If you’re looking for the best CO2 air pistol under $300, you want something powerful, accurate, and reliable without spending a fortune. Whether you’re into target shooting, backyard plinking, or just want a realistic training pistol, plenty of great options exist. In this guide, we’ll break down the top CO2 air pistols that give you the best bang for your buck. Let’s dive in!
1. Sig Sauer P320 M17 CO2-Powered Semi-Automatic Air Pistol
Highlight: This air pistol incorporates a full blowback metal slide, Field strips like the U.S. Army M17 pistol, and a drop magazine with cam lever CO2 loading; (1) 20 Round .177 caliber rapid pellet magazine is included.
Constructive Review: Great pistol with good grip feel, and weight and balance (supposed to replicate the real M17).
The mag is nice with a lever for loading CO2 (no tool required!) and holds separate 20 round .177 pellets in the rotary mag (buy extra rotary mags!).
Trigger pull is clunky because of the rotary mag, so place drops of oil (pelletgunoil) in the rotary mag (rotate mag many times as you go) and oil on the trigger assembly and slide.
That smoothed out the pull quite a bit! The pistol isn’t a full blowback; the lide goes 1/4 to 1/2 back but still gives you somewhat the feel of the real thing (it was cold the day I was shooting).
Power was on par with other CO2 pistols and accuracy was pretty good using a red dot sight, but I’m not a very good shot with a gun either. -rachelle Connell
Trending Review: This thing is a whole lot of fun. It feels solid in your hands. The blowback is well done and gives you something to consider when blowing through magazines.
The magazines, by the way, are perfectly done. Easy to remove and load, 20 rd capacity, and it just plain works. I’ve put about 500 rounds in and have yet to have a single jam (USE ROUNDED PELLETS – anything long and pointy will get stuck.
Good accuracy, sufficient FPS for plinking and target practice, and about 50 rounds per CO2 cartridge (which is very good considering the blowback). Also, the FPS won’t drop off noticeably until the very end. The first 40+ shots felt just as powerful as the first.
Killer looks and modern style. The pica tinny rail allows you to add a laser or flashlight to the bottom rail. You can also get an adapter to add a top rail, giving you access to reflex and red dot sights (this is well worth it).
Overall, a very fun gun that performs well and is great for practicing and learning what the real thing is like. Sig Sauer is a great company that makes killer stuff. -erik
Reassuring Review: This pistol is a great training aid. I wanted a CO2 pistol that was as close to my real pistol as possible. This pistol combined with the Sig Air red dot sight fit that ticket. I have been able to consistently shoot 2-inch groups at 10 meters while standing 2-handed without support. It can shoot an inch or so high with a new cartridge and then an inch or so low as the cartridge is on its last breath. The safety, mag release, and slide lock are the same as the real version. I have found the 7.4g wadcutter from Crossman to be the best fit for me. When 9mm costs 40 cents a trigger pull, this is a much cheaper option that allows you to shoot in your home without going to the range. That makes it easy and fun to train each day.
I want to take a second to address some concerns expressed by other negative reviews.
1. Leaky CO2. This also happened to me at around 700 shots. The o-ring in the magazine failed. Several YouTube videos are showing how to replace this o-ring. The smaller of the two appears to be 6mm OD and 3mm ID. I can’t confirm this as I chose to contact Sig Sauer customer service and they promptly responded and sent out a new magazine. Take note – this has a full one-year warranty.
2. Pellets plug barrel. I have only had this happen twice. Once when the CO2 was on its last breath and another time when an apparent malformed pellet got stuck. Each time, I pushed the pellet out with a wire and continued to shoot without further issue. -Mike
2. SIG SAUER P226 MK-25 CO2-Powered Semi-Auto Black Airgun Pellet Pistol
Highlight: Train with the CO2 airgun preferred by elite military forces around the world; The P226 Air Pistol puts seriously comparable handling within reach for more frequent inexpensive training, indoors or out.
Constructive Review: The fastest system for loading CO2 in an air pistol, if you need it for self-defense, there is no better option.
Hard to conceal but accurate as needed within about 30-50 feet. This gun hates the cheap daisy-pointed pellets, 4 got jammed in the barrel, had to shoot behind them, and took about 2 co2 cartridges full to clear it.
