BB guns come in all shapes and sizes -from long-barreled guns that mimic shotguns and rifles to handguns and pistols.
Whether you’re shopping for a beginner or a teen that has a little practice, you’ll want to consider things like the type of power mechanism, whether you want single-shot, semi-, or fully automatic, and whether you want a scope or an iron sight.
Below, you’ll find our recommendation for the best BB guns for kids, as well as a handy guide that will give you the basics of what to look for in a BB gun.
Best BB Guns for Young Kids
The Daisy Youth Model 105 BB Gun holds up to 400 BB’s at once but you have to pull the lever between shots, making your child concentrate between firing shots. The classic Red Ryder Starter Kit is also a single firing BB gun, however, it can hold 650 BB’s.
Daisy Youth Model 105 BB Gun
The Daisy Youth Model 105 BB Gun is a great choice for younger users. It features a shorter stock than most long-barreled BB guns and is manufacturer recommended for use by kids ages 10 and older.
This has a long lever that your child pulls to load each round before firing. Since they have to load each round, they must think about each shot. This makes it perfect for beginners. An added benefit is that it holds up to 400 BBs at once, so you don’t have to keep reloading it.
This doesn’t have as much velocity as the others on this list. It only fires at a rate of around 275 fps. Since younger kids are likely to be shooting at closer targets, this is perfect for beginners.
Even though it is a great rifle for a kid, your child will eventually outgrow this. The stock is not especially long and it doesn’t have a lot of firing power compared to some other options. An older kid might prefer something that has a little more velocity behind it.
This has a durable, classic design with a wood stock and steel alloy barrel. Though the steel alloy is still durable, it’s a little more lightweight which is perfect in a BB gun for kids.
Pros
- Durable but lightweight
- Short stock is better for younger kids
- Manufacturer recommended for ages 10+
- Great BB gun for beginners
- Holds 400 rounds
- Easy to reload
- Classic design
Cons
- Shorter barrel so your child will outgrow the gun
- Low velocity might not be best for older kids
Barra Airguns 1866 Air Rifle Junior Bundle Kit
The Barra Airguns 1866 Air Rifle Junior Bundle Kit comes with safety glasses, several styles of targets, and a bottle of 1,000 BBs. There is great attention to detail in the design of the rifle, giving it a sleek, professional finish.
This rifle features a single-pump pneumatic design. It reloads after each shot as your child pulls on the long lever. The lever is nice because it makes the BB gun easier to reload but it also engages a safety after each shot.
This safety mechanism makes this a good choice as the best BB gun for kids just starting out. Beginners have time to process what they are doing and how the gun works. Additionally, they learn to set up their shot each time they pull the trigger.
While this comes with BBs, you can also use it with pellets for less ricochet and a straighter shot. It fires BBs (or pellets) at a velocity of 350 FPS, which is a good speed for a BB gun for beginners and is accurate right out of the box. (You may want something with a higher velocity for older or more experienced kids).
The safety glasses included with this reinforce safety and it’s nice that it comes with BBs and targets. Something to note is that the targets are well-designed, but a little on the small size (especially for a kid that is just starting out).
Pros
- Comes with targets, safety glasses, and BBs
- Can be used with pellets or BBs
- Gun is designed well
- Good attention to detail
- Great accuracy
- Single-load design lets your child think between shots
- Great BB gun for beginners
Cons
- Targets are a little small
- Not a lot of firing power for an experienced user
Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun
The Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun is nostalgic for many parents and grandparents and comes from a well-trusted brand. Its lower velocity but high BB capacity makes it a great choice for younger kids who are looking for their first BB gun.
The long-barreled gun has a long lever that makes it easier to load. It holds 650 BBs, so you don’t have to constantly reload it. This is a single-pump gun and it fires at a velocity of 350 fps. There are iron sights affixed to the barrel and they are accurate.
While this is labeled as a kit and it shows targets, BBs, and safety glasses with this set, many users reported that it did not ship with these items. Those people that did get the accessories, however, say that they could have been better quality.
Accessories aside, this is a great gun for the money. The wooden barrel and steel alloy both give this a nice appearance. Something to note is that some of the pieces (like the lever) are made of plastic. It does make the gun lighter, however, the lever sees a lot of action so it would be nice if it were made of more durable material.
Pros
- Classic Red Ryder BB gun
- Holds up 650 BBs
- Lever-action pump
- Velocity of 350 fps is great for beginners
- Nice appearance
- Iron sights with good accuracy
Cons
- Doesn’t always come with accessories, accessories could be better quality
- Lever could be made from more durable material
Best BB Guns for Older Kids and Teens
The Smith & Wesson and the Glock are both semi-automatic air pistols that can teach your child how to properly use a handgun; whereas the Crosman Rifle is a tactical air rifle that has more fire power for the more experienced air rifle user.
