Best hunting pistol

[bird blaster]

Sometimes I'm out whether it's working with my dad or grampa or at my friends house or camping deer hunting or fishing. sometimes I see a squirrel or pigeon or hosp starling or any small game animal and I don't have a airgun. So what do you guys think would be the best pistol for hunting small game at 20 yards and is easy to shoot and fit in a backpack.

[maraudinglizard]

For me it was the 1377, I hunted with it being stock for 30+ years. Last year I had replace the seals and decided to upgrade it. I went with a 14.5 inch barrel, FTP and valve, steel breech, scope, camo grips, and TKO. It fits in to a back pack with no problem. I use mine when I am in a climbing tree stand while deer hunting. Killed a lot of squirrels that way. 20yds is no problem for this pistol. I have a 1322 set up the same way but without the FTP and valve, it is still stock. To me the 13xx are the best back packing pistol to have.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=83670.msg802677#msg802677

[anuthabubba]

From 1980 until about 3 years ago, I used a pair of .177 Diana 6M, recoilless barrel cocking springer pistols to do away with many small pest critters. Mostly HOSPs, mice, turtles, snakes and bugs. Oddly enough, have never shot a squirrel with an airgun! Lately use a pair of Crosman 1701Ps and a scoped/carbine 1720T to do the same stuff at slightly increased power levels and ranges. Got them all at good (used or refurbed) prices. The 1701s get 4.6fpe w/8.6gr and the 1720 gets 9fpe w/10.3s. Which is more power and velocity than my R7 gets! Get ~50 shots per charge on each of these before a hand pumped refill is needed.

[Plekto]

I would get a Crosman Custom Shop 2300KT Carbine. 
Select the 10" match barrel. 
Select the long steel breech. (easier to add a scope)
Select the black trigger shoe option. (helps the crude trigger)

That's it.  Add a proper scope of your choice when you get it.  Adding a muzzle brake is optional, of course.  No pumping, no recoil.  Super easy to shoot accurately with.

The reaons I recommend it is because 20 yards and air pistol energies means that you need pinpoint precision to get headshots.  This is the most accurate pistol that has enough power to also hunt that you'll find for under $300.  The only potential downside is CO2 and cold weather. But it's also small enough to fit in your jacket, so keeping it warm isn't too hard.

[19Sheridan57]

   I am not a good shot with most air pistols that have enough power to take down a squirrel. Many of them don't have enough power, either. I have a Hatsan 25 Super-Tact , that is basically their #25 Supercharger pistol with a removable stock. It has a true 800 fps with LEAD pellets in .177 & after some practice , can be shot pretty accurately. You will develop muscles cocking it, too !!

https://www.google.com/search?q=Hatsan+Super-Tact&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjN_5791_nKAhXCLSYKHWC8B90QsAQILQ&biw=1024&bih=481&dpr=1.25

[anuthabubba]

Have the pistol version of that and it IS fun to shoot but the wrist of my cocking hand (left on barrel ext) gets sore after about 30 shots.

[19Sheridan57]

Have the pistol version of that and it IS fun to shoot but the wrist of my cocking hand (left on barrel ext) gets sore after about 30 shots.

   Having the stock on helps a lot, but you still have to bear down on it. Someone once suggested putting the muzzle up against a tree & pushing on it to cock , but I would hate to hurt that tree !

[anuthabubba]

Use the same technique as on my Diana 6Ms for almost 35 years, left on the barrel and right on the grip, elbows forward and push with both arms.

[seitg74]

Would that Hatsan 25 be the same as the Browning 800?  When I used to bow hunt, squirrels would almost get right next to me and stare not knowing what I was.  So I would imagine a guy wouldn't need a lot of power getting close to them.  Hard to beat a 1377 or 1322 with a tko.  But the Hatsan looks like a sweet shooter.

[farmerjoe99]

For me it a mac1 worked  10in. barreled crosman mk1 can be shot with hpa or Co2 for 9.5fpe
has a sweet trigger, is deadly accurate, and gets tons and tons of shot with a 13ci 3000psi tank or around 40 high power shots on Co2:
Carbine form(it currently has a 4x scope mounted photo is with a 6-24) with BKL high mounts I can still use the opens sights as well:
WP_20150925_005_zpsjgwmowlh by Joseph Snyder, on Flickr

Pistol:


And The scoped pistol, stock, 13ci bottle a tin of pellets and adapter all fit in a case that would fit in any medium sized backpack
(might be a little big for a hydration pack) I've yet to run out of air while shooting with this rig
On low power I'm getting 70 consistent shots from a Co2 cartridge.

[longislandhunter]

I like my Hatsan supercharger pistol for hunting.  Accurate and powerful.

Jeff

[anuthabubba]

For me it a mac1 worked  10in. barreled crosman mk1 can be shot with hpa or Co2 for 9.5fpe
has a sweet trigger, is deadly accurate, and gets tons and tons of shot with a 13ci 3000psi tank or around 40 high power shots on Co2:
Carbine form(it currently has a 4x scope mounted photo is with a 6-24) with BKL high mounts I can still use the opens sights as well:


Pistol:


And The scoped pistol, stock, 13ci bottle a tin of pellets and adapter all fit in a case that would fit in any medium sized backpack
(might be a little big for a hydration pack) I've yet to run out of air while shooting with this rig
On low power I'm getting 70 consistent shots from a Co2 cartridge.

The LD is a wonderful thing. Love mine. They cost $500 for the gun only!

[bird blaster]

Do you guys thinks a beeman p17 could kill a red squirrel with a headshot at 10-15 yards? If I do get something I don't want to spend a whole lot of money.

[farmerjoe99]

The LD is a wonderful thing. Love mine. They cost $500 for the gun only!

Yea they aren't cheap though technically mine isn't a full LD,
But I got a great deal on it used and then made the stock myself.
Even so I would put a stock crosman mk1 in you considerations though that will run you around $100
Other wise I would think the 13xx series and 22xx(in warm weather) are you best bet.

[shadow]

Hunting with airgun pistols can be a challenge and we all like challenges. A accurate pistol with enough fps and pellet selection can hold it's own within it's kill zone and shot placement. Took the whacked out Bandit with my MAG 800 pistol and other harvest with pistola's from my collection. Ed

[grimeszee]

I have the Browning 800 .22 cal that would do the job with ease.

[anuthabubba]

Do you guys thinks a beeman p17 could kill a red squirrel with a headshot at 10-15 yards? If I do get something I don't want to spend a whole lot of money.

Doesn't take much actual fpe to kill a squirrel and a well placed brain shot from close range with almost anything mentioned here could work. I'd prefer just a bit more power than a P-17.

[grimeszee]

My P-17 makes 2.3 fpe at the muzzle, so there is no way it is capable of killing squirrels at 20 yards. That's less than 1.9 fpe at 20 yards.

[bandg]

Webley Alecto works great.  3 pumps gives around 600 fps with lighter lead pellets and will take small game with good shot placement.  P17 is definitely accurate enough and I really like them but as noted power is marginal.  Hatsan Super-tact is plenty powerful. 

[seitg74]

Hunting with airgun pistols can be a challenge and we all like challenges. A accurate pistol with enough fps and pellet selection can hold it's own within it's kill zone and shot placement. Took the whacked out Bandit with my MAG 800 pistol and other harvest with pistola's from my collection. Ed

Ed that is simply amazing.  Is your 800 a .177 or .22 cal?