I now use Gammo Tomahawks as main defense, the Crossman destroyers as backup(practice), and Crossman hollow points for accuracy shooting. Added a green laser to the rails & didn’t have to calibrate it.
Everyone who has touched it says the weight is perfectly matching the original. It’s all metal, no plastic except grips, so it’s heavy! Once I got used to the weight I fell in love.
I’m a Glock guy but Sig had my attention now. Researched this one hard before purchase, and all others for speed of loading CO2 and pellets, this one is by far the best.
This is not a toy, can break through plastic, cans, small animal bones, and lots more. Pellets bounce off harder objects but will dent, scratch, or stick in targets depending.
Apples or peaches give you a good view of ballistic damage for cheap. It’s made for pellets only and if you looking for the closest to the real thing, this is it as far as function, speed of loading ammo and CO2, and look & feel. -Walter: Davis-Bey
Trending Review: Being a replica in most ways makes it a badass little pinker, but the fact it uses the CO2 for blowback means it loses out on some power and imo runs through the gas pretty quickly before it starts dying out.
I found it to be fairly accurate from short to short-mid, I expected a bit worse based on some other reviews (I don’t remember what grain).
The mag is a bit more finicky about holding pellets than any breach loader I’ve used, more of them slip out, whereas with most other pellet guns that hasn’t been an issue for me.
Overall still a very fun pellet gun, buying it during a sale makes this feel like a worthwhile purchase, I might not have felt the same at full price. -Kevin B.
Reassuring Review: The pistol fires quite well. I have fired over 300+ rounds and have not had any issues with rounds jamming. I use Crosman Copper Ball Pellets, which fit perfectly flush in the magazine.
That is the key. If people have had jamming issues, it”‘s because the ammo is not sitting flush in the cylinders. The blowback is equal to that of a 380ACP Pistol.
Which is fine. It”s fairly realistic. The weight is perfect in my opinion. Especially for a training firearm. I highly recommend this pistol to anyone who enjoys a pellet gun with realistic action.
I am not discrediting the magazine, however, I do wish that it was made of aluminum or some kind of metal. It is entirely plastic. You must be very careful with this magazine.
Don’t slap it in the pistol. Push it slowly into the pistol. This way you can avoid any damage to the plastic. I hope this has been helpful to everyone.
You won’t be disappointed in purchasing this pistol. -Scott DeYoung
3. Sig Sauer X-Five CO2-Powered Semi-Auto Black Air Pistol
Highlight: This SIG SAUER air pistol features a front sight and an adjustable rear sight and also has a 20-round magazine, which allows for extended shooting sessions without the need for frequent reloading.
Constructive Review: Pros (and there are more than listed here):
The realistic look and feel make it a perfect training weapon.
ADJUSTABLE REAR SITE!!!!
Sig’s lever gas cylinder loading system avoids the waste of screw-in types.
20-round belt-fed magazine separate from the version used in the M-17 model reduces CO2 waste.
A longer barrel helps with tighter shot grouping.
The functional slide adds to the look and feel (though wastes CO2 to accomplish that).
Pic rail for lights and/or laser sites.
Rifled 5″ barrel for better accuracy.
Ambidextrous safety (requires a bit of breaking in).Cons:
The decorative hammer stays cocked until the slide hasn’t the gas to push it back (though it is a nice reminder that the weapon is loaded).
Unlike other P320’s, the slide cannot be removed, a serious drawback should a round jam.
Cannot be disassembled for proper cleaning.
For women, it can be uncomfortable to carry in a belt holster, I have to use a drop-leg (shoulder holsters are not practical for a weapon this large and heavy).Okay, those are the highlights. The longer barrel makes this one more accurate than my M17 version using the same style and weight pellets. Unless you want to destroy it, don’t even think about using BBs. I get good half-dollar groupings at 20 meters using the iron sites (front fixed, rear adjustable for windage and elevation), which is good enough for me. As I’m both in a wheelchair and live in an area with a coyote issue, this gives me a way to convince the critters I’m not meals-on-wheels. It also works as a less-than-lethal tool for self-defense, preferred to the alternative while living in an apartment with thin walls. I have found Premier Destroyer pellets 7.4 gr work best for me, lighter ones cause wider shot groupings, and heavier ones reduce effective range. The pellet design gives me the penetration of the target I need to avoid being a snack.
