I’ve spent countless hours on the range, and there’s an undeniable appeal to the M4 platform. It’s iconic. But for casual backyard plinking or training a new shooter, a firearm isn’t always practical or necessary. I was looking for something that captured that tactical spirit—the look, the feel, the handling—but in an accessible, affordable, and safe package. The goal was to find a fun, reliable air rifle for shooting cans and paper targets without breaking the bank or disturbing the neighbors. This search led me directly to the world of variable pump air rifles, and specifically, to this popular tactical model.
- DURABLE, WATER RESISTANT SYNTHETIC DESIGN - Tactical style in black with rifled rifled steel barrel
- VARIABLE CONTROL - From 350 fps to 700 fps
What to Consider Before Buying a Tactical-Style Air Rifle
Before you jump into a tactical-style air rifle, it’s important to know what you’re getting. These rifles are primarily designed for recreational shooting, often called “plinking,” and for helping beginners develop fundamental shooting skills. The ideal customer is someone looking for an affordable, low-maintenance rifle that offers flexibility in power and ammunition. Key factors to consider are build materials—many in this price range use a lot of synthetic polymers to keep costs down—and the type of power plant. A variable pump system, like the one in this Crosman, gives you control over velocity, making it versatile for both short-range target practice and longer-range pest control. You should also consider ammunition type; a rifle that shoots both BBs and pellets offers the best of both worlds, with affordable BBs for casual fun and more accurate pellets for serious target work. If this balance of tactical style, variable power, and dual-ammo capability sounds right for you, then the Crosman M4-177KT Variable Pump .177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle Kit is a strong contender that deserves a closer look.
While the Crosman M4-177KT Variable Pump .177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle Kit is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- The GAMO Swarm Whisper Air Rifle features the IGT (Inert Gas Technology) piston that allows higher velocity, less vibration and a longer lifespan than...
- DURABLE, WATER PROOF SYNTHETIC DESIGN - With rifled steel barrel, built-in BB reservoir and side-load pellet chamber
Unboxing the Crosman M4-177KT: Features and First Take
Pulling the Crosman M4-177KT Variable Pump .177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle Kit out of the box, the first thing we noticed was its striking resemblance to a real M4 carbine. The adjustable stock, Picatinny rails, and removable carry handle with integrated rear sight immediately give it a serious, tactical look. It’s incredibly lightweight due to its synthetic construction, making it easy for shooters of all ages and sizes to handle. The “kit” aspect is a nice touch for beginners, promising to include BBs, pellets, targets, and safety glasses to get you started right away. However, we found—and many users confirm—that the included items can be inconsistent, with ammo sometimes missing from the box. The pseudo-magazine serves as a clever storage compartment for the 5-shot pellet clips. Our initial impression is that it looks the part, but the all-plastic feel raises questions about long-term durability, which we were eager to test.
What We Like
- Versatile Dual-Ammo System: Shoots both affordable .177 steel BBs for plinking and more accurate pellets for target practice.
- Variable Pump Power: Allows you to control the velocity (from 350 to over 700 fps) for different shooting scenarios.
- Authentic Tactical Styling: The M4 design with an adjustable stock and Picatinny rails is great for training and familiarization.
- Lightweight Design: Easy for younger or smaller-statured shooters to handle and hold steady.
- Good Accuracy Potential: When paired with a scope and quality pellets, it can achieve tight groupings for its price point.
What We Didn’t Like
- Inconsistent Quality Control: Many units arrive with issues like cracked plastic, missing parts, or non-functioning pumps.
- Predominantly Plastic Construction: While lightweight, the body and sights feel cheap and have raised durability concerns, with reports of cracking under stress.
- Subpar Iron Sights: The included sights are plastic, can be wobbly, and the front sight is often non-adjustable, contrary to some descriptions.
- Pellet Feeding Issues: Some rifles have significant trouble chambering pellets, essentially rendering them BB-only guns.
In the Field: A Performance Breakdown of the Crosman M4-177KT
Looks are one thing, but performance is what truly matters. We put the Crosman M4-177KT Variable Pump .177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle Kit through its paces to see if its functionality lives up to its tactical appearance. We tested everything from the build quality under stress to its accuracy with both BBs and pellets at various distances.
Build Quality and Durability
The entire body of the rifle is a synthetic polymer. On one hand, this makes it impressively light and resistant to weather. On the other, it feels less substantial than a break-barrel rifle with a wood or higher-quality polymer stock. We share the concerns of several users who reported durability issues. We observed that the area around the pump handle’s pivot point is a potential weak spot. We’ve seen numerous reports of stress cracks forming in this area after extended use. While our test unit held up during our evaluation, the sheer volume of users experiencing cracked frames is a significant concern and suggests a lottery in terms of manufacturing quality.
Pumping, Power, and Velocity
The variable pump action is a core feature. Pumping the rifle is straightforward and relatively easy. We found that 3-5 pumps are perfect for casual indoor or backyard plinking, keeping the noise and power low. For maximum velocity, you can go up to 10 pumps. As one user noted, it gets progressively harder after 8 pumps, but it’s manageable. Crosman claims velocities up to 700 fps. In our testing with standard lead pellets and a full 10 pumps, we consistently clocked speeds slightly above that, even approaching the 750 fps another user recorded. This is impressive power for a rifle in this class, making it suitable for small pest control. However, a critical issue we’ve seen reported is units arriving with faulty seals, causing them to release air with each pump and never build pressure. This is another unfortunate symptom of the inconsistent quality control.
