If you’ve been following the channel, you know I’m a massive fan of handgun hunting out here on the homestead. You also probably saw my videos on the Huben GK1—which is an absolute beast of an air pistol, but at $2,000, it’s definitely not for everyone.
That’s why I was stoked when the folks over at Pinty reached out and sent me their brand-new budget option: the Pinty Buster PCP Air Pistol. I opted for the .22 caliber version, and after putting it through its paces—from backyard trick shots to bringing home dinner—I've got some thoughts.
First Impressions & Build Quality
Right out of the box, this thing blew me away for the price. It retails for under $300, but it feels like a genuinely high-quality, solid piece of hardware. It has an all-metal frame that gives it a premium weight and balanced feel.
Pinty didn’t skimp on the extras, either. It comes packed with a full rebuild kit (spare O-rings and washers, which even high-end brands rarely throw in anymore) and two 8-round rotary magazines.
The feature layout is incredibly modular:
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Dual Picatinny Rails: A top rail for a red dot or optic, and a bottom rail perfect for a tactical flashlight or laser.
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Fiber Optic Sights: Built-in open sights that hold up surprisingly well.
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Threaded Muzzle: A 1/2x20 thread, meaning it's ready for a moderator right away.
Performance: Range Testing & Power
We started out at about 20 yards with some cheap pellets just to see what a budget gun could do with budget ammo. Even without tuning the sights or dropping an optic on it, this thing was dead accurate. I went three-for-three on cans right off the bat.
To push it to the limit, I fired up the clay pigeon thrower. On the open sights, I managed to dust a clay out of the air on my second shot, and even clipped a second one in a row. For an air pistol, that is absolutely wild.
Power and Velocity
The Pinty Buster operates on a 100cc air cylinder at a max fill pressure of 250 BAR (3,625 PSI).
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Velocity: It’s rated for up to 700 FPS in .22 caliber. With standard 14.3-grain pellets, it easily punches right around 650 to 700 FPS, delivering roughly 20 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
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Shot Count: The manufacturer states 25 regulated shots, but word on the street is accurate—I easily got closer to 40 usable shots per fill before needing to pump it back up.
Taking it into the Field: The Homestead Hunt
The absolute best thing about an air pistol like this is the pure convenience. I tossed it right into my fly-fishing bag; it's so lightweight and compact that it makes a perfect survival or backpacking companion.
Out in the desert brush under perfect overcast conditions, I took it looking for small game. The pistol handles beautifully while walking. At the very last minute of filming light, I spotted a cottontail sitting out in the brush. One shot, and down it went.
With 20 ft-lbs of energy, this pistol has more than enough thunk for:
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Cottontail and jackrabbits
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Squirrels
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Quail, pigeons, and other small game/pests
The Breakdown: Pros & Cons
Pros
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Insane Value: At under $300, it outperforms PCP airguns twice its price.
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Solid All-Metal Build: Doesn't feel like a toy; has great ergonomics and a premium weight.
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Regulated & Consistent: Highly stable shot-to-shot velocity across 30 to 40 shots.
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Highly Customisable: Dual Picatinny rails and a 1/2x20 threaded muzzle make adding accessories seamless.
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Great Extras: Comes with two magazines and a complete rebuild kit.
Cons
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Loud Out of the Box: Without a moderator, it has a loud bark. If you want to use it for backyard plinking, a suppressor is practically mandatory (though once you thread one on, it becomes completely silent).
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Refill Clearance: Depending on your moderator setup, you may have to unscrew it to access the fill probe port.
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Fulfillment Delays: Pinty is experiencing some growing pains with international customer service and fulfillment centers, so shipping might take a little patience.
The Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
If you want the portability of a handgun for pest control, small game hunting, or a survival kit, but you can’t justify spending $2,000 on a Huben GK1, this is the gun for you.
It's easily one of the best budget PCP pistols on the market right now. Pinty absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one!
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Pinty Buster Regulated PCP Pistol Review: A Total Budget Beast!