Airsoft Guns

Airsoft Guns

















The world of airsoft guns is always growing. From the first spring-powered airsoft pistols to mil-sim gas blowback assault rifles, technology has moved quickly to keep up with interest, making airsoft an increasingly popular pastime and competitive team sport.


Airsoft guns have traditionally been used for recreation: simulated battles between individuals or teams. Typically, two or more teams face off against each other on a specially designed airsoft field. When a player is hit they are out, and the last team standing wins. Skirmishes have been organized across the world, with hundreds and, on some occasions, thousands of airsoft amateurs and professionals fighting for trophies, prize money, or plain old glory. Airsoft gun owners are encouraged to join their local accredited airsoft association in order to participate in official games at a registered airsoft field.


Airsoft matches can take on a variety of forms and themes, so no two matches are unique. Most games will simulate real-life combat situations by using realistic terrain, equipment and even uniforms, putting the player right into the heat of the battlezone. Many airsoft associations also host historical reenactments of famous battles from history, using period-specific weaponry and clothing. Some of these battles are so realistic that the airsoft guns involved are used as props in film making.


In fact, some airsoft guns are so realistic they are used in tactical training by US military organizations. In combining airsoft weaponry that looks, feels and operates like the real thing, with realistic gas blowback technology, US federal and state institutions have repurposed airsoft technology as an affordable, reliable and safe way to prepare troops for combat. In 2018, the US Coast Guard adopted the SIG-branded P229 airsoft pistol to be used in training, and the US Army has been exploring the use of airsoft weapons in Field Training Exercises since 2009. That means you’re not just playing pretend when you use a gas-blowback pistol!










Automatic Electric Guns







Low Powered Electric Guns

Low powered electric guns, or LPEGs, are similar to automatic electric guns, but different in key ways. Both operate in a similar way–both are battery powered–but, as the name suggests, LPEGs are less powerful than AEGs, and therefore are usually more affordable. However, as their low power output makes them a lesser alternative to AEGs, LPEGs are not commonly used by most regular airsoft players. Players who are looking for affordable airsoft weapons usually go for spring-powered airsoft guns, which are a similar price to LPEGs but some of which can fire at higher velocities. LPEGs might be a good choice for younger players trying out the game for the first time, although no airsoft weapon should be used by minors without adult supervision.


Medium Price Electric Guns

While full-scale AEGs can carry a heavy price tag, some airsoft companies have developed affordable alternatives that still pack the same punch. Commonly known as MPEGs, these weapons are often ‘clones’ of top-of-the-range electric airsoft guns made by companies like Tokyo Marui in Japan, sold by smaller companies with cheaper materials. However, that doesn’t mean MPEGs are low quality. Some MPEGs can almost match the performance of high-quality AEGs at a fraction of the price. For example, airsoft weapons like the MP5 or the AK-47 from UTG are considered to be mid-range AEGs despite being significantly cheaper. What’s more, some copies are made to a high enough standard that they can take upgrade parts from the original weapons, meaning you can upgrade your affordable MPEG to be more powerful than a standard AEG.


Electric blowbacks

For those looking for all the realism they can get, electric blowback airsoft guns are just the ticket. Electric blowbacks, otherwise known as EBBs, simulate the blowback action of a real-life firearm, though usually with a little less kick. EBBs are just as powerful as AEGs and are designed in essentially the same way–both are powered by rechargeable batteries–just with the added feature of blowback action. Top-of-the-range AEGs will often include an electric blowback functionality to make for a more realistic operation. For example, the AEG M4 combat machine gun from G&G has electric blowback action and moving parts to mimic the mechanism of the real-life firearm.


There are two downsides to electric blowback weapons. Firstly, the feature will deplete the battery quicker than standard AEGs, meaning you’ll get less shots fired before needing to recharge. Secondly, the pressure of the blowback on the weapon can affect the weapon’s gear box, leading to a shorter lifespan overall.


Mini electrics

If you’re looking for fun and uniqueness over realism, you might be interested in airsoft mini electrics. These are miniaturized versions of firearms, made of colorful or clear plastic and set to fire on full-automatic, are small enough to operate one-handed. So-called “minis” were popularised by the airsoft company WELL as an alternative to one-shot smaller firearms. Mini electrics typically only carry between 50 and 100 rounds, making them a poor alternative to the more powerful full-sized AEGs, but can provide a rapid-fire advantage in close-combat situations.


Automatic electric pistols 

When you’re trying to spice up close-combat, there’s nothing better than an automatic electric pistol. In a nutshell, AEPs are battery-powered handguns that are capable of firing on full automatic. They were first introduced in 2005 by veteran Japanese airsoft manufacturers Tokyo Marui and have become popular amongst players everywhere. AEPs are a great addition to any arsenal unless you’re looking for realism in your airsoft weapons; on average, AEPs are made from plastic rather than metal and their high rate of fire means that blowback features are not an option.


AEPs have their advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, they’re more powerful and accurate than electric blowback pistols (EBBs) and gas blowback pistols (GBBs) because there is no external movement when firing, allowing for all the power to go into propelling the BB. On the downside, while their power is able to give you a good range to your shorts, they’re still not as powerful as larger airsoft weapons, such as rifles or machine guns, thanks to the smaller gearbox and battery. 


Another advantage is their full-automatic operation, giving you far more shots per minute than a spring-loaded or single-shot gas airsoft pistol. Another disadvantage is the battery and motor used to achieve this automatic firing usually takes up room in the handgrip, making for less space for a magazine. That means you can fire more shots per second but you’ll have to reload more quickly.







