You’ve decided to jump into the CO2 airgun game, and now you are looking for the best must-have accessories. Let’s see if we can help you with this.
CO2 guns come in all shapes and sizes. Most folks start with a CO2 pistol and may graduate to a rifle down the road. For this article, we’ll look at accessories for CO2 pistols, not just straight replica models, but other models as well.
Start with the Basics: CO2
The most critical and essential supply you’ll need for your new pistol is CO2. Nearly all modern CO2 guns use disposable CO2 cartridges. Some rifles may use one or two of the 12-gram cartridges, but they may also use the larger 88 or 90-gram cartridges as well. Make sure you know what size cartridge your CO2 airgun requires before purchasing your CO2.
Are all 12-gram CO2 cartridges created equal? Some would say yes, but that’s simply not the case. While the size parameters should be the same, it’s clear that some CO2 cartridge brands work better than others, in particular airguns. The two most popular brands are Crosman “powerlets” and Umarex “high grade” CO2 cartridges. If you look at the tip of the cartridges, you’ll see a distinct difference. Depending on your particular pistol, one may puncture and seal more consistently than the other. Once you find the one that works best for you, just stock up on that brand.
Pellgun Oil or Silicone Oil…
Sticking with the two big players, Umarex and Crosman, both suggest that you lube the tip of your CO2 cartridge before using it in your airgun. The purpose is to ensure that the seals in your airgun stay lubricated and don’t dry out, become brittle, and eventually fail. Seals and o-rings are a consumable part, so whatever you can do to help them have a longer, useful life is always good.
Crosman produces a product called “pellgun oil.” It’s a proprietary blend of lubricants designed to keep your airgun running in top condition. Umarex sells a product called “chamber lube,” which is essentially a pure silicone oil designed to do the same. Both products work well to keep your airgun lubed up and running.
Must-Have Ammo
You have your airgun. You have your CO2. Now you need some ammo and maybe some fun targets to shoot. Most CO2 airguns shoot steel BBs. Like CO2, not all BBs are created equal. Zinc-coated BBs tend to deliver better results and have a better shelf life without rusting or flaking. The Daisy Premium Grade BBs and the Umarex Precision BBs have shown to be uniform in size and weight, making them very accurate and safe for your airgun.
If your CO2 pistol shoots pellets, then finding a good lead-free pellet may be a great fit. The JSB GTO pellets are proven to deliver excellent accuracy without the lead. They have GTO pellets available in .177 wadcutter, .22 domed, and even .25 cal domed. Generally speaking, lead-free pellets are not seen to be as accurate as lead pellets. That’s simply not the case with the GTOs. They are a “real” alternative to lead.
Best Targets
CO2 pistols are great for all kinds of shooting disciplines. You can use them for training and general target practice. Or, if your gun is lucky enough to be equipped with the “more fun” full-auto switch, you can get in some serious plinking in the backyard.
For training, and provided that you are using either frangible bbs like the Dust Devils, the Air Venturi Cowboy Action Diamond Gong Targets are great. Some of our favorites are the Shoot-n-c Targets from Birchwood Casey. They make everything from sight-in targets to full-on shoot-em-up board games. With the shoot-n-c targets, you easily see each hit with contrasting colors. They are great for whatever kind of shooting you have in mind.
Wrapping Up
We hope that helps you pull together your must-haves for your CO2 pistol. But if you have more questions, please just reach out and let us know. We are always here to help!
