When looking for a quiet air rifle, there are a few things to consider. The most important is the type of powerplant – whether it’s spring-piston, pre-charged pneumatic (PCP), or CO2.
Spring-piston and PCP air rifles are the quietest, while CO2 guns tend to be slightly louder. Another factor to consider is the type of action – whether it’s break-barrel, sidelever, or bolt-action.
Break-barrel guns are usually the noisiest, while bolt-actions tend to be the quietest. Finally, the length of the barrel also has an effect on noise level. Shorter barrels will be louder than longer barrels.
What is the Quietest Air Rifles for Neighborhood Use?
The most quiet air rifle for neighborhood use is the Gamo Silent Cat air rifle. Because this gun is designed for killing vermin, it needs to be quiet- and thanks to its noise muffling system, there is a 25% noise reduction.
The noise muffler is mounted to the barrel, making it silent without sacrificing performance and efficiency.
Therefore, whatever you’re hunting won’t notice when the weapon is fired.
It fires at 1000fps when using 0.177 lead bullets; however, this rate increases to 1200fps when using PBA ammunition.
The unit comes with 4×32 scope and mounts, making it easier to take down moving targets. It also features a ventilated rubber pad that decreases recoil protecting the user from the impact of recoil.
It weighs only 7 pounds, measures 48.8 inches in length, 6 inches height, and 2.5 inches thick. Therefore, first-time shooters won’t have issues using this rifle as well as positioning the barrel.
Users have mentioned how hard the trigger is to pull, which may causes errors for targets that require extreme precision.
While the Gamo Silent Cat air rifle may seem like the real deal, there are other options to choose from depending on your personal preferences.
1. Stoeger X20S Suppressor Spring Piston Air Rifle
Stoeger X20S is a perfect option for the like target practice in residential spaces. This is thanks to its Noise Reduction System, together with Air Flow Technology that makes it one of the quietest air guns in its class.
The muffling system is curtesy of Humbert CTTS, a world-class silence designer. The silencer works by forcing the air out through all the four decompression holes located on the ring before the bullet enters the baffles.
In this way, the sound is muffled, allowing the bullet to discharge at a very high velocity. Independent tests have shown that the suppressor system makes the gun up to 7.05 times quieter than the silent air rifle offered by competitors.
It’s available in both .22 and .177 versions and comes with a 4x32mm compact scope. However, some users have complained about the quality of the scope and that it may need replacing.
2. Raptor Whisper Air Rifle (90 decibels)
The Raptor Whisper Air Rifle is available in .22 or .177 Cal pellet. It uses Inert Gas Technology (IGT) that replace spring-piston delivering more velocity (975fps in .22 and 1300fps in .177), consistent power, fewer vibrations, and smooth cocking effort.
The rifle utilizes a WHISPER noise reduction technology that makes allows it to operate quietly.
You can use it to short target in target or hunt vermin in the backyard without receiving any noise complaints from the neighbors or scaring away your target.
Additionally, it comes with a 4×32 shockproof scope and a shock wave absorber, a recoil pad with rubber inserts that absorbs recoil.
3. Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle (74 decibels)
The Benjamin Marauder is a .177 caliber pellet gun that delivers up to 1100fps. It’s a perfect weapon for pest control in your garden, target shooting in the backyard, varmint and small game hunting.
You can even hunt down the game as large as fox, turkey, coyotes, and hots. When you pull the trigger, you’ll only hear a “bonk” sound- thanks to its noise-suppressing technology.
This is a pre-charged pneumatic rifle that makes it more accurate than spring-piston or single pump gas type of air guns. The best part is that you can substitute nitrogen for compressed air.
If you’re looking for an air rifle that will give an excellent performance for small predators and even some large games, the Marauder is the gun to buy. It is ultra-quiet and will take down all the vermin without them noticing.
4. Hatsan AT44-10 QE Air Rifle air Rifle (86dB)
With a maximum velocity of 970-fps for 0.22 cal and 870fps for 0.25cal, the Hatsan AT44-10 is the perfect pellet gun for hunting and killing vermin ravaging through your property, garden or crops.
From rabbits, prairie dogs to sparrows, this rifle will impact maximum damage to all the troublesome pests in your compound.
You won’t have to worry about weight as the Hatsan AT44-10 QE Air Rifle weighs only 7.3lbs.
