Best Beginner Airguns: My Picks for Affordable, Reliable, and Fun Beginner Airguns
If you’re new to airguns, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options. The best airguns for beginners are affordable, reliable, and simple to operate—guns that let you focus on learning to shoot and having fun without constant tinkering or frustration. That’s exactly why I put this list together.
I’ve been shooting BB guns and air rifles since I was a kid, and over the years I’ve tried just about everything—from entry-level plinkers to high-powered hunting rifles. Every airgun on this list is here because I’ve owned it, shot it, and know it’s worth your time and money. I picked them for their price, reliability, and ease of use, making them perfect for someone just starting out.
Even though I own several high-powered air rifles, I still grab a few of these for backyard fun. My two youngest love shooting the Daisy Model 35C, and it’s always a hit when friends come over. These guns are fun, capable, and great for building your skills. Just remember—always wear shooting glasses and treat every airgun with respect. Even a BB gun can cause serious injury or damage if handled carelessly.
Powerline Model 35C
Lightweight and easy-pumping backyard favorite.
The Daisy Powerline 35 might not look like much, but it’s hands-down one of the best beginner airguns out there. I picked mine up on a whim and ended up shooting it more than I expected. My kids love it, and honestly, I do too. It’s light, easy to pump, and accurate enough for backyard fun. It shoots both pellets and BBs, though like most combo guns, pellets give you tighter groups.
It’s got a plastic build—no surprise at this price—but nothing feels overly flimsy. The bolt’s a bit clunky, and the trigger isn’t winning any awards, but it works. With ten pumps, you can easily knock down cans or keep pests out of the garden. It’s not a hunting rifle or a precision shooter, but as a first airgun or a casual plinker, it punches way above its weight. One of the best deals out there, period.
Crosman Drifter Kit 2289CFKT
Compact .22 power with multipump versatility.
The Crosman Drifter Kit 2289CFKT is a great little starter airgun that feels like more than just an entry-level plinker. The multi-pump lets you dial in the velocity, and the .22-caliber pellets give it enough punch for small pest control in addition to target shooting. We took ours out for an afternoon and ended up blasting old spray paint cans until they popped—good fun and surprisingly satisfying.
The kit comes with the carbine stock, pistol grips, soft case, and a tin of pellets, so you can be up and shooting right away. The carbon-fiber finish looks sharp, and the fiber-optic front sight paired with the adjustable rear sight makes it easy to stay on target. It’s single-shot, so you’re working the bolt and loading each pellet by hand, but that’s part of the charm.
Bottom line—this isn’t a high-end hunting rifle, but as a starter gun, truck gun, or backyard fun-maker, it’s hard to beat. Light, simple, accurate enough, and versatile. For the price, it’s a solid deal that beginners and seasoned shooters alike will enjoy.
Daisy 880 Multi-Pump Air Rifle
Timeless classic that’s still going strong after decades.
The Daisy 880 Multi-Pump is an absolute classic, and for me, it’s where it all started. I bought my first one in 5th grade after spending weeks flipping through the Gander Mountain catalog and mailing away for it. That was over 40 years ago, and the 880 is still going strong. It’s the kind of all-around BB and pellet rifle you can hand to a kid, keep by the back door for pests, or just use to unwind with a little target practice.
The beauty of the 880 is in its versatility and ease of use. Multi-pump power means you control the shot—light for close plinking, full power for stretching it out or taking small game. The rifled barrel gives pellets solid accuracy, while the BB reservoir is great for casual can-busting sessions. It’s light, simple to operate, and just as fun now as it was decades ago.
Over the years, I’ve given the 880 as a gift more times than I can count, and every single person has gotten years of use out of it. It’s not fancy, it’s not tactical, but it’s dependable and fun—exactly what a good all-around pump gun should be.
You can also get the 880 in a kit that includes both BB’s and .177 Cal. Pellets, shooting glasses, and a scope. Check out the Daisy 880 Shadow Kit here.
Crosman 760 Pump Master
Budget-friendly plinker with decades of proven fun.
