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Choosing the Right Airgun Scope(PartⅡ) : Gas Piston, CO2, and Multi-Pump Air Rifles

Nov 25, 2025

Beyond the well-known PCP and spring-piston airguns, several other technologies offer unique advantages. Gas piston, CO2, and multi-pump pneumatic rifles cater to different needs and budgets, making them great choices for various types of shooters. Here’s a straightforward look at how they work and how to choose the right optics for them.

If you want to learn more about PCP and Spring-Piston Air Rifles, please click here.

Gas Piston Air Rifles: Smoother & Tougher

1.1 How They Work

Imagine replacing the metal spring in a traditional air rifle with a sealed cylinder of compressed gas—that’s a gas piston (or gas-ram) Air rifle. It works on the same basic principle of compressing air to fire a pellet, but the gas piston provides a much smoother and more consistent recoil impulse.

Think of it like the difference between a car with stiff, bouncy suspension and one with a smooth, controlled ride. The gas piston soaks up the harshness, leading to a more stable shooting experience.

1.2 Choosing a Scope

Even though the recoil is smoother, a gas piston Airrifle still creates a strong jolt that can break a scope not built for it. When shopping for an optic, prioritize durability:

Reticle: Always choose an etched glass reticle. Unlike delicate wire or fiber-optic crosshairs, it can withstand the repeated shock.
Turrets: Look for a turret lock or zero-stop feature. This prevents the adjustment dials from shifting under recoil, a problem known as “walking.”
Parallax Control: An Adjustable Objective (AO) or side focus is a must for clear, accurate shooting at common airgun distances (10-50 yards).
Magnification: Stick to low or medium magnification. High-powered scopes are more fragile and often unnecessary for the effective range of these rifles.
Build Quality: A robust scope with thick tube walls and secure internal components will last much longer.
Eye Relief: Generous eye relief keeps the scope comfortable to use and safer for the shooter.

1.3 Recommended Scopes for Gas Piston Air Rifles

Hugo 3–12×40i Fiber SFP Rifle Scope (SCOM-44): airgun-rated, fiber-illuminated reticle, turret lock, side focus from 10 yd, 4 in (100 mm) eye relief — durable and recoil-tolerant for gas-piston mid-range work.
VictOptics SOI 3–9×40 AO Rifle Scope (VIOC-05): airgun-rated; 1-inch tube size, adjustable objective parallax setting from 5 yd; 1/10 MIL clicks, 18 MIL elevation; 4 in (100 mm) eye relief; 40 mm FMC; side 5-level green/red illuminated reticle — well suited to gas-piston (gas-ram) air rifles.
VictOptics SOI 4–12×40 AO Rifle Scope (VIOC-06): airgun-rated; adjustable objective parallax setting from 10 yd; 1/10 MIL clicks, 20 MIL elevation; 4 in (100 mm) eye relief; 40 mm FMC; VNM-1 MIL wire reticle with side 5-level green/red illumination — ideal for gas-piston (gas-ram) platforms.

CO2 Air Rifles: Fun & Fast-Shooting

2.1 How They Work

CO2 Air rifles are powered by small, disposable or reusable carbon dioxide cartridges. You’ll find CO2 pellet rifles, which are great for quick practice, and CO2 BB pistols, which are perfect for casual plinking. Some modern versions even have blowback actions that simulate the recoil of a real firearm or can switch between firing BBs and pellets. They are primarily designed for easy, close-range fun.

2.2 Choosing a Scope

Since CO2 Air rifles excel at short distances, your sight should be optimized for speed and a wide field of view.

Magnification: Low-power scopes (2-7x or 3-9x) or even red dot sights are ideal. They let you acquire targets quickly.
Close-Range Parallax: Ensure the scope has an AO or side focus that adjusts down to 5 yards. Standard rifle scopes blur at such close distances.
Reticle: Either an etched reticle for precision or a bright, fiber-optic dot for speed will work well.
Eye Relief: A forgiving eye box and generous eye relief make shooting more comfortable and allow for fast follow-up shots.
Clarity and Sealing: Good quality lenses with anti-reflective coatings provide a bright sight picture, and weatherproof sealing protects the internals from moisture.