The best part is that the FPS is adjustable. You can adjust the hammer spring and preload to make it go down or up. Below is a YouTube video showing how you can adjust the FPS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrNgOqfIqLs
5. Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach (89 dB)
The Gamo Whisper Fusion uses the same Inert Gas Technology/gas piston power plant as the Raptor Whisper rifle above. However, the Game has improved power than the Raptor.
The .22 caliber model can achieve up to 1020fps velocity while the .177 caliber will reach velocities as high as 1420fps.
It’s lightweight, weighing only 6.61lbs and measuring 46 inches long. It boasts Whisper Fusion Technology, the quietest noise technology in air rifles patented by Gamo.
Unlike the two previous models of the same, the Whisper Fusion is equipped with fiber optic sight.
The .22cal operates at subsonic speed, meaning that the pellets travel at speed less than the speed of sound. It’s quieter than .177 cal, which doesn’t travel at subsonic speeds.
In addition, the .22 caliber has more stopping power than the .177 because of the large diameter of the pellet, which makes it heavier, so it’s perfect for large game.
6. Benjamin Trail Nitro Piston 2 Air Rifle with Scope
The Benjamin Trail Nitro is the perfect pick for those looking for precise accuracy. It’s an upgraded version of all the previous versions of the same make. And these are major changes and not minor improvements.
One of the notable improvements is the gun’s noise control technology. It features the state-of-the-art sound suppression system and makes it fire quietly, unlike all its predecessors.
The air rifle itself is manufactured by Crosman, one of the most reputable gun manufacturer in the world. It comes equipped with a scope that’s perfect for vermin control and small game hunting.
And because it’s a powerful air gun, it’s not recommended for beginners. For improved accuracy, the pellet gun comes with a scope mounted on the optical rails.
7. Crosman 30021 Single-Shot Break-Barrel Pellet Air Rifle with Scope
The Crossman 30021 uses gas-piston for power and can only fire one pellet bullet at a time because it’s a break barrel model.
It comes with a standard sight, but you can swap it with a Picatinny or weaver scope. It also features a 2-stage adjustable setup and a locking mechanism for safety.
There are two versions: a .177 caliber model with 1200fps and .22 caliber with 950fps. Either way, the two rifle versions sport the same weight 7.4lbs and same 44.25 inches length.
Quietest Air Rifle Buyer Guide
There are several factors that you should take into consideration when shopping for a quiet air rifle. These factors will ensure that you get a gun that meets your specific requirements.
Noise Levels
Since this guide is all about quiet air rifles, the noise levels of each unit is vital.
While all the 8 rifles are considered quiet compared to regular air guns on the market, there is one model that stands out to be the quietest rifle. It’s the Gamo Silent Cat air rifle.
As its name suggests, it’s as quiet as a cat and will take down small game and vermin without scaring away your pet or causing hearing loss to the user.
The rifle’s intended use
Major of the air guns in this guide are perfect for both small game hunting and target practice.
For target practice, you won’t need to bother with the powerful models, unless you plan on doing some game hunting in the future.
Benjamin and Hatsan are versatile options as they can handle up to 3 caliber options allowing you to have more options when it comes to firing power and speed.
Caliber Options
The caliber of your rifle will determine the type/size of the bullet it can shoot. Out of all the options available, the .177 cal has the most potential to fire the fastest (fps). In other words, the smaller the caliber, the quicker it will travel.
The .177 cal is excellent for competitive target shooting, but because it’s lightweight, attaining accuracy may be a problem at higher velocities.
The .20 caliber offers a balance between power and speed. For this reason, they are termed as a dual-purpose air gun. They strike a perfect balance between small pest control and recreational shooting.
The .22 cal is the perfect choice for most hunters. They’re not fast, but they unleash a massive impact. They have enough power to kill small game.
Power Source
There are different options to choose from, ranging from pre-charged pneumatic (PCP), gas ram/gas-piston, and spring-piston.
Some use CO2, but none of the rifles above it this gas.
Both gas-piston and spring-piston operate similarly, they are designed to be cocked before firing. The difference is that the former has air sealed inside a tube while the later takes new air with each cock.
If you want something simple to use, then PCP is the way forward. Most of them have more ammo clips, and therefore you get multiple shots in one load.
Trigger and Safety
Most of the items listed in this guide use a 2-stage adjustable trigger. While the default sensitivity will vary between different brands, this type of trigger will be more than adequate for most people, especially beginners.