The Crosman 760 Pumpmaster is another classic that’s been around for decades. My best friend growing up had one, and we spent plenty of afternoons terrorizing cans and bottles in the backyard. The new version isn’t quite as overbuilt as the ones we had as kids—then again, what is these days?—but it’s still a fun, capable airgun that’s easy to shoot and easy to own.
It’s a multi-pump BB and pellet rifle, so you can adjust the power to fit the job. BBs are great for casual plinking, while pellets give you a little more accuracy. At around $65, it’s hard to complain. The plastic construction means it’s not indestructible, but for light backyard shooting, it does the job just fine.
I’d still give the Daisy 880 the edge for overall build and performance, but the Pumpmaster holds its own. For the price, it’s a solid bargain and a great way to introduce someone to airgunning without spending a fortune. Make sure to check out the blacked-out version of the 760 here.
Umarex Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel .177 Caliber
Easy-cocking break barrel that’s actually fun to shoot.
The Umarex Ruger Explorer Youth Break Barrel .177 really surprised me. I originally picked it up so the younger kids would have something manageable to shoot while we were plinking cans in the backyard, but I ended up liking it enough to grab it for myself. Most break barrels are a chore to cock, especially for beginners, but this one is smooth, easy, and genuinely fun to shoot.
It’s lightweight, loads easily, and is accurate enough to make hitting cans or paper targets satisfying. At just under 500 fps, it’s not a powerhouse—you’re not taking out groundhogs at 30 yards—but it’ll handle a rat or squirrel up close without any trouble. The low recoil and easy cocking make it a perfect starter break barrel for kids or smaller-framed shooters, and an enjoyable grab-and-go option for experienced shooters who just want some quick backyard fun.
Bottom line—this isn’t about raw power; it’s about shootability. And in that department, the Ruger Explorer delivers every time.
Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle
Affordable break barrel with real pest control power.
Most of the guns on this list are multi-pump and aimed at ease of use, but if you’re ready to step up to something a little more powerful, the Gamo Varmint is worth a look. This break barrel is still easy to cock compared to some of the heavy-hitters, but it gives you enough velocity to stretch your range and get serious about pest control.
It’s a .177 caliber spring-piston rifle that pushes pellets at over 1,000 fps with alloy ammo, so hitting squirrels, rabbits, and other small pests at distance is no problem. The included 4x scope isn’t fancy, but it’s serviceable for most backyard and field shooting. Accuracy is solid once you get the scope dialed in, and the synthetic stock keeps the weight manageable.
One note to make here: this rifle has no open sights or fixed sights. You have to use the included scope or get a Red Dot Site. This is only an issue if you are new to airguns and have never sighted in a rifle scope. This is the process os “zeroing” in the scope so the cross-hairs line up with the target. It takes a few times to get this process down.
The Varmint won’t break the bank, and it bridges the gap between beginner-friendly plinkers and full-power hunting rifles. If you want to try a break barrel that delivers more punch without killing your shoulder or your budget, this is a solid choice.
Barra Sportsman 900
Flexible multi-pump with a kid-friendly pump handle.
I’m reluctantly putting the Barra Air Guns Sportsman 900 on this list. On paper, it’s a great little multi-pump rifle—accurate, easy to shoot, under $100, and with a pump handle design that makes it easier for kids to operate. The problem? My own 900 gave up the ghost in under a year when it stopped holding air altogether. That’s not something you want to see in a gun that’s barely broken in.
That said, I might have just gotten a lemon. A friend of mine has the same rifle and has put it through plenty of use with zero issues. When it’s working, the Sportsman 900 is fun, versatile, and capable enough for everything from can-plinking to light pest control. The combination of .177-caliber pellets or BBs and adjustable power makes it a flexible shooter.
If you get a good one, you’ll have a solid backyard airgun that’s easy to live with. Just keep in mind that quality control might be hit or miss, so be ready to test it hard during the return window.
Umarex Trevox Break Barrel .177
Quiet, compact, and powerful—if you can cock it.
