9 Best CO2 Air Rifles of 2022
What are the Best CO2 Air Rifles? Read on as we comprehensively cover the best.
Whether you are a skilled shooter or a learner, the best air rifle is that which fulfills your core requirements like accuracy, power, and affordability.
You will have so many choices in the market today and without proper guidance, choosing the best one might be difficult. If you are looking to purchase the best air rifle, CO2 air rifles offer you a choice that is powerful, easy to use and has great firing capacity. They are powered by either 12-gram CO2 cartridges or the larger 88-gram CO2 cartridges and come in a variety of specifications to meet different needs.
CO2 air rifles are ideal for target shooting, small game hunting, and pest control. They feature bolt action loading and no recoil for quick and enjoyable shooting.
They will help you make the most of your shooting time without wasting it on trivial matters. On the downside, CO2 is very temperature sensitive. For best results, shoot your CO2 rifles when the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Many brands are producing CO2 air rifles including Beeman, Berretta, Crosman, Sig Sauer, Umarex, and more.
Best Co2 Air Rifles
DPMS Full Auto SBR CO2-Powered BB Air Rifle with Dual Action Capability
DPMS Full Auto SBR CO2-Powered BB Air Rifle shoots BBs at a velocity of 430 fps. It is fueled by two 12-gram CO₂ cartridges housed in the 25-round magazine and has a dual action selector that allows you to choose between semi and full-auto capability. The air rifle as one of the best Co2 air rifles features a genuine real-feel and comes with a 6-point adjustable rear stock, moveable angled foregrip, and Quad rail for the limitless mounting of flashlights, lasers, and other accessories.
This DPMS air rifle comes with a thumb-selector-style safety to ensure proper and safe handling. It also has the Red Dot sight, removable pop-up sights, and an adjustable rear sight.
Features
- Durable synthetic design and up to 1400 rounds per minute
- Adjustable stock-6 adjustable positions for easy handling
- Delivers speeds up to 430 fps
- 25-round drop out magazine
- Compatible with traditional 4.5 mm steel BBs
- Has a realistic weight, blowback action, and functions ideal for target shooting
- Thumb selector safety
Sig Sauer MPX .177 Cal CO2 Powered SIG20R Red Dot Air Rifle 30 Rounds
SIG Sauer MPX is a redefined modern pistol, no less for CO2 rifles. The air rifle offers great weight, balance, and controls for more accurate performance and ease of use. Other features in this .177 air rifle include an 8″ rifled steel barrel, synthetic handguard, Picatinny rail, tactical front grip, flip-up front, and rear sights. The air rifle has a 90-gram CO2 operating system and a weight of 3 kilograms.
Features
- Caliber: .177 cal.
- Muzzle velocity: up to 575 fps
- Trigger force: 7 lb.
- 30-round RPM Pellet Magazine
- Synthetic stock
- Folding iron sights
- One 30round pellet mag included
- Length: 25.75 inches
- Weight: 6.2 lbs. (3 Kgs)
- SIG20R Red Dot Sight
- Sport type: Tactical & Military
Crosman 1077-N Repeat Air Semi-Automatic CO2-Powered .177-Caliber Pellet Air Rifle
Crosman 1077-N is a semi-automatic air rifle that is very reliable than many rifles in the market. It fires as soon as you pull the trigger and has the Crosman 12-shot rotary pellet clip that lets you shoot longer. It features adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front sight. The pellet air rifle is ideal for target shooting, Plinking, Pest Control, Small Game Hunting, and Predator Hunting
Features
- Delivers up to 625 fps
- Durable synthetic stock and foregrip
- 177 caliber pellet air rifle
- CO2-powered
- Adjustable notch rear sight with fiber optic front sight
- Durable synthetic stock and foregrip
- 12-shot rotary pellet clip
Benjamin Marauder Synthetic Stock PCP-Powered Multi-Shot Bolt-Action Pellet Hunting Air Rifle
This Benjamin Marauder air rifle has no recoil and produces very little noise making it the quietest in that class. It offers to pinpoint accuracy, lightweight handling with an all-weather synthetic stock, and an ambidextrous raised comb. This air rifle is well-balanced for carrying in the field and can deliver speeds up to 1000 fps.
The rifle has a two-stage, adjustable, match-grade trigger system that helps to make every shot smooth, and an innovative 10-round magazine for fast follow-up shots. It also has a built-in pressure gauge and quick-disconnect Foster fitting for quick and easy refilling.
Features
- Balanced for field carry
- Rugged all-weather synthetic stock
- Crosman PCP powered pellet rifle
- Ambidextrous with an adjustable raised comb
- Ideal for hunting and target shooting
- Available in .177 cal or .22cal
Umarex HK Heckler & Koch MP5 K-PDW Semi-Automatic .177 Caliber BB Gun Air Rifle
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a classic air gun that provides you with a great training tool that is easy and fun to use. As one of the best Co2 air rifles, it is powered by economical and easy-to-find 12-gram CO2 cartridges and features a serious velocity of 400 fps and a realistic recoil action. This semi-automatic action runs from a high capacity 40-shot mag making it one of the most exciting and fun to shoot BB air rifles ever created. It is easy to carry around with a lightweight of 2.4 lbs.
Umarex H&K MP5 K-PDW Air rifle features an ultra-realistic barrel, a foldable stock, forearm grip, and a drop-out magazine.
