There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from an afternoon of plinking—the simple, pure joy of lining up a shot and sending a tin can dancing. For many of us, it’s about more than just hitting a target; it’s about the feel of the tool in our hands, the mechanical feedback, and the honing of a fundamental skill. I’ve spent countless hours with air pistols, searching for that elusive blend of authentic weight, crisp action, and reliable accuracy. The challenge has always been finding a CO2-powered replica that doesn’t feel like a toy. Too often, they are lightweight plastic affairs that lack the heft and satisfying slide action of a real firearm, making them poor tools for serious training or immersive recreational shooting. This gap between a cheap plinker and an expensive firearm is where many enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned marksmen, find themselves looking for a better solution.
- FULL-SIZE ALL METAL FRAME – With blow-back action for realistic weight and handling
- FUELD BY A 12-gram CO2 CARTRIDGE - Delivers speeds up to 420 fps (CO2 cartridge not included)
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 marksmanship training, skill development, and pure backyard fun. These pistols solve the problem of cost and logistics associated with live-fire ranges. They allow you to practice sight alignment, trigger control, and safe handling in a controlled, convenient environment. The primary benefits are the low cost per shot, the ability to shoot in more locations, and, in the case of blowback models, the simulation of recoil for a more realistic training experience. Getting your hands on a quality model like the Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser can dramatically improve muscle memory and shooting fundamentals without ever leaving your property.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the high cost of ammunition and range fees, a beginner looking to learn firearm safety and basics in a less intimidating way, or an experienced shooter who wants to maintain their skills with frequent, low-cost practice. It’s a perfect tool for honing the fundamentals. However, it might not be suitable for those who require the power for pest control (as BB guns often lack the energy and can ricochet dangerously) or for individuals seeking a true self-defense weapon, for which a real firearm is the only appropriate choice. For those users, exploring other options is a must.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Weight: The feel in your hand is paramount. A full-metal, full-size frame provides a realistic weight that is essential for effective training, mimicking the balance and heft of a centerfire pistol. Lightweight plastic models can teach bad habits, while a properly weighted air pistol helps build the correct muscle memory for stance and grip.
- Performance & Action: Look beyond just the maximum velocity (FPS). Consider the action type. A blowback action, where the slide cycles with each shot, provides simulated recoil and a much more engaging shooting experience than a static slide. Also, check the magazine capacity and how many usable shots you can expect from a single 12-gram CO2 cartridge before performance drops off.
- Materials & Durability: The choice between polymer and metal is significant. An all-metal frame and slide, as found in higher-quality replicas, offer superior longevity and a more authentic feel. While polymer can be durable, nothing matches the rugged, solid feel of steel and alloy components for creating a truly realistic training tool.
- Features & Ease of Use: Consider the included features. Are the sights fixed or adjustable? Is there an accessory rail for lights or lasers? An integrated laser, for instance, can be a great training aid for point-and-shoot drills, but its quality and mounting security are critical. Also, evaluate the safety mechanism and magazine release for ergonomic and intuitive operation.
While the Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser 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: Heavy Metal and a Bright Red Dot
Unboxing the Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser is an immediately satisfying experience. The first thing that struck me was the weight. The product specifications list some clearly erroneous placeholder numbers for weight and dimensions, but let me be clear: this pistol has serious heft. The all-metal frame and slide give it the substantial, solid feel of a genuine firearm, a far cry from the plastic-molded toys that often populate this price range. There’s no creaking polymer here, just the cold, reassuring feel of metal. The finish is a clean, matte black that looks professional and durable. The drop-free magazine is also a hefty, all-in-one unit that houses both the 18-round BB reservoir and the 12g CO2 cartridge. Inserting it into the mag well produces a solid, authoritative click. Racking the slide for the first time reveals a stiff spring and a crisp, metallic sound that reinforces its quality construction. The integrated laser is neatly tucked into the frame, and the overall impression is that of a serious piece of equipment designed for more than just casual plinking. It feels like a genuine training tool right out of the box, a quality you can see in its detailed design and construction.
What We Like
- Full-metal construction provides realistic weight and excellent durability.
- Crisp blowback action offers satisfying, realistic feedback for training.
- Impressive out-of-the-box accuracy for a smoothbore BB pistol.
- Good power, capable of punching through cans and some plastics at range.
What We Didn’t Like
- The integrated laser sight has a critical flaw and can pop out during firing.
- Rapid firing can cause a significant cooldown effect, reducing power temporarily.
