There’s an undeniable romance to the Old West. For many of us, it was sparked by classic cowboy films—the steely-eyed hero, the trusty steed, and that iconic lever-action rifle. I’ve always wanted to recapture a piece of that magic, to feel the satisfying *shuck-shuck* of cycling a lever and lining up a shot. The problem? Firing a real Winchester Model 1894 isn’t exactly a casual backyard activity. I was searching for something that delivered the authentic experience—the weight, the action, the shell ejection—without the noise, cost, and regulations of a firearm. That search led me straight to the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle.
- Images of the Wild West come alive with the Legends Cowboy Lever Action Air Rifle from Umarex Airguns; Brings to life the classic arms of the past and...
- Loads and shoots in realistic fashion; Lever action spits shells when you operate the lever
What to Consider Before Buying a Replica Air Rifle
Before you pull the trigger on a replica air rifle, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. This isn’t your standard, multi-pump plinker. The ideal owner for a rifle like this is an enthusiast, a history buff, or someone who values the *experience* of shooting just as much as hitting the target. Key factors to consider are authenticity, power source, and build materials. Do you want realistic loading and shell ejection? The Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle excels here. Are you comfortable with CO2 cartridges, which provide consistent power but need replacing? This rifle uses two 12g cartridges for extended shooting sessions. Finally, consider the materials. Many replicas use a combination of metal and polymer to keep costs down. While this rifle features a hefty metal frame and barrel, its stock is a faux wood polymer, a crucial detail for purists. If you’re looking for a fun, immersive, and historically styled rifle for target practice and pure enjoyment, this lever-action legend is one of the most compelling options available.
While the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle 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 Legend: First Impressions and Key Features
The moment I lifted the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle from its box, I was impressed. It has a substantial feel, thanks to its mostly metal construction. The barrel and receiver have a satisfying weight and a clean finish that mimics the classic firearms it’s modeled after. The real star of the show, however, is the action. Working the lever is crisp, smooth, and produces a series of mechanically satisfying sounds. This isn’t just a BB gun; it’s an interactive experience. The included 10 BB cartridge casings add to the realism, requiring you to load each BB individually before sliding them into the rifle’s loading gate. While some users noted the stock is plastic, we found the faux-wood finish to be quite convincing at a glance, and unless you tap on it, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference immediately. It’s clear from the start that this rifle was designed for fun and authenticity above all else.
What We Like
- Incredibly realistic lever action with shell ejection
- Satisfying weight with quality metal receiver and barrel
- Excellent for immersive backyard plinking and target practice
- High fun-factor; feels like you’re in an old Western movie
- Decent accuracy for a smoothbore BB rifle
What We Didn’t Like
- Faux-wood stock is actually plastic, which may disappoint some
- Mechanism can be prone to jamming if not operated smoothly
- Reports of quality control issues with the CO2 mechanism
- Included CO2 tightening tool can be fragile
From the Box to the Backyard: Performance Under Review
A replica can look the part, but the real test is in its performance. We put the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle through its paces to see if the shooting experience lives up to its fantastic looks. From loading to firing, we evaluated every aspect of this nostalgic plinker.
Authenticity and Handling
This is where the rifle truly shines. Umarex modeled this after the iconic Model 1894, and it shows. The handling, the weight, and the overall dimensions feel remarkably close to the real thing. Loading the rifle is a deliberate, enjoyable process. You first press a single .177 caliber steel BB into the back of each of the 10 included brass-colored “cartridges.” Then, just like the cowboys of old, you feed them one-by-one into the loading gate on the side of the receiver. One user perfectly captured the feeling, stating it’s their “favorite one to shoot” because the loading and cycling “feels like being in an old western movie.” We couldn’t agree more. This manual process slows you down and connects you to the rifle in a way a simple magazine-fed airgun never could.
Loading, Firing, and Ejecting
Once loaded, a firm, confident cycle of the lever chambers the first round. The trigger is surprisingly crisp for a replica of this type, allowing for predictable shots. With a satisfying crack from the CO2, the BB speeds off at up to 600 fps—plenty of power for perforating cans and paper targets. But the real magic happens when you work the lever again. With a flick of the wrist, the spent cartridge casing flies out of the ejection port with a delightful *clink*. We found the action to be reliable, but as some users have noted, it requires a confident hand. Hesitant or gentle cycling can cause a jam, a trait not uncommon in real lever-actions. We highly recommend keeping the lever mechanism lightly oiled to ensure the smoothest possible operation. The sheer joy of sending shells flying makes this one of the most entertaining BB guns we have ever tested.
