Best Pistols for Squirrel Hunting

7 Best Pistols for Squirrel Hunting of 2023

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Mathew R Reed
November 1, 2022
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Every avid hunter knows how fascinating it is to hunt down small game such as rabbits and squirrels. Done as a fun group activity or single-person adventure, squirrel hunting is a fun and rewarding activity enjoyed by many. Squirrels are small and super-fast creatures. For you to cleanly take them down, you’ll need a powerful pellet pistol with a high-velocity firing speed.

When it comes to small game hunting, the firearm that you are using can either make or break you. You will be frustrated if you used a pellet pistol that doesn’t have what is needed to take down squirrels. With the market offering a wide range of pellet pistols to choose from, you’ll need to choose a high-quality pistol that’s best suited for the role at hand.

The Best Pistols for Squirrel Hunting brands include:

  • Umarex
  • Crosman
  • Beeman
  • Smith & Wesson
  • Winchester
  • Barra
  • Bear River

To guide and help you choose the best, here are some of the Best Pistols for Squirrel Hunting.

Best Pistols for Squirrel Hunting Reviews

1) Glock 19 Gen3 .177 Caliber BB gun Air Pistol 

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Glock 19 is a multipurpose air pistol and one of the best pistols for squirrel hunting. Made to effectively take down small game, this CO2-powered air pistol shoots .177 caliber steel BBs with a muzzle velocity of up to 410fps. An integrated weaver rail provides a platform to mount different accessories that enhance your shooting accuracy.

Built to last, this pistol features a textured grip that’s easy to grip, aim and practice magazine reloading drill. An integrated push button and trigger blade ensure that this air pistol is handled safely especially during storage. Moreover, this air pistol features a fixed traditional Glock U-shaped rear sight and white dot front sight that enhance your shooting accuracy. Weighing about 25.6 ounces, the pistol is lightweight, compact, and convenient for hunting. Also included is a 15 round drop-free durable magazine and a CO2 Allen key housed in the back strap.

Key Features

  • Integrated weaver rail.
  • Maximum firing velocity: 410fps.
  • CO2 Allen key housed in the back strap.
  • 15 round drop-free durable magazine.
  • Fixed traditional Glock U-shaped rear sight and white dot front sight.
  • Lightweight, compact and portable
  • Action: Double / Semi
  • Total Length: 7.25 in
  • Barrel Length: 4.25 in
  • Integrated safety push button.
  • Shoots .177 caliber steel BBs
  • Weight: 1.60 lbs
  • Powered by a 12g CO2 cartridge

2) Umarex Brodax .177 Caliber BB gun Air Pistol 

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This air Pistol from Umarex features a modern-day revolver used to update it to a modern pistol. Suitable for a wide range of shooting activities, this multi-purpose pistol has a lightweight polymer frame that’s not only stylish but also very durable. It features an integrated Picatinny rail which provides a stable platform for mounting different accessories such as lasers, scopes, or lights.

Designed to shoot .177 caliber BBs, this pistol shoots at a maximum firing velocity of 375fps which is ideal for small game hunting. Powered by a 12g CO2 cartridge, this pistol uses a rotary magazine that holds 10 rounds of .177 caliber steel BBs. There are also two extra magazines included in the package for you to have a great time shooting down those squirrels in your backyard.

Key Features

  • Lightweight polymer frame with internal metal parts.
  • Sturdy and durable construction.
  • Versatile and fun to shoot.
  • Shoots .177 caliber steel BBs.
  • Powered by a 12g CO2 cartridge.
  • Integrated Picatinny rail
  • Maximum firing velocity: 375fps.
  • 10 rounds rotary magazine capacity.
  • Lightweight and easy to handle

3) Umarex Colt Peacemaker Revolver Single Action Air Pistol 

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Umarex has many air pistols ideal for hunting squirrels and the Umarex Colt Peacemaker is one of the best. Ideal for hunting beginners and professionals alike, this single-action air pistol is easy and fun to shoot. Built from high-quality materials, this pistol has a metal frame that’s extremely sturdy and durable.

Furthermore, it has six realistic cartridges and each cartridge holds one .177 caliber steel BB that’s fired at a maximum velocity of 410fps. This pistol is powered by a 12-gram CO2 cartridge that’s economical and easy to find as well. Weighing just 2.4 pounds, this fully functional pellet pistol is lightweight, easy to handle, and fun to shoot.  With its reasonably affordable price, this pistol is worth taking home.

