Best BB Guns
BB guns are the quintessential air-powered guns, offering a diverse range of options for collecting, training, and backyard enjoyment. The first BB gun was created by the Markham Rifle Company in 1886. These guns have evolved over time, with countless variations produced worldwide.
Despite being underestimated by some, BB guns are valuable tools for enhancing marksmanship skills. From practicing sight alignment to trigger control, these guns allow for safe and convenient training at home or outdoors with the right precautions in place.
Notably, various military forces, including the US Navy and Army during WWII, utilized BB guns for training purposes. Today, they come in models that replicate both historical and modern firearms, offering enthusiasts the chance to own iconic replicas at a fraction of the cost.
Whether you're a collector, a marksman in training, or simply looking for a fun pastime, the world of BB guns has something for everyone. Explore our top BB gun picks to begin your shooting journey.
BB guns are perfect for:
- Practicing marksmanship or training at a reduced cost, and with increased safety.
- Collectors that want to display a favorite or historical firearm without the high cost of the original or dangers of displaying a real firearm.
- Recreation, shooting is a sport that is both challenging, and just plain fun!
How We Picked These Products
When picking products to feature, we rely on the deep expertise and hands-on experience of our expert Insyders, who continuously test and use the products out in the field. Our recommendations are a combination of carefully curated top sellers, best reviewed and hand-picked products that our experts want to highlight. Drawing on more than 20 years of expertise, we understand the features that matter - from performance metrics to crucial model-specific nuances. When we recommend a product, you can trust that these picks come from experts who have extensive product knowledge and understand the equipment inside and out.
Top 10 Best BB Guns of 2025
1. Glock 19 Gen3
With its officially licensed iconic design and construction, the Umarex Glock 19 Gen 3 CO2 BB gun is a replica of one of the most popular handguns of all time. Powered by a single CO2 cartridge, this BB slinger can send 16 rounds downrange at speeds up to 410 fps. The metal slide features fixed sights, authentic Glock markings, and an integrated Weaver accessories rail for lights and lasers. Transform your training sessions with the most realistic air pistol on the market.
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2. Crosman Vigilante
Don't worry revolver fans you won't be left out, Crosman has you covered in this list with the Vigilante. The Vigilante is an update to their venerable Crosman 357 pellet revolver.
With metal and polymer construction the Vigilante is built to last. It weighs in at a hefty 2 lbs and is flexible with both a 6-round BB magazine and a 10-round pellet magazine as well. The rifled steel barrel ensures great accuracy.
Capable of being fired double action for speed, or single action for better accuracy. The rear sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation, but the Vigilante sports a Picatinny rail on top of the barrel for your favorite optic, and another on the bottom for lasers, lights, or other accessories.
The molded black combat grips have finger grooves and stippling on them for a sure comfortable grip. The revolver sports a manual safety, and easy-to-load break-open design to get you back into the action fast.
With over 70 shots per co2 cartridge, it is an all-day shooter sure to please anyone.
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3. Colt Peacemaker SAA
Here in America, there has always been a fascination with the "Wild West", Dodge City, Tombstone, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, the list of famous names, and places goes on and on.
The object that connects most of the historical figures from the old west is the Colt 1873 Single Action Army pistol, nicknamed the Peacemaker.
Used by cowpokes, shopkeepers, and people on both sides of the badge, modern cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen (and law-women) that enjoy that time period can now own a co2-powered BB replica of that iconic firearm from history.
The Umarex Colt 1873 Peacemaker is all metal, with a Beautiful nickel finish, and faux ivory grips, it has the looks, the feel, and the mechanical operation of the original, with about 1/10th the cost.
The pistol is a single action like the original, meaning you have to cock the hammer to index a fresh round of ammunition with the barrel every time you want to fire. It has the side loading gate, where you can load the cartridges, and spin the cylinder, then eject the spent cartridges just like the original.
The ammunition loads into the rear of each metallic cartridge, then the cartridges are loaded into the gun. With the 5.5-inch barrel, you will get a maximum velocity of 410fps, it has the power to dispatch feral tin cans, and paper bad guys with ease.
For collectors, it has the Official Colt logos in all of the right places to make a fine-cased display between trips to the range.
Own a part of history, pick up a Umarex Colt 1873 Peacemaker.
