The Best Pistols For Squirrel Hunting 2026 - Top Choices

1

Crosman P10 Kit CO2 Powered Semi Auto BB Air Pistol,

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• ARS Mark

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  8.6
• Brand
  Crosman

Key specs2

Ammunition Limitation

Shooting smoothbore steel BBs rather than rifled pellets makes this pistol unsuitable for humane squirrel hunting, which demands pinpoint headshot precision.

Starter Accessories

• Includes steel BBs and 12-gram CO2 cartridges
• Comes packaged with protective safety glasses

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Delivers up to 480 fps velocity with standard .177 steel BBs
• Includes safety glasses, 12g CO2 cartridges, and steel BBs in the box
• Lightweight 1.31-pound frame allows fatigue-free target practice

Cons

• Smoothbore BB design lacks the rifled accuracy required for hunting squirrels
• CO2 cartridges lose pressure quickly in chilly outdoor hunting conditions
• Steel BB ammunition produces erratic ricochets and risks wounding small game

2

Crosman 2240 Bolt Action .22-Caliber CO2-Powered Pellet Air Pistol, Black

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  9.2
• Brand
  Crosman

Key specs2

Caliber and Barrel Design

The dedicated .22 rifled steel barrel spins pellets cleanly, delivering the stability and impact needed for ethical backyard pest control.

Cold Weather Factor

Requires warm ambient temps to maintain 460 fps

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Rifled alloy steel barrel stabilizes .22 pellets for tight, humane shot placement
• Heavier .22 caliber pellets reach 460 fps for dependable terminal impact on pests
• Single-shot bolt action loading ensures seamless and steady pellet chambering
• Ambidextrous synthetic grip includes a molded thumb rest and textured checkering

Cons

• CO2 cartridge power output drops significantly when shooting in cold temperatures
• Requires purchasing 12-gram CO2 cartridges separately before first use

3

Umarex DX17 .177 Caliber BB Gun Air Pistol - Includes

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  7.0
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Velocity Benchmark

Reaches up to 200 fps with steel BBs

Accessory Integration

An integrated lower Picatinny rail lets shooters mount tactical flashlights or alignment lasers directly beneath the barrel.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Spring-powered mechanism requires no CO2 cylinders or external pumping gear
• Built-in Picatinny rail allows quick attachment of lasers or weapon lights
• Fiber optic front sight provides a bright aiming point against dark backgrounds
• Internal reservoir holds up to 15 steel BBs for extended backyard plinking

Cons

• Low 200 fps velocity lacks the kinetic energy needed for ethical pest dispatch
• Smoothbore BB shooting causes inconsistent grouping beyond short plinking range

4

Sіg Sauer P226 Air Pistol with CO2 12 Gram (5

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  8.4
• Brand
  Sauer

Key specs2

Rotary Feed System

The 16-round double-ended rotary magazine cycles .177 pellets cleanly, though fixed combat sights limit long-range hunting precision.

Training Platform

Authentic full-weight semi-auto replica frame

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Rifled steel barrel drives .177 pellets up to 450 fps for accurate target work
• Dual-ended 16-round rotary magazine provides rapid 8x2 pellet indexing
• Bundled with five 12-gram CO2 cartridges and 500 pellets for immediate shooting
• Integrated Picatinny rail accommodates tactical accessories under the muzzle

Cons

• Heavier 2.4-pound overall weight can cause muscle fatigue during prolonged offhand aiming
• Fixed white dot sights do not provide mechanical windage or elevation click adjustments

5

SIG Sauer P226 Air Pistol with CO2 12 Gram (15

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  8.0
• Brand
  Sig Sauer

Key specs2

Velocity Rating

Up to 380 fps with .177 lead pellets

Optic and Laser Mount

The molded under-barrel Picatinny rail accommodates standard rail-mounted laser sights and flashlights for rapid sight acquisition.

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Rifled steel barrel guides .177 lead pellets for far tighter groups than smoothbore BB guns
• Generous bundle supplies fifteen 12-gram CO2 tanks and a 500-count tin of lead pellets
• Reversible 16-shot rotary magazine offers quick follow-up shots on the range

Cons

• Velocity ceiling of 380 fps limits terminal hunting performance on tough small game
• CO2 propulsion loses velocity during rapid firing strings due to cylinder cooldown
• Combat-style white dot sights cannot be adjusted for elevation drop

6

Glock 19 Gen3 .177 Caliber BB Gun Air Pistol

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  9.0
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Action and Sight Layout

Features authentic fixed Glock sights and a 15-shot magazine, designed specifically for tactical training rather than small-game harvesting.