Deep Dive: Performance Under Pressure
A pistol can look and feel the part, but its true value is revealed on the range. How does it shoot? Is it reliable? Does the blowback feel authentic or gimmicky? We put the Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser through its paces to answer these questions, focusing on the core elements that define a great CO2 replica: its construction and realism, its raw power and accuracy, and the functionality of its most prominent feature—the integrated laser.
Full-Metal Construction and Realistic Blowback Action
The single most impressive aspect of this air pistol is its physical presence. The moment you pick it up, you understand this isn’t your average BB gun. The all-metal frame gives it a weight that settles into your hand with authority, demanding a firm, proper grip. This is not just for show; it’s a critical training feature. The realistic weight helps build muscle memory that is directly transferable to handling a real firearm, making it an invaluable tool for new shooters learning stance and grip or for experienced shooters wanting to practice drills at home. The ergonomics are solid, with a comfortable grip texture and intuitively placed controls. The toggle safety is easy to manipulate with the thumb and provides a positive click when engaged or disengaged.
However, the star of the show is the blowback. With each pull of the trigger, the metal slide rockets backward and slams forward with a sharp, metallic clack, chambering the next BB. This isn’t a weak, lazy slide action; it’s forceful and provides a noticeable impulse in the hand that simulates the recoil of a small-caliber firearm. As one user enthusiastically noted, “if you like blowback action in your bb gun… I highly recommend!!!!” We have to agree. This feedback is what separates a static plinker from an immersive training replica. It forces you to reacquire your sight picture after every shot, just as you would with a real pistol, making it perfect for practicing rapid-fire drills and trigger control under simulated stress. The combination of weight and crisp blowback creates a shooting experience that is both incredibly fun and genuinely useful for skill development.
Power and Accuracy: A Backyard Brawler
With a claimed velocity of up to 420 fps, the Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser has enough power for serious plinking. Our testing confirmed this, and we were pleased with its performance on a variety of common backyard targets. As one user discovered, it “punched through the can…too easy” at 20 feet. We replicated this with similar results, finding that standard aluminum cans didn’t stand a chance, with BBs zipping clean through both sides on a fresh CO2 cartridge. We then moved to a tougher target, a thick plastic laundry detergent jug, to mirror another user’s test. Here, the results were more nuanced. On a fresh CO2, the pistol consistently punched holes, but as the cartridge cooled from rapid firing, some BBs would impact and bounce off. This “cooldown effect” is common to all CO2 guns; firing too quickly chills the cartridge, lowering its pressure and velocity temporarily. Pacing your shots allows the CO2 to stabilize and maintains consistent power. This isn’t a flaw, but rather a characteristic of the power source that shooters should understand.
For a smoothbore BB pistol, which relies on the BB bouncing randomly down the barrel, the accuracy was surprisingly good. Another user praised it as “so accurate right out of the box it was amazing,” and our findings were similar. At 15-20 feet, we could consistently keep groups within a few inches, more than adequate for knocking over cans or peppering paper targets. The fixed iron sights are basic but functional. The real potential for accuracy, however, was supposed to come from the integrated laser. But as we soon discovered, that feature came with a significant caveat. Despite the potential issues with the laser, the raw shooting performance is solid, making it a compelling option for its power alone.
The Integrated Red Laser Sight: A Brilliant Idea with a Critical Flaw
An integrated laser sight on an air pistol is a fantastic concept. It’s excellent for beginners learning sight alignment, for practicing instinctive point-shooting, and for adding a bit of high-tech fun to a plinking session, especially at dusk. When the laser on our Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser was working, it was bright, clear, and held its zero reasonably well. One user provided helpful instructions on its operation, noting you must press a square button and pull the laser housing forward to activate it. It’s a simple, if slightly unorthodox, system. We had no trouble getting it turned on and dialed in for our target distance.
Unfortunately, this is where the praise ends. We experienced the exact same critical failure reported by another user: after just a few shots, the entire laser assembly popped out of its housing, dislodged by the pistol’s snappy blowback action. As the user bluntly put it, this “kinda defeats the purpose, especially at night.” We were able to press it back into place, but it would pop out again after another handful of shots. This is a major design or quality control flaw. The friction-fit or locking mechanism meant to hold the laser in place is simply not robust enough to withstand the vibration of the gun’s own action. This turns the pistol’s primary selling feature into its most significant liability. For a shooter buying this model specifically for the laser, this is a deal-breaker. While it’s possible a DIY solution with adhesive could provide a permanent fix, you shouldn’t have to repair a key feature on a brand-new product. It’s a shame, because the pistol itself is so well-built, but this one issue severely tarnishes the overall package. If you are considering this pistol, you must weigh the excellent core performance against this potentially frustrating flaw.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings align closely with the mixed bag of feedback from the community. There’s a clear divide between users who prioritize the shooting experience and those who were let down by the faulty laser. On the positive side, one owner called it the “best CO2 blowback BB gun I have ever owned,” heaping praise on its out-of-the-box accuracy and satisfying action. This sentiment captures the core strength of the pistol perfectly; as a pure shooter, it’s fantastic.