Power and Durability Concerns
The rifle is powered by two 12-gram CO2 cartridges housed cleverly in the stock. A section of the buttplate twists off with an integrated hex key to reveal the CO2 compartment. We got around 100-110 solid shots before noticing a drop in velocity, which is quite efficient. However, this is also where we encountered the most significant concerns, echoed in several user reports. The integrated hex key on the buttplate can be fragile; one user reported it breaking off in the screw. More critically, there are reports of the CO2 piercing needle failing or the seal giving out, leading to wasted cartridges. A crucial piece of advice, learned the hard way by one owner, is to *never* leave CO2 cartridges in the rifle overnight or during long-term storage, as the constant pressure can destroy the seals. While our test unit performed without issue, prospective buyers should handle the CO2 mechanism with care and be aware of these potential weak points.
What Other Users Are Saying
The general consensus online mirrors our own experience: this rifle is an absolute blast to shoot. One owner, who bought it as a decorative piece, was shocked at how “extremely fun to use” it turned out to be, praising its spot-on feel and action. Another raved that it “functions just like my real Winchester rifle down to loading the cartridges along with a really crisp and smooth action.”
However, the praise is often tempered with notes of caution regarding quality control. Several users have reported receiving units with issues right out of the box, from a faulty ejection mechanism that required a tool to remove shells, to broken CO2 piercing needles. One user stated their CO2 key broke, while another noted the rifle simply arrived broken in two pieces. These reports suggest that while a good unit is a joy, there is a tangible risk of receiving a lemon.
How Does It Compare? The Umarex Legends Cowboy vs. The Competition
While the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle carves out a unique niche, it’s worth seeing how it stacks up against other popular air rifles in the Umarex and Crosman lineups, each offering a very different experience.
1. Umarex Legends MP Blowback Metal BB Gun Air Rifle
- 52-shot, .177 caliber BB air gun with realistic blowback action; Semi-auto and full-auto shooting modes
- Powered by two 12-gram CO2 cartridges (CO2 NOT included. To ensure a proper seal and for best performance, Umarex-brand CO2 is recommended.)
If your historical interests lean more towards WWII than the Wild West, the Umarex Legends MP is a fantastic alternative. It swaps the deliberate, single-shot action of the Cowboy for thrilling, full-auto blowback fun. Instead of lever-action realism, you get the visceral feedback of a reciprocating bolt and the ability to empty a 52-round magazine in seconds. It’s built for a different kind of enthusiast—one who prefers historical military replicas and high-volume plinking over methodical, old-school shooting.
2. Umarex AirJavelin CO2 Arrow Gun Air Rifle
- Powered by one (1) 88-gram CO2 cartridge (NOT included. To ensure a proper seal and for best performance, Umarex-brand CO2 is recommended.)
- One CO2 cartridge (NOT included) delivers up to 27 effective shots per fill; Shoots up to 300 fps with up to 35 fpe kinetic energy
The AirJavelin moves completely out of the replica category and into the realm of a serious hunting tool. It fires arrows, not BBs, using CO2 for power. This makes it a unique airgun designed for small game hunting and archery practice where a traditional bow might not be practical. It offers far more power and utility than the Cowboy rifle but completely sacrifices the historical aesthetic and shell-ejecting fun. This is for the user focused on practical application rather than recreational plinking.
3. Crosman CLGY1000KT Legacy Air Rifle
- DURABLE, WATER PROOF SYNTHETIC DESIGN - With rifled steel barrel, built-in BB reservoir and side-load pellet chamber
- VARIABLE CONTROL - From 750 fps to 1000 fps
The Crosman Legacy represents a more traditional approach to air rifles. As a variable pump rifle, it doesn’t require CO2 cartridges, giving you the freedom to shoot anytime, anywhere. It can fire both .177 pellets and BBs, and its included scope makes it a more versatile option for pest control and more serious target shooting. It lacks the soul and immersive experience of the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle, but it makes up for it in practicality and flexibility.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle?
After extensive testing, we can say with confidence that the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle is a triumph of fun and nostalgia. For the person who wants to relive the days of the Old West by plinking cans in the backyard, there is simply no better experience. The realistic loading process and the thrill of ejecting spent shells after every shot provide a level of immersion that few other airguns can match. However, this recommendation comes with a caveat: be mindful of the plastic stock and the potential for quality control issues with the CO2 system. This is a rifle for the enthusiast who prioritizes the experience above all else.
If you’ve decided the Umarex Legends Cowboy CO2 Air Rifle is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API