2021 Most Popular Replica Airguns – SIG Dominates Again!
Today we’re looking at the 2021 most popular replica airguns, based on the popularity of reviews in Hard Air Magazine. So this is your choice of most popular centerfire replica airguns…
The big news is that SIG retains the dominant position it delivered in 2020. It was the most popular manufacturer of most popular firearm lookalikes, taking no less than five out of the top ten places.
Umarex placed second with three (the Ruger, Glock and M29). Velocity Outdoor has one – the Bushmaster MPW. Springfield Armory has one, the M1A.
One big change, however, is that a PCP is the most popular replica. It’s the SIG MCX Virtus, of course. All the other guns in our list are CO2-powered, except for the M1A. This is another unusual replica, an underlever-cocking, spring/piston air rifle.
Congratulations to all the manufacturers! Here’s the overview of your 2021 most popular replica airguns.
1. SIG MCX Virtus
The Virtus PCP is an airgun version of the SIG MCX Virtus Patrol firearm. Overall length and weight are close to identical for both airgun and firearm Virtus models. The main obvious visible difference is where the firearm’s buttstock is replaced by the HPA air cylinder of the Virtus PCP.
In fact, the SIG MCX Virtus PCP air rifle is a triply unusual product in the “firearm replica” market. Firstly it’s relatively expensive at a Street Price of $299.95. Secondly it’s a PCP. This means that any customer buying a Virtus will also need to invest in a HPA hand pump, tank or compressor.
Thirdly, it’s available in .22 caliber only. (.177 cal is by far the most prevalent for centerfire replicas).
It’s ideal for plinking and as a centerfire training gun. And it’s obviously very popular!
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Sig Sauer ASP MCX Virtus PCP Air Rifle 0.22
2. Glock 19 Gen 3
The Glock 19 CO2 BB gun offers great realism, high FPS, strong shot count, very good accuracy and a low price. It’s an easy HAM Gold Award winner.
Note that this is not a blowback pistol. This is not necessarily a disadvantage, for while blowback brings operational realism, it also usually takes away FPS, shot count and accuracy. For now and for the future, the Glock 19 CO2 BB gun is an outstanding replica of the iconic firearm. It’s the top-ranked pistol in your list of 2021 most popular replica airguns.
It can be used as a firearms training tool or just a fun shooter. This is your chance to get a Glock for $75. Don’t miss out!
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Umarex Glock 19 Gen. 3 CO2 BB Air Pistol 0.177
3. SIG MCX
For the many looking for an ultra-realistic replica of an outstanding semi automatic military firearm for fun shooting or weapons training, you need look no further.
And if you’re a replica pistol shooter looking for an air rifle, you’re probably going to love the SIG SAUER MCX. It will give you a ton of smiles per mile! Pinpoint accuracy’s not critical and the low power means that you can use it safely in your indoor shooting range. For you, it offers outstanding value.
Note that the MCX was the first long gun centerfire lookalike in the mainstream airgun market. So when this HAM review was produced in 2016, we compared it largely to existing air rifles. If we were to review it again in 2021, it would undoubtedly earn a higher score in HAM’s replica test protocol. How times have changed in recent years for airguns!
BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT
SIG MCX Scope Combo
4. Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 Air Rifle wins a HAM Bronze Award for being a great-looking reproduction of the classic rimfire carbine. It’s accurate with a wide variety of pellets and has good muzzle velocity for a CO2-powered airgun.
Unfortunately, it’s let down by the trigger and action. Unlike the rimfire gun, it’s not a semi-auto.
When fired double action, the trigger is very heavy. It’s better shot as a straight pull bolt action with the trigger in single action mode. But that’s not the essence of a 10/22. If you can accept that limitation, you’ll like this gun.
BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT
Ruger 10/22 CO2 Air Rifle
5. SIG P320 M17
The SIG Air P320 M17 air pistol is the latest and best pellet-firing air pistol from SIG SAUER.
It’s an outstanding replica of the US Army P320-M17 sidearm. There’s a strong blowback, drop-free magazine and it field strips realistically. CO2 cartridge loading is the easiest there is, due to SIG’s cam-loading system. Shot count was very good on test, as was accuracy.
Overall, the SIG SAUER P320 M17 air pistol easily wins a HAM Silver Award. It will make many owners very happy!
BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT
SIG SAUER M17 Pellet Pistol
6. Springfield Armory M1A
At a Street Price of $199.99 the Springfield Armory M1A air rifle is very well priced and excellent value. Just the prominent box magazine is missing to complete the picture.
Accuracy, consistency and general feel give the strong impression that this is a well-engineered airgun and a very good replica of the centerfire M1A. This is the only “traditional” model in your choice of 2021 most popular replica airguns.
Precisely because it’s such a good replica, most of the downsides match those of the firearm original. This is a big, heavy rifle that needs a large, strong owner. Scope mounting is less than ideal, but plenty of workarounds are available.
It’s a definite HAM Gold Award winner!
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Springfield Armory M1A Underlever Pellet Rifle, Wood Stock 0.22
7. Smith & Wesson M29
A ton of people will buy the S&W M29 BB revolver for its “make my day” movie connections. They won’t be disappointed. It’s a very realistic replica of the classic 44 Magnum revolver.
Finish is outstanding, power and shot count as expected. Accuracy of the tested gun was very good, too. True, this is not the cheapest BB revolver out there. But it is about the biggest and one of the best.
The M29 is a HAM Gold Award winner – with a lighter trigger it would be close to perfect.
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Smith & Wesson M29 CO2 BB Revolver 0.177
8. Bushmaster MPW
The MPW offers realistic blowback action, accuracy and a great shot count. It field strips, looks and feels like an M4. And there’s the “rock and roll” full auto capability that’s guaranteed to bring a smile to every face!
HAM Tester Doug Wall summed up the Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun perfectly in his test notes. “This gun is a hoot to shoot!” he wrote. “Plan on stocking-up on CO2 and BBs if you get one. You’ll need them.”
The price is realistic and it’s backed by good warranty coverage and great support.
It’s a HAM Gold Award winner without any doubt!
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Crosman Bushmaster MPW Full Auto BB Gun 0.177
9. SIG P226
The SIG SAUER P226 pellet pistol is a good, functional CO2-powered version of the P226 firearm.
Its size, weight and trigger pull make it ideal as a training piece for the P226 firearm. It is also suitable for plinking and general recreational shooting. The shot count is good, as is muzzle velocity. And the unique SIG SAUER cam lever system for loading CO2 cartridges is outstandingly easy to use.
Considered on its own, there’s nothing wrong with the P226 and much that’s right.
But it’s behind the pack in detail accuracy, such as the blanked-off ejection port, non-operative slide catch and takedown lever. Such functioning details are commonplace on other replica pistols and set the P226 back by comparison.
BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT
SIG SAUER P226
10. SIG P320 ASP
The SIG SAUER P320 ASP CO2 pistol is a good shooting training tool for users of the P320 firearm. It’s overall size, weight, balance and handling are strong suits. It’s also accurate, shoots to the point of aim with BBs and light pellets and is sufficiently powerful for the intended use.
The shot count is good, too, for a blowback pistol. Also the 30-round magazine is a big step forward for pellet-firing CO2 pistols.
However, this is not such a strong model for CO2 pistol collectors. Many controls are non-operative, including the slide release, and the SIG SAUER P320 ASP CO2 pistol cannot be field-stripped, as can so many competing models. In this respect, the P320 trails its competitors.
But, in the end, this is a genuine SIG SAUER product, distributed and supported by the company. And that means a great deal to a huge number of people.
