The Umarex Colt Peacemaker is the first pick for shooters who want a Western-style look with an all-metal frame and realistic action.
All five picks are CO2-powered air revolvers that fire pellets or BBs. Each one runs on a 12-gram CO2 cartridge sold separately, so the gas is an ongoing cost you should plan for. The picks are ordered by the first pick’s stated strengths, and the rest follow from there.
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How we picked: from products sold on Amazon for this need, compared by what their makers state and what buyers report in their reviews.
The Picks at a Glance
Product | Best for | Item dimensions l x w x h | Item weight | Air gun power type | Buyer rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Umarex Colt Peacemaker | history buffs | 12″L x 1.75″W x 6″H | 2 lb | CO2 | 4.6 of 5 (2,280 reviews) | |
Crosman SNR357 | a heavy all-metal feel | 9.5″L x 7.5″W x 1.5″H | 2 lb | Spring-Piston | 4.4 of 5 (8,470 reviews) | |
Umarex Colt Python | shooters wanting more shots | 2.75″L x 13.25″W x 9″H | 1.1 lb | CO2 | 4.2 of 5 (1,108 reviews) | |
Crosman Vigilante | shooters who use both pellets and BBs | 8.75″L x 3.5″W x 13.5″H | 2 lb | CO2 | 4.3 of 5 (2,668 reviews) | |
Marlin Single Action | weekend tin-can plinking | — | — | CO2 | 3.6 of 5 (28 reviews) |
Buyer ratings as shown on Amazon on October 13, 2026; they change.
Umarex Colt Peacemaker: Best for history buffs
Umarex Colt Peacemaker is the first pick for history buffs who want a replica Western revolver they can shoot. Collectors who care about the look as much as the handling will find the most to like here, because the maker describes it as an air gun that is as much fun to look at as it is to shoot.
The maker states an all-metal frame and a realistic action. For you, the metal frame means a solid gun that handles more like the real thing, and the listed weight of 2 pounds supports that feel.
The gun fires .177 caliber pellets at up to 380 fps. Each pellet comes in its own casing, and the gun holds six at a time, so you stop to reload after every six shots.
It is powered by 12-gram CO2 cartridges that sit in the grip, and CO2 is not included. The maker recommends Umarex-brand CO2 for a proper seal and best performance, and the cartridges are economical and easy to find.
Pros
All-metal frame and realistic action give it the feel of a real revolver.
The 12-gram cartridges are economical and easy to find.
It includes 6 pellet casings, so you can load up as soon as you add CO2.
Cons
Six rounds means frequent reloads when you are shooting a lot.
If you need more shots between reloads, the Umarex Colt Python is the better fit.
Crosman SNR357: Best for a heavy all-metal feel
The Crosman SNR357 is the pick for buyers who want a heavy, full-metal body and the choice of pellets or BBs. It suits shooters who like the feel of a solid revolver in the hand and want one gun for both ammo types.
The maker lists a sleek black, heavy-weight, full-metal body. In daily use, that weight means the gun feels steady when you aim, but it also means your wrist and arm get tired sooner on a long afternoon of shooting.
The maker states the gun is fueled by a 12-gram CO2 cartridge, with speeds up to 400 fps with BBs and 500 fps with .177 caliber pellets. Each cartridge is a small, sealed canister, so you will be buying CO2 separately and swapping it in when the gun slows down. The maker also includes 6 reusable BB cartridges and 6 reusable pellet cartridges, so you switch ammo types without buying a second gun.
Pros
Full-metal body with a solid weight in the hand
Works with both .177 pellets and steel BBs
Buyers say it looks and feels like a real snub nose revolver
Buyers say it is fun for plinking at cans and targets
Cons
Buyers report the gun jams
Buyers say it is not accurate beyond about ten feet
CO2 and ammunition are not included, so you pay for both extra
If you need tighter accuracy at longer range, the Crosman Vigilante is the better choice, with a 6-inch rifled steel barrel for pellet accuracy.
Umarex Colt Python: Best for shooters wanting more shots
The Umarex Colt Python is the pick for shooters who want a longer string of shots before reloading. It suits buyers who plink with steel BBs and would rather spend their time shooting than swapping magazines.
The maker lists 10 shots from a revolver-style .177 caliber BB air pistol. Two 10-shot rotary clips come in the box, so you can keep a full clip ready while you shoot the other.
Power comes from a 12-gram CO2 cartridge, and the maker lists speeds up to 410 fps with steel BBs. Speed decides how hard a BB hits at a distance, so 410 fps is the number to compare with other BB guns.
The barrel is 6.875 inches long, and the grips are textured and ergonomic. The gun also has an adjustable rear sight and a manual safety. At 1.1 pounds, it is light to carry from the car to the backyard.
Pros
Ten shots per clip, with two clips included.
Buyers say it is well made and high quality.
Buyers say it is a good value, fun to shoot and accurate.
Buyers say it is more powerful than they expected.
Cons
Some buyers report units that stop working, so reliability is not consistent.
The frame is plastic, unlike the metal frames on the Umarex Colt Peacemaker and Crosman Vigilante, so it feels lighter in hand.
Buyers who want an all-metal feel should look at another pick.
Crosman Vigilante: Best for shooters who use both pellets and BBs
The Crosman Vigilante is the pick for shooters who want one revolver for both pellets and steel BBs. The maker states that it fires both .177 pellets and steel BBs, so you can switch ammo without buying a second gun.