THIS IS NOT A TOY. It looks very real, especially to cops, so don’t “play with it” or allow minors to operate without continuous supervision. As pellets can do odd things for all sorts of reasons, always wear eye protection. Always handle it as though the real deal is loaded and the safety is off. Invest in a trigger lock to eliminate all sorts of potential regrets. I use a lockbox as well since I already had it. Keep it properly maintained (insofar as the inability to disassemble allows) to avoid damaging the weapon or causing injury. Be sure to remove the CO2 cartridge before attempting to clear any jam, and when clearing it use only a .177 (4.5 mm) cleaning rod. -D. Lipsitz
Trending Review: This pistol is hefty and, made to Sig Sauer standards…Owning the entire family of Sig Sauer .177 pistols and, MPX, MCX, Canebrake, and Rattler rifles I too expect quality…
Of all the Sig airguns I have only one has failed and was replaced…The X-Five met my standards of a quality airgun…
This pistol, bigger than the 226 and 320 gives you the feel, you have a well-built airgun in your hands….
The operation has been without failure, mag rotates properly and CO2 is easy to load….If you are an avid airgun collector as I am, you need this in your collection…
Those having jamming problems, take the mag and drop gun grease under the pellet belt…My M-17 had a jam issue and, after a little research, I learned a little gun grease can go a long way in solving the issue….
The jamming is mostly with the short 20-round belts….No more jams on the 17…Before I fired one round through the X-Five, greased the belts jamming…
Remember, a drop of Pellgunoil on the tip of the CO2 cylinder helps prevent leakage of CO2 and preserves the gasket seal… -Wally
Reassuring Review: Things I liked:
Weight and balance were realistic, although maybe too much so. This is a VERY heavy pistol. The accuracy is very good and it has adjustable sights, although missing white dots, which I like. The black color fits the looks of this BIG pistol. High 20 pellet capacity so you can shoot for a while before needing to reload. Very nice, solid blowback.Firing a shot results in a loud report that does not change whether there is a pellet in the belt at the time, or not. Performance Specs: Using Crossman Premier 7.4 gr Wadcutter pellets, Max fps=348, Min fps=255, Average fps=292.2, SD=32.1, fpe=-1.99 Using H&N Trophy Greens at 5.71 gr, Max fps=399, Min fps=307, Average fps=358.4, SD=29.7, fpe=2.02. The pistol weight is 3.0 lbs (per advert) and was too heavy for my small scale to measure. Trigger pull in a single action was 2 lbs, 14 oz, which is not too bad, but DA pull is 5+ lbs.
Things I would have changed:
I like the weight of this pistol but it is too heavy, in my opinion. I suspect long shooting sessions could become tedious. The shot count is low because the blowback needs lots of CO2 to move the heavy slide. performance does not meet the advertised spec of 430 (or 420 fps, depending on where you look). Using standard 7.4 gr pellets, my favorites, or using lighter non-lead alloy pellets of 5.71 gr, which are needed to get even close to spec. Only the front sight has a white dot for sighting but the rear sight is black with no helping white dots. Loading the 20 pellet belt is a little awkward because the belt will ‘bunch up’ unless you rotate carefully.What others should know:
I think Sig Sauer could have done much better with this pistol. The weight is far heavier than it needs to be at 3 pounds (twice the weight of my CZ75 P-07) but is unavoidable since the pistol is all metal and is very large. Some might find this pistol hard to use because of its size and weight. The sights are adjustable for windage and elevation but it took me some time to find the right adjustment for relatively close shooting.It normally wants to shoot very low (about 4 inches low at 10 feet) so you will need to adjust to compensate. It is worth the time it takes to achieve accuracy. After adjustments and some practice, I was able to put a majority of shots into a 2-inch target circle from 10 feet, but from 18 feet I was lucky to hit 3 out of five into that circle, probably my fault because the pistol is so heavy.
