Cheap Airsoft Guns

Cheap Airsoft Guns - Why Airsoft Guns Do Not Need to Break Your Bank

Executive Summary by Samantha Dunkin

cheap airsoft guns

If you are looking to dive into the exiting and fast-growing sport of airsoft, perhaps you are concerned about finding the right gun that won't break the budget and will allow you to jump in at a decent price.

While there are several high-tier guns that can cost you quite a bit, you probably would want to wait on such a gun until you are well established and more skilled in the sport of airsoft.

The truth is that there are many cheap airsoft weapons on the market which will go along way for the average player. However, before you start searching, it is wise to educate yourself as to the varieties of airsoft guns available and how they operate.

There are three different categories:

Electronic: these are the most expensive, starting around $200-$300+; consist of an electric motor and battery pack. Require the most care and maintenance to keep up;

Gas Powered: powered by compressed air and simulate a real recoil, or "blowback". Moderately priced, non-blowback models start around $40+; need to maintenance the compressed air;

Spring Guns: known as cheap airsoft pistols and rifles, or "springers" use a spring mechanism to fire; the original airsoft gun. Little to no maintenance needed.

Spring guns (springers or cheap airsoft guns) are the original airsoft guns. These guns shoot by using a mechanized spring which needs to be cocked for every shot fired. These are the least expensive airsoft guns and are most popular among beginner players and casual hobbyists.

The great majority of airsoft players use these cheap airsoft guns either during practice, or as a backup gun. Because the construction of these cheap airsoft guns is fairly simple, they can be found online and in some stores for as little as 20 bucks.

Keep in mind that although they are called cheap airsoft guns, and do not cost that much, there is no reason to be concerned about quality, these are great guns. While there may be some cheap knock-offs of airsoft weapons on the market, as long as you find a cheap airsoft gun made by a reputable manufacturer, you will have nothing to worry about concerning its dependability, ruggedness, and overall quality.

Airsoft for Sale

Cheap Airsoft Guns For Sale

Executive Summary by Steven Dime 

airsoft for sale

Most of the times when I talk to people who are not very familiar with the Airsoft game I am told that it is a very expensive sport. This misconception mainly comes from the similarity of Airsoft and Paintball. In paintball you not only are bound to use gas powered metal guns and rifles but the paintballs are also expensive consumables.

With this article I would like to clear the things a bit. Airsoft is one of the most affordable game I can think of that includes team work and shooting.

The so called BBs that you shoot with are small plastic pellets with spherical form. The most expensive package I could find is 3000 for about $35. The regular and widely used airsoft bbs in a package of 6000 cost $10. Compare that to 2000 paintballs for $70 from the best ones and 2000 for $30 for the regulars. In terms of consumables Airsoft is quite cheap.

The first time I went to an airsoft war game a few years back I bought a cheap airsoft gun that was on sale. I paid $2 at a retail store. They had some cheap airsoft shotguns too.

This was back in time when the game was not so popular. Now you can find a cheap airsoft gun for sale with a price tag below $1. Believe me or not, a price tag of $0.25 or $0.50 is real. For a shotgun you will have to spare more money. About $5 that is.

 And if you want to have a spare gun there are packages of M16 replica and a pistol for the price of about $8. Compare that to a minimum of $100 for paintball marker. Of course these cheap airsoft guns are plastic and are not the top quality but you will be able to play a few games and see if you like it or not.

Now, there are expensive top quality airsoft pistols, rifles, automatic machine guns and even long range snipers. Yes the will cost you more than $100 and might even go to above $1000 but these are for players that live airsoft, breath airsoft and the only thing that they want from the week is for it to end so they can enjoy a nice battle weekend.

Cheap Airsoft Pistols

Getting a Cheap Spring Airsoft Pistol

Executive Summary by Justin Kander 

cheap airsoft pistols

Getting a cheap spring pistol may seem unnecessary if you already have a better airsoft gun, but there are several benefits to owning this kind of backup airsoft gun.

I will lay out two major benefits of "springers" in this article, and by the time you have finished reading, you will no doubt want to get up out of your seat and buy an airsoft pistol immediately.
(Although since so many products are sold online nowadays, you will not even have to do that!)

