are you processing the hides as well? are they worth messing with? that probably makes a difference in your method of...execution?
We're not yet processing the hides, but that's something I do want to get started with. It's pretty simple with pre bottled tanning solutions. I'm not sure of what methods of dispatching would harm the hides, unless you use a gun which is kind of wasteful. Rabbits are extremely easy to dispatch, using several different humane methods.
Look up the Rabbit Wringer. Very cool device and super quick. If you have the stomach, they have demonstration videos of their product on YouTube.
There's also the "broomstick" method (google that too), a quick bop behind the ears with a tire thumper, and there's also some people who use a pellet rifle point blank behind the ears, where the spine meets the skull.
The most important part is to bleed the rabbit immediately after dispatching it, otherwise there'll be too much blood in the meat. The best way to skin the rabbit (while it's hanging from it's feet) is to cut around the knees and a line down the leg and back up the other. From there, it's just a quick pull straight down, inside out, like pulling off a sock. It keeps fur from making a sticky mess all over the meat.
Once you get to the front legs, you might need the help of your knife to remove skin down to the elbows. Cut the feet off at the elbows and leave inside the fur (you can remove these later if you plan on tanning).
pull down until you get to the neck and cut the head off, leaving it inside the skin (I like this so I don't have to see their cute face after the dirty work is done).
From there, it's just a matter of opening the abdominal wall, splitting pelvis, removing viscera, and quartering.
I can process 10 rabbits in the time it takes me to do one turkey. Super easy, like peeling a banana.
If you feel you need a gun to dispatch your rabbits, then I suggest you not waste your time and stick to supermarkets.
With ammo shortages and high costs right now, I'll stick to one of the older proven methods of breaking it's spinal cord.
Sean