Best Value Air Pistols UK: Top Performance Without Breaking the Bank in 2026
For many UK shooting enthusiasts, the post-holiday season is the perfect time to find high-quality equipment that fits a more conscious budget. At Huntsman Sports, we believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice precision or reliability just to save a few pounds. Whether you are a beginner looking for your first “plinker” or a seasoned hobbyist seeking a cost-effective target trainer, 2026 has brought some incredible value-driven options to our shelves.
Below, we’ve highlighted the best value air pistols currently available at Huntsman Sports, categorised by their power source to help you find the perfect match for your shooting style.
These are the pistols featured in our article:
- KWC Taurus 24/7
- AirmaX PP700S-A (PCP)
- Beeman P17 (Single-Stroke Pneumatic)
- WE G17 Series Gen 3 (CO2/Gas Blowback)
- Umarex CPS (CO2 Pellet)
Top Picks for Every Budget
1. The Best Value CO2 Pistol: KWC Taurus 24/7
Price: Approximately £69.99.
This is a high-efficiency workhorse, perfect for high-volume shooting without constantly buying gas.
- Performance: Delivers a powerful 350–400 FPS (approx. 1.8 Joules), making it competitive for both indoor and outdoor target practice.
- Efficiency: Because it is non-blowback, it is incredibly gas-efficient, yielding over 250 shots per 12g CO2 capsule.
- Build: Features a durable polymer frame with a metal slide for a realistic weight. It also includes a soft, rubberized grip with finger grooves for superior control.
- Capacity: Uses a 15-round drop-out metal magazine.
Why it’s a winner: This model features a metal slide for a realistic weight and feel, but uses a “non-blowback” system. Because the slide doesn’t move with every shot, you get significantly more shots out of every 12g CO2 capsule, making it one of the most economical CO2 pistols to run.
2. AirmaX PP700S-A (PCP)
Price: Approximately £199.99.
A professional-grade Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) pistol that offers match-grade accuracy, now considered the “gold standard” for affordable precision.
- Performance: Capable of up to 700 FPS (approx. 5.5 ft-lbs), putting it right at the UK legal limit for air pistols.
- Consistency: Features an internal regulator (constant velocity valve) that ensures a sub-3 FPS standard deviation spread, providing pinpoint accuracy that doesn’t fade as the tank empties.
- Build: Constructed with a precision-rifled 260mm steel barrel that is fully shrouded to protect the rifling and dampen muzzle noise.
Why it’s a Winner: While more expensive than CO2, it is a “winner” for long-term value. It has zero gas costs (filled via pump) and offers the same accuracy as competition pistols that typically cost £500+.
3. Beeman P17 (Single-Stroke Pneumatic)
Price: Approximately £69.95.
The ultimate “budget” target pistol, it uses a recoilless system to offer match-grade accuracy at a fraction of the cost.
- The System: This is a single-stroke pneumatic, meaning you compress the air by opening and closing the top “slide”. It requires no CO2 and has virtually zero recoil.
- Trigger: Widely praised for having one of the best triggers in its price bracket—a light, crisp two-stage design.
- Sights: Comes equipped with fiber-optic open sights that are fully adjustable for windage and elevation.
- Power: Consistently pushes pellets at 360–390 FPS, providing high accuracy out to 10 meters.
Why it’s a Winner: It is the only true recoilless target pistol available under £100. By eliminating both the cost of CO2 and the recoil of a spring, it provides a “pure” shooting experience that is perfect for those who want to perfect their marksmanship without breaking the bank.
Find out more about the Beeman P17
4. WE G17 Series Gen 3 (CO2/Gas Blowback)
Price: Approximately £104.99.
For fans of modern tactical sidearms, the WE G17 offers premium features and hard-kicking realism at a mid-tier price point.
- Realism: Features a high-quality Gas Blowback (GBB) system where the aluminum alloy slide cycles back with every shot, providing tactile feedback and a convincing recoil “kick” that mimics a real firearm.
- Versatility: Includes an integrated front rail for mounting tactical accessories like torches or lasers and features a threaded outer barrel for suppressor attachments. It is also fully field-strippable, allowing for realistic maintenance and cleaning.
- Skirmish Ready: Shoots at a “skirmish-friendly” ~300 FPS, making it perfectly balanced for both intense CQB (Close Quarters Battle) and authentic backyard target plinking.
- Magazine: Comes with a 24+1 round zinc alloy magazine and is compatible with both green gas and CO2 magazines, offering versatility for different weather conditions.
Why it’s a Winner: This model is widely considered the “gold standard” for entry-level tactical pistols. It brings professional-grade Glock-style ergonomics and a completely field-strippable design to the sub-£110 category, offering a level of build quality that typically costs significantly more.
5. The Reliable All-Rounder: Umarex CPS (CO2 Pellet)
Price: Approximately £139.99.
A dependable entry-level model from a world-renowned German manufacturer, the Umarex CPS is the perfect bridge for those who want brand-name quality without the high price.
- Performance: Delivers a muzzle velocity of approximately 393 FPS (approx. 3.5 Joules), providing the power needed for consistent 10-meter target groupings.
- Build: Inspired by the tactical design of the Walther P99, it features a durable polymer frame and an integrated accessory rail for mounting lights or lasers.
- Efficiency: Expect approximately 60 high-quality shots per 12g CO2 capsule.
- Capacity: Utilizes the legendary Umarex 8-shot rotary magazine system, allowing for fast and reliable semi-automatic firing.
Why it’s a Winner: It is a “winner” because it brings the same precision-rifled barrel and rotary magazine system found in premium Umarex pistols to a much more affordable price bracket. It’s widely considered the best “first pellet pistol” for ambitious new shooters.
Making Your Choice for 2026
Choosing the “best value” air pistol doesn’t mean settling for second best; it’s about finding the specific technology that matches your goals and your wallet. Whether you prioritize the high-volume, low-cost fun of the KWC Taurus 24/7, the match-grade regulated precision of the AirmaX PP700S-A, or the realistic tactical training of the WE G17, 2026 offers more performance per pound than ever before.
For those strictly focused on pure marksmanship without any ongoing costs, the Beeman P17 remains the unbeatable budget champion. Meanwhile, the Umarex CPS provides that perfect middle ground for shooters who want a reliable, brand-name pellet repeater that will last for years.
Ready to Pull the Trigger?
At Huntsman Sports, we make the buying process simple and secure.
- Shop In-Store: Visit us in High Wycombe to feel the weight and balance of these models for yourself.
- Buy Online: You can purchase directly through our website. Due to UK law, all airgun sales must be completed face-to-face. We offer free in-store collection or secure delivery to your local Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD) anywhere in England, Scotland, or Wales.
- What You Need: Remember to have two forms of valid ID (such as a driving licence, passport, or utility bill) ready for verification upon collection.
Explore the full range and find your perfect match today at HuntsmanSports.com.