Umarex Ruger Explorer Youth
The Umarex Ruger 2244020 Explore Youth is a great BB gun for teens and older kids. It fires BBs at an impressive rate of 495 fps and is loaded with extra features that make it one of the best BB guns for kids looking for their second BB gun.
This Ruger BB gun has a spring-powered break barrel that your child pulls back on to load the BB round into the gun. It has open rear sights and fiber-optic front sights. Both the front and rear sights have good accuracy, however, it’s hard to zero the rear sights out at certain elevations because it is so close to the gun. The fiber optic front sights are both accurate and have good visibility in daylight.
In addition to the features mentioned above, this BB gun has the advantage of being incredibly durable. It has an all-weather stock so your child can practice shooting in inclement weather. The gunstock is also ambidextrous, which is especially nice if you aren’t sure which side your child prefers to shoot on. As an added benefit, there is a rubber recoil pad that reduces some of the force your child feels from the kickback while they are shooting.
The final thing to keep in mind is that the different parts are held together by screws. These may need to be tightened out of the box, as well as over the lifetime of the gun because the reverb from firing can rattle the screws loose. Be sure to inspect the gun before your child uses it and check for loose screws to prevent misfiring and accidents.
Pros
- Open rear sights
- Fiber optic front sights have good lighting
- 495 fps velocity
- All-weather stock and durable design
- Ambidextrous stock
- Easy to reload
- Rubber recoil pad
Cons
- Rear sights are hard to zero at certain elevations
- Screws may loosen over time
Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P 40 BB Gun
The Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P 40 BB gun works with a 12G CO2 cartridge tucked away in the grip. It features a double-action trigger that is great for training a child how to handle a handgun safely as well as target practice.
Like a real gun, this features a manual safety that can be engaged when it isn’t in use. It fires BBs at a rapid velocity of 410 fps and holds up to 19 shots in the drop-down magazine. The double action trigger lets you fire shots rapidly, but not so rapidly that you don’t have to stop and think between trigger pulls.
Another benefit of this is the sights. There are two green fiber rods that run along either side of the sight. You line up the white dot in the middle of these before taking your shot. While this isn’t a scope, it does help improve accuracy with iron sights and more traditional gun sights.
Even though this isn’t a real gun, it does have the same balance and weight as a traditional M&P gun. This is another reason it’s great for training and learning how to shoot.
One thing that you’ll need to be cautious with is loading the CO2 cartridge into the gun. While the tucked-away design is nice if you want something more realistic, it makes it harder to load the cartridge. This is especially true because the canister leaks until it is screwed in completely. Additionally, you’ll need to be sure to keep up with oiling the magazine and other working parts because the gun misfires when the magazine isn’t maintained properly.
Pros
- CO2 canister is inside the gun stock
- Holds up to 19 shouts
- Velocity of 410 fps
- Double-action trigger
- Good accuracy because of fiber optic sights
- BB gun has good weight and balance
- Good choice for target practice or training exercises
Cons
- Needs to be well-maintained to prevent misfires
- Hard to load the CO2 cartridge
- Too realistic for carrying around
Crosman M4-177 Tactical Style Bolt Action BB Air Rifle
The Crosman M4-177 Tactical Style Bold Action BB Air Rifle is a good choice if you want your teen to have something with a little more firing power. It is compatible with pellets or BBs, which also gives more versatility for how the BB rifle can be used.
This has significantly more firepower than the others in this article – BBs have a velocity of 660 fps and pellets have a velocity of 625 fps. It features varying pump activity for adjusting the velocity of the shot- it can go from 350 to a maximum of 700 fps. The design works well for left- or right-handed shooters and there are Pica tiny rails, which are compatible with a wide range of accessories.
Even without accessories, this offers a good amount of accuracy. The gun features dual-aperture rear sight and an adjustable post front sight. It also has an adjustable stock, which improves comfort when shooting.
While the barrel of this is made from steel alloy, there are other parts (like the butt) that are made from hard plastic. They are not as durable as some other guns so you’ll want to be careful when storing and traveling with this. Another downside is that it is hard to cock, so it’s not a good choice for younger kids.
Pros
- Varying velocity from 350 to 700 fps
- Ambidextrous design
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Adjustable stock
- Good accuracy
- Works with pellets or BBs
- Can be used for target practice or pest control
- Good choice for older, more experienced kids
Cons
- Hard to cock
- Could be more durable
Umarex Glock 19 Gen3 .177 BB Pistol
The Umarex Glock 19 Gen3 .177 BB Pistol is a good choice if you want a handgun-style BB gun for your kids. Since it doesn’t require as much trigger discipline, it should be introduced after your child has already been introduced to the basics of gun safety and they know how to use a gun.