Key Features

  • Realistic, comfortable grip.
  • Maximum firing velocity: 410fps.
  • Shoots 177 caliber steel BBs.
  • High-quality construction.
  • Lightweight and fun to shoot.
  • Ideal for beginners and professionals alike.
  • Powered by a 12-gram CO2 cartridge.
  • Economical and worth the value.
  • 6-rounds capacity and six realistic cartridges.
  • Authentic revolver action

4) Smith &Wesson M&P 40 .177 Caliber BB Gun Air Pistol 

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Advance your squirrel hunting skills to a whole new level using the Smith &Wesson M&P 40 air pistol. Weighing just 1.61lbs, this air pistol is lightweight, easy to handle, and fun to shoot with. Made from the highest quality materials, this air pistol is sturdy, durable, and relatively affordable. Other than the authentic feel and look, this pistol rugged enough to withstand any hunting environment.

An integrated accessory rail provides a platform for mounting your favorite laser or light, while the additional back straps included provides a secure, non-slip grip even when it’s raining. Powered by a 12g CO2 capsule, this pistol shoots .177 caliber steel BBs at a maximum velocity of 300fps. It also features fixed front and rear sights to enhance your accuracy and keep you locked on the target. Also included is a durable, drop-free solid magazine with a capacity of up to 15 steel BBs.

Key Features

  • Fixed front and rear sights.
  • Powered by one, 12g CO2 capsule.
  • Shoots .177 caliber steel BBs.
  • Realistic, comfortable grip.
  • Maximum firing velocity: 300fps.
  • Back straps included for the perfect grip.
  • Multi-purpose application.
  • 15 BBs capacity durable, drop-free solid magazine.
  • Durable and rugged construction
  • Blowback and standard actions

5) Elite Force HK Heckler & Koch USP Air Pistol 

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Designed to be both a hunting and a marksman’s tool, Elite Force HK Heckler & Koch USP Air Pistol is relatively affordable and worth the value. Powered by an economical and readily available 12g CO2 cartridge, this pistol features an ambidextrous mag release which makes it feel very realistic. Built to last for a long time, this pistol is crafted from high-quality materials that make it tough enough to withstand any hunting environment.

This air pistol also has an accessory rail for mounting scopes, laser sights, and optics. Designed to shoot .177 caliber steel BBs, this pistol has a maximum firing velocity of up to 400FPS. Also included is a high-quality, drop-free magazine with a holding capacity of 22 steel BBs. weighing just 1.68 pounds, this multi-purpose air pistol is lightweight, easy to handle, and fun to shoot.

Key Features

  • Multi-purpose application.
  • Lightweight and easy to shoot.
  • 22 rounds capacity high quality, drop-free magazine.
  • Fires .177 caliber steel BBs.
  • High quality, durable and sturdy construction.
  • Maximum firing velocity: 400FPS
  • Integrated accessories rail included.
  • Ambidextrous magazine release.
  • Cost-effective.
  • Realistic hammer movement.
  • Powered by a 12g CO2 cartridge

6) Crosman P10 Kit CO2 Powered Semi-Auto BB Air Pistol 

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Ideal for beginners and professionals alike, this air pistol is easy and fun to shoot. Weighing about 1.3 pounds, this pistol is lightweight but very tough. It’s crafted from a high-quality polymer material that makes it durable and sturdy enough to withstand multiple shooting environments. Other than that, this semi-auto CO2-powered pistol has a removable grip for easy CO2 replacement and an integrated Picatinny rail for mounting different accessories. Designed to shoot copper head BBs, this pistol has a quick-release, 20 round capacity high-quality drop-out magazine for efficient shooting. It’s a very fascinating and affordable air pistol ideal for taking down squirrels.