It is always good to have something to back you up in the case something happens to your primary gun. For example, it might break, and then you will not have another quality airsoft gun for some time. It is better to have something than nothing, and since a cheap airsoft pistol is so affordable, it does not require a lot of investment to acquire one.

In addition to completely replacing your other gun when it breaks, you can also use a springer as a sidearm during any airsoft game. Although it is better to use an electric or gas pistol, even a springer has the capability to save you during a tight spot.

Next, you can always lend this airsoft pistol to someone who does not have an airsoft gun, so they can play. It is so cheap that even if something happens to it, you could easily replace it with another pistol.

In fact, when you purchase a spring airsoft pistol, you might as well get three or four so you have many backups. The cost of this is still almost ten times less than that of a high-quality, primary airsoft gun, so although this might seem like a lot, it really is not too much to ask for.

Cheap Airsoft Rifles

Benefits of Getting a Cheap Airsoft Rifle

Executive Summary by Justin Kander

cheap airsoft rifles

There are many benefits to purchasing an airsoft rifle of low caliber. While there are many high quality options out there, the fact of the matter is that not everybody needs the best airsoft gun out there.

Everybody needs to make sacrifices in different areas of their lives, and if you are not a regular airsoft player, there is no point in paying a lot of money for an airsoft gun that you will only use sporadically.

Therefore, it is good that there are so many other options that you can choose from, that are still pretty good but a lot cheaper.

In some cases, you may need an AEG no matter what. For example, if all of your friends play with AEGs, then you would be at a great disadvantage to use anything less. However, this scenario is somewhat rare, because if you are going to be using an AEG, then you are probably going to use it often. If you are going to use an airsoft gun a lot, it might as well be a good gun, as then you get a lot more utility and fun from each game.

The best gun for a beginner player, and one who does not plan on playing too much, is a low-powered electric gun. These guns are not that fast or durable, but they definitely can get the job done, and they can still shoot at over one hundred fifty feet per second, which is fairly decent.

As long as you are willing to go through a lot of BBs to compensate for lower accuracy, LPEGs are ideal for players who do not participate in competitive airsoft games. It is also important to remember to be careful with your gun, as they can break fairly easily.

I bet I am not making the case for these guns very strong, but keep in mind these products cost around twenty to thirty dollars. Paying that kind of money for a fully automatic rifle is a deal no matter what other factors you take into consideration, although the weaknesses are not that bad when you take them into practical consideration.

Gas Airsoft

Gas Airsoft - Power and Portability Combined

Executive Summary by Niall Roche 

gas airsoft

In the world of airsoft guns first comes spring powered and then we have gas powered airsoft guns. Spring airsoft guns are great fun and totally functional but gas models take the airsoft hobby a step up. The annoying aspect of spring airsoft is having to manually cock the gun each time you fire it - whether it's a pistol or not.

Gas airsoft guns contain a gas charge (hence the name) so your single shot days are over and you can enjoy a more automatic firing experience. These guns work in the same way as the spring ones in that a piston compresses and drives air through the gun barrel to fire the bb but because there's a "constant" gas charge in the gun you can fire several dozen rounds without having to worry about cocking it again.

You'll notice that most airsoft gas guns are hanguns or small machine guns - the Uzi being a perfect example. There are a few gas powered rifles but these only ever seem to be sniper models and never assault rifle replicas. A full sized airsoft assault rifle could deplete an entire gas charge or even a tin of compressed gas in just a few moments. That same amount of gas would provide an airsoft handgun with enough power to fire off several clips of bbs and leave some gas to spare.

Your airsoft gas handgun or machinegun is recharged through a small nozzle at the base of the gun - usually right underneath the handgrip or near where the ammo clip is inserted. Simply press a can of gas into the nozzle and fill the gun until it's fully charged. For the first few bursts the gun will be operating at full power and then it will slowly die off until it's a feeble popping noise and it'll need to be recharged again.

Running an airsoft gas gun ain't free but it doesn't cost the earth either. The running costs are, however, something you need to take into account before buying one of these guns. A 1000ml tin of gas will cost about $8 or alternatively you can buy a gas pump that you carry around with you. This is pumped to a certain pressure and you can then recharge the gun from this. The only downside to these is that you have to carry the pump around with you as it's permanently attached to the gun itself.