Rather than using a lever, this works with a CO2 cartridge. The gun holds a 12-gram cartridge, which fires about 60 rounds at a velocity of 410 fps. It does have a locking mechanism for when the BB gun is not in use, however, it is semi-automatic. You need to pull back to reload the gun with each round.
This comes with a magazine that simulates a real gun magazine. It holds up to 15 BBs, however, you have to load them one at a time so it can be a hassle. The other thing that might be a bit of a hassle is the trigger pull, which is heavy and may impact accuracy.
The iron sights on this are accurate and make shooting easier. This gun is also fitted with a Weaver rail, which fits many standard-sized scopes and other accessories.
One thing to keep in mind when buying handgun-style BB guns is that they have a realistic appearance. The gun should stay locked up at home unless your child is on the way to the shooting range or under the supervision of a parent. This has a similar Glock appearance from the magazine to the appearance of the BB gun, which has the same details as the Glock gun.
Pros
- Semi-automatic design
- Iron sights are accurate
- Weaver rail for mounting scopes and other accessories
- Holds up to 15 BBs
- Velocity of 410 fps
- Locking mechanism for when the gun is not in use
- Good BB gun for experienced users
Cons
- Appearance is very realistic
- Heavy trigger pull
- Hassle to load the BBs
Best Pump Action BB Guns
Both of these guns offer multi-pump systems to allow maximum velocity and both hold 50 BB’s at once, however, the Crosman 760BKT Pump Master has a very old West feel and look with gold plating and an octagonal barrel, while the 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit has a more modern look, featuring a wood-grained Monte Carlo stock and forearm and a steel barrel.
Crosman 760BKT Pump Master
The Crosman 760BKT Pump Master is a great choice if your kid is enthused with cowboys, horses, or the old West. It has an authentic Western design and a multi-pump system that lets you control how far the BBs shoot. Additionally, the iron sights have a good amount of accuracy even at a distance.
Some of the attention to detail in this rifle include the synthetic wooden stock and its authentic finish, as well as gold plating and an octagonal barrel. Even though the receiver is plastic, the lever is made from durable cast iron. Overall, it has a durable and good-looking build.
The BB gun is functional as well. The multi-pump system lets you pump up to 10 times, with a maximum velocity of 700 fps. It fires from a reservoir that holds up to 50 BBs at once. Another benefit is the one-year warranty, which you don’t see with a lot of BB guns. It’s always nice when a company stands behind their product.
One thing to note is that this will need to be tightened from time to time because the gun does not absorb shock well and it causes the screws to start to loosen. Another downside is that it misfires from time to time or does not take in air as it should when you are pumping before a shot.
Pros
- Authentic Western design
- Multi-pump for varying velocity
- One-year warranty
- Octagonal barrel and gold finishing
- Holds 50 BBs
- Maximum velocity of 800 fps
- Cast iron lever
Cons
- Occasionally misfires
- Screws loosen from time to time
Daisy 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit
The 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit comes with the air rifle, safety glasses, a scope with rings, 500 pellets, and 750 BBs. This is a multi-pump pneumatic rifle, so your child can pump the stock more than once to increase the velocity and distance of the shot.
The air rifle has a nice finish, featuring a wood-grained Monte Carlo stock and forearm. It holds up to 50 BBs at once ad fires them at a rate of 750 feet per second. The rifle shoots pellets at a rate of 715 fps.
Something nice about this BB gun is that it fires BBs and pellets. BBs are more likely to ricochet, while pellets are better for a straight trajectory. This means your child might enjoy them more for target practice once you are sure they can operate the BB rifle safely.
It’s also nice this has iron sights and comes with a scope. The iron sights are accurate and aligned with the barrel, but you will need to mount and adjust the scope yourself. Additionally, the way the barrel is designed makes it harder to load BBs when the scope is on.
This does require your child to think about their shots since the bolt needs to be cycled around before it pumps air. There is also a cross-bolt trigger block safety mechanism for when the gun is not in use.
One thing to note is that while this is made using a steel barrel and wood stocks, it might be lighter and less sturdy feeling than the old Daisy BB rifle because some of the parts have been switched out for plastic. Overall, however, it does seem to withstand years of use when handled and stored properly. The added plastic also makes it lighter.
