There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from setting up a few tin cans in the backyard and spending an afternoon plinking away. For years, my brother and I sought the perfect tool for this simple pleasure—something that offered more realism than a basic pump-action pellet rifle but without the cost, noise, and regulations of a true firearm. We wanted the heft, the feel, and the satisfying mechanical action of a semi-automatic pistol. The challenge was finding a CO2-powered option that didn’t feel like a plastic toy, delivered a satisfying “kick,” and wouldn’t break the bank. This search for an affordable, realistic training analogue is what first led us to the world of blowback air pistols, a category where the Gamo PT-85 CO2 Air Pistol promised to be a major contender.
- caliber: 0.177
- velocity: 450.00 ft/sec
What to Consider Before Buying a CO2 Air Pistol
A CO2 air pistol is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for accessible and affordable firearms training, pest control, or simple recreational shooting. They bridge the gap between toy guns and lethal weapons, offering a tangible shooting experience driven by compressed gas. The primary benefits are the low cost per shot, the ability to practice in areas where firearms are prohibited (like a basement or backyard range), and the development of fundamental skills like grip, sight alignment, and trigger control in a low-recoil environment.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the need for repetitive, low-cost practice—be it a new shooter building muscle memory or an experienced one looking to maintain skills without frequent trips to the range. It’s also perfect for homeowners dealing with small pests or families looking for a supervised and engaging outdoor activity. However, it might not be suitable for those who require absolute precision for competitive target shooting, as CO2 pistols can be sensitive to temperature changes, affecting velocity. It’s also not a self-defense tool; while powerful, it lacks the stopping power of a firearm. Those seeking a true self-defense option should pursue proper licensing and training with a real firearm.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Action Type & Realism: Are you looking for a simple shooter, or do you want a realistic training tool? Models with a “blowback” feature, like the Gamo PT-85, use a portion of the CO2 to cycle the slide, mimicking the action of a semi-automatic firearm. This adds a layer of realism and a bit of recoil, which is excellent for training but also uses more CO2 per shot.
- Ammunition Type (Pellets vs. BBs): Air pistols fire either .177 caliber pellets or steel BBs. Pellets, made of lead, are generally more accurate due to their rifled barrel compatibility and aerodynamic shape, making them better for target practice and small pest control. BBs are cheaper, prone to ricochet, and best suited for casual plinking against safe backstops. The Gamo PT-85 is a pellet pistol, which gears it more towards accuracy.
- Materials & Durability: Construction varies wildly from all-polymer frames to full-metal bodies. A metal slide and barrel, often paired with a polymer frame like on the Gamo PT-85 CO2 Air Pistol, offers a good balance of realistic weight and durability without excessive cost. Full-metal construction provides the most authentic feel but comes at a higher price and weight.
- Power & Velocity: Velocity is measured in feet per second (FPS). A higher FPS isn’t always better; for backyard plinking, 350-450 FPS is more than adequate. Extremely high velocities can make a pistol louder and may be overkill for simple target practice. The Gamo PT-85 advertises up to 450 FPS, placing it in the upper tier for CO2 pistols.
Understanding these factors will help you choose a CO2 air pistol that not only meets your needs but provides a safe, reliable, and enjoyable shooting experience for years to come.
While the Gamo PT-85 CO2 Air Pistol is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- 15-Shot, .177 Caliber Bb Air Pistol
- 177 cal. BB Pistol with a smooth bore steel barrel
- Semi-automatic; .50 Caliber; 385 fps; 7.32" long
First Impressions: A Promising Start with a Few Red Flags
Unboxing the Gamo PT-85 CO2 Air Pistol was an experience of mixed emotions. The pistol itself has an impressive heft, coming in at 27 ounces. It immediately feels more substantial than many of its plastic-bodied competitors. The textured grip fills the hand comfortably, and the metal slide adds a welcome sense of durability and realism. Racking the slide produces a satisfying metallic clack. However, our enthusiasm was tempered by some immediate quality control concerns, which user feedback later confirmed are not isolated incidents. Many users report receiving packages that were clearly previously opened, with torn cardboard and disturbed components. In our own evaluation and echoed by others, we’ve seen instances of missing white dot sights or even missing magazines right out of the box. While our test unit was complete, these widespread reports suggest a lapse in quality control that prospective buyers should be aware of. Despite this, the pistol’s initial feel is undeniably solid, promising a powerful and realistic shooting experience.
What We Like
- Realistic Blowback Action: The slide cycling provides satisfying tactile feedback, excellent for firearms training.
- Substantial Weight and Feel: At 27 oz, it feels more like a real firearm than a toy.
