There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from setting up a few tin cans in the backyard and spending an afternoon honing your marksmanship. For years, my quest was for an air pistol that could replicate the heft, feel, and mechanical action of a real firearm without the associated cost, noise, and regulations. I’ve handled countless air pistols that felt like plastic toys—light, flimsy, and ultimately unsatisfying. They get the job done, but they lack soul. The real challenge is finding a CO2 pistol that bridges the gap between a casual plinker and a serious training tool, something that feels substantial in your hand and makes every shot an experience. This search for authenticity, for a tool that makes practice feel purposeful and fun, is what led me to take a very close look at the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver. It promised the weight and the action, but I had to know if it could deliver on performance.
- SNR357 - Sleek black, heavy-weight, full-metal body
- FUELED BY A 12-GRAM CO2 CARTRIDGE - Delivers speeds up to 400 fps with BBs and 500 fps with .177 caliber pellets (CO2 not included)
Your Guide to Choosing the Right CO2 Air Pistol
An Air Pistol is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for accessible, affordable, and frequent shooting practice. Whether you’re a seasoned firearm owner looking to maintain skills without trips to the range, a beginner learning the fundamentals of sight alignment and trigger control, or simply someone who enjoys the meditative challenge of target shooting, a quality air pistol is an invaluable tool. The primary benefit is the ability to practice almost anywhere, safely and quietly. It removes the barriers of ammunition costs and range fees, turning your backyard or basement into a personal training ground. This accessibility fosters muscle memory and consistency that directly translates to improved performance with any type of handgun.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the desire for a realistic shooting experience coupled with the need for convenience and low-cost operation. They value the tactile feedback of a well-built replica and enjoy the mechanical process of loading and firing. It’s perfect for skill development, from teens learning gun safety under supervision to adults wanting a fun, engaging hobby. However, it might not be suitable for those who require competition-grade, long-range accuracy. A snub-nose CO2 revolver, by its nature, is not designed to win Olympic medals. Shooters focused purely on achieving the tightest possible groups at 25 yards or more might consider a single-stroke pneumatic pistol with a longer, rifled barrel and finer sights.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider the overall size and weight of the air pistol. A heavier, full-metal model like the Crosman SNR357 provides a realistic feel for training, but a lighter polymer pistol might be more comfortable for younger shooters or for extended plinking sessions. Ensure you have a safe, designated space for practice with a proper backstop.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance in CO2 pistols is measured in Feet Per Second (FPS). Higher FPS generally means a flatter trajectory and more impact energy. Also, consider the action—revolvers like this one have a 6-round capacity, while some semi-automatic replicas can hold 15-20 rounds in a magazine, offering a different shooting experience.
- Materials & Durability: Look for a full-metal frame for the most authentic weight and feel. However, be aware of the materials used for smaller, functional parts. Many air pistols use plastic for grips, safeties, and sights to keep costs down, which can be potential points of failure if not handled with care.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: CO2 pistols are generally easy to use. The main maintenance involves replacing the 12g CO2 cartridge after 50-70 shots and applying a drop of pellgun oil on the tip of each new cartridge to keep the seals lubricated. Look for models with easy-to-access CO2 compartments and straightforward loading mechanisms.
Finding the perfect air pistol involves balancing realism, performance, and budget. The right choice will provide countless hours of enjoyment and valuable practice.
While the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver 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: Unboxing a Beast of a Revolver
Pulling the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver from its packaging is an immediately impressive experience. The first thing you notice isn’t a feature or a spec—it’s the weight. At a solid two pounds, this isn’t a toy. It has the heft and presence of a genuine firearm, a feeling amplified by the cool touch of its full-metal body. There’s no flimsy plastic shell here; the frame, barrel, and cylinder feel robust and substantial. Clicking the cylinder release and swinging it open reveals the six chambers, ready for the included pellet or BB cartridges. The single/double action trigger has a satisfying, mechanical feel. Compared to many other CO2 pistols in its price range that often feel unbalanced or overly reliant on polymer, the SNR357 immediately establishes itself as a serious replica built for those who appreciate realism. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of this impressive build quality.
What We Like
- Incredibly realistic weight and feel due to its full-metal construction.
- Dual ammunition capability, firing both .177 pellets and steel BBs.
- Authentic revolver action with a swing-out cylinder and individual cartridges.
- Excellent value for the level of realism and fun factor it provides.
What We Didn’t Like
- Grip panels and safety lever are made of plastic, feeling less premium than the body.
- Snub-nose design and smoothbore barrel limit its effective accuracy range.