Because airsoft gas guns contain a sealed gas chamber they need to be handled with extra care. Personally I've destroyed one Desert Eagle and a Beretta by dropping them on hard ground and cracking the case of the gun. These proved impossible to repair and the guns had to be thrown out. Treat any gas powered airsoft weapon with extra care - you'll thank yourself in the long run.

You may also like this article :
Green Gas Airsoft

Green Gas Airsoft

Key Insight to Airsoft Green Gas 

Executive Summary by Jeffry Evans
 

green gas airsoft

Green gas, in simple terms, is propane. It is extremely flammable and should be handled with caution. Many gas airsoft guns use green gas as the primary propellant. Green gas and the associate gas airsoft guns that use it are more powerful than CO2 and other gas powered airsoft guns. Although it is flammable, it isn't much more dangerous than hairsprays and other common household goods. Propane is used as a common refrigerant as well.

This type of gas is often tagged as a haz mat (hazardous material) when it comes to shipping. Therefore many outlet stores do not stock it. However, it can be found on the internet, and a small canister might sell for around $20-$40. But again, the shipping will be higher, so make sure that you buy some other airsoft products, to help balance out the costs.

This may seem costly, but one small can of this gas can last for lots of refills of your airsoft gun. If you want cheap airsoft guns, you probably won't be interested in airsoft gas guns. Gas airsoft guns are the high end guns, and you will be paying more for them. If you want cheap airsoft guns, consider going with spring powered guns or electric guns.

Green gas gives the most realistic and lifelike action of any of the airsoft products available to date. Especially when combined with a blowback gun, the firing experience will have a fairly loud sound, as well as a kick when the slide or hammer is engaged. Often this will be combined with an automatic reloading of the airsoft gun. Thus, you can have semi-automatic or fully automatic gas airsoft pistols and guns.

So when it comes to having military simulations or law enforcement simulations, using green gas with gas airsoft weapons is the most realistic combination. Gas airsoft pistols are normally just as heavy as the real thing, use full metal, are high powered, and when used with heavier BBS (like .2g or .25g) can be very accurate, even at longer ranges. So if realism is your fancy, you will desire to go with green gas and gas powered airsoft gear.

M4 Airsoft

Choosing the Airsoft M4 Rifle As Your First Airsoft Gun

Executive Summary by John A King

m4 airsoft

If you are looking at an airsoft M4 (regardless of brand) as your first airsoft gun it comes with no surprise because the M16 and M4 are the standard issued weapon for the U.S. Military and is also in use by 15 other NATO countries. It is also the most mass produced rifle in its caliber, that by itself has to tell you something.

As a beginner, buying your first airsoft gun is probably the most crucial part to getting started into airsoft. An important step to buying your first airsoft m4 airsoft gun is establishing what price range you can afford.

The great part about starting out with an airsoft M4 rifle is that it will give you lots of versatility when it comes to playing your airsoft games. For instance, if everyone was to decide to play a close quarter combat game your airsoft M4 rifle would be able to do just fine, thanks to the collapsible stock and already relatively short rifle, add a red dot scope and you'll probably have one of the best choice weapons for the scenario! 

If you were to play a game in the forest and decided to play the role of a sniper with your airsoft m4, this could also be done by raising the hop up, using heavier airsoft bbs and using a magnified scope. One could also buy an airsoft M16 as opposed to an M4 airsoft gun if they will be doing more long range shooting, this will give the player a couple additional inches on the barrel for better accuracy .

If the U.S. Military using the M16 and M4 as their standard weapon is not enough reason to sway you to get an airsoft M4 as your first gun, the huge amount of modifications and customization that can be done to these airsoft guns should be the reason. 

This is one important reason why you still want to go with a good well reviewed airsoft gun even if you cannot afford to buy a $300+ airsoft rifle and have to settle for a mid grade $125+ model. Doing so will give you the ability to upgrade your airsoft M4 rifle in the future, once you have more cash saved up.

The airsoft M4 is a great rifle to get started out with. It is relatively light weight, versatile, and capable of shooting far distances but also makes a great weapon for close quarter games. Obviously this will all depend on which brand & model you end up going with. It is always important to make sure you are buying an electric airsoft gun (a.k.a. airsoft aeg gun ).