I thought long and hard about adding the Umarex Trevox Break Barrel .177 to the list. The compact size is a huge plus for portability, storage, and just tossing it in the truck, but it suffers from the same problem most break barrel pistols do—it’s a bear to cock. That said, it’s surprisingly quiet and hits 600 fps, which makes it pretty powerful for a pellet pistol in this price range.
At around $100, it’s fairly priced, and once you get past the cocking effort, it’s a blast to shoot. Accuracy is good, it loads easily, and it has enough punch for backyard fun and the occasional close-range pest. Just be prepared for the workout each time you break it open.
Bottom line—if you want a compact, quiet, and powerful pellet pistol and don’t mind the extra effort to cock it, the Trevox delivers plenty of fun without emptying your wallet.
Umarex Steel-Storm
CO₂-powered BB blaster with grin-inducing burst fire.
The Umarex Steel-Storm is pure backyard fun in a box. Sure, the CO2 cartridges it runs on might be a hassle for some, but once you start shooting, you forget about that. This little beast has a six-shot full-auto burst mode that will put a grin on anyone’s face. It’s not going to win any accuracy contests, but that’s not the point—the fun is in how fast it dumps BBs downrange.
Think of it as a soda can’s worst nightmare. You can rip through a mag, blast cans all over the yard, and for a few seconds, pretend you’re Val Kilmer in Heat. It’s loud enough to feel satisfying, but still backyard-friendly.
I put this on the “beginner list”, but beware, it takes a little more to set this one up with its dual CO2 cartridges, slide-out air magazine, and spring-loaded BB slide. But, all of this is definitely worth it for the amount of fun you can have.
Bottom line—this is a toy for grown-ups who like to make noise and shred targets in a hurry. Not precise, not for hunting, but if you want pure volume firepower in BB form, the Steel-Storm delivers. CO2 cartridge prices are all over the place on Amazon, but these 15-count Crossman cartridges are still the best deal around.
Daisy 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun
Iconic lever-action nostalgia in BB gun form.
Of course, no BB gun list would be complete without the Red Ryder. It’s a classic, and we all know the “shoot your eye out” line, but the truth is, it’s not the most enjoyable BB gun to shoot. The main reason is cocking it takes more effort than you’d expect, especially for younger kids. Most little ones have to turn the gun around and brace it against their knee to cock it, which isn’t exactly the safest position to be in.
For adults, or for older kids who just want something kitschy and classic to mess around with, the Red Ryder is great. It’s light, nostalgic, and still fun for casual plinking. But for an actual youth shooter, the Daisy Model 35 is a better choice in terms of usability and safety. By far, these are the best BB’s for messing around in the backyard.
That said, I still think everyone needs a Red Ryder in the collection. It’s part of airgun history, and even with its quirks, it’s one of those guns you can’t help but smile at when you take it out.
Umarex Marlin Lever
Updated lever-action with more punch than the Red Ryder.
If I’m putting the Red Ryder on this list, it’s only fair to include the Umarex Marlin Lever. Like the Red Ryder, it’s not the easiest gun for a younger shooter to cock, but it’s a step up in power and feels like a more modern all-around BB gun. It keeps that lever-action charm while delivering a bit more punch downrange.
It’s still a straightforward, no-frills BB gun—fun, fairly inexpensive, and reliable. The cocking effort means it’s better suited to older kids and adults, but once you get it running, it cycles smoothly and shoots consistently. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t need to be—it just works.
If you like the nostalgia of a lever-action but want something with a little more oomph than the Red Ryder, the Umarex Marlin is a solid choice.
Blair Witkowski is an avid watch nut, loves pocket knives and flashlights, and when he is not trying to be a good dad to his nine kids, you will find him running or posting pics on Instagram. Besides writing articles for Tech Writer EDC he is also the founder of Lowcountry Style & Living. In addition to writing, he is focused on improving his client’s websites for his other passion, Search Engine Optimization. His wife Jennifer and he live in coastal South Carolina.