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4. Crosman R1 Full Auto
The Crosman R1 CO2 BB rifle is a realistic, fun-to-shoot air gun modeled after the AR-15 platform. It features both semi-auto and full-auto firing modes, with an impressive firing rate of up to 1400 rounds per minute in full-auto. Powered by two 12-gram CO2 cartridges housed in the 25-round drop-free magazine, the R1 can achieve velocities up to 430 fps with steel BBs. It has a satisfying blowback action, adjustable stock, and Picatinny rail for adding accessories. Its realistic weight and controls make it an excellent trainer.
For those seeking even more performance, a PCP kit is available that allows you to use high-pressure air rather than CO2. This increases the rifle's consistency and shot count, especially in cold weather when CO2 doesn't perform as well. The PCP kit connects an external tank using a quick disconnect fitting.
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5. Umarex Legends MP40
For the last several years the Umarex Legend series of air guns has been bringing firearms of historical significance to the world of air guns for both collectors and shooting enthusiasts alike.
The Umarex Legends MP40 is one of them. An almost exact recreation of the German MP40 of World War II, The firearm is a much sought-after item with collectors, but rarely owned because of the many thousands of dollars the weapon cost, and bureaucratic fees and licenses necessary for a civilian to own a machine gun. But the Umarex can be owned and enjoyed by anyone, and without the worry of something happening to a very expensive historical gun.
The MP40 weighs almost 8 lbs and is metal in all the right places, and plastic where the original had bakelite (the plastic of the 1940s.) Powered by two of the 12gram co2 cartridges that are housed in the 52-round metal magazine, which will give you about 140 shots before you have to change the cartridges.
With features like a metal folding stock, a rear sight that is adjustable for elevation, and a fire selector that allows safe, fire, and full-auto modes. It even has sling loops just like the original as well.
If you are a fan of WWII military arms, this legendary gun can finally be yours!
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6. Western Justice John Wayne Marshal
The Marshal CO2 BB revolver is a single-action air pistol that transports shooters back to the Wild West with its classic design and authentic feel. It's a tribute to the legendary actor John Wayne and features an 18-round BB capacity, making it ideal for extended shooting sessions. The revolver is powered by a 12-gram CO2 cartridge, easily accessible by roving the grip. It fires steel BBs up to 330 fps and is constructed with durable materials without being too heavy.
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7. Springfield Armory Mil Spec 1911
The Springfield Armory Milspec 1911 can be summed up in one short sentence, about as real as it gets.
The Springfield 1911 is full metal and can be completely field stripped just like the firearm. All of the controls work, from the grip safety to the slide release, and even if the muzzle is pressed against something and the barrel is not in battery, the gun will not fire. It even has all of the correct trademarks of the original, making it a perfect piece for display.
Weighing 2 lbs, just like the firearm, the pistol uses a drop-free magazine that holds 18 rounds of BBs and is powered by a single 12-gram co2 cartridge that will give you about 65 shots before having to be replaced.
Whether you own a real 1911, and want to maintain your proficiency at home, or introduce new shooters to the sport, or just chase tin cans in the backyard with a replica of an American icon, the Springfield Armory 1911 is the gun for you.
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8. Umarex M712
The Umarex 712 is a full auto BB pistol that traces its design back to the mid-'90s... The mid 1890's.
The 712 is actually a replica of the pistol of the Broomhandle Mauser that was made from 1932 until 1936, that had a detachable magazine that the earlier models didn't have.
The Umarex is full metal, except for the faux wood grip, and is a faithful reproduction that is a boatload of fun in a small package. The pistol has a reciprocating bolt and functioning selector lever and safety, while the rear sight is adjustable for elevation just like the original.
It is fed from an 18-round magazine that uses a single 12-gram co2 cartridge that gives you about 36 rounds per fill and sends out a stream of BBs at velocities of up to 360fps, and a rate of fire between 1200 and 1500 rounds per minute.
It makes a great display of a very popular and collectible firearm from history while enjoying the fun of a selective-fire machine pistol.
Make sure you buy BBs and co2, a LOT of BBs and co2, you will not be able to put this fast shooting replica down.
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9. Barra 009
No one is currently making a BB pistol that replicates the Glock 18 machine pistol, which is essentially a full-size Glock 9mm service pistol with a selector switch on the slide to switch between full-auto and semi-auto modes of fire.
Barra has stepped up to the plate in a big way, one of the most popular types of firearm builds at this time is what is called a Polymer 80, meaning you buy a polymer lower receiver of a Glock type pistol or an Ar-15 that is 80% complete, and you have to finish the receiver yourself.