Many beginner's will make the mistake of buying an airsoft m4 or any rifle for that matter powered by spring because of the noticeable price difference, thinking the airsoft gun will be capable of firing semi or fully automatic.

An airsoft M4 as your first airsoft gun is a great choice, choosing the brand and deciding your price range are the next two important steps to buying your first airsoft gun.

Airsoft Rifles

How to Choose an Airsoft Rifle

Executive Summary by M. Zhang

airsoft rifles

A lot of people ask me for advice on selecting an airsoft rifle. Here's a quick check list for finding the right rifle for your needs:

Spring or electric (AEG)? 
Electric airsoft rifles are the most popular choice because they shoot at a higher velocity and have longer range. Spring rifles, on the other hand, have slower speeds and thus shorter range, but they are less expensive. Spring airsoft rifles are appropriate for less experienced gunmen and younger players. I generally recommend electric airsoft rifles for experienced airsoft enthusiasts and anyone considering sniping. Look for an electric airsoft rifle with a velocity of at least 285 feet per second (FPS). If you plan to focus on sniping, it's best to look for Bolt Action sniper rifles with 400+ FPS. 

Metal or plastic composition? 
Metal is very durable and has a nice, real-life feel, but it is also heavier and may cause fatigue in long games with a lot of maneuvering. AEGs that feature plastic receivers or bodies are made of a composite polymer-ABS. The plastic has been engineered to have a high stress tolerance, making it resistant to shock or drop. In many cases these arms are just as durable as metal bodies, but a lot lighter. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and which "feel" suits you best.

Gearbox or no gearbox? 
If the rifle you select has a gearbox, make sure the parts are metal. Other materials can break or warp much more quickly, damage gears, and will ultimately lead to an inoperable weapon.

Scope or no scope? 
If you want to add optics to your airsoft rifle, you will need a rifle with railed sight mounts. Airsoft sniper rifles, for example, are intended to be highly accurate at long ranges, so a scope is really a must. Some rifles come with these sight mounts already in place; on others you can add them. You'll also want to check how the rifle mounts to bipods and other accessories.

How much ammo can it hold? Ammo capacity varies. Some players prefer a high ammo capacity so that the need to reload is minimized. Others, however, are will to sacrifice ammo capacity for a more compact gun that is easy to maneuver. Choosing an ammo storage size really just depends on how you want to use your gun.

Electric Airsoft

Electric Airsoft Guns - Introduction

Executive Summary by Alice Douglas

 

electric airsoft

We all know that there are three main categories of airsoft guns. Beginners mostly opt for spring guns; you need to cock the gun prior to each shot, but the cost of getting spring handguns, rifles, shotguns, and sniper rifles are relatively cheaper than the other two types.

There are also gas guns, using CO2, green gas, or nitrogen pressurized in the inner chamber to propel bullets in semi-automatic or full-automatic mode. Gas airsoft handguns as well as several rifles offer realistic recoil effects called Gas Blow-Back or GBB; this is why most gas handguns and rifles are called GBBs.

Electric airsoft guns, or Automatic Electric Guns (AEGs), were first introduced by Japanese guns manufacturer. Several earlier models were released by Tokyo Marui and other Japanese brands, before Chinese and other manufacturers follow the new trend. Electric guns offer unique mixture of automatic firing capabilities, great performance and power, plus highly affordable price tags.

It is not a secret that AEGs were first created to bridge the gap between spring and gas guns. Gas airsoft guns or GBBs are quite expensive indeed, and some players just don't have the right budget to purchase gas airsoft gears. AEGs, however, are very affordable. You can actually find different models priced at less than $60, with some higher end models being priced at a little above $150.

Since the guns are battery-powered, you will have to recharge their batteries before each play. A full charge can be used to fire more than enough shots to last the whole battle and some more. The electric airsoft guns also produce similar power compared to GBBs, so you wouldn't have to worry about not being able to hit the right range at all.

The only drawback of AEGs when compared to GBBs is the lack of realistic recoil effects when you fire your toy. For avid enthusiasts, this is exactly why they rather spend more money getting GBBs. All in all, AEGs are offering a nice bridging between spring and gas airsoft guns.

Cheap Airsoft

The Best Cheap Airsoft Guns

Auto Summary by Walter Sobchack 

cheap airsoft

Cheap airsoft guns are some of the most well made replica weapons on the market. While the saying 'cheaper isn't always better' follows most things, this is not necessarily the case with this product.