- High-Capacity Magazine: The 16-round (8×2) rotary clip allows for more shooting and less reloading.
- Decent Power: Capable of punching clean holes in cans and paper targets with authority.
What We Didn’t Like
- Significant Trigger Reliability Issues: Widespread reports of the trigger jamming or locking up after a few shots.
- Inconsistent Quality Control: Many units arrive with defects, missing parts, or in previously opened packaging.
Deep Dive: Performance, Power, and Problems Under Pressure
An air pistol can look and feel great, but its true value is revealed on the range. We put the Gamo PT-85 through hundreds of rounds to dissect its performance, from the satisfying kick of its blowback to the frustrating quirks of its trigger and magazine system. Here’s our in-depth analysis.
Handling and Blowback Realism
The first thing you notice when you fire the Gamo PT-85 CO2 Air Pistol is the blowback. It’s snappy, loud, and genuinely fun. For a CO2 pistol in this price range, the realism is exceptional. The metal slide cycles back with each shot, cocking the hammer for the next single-action pull. This action mimics the feel of shooting a small-caliber firearm, like a .22 pistol, as many users have noted. This feature alone makes it a fantastic tool for practicing sight re-acquisition and recoil management on a small scale. The weight contributes significantly to this experience; it doesn’t feel flimsy or toy-like, allowing for a firm, stable grip. The ergonomics are sound, fitting comfortably in an average-sized hand. However, we did find the manual safety to be a bit awkward. It’s a two-handed design that requires a bit more deliberate manipulation than the simple thumb safeties found on many modern firearms, which can break the flow of training drills. Despite this minor ergonomic gripe, the sheer joy and training value derived from the realistic blowback action cannot be overstated. It transforms simple plinking into a more dynamic and engaging experience.
Accuracy, Power, and CO2 Efficiency
Gamo advertises a velocity of “up to 450 fps,” but as with most airguns, real-world performance depends heavily on pellet weight and ambient temperature. Our chronograph testing, consistent with data from other users, clocked the PT-85 at an average of around 330-350 fps with standard lead pellets. While short of the maximum claim, this is more than enough power for backyard fun. It punches through both sides of a steel can with ease and embeds pellets deep into wood backstops. In terms of accuracy, it’s a competent plinker but not a precision instrument. We achieved groups of around 2.5 to 3 inches at a distance of 21 feet, which is perfectly acceptable for hitting cans and silhouette targets. Some shooters find it shoots a little low, requiring a “6 o’clock hold” where you aim just below the intended impact point. This is a common trait in fixed-sight pistols and is easily compensated for with practice. CO2 efficiency is decent for a blowback model. We consistently got about 40-50 usable shots per 12-gram cartridge. One user insightfully noted that you’ll know the gas is low when the slide no longer has enough force to fully retract and cock the hammer, which we found happens around the 35-40 shot mark. This provides a clear, tactile indicator that it’s time for a fresh CO2 cartridge, a feature that really sets it apart.
The Achilles’ Heel: Trigger and Magazine Woes
For all its strengths in feel and power, the Gamo PT-85 is plagued by a critical, widely-reported flaw: the trigger mechanism. Out of the box, the trigger has a long, somewhat heavy double-action pull for the first shot, followed by lighter single-action pulls thanks to the blowback. When it works, it’s great for rapid follow-up shots. The problem is, it frequently doesn’t. We, and countless other users, have experienced the trigger locking in the rearward position after firing, rendering the pistol inoperable. This isn’t a rare defect; it appears to be a chronic design issue. Some users have managed to disassemble the pistol to free the trigger, only for it to jam again a few shots later. This is incredibly frustrating and turns a fun shooting session into a troubleshooting nightmare.
Compounding this is the magazine system. The concept is clever: a stick magazine that holds a reversible 8-round rotary clip at each end for a total of 16 shots. You fire the first eight, drop the mag, flip it, and re-insert for another eight. However, the clips themselves are made of plastic. We found that some pellets, particularly those with a slightly smaller skirt, don’t seat securely. They can slide out of place during handling or firing, causing the clip to jam and preventing the gun from cycling. This can lead to a broken indexing tab on the clip, creating “dead zones” where it fails to rotate. These combined issues—a trigger prone to catastrophic failure and a magazine system susceptible to jams—are the single biggest drawback of the Gamo PT-85 CO2 Air Pistol.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are strongly corroborated by a chorus of user reviews that paint a picture of a product with great potential but marred by inconsistency. The positive feedback almost universally praises the pistol’s realism. One user commented, “High quality realistic looking air gun. For practice shooting it’s fun. Feels just like shooting a real .22 pistol blowback feature is cool.” Another celebrated its power, stating, “This pistol is really well built and shoots like a cannon.”