If you can handle a pistol this size I think you might find it perfect for you. You get a lot for your money and there are few CO2 pistols out there that will come with adjustable sights. Give it a try. The price is right. -Radduci
4. Sig Sauer 1911 Semi-Automatic CO2-Powered Steel BB Air Pistol
Highlight: With a design destined for patriotic backyard shooting sessions, each slide is etched with a ring of 13 stars, the date “1776”, and the phrase “We the People”, Thomas Jefferson’s timeless intro to the Declaration of Independence.
Constructive Review: Overall, weights the “real” counterpart with the unmatched finishing and engraving. BBs were loose and open inside the package don’t know if it was shipped like that or if the carrier department opened it.
Anyhow, no 12-gram CO2 cartridge comes with it just the weapon itself. But if a customer wants the 12g CO2 cartridge please see your local retail stores like Walmart or Cavendiers, Sports America places for sale/purchase even Amazon for the entire kit at posted prices.
-Safety:
1. Always wear appropriate eye pro and helmet for airsoft wars. This includes padding, remember these are steel bb’s and can cause lethal damage to the face, eyes, neck, arms, legs, fingers, open toes, teeth, chest, back, and lower areas. Always engage at stationary targets for first-time weapon handlers before the real deal.
2. Do not point at anybody, looks realistic and could be mistaken by law enforcement officers.
3. Do not mix/refill cartridges without qualified dealer /seller knowledge from experts.
4. Handle accordingly as if a real weapon, hard to get misguided from a look-a-like.
5. Practice safe handling/storage away from minors under the age of 18.
6. Do not engage wildlife in your neighborhood or backyard, personnel caught doing so will be fined.
Check with your local Law Enforcement agencies where you can engage targets. Preference is an outdoor controlled shooting range for airsoft wars.
7. Do not use or handle as a hammer or to break other things with.
8. Use a soft cloth when field stripping and re-assembly per guidance.
9. Do not drill other holes to make a super weapon with other attachments that have been modified.
10. Store in a cool dry place free of dirt, dust, and windy, rainy environments. Practice Safety Always.Will be used as part of a retirement gift; framed with the American flag backdrop and military ranks of fallen commands in order U. S Army, U. S. Marines, U. S. Airforce, the U. S. Navy, and the U. S. Coast Guard. ” We the people support the troop in contact.” -Phred
Trending Review: When I purchased this CO2 pistol, I had just started handling semi-auto pistols for the first time in my life. I was extremely nervous and awkward any time I’d handle a pistol at the gun store. Buying this look-alike, CO2 replica has been tremendously helpful! I keep it on my desk and often practice safe handling/safety checking while in (virtual) meetings.
This gun is well made! I haven’t had any issues with the finish, or performance. I am very impressed with how well it functions, both dry and under (CO2) power. The blow-back action works very well for two full magazine loads of bb’s. I especially appreciate how the slide will lock open once you’ve shot the last “round” from the magazine. Again, my focus with this gun has been on its realistic functional replication of the real deal. (Minus the wrist-jarring, police-being-called boom you get from the firearm version, of course.)
Is this super accurate or powerful? Uh, I doubt it. It is a CO2 bb gun after all. I didn’t buy this to show my local squirrels who’s boss or anything. I’d say it’s about as accurate and “powerful” as one could expect from this format.
I’d STRONGLY recommend buying this gun, or a gun like this, to teach gun safety and proper handling. -James Shaffer
Reassuring Review: I saw the real thing at a convention a few years ago, and I have a friend who has one. I have lusted after it ever since. However, since I live in California, it is not legal due to California being California.
I stumbled across this and I decided to go for it.
Due to Covid, I haven’t been to a shooting range for months, and I need to keep my skills sharp. This solves both of my issues. I get to own a “gun” that I cannot (due to California being California), and I get to practice shooting in my backyard.
It looks, feels, weighs, and operates just like the real one. The blowback action is amazing, and it simulates very closely the operation of a pistol.
I think the accuracy is a bit off. I tend to go down to the right with this gun when I normally go up to the right. (Could be lack of practice)
Either way, this is a knock-out piece of kit.
If I could give it 10 stars, I would. -Andrew
5. Crosman 2240 Bolt Action CO2-Powered Pistol
Highlight: ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED GRIP – Ambidextrous, fits the hand for perfect balance.