You can still purchase cheap airsoft guns without having to sacrifice the quality of the product which is a great thing for those who are just getting started in the game or those who want to try it out before they invest a lot of money into it.

Many people have to consider price when they are looking for an airsoft gun and they want the best quality their money can buy.

When considering how much you want to invest in a cheap airsoft gun you must remember to account for the accessories that you also wish to purchase. You also want to make sure your gun isn't going to fail you after firing off a few shots.

Just because you prefer to invest in a cheap airsoft gun doesn't mean you are going to sacrifice the value of the weapon. There are many inexpensive weapons to choose from that will work exactly for what you wish to use it for. Plus, cheap airsoft gun manufacturers stand by their products and are proud of the items they manufacture.

Cheap airsoft guns come in the two most popular styles: the rifle and the handgun. The airsoft P799A full size pump shotgun is an excellent choice for use in airsoft simulation games. The M0581C BOYI shotgun and the 99098 SPAS 12 are additional cheap airsoft guns that provide the user with the power they are looking for. The M83 M16 replica and the CM022 full size AK rifle give the user the feel of a realistic weapon that is used during wartime conflicts.

Remember that these weapons also come in three different types of firing mechanisms and the gas canister guns are going to be more expensive that their electric and spring counterparts. It depends on your desire as to what kind of firing mechanism you choose.

Cheap airsoft guns in the handgun variety include the EG70002 metal M92 Beretta Spring pistol. There is also a CM030 Glock electric replica and a HFC 122B Green gas 1911 pistol that will work well for both simulation games and target practice.

There is also the CYMA Glock style electric pistol that falls under the cheap airsoft guns category. Most of the pistols are priced under $50.00 but there are other types that are priced under $30.00 that are made with the same quality as the ones listed here and are a bit more friendly to your pocket book.

Of course personal preference also comes into play when choosing a cheap airsoft gun for your collection. The best advice would be to try out each one if possible before purchasing one to see which one feels right in your hands. You may be surprised to find that the $30.00 air soft gun fires a lot better than the $50.00 one and fits your style better.

Tokyo Marui

Tokyo Marui - A Detailed Look at One of the Oldest Airsoft Manufacturers

Executive Summary by Alexander Malroy

tokyo marui

Since Airsoft started back in the 1950's, Tokyo Marui was one of the first manufacturers who produced the guns used for the game. Hailing from Adachi in Tokyo Japan, Tokyo Marui continues to be the best suppliers of airsoft guns and airsoft pistols.

Because of the popularity of both the game and the company, the company now has its own sports arena which facilitates the game of Airsoft.

All of its products are also being supplied through affiliated third-party resellers all over Asia. One of the reasons why Tokyo Marui's success was elevated further was because of the appearance of their guns. The airsoft guns and airsoft pistols they create are crafted with fine details that it is impossible sometimes to tell that they do not fire off actual bullets.

This is also the reason why most movies make use of Tokyo Marui guns in their action films as they look authentic yet may be more affordable and of course easier to buy than real guns. Not to mention that these guns are of course a lesser danger.

Tokyo Marui also propelled itself to fame by producing a set of airsoft guns which are the first of its kind to be powered by electricity. In addition to these, their electric guns are facilitated by the use of air compressors.

Through air compressing systems, electric guns are able to fire off distances and produce the intended airsoft projectiles. Eventually, this was released in the market as the FAMAS F1 and ushered in the new generation of airsoft pistols in the industry.

Usually, in close inspection one will find out that the airsoft guns sold by Tokyo Marui are mostly plastic built. Sometimes, even the whole body itself was made entirely from plastic. However there are some parts which are left to be made through metal. This is usually done for sensitive parts which need more protection especially when used during the game. The gearboxes of Tokyo Marui guns are also highly modified for better quality when used. These gearboxes are also fired off with the use of rechargeable batteries to maintain their power.

Sniper Airsoft

Sniper Airsoft Guns - The Ultimate in Excitement

Executive Summary by Mark Schilling 

sniper airsoft

You've seen them in the movies: they creep through their surroundings, invisible and ever so slowly stalking their next victim. Knowing that they do not have to even get close to their target makes them even more menacing. Now, with Airsoft sniper guns you can feel the same thrill that the professionals do.