Pros
- Comes with extras like BBs, pellets, and safety glasses
- Iron sights are accurate
- Comes with a scope
- Holds up to 50 BBs at once
- Multi-pump design gives control over the velocity
- Great starter BB gun
- Lightweight but sturdy design
Cons
- Scope gets in the way of loading area for BBs and pellets
- Not as sturdy as older Daisy models
Best Fully Automatic BB Gun
Crosman DPMS Full Auto SBR BB Air Rifle
The Crosman DPMS Full Auto SBR BB Air Rifle is an ideal choice for older teens that want more power for target practice. It is our top recommendation if you want a fully automatic BB gun for your child, though this is highly recommended for teenagers capable of using this safely and responsibly.
Despite the larger size of this rifle, it’s lightweight and easy to handle. It also has an adjustable stock with five different positions, which is great for making sure the rifle is the right size for the shooter. It’ll grow with your teen and will likely be a source of fun for years to come.
Since this is a higher-powered BB rifle, you’ll need two CO2 cartridges to operate it. This also comes with a magazine that holds 25 shots. The downside is that 25 shots isn’t a big capacity for this type of fun, especially with the automatic design. You’ll also want to consider that you’ll likely go through a lot of BBs if your family goes target shooting often, as well as CO2 cartridges.
Even with the dual CO2 design, this fires rounds at a velocity of just 430 fps. This is more powerful than many BB rifles mentioned and it’s more than sufficient for shooting at targets. Some other features of this gun include flip-up sights (which is nice because they are less likely to be damaged during storage or transport), an angled foregrip for better security while shooting, and a railed handguard for adding your own accessories.
Pros
- Angled foregrip makes this more comfortable to hold
- Fully automatic design is fun to play with
- Adjustable stock for customizable sizing
- Uses dual CO2 cartridges for more power
- Magazine holds 25 rounds
- Sights fold down when not in use
- Railed handguard
Cons
- More expensive than other options
- You’ll go through a lot of rounds and CO2 cartridges
- 25 shots isn’t a lot with an automatic BB rifle
Comparing BB Guns for Kids
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Crosman DPMS Full Auto SBR BB Air Rifle | 9.1 | 9.2 | 156.00 |
| Umarex Ruger Explorer Youth | 3.9 | 8.8 | 95.74 |
| Daisy 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit | 9.3 | 9.0 | 76.04 |
| Crosman M4-177 Tactical Style Bolt Action BB Air Rifle | 8.8 | 8.6 | 70.63 |
| Umarex Glock 19 Gen3 .177 BB Pistol | 9.9 | 9.2 | 60.19 |
| Barra Airguns 1866 Air Rifle Junior Bundle Kit | 9.3 | 8.8 | 54.99 |
| Crosman 760BKT Pump Master | 9.4 | 8.8 | 54.18 |
| Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun | 7.4 | 9.4 | 47.20 |
| Umarex Smith & Wesson M&P 40 BB Gun | 7.5 | 8.6 | 46.69 |
| Daisy Youth Model 105 BB Gun | 9.4 | 9.2 | 29.98 |
How We Selected the Best BB Guns for Kids
Single-Shot, Semi, and Fully Automatic
Generally, BB guns are meant for target practice and getting familiar with guns.
When your child is new to gun safety, a single-shot BB gun might be best. Single shot guns are a lot more affordable than semi-automatic or automatic BB guns. Since your child has to stop and reload each time, it’s also great for reinforcing some of the fundamentals of gun safety. Additionally, you’ll be able to control how quickly your child is firing off rounds.
A semi-automatic gun self-loads. While your child won’t need to stop to reload each time, they will have to pull the trigger every time they want to fire around.
Automatic BB guns self-load and continue firing as long as your finger is on the trigger. While automatic BB guns can be a lot of fun, you’ll want to save them until your child is much older and more responsible.
Length and Weight
The length and weight of a BB gun are important to how safely your child can operate it. This is especially true if you are shopping for a younger child since you don’t want the gun to be too heavy or too long for them to use.
Iron Sights vs. Scopes
When you are training a beginner, it’s more important to focus on trigger discipline and gun safety than worry about aiming. However, it is useful to use both iron sights and scopes as your child learns.
Iron sights use two small peep holes on the top of the barrel. When you line up your target using both parts, it is accurate. Scopes help magnify the target and use either crosshairs or a laser to ensure you are lining up your sight.
In addition to being the more cost-effective option, iron sights are usually lighter. Since they don’t have a lens and have a fixed position, they are less likely to have problems like getting knocked off their settings or fogging up in some types of weather.
Optics from scopes, on the other hand, make it easier to see distance and both locate and identify your target. Additionally, they have the advantage of lining up your shot quicker.