The Barra 009 is a complete ready-to-go replica of a Polymer 80 Glock frame that is mated to the slide of a selective fire Glock 18. The frame has all of the safety features of the Glock firearm, but with the styling of the popular Polymer 80 grip frame.
The Glock 18, is restricted to Military and Governmental agencies, so it is "unobtanium" for the rest of us, but with the Barra 009, we get to enjoy the air gun version.
The pistol sports a 4-inch smooth bore barrel, and Glock-style sights, it is fed by an 18-shot magazine that uses a single 12-gram co2 cartridge, giving you up to 320fps. The upper assembly is metal, and the lower is polymer.
The 009 has a front rail under the gun to mount a laser or a light if you wish, and it will fit into most holsters that will fit the Glock 17.
If you are looking for a replica of a full-size service pistol that also has full-auto capability, the Barra 009 could be the gun for you.
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10. SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry
The SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry CO2 Blowback Pistol is a highly realistic air gun designed to mimic the look and feel of its firearm counterpart. This pistol features semi-auto blowback action replicating recoil, making it an excellent training tool for a P320 firearm owner. Its heavy-duty construction provides durability, and its 21-round drop-free magazine provides ample shooting time between reloads.
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How We Picked These BB Guns
Form Factor
BB guns, in particular, are a perfect platform to introduce young people to shooting sports. They are also incredible replicas or just fun to shoot. Many of these guns are picked for their form factor, whether it's a firearm replica or a fun full auto bb gun.
Reliability
The build quality of some BB guns on the market matches their price point, but these are a little different. The brands represented here include some of the largest BB gun manufacturers in the world, including Umarex, Crosman, and Springfield Armory. They commit to offering reliable products to customers from all over the world.
Reviews
As a retailer since 1996, one of the best indicators of a popular bb gun is how well it's reviewed. This list includes some of the most popular options with top customer ratings.
Common Questions
What is a BB gun?
A BB gun is a type of air gun that is designed to shoot spherical metallic projectiles that are about .173 (4.3mm) in diameter. They are called BB guns because the diameter of the projectile is roughly the same size as the shotgun shot called BB shot which is nominally about .180, or 4.5mm in diameter.
Most BB guns are powered by a spring driving a piston that pushes air down the smoothbore barrel driving the projectile out of the air gun. BBs are normally made from steel and are plated with copper or zinc to make them more resistant to corrosion.
When were BB guns invented?
When you say BB gun, the first name that comes to mind is Daisy. But the first BB gun was actually manufactured in Plymouth Michigan by the Markham company in 1886 with the Chicago model. It was a spring-piston airgun made mostly of wood with metal parts used only where absolutely necessary.
The Markham plant was just down the street from the Plymouth Iron Windmill Company (that would later become Daisy Manufacturing Company) that soon started making an all-metal BB gun of their own, but Markham's was the first by two years.
Are BB guns safe to shoot?
Steel BBs are prone to ricochet or bounce back when they encounter hard objects like metal, brick, concrete, or wood. They will retain a good portion of their velocity and can cause serious injury. Eye protection is essential when shooting BB guns, more so than a pellet gun as the pellet will typically flatten out and transfer its energy to the target instead of bouncing back toward the shooter.
A steel BB with a velocity of 150fps (45 meters per second) has the ability to pierce bare skin, and if shot at a velocity of more than 200fps (60 meters per second) can fracture bone, making it potentially lethal, and that lethality increases with velocity.
Because the projectile is so light about 5.1 grains (0.33 grams) and is spherical, it loses its velocity quickly, a BB fired at approximately 590fps (180 meters per second) has a maximum range of about 240 yards (220 meters) if the muzzle was elevated to the optimum angle.
For safety reasons in recent years copper washed lead balls and sintered metal BBs have come to market to reduce the danger of ricochet that is common with steel BBs that are shot at hard surfaces, the lead BBs will deform like a pellet when hitting a hard surface, and the sintered shot will shatter into small dust-like particles greatly reducing the danger of ricochet.
Air guns can look like real guns, replica blowback models even more so. They have the look, feel, and operating characteristics of their firearm counterpart, this is one reason why they are so popular.
It is important to remember the general public can not tell an air gun from a cartridge-firing gun. Never brandish an air gun in public.