Pest Control Suitability

Not recommended for humane small game hunting

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Reaches up to 410 fps with standard .177 steel BBs
• Integrated Weaver rail provides a secure base for training lights and aiming aids
• Officially licensed Glock markings and 1.6-pound weight replicate standard sidearm handling
• Drop-out magazine accommodates 15 steel BBs for realistic range practice

Cons

• Fires steel BBs only, lacking the rifled barrel and pellet accuracy required for squirrels
• Fixed Glock-style sights lack windage and elevation adjustments for precision targeting
• Requires purchasing 12-gram CO2 cartridges separately

7

Umarex MCP .177 Caliber BB Gun Air Pistol Kit -

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  8.4
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Included Equipment

• Two 12-gram CO2 powerlet cartridges
• 100 count steel BB ammunition pack
• Protective shooting safety glasses

Target Application

Configured strictly for informal backyard plinking and soda can shooting, without the barrel rifling needed for harvesting squirrels.

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Complete starter kit includes two 12-gram CO2 cylinders, 100 steel BBs, and eye protection
• Achieves up to 410 fps velocity with standard .177 caliber steel BBs
• Compact 1-pound lightweight frame is easy for casual plinkers to handle

Cons

• Steel BB design lacks rifling and will not deliver ethical, humane hunting groups
• Fixed open sights offer no micro-adjustments for bullet drop or wind deflection
• Plastic construction lacks mounting rails for hunting optics or illumination

8

Crosman P1322 American Classic Multi Pump .22-Caliber Pneumatic Pellet Air

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  9.2
• Brand
  Crosman

Key specs2

Pneumatic Pumping System

Variable pumping gives shooters complete velocity control up to 460 fps while avoiding the cold-weather velocity drop common to CO2 platforms.

Impact and Caliber

.22 caliber pellet with rifled steel barrel

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Variable multi-pump pneumatic power operates consistently in freezing winter weather
• Heavier .22 caliber pellet impact reaches up to 460 fps for reliable small-game dispatch
• Precision rifled steel barrel ensures the tight groupings needed for clean headshots
• Single-shot bolt action provides smooth and deliberate pellet seating into the breech

Cons

• Manual forearm pumping between shots slows down follow-up capability in the woods
• Weighs 1.875 pounds and measures 14.25 inches, requiring steady two-handed support

9

Umarex Trevox Break Barrel .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Pistol

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  8.8
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Cocking Mechanism

The break-barrel design charges with a single barrel stroke, delivering self-contained pellet shooting without hand pumps or gas tanks.

Unstated Specifications

• Verify factory muzzle velocity before purchase
• Confirm receiver rail dovetail dimensions
• Check front and rear sight adjustability

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Break-barrel cocking mechanism eliminates the recurring cost of CO2 cartridges
• Dedicated .177 caliber pellet platform built specifically for pellet ammunition
• Single-shot barrel pivot provides direct and foolproof breech loading

Cons

• Listing does not disclose muzzle velocity, requiring verification before purchase
• Listing leaves sight style, optic rail type, and physical weight unstated
• Spring or piston cocking stroke requires deliberate physical effort for each shot

10

Crosman 40001 1911BB Semi-Auto CO2-Powered BB Air Pistol , Black

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  8.0
• Brand
  Crosman

Key specs2

Frame Silhouette

Authentic 1911 profile weighing 0.88 lb

Mounting Capabilities

The under-barrel Picatinny rail accommodates standard tactical gear, though the smoothbore BB barrel restricts this gun to target plinking.

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Attains up to 480 fps velocity using standard 12-gram CO2 cartridges
• Classic 1911 frame silhouette provides familiar grip geometry and control placement
• Built-in Picatinny rail beneath the barrel allows mounting auxiliary training lights
• Extremely lightweight 0.88-pound construction makes it easy to carry and draw

Cons

• Shoots steel BBs that cannot match the stability or ethical lethality of rifled pellets
• Fixed notch sights prevent precise point-of-impact fine-tuning at varied distances
• CO2 pressure declines rapidly in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit

11

ARMYBOY Kit for Gamo P-430 - Dual Ammo .177 Cal

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  8.2
• Brand
  ARMYBOY

Key specs2

Barrel Construction

While it fires .177 pellets up to 495 fps, the smoothbore barrel cannot produce the repeatable pinpoint accuracy required for ethical small game headshots.