Gas BlowBack 

Gas blowback (or GBB) guns are the most common type of gas-powered airsoft guns. The blowback functionality gives you a kick every time you fire, making for a more realistic firing experience than spring-powered or standard electric airsoft guns. The blowback is achieved with the use of a gas canister, usually in the handle of the weapon. When the shooter pulls thr trigger gas is released, propelling the pellet, pushing the gun back and loading the next shot into the chamber. This makes GBB weapons capable of semi-automatic and full-automatic firing.


The first GBB airsoft weapons were powered by R-12, a liquid propellant and CFC gas generally used in car air conditioning and refrigerators as a cooling agent. Once CFCs were discovered to cause severe damage to the Earth’s ozone layer and became banned substances, gas airsoft guns stopped using R-12 and converted to safer gasses. Modern GBB weapons tend to use “green gas”, a product of propane, or CO2, although some can use nitrogen or high-pressure air. Due to the potential danger of compressed gas there are stricter regulations and more care responsibilities associated with gas-powered pistols compared to electric weapons, making them less popular than AEGs and other electric-powered weapons.


Most GBB airsoft weapons are smaller firearms, such as pistols. This is because the mechanisms needed to power AEGs can only be so small, and therefore take up space in smaller firearms. Gas canisters are small enough to fit into the handgrip of a pistol without taking away room from the magazine. That being said, GBB weapons come in all shapes and sizes, from submachine guns to sniper rifles. 


Another unique application of GBB technology is in airsoft grenades. Airsoft grenades come in two main forms: projectile and throwable. Projectile grenades are fired from a grenade launcher and are fitted with an internal piston filled with gas. When the pressure is discharged, the grenade is projected downrange, usually along with a series of BBs. Throwable grenades also use a gas piston, but this time connected to a timer and seated beneath a pocket of BBs or colored powder. When the timer goes off the gas is discharged and the projectiles are distributed.


High Pressure Air Systems 

Gas-power in airsoft weapons generally takes on one of two forms. The most well-known is probably the internal gas canisters, which fit into the body of the weapon and have to be recharged after use. The second method is high pressure air, also known as HPA, whichrelies on an external air supply, such as a high-pressure air tank, connected to the airsoft weapon through a hose. The high-pressure air drives a pneumatic motor in the airsoft gun, an “engine” similar to the electric mechanism that powers an electric airsoft weapon.


With HPA, airsoft players can take advantage of much larger gas canisters, meaning they can fire many more rounds before running out of gas and having to refill. HPA systems even allow players to vary the pressure of each shot, allowing for adjustable rates of fire and power. Of course, the downside of having a large external gas canister is they are less portable than small, internal gas canisters, making them less convenient for traversing a lot of terrain.


Hybrid Guns 

If you’re looking for the cutting edge in airsoft design, you’ll want to check out hybrid guns. These airsoft weapons are the newest innovation in bringing realism to the airsoft field. Rather than using simple BBs, hybrid guns can be loaded with shell cases, each containing a plastic pellet. When the gun fires, the shell casing is ejected from the gun, producing a realistic sound and smoke effect, as well as realistic blowback action. This attention to detail makes hybrid weapons especially popular with collectors and combat reenactors. 


Hybrid airsoft guns are available in both AEG and GBB versions. Both feature the replica shell magazines and blowback action; the only difference is how the weapon is powered (battery or compressed gas). Examples of hybrid airsoft guns are the TOP M4A1, M1 Garand or Kar98.







Training Weapons 

Milsim weapons have developed to such a level that some are actually being used by military organizations for training. Now, it should be said that these aren’t your regular airsoft weapons available from your local retailer. Airsoft manufacturer Systema Engineering (PTW) developed a line of airsoft weapons and accessories made from aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel, designed to provide the most realistic handling and aesthetic possible. The realism isn’t just about shooting: the quality of the materials allows for the similar stability, weather proofing and maintenance as real life firearms. In this vein, King Arms and KWA produced gas-blowback AR15 replicas that could be broken down, manipulated and modified like their real world counterparts.


It’s important to note that these training weapons aren’t commonly available to the public, and their use in the military has been limited. The Systema Engineering weapons tended to operate unreliably and need replacement parts, which were not often available. Furthermore, some of the models were banned after it became clear that they could be modified to take live ammunition.










For all the variety in airsoft gun manufacturing, airsoft guns obviously display a wide range of performance possibilities. Not only does performance vary with price, build quality and propellant (electric, gas or spring-powered), but upgrades and modifications can be employed to drastically affect shot speed.


Airsoft performance is measured in pellet velocity in meters per second (or feet per second). BB velocities can vary from 30 m/s (98 ft/s) in low-end spring-powered pistols, all the way up to 200 m/s (660 ft/s) in the highest range upgraded sniper rifles. The average for non-upgraded airsoft weapons is between 90 m/s (300 ft/s) and 120 m/s (390 ft/s). 


Upgrades can be made to the weapons or pellets to affect performance. For example, heavier pellets can be used to reduce velocity but increase accuracy. One common weapon modification is the addition of a hop-up system. By placing a buckring – generally a length of rubber tubing in the barrel of the weapon – gives the pellet backspin as it passes through the chamber. The backspin gives the pellet a flatter trajectory for a longer distance, making it a popular addition to airsoft sniper rifles.


