First things first… If you are wondering what might be the right airgun for you, be sure to try out Airgun Depots new Airgun Finder system. It’s designed to help you narrow down your options and show you airguns that are proven to deliver in their specific area of use. Now on to this article. I don’t have enough space to write about all the great options for air pistols that are available this holiday season. So what I’m going to do is tell you about three of my all-time favorites and why they’d be perfect for anyone who loves to shoot airguns.
Classic tinker’s starting point…
There are those who just go and plink, and then there are those who go “full tilt” hobbyist. The airgun that suits either type of shooter is the classic Crossman 2240. The Crosman 2240 has been around a very long time. It’s a CO2 powered, bolt-action pistol that just works, and keeps working. It comes in .22 caliber and is accurate out to about 20 yards, provided you have a steady hand.
Crosman 2240 Air Pistol .22 Caliber, Single Shot, CO2, Shoots PelletsWhat makes the 2240 so special however, is the vast aftermarket possibilities that exist for the platform. While you may start with the simple “plain Jane” version, put in a little time and some extra cash, and you can build a truly one-of-a-kind airgun that’s 100% you. I’ve custom-built several of these little airguns adding steel breaches, multi-shot breaches, stock kits, upgraded bolts and valves, etc. There’s even a High Pressure Air conversion kit that lets you turn the 2240 into a PCP pistol.
My Customized 2240 with Multi-shot BreachDo you like the concept of building your own one-of-a-kind airgun but CO2 is just not your thing? Well, there are variations on the 2240 theme. The 1322 and the 1377 are pump-up versions (.22 and .177 cal respectively), and many of the same upgrades and options will bolt right to them as well. This classic design has endless possibilities in the hands of the right airgunner.
There’s nothing like the old .45…
If I had to pick my favorite handgun of all time, it would be the Colt 1911 .45 and its related variants. It doesn’t hold 15 rounds or have flashy attachment options, but it feels “right” when I hold it and it puts the lead right where I want it. You don’t need 15 rounds if you hit what you’re aiming at with the good old .45.
Colt 1911 special combat bb pistol – Great 1911 Replica Imported by Umarex USA
I’m not the only person who loves the Colt 1911 design. For that reason, there are many 1911 airgun variants on the market. My favorites come from Umarex. They have a way of taking the essence of a classic firearm and distilling it down to a replica airgun that just works for me. I saw the Colt Commander as well as the Colt 1911 WWII Commemorative BB pistol at SHOT 2014 and just fell in love with these 1911 replica pistols. When it comes to attention to function and detail, nobody really does it like Umarex.
These 1911 variants fire using co2 cartridges that are stored in the magazine along with the BBs. They cycle and operate just like the real firearm. While I love to shoot my .45, I don’t often have the time or discretionary income to just shoot .45 ammo down range. I tend to save that for special occasions. But, for the times that I want to get in a little trigger time in a much more economical way, my 1911 replica pistols do the job. If you like the idea of getting in some trigger time with something just like your favorite handgun, but the .45’s not your cup of tea, take a look at the other options on AirgunDepot.com. Umarex makes dozens of 1 to 1 replica pistols that function just like their “real” firearms counterparts. I bet you’ll find something that will tickle your fancy.
Colt 1911 WWII Commemorative BB Pistol Co2 Limited EditionLet’s go crazy…
Let’s say you have someone in your life who’s a little… well… crazy for airguns. What would be the most “off the hook” air pistol you could get them? Of course it will all depend on what makes them want to get out of bed in the morning, but regardless of what they like to shoot, I bet this suggestion would fit the bill.
Take a look at the Beretta XX-Treme Air Pistol. It’s pricey, but it’s also jam packed with high build quality and legendary performance. The pistol is based on a proven Beretta design (by Umarex) and utilizes an 8 round rotary magazine which holds the .177 pellets. The added accessories that come bundled with the XX-Treme are a mock suppressor, quad rail accessory mounting system, and red dot sight. There are 3 mounting points still available for additional accessories such as flash lights and lasers.
Beretta XX-TREME Air Pistol- TacticalThere’s soooo much more…
That’s just 3 great options from inexpensive and unbelievably flexible, to high-end tactical. If these don’t quite hit your airgunner’s mark, there are over 200 different options here on AirgunDepot.com most with customer reviews to help you make the right choices. Next up, rifles…
