Many of us deal with pests and vermin on a regular basis. They can cause real damage inside and outside the home – not to mention, they’re also a potential health hazard.

Air weapons are a popular way of dealing with unwanted animals on your property. In most cases, air rifles are the best choice for pest control, offering better accuracy at greater distances. However, in certain close-range scenarios, a good air pistol can work well.

In this guide, we’ll explain how and when you can use air pistols to kill animals humanely. We’ll then share our top four recommendations for the best air pistol for pest control.

Can You Use an Air Pistol for Pest Control (UK)?

In the UK, it is legal to shoot vermin and pests with an airgun on your own property. However, you can only kill permitted species, such as brown rats, grey squirrels, rabbits and feral pigeons.

According to the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is illegal to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal. This means that you must deal with pests humanely – in other words, make a quick, clean kill.

We always recommend air rifles over air pistols for pest control. This is because the maximum legal power of an air rifle is double that of a pistol (12ft/lbs vs. 6ft/lbs). They’re also easier to shoot accurately, especially from further away. This means there is less chance of leaving the injured animal alive, which would be inhumane.

If you are going to use an air pistol, you must be able to guarantee a kill. Always use a high power pistol capable of delivering at least 5ft/lbs of energy. Additionally, air pistols should only be used at very close range (less than 10 yards).

What Are the Best Air Pistols for Pest Control?

When it comes to pest control, we recommend choosing a pistol that shoots pellets rather than BBs. Pellet guns generally boast better accuracy and higher muzzle energy.

.177 and .22 calibre air guns are both effective. .177 pellets travel faster with a flatter trajectory, making them suitable for small, fast-moving prey. .22 pellets are larger and heavier, resulting in more damage. They are typically the better choice for larger animals, such as rabbits.

Here are our top four choices for the best pest control air pistols in the UK.

Name	Crosman 2240	Browning Buck Mark Magnum	Reximex Mito	Benjamin Trail NP MK2
Image
Calibre	.22	.22	.177 or .22	.177
Price	See price	See price	See price	See price

1. Crosman 2240

The Crosman 2240 is an excellent air pistol for vermin hunting. It is powered by a 12g CO2 capsule which propels .22 pellets at an impressive velocity of 460fps. The rifled steel barrel provides greater levels of accuracy, while the improved bolt action design makes cocking and loading easier. The open rear sight is fully adjustable according to the user’s preference, allowing for better aim.

Built with balance and comfort in mind, this powerful .22 calibre air pistol sports an ergonomically designed ambidextrous grip. Both grip panels feature chequering and a handy thumb rest for support.

2. Browning Buck Mark Magnum

Introduced in 1985, the Browning Buck Mark is one of the most popular semi-automatic rimfire pistols in the world. The Umarex Browning Buck Mark Magnum, a licensed spring-piston replica of this classic handgun, features the same world-class design. It delivers excellent power, performance and accuracy for a pest control air pistol, shooting .22 pellets with over 5.5ft/lbs of energy.

This reliable break barrel air pistol is easy to use, requiring no external power source. It features an intuitive trigger safety to prevent accidental firing. The helpful light collector in the rear sight allows for excellent precision even in low light.

3. Reximex Mito

Next on our list is the Reximex Mito, a stunning and incredibly well-built PCP air pistol available in both .177 and .22 calibre models. It is fitted with a regulator which provides incredible accuracy, making it perfect for short range pest control.

The Reximex Mito is capable of exerting a healthy 5ft/lbs of power at speeds of 520fps. The side lever action allows for smooth, effortless cocking, while the ambidextrous palm swell grip provides perfect balance. It comes with a 1/2 inch UNF silencer adaptor and removable open sights, along with an 11mm dovetail rail for easy fitting of accessories.

Best Air Pistol for Pigeons: Reximex Mito

When it comes to shooting pigeons, the Reximex Mito stands out as an exceptional air pistol choice. Its outstanding features and precision make it highly suitable for effectively dealing with these urban avian pests.

One of the key advantages of the Reximex Mito is its built-in regulator, which ensures consistent and controlled air pressure with each shot. This level of precision contributes to enhanced accuracy, allowing shooters to effectively target and dispatch pigeons reliably.

With the capability to exert a healthy 5ft/lbs of power at speeds of 520fps, the Reximex Mito provides ample energy to effectively neutralise pigeons. The side lever action allows for smooth and effortless cocking, ensuring quick follow-up shots when facing multiple targets.

4. Benjamin Trail NP MK2

Our final recommended air pistol for pest control is the Benjamin Trail NP Mark 2. This heavy-duty .177 gas ram air pistol uses the latest nitro piston technology to deliver a powerful and precise shot. It boasts a maximum velocity of 650fps and can deliver 5.5ft/lbs of power with lead pellets, or 6ft/lbs with alloy.

The Benjamin Trail NP MK2 is designed to be reliable, hard-hitting and user-friendly. It features a single-stage trigger for swift, efficient shots and smooth break barrel action for easy loading. The rifled barrel, textured pistol grip and fibre optic sights help ensure maximum accuracy while aiming and shooting. The adjustable rear sight is removable, allowing you to mount your own optics to the 11mm dovetail rail.

Best Air Pistol for Rats: Benjamin Trail NP MK2

When it comes to pest control specifically targeting rats, the Benjamin Trail NP MK2 stands out as an excellent choice for several reasons. Considering the size and potential danger that rats can pose, it’s crucial to choose an air pistol that combines power, accuracy, and reliability. The Benjamin Trail NP MK2 excels in all these aspects, making it the top recommendation for effectively dealing with rat infestations.

Rats are relatively large and resilient pests, so it’s important to have an air pistol with enough power to ensure a humane and effective kill. The Benjamin Trail NP MK2’s power output provides the necessary energy to swiftly eliminate rats with precision and accuracy. With a maximum velocity of 650fps and the ability to deliver 5.5ft/lbs of power with lead pellets (or 6ft/lbs with alloy), it packs a punch that is ideal for rat control. Its use of .177 calibre pellets also makes it ideal for shooting small targets. Overall, these stats make it one of the most powerful air pistols in 2023.

Looking for the Best Air Pistol for Pest Control (UK)? Visit The Wolfman Today

If you’re looking for the best air pistols for pest control UK-wide, visit The Wolfman. We carry a wide selection of air guns, ammunition and shooting essentials including scopes, targets, cleaning products and outdoor clothing.

We’re proud to work with some of the best brands in the industry and we only stock products we’d use ourselves. Click here to see our full collection of air guns for sale including air pistols, air rifles and BB guns.

Order from The Wolfman today for free delivery and enjoy same-day dispatch before 11am. If you have any questions about our products or website, contact us through our enquiry form or call 01473 806 280.