However, note that you adjusting the trigger requires experience; it’s important to seek help before adjusting.
In regards to safety, there are two standard options: manual and automatic. Manual is the most common and requires manual locking and unlocking.
On the other hand, automatic will automatically lock the trigger after every cock. This is advantageous in terms of safety- but some people find it too tiresome having to release the safety each time you want to fire.
What Makes A Quiet Airgun/Rifle Silent?
The loudness you hear when a gun is fired is caused by the gases exiting the muzzle. Spring-Piston air guns are quieter than multi-stroke, pre-charged pneumatic, or the Co2 powerplants.
Most of the pellet guns have a shrouded barrel that makes them quiet. These shrouds are permanently attached.
With this in place, the only thing you’ll hear is the slammer spring, and it’s only audible to you than anyone else.
The Quietest Air Rifle- Author Notes
When choosing an air rifle, one of the key factors to consider is how much noise it makes. Some air rifles are designed to be very quiet, while others can be quite loud.
The quietest air rifles tend to be those that use a pre-compressed air reservoir, rather than a gas cartridge or CO2 canister. These rifles typically have a higher initial cost, but they’re much quieter in operation and don’t require as much maintenance. If you’re looking for a quiet air rifle for plinking or small game hunting, here are some of the best options on the market.
The Benjamin Marauder is one of the most popular pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles on the market. It’s also one of the quietest, thanks to a built-in suppressor. The Marauder is available in .177 and .22 caliber versions, and both are suitable for hunting small game.
The rifle has a relatively high muzzle velocity (up to 1000 fps in .177 caliber and 900 fps in .22 caliber), making it a good choice for long-range shooting.
The Gamo Silent Cat air rifle is another good option for those who want a quiet gun. It uses Spring-piston technology, rather than a gas cartridge or CO2 canister, which makes it quite a bit quieter than most other air rifles on the market.
The Silent Cat is available in both .177 and .22 caliber versions, and it has a muzzle velocity of up to 1200 fps in .177 caliber and 1000 fps in .22 caliber.
If you’re looking for an air rifle that’s quiet, powerful, and accurate, the Hatsan MOD 125 Sniper is a good option. It’s a PCP air rifle that comes with a built-in suppressor, making it one of the quietest guns on the market. It’s available in both .177 and .22 caliber versions, and it has a muzzle velocity of up to 1250 fps in .177 caliber and 950 fps in .22 caliber.
These are just a few of the quietest air rifles on the market. If you’re looking for a gun that’s quiet and powerful, any of these options would be a good choice.
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.
What I have experienced, is that if a pellet leaves the barrel at supersonic speeds, it breaks the sound barrier, causing it to be very loud, almost like a rim fire. any gun shooting over 1000 fps is going to be loud in the neighborhood.
You’re correct Dave.
And that’s why we’ve a mix of air guns with varrying FPS in this guide. But Gamo Silent Cat takes the leads for its versatility.
Because you need to find the right balance between quietness and performance/effectiveness.
In this case Gamo Silent Cat high FPS makes it great for target shooting, hunting squirrels, rabbits, birds and even hunting some larger rodents.
For example:
Birds (depending on species) take 2-3 ft-lbs and squirrels 3ft-lbs of energy. If you have a .177 air-rifle you will need an impact of 340-415 fps for birds and 415 fps for squirrels.
And to get such impacts at 20-30 yards you need a rifle that delivers 600-700 fps muzzle velocity.
A .22 will deliver 3 ft-lbs of impact energy at 30 yards.
If you’ll be hunting groundhogs a powerful air gun is needed. I’ve shot groundhogs at 1200fps and it kills them very fast you aim on the side of the head.
Now that’s the versatility I’m talking about.
sTILL CONFUSED!!
Which air rifle ie the quietist and best for taking wild hogs at 50 yards??
The Red Ryder Model 1938
None.
You might get away with a .22 magnum if you can actually shoot it in the ear through its head.
Use a .270 or up and kill them clean.
Hey Cilio,
Benjamin Marauder is your best pick in this case.
I am looking for the quietest gun under about $300 in a break barel . How many decibels is the Silent Cat vs Fusion Mach 1 vs Swarm and how was it measured. Are there other manufacturers which are quieter?
It’s now 4 months since that question was posted. Yet there is no response. C’mon Gamo, surely you have this information. Please share it with us.
