Airgun Power Sources (CO2, Nitrogen)

CO2 Air Pistols

A CO2 pistol is a handgun-style airgun that uses a 12-gram carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge to propel BBs or pellets at 300 to 495 feet per second (fps) (91 to 151 m/s). CO2 air pistols fire .177 caliber (4.5 mm) steel BBs, lead pellets, or both, and a single 12-gram CO2 cartridge delivers 40 to 60 shots before replacement. CO2 pistols serve 4 main purposes: backyard plinking, target practice, firearm training with realistic replicas, and small pest control. This guide covers how CO2 pistols work, BB versus pellet models, blowback and non-blowback actions, popular models by brand, CO2 cartridge types, maintenance, temperature effects, and legal considerations.

How Does a CO2 Air Pistol Work?

To fire a CO2 air pistol, the shooter pulls the trigger, which opens a valve that releases a measured burst of CO2 gas behind the BB or pellet, and the expanding gas pushes the projectile down the barrel. The 12-gram CO2 cartridge sits in the grip or a compartment in the frame and is punctured by a piercing pin when the cartridge is first installed. The valve meters each gas release to maintain consistent velocity across 40 to 60 shots, and velocity drops as the liquid CO2 in the cartridge runs out.

What Is a Blowback CO2 Pistol?

A blowback CO2 pistol is a CO2 air pistol with a slide that cycles rearward with each shot, simulating the recoil action of a centerfire semi-automatic handgun. The blowback mechanism uses a portion of the CO2 gas to drive the slide back, which adds realism but reduces the shot count per cartridge to 30 to 40 shots compared to 50 to 60 shots on non-blowback models.

What Is a Non-Blowback CO2 Pistol?

A non-blowback CO2 pistol is a CO2 air pistol with a fixed slide that does not cycle between shots. Non-blowback CO2 pistols conserve more CO2 per shot, deliver 50 to 60 shots per cartridge, and maintain more consistent velocity because no gas is diverted to slide movement. Non-blowback models are quieter and better suited for target shooting where shot count and consistency matter more than realism.

CO2 BB Pistols vs CO2 Pellet Pistols

CO2 air pistols fire 2 ammunition types: steel BBs and lead pellets, and some models accept both. The ammunition type determines accuracy, energy, and intended use.

What Is a CO2 BB Pistol?

A CO2 BB pistol fires .177 caliber (4.5 mm) steel BBs from a smoothbore barrel at 300 to 450 fps (91 to 137 m/s). BB pistols use gravity-fed or spring-fed stick magazines that hold 15 to 21 rounds. Steel BBs cost less than lead pellets, and BB pistols suit plinking and casual target shooting at 10 to 25 feet (3 to 7.6 m). BBs ricochet off hard surfaces, so a proper backstop or pellet trap is required.

What Is a CO2 Pellet Pistol?

A CO2 pellet pistol fires .177 caliber (4.5 mm) lead pellets from a rifled barrel at 350 to 495 fps (107 to 151 m/s). The rifled barrel spins the pellet for higher accuracy than a smoothbore BB pistol, and pellet pistols group tighter at 10 to 15 yards (9 to 14 m). Lead pellets deform on impact and do not ricochet as easily as steel BBs. Pellet pistols use rotary magazines or single-shot bolt-action loading.

Popular CO2 Pistol Brands and Models

CO2 pistols are available from 10+ manufacturers, including Umarex, Crosman, SIG Sauer, Glock (licensed by Umarex), Smith & Wesson, Colt, Beretta, Walther, Gamo, and Dan Wesson. Prices range from $35 to $280 depending on build material, blowback action, and replica accuracy.

Glock CO2 BB Pistols

Umarex produces 3 licensed Glock CO2 BB pistols: the Glock 17 Gen 3, the Glock 19 Gen 5, and the Glock 19X. All 3 models fire .177 caliber steel BBs, feature blowback slide action, and replicate the dimensions and weight of the corresponding Glock centerfire pistol. The Glock 17 Gen 3 costs approximately $83 to $108, the Glock 19 Gen 5 costs approximately $85, and the Glock 19X costs approximately $110.

SIG Sauer CO2 Pellet and BB Pistols

SIG Sauer (licensed by SIG Air) offers the M17 P320 ASP pellet pistol and the P226 pellet pistol. The SIG Sauer M17 fires .177 pellets at 430 fps (131 m/s), features a 20-round belt magazine, and includes a blowback slide in Coyote Tan finish for $140 to $160. The SIG P226 fires .177 pellets at 450 fps (137 m/s) and costs approximately $120.