While optics are nice for hunting purposes, they aren’t really as necessary for target practice with a BB gun. However, if you are introducing your child to a BB gun before hunting, then learning to use a sight can be useful. The one you choose is up to you. Sometimes, the best BB guns for kids have both. You can look for a barrel compatible with accessories and buy the scope separately. This helps your child with the fundamentals of both.
Power Mechanism
The power mechanism describes how the BB gun fires ammunition. Since these are non-powered guns, they use air to launch the BBs forward. BB guns use three types of power mechanisms: pump-action, lever-action, or CO2.
BB guns using pump-action and lever-action are most common in BB guns for younger kids. Pump-action guns have an air pump located somewhere in the front of the barrel. Some only pump once, while others pump several times to create more power (and velocity). With a lever-action BB gun, the motion of the lever takes air in and holds it until you are ready to make your shot. Either of these is a good option as the best BB guns for kids, since they make your child think about what they are doing each time they get ready to take a shot.
CO2 BB guns use a carbon dioxide cartridge, which you’ll need to replace periodically. It uses stored air to make the shot when you fire. Semi-automatic or fully-automatic guns typically use CO2 cartridges.
FAQs About the Best BB Guns For Kids
What is a BB gun for?
BB guns are designed for sport. They are used for target practice, recreation, and sometimes training. In the case of younger users, a BB gun is most commonly used to introduce the child to the basics of gun safety and use. Even though they can injure or possibly kill a small animal if it is hit in a major organ, BBs ricochet and aren’t good for shooting small game like squirrels or pests.
Something else to keep in mind is the velocity of many BB guns (measured in feet per second or fps) isn’t especially high. A higher velocity means there’s a greater impact if the target is closer. Some of the BB guns mentioned are designed to work with BBs or pellets- these are a better choice if your child is hunting small animals with it.
When should I buy my child their first BB gun?
You should buy your child their first BB gun when they show an interest in learning. Some kids learn as early as 7 or 8- but that’s only if they’ve shown an interest and have enough maturity to safely handle a gun.
Keep in mind that the decision to buy your child their first gun is more about maturity than their age. It’s important that your child is able to hold something dangerous (like a BB gun) and operate it the right way. They should exhibit good behavior, reasoning, and self-control. Even then, your child should only operate a gun under close supervision and you should teach them the three rules of gun safety:
1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction (away from you, as well as any people or animals you don’t intend to shoot).
2. Never put your finger on the trigger until it is time to shoot.
3. Keep the gun unloaded when it isn’t in use.
If you don’t believe your child is ready to learn and they have showed an interest, the NRA recommends teaching the Gun Safe Mantra, “STOP! DON’T TOUCH! LEAVE THE AREA! TELL AN ADULT!”
Should I let my child have a BB gun?
One of the advantages of a BB gun is that it can be used to teach your child gun safety and expose them to guns in a safer way. While BB guns can hurt someone, they aren’t as dangerous real guns because standard-sized bullets are only .177mm. Research from the AAP shows that 90% of kids with BB gun injuries are released from the emergency room without treatment.
Kids might be exposed to guns in many ways. Parents or relatives who hunt might have guns in the home. Guns are also found in cartoons and video games. They might even be exposed at a friend or neighbor’s house.
A BB gun is a good investment once your child is mature enough and shows interest in learning about them. They are a good introduction for families who hunt or who target practice for fun, too. The major advantage of teaching your child about guns is that it gives you an opportunity to control how they act around them. Many accidents that happen with guns are caused by kids who are curious and do not know how to handle a gun.
Are BB guns safe for kids to use?
According to a 2004 study by the Academy of Pediatrics, injuries by BB guns have fallen since 1990. The study assessed reported BB gun injuries from 2005-2015. Injuries were reported in kids ages 2-15, with a steady increase as children aged. The age group with the most injuries was 12-14-year-olds, with around half of the injuries being self-inflicted. Most injuries occurred to the extremities.
While there is a risk of injury with BB guns, kids can be taught to use them safely. It’s important that they understand the big three rules of gun safety mentioned above and that when they are holding a gun, it should be treated as a weapon. The best BB guns for kids should also have safety mechanisms so they aren’t accidentally fired.
Something else you’ll want to keep in mind regarding safety is when your child has access to the BB gun. BB guns should only be used under the watchful eye of a parent. Additionally, you should not let your child carry their BB gun with them unless you are traveling to the shooting range or somewhere else with it. BB guns can be mistaken for real guns, especially in high-stress situations. It’s always best to air on the side of caution and if possible, keep the BB gun secured in a locked case when it’s not in use.
