air pistol for trapping?

[Newt]

I was in Wall mart the other day and saw a air pistol that shot a pellet(.177) at 485 ft per secound.  I do a lot of road trapping and thought that if the pistol could dispatch coon and beaver with out the noise, it would be great. I dont know to much about air pistols or even if it would have the power to do the job.  I figred that if wall mart had a pistol that could shoot that fast then someone was makeing a bigger faster modle for more money.

[ABaker]

Why does it have to be a pistol? In my opinion 485fps could do the job, but there is definetly something that would do it better. .177 is best on smaller sized animals. Also there are air pistols that shoot well over 485 fps. I am willing to bet that they are made better than anything you can buy at WalMart. Check these out.

http://www.straightshooters.com/rws/rp5g.html

http://www.airgunexpress.com/ProductPages/RWSAirguns/onlinerwsmodel9band9nairpistols407-09-6940+.htm

[Dand]

I have to agree that the .177 might be too light for trapping work.  Easecially coons and beaver.  And remember the more powerful an air gun the louder its likely to be unless a moderator is used.

You might want to look at Crooked Barn too - they do custom air pistols I think.
  http://www.crookedbarn.com/default.htm

But then you are likely to be looking for something economical.  I'd think a .22 pistol with shorts still might be more powerful and effective.

[ABaker]

I agree about the .22 shorts, my father has been using them for years to kill cats that get caught in our live trap. If you don't want to go that way check out some of the air rifles. I guess a pistol would take up less space in your vehicle, but a .22 air rifle would dispatch a coon or beaver. Check these out...

http://www.compasseco.com/shop/products.html?maingroup=RWS&secondgroup=Air%20Rifles

http://www.compasseco.com/shop/products.html?maingroup=Tech%20Force%20Air%20Guns&secondgroup=Air%20Rifles

http://www.compasseco.com/shop/products.html?maingroup=Beeman&secondgroup=Air%20Rifles

http://www.compasseco.com/shop/products.html?maingroup=Benjamin%20Sheridan&secondgroup=Air%20Rifles

[Lawdog]

I was in Wall mart the other day and saw a air pistol that shot a pellet(.177) at 485 ft per secound.  I do a lot of road trapping and thought that if the pistol could dispatch coon and beaver with out the noise, it would be great. I dont know to much about air pistols or even if it would have the power to do the job.  I figred that if wall mart had a pistol that could shoot that fast then someone was makeing a bigger faster modle for more money.

Raccoons are tough customers and the pistol you are asking about is NOT a good choice.  I have killed a number of raccoons trying to get at the kid’s 4-H rabbits(at $75 to $100 each they are not cheap) with air rifles and anything under 750 fps. shouldn't be used, especially in .177 caliber.  Lawdog