BSA Guns has a rich history for producing some of the finest and most revered airguns in the world. The British gunmaker has won a deserved place in the hearts of millions of shooters – myself included as I shot my first grey squirrel with a BSA Airsporter about 40 years ago and currently own BSA R-12 and BSA Ultra PCP airguns which I absolutely love.
As times move on, quality pre-charged airguns have gradually increased in price and this is a trend that BSA intends to buck with the new BSA Buccaneer Pro, which is distributed in the UK by Range Right. It isn’t cheap, but this airgun’s recommended retail price of £699 for the synthetic stock model represents extremely good value when you take its performance and features into account, especially bearing in mind that it is made by the famous Birmingham gunmaker. The beech stock option costs a little more at £739, but you get a heck of a lot for that comparatively modest outlay. Both versions of the Buccaneer Pro are equipped with BSA’s legendary cold hammer forged barrel and a new regulator which delivers awesome consistency.
Below: The BSA Buccaneer Pro is available in beech and synthetic stock options
There are some pretty significant differences between the BSA Buccaneer Pro’s two stock options – and not just the materials they are made from. With the synthetic stock, overall length is 92cm whereas the beech option is a little longer at around 93.5cm. Both weigh around about 3.5kg. The synthetic stock, which is derived from the Scorpion handle, has a high and very well defined cheekpiece which ensures good alignment between your eye and scope. Pre-fitted QD studs at the front and back for the attachment of accessories such as a sling or bipod are another nice touch on the synthetic stock.
For this review we will focus on the beech stock version of the BSA Buccaneer Pro. This stock has a long forend which is quite slim and features patches of very nice stippling on both sides. The fairly steep pistol grip makes for a comfortable hold whether shooting thumb up or thumb down and features similar stippling to the forend on both sides.
The rear section of the beech stock is very distinctively styled. Judging by comments on the internet, its unconventional line are a little too avent garde for some of the staunch traditionalists out there but I really like it – to my eye, the design is a blend of traditional sporter stock and more futuristic styling. Like the synthetic option, it incorporates that all-important high cheekpiece for good eye alignment with you chosen optic. Overall, this stock strikes a very nice balance between function and form, and the butt section is finished with a chunky cushioned pad that feels very good in the shoulder.
Below top: The beech version of the Buccaneer Pro has a distinctively styled butt section
Below bottom: The synthetic stock comes fitted with front and rear QD studs
I couldn’t find any fault with the finish and engineering of the metalwork on the BSA Buccaneer Pro. The blueing, or blacking, on the barrel and cylinder is flawless and the black anodised action looks very neat. On the top of the action is a Picatinny-type scope rail which can be removed to reveal a dovetail rail, so you have both options. Either way, it provides around 175mm of clamping space for scope attachment.
The Buccaneer Pro is equipped with BSA’s famous cold hammer forged barrel, which has a reputation for being very accurate. The floating barrel is 470mm long and has a half-inch UNF thread for silencer attachment. I initially found the thread protector very difficult to remove – too tight to shift by hand. However, a quick hot blast from a hairdryer soon loosened it up and it has been fine since then.
Below top: The Picatinny scope rail can be removed to reveal a dovetail rail
Below bottom: The BSA Buccaneer Pro has a threaded muzzle for silencer attachment
The BSA Buccaneer Pro runs a tried and tested magazine, which holds ten shots in .177 and .22 calibres and eight in .25. I have to say, I really like these magazines – they’re easy to load, they have a shot counter to show you how many pellets you have left, and they are very kind to ammo. Credit to BSA for positioning the magazine below the scope rail rather than sticking up in the middle of it. Its sensible positioning means it can’t cause any problems with scope-mounting because it is well out of the way.
The magazine is driven by a sidelever action which features a dropdown handle and is not reversible. For righthanders, its positioning makes for quick and reliable cocking and loading. The mechanism feels very positive and I like the sprung action that starts to kick the back into the rearward stroke as soon as you unlatch it. Most importantly, the cocking and loading system worked brilliantly, and with no glitches, during my week of testing.
Below top: A proven magazine system delivers fast and dependable reloading
Below bottom: The sidelever cocking and loading mechanism is sprung for fast operation
The Buccaneer Pro features a BSA trigger which has been updated for this model. It features a no-frills plastic blade that has a sweeping curve and a flat face. The two-stage mechanism is adjustable but, as always, I tested it on the factory setting – the second stage of which was set quite heavy. In operation, first stage length and travel felt just right to me and, aside from being a touch weighty, the second stage release was extremely crisp with no creep whatsoever. In fairness, the heft of the factory set trigger release would be well-suited to a novice shooter, as it isn’t likely to catch them by surprise. It still felt crisp and its break-point soon became easy to predict.
There is a simple but very effectively rocker-type safety catch positioned within easy reach on the left side of the rear of the action. It is nice and positive and you simply pull it back into the safe position and then push it forward when you’re ready to take the shot.
BSA Guns have informed me that the Buccaneer Pro features a new regulator along with what they refer to as a Blast Tamer incorporated into the hammer system to improve air efficiency. I’m not sure what the technicalities of this system are but it definitely works. The test gun was running at a healthy 11.3ft/lb and shot to shot consistency was excellent; remaining within just four feet per second over a ten-shot string.
Maximum fill pressure is a very specific 332 bar, as is usually the case with PCP airguns from BSA. Despite its slim, elegant air cylinder, the Buccaneer Pro still returns a solid shot count of 155 shots per fill in .177 calibre and 200 in .22 and .25 – testament to the efficiency of its firing cycle. Air pressure is displayed on a gauge at the front of the cylinder. When it’s time to refill, just turn the collar behind the gauge to expose the inlet and plug in the supplied quick-fill probe. The probe has a Foster attachment at the hose end, which makes for quick and easy attachment.
Below top: Although a little heavy on its factory setting, the adjustable two-stage trigger was crisp and predictable
Below bottom: Air filling is by means of a quick-fill probe that slots into the inlet at the front of the cylinder
I always say there are three key components when it comes to designing an airgun capable of seriously accurate shooting, and the BSA Buccaneer Pro has them all. It’s got a predictable trigger, its power output is extremely consistent, and it has an excellent barrel.
Paired with BSA Goldstar pellets, those factors amounted to very good performance on the bench with cloverleaf groups the norm at 30m. Groups opened up a little more at 40m, but ragged single-holders were still achievable. Being a well-balanced and very manoeuvrable air rifle, the BSA Buccaneer Pro is also a very nice gun to shoot away from the comfort of the bench. Whether taking standing, kneeling or prone shots, it still felt good to me and I can see it being a dependable choice for airgun pest control.
So that is the BSA Buccaneer Pro – a very competitively priced offering from this established British gunmaker. It delivers very good value for money, it feels to be solidly built and I can see it being a very versatile little airgun, covering everything from backyard plinking and ragging targets on the club range to serious pest control duties. I had a great time using it on paper and steel targets on the range but I also took the synthetic stock model out on my farmyard rat control rounds, where it gave a great account of itself. And if BSA’s past pedigree is anything to go by, it should still be delivering the goods after several years of heavy use.
MAKER: BSA Guns
MODEL: Buccaneer Pro
PRICE: £699 (synthetic stock), £739 (beech stock)
UK DISTRIBUTOR: Range Right
LENGTH: Synthetic 920mm (36.2in), Beech 935mm (36.8in)
WEIGHT: 3.5kg (7.7lb)
BARREL LENGTH: 470mm (18.5in)
MAXIMUM FILL PRESSURE: 232 bar
Article first published 14th October 2025