Performance Under Fire: A Deep Dive into the Crosman SNR357
An air pistol can look and feel the part, but true value is determined at the shooting line. Over several weeks, we put the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver through its paces, firing hundreds of rounds of both pellets and BBs. We tested its handling, its power, its accuracy, and its overall durability to see if the shooting experience lived up to its fantastic first impression. This is where the revolver’s character truly reveals itself, with all its strengths and notable quirks.
Realism and Handling: More Than Just a Replica
The single greatest attribute of the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver is its commitment to realism. The two-pound weight is perfectly balanced, making it feel secure and steady in the hand, closely mimicking the experience of holding a .357 Magnum. The process of using it is a joy in itself. Pushing the cylinder release, swinging out the heavy metal cylinder, and ejecting the spent cartridges has a satisfying mechanical solidity. Loading individual pellets or BBs into their respective brass-colored shells before slotting them one-by-one into the cylinder is a deliberate, engaging process that semi-automatic magazine loaders simply can’t replicate. It slows you down and makes you appreciate each of the six shots.
The double-action trigger pull is long and heavy, just as you’d expect from a real revolver, providing excellent practice for trigger control. Alternatively, you can cock the hammer back manually for a much lighter, crisper single-action shot, which we found significantly improved precision. This dual-action functionality is a premium feature that enhances both its training potential and its fun factor. The ergonomic finger-grooved grip is comfortable, but it’s also the source of the most common critique. To install a 12g CO2 cartridge, you must pull off one of the plastic grip panels. While we experienced no issues, we share the sentiment of many users that this is the pistol’s primary weak point. The plastic feels thin compared to the robust metal frame, and several owners have reported that care must be taken not to be too rough with it. One user noted, “The grip is cheap plastic and since you have to pull the grip off to replace the cartridge it should have been better made.” This is a fair assessment; a more robust attachment mechanism would elevate the entire product. Despite this, the overall handling experience remains top-tier for a replica in this price bracket. You can explore this feature which truly sets it apart.
Dual Ammunition Versatility: The Best of Both Worlds
One of the most compelling features of this revolver is its ability to fire both .177 caliber pellets and standard 4.5mm steel BBs. Crosman cleverly achieves this by providing two sets of six reusable cartridges: one designed to hold pellets and the other for BBs. This versatility is a massive advantage. For sheer, inexpensive fun and plinking at cans, steel BBs are hard to beat. They are cheap, easy to load, and provide that satisfying “ping” on impact. We found the revolver fed BBs reliably, and they are perfect for casual target practice where pinpoint accuracy isn’t the main goal.
However, when we switched to the pellet cartridges, the revolver’s potential changed. We tested it with standard lead wadcutter pellets and found a noticeable improvement in accuracy. As one user confirmed after extensive testing, “I have shot BB’s, and pellets with it, and pellets are the way to go.” We agree. The pellets are more stable in flight, even from the short, smoothbore barrel, and they deliver significantly more impact energy, making the SNR357 a viable option for backyard pest control. The advertised velocity of up to 500 FPS with pellets feels accurate, as they hit with a solid thud. It’s important to note a key point raised by a meticulous owner: the barrel is not rifled. This means pellets won’t get the stabilizing spin they would from a dedicated pellet pistol, and we did observe some “tumbling,” evidenced by elongated holes in paper targets. This is an inherent limitation of a smoothbore, dual-ammo design, but the accuracy is still more than adequate for its intended purpose of fun shooting within 20 yards.
Performance, Power, and Accuracy: Expectations for a Snub Nose
Let’s be clear: the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver is a snub-nose revolver. It is not designed to be a precision target pistol for long-range shooting. Understanding this is key to appreciating what it does well. In our testing, we found it to be reliably accurate for plinking and target practice out to about 10-15 yards. At 20 feet, we could consistently achieve 2-to-3-inch groupings using the single-action trigger and a steady rest, which is perfectly acceptable for hitting tin cans or reactive targets. The sights are basic but functional, with a fixed front blade and a rear sight that is adjustable for windage and elevation, allowing you to dial it in for your preferred ammunition.
Power from a fresh 12g CO2 cartridge is impressive. The first 30-40 shots are strong and consistent. After that, you’ll notice a gradual drop in velocity, but we were still getting 60-70 usable shots per cartridge, which is quite efficient. Some users have reported issues with the safety mechanism being very stiff out of the box. We experienced this as well; the slide safety required a firm, deliberate push to disengage initially. However, as one user correctly pointed out, “The safety is never stuck all you have to do is push it hard… I opened it a thousand times and never was stuck again.” Our experience mirrored this exactly. After working the safety back and forth a dozen times, it smoothed out considerably and became easy to operate. This initial stiffness seems to be a common quirk that resolves with a short break-in period. For those seeking a reliable and fun backyard shooter, it’s hard to be disappointed with the performance offered at this price point.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the sentiment for the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver is overwhelmingly positive, centered on its incredible realism. One user perfectly captures the common feeling, stating, “I can’t believe how much it feels like a real revolver and heavy just like a real firearm, I would definitely recommend buying it for plinking fun.” Another echoes this, calling it “the best most fun replica you can buy.” This enthusiastic praise for its weight, feel, and authentic loading process is the dominant theme in customer feedback.