Constructive Review: The Crosman 2240 was introduced in 1999, my example was purchased in March of that year. I have owned several CO2-powered pistols, but nothing currently available comes close in terms of cost-effectiveness, accuracy, power, compactness, and serviceability. I replaced one o-ring seal ten years ago, a very easy operation as the design is simple and parts are easily available. I have been certain to use Crosman Pelgunoil since that time, with no further need of repair. I am highly impressed with this pistol’s 25 years of service. Works as well as it did on the day I bought it!
The design is closely based on the Crosman model 150, made from 1954-1967. Many of the parts are the same or nearly identical. I acquired a well-used example of this pistol from the late ’50 and it too was easily put in working condition with the replacement of an inexpensive o-ring. I am equally impressed by this old timer, which shoots as well as my 2240.
If you are looking for a serviceable, rugged, reliable, accurate, and reasonably powerful CO2-powered air pistol the 2240 is an outstanding choice! -Richard R.
Trending Review: Got this last night, and read the manual. I read every manual for every product I get, no matter how familiar I am with another similar product, there are almost always one or two things I need to learn from reading the manual. This pistol has a Co2 chamber that is right below the barrel. The larger cylinder is where the Co2 is housed. It was very simple to load the cartridge. Much easier and safer than a pistol I had used in the past.
I put a dot of oil on the top of the cartridge where it was to be pierced, like it said to, I then held the cartridge with the end that was to be pierced straight up and slid it into the gun which was pointing down. I figured this way the oil wouldn’t drip off the end of the cartridge, and it seemed to work. I just threaded it finger tight, like the manual said to and it worked the first time.
I shot it the first time from 15 feet away and was 1 1/2 inches away from the dead center of the bulls-eye. My second shot was so close to the dead center of the bulls-eye that about half the hole was in the dead center of the bulls-eye from 15 feet. I am shooting freehand and in my shed. It is about 17 feet long, with a good backstop and all my shots are within 1-1/2 inches of the bulls-eye or in the bulls-eye. I know that is close shooting, but I have to set up an outdoor target/range to shoot outside from greater distances. But the pistol has great trigger action, I can pull it about 1/16th of an inch and know that 1/32 more will fire it. It is pretty smooth too. The safety holds the trigger pretty securely from what I can tell. Don’t see a problem with it failing, and the gun has a lot of metal, not all plastic, though the handle grips are plastic, it is a sturdy pistol.
The sights come with an option. You can either make the rear sight a peep site, by unscrewing it and flipping it over, or you can adjust it both up and down, left and right. I also put a drop, a small drop, of oil in the breech like it says to in the manual. I would highly recommend that you do this to lubricate the barrel, but I need to call Crosman to see how often to do this. I put a very, very small drop of oil on both sides of the trigger while holding the gun upside down because the trigger’s hinge is at the top of the trigger. But I didn’t see anywhere else that needed lubrication.
Don’t forget to get a cleaning kit too. I still need one. I figured I could just use the .22 Cal snake that I used for my .22 Cal. bullet firearm, but the weight that pulls it through the barrel is too long for the breech of this pistol. I will contact Crosman to see if I can just use a wire brush that I have from mine.22 Cal rifle cleaning kit or if I will need a special one.
Overall, I am very pleased with the Co2 Pellet Pistol. It is pretty powerful for being Co2, rather accurate as I am hitting what I am pointed at, haven’t had any flyers, using the Crosman Hollow Point Hunting Pellets. Oh, and the manual says you need to use the Copper Head 12g Co2 Cartridges for some reason. I want to call Crosman to ask why. -Robert Anthony
Reassuring Review: So customizable, so many options, and a community behind this classic ACCURATE (more so than some of my standard firearms out of the box) the stock front sight is a bit iffy. You can always put white on it to help, or do what many do and check eBay for custom parts. The front sight on this currently was 6 dollars USD and well made.
I have more parts added to another 2240 that has a different setup it looks like a Ruger Mk II. And another that has a “magazine” that feeds a pellet after each pullback of the charge. There are ways to change almost any part of this airgun and it’s relatively easy. Some required more work, but most of the investments I put into this were simple without drilling.
I kept the stock breech on this, and am waiting for a custom-made dovetail slide that looks nice and will make mounting scopes more ideal. It sounds sort of, kind of, not exactly but close enough to a subsonic 9mm round turned down a few DB. But is still pretty loud for what it is. This can be remedied with many different parts.