However, the negative feedback is specific and damning. The report of the laser repeatedly popping out “after every shot” is a critical flaw that we were able to verify in our own testing. This isn’t an isolated incident but a potential design weakness. Another user provided a very nuanced take, detailing its impressive power on cans versus its more variable performance on tougher plastic, and correctly identifying the CO2 cooldown effect during rapid fire. They also provided a helpful, if confusing, walkthrough on how to operate the laser, suggesting that its functionality isn’t immediately intuitive. This collective feedback paints a clear picture: you’re getting a powerful, realistic, and accurate blowback pistol, but you’re also likely getting a non-functional laser sight.
How Does It Compare to the Competition?
The Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The market for CO2 replicas is competitive, with several excellent models vying for your attention. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.
1. Umarex Beretta PX4 Storm Blowback BB 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 Umarex Beretta PX4 Storm is a legendary competitor, and its biggest advantage is its versatility. Unlike the BB-only Crosman, the PX4 Storm features a unique dual-ended magazine that allows it to fire both .177 caliber pellets and 4.5mm steel BBs. This is a massive plus for those who prefer the superior accuracy of lead pellets for target shooting. It also features a strong blowback action and is an officially licensed replica, meaning its ergonomics and design are a faithful copy of the real Beretta. If you value ammunition flexibility and the potential for greater accuracy from pellets, the PX4 Storm is arguably a more well-rounded choice, even if it lacks the Crosman’s built-in laser.
2. Gamo P-25 air pistol
The Gamo P-25 is another blowback pistol that focuses on pellet-firing performance. It boasts a rifled steel barrel, which gives it a significant accuracy advantage over smoothbore BB pistols like the Crosman PFM520. It uses an 8-shot rotary clip, which is reliable and easy to load. The Gamo P-25 is often praised for its consistency and solid build quality. While its aesthetics are more generic compared to a specific firearm replica, it’s a workhorse designed for performance. Shooters who are focused purely on punching tight groups on paper targets and prioritize the accuracy of pellets over the realism of a specific firearm model would likely prefer the Gamo P-25.
3. Crosman CRVL357S SR357 6-Shot BB Revolver Air Pistol
- HEAVY-WEIGHT FULL METAL BODY - Velocities up to 450-fps
- DOUBLE OR SINGLE-ACTION
For those who prefer a different style of shooting altogether, Crosman’s own SR357 revolver offers a compelling alternative. Instead of a semi-automatic action with a drop-free magazine, this model provides the classic experience of a double-action revolver. It features a full-metal body and individual cartridges that you load with BBs, adding another layer of realism to the loading and handling process. It doesn’t have blowback, but the heavy trigger pull in double-action mode is excellent for training trigger control. If the aesthetic and manual of arms of a revolver appeal to you more than a semi-auto, the SR357 is a robust, fun, and well-built option that delivers a completely different, yet equally satisfying, shooting experience.
Final Verdict: A Great Shooter with a Glaring Flaw
The Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser is a product of two extremes. On one hand, it is a phenomenal blowback BB pistol. The full-metal construction provides a fantastic, realistic weight and feel that is perfect for training or immersive plinking. The blowback action is crisp and authoritative, and its power and accuracy are more than sufficient for backyard fun. If you were to judge it solely on these merits, it would be an easy recommendation and a top contender in its class.
However, the unreliable, poorly secured laser sight is an undeniable and critical flaw. A feature so prominently advertised should not fail under the normal operation of the device. Therefore, our recommendation comes with a strong condition. If you are looking for a hefty, realistic, and satisfying blowback BB pistol and consider the laser a non-essential gimmick you can ignore or attempt to fix yourself, then this is an excellent choice. But if the integrated laser is your primary reason for considering this model, we advise you to look elsewhere. For those who value the feel and action above all else, the Crosman PFM520 Air Pistol With Red Laser offers a five-star shooting experience hampered by a one-star feature.
Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API