However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms, which provide a balanced view. The most frequent complaints target the use of plastic for the grip and safety. A detailed review noted, “The grip is cheap plastic… safety slide is plastic also and it’s very hard to take the safety off so it most likely will break.” This highlights a clear trade-off between the revolver’s affordable price and the quality of its non-metal components. More serious concerns involve durability and quality control. One unfortunate user reported a catastrophic failure after a minor drop: “When it hit the floor it bumped the cylinder out of the frame and broke swing arm off which is made out of white metal.” While seemingly an isolated incident, it serves as a reminder that despite its heavy feel, it is not indestructible and should be handled with care. The consensus is clear: it’s a fantastically realistic plinker, but one that requires mindful handling of its few delicate parts. After weighing the feedback, many still feel it is one of the best airgun revolvers available for the money.
How Does the Crosman SNR357 Compare to the Alternatives?
While the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver excels in realism, it’s important to see how it stacks up against other popular air pistols that might cater to different needs. We’ve compared it to three notable competitors to help you make the most informed decision.
1. Beeman Model 2004 Air Pistol
- Caliber: .177 Pellet; Velocity: 410 FPS; Single shot high precision
- Weight: 1.7 pounds; Overall length: 9.5", Barrel length: 4.5"
The Beeman Model 2004 operates on a completely different system: it’s a single-stroke pneumatic pistol. This means there are no CO2 cartridges to buy. You simply break the barrel open once for each shot, which compresses the air. This makes it incredibly consistent shot-to-shot and very inexpensive to operate over the long term. However, it completely lacks the realism and rapid-fire capability of the SNR357. The Beeman is a better choice for someone purely focused on precision target practice on a budget, who doesn’t mind the slower, one-shot-at-a-time firing process and values consistency over replica aesthetics.
2. Crosman
- SYNTHETIC FRAME AND GRIP WITH RIFLED STEEL BARREL
- PNEUMATIC DESIGN, VARIABLE PUMP POWER - Control velocity up to 460 fps
This alternative from Crosman, likely referring to their popular semi-automatic replicas like the P10, offers a different kind of shooting experience. These models typically feature a drop-out magazine that holds both the CO2 and a higher capacity of BBs (often 15-20). This is ideal for shooters who prefer a faster-paced plinking session and the feel of a modern semi-automatic pistol. While many offer realistic blowback action, they generally don’t have the same satisfying, all-metal heft as the SNR357 revolver. Someone who prefers the modern semi-auto platform and values capacity over the classic revolver action would prefer this alternative.
3. Gamo P-25 air Pistol
The Gamo P-25 is a high-performance blowback air pistol known for its power and rifled steel barrel. It fires pellets from a unique 16-round rotary magazine (8 rounds on each end), offering a great balance of accuracy and capacity. The blowback feature provides a snappy, realistic recoil impulse with every shot. This pistol is for the user who wants the accuracy advantage of a rifled barrel and the fun of blowback action in a semi-automatic package. It sacrifices the classic revolver aesthetic and weight of the SNR357 for higher velocity and pellet-focused performance.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Crosman SNR357 Right for You?
After extensive testing and careful consideration of user feedback, our verdict on the Crosman SNR357 .177-Caliber CO2 Revolver is overwhelmingly positive, with a few important caveats. If your primary goal is to own an air pistol that delivers an authentic, satisfying, and incredibly fun shooting experience, this revolver is one of the best values on the market. Its full-metal construction provides a heft and realism that is simply unmatched by most competitors in its price range. The dual-ammo capability and the engaging process of loading the individual cartridges make every backyard plinking session feel like a genuine range day.
It is not, however, a competition target pistol, and buyers must be aware of its limitations. The snub-nose design and smoothbore barrel mean accuracy is best suited for short-range fun, and the plastic components like the grip and safety require mindful handling. For shooters who prioritize the tactile experience, skill-building with a revolver action, and pure, unadulterated plinking joy, these trade-offs are minor. It’s an exceptional tool for learning firearm fundamentals and a must-have for any replica collector. If you’re ready for a CO2 pistol that feels as good as it shoots, we wholeheartedly recommend you check the latest price and add the Crosman SNR357 to your collection.
Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API