Ammunition System: Versatility vs. Reliability
The dual-ammo capability is a huge selling point. The BB reservoir is located on the side and is claimed to hold 350 BBs, though we and other users found its practical capacity is closer to 200. The sliding cover for the reservoir feels a bit flimsy. For pellets, the rifle uses a 5-shot “Firepow’r” clip, and the pseudo-magazine cleverly stores extras. When it works, it’s a great system. Unfortunately, this is where many users run into frustrating problems. We found the rifle could be finicky with pellets. Some brands jammed at a near-100% rate, as one frustrated user experienced. This can relegate the rifle to being a BB-only plinker, which defeats half its purpose. If you’re serious about pellet accuracy, you may need to experiment with different pellet shapes and sizes to find one that feeds reliably in your specific rifle.
Accuracy and Sights
Out of the box, the iron sights are the rifle’s weakest link. Made of plastic, the rear carry-handle sight can feel wobbly, and even after tightening, it doesn’t inspire confidence. A major point of contention is the front sight; while some manuals and descriptions claim it’s adjustable, the version we tested was fixed. With the stock sights, our accuracy was merely acceptable for hitting cans at 15 yards. However, the rifle’s potential is unlocked when you use the Picatinny rail. We mounted a simple 4×32 scope, and the results were night and day. As other owners have confirmed, with a decent scope, the Crosman M4-177KT Variable Pump .177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle Kit is capable of impressive accuracy, producing 2-inch groups at over 70 feet. This makes adding an optic a highly recommended upgrade.
What Other Users Are Saying
Looking at feedback from other shooters, it becomes clear that owning this rifle can be a polarizing experience. The reviews are a mix of high praise and deep disappointment, largely hinging on the quality of the specific unit received. One user states, “This gun is dead on at over 70 feet with a 4x scope, groups within 2 inches. That’s pretty good for a gun of this price.” Many others, especially those who received a well-made unit, praise it as an excellent and fun plinker. On the other side of the coin, a disappointed buyer reported, “I bought 2 of these and they only lasted two outings… both are cracked in the same area.” This sentiment is echoed by many who received rifles with cracks, missing parts, or immediate functional failures, highlighting a significant lottery in manufacturing consistency.
How Does It Compare? The Crosman M4-177KT vs. The Competition
The Crosman M4-177KT Variable Pump .177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle Kit doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s important to see how it stacks up against other options in and around the airgun market.
1. Umarex Strikepoint .177 Caliber Pellet Airgun
- Single-shot, multi-pump pneumatic bolt action pellet air gun; Works with as few as 3 pumps or as many as 10
- The 5-chamber SilencAir sound dampener is permanently affixed to the air pistol to reduce down range noise and maximize stealth
The Umarex Strikepoint offers a different take on the variable pump concept. It’s more of a pistol/carbine hybrid with a removable stock and a side-lever pump. It is pellet-only, which may appeal to those focused purely on accuracy over plinking versatility. While it lacks the iconic M4 styling of the Crosman, its unique design might be more ergonomic for some shooters. It’s a direct competitor for those seeking a multi-pump airgun but prefer a different form factor.
2. Magpul Hunter X-22
- Takes the function of our full-size hunter X-22 takedown, and pares it down for ease of storage and transportation; drop-in design compatible with all...
- Offers a minimalist solution for the hunter or outdoorsman who wants to Transport their rifle in an efficient, convenient package without compromising...
This is an interesting comparison, as the Magpul Hunter X-22 is not an air rifle, but a high-quality aftermarket stock for the Ruger 10/22 .22LR firearm. We include it here to represent a potential upgrade path. For a shooter who starts with the Crosman to learn the basics and enjoys the tactical modularity, the Hunter X-22 chassis on a real firearm is the next logical step. It showcases a significant leap in material quality, ergonomics, and customization for those who eventually transition from airguns to rimfire shooting.
3. Umarex AirJavelin Carbon Fiber Arrows 6 Pack
- Designed specifically for use with the Umarex AirJavelin Arrow Gun Air Rifle
- Straight Flight Technology: Arrows receive energy directly to the front of the arrow unlike conventional arrows, allowing the energy to drive the arrow...
This product represents an entirely different category within the airgun world: air archery. These arrows are ammunition for specialized arrow-firing air rifles like the Umarex AirJavelin. We’re highlighting this to show the breadth of the modern airgun market. While the Crosman M4-177KT is a traditional plinker, air archery guns offer a powerful, quiet alternative for target shooting and even small-game hunting, demonstrating that the sport has evolved far beyond just BBs and pellets.
The Final Shot: Is the Crosman M4-177KT Worth the Risk?
So, what’s our final verdict? The Crosman M4-177KT Variable Pump .177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle Kit is a concept we love: an affordable, tactical-style air rifle that’s fun to shoot and great for training. When you get a good one, it offers impressive power, decent accuracy (with a scope), and the fantastic flexibility of shooting both BBs and pellets. However, the widespread and well-documented quality control issues are impossible to ignore. It is a gamble. We would recommend this rifle to beginner plinkers or parents looking for a fun backyard gun for their kids, but only with the strong caveat that you should inspect it thoroughly upon arrival and be prepared for the possibility of needing to process a return. It’s a fun rifle, but its potential is held back by its inconsistency.
If you’ve decided the Crosman M4-177KT Variable Pump .177 Pellet/BB Air Rifle Kit is the right fit for your plinking adventures, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API