Net Gun, Net Launcher or Net Shooter? Types, Terms and How They Differ
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If you have searched for a net gun, a net launcher, or a net shooter, you have probably noticed the same products showing up under all three names. The terms overlap, but they are not always interchangeable. This guide explains what each term means in 2026, which ones describe the same tool, and which ones describe a completely different price class.
Quick Answer: What Is the Difference Between a Net Gun, a Net Launcher, and a Net Shooter?
Net gun, net launcher, and net shooter all describe a device that fires a weighted net to capture a target without injuring it. In everyday use they are interchangeable. The real differences come from the power source and body style, not the name. Handheld CO2 units, shoulder-fired units, blank-powered commercial rigs, drone-mounted launchers, and stationary net traps are genuinely different tools.
Are "Net Gun" and "Net Launcher" the Same Thing?
Yes. Net gun and net launcher describe the same category of device, and manufacturers use both terms for identical products.
The split is mostly regional and situational. Wildlife agencies, animal control departments, and pest control companies tend to say "net launcher" because it sounds less like a weapon. Ranchers, hobbyists, and most online shoppers say "net gun."
Our own products use both words for that reason. If you searched "net launcher" and landed here, you are in the right place. The same is true if you searched "net gun."
What About "Net Shooter" and "Net Thrower"?
Net shooter is a casual term for the same device, most common in gaming, film, and drone hobby circles. It is not an industry term, but it points at the same product.
Net thrower is slightly different. It sometimes refers to a device that fires a net, and sometimes to a hand-cast throw net used for fishing. A cast net is thrown by arm and has no launcher at all. Check which one a listing means before you buy.
What Are the Main Types of Net Guns?
There are five main types, and they separate by power source and mounting style rather than by name. Price and capability differ sharply between them.
| Type | Power Source | Typical Use | Price Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld CO2 net gun | 16 gram non-threaded CO2 cartridge | Animal control, wildlife rescue, ranch work, pest control | Roughly $799 to $949 |
| Shoulder-fired net launcher | CO2 or compressed air | Same work as handheld, with a stock for steadier aim | Mid to high |
| Blank-powered commercial rig | Blank cartridges, often multi-barrel | Aerial capture of elk, deer, and large game by agency crews | $3,000 and up |
| Drone-mounted net launcher | Compressed gas or spring, remote triggered | Counter-drone security work | Varies widely, usually commercial only |
| Stationary or suspended net trap | Gravity or remote release | Bird flocks and repeat-visit trapping sites | Low to mid |
Everything we sell at TheNetGunStore.com falls in the first category. Our units are handheld and powered by 16 gram non-threaded CO2 cartridges. You can read more about that power source in our guide to what ammo a net launcher uses.
Which Type Should You Buy?
For almost all ground capture work, a handheld CO2 net gun is the right tool. It is portable, reloadable in the field, and does not require blank cartridges or aircraft.
Here is how the decision usually breaks down:
- Animal control, shelter, or wildlife rescue work: handheld CO2 net gun.
- Ranch and livestock recovery: handheld CO2 net gun with the large net.
- Pest and nuisance bird removal: handheld CO2 net gun with the small or medium net.
- Aerial capture of elk, moose, or full-grown cattle: a blank-powered commercial rig fired from a helicopter, not a handheld unit.
- Counter-drone programs: usually a dedicated drone-mounted or shoulder-fired system, though handheld units can work on slow, low-flying drones.
That last distinction matters. Handheld CO2 launchers are ground-use tools. They top out at deer, calf, hog, and human-sized targets with the large net. They are not suitable for full-grown cattle, bulls, horses, elk, moose, or bison. Those captures need a different and far more expensive class of equipment. Our post on what size animal a net gun can actually catch covers that line in detail.
How Far Does Each Type Shoot?
Our handheld CO2 units send a net up to 35 feet of maximum travel, with an effective capture range of 15 to 25 feet. About 20 feet is the optimal shot distance.
Small nets fly farther than large nets because they carry less drag. If you are shooting a 10 ft x 10 ft net, plan on the shorter end of that range. Commercial blank-powered rigs reach farther, which is one reason aerial crews use them.
Range claims online vary wildly because writers mix equipment classes together. If a page quotes a very long range without naming the power source, treat it with caution. Our range and accuracy guide breaks down what actually affects distance.
Does the Name Change the Price?
No. The name on the listing does not affect price. The power source and what is included in the package do.
Here is what our three handheld CO2 packages include in 2026. All three use the same launcher and fire the same distance. The price difference reflects contents, not performance.
| Package | Price | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| The Net Gun Starter Pack | $799 | 1 preloaded net head, your choice of net size, no carrying case, CO2 sold separately |
| Hero Net Gun (standard package) | $849 | 4 preloaded net heads, extra set of net weights, locking metal carrying case, CO2 sold separately |
| Net Gun Mega Pack (Platinum, best seller) | $949 | 4 preloaded net heads, 4 additional reusable nets for 8 total, 12 x 16g CO2 cartridges, extra net weights, locking metal carrying case, 1 year parts replacement warranty |
Shipping is free domestically and internationally. Allow up to 14 business days to ship, or 2 to 3 weeks internationally. For a fuller breakdown, see our net launcher price guide.
One warning about terminology and price. Novelty or toy net launchers exist below $300. They are not capture-rated and are not the same class of tool, even when the listing calls them a net gun.
What Net Sizes Do These Devices Fire?
Handheld CO2 net guns fire folded square nets with weights at the corners. Three sizes cover most work.
| Net Size | Mesh | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft x 6 ft (small) | 1 inch square | Small birds and rodents |
| 8 ft x 8 ft (medium, most popular) | 2 inch square | Dogs, cats, geese |
| 10 ft x 10 ft (large) | 8 inch square | Calves, hogs, deer, human-sized targets |
You choose sizes at checkout, and you can mix sizes across net heads. That is a practical reason the multi-head packages sell well.
Common Questions About Net Gun Terminology
Is a net shooter a real product or just a video game term?
It is both. Net shooter is a real informal name for a net gun, and it also appears in games and films. When you see it on a retail listing, it almost always means a handheld or shoulder-fired net launcher.
Is a net gun considered a firearm?
Net guns are generally not classified as firearms because they fire a net using compressed gas rather than a projectile using an explosive charge. Regulations vary by state and country, so check your local laws before buying or carrying one. Our post on whether a net gun is a firearm covers the general picture.
Do all net launchers use CO2?
No. Handheld and many shoulder-fired models use CO2 or compressed air. Commercial rigs used for aerial capture use blank cartridges. Stationary net traps often use gravity or a remote release with no gas at all.
Can a net gun be used against drones?
A handheld net gun can bring down a slow, low-flying drone within its effective range, but it is not a purpose-built counter-drone system. Dedicated systems are usually drone-mounted or shoulder-fired. See our post on whether net guns work against drones for the practical limits.
Which term should I search for when shopping?
Search all three. Net gun, net launcher, and net shooter surface overlapping listings, and some sellers only optimize for one. Compare on power source, net size, included nets, and warranty rather than on the product name.
Ready to Choose Your Net Launcher?
The name matters less than the specs. Once you know you want a handheld CO2 unit, the only real decision is how many net heads and nets you want on day one. Most buyers pick the Net Gun Mega Pack for the 8 nets, 12 CO2 cartridges, and 1 year parts warranty, while the Hero Net Gun covers most professional use at $849. You can browse our full net gun lineup or visit TheNetGunStore.com to compare packages side by side.
