Airgun Brand · Umarex
Umarex: brand guide (Gauntlet, Notos, Hammer)
Researched by James · Updated September 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
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Founding, headquarters and the Walther/Röhm acquisitions come from Wikipedia's sourced Umarex history, cross-checked against Umarex USA's own about page. The RWS relationship (distribution rights, not brand ownership) comes from Umarex USA's own RWS brand page. Current models and prices come from Umarex USA's and Airgun Depot's live catalogs. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Quick facts
| Founded | 1972, in Germany |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Arnsberg, Germany (parent Umarex Group); US arm Umarex USA is in Fort Smith, Arkansas |
| Where made | Varies by line — Umarex owns German firearm makers, but its budget-to-mid US PCP rifles are manufactured overseas under contract (factories not publicly disclosed) |
| Parent company / owner | Privately held Umarex Group; itself owns Carl Walther GmbH (since 1993) and Röhm Gesellschaft (since 2010) |
| Known for | Value-to-mid PCPs (Gauntlet, Notos, Origin), big-bore PCPs (Hammer), CO2 pistols, and licensed Walther/Beretta/Colt replicas |
| Typical price range | About $200-$1,150 across the current PCP lineup |
| Warranty | Varies by model; the Gauntlet 2 carries a 3-year limited warranty |
What does Umarex make?
Umarex is unusually broad for an airgun brand because it isn't only an airgun brand — it's a firearms conglomerate that happens to sell airguns under its own name too. That includes regulated PCP sporters (Gauntlet, Zelos), value PCPs sold as complete kits (Origin, Notos), and a genuine big-bore flagship (the .50-caliber Hammer), plus CO2 pistols and airsoft replicas licensed from real firearm makers. That's a wider net than a PCP specialist like FX or a springer specialist like Gamo — Umarex plays in nearly every airgun category at once.
Current lineup
| Model | Type | Caliber | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notos / Notos Carbine | PCP, partially regulated | .22 | Under $300 | Compact backyard pest control |
| Origin | PCP, hand-pump combo kit | .22 | Under $420 | An all-in-one first PCP with a pump included |
| Gauntlet 2 | PCP, regulated | .22, .25, .30 | About $460-$570 | 70+ shots per fill, a direct Marauder/Avenger rival |
| Gauntlet Limited / Zelos | PCP, regulated, premium trim | .22, .25, .30 | About $660-$850 | Buyers who want more polish on the same platform |
| Hammer / Hammer Carbine | Big-bore PCP | .50 | About $1,100-$1,150 | Large game at short range — not small-game or pest work |
| Tusk | Big-bore PCP | .357 | Under $900 | A mid-size big bore between .30-caliber PCPs and the .50 Hammer |
Best Umarex picks for hunting
- Gauntlet 2 (.22) — the pick for a regulated first PCP with a high shot count; pair it with a tank or compressor since it wants a full 4,500 psi fill.
- Origin — the simpler choice if you want a rifle and hand pump in one box with no separate shopping trip.
- Hammer — only if you're specifically hunting hogs or larger game and understand big-bore air supply logistics; see my big bore air rifles guide first.
Pros and cons
Good fit
- Buyers who want a regulated PCP with a high shot count (Gauntlet 2)
- Hunters who want serious big-bore power without going custom (Hammer)
- Anyone who also wants access to Walther- or RWS-branded gear from the same company
Look elsewhere
- Buyers who want one consistent country-of-origin story across the whole catalog — it varies by model
- Shooters chasing FX- or Daystate-level tunability
- Anyone expecting a single blanket warranty term across every Umarex product
How Umarex compares
Against Benjamin, the Gauntlet 2 and Marauder are the two rifles most beginner-PCP shortlists come down to — the Gauntlet fills higher (4,500 psi, more shots) while the Marauder pumps up easier by hand; both are reasonable choices and the better pick depends on whether you'll buy a tank. Against Hatsan, both brands build big bores and full-auto PCPs, with Hatsan manufacturing in its own Turkish factory versus Umarex's mixed, undisclosed sourcing. Against Air Venturi, the Origin and Avenger compete almost head-to-head as value regulated PCPs, and the honest advice is to compare the specific model and current price rather than the brand.
Verdict
Umarex earns its reach: a German firearms company backing a genuinely broad, mostly well-reviewed airgun lineup from budget PCPs to a flagship big bore. Because it spans so many categories and manufacturing sources, judge the specific rifle you're buying — its shot count, fill pressure, and warranty — rather than assuming "Umarex" means one consistent build quality.
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FAQ
Is Umarex a good airgun brand?
Yes, across a very wide range. Umarex's Gauntlet 2 is a common recommendation for a regulated first PCP, its Hammer is one of the most powerful production big-bore air rifles sold, and it also owns Walther and distributes RWS pellets — real firearm-industry pedigree behind an airgun brand. Quality varies by line, so judge the specific model, not just the Umarex name.
Who owns Umarex?
Umarex Group is a privately held German company, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Arnsberg. It's not a subsidiary of a larger conglomerate — instead, Umarex itself owns other companies, including the firearm maker Carl Walther GmbH (since 1993) and Röhm Gesellschaft (since 2010).
Does Umarex own Walther and RWS?
Umarex owns Walther Arms, acquired in 1993, which is why Walther-branded pistols and airguns share engineering and licensing. RWS is different: Umarex's North American arm, Umarex USA, acquired the US distribution rights to RWS pellets in 2006 (from RUAG Ammotec USA) rather than owning the RWS ammunition brand outright.
Where are Umarex air rifles made?
It depends on the line. Umarex is headquartered in Germany and owns German firearm makers, but its budget-to-mid PCP air rifles sold in the US (Gauntlet, Notos, Origin) are manufactured overseas under contract; Umarex doesn't publish the exact factories for those models. Umarex USA's own facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas, handles US distribution, service and some assembly.
What is the best Umarex model for a first PCP?
The Gauntlet 2 in .22 — a regulated PCP with 70+ shots per fill and a 3-year warranty, priced under $460. It's a direct rival to the Benjamin Marauder and Air Venturi Avenger; see my beginner PCP comparison for how the three stack up. The Origin, sold as a hand-pump combo kit, is the simpler all-in-one alternative.
What is the Umarex Hammer, and is it powerful?
The Hammer is Umarex's .50 caliber big-bore PCP, marketed as one of the most powerful production air rifles available, priced under $1,100. It's built for large game at short range, not small-game or backyard pest control — see my big bore air rifles guide for what that power level is actually for.
What is Umarex's warranty?
It varies by model rather than a single blanket policy; the Gauntlet 2, for example, carries a 3-year limited warranty. Check the specific product page, since Umarex doesn't publish one uniform term across its whole US catalog.
What other brands does Umarex distribute?
In the US, Umarex USA markets airguns and airsoft replicas under license from Walther, RWS, Hämmerli, Beretta, Colt, Smith & Wesson, HK, Ruger, Browning and Makarov, in addition to its own Umarex-branded PCP and CO2 lines.