Thank you for this post. I was looking to buy an air rifle I can use in my backyard without alarming the neighbor. I think Gamo is perfect for me
Yes Gamo is a great gun. You should also consider Benjamin Marauder or Hatsan
I have a real old Bengamin Sheridan air rifle and ten pumps and it seams load tho im not shure how or were to get the values of gun Verses these mentioned , I was considering a air pistol
Hey Terry why not consider an alternative like the Benjamin Marauder? The Bengamin Sheridan and Marauder share similar features and it’s are almost from the same company- only that the Sheridan was purchased by the Benjamin Air Rifle Company and later Crossman.
A good example is the Crosman Vantage Nitro Piston air gun. It costs less than $100 and it’s available in .22 caliber. It’s good for hunting thanks to the nitro-piston technology.
In terms of accuracy, this baby deliver a perfect shot with a max velocity of 950fps. Since the Sheridan is a traditional looking rifle, then the Crosman won’t disappoint. The only downside is that the rifle is heavy and uses plastic sights rather than metal sights.
You should take this down since AMAZON has none of the mentioned guns.
At the time of writing this article, all the guns where available. I contacted some of the suppliers and said they’re just temporarily out of stock.
As of 0200 on 21MAY2021, the ones not present are the:
Gamo Whisper Silent Cat
Stoeger X20S
Hatsan AT44-10 QE Air Rifle
Benjamin Trail Nitro Piston 2
Crosman 30021 .177-Caliber Vintage
The Gamo Whispet Fusion Mach 1 is currently available in ONLY the .177 Ststret Version.
Diana bandit one of the best pistol at 705 FPS
From my experience the quietest air rifle is Benjamin Marauder .177
Benjamin Marauder is a good quiet pellet gun with a good accuracy and powerful as well.
I’ve had Gamo Silent Cat and it’s pretty quiet. I will be trying other recommendations you’ve highlighted in this guide- which one do you think I should go for first?
Thanks.
I’m glad Gamo worked out well for you. You could try Benjamin Marauder .177 it an efficient and also quiet air rifle you can use for target practicing and shooting vermin in your backyard.
What is the quietest 22 air rifle for groundhogs?
Just to Note: It’s illegal to hunt any type of game with an air rifle. But honestly, most modern air rifles are not toys. They are powerful enough to kill groundhog and small game given that you deliver a proper shot. These bb/pellet guns punch out pellets at up to 1000fps and they do more than just sting.
Because it’s illegal to hunt with a bb gun, I would highly advise you to use a Conibear trap and place it at the opening of the hole where groundhogs hide- it easily snaps their neck. I use them all the time and I’ve caught around 20 in the past few months.
Which brand makes the quietest air rifle? I’m looking to get a silent pellet gun to hunt down squirrels and other small rodents in my backyard. I need a gun that won’t scare the animals and make the neighbors mad at me.
Benjamin Marauder was among the first “affordable” quiet and accurate PCP. But after my experience with several PCP’s, I’m sure you can get better air rifles for the money.
For example, Hatsan Pup, Hatsan Flash QE are good quiet guns and they cost about half the price as the Benjamin Marauder, but they’re not as quiet, but they do have similar accuracy, power and are lightweight.
I would also advise you to take a look at Umarex Gauntlet with regulated air. It’s a quiet gun but not as quite as powerful as the Hatsan. If you will be hunting in your backyard, then Gaunlet is your best bet.
If weight is a concern, then the Hatsan is a good lightweight and perfect for long hunts. I got the Hatsan .25 caliber and it gives me around 15 shots beofre I need to pump again. It shoots skunks, raccoons and squirrels- they drop dead like flies.
Is Benjamin Marauder a good quiet PCP
Benjamin Marauder is an accurate, quiet and powerful PCP hunting gun. Below are some of the features of this air gun:
42.8″ long
Operating pressure: 2,000 to 3,000 psi
Built-in air pressure gauge
8-shot repeater
Choked barrel to improve accuracy
8.2 lbs
Internal shroud with baffles to allow for quiet hunting adventures
Mr. O’Conner,
I admit skimming quickly through your article above so I may have missed it, but what is the rated or tested db level for the Gamo Silent Cat? In many of the articles I’ve read so far on quietest pellet air rifles (Looking to reduce squirrel/chipmunk population without alarming neighbors), the authors describe the sound reduction features or technology for their chosen list of rifles (which comes across more as promoting versus comparing), but don’t always include actual db measurements for fact-based comparison.