However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses on the same critical flaws we identified. The most common complaint is the trigger. “After a few shots, the trigger locks in the final position after firing and does not fire again. It makes you frustrated because the PT-85 is an excellent pistol,” one owner lamented. Another simply said, “Failed on second shot. Completely locked up.” Beyond the trigger, quality control is a massive point of contention. Numerous buyers report receiving products that were clearly used or defective from the start: “Product arrived with the package previously opened. Slide does not function properly, magazine missing, CO2 leaks.” This feedback is vital, as it confirms that the risk of receiving a faulty unit is significant.
Competitors: How Does the Gamo PT-85 Stack Up?
The blowback CO2 pistol market is competitive. While the Gamo PT-85 CO2 Air Pistol has its appeal, several alternatives might offer a better experience depending on your priorities.
1. Umarex Colt M45 CQBP .177 BB Air Pistol
- 19-shot, .177 caliber BB air pistol with realistic blowback action
- Powered by a 12-gram CO2 cartridge (CO2 NOT included. To ensure a proper seal and for best performance, Umarex-brand CO2 is recommended.)
The Umarex Colt M45 is a fantastic choice for those who prioritize authentic looks and feel above all else. As an officially licensed replica of the M1911 firearm used by the U.S. Marine Corps, its dimensions and controls are spot-on. It features a full-metal frame and slide, giving it a level of realism and durability that the Gamo’s polymer frame can’t match. The trade-off is that it fires BBs, not pellets. This means it’s less suited for precision target shooting and has a higher risk of ricochet. If your primary goal is a training tool for firearm drills and you value the all-metal construction, the Colt M45 is a superior option, but for backyard accuracy, the pellet-firing Gamo has an edge.
2. Umarex Beretta PX4 Storm BB Gun Pistol
- No need for separate pellet pistols and BB gun pistols, this air pistol is both! It can shoot both.177 caliber BBs and Pellets at up to 380 fps.
- Unlike other BB guns with standard spring action, this CO2 pistol features realistic blowback action and controls for realistic training; Great for practicing holster work and the basics of accuracy.
The Beretta PX4 Storm from Umarex is the versatility champion. Its standout feature is the unique dual-ended magazine that, like the Gamo, holds two 8-round rotary clips. However, the PX4’s genius lies in its ability to shoot both .177 caliber pellets and steel BBs, giving the user the choice between accuracy and low-cost plinking. It also features a crisp blowback action and a design that faithfully replicates its firearm counterpart. For shooters who can’t decide between pellets and BBs, or who want the flexibility to use both, the PX4 Storm is arguably a more advanced and reliable choice than the Gamo PT-85, often without the same widespread reports of trigger failure.
3. Gamo P-25 Air Pistol
For those loyal to the Gamo brand but wary of the PT-85’s issues, the Gamo P-25 is a worthy alternative. It shares many features with the PT-85, including a similar 16-round (8×2) magazine system and a powerful blowback action. Visually, it has a more compact and tactical design. While any mechanical product can have issues, the P-25 does not seem to suffer from the same chronic and widely-reported trigger lock-up issue that plagues the PT-85. It serves as a direct competitor within Gamo’s own lineup, offering a slightly different aesthetic and potentially better reliability, making it a safer bet for someone who wants the Gamo shooting experience without the PT-85’s specific baggage.
Final Verdict: A Fun But Flawed Replica
The Gamo PT-85 CO2 Air Pistol is a product we desperately want to love. When it works, it is an absolute blast to shoot. The realistic blowback, solid weight, and high-capacity magazine combine for one of the most enjoyable backyard plinking experiences available. It’s powerful enough for dispatching small pests and provides excellent tactile feedback for casual firearms training. However, we cannot in good conscience ignore the significant and widespread issues with trigger reliability and overall quality control. The risk of receiving a defective unit or having the trigger fail after just a few magazines is simply too high to give it an unconditional recommendation.
We would recommend the Gamo PT-85 only to hobbyists who are willing to take a gamble. If you receive a good one, you’ll have a fantastic air pistol. If you don’t, be prepared for a frustrating return process. For shooters seeking a more dependable training tool, alternatives like the Umarex Beretta PX4 Storm or Colt M45 offer better reliability and build quality. If you’re captivated by the promise of the PT-85’s performance, we strongly encourage you to check the latest price and user reviews to make a fully informed decision before you buy.
Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API