I am considering an air pistol for dispatch. Probably a pcp, but I won't spend $1K on one.

Looking for quiet #1, pellet size .177 v .22, and any experience on the subject.

Thanks!

I've owned a lot of airguns. There are 2 kinds of pcp's. Those that leak and those that are about to leak. Constant o ring maintenance, air fills. If you hand pump you will get a good workout at least. I use a german made break barrel springer in .22 for dispatch from coyotes on down. It runs about 670 or so fps and never have any issues. With the springer you never have to worry about air fills. And this is a rifle , i don't know of to many pistols that have the power, maybe the air force talon styles. Good luck.

You will be disappointed with an air pistol, they just don't have the power needed to do the job.

I use an old beat up .177 Gamo nitro piston, it does the job on a coyote as long as I do my part with shot placement.

BTW I have tried my Benjamin BP2220, it would work but not well. Also it was to nice a gun to haul around on a trap line.

Next gen trapper uses a .177 break barrel on raccoons and smaller creatures. He turned 21 last year I think so he might use something else now. I heard they should fire at over 1,000 fps to be really effective.

I have a Diana LP 8 Magnum in .177.. It's a brake barrel. It is a heavy pistol witch wouldn't be much fun carrying on a trap line. It will take out squirrels and rabbits with good shot placement. The smallest quietest pistol I've tried was in .22 shotting CB Longs. Good shot placement was a must even with this. I went to .22 short hollow points and used that for years.

Research the Hatsan Velox

Its my understanding you need a longer barrel than a pistol you would want to pack to do the job. My boys .22 cal pcp air rifle put coyots down as well as a .22. But they are rifles at 850fps. Today if I want quiet its a suppressed. 22 rifle or pistol shooting standard velocity ammo.