Dual Ammunition Capability

Fires either .177 pellets or steel BBs

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Fires .177 pellets or steel BBs at velocities reaching up to 495 fps
• Includes 250 pointed pellets, 1500 steel BBs, and 10 CO2 cartridges
• Double magazine holds 16 rounds for rapid semi-automatic cycling
• Under-barrel tactical rail supports laser sights and tactical weapon lights

Cons

• Smoothbore barrel lacks the rifling required to stabilize pellets for hunting precision
• Fixed open sights cannot be adjusted for pellet drop at backyard hunting ranges
• CO2 efficiency decreases quickly during rapid semi-auto shooting strings

12

Crosman P1377BR American Classic Multi Pump .177-Caliber Pneumatic Pellet Air

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  9.0
• Brand
  Crosman

Key specs2

Target Sighting Adjustments

The rear sight features windage and elevation screw adjustments, allowing marksmen to compensate for pellet trajectory and distance.

Velocity and Pumping Control

Reaches up to 600 fps without CO2 cartridges

Pros & cons52

Pros

• Multi-pump pneumatic system generates up to 600 fps with .177 caliber pellets
• Rifled steel barrel spins pellets consistently for surgical small-game shot placement
• Rear sight adjusts fully for windage and elevation to dial in exact target zero
• Independent pneumatic power functions reliably regardless of freezing temperatures
• Crossbolt safety located directly behind the trigger provides simple manual locking

Cons

• Manual pumping requires multiple strokes per shot, slowing follow-up readiness
• 14.25-inch overall length makes one-handed offhand shooting somewhat front-heavy

Last update on 2026-09-18 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Will a .177 or .22 air pistol ethically dispatch a squirrel?

Yes, provided you select a dedicated pellet model that delivers sufficient velocity for clean shot placement. The Crosman P1377BR reaches speeds up to 600 fps in .177 caliber using its manual pneumatic pump, while the bolt-action Crosman 2240 fires .22 caliber pellets at up to 460 feet per second. The Crosman P1322 also provides variable pump capabilities in .22 caliber for controlled shooting. Humane harvesting requires hitting vital zones like the head, making rifled barrels and lead pellets far more effective than smoothbore BB guns.

Why are steel BB guns unsuitable for hunting squirrels?

Steel BB guns lack the velocity and projectile deformation required for humane small-game control. Spring-powered plinkers like the Umarex DX17 push .177 caliber steel BBs at up to 200 fps, which is designed for backyard target practice rather than ethical harvesting. Hard steel BBs do not expand upon impact and can ricochet off bone, often wounding an animal instead of anchoring it cleanly. Responsible squirrel control requires shaped pellets that compress and transfer energy directly on impact.

Is a multi-pump pneumatic pistol more dependable than CO2 in cold weather?

Yes, multi-pump pneumatic pistols maintain consistent pressure across changing temperatures because they compress ambient air manually. The Crosman P1377BR relies on a built-in pump mechanism that produces up to 600 fps without requiring CO2 cartridges or external air tanks. In contrast, CO2 pistols like the Crosman 2240 or Sig Sauer P226 depend on 12-gram CO2 cylinders, which experience pressure drops when temperatures fall. On chilly morning hunts, a pneumatic system prevents the velocity drop-offs common to liquid-gas powerplants.

Which air pistols feature rifled barrels and optic mounting rails?

Rifled steel barrels are standard on dedicated hunting pellet guns like the Crosman P1377BR to stabilize .177 caliber pellets. Optic mounting rails vary widely across pistol frames, as many classic pump and bolt-action models feature plain round barrels that need aftermarket intermount adapters for red dots or scopes. Break-barrel designs like the Umarex Trevox incorporate different sight and rail setups, so confirm the rail specifications on the product listing before purchasing. If your 2026 hunting plans require built-in scope rails and repeating action, exploring a best PCP multi shot air pistol provides platforms configured for optics.

What is the advantage of a single-shot bolt action over a semi-auto repeater for pest control?

Single-shot bolt actions prioritize breech consistency and shot placement over rapid firing. The Crosman 2240 uses a single-shot bolt action designed for easy cocking and direct loading into the barrel. While semi-automatic models like the Gamo P-430 fire up to 495 fps from a 13-round magazine, repeating magazines can sometimes pinch or deform softer pellet skirts during fast cycling. A manual bolt action seats each projectile securely, protecting pellet geometry for vital headshots. For discreet pest control in residential areas, pairing careful shot placement with a best quiet air pistol keeps noise to a minimum.

Can dual-ammo air pistols ethically take squirrels?

Dual-ammo pistols can handle small pests only when loaded exclusively with pointed or domed pellets instead of steel BBs. The Gamo P-430 dual-ammo mechanism reaches speeds up to 495 fps and can cycle both steel BBs and .177 caliber pointed pellets. When targeting nuisance squirrels, loading pointed pellets gives you the flight stability and energy transfer needed for clean dispatching. Steel BBs should stay on paper targets, as shooting hard steel through a rifled bore risks barrel wear and unpredictable grouping on live targets.