If you have been looking for a no-fuss, budget-friendly way to enjoy some backyard target shooting, the Umarex DX17 Steel BB Air Pistol deserves a spot on your shortlist. It skips the CO2 cartridges entirely, runs on a simple spring-piston action, and costs just £34.99 — which makes it one of the easiest ways to get into the hobby without a big outlay. It is in stock now at Just Air Guns, one of the UK’s friendliest homes for Airguns.
First Impressions
Out of the box, the DX17 feels like exactly what it is: a light, practical plinker. The polymer construction keeps the weight down to just 0.97 lbs (around 440g), so it is easy to handle one-handed and comfortable to carry around the garden for an afternoon of shooting. The ergonomically shaped grip sits naturally in the hand, and the serrated slide gives you a confident surface to grasp when charging the spring. It does not pretend to be a heavyweight replica — instead, it focuses on being simple, functional and fun.
Performance
The DX17 is a spring-powered, single-shot pistol that fires 4.5mm steel BBs at around 197 fps. That is a friendly, low-noise velocity that is perfect for casual target shooting and plinking at cans, spinners and paper targets. Loading is refreshingly straightforward: a flip-up loading port gives access to the built-in reservoir that holds 15 BBs, so you can keep the fun going without fiddling with tiny magazines. Accuracy at short indoor and garden range is more than good enough for satisfying groups, helped along by the fibre-optic front sight, which gathers light and gives you a bright, clear aiming point.
Because there is no CO2 to buy, your running costs are effectively just the BBs themselves. Pair it with a tub of Umarex Steel BB 1500 and you are set for weeks of shooting. That zero-consumable design is the DX17’s biggest selling point: grab it, charge it, shoot it.
Build Quality and Handling
The all-polymer build keeps things light and keeps the price down, but Umarex has not cut corners where it matters. The serrated slide is easy to rack, the manual safety is positive and simple to operate, and the integrated Picatinny rail under the barrel opens up the option of adding a small accessory such as a compact sight or torch. The fibre-optic front sight is a genuinely useful touch at this price point — many budget pistols make do with a plain post.
At 9.37 inches long, the DX17 has a compact, manageable profile that suits younger newcomers (with adult supervision and legal purchase, of course) and experienced shooters alike who simply want a relaxed plinking pistol.
Specifications
- Gun type: Air pistol
- Calibre: 4.5mm steel BB
- Action: Single shot, spring-piston
- Velocity: Approx. 197 fps
- Construction: Polymer
- Safety: Manual
- Length: 9.37 inches
- Weight: 0.97 lbs
- Extras: Integrated Picatinny rail, fibre-optic front sight, 15-BB built-in reservoir, flip-up loading port
Who Is It For?
The DX17 is ideal for anyone who wants an affordable, low-maintenance introduction to shooting. It suits garden plinkers, casual target shooters, and anyone who fancies trying the hobby before committing to a CO2 or PCP set-up. As with all airguns sold in the UK, it is strictly an 18+ purchase under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, and it must be used responsibly on private land with the landowner’s permission. Keep it safe, keep it legal, and keep the shooting fun.
Browse the full range of Air Pistols at Just Air Guns to compare the DX17 against CO2 and PCP alternatives, or explore everything else on offer across the wider world of Airguns.
Verdict
For £34.99 the Umarex DX17 Steel BB Air Pistol is tremendous value. It will not match the blowback realism of a CO2 replica, and it is not trying to — instead it delivers dependable, inexpensive, always-ready plinking with no gas costs and no complicated maintenance. If simple fun at a friendly price is what you are after, the DX17 is a very easy recommendation.