2.3 Recommended Optics for CO2 Air Rifles

VictOptics ZOD 1-4×20 LPVO Rifle Scope (OPSL18): A lightweight LPVO (325 g) ideal for CO2 rifles at 20–40 yd. Its 1–4× range and long eye relief ensure fast, comfortable aiming, while the VMD-2 MIL reticle offers quick holdovers. Fully multi-coated lenses provide bright clarity, making it perfect for close-range plinking and casual precision.
VictOptics ZOD 1-4×20 IR LPVO Rifle Scope (OPSL21): For a lit-reticle option, consider the this LPVO, which adds a illuminated reticle with 5-level red/green brightness while keeping the same lightweight, fast-acquisition design.
VictOptics Z3 1×22×33 Red Dot (RDSL03): Ultra-light 160 g (5.6 oz) red-dot with four reticle options and red/green illumination; compact, fast target acquisition for close-range CO2 plinking and carry-light setups.
Other budget-friendly options also well suited for CO2 air rifles include VictOptics SOI 1.5–5×20 MPVO Airgun Scope (VIOC-01), VictOptics JAV 4×32 Rifle Scope (OPSL19), VictOptics IPM 1×23×34 Four-Reticle Red Dot Sight (RDSL15), and VictOptics Z1 1×23×34 Multi-Reticle Dovetail Red Dot Sight (RDSL20).

Multi-Pump Pneumatic Air Rifles: Simple & Adjustable

3.1 How They Work

With a multi-pump pneumatic Air Rifles, you are the power source. A built-in lever is used to pump air into a reservoir inside the rifle. The more you pump, the more powerful the shot. This makes them incredibly versatile, portable, and affordable, ideal for backyard plinking and pest control at shorter ranges. While Multi-Pump Pneumatic Air Rifles can’t match the power or shot-count of a PCP Air Rifles, they don’t require any separate charging equipment.

3.2 Choosing a Scope

Multi-Pump Pneumatic Air Rifles are generally gentle on scopes, but the repeated pumping and firing creates vibrations that demand a resilient sight.

Airgun-Rated: It’s still wise to choose a scope that is advertised as airgun-rated to ensure it can handle the vibrations.
Etched Reticle: An etched glass reticle is again the best choice for long-term durability.
Parallax Adjustment: An AO or side focus is necessary for achieving a sharp sight picture at 10 to 50 yards.
Magnification: Low-to-mid power scopes or red dots are perfect, offering a wide field of view for easy tracking and a forgiving eye box.

3.3 Recommended Optics for Multi-Pump Pneumatic Air Rifles

VictOptics SOI 2-7×32 Airgun Scope MPVO (VIOC-02): 2–7× with capped turret for fast target acquisition and mid-range work; 32 mm FMC objective, 5-gear red/green illuminated reticle, lightweight 1″ monotube (328 g / 11.6 oz), and 4 in (100 mm) eye relief — rugged and comfortable for multi-pump field use.
VictOptics IPM 1×23×34 Four-Reticle Red Dot Sight (RDSL15): ultra-light 115 g / 4.0 oz red/green reflex with four reticle patterns and 5+5 illumination levels — fast target pickup for close-range plinking with MPP rifles.
Other budget-friendly options including VictOptics SOI 3-9×40 Air Rifle Scope MPVO (VIOC-03), VictOptics Z1 1×23×34 Multi-Reticle Dovetail Red Dot Sight (RDSL20), and VictOptics Z3 1×22×33 Red Dot Sight (RDSL03), all offering reliable build quality, simple operation, and clear optics for fun, accurate plinking and everyday shooting practice.

Finding Your Perfect Match

From the smooth-shooting gas piston to the convenient CO2 and the simple multi-pump, there’s an airgun for every interest.If you want to learn more about PCP and Spring-Piston Air Rifles, please click here.

Pairing your rifle with a properly matched scope is the final step to maximizing your fun and accuracy. For shooters seeking reliable performance without a high price tag, VictOptics offers a wide range of durable scopes and red dots designed specifically for the unique demands of airguns.