Features
- Great for use as a training tool and very fun to shoot
- Features exciting and realistic recoil action
- Shoots .177 caliber steel BBs at up to 400 fps
- High capacity drop-free mag holds 40 .177 caliber steel BBs
- 400 fps semi-automatic action
- High capacity 40-shot clip
- Capacity: 40-shot
Crosman Full Auto CO2-Powered Blowback BB Airgun
Crosman Full Auto CO2-Powered Blowback BB Airgun can fire full or Semi-Auto with a realistic weight and feel, making it perfect for plinking or practice shooting. The full-size, all-metal, CO2 pistol shoots BBs at a velocity up to 400 fps firing at a cyclic rate of up to 850 rounds per minute. It features realistic blow-back action, a removable 19-round magazine that also houses CO2, an accessory rail, and removable red laser sight.
This Crosman rifle as one of the best Co2 air rifles has an adjustable stock with 6 adjustable positions that make the rifle easy to handle and shoulder. It also comes with a speedloader which allows for quick reloading.
Features
- Durable synthetic design and up to 1400 rounds per minute
- Adjustable stock
- Fueled by two 12-gram CO2 cartridges
- It is compatible with traditional 4.5-millimeter steel BBs
- Delivers speeds up to 430 fps
- 25-round drop out magazine
- Accessory rail-mounted red dot sight helps keep you on target
- Ideal for target practice, skill development, training, and fun
Sig Sauer MCX .177 Cal Co2 Powered (30 Rounds) Air Rifle
Sig Sauer MCX .177 air rifle is the perfect go-to for tactical and target practice. The rifle is CO2-powered and delivers 30 rounds of rapid-firing, simulated SIG MCX performance and handling for more realistic, economical training and practice. It is compatible with.177 pellet and features an 18″ rifled steel barrel, synthetic handguard, Picatinny rail, tactical front grip, flip-up front and rear sights.
Features
- Operating System: 90 Gram CO2
- Patented 30-round magazine
- Picatinny optics & accessory rail
- 18-inch rifled steel barrel
- Manual safety control
- Caliber: .177 cal.
- Muzzle Velocity: Up to 700 fps
- Stock Type: Synthetic
- Accessory Rail: M1913 Sights: Folding Mags Included: (1) 30rd Pellet Mag
- Overall Length: 34.75 inches (883 mm)
- Weight: 7.35 lb. (3 kg).
GameFace GF76 Electric Full/Semi-Auto Tactical-Style Carbine Airsoft Rifle
GameFace GF76 Airsoft Rifle is a full-size, dual-action that comes with a collapsible stock that makes it easy to maneuver in CQB scenarios. It also gives it the ability to fire up to 700 rounds per minute. With a 375-round magazine, Picatinny rail for your accessories, rechargeable battery, and a battery charger, the rifle will have you conquer the shooting/hunting scene.
Features
- Durable synthetic design and up to 700 rounds per minute
- Electric-powered to deliver speeds up to 375 fps
- Adjustable stock makes it easy to handle and shoulder
- 375-round magazine compatible with 6mm airsoft BBs
- Rechargeable battery and battery charger included
- Adjustable hop-up
Beeman, SAG Deluxe CO2 Air Rifle .177 Caliber
Beeman QB78D-177 Air Guns Rifles are some of the best in the air gun industry. They use CO2 propulsion hence eliminating the need to cock a spring or compress a gas ram. The rifles have a simple yet effective design, they are highly accurate, recoilless, and easy to use for both experts and beginners.
These air rifles are made with gold-colored metal trigger and safety which are much stronger and durable than plastic triggers, with an easy trigger pull. The European beechwood stock with raised cheekpiece and soft rubber butt plate gives a soft touch and comfortable shooting.
Features
- European Beechwood
- Truglo fiber optic sight
- CO2 bolt-action single shot
- Adjustable trigger with manual safety
- Filled with two standard 12-gram cartridges
- Available in .177 or .22 Caliber
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best CO2 Air Rifles
Durability – good quality materials used in the construction of the air rifles bodies as well as other factors such as waterproofing and shockproof add to the durability of an air rifle.
Ammunition – different types of ammunition vary in power and use. Instead of live ammunition, alternative ammunition such as pellets are used with air rifles for hunters and marksmen to reduce on the cost of purchasing ammunition.
Precision and Power – this refers to the consistent velocity of your BB or pellet. It is important especially if you are going for competition or target shooting. Getting an air rifle with high power is important to increase your chances of hitting the target.
Scopes & Sights – some air rifles as discussed in this article come with scopes. They help to increase the accuracy of your rifle.
Accessories – an air rifle requires little accessories to operate. The more the accessories, the more complicated the air rifle could be to operate. The basic accessories assist in the accuracy and durability of your air rifle. Other accessories can be added according to the needs and preferences of specific individuals. Shooting glasses for example can be used to protect your eyes in the case of a recoil.
FAQs about Best CO2 Air Rifles
Which is better spring or CO2 air rifles?
Spring and Multi-Pump Airguns have more potential power than CO2 guns. This is because CO2 has a set peek pressure limit. Pump and CO2 Airguns have very little recoil because the pressure is stored in a chamber and then released by a valve.
What is the most powerful CO2 rifle?
The CO2 air rifles we have discussed above have different ranges of power. Some like the air rifles from Umarex have more power compared to others.
Do air rifles need CO2?
Yes. CO2 serves as the power source for all semi-automatic air rifles.
How long does a CO2 cartridge last in an air gun?
Once a CO2 cartridge penetrates on the first pull, it will last 24 hours or 21 shots.
Can you shoot a CO2 BB gun without CO2?
This is mostly okay with many CO2 rifles. However, there is an issue with dry firing with no pressure on some CO2 and many PCP’s as you are at the risk of overdriving the valve stem and the hammer hitting the valve. It is however possible not to harm anything.
Conclusion
CO2 air rifles are affordable and easy to find on the market. These air rifles use compressed gas as their power source for every shot. The gas cartridges held by these rifles can be refilled or changed out after so many shots. If CO2 air rifles work for you, feel free to try some of the air rifles we have discussed above.