I can go on and on about what it can do and how it can be altered. But out of the box, it’s incredible for the price. And with the right .22 ammo, it can be more dangerous than it looks. Don’t use this for self-defense, it’s not for that you need a proper firearm and a license.
I don’t like to mindlessly kill animals, but tests and alternations prove this would be great for varmint control. Which I don’t have a problem with. I’ve used guns my whole life being born in a war zone. After a while of integrating into life not behind a gun.
All I knew. This proves to be a gem for plinking and teaching proper gun control. Don’t muzzle sweep with this, be careful, and have fun. I hope you are well doing in this year of horrors. Stay safe. -Kojima
6. Crosman Phantom P10KT CO2-Powered Semi-Auto BB Air Pistol
Highlight: IDEAL FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND TARGET PRACTICE.
Constructive Review: I’ve had this gun for one day (140 rds or so). It shoots about 70 shots per CO2 cartridge. I made sure to put a drop of oil on the tip of the CO2. First 100 shots or so, it was flawless, accurate, and packed a punch for such an inexpensive BB gun. However, in the middle of the 6 mag, no BBs were being fired and the mag was stuck in the gun.
After popping the grip off, I examined the mag, and still couldn’t figure out why the mag was stuck. The mag release button wouldn’t move either way. I used a pair of needle noses and pulled the mag out while pushing the mag release button.
The only thing I could come up with is a BB must have jammed up somewhere. A BB did fall out, but I couldn’t tell exactly from where. I’m guessing where the mag feeder and barrel meet. (Duh). I didn’t take it apart and examine the physics, but it’s pretty easy to figure out.
Anyway, after watching some reviews on other guns, some said to drop a little oil on the magazine spring. I ran the oil along the whole mag/spring all the way the whole length of the opening. I popped the empty mag in and out with no issues. I loaded the mag and it was flawless for my last 40 shots. My guess is to keep the mag spring, and feeder tip oiled.
I ran out of CO2, and have more coming along with another gun. This little gun screams to be shot and delivers a surprisingly good punch. I would recommend this gun (price, accuracy, and power) but maintain the gun as soon as you get it.
I would load the mag and unload it about ten times after you oil it. I’m taking one star off for the inconvenience and troubleshooting within the first day. If this gun was made of metal, it would almost be perfect.
There are a ton of reviews and videos of this gun and I never came across one where the mag got stuck. I’m not sure about the longevity of this BB gun, but other than the mag getting stuck, it felt pretty solid, with no rattles, etc. I’ll try to update this review after another couple of 100 shots. So far, I’m leaning towards greater than 80% of a good quality clinker. -David Brady
Trending Review: So many cats in my old neighborhood have gone missing because of the pack of coyotes that have moved in. I wish that my neighbors would just be responsible pet owners and bring their cats in at night but very few seem to get it.
Thank god I moved but this little air-soft gun went with me on walks at night. It works well. Just as intended. Easy to load with the little bee bees and it goes pretty far too.
I wish that it didn’t look so real though. I mean it looks like a real gun. Someone could mistake this thing for a real gun and get seriously hurt.
Ide suggest putting some color on it so it doesn’t look so real. I like that it came with the bee bees so I didn’t have to buy them separately. I hardly use it anymore since I moved but I think it’s good to have if you go camping too. -Chelsea
Reassuring Review: The last C02 bb pistol I had was in 1975ish, an all-steel daisy powerline, I think it did 5-6 semi-auto shots each time, and if I remember right it shot about 50 shots before the C02 was dead.
This is fairly cheap, plastic, and I doubt it will take much abuse, that said it’s very accurate (as BBs go) but it shot well over 200 BBs before it used up the C02.
That’s outstanding! The trigger isn’t great, but it’s not horrible either. This is great for training the Grandkids in gun safety, and learning how to get on target quickly. I’m quite impressed initially, I hope it lasts a while. -Tim B
Final Words For The Best CO2 Air Pistol Under 300$ In 2025
Choosing the best CO2 air pistol under $300 in 2025 doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re looking for accuracy, realism, or overall performance, there are plenty of great options to fit your needs. Hopefully, this guide helped you find the right one—now go have some fun and enjoy your new air pistol!