Key Features

  • Lightweight and easy to handle.
  • Easy to shoot.
  • Reasonably affordable.
  • High-quality polymer material construction.
  • Multi-purpose application.
  • CO2-powered semi-automatic pistol.
  • Integrated Picatinny rail.
  • Shoots copper head BBs.
  • 20 round capacity high-quality dropout magazine.
  • Steel barrel

7) Crosman SNR357 .177 Caliber Pellet//4.5 MM BB CO2-Powered 

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If you are in the market for a tough and durable air pistol, Crosman SNR357 .177 Caliber Pellet is your ideal option. Specially designed for small game hunting, this CO2-powered pellet pistol is arguably the best option for squirrel control. Equipped with a fixed blade front sight and an adjustable rear sight, this pistol keeps you locked on target for that accurate shot.

The full metal body is durable, heavy-weight, and stylish as well. This dual-caliber pistol accommodates both .177 caliber pellets and traditional steel BBs shooting them at a maximum velocity of up to 400fps for the BBs and 500fps for the .177 caliber pellets. It also features an ergonomic grip panel that’s simple to remove and replace the CO2.  Also included is a slide safety feature that ensures proper and safe handling.

Key Features

  • Full metal body and stylish design.
  • Dual caliber pistol.
  • Maximum velocity: 400fps for the BBs and 500fps for the .177 caliber pellets.
  • Safety slide ensures proper and safe handling.
  • Fixed blade front sight and an adjustable rear sight.
  • Powered by 12g CO2 cartridge.
  • 6-shot swing-out cartridge cylinder.
  • Removable grip panel for easy CO2 replacement.
  • Lightweight and compact design

Choosing the Best Pistols for Squirrel Hunting

Here are some of the important factors to consider when choosing the best pistols for squirrel hunting

Velocity

Velocity is one major factor to put into consideration when looking for a pellet pistol for squirrels’ control. You’ll need a high-velocity pistol to effectively take down these small and fast creatures. Any pellet pistol with a firing velocity of at least 300fps will do.

Caliber selection

Calibers for air pistols vary largely but the most common caliber used in squirrels control is the .177 caliber pellet. The advantage that this pellet has over other caliber pellets is that it’s ideal for small game hunting. While 22 caliber pellets are also ideal for small game hunting both are much cheaper and readily available.

Power source

Airgun pistols are traditionally powered by one of these three sources, CO2 cartridge, break barrel, and PCP. Most of these air guns are charged by CO2 cartridges which are readily available and more affordable. Moreover, CO2-powered air guns are much faster to reload and fire than the alternatives. Break barrel pistols are traditionally low in velocity and are only single-shot air guns best suited for target practice only. PCP-powered air pistols use a built-in pump to fill the gun’s tank. They have a substantially higher FPS that makes them an excellent hunting option. They are also reasonably affordable.

Air Pistol Action

Air pistols designed for general target practice and hunting are often semi-automatic or feature a revolving cylinder. However, some high-end models utilize CO2 but are relatively limited when it comes to the number of shots fired.

Why we Chose the Above as the Best Pistols for Squirrel Hunting

While the market offers a wide range of air guns ideal for small game hunting, here are some of the benefits of using a pellet or BB pistol for hunting down squirrels.

  1. Legality and safety. Most states allow the use of pellet pistols for hunting and pellet pistols are safe to use in semi-urban areas than long-range rimfire cartridges.
  2. Quiet and humane. With pistol air guns, there is essentially no noise produced, so you get to take down those squirrels in your backyard without causing any disturbance.
  3. Relatively affordable. You can get the same shooting distance from a pistol pellet that you can get from a rimfire but spend less.
  4. Lightweight, easy to use, and fun to shoot with.
  5. Multi-purpose application. These pellet pistols are versatile and use in multiple shooting activities, not just small game hunting.

Conclusion

Good pellet pistols are the best for hunting small game such as rabbits and squirrels. Other than being lightweight and easy to shoot, pellet pistols are quiet and more humane on these small creatures. They are also safer to use in semi-urban areas. All of the air pistols listed above are quality products that have been around a lot longer and offer the perfect solution for hunting small game. Get any one of them and use it to get rid of those squirrels that have become a backyard nuisance.

See Also: Best Air Rifles for Small Game Hunting

Mathew R Reed

Mathew R Reed is a professional gun seller who runs a dedicated gun store in the suburbs of Oakland, CA. A hardcore hunting enthusiast since childhood, Reed has ample experience with guns and accessories. He is the founder of ArmorHoldings.com and creates some of the most helpful gun-buying guides and explainers. If not in the gun shop, you can find him on the nearest hiking trail or nearby hunting spot.