Beretta CO2 Pistols

Beretta CO2 pistols include the Beretta APX blowback BB pistol at $75, the Beretta M9A3 at $163, and the Beretta 92FS at $280. The Beretta 92FS is a full-metal CO2 pellet pistol that replicates the weight of 2.4 pounds (1.09 kg) and the controls of the 92FS centerfire pistol used by military and law enforcement.

Colt and Revolver-Style CO2 Pistols

Colt-licensed CO2 pistols include the Colt Peacemaker Single Action Army (SAA) pellet revolver at $143 to $250, which loads individual .177 pellet cartridges into a rotating cylinder. Dan Wesson CO2 revolvers fire .177 BBs from cartridge shells and replicate the look and manual of the Dan Wesson .357 Magnum. The Umarex Brodax BB revolver costs $40 and fires .177 BBs from a 10-shot cylinder.

Budget CO2 Pistols Under $50

Three CO2 pistols cost under $50:

• Umarex TXP BB pistol: $38, non-blowback, .177 BB
• Umarex XBG BB pistol: $31 to $35, non-blowback, .177 BB, 19-round magazine
• Umarex T.D.P. 45 BB pistol: $35, non-blowback, .177 BB, 19-round magazine

CO2 Cartridge Types and Shot Count

CO2 pistols use 2 cartridge sizes: 12-gram and 88-gram (3.1 oz). The 12-gram cartridge is the standard size for CO2 air pistols and delivers 40 to 60 shots per cartridge in non-blowback models and 30 to 40 shots in blowback models. The 88-gram cartridge fits select pistols and carbines and delivers 150 to 200 shots.

How Many Shots Does a 12-Gram CO2 Cartridge Deliver?

A 12-gram CO2 cartridge delivers 40 to 60 shots in a non-blowback CO2 pistol and 30 to 40 shots in a blowback CO2 pistol. Shot count drops in cold weather, and the last 5 to 10 shots in a cartridge show lower velocity as the liquid CO2 runs out.

How Does Temperature Affect CO2 Pistol Performance?

CO2 pistol performance drops when the ambient temperature falls below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), because CO2 vapor pressure decreases in cold air. At 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), a CO2 pistol loses approximately 15 to 25 percent of its room-temperature velocity. Shoot CO2 pistols at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) or higher for best results.

CO2 Pistol Uses

CO2 air pistols serve 4 main uses: plinking, target practice, firearm training, and replica collecting.

Can a CO2 Pistol Be Used for Training?

Yes, a CO2 pistol replicates the controls, weight, and trigger pull of a centerfire handgun at a fraction of the ammunition cost. The SIG Sauer M17 CO2 pistol matches the M17 service pistol in dimensions and controls, and the Glock 17 Gen 3 CO2 BB pistol matches the Glock 17 in grip angle and trigger reach. Shooters practice draw, sight alignment, and trigger control with CO2 ammunition that costs less than $0.02 per BB or $0.03 per pellet.

Are CO2 Pistols Legal?

Yes, CO2 pistols are legal to purchase and own in most U.S. states without a firearms license, because the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) does not classify air pistols as firearms. State and local laws vary on age requirements (18+ in most states), discharge restrictions within city limits, and transport rules. Check local regulations before purchasing or shooting a CO2 pistol.

CO2 Pistol Maintenance

CO2 pistol maintenance requires 3 practices: removing the CO2 cartridge after each shooting session, lubricating the valve seal with silicone oil every 500 shots, and cleaning the barrel with a pull-through cleaning rod every 1,000 shots. Leaving a punctured CO2 cartridge in the pistol overnight dries out the valve seal and causes gas leaks. A drop of silicone oil on the tip of each new CO2 cartridge before installation lubricates the seal and extends valve life.

How Long Does a CO2 Pistol Last?

A CO2 pistol lasts 5 to 15+ years with proper maintenance, because the internal valve, spring, and barrel have no combustion byproducts to cause corrosion. The valve seal is the most common replacement part, and a new seal costs $5 to $15. Shooters who also use big bore airguns can compare 50 cal air rifles for PCP-powered hunting, and those who need pellets and BBs can browse pellet gun ammo and BBs for .177 and .22 caliber projectiles.