitable for self-defense purposes. However, they’re also more expensive and heavier than the alternative.

Polymer BB guns don’t necessarily look “fake,” but they don’t feel as authentic as metal BB guns. They’re also not as durable as the latter. Still, they’re a good option for casual users and beginners.

Conclusion

There you have it; 7 of the best BB guns you can get your hands on!

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing a BB gun, including the gun’s propulsion method, intended use, and speed among others. If I had to choose a favorite, my top choice would be the Crosman PFAM9B. It’s powerful, reliable, and expertly built.

It looks and feels like a real Crosman handgun. It even shoots like one!

With a speed of up to 400 FPS, this BB gun is suitable for most applications, including training, self-defense, and plinking.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, I can’t recommend the Umarex XBG BB Gun Air Pistol enough. It doesn’t feel as “premium” as the other BB guns on this list, but it works extremely well. At 410 FPS, it has good velocity and penetration—ideal for target practice.