The maker states that it comes with a 10-round rotary clip for pellets and a 6-round rotary clip for BBs. In daily use, that means pellet sessions go longer between reloads than BB sessions do.
Power comes from one 12-gram CO2 cartridge in the grip, and the grip has a removable panel for replacing it. You change the cartridge without taking the gun apart. You can also pull the trigger for double-action fire or cock the hammer by hand for a single-action shot, and the 6-inch rifled steel barrel is built for pellet accuracy. The full metal frame has tactical rails on the top and bottom for optics, lights or lasers.
At 2 pounds, it is heavier than the 1.1-pound Umarex Colt 6″ Python, so expect more weight in hand over a long session.
Pros
Fires both .177 pellets and steel BBs from one gun
Single-action or double-action fire
Removable grip panel for CO2 changes
Tactical rails for mounting optics, lights or lasers
Cons
The 6-round BB clip is smaller than the 10-round pellet clip, so BB shooting means more reloads
At 2 pounds, it is heavier than the Umarex Colt 6″ Python
If you want more shots before reloading, look at the Umarex Colt 6″ Python instead.
Marlin Single Action: Best for weekend tin-can plinking
The Marlin Single Action Revolver is the pick for casual shooters who mostly plink tin cans with steel BBs. It holds 18 BBs in an integrated reservoir and runs on CO2, which suits a relaxed weekend session.
The maker lists an integrated BB reservoir holding 18 .177 caliber steel BBs, and it launches them at up to 400 FPS. For you, 18 BBs means a short string of shots before you reload, so keep a spare tube of BBs in your range bag for longer sessions. Learn more in Best Long Range Calibers and the Tools for Logging Your Shots.
The gun is powered by a single 12 gram CO2 cartridge housed in the grip, and CO2 is not included. Umarex-brand CO2 is recommended for a proper seal and best performance, so budget for that cartridge when you buy. The tool needed to install and remove the cartridge is built into the right side grip panel, so you do not need to hunt for a separate tool each time you swap cartridges.
Pros
Metal frame and stainless steel barrel.
Buyers say the cartridge swap is simple with the built-in tool.
Holds 18 BBs in one reservoir for a long plinking session.
Cons
Only 18 rounds per load, so it needs more reloading than a rotary-clip revolver.
If you want more shots before reloading or you plan to shoot pellets, look at the Umarex Colt Python or the Crosman Vigilante instead.
How do you choose the right CO2 revolver?
Start with the ammo you plan to shoot, because that choice narrows the field faster than anything else. Pellets suit accuracy, while BBs are the cheap, steel option for plinking, and a few picks handle both.
The Crosman SNR357 and the Crosman Vigilante both take pellets and BBs. The Crosman Vigilante comes with a 10-round pellet clip and a 6-round BB clip, so you can switch ammo without buying a second gun. If you plan to shoot only steel BBs at cans, a BB-only pick such as the Marlin Single Action keeps things simpler.
Next, look at shot count and how you reload. The Umarex Colt Peacemaker holds 6 rounds in single-shot pellet casings, and the Umarex Colt Python uses rotary clips that hold 10 shots, so you reload less often with it.
Every pick runs on a 12-gram CO2 cartridge, and none of them includes one.
Because these guns fire metal projectiles at speed, wear eye protection every time you shoot, and keep the muzzle pointed at your targets and away from people and pets. Treat every revolver as loaded until you have checked it.
Does a CO2 revolver come with CO2?
No. None of the five picks includes CO2 cartridges, so you need to buy them separately. The Colt Peacemaker’s maker says Umarex-brand CO2 is recommended for a proper seal and best performance. The Colt Python carries the same recommendation, and so does the Marlin Single Action. For more detail, see Best Pocket Pistols: Airsoft and Spring Picks Compared.
The Vigilante runs on one 12-gram cartridge housed in its grip. Plan to buy at least one cartridge on top of the gun’s price, and keep a spare on hand if you shoot often.
Do I need to buy pellets or BBs too?
In most cases, yes. Pellets and BBs are sold separately for most picks, so the Crosman SNR357 leaves them out of the box.
The SNR357 is the exception for cartridges. It includes 6 reusable BB cartridges and 6 reusable pellet cartridges, so you load ammo into the same cartridges again instead of buying new ones each time.
What does the Vigilante come with for ammo?
The Vigilante includes a rotary clip for ammo. It comes with a 10-round rotary clip for pellets and a 6-round rotary clip for 4.5mm BBs. You still need to buy the ammunition itself.
Which revolver should you buy first?
Start with the ammo, because that choice decides which pick fits your shooting. If you want a classic look and mostly plan to shoot the ammo you already own, the Umarex Colt Peacemaker is the first pick for history buffs who want an all-metal replica look. It has an all-metal frame and a realistic action, and the maker says it is an “iconic Frontier Six-Shooter” that is as fun to look at as it is to shoot.
The Peacemaker fires .177 caliber pellets from individual cartridges, not BBs. That means you will load one cartridge at a time, so it suits a shooter who wants a slower, more deliberate session at the range rather than a fast string of shots.
If you plan to shoot pellets, start with the Peacemaker. If you want steel BBs for cans, look at the Marlin or the Python instead, and if you want both, the Vigilante handles each ammo type. Pick the ammo first, then choose the revolver that matches it.