About this guide
Gopher control calls for enough velocity to reliably put the animal down at typical yard/field distances — generally at least 700 FPS in .22 caliber or 950 FPS in .177, with a clean headshot being the most humane and effective approach at 50-75 yards.
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The picks, in detail
Benjamin Marauder Air Pistol/Rifle
A PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) air gun praised as accurate, quick, and quiet enough for regular pest control use.
- PCP power source for consistent velocity
- Around 800 FPS output
- Quiet operation suited to residential/farm use
- Excellent accuracy for humane headshots
- Quiet enough to avoid spooking other pests nearby
- PCP requires a separate air source (pump or tank) to refill
Beeman R9 Spring Piston Air Rifle
A break-barrel spring piston rifle known for an excellent trigger and reliable accuracy.
- Spring piston, break-barrel design
- No external air source needed
- Well-regarded factory trigger
- No air tank or pump required, ready to shoot anytime
- Strong accuracy reputation among pest-control shooters
- Spring piston recoil requires a consistent hold technique to shoot accurately
Crosman Quest 1000 (with trigger upgrade)
A genuinely budget-friendly option that becomes effective with a simple aftermarket trigger upgrade.
- Spring piston design
- ~1000 FPS rated velocity
- Compatible with common aftermarket trigger upgrades
- Very affordable starting point for occasional pest control
- A trigger upgrade alone meaningfully improves shootability
- Stock trigger is rough enough that most owners recommend the upgrade
What each one costs
Typical price, cheapest first. Tap a name to jump to that pick and its buy link.
Compare any three
| Benjamin Marauder Air Pistol/Rifle | Beeman R9 Spring Piston Air Rifle | Crosman Quest 1000 (with trigger upgrade) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $400-$600 | $250-$400 | $90-$130 |
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Buying tips
- A clean headshot with a .177 pellet is the most humane and effective method — body shots don’t reliably put gophers down given the pellet’s small diameter.
- PCP guns (Marauder) are quieter and more consistent shot-to-shot, but require refilling equipment; spring-piston guns (R9, Quest 1000) need no extra gear but demand a steadier hold.
- Check local regulations before using any air gun for pest control — rules on air gun use for pest control vary by municipality.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.