When looking at this type of gun there is quite a selection available. If you are into the game for power you came to the right group of weapons. The gas versions are the most powerful guns by this manufacturer. They can either green gas, propane or co2 for their propellent.

Here is a list of the available choices that you have:

• AGM VSR10- This is primarily for starters or younger users. This is a spring gun so to fire it must be cocked every time. These are some of the most reliable guns because there are very few parts, easier to break and build back, and very little to maintain.

• M700- This is a replica of a gun manufactured by Remington. Since this is an upgrade the weight is more similar and the gun balanced throughout. It is actually used by some police and military groups. This gun is surprisingly powerful and packs quite a velocity for its price.

• AGM L96- This is a spring action gun. It is a solid gun with possible upgrades available. This is a great starter gun if you are on a budget, but it is still solidly made and evokes the real thing. It is very powerful for its size.

• HFC VSR10- This is a single action bolt rifle that is convertible to a gas gun. It comes in either a simulated wood or black mat stock. There are two versions of this gun, one of which allows you to have a small recoil action and louder noise when fires.

• UTG L96- This is single fire bolt action. Some of the upgrades available are mounting bracket for a bi-pod stand and a mountable bracket for optional scope. It also blends well with your surroundings due to the camouflage stock.

As you can see, there are sniper Airsoft guns for everyone. From basic to expert level, you can find the right weapon to enhance you next outing, and each will serve you well for years to come.

Airsoft Weapons

Airsoft Weapons - A Safer Target Training Tool For Everyone

Executive Summary by Walter Sobchack

airsoft weapons

Do you love competitive combat games but, hate the pain of paintball? Then Airsoft Weapons may very well be for you.

Airsoft weapons are safe, less painful during combat re-enactments or combat games as well as safer for local neighborhood target plunking in areas where many types of firearms are not allowed.

There are various types of weapons available from simple air handguns and rifles to electric airguns, gas type air guns.Parents can feel some degree of safety by allowing kids to play combat without the danger of the classic BB gunfights of the 1970's.

When avoiding aiming for the head Airsoft are many times safer overall than many of the classic firing play weapons on the market today.

Training Officers can feel more secure in quality valid training than using non-firing weapons or actual weapons and live rounds increasing safety issues. Utilizing Airsoft weapons many being very similar to the actual weapons they are based upon with similar attachments, etc.

Many of these weapons are really excellent replicas of actual weapons for those in the military or law enforcement too make training more cost effective. The M-15 style weapons, 9mm style pistols and even sniper styled weapons are available for your needs to allow for realistic training without the excessive costs of bullet reloads, etc.

Costs of weapons can vary depending on your choices of a basic package for beginners to the more extensive equipment packages that can range from one hundred to several hundred dollars but, still in many cases more affordable for training purposes than overall costs of using the actual weapons.

Basically, Airsoft weapons are safer more cost effective to both promote safer training, target practice, handling of weapons in many environments while allowing the true feel of live weapons.

Air Soft Guns

Air Soft Guns - Everything You Need to Know

Executive Summary by Nick Smith

air soft guns

The sport of air soft has been all the rage the last few years, and its growth shows no signs of slowing any time soon. But don't let the name of the sport fool you.

An air soft gun shoots BBs at speeds that can easily cause serious injury. If you're looking to learn about air soft, or you're an experienced player looking for a review, this article covers the basics of the equipment and safety protocol.

The popularity of the sport likely stems from how realistic the guns and scenarios are. Almost all air soft guns are modeled after a real gun model (known as "real steel"), modeling even the reloading mechanism and weight.

Players typically wear camouflage and work together as teams to win the game. Like paintball, when someone gets hit they are out of the game, either until a new game starts or until a predetermined amount of time has passed.

Safety should be the primary concern of anyone using an air soft gun in any situation. Six millimeter BBs traveling at hundreds of feet per second will hurt when they hit you - they can cause more serious damage if they hit unexposed skin or the eyes. Needless to say, ALWAYS wear eye protection (preferably whole face masks) when playing air soft or when you are near air soft guns. Covering unexposed skin, including your hands, neck, and head, will also help reduce the risk of injury.
 
Even though you "play" air soft, air soft guns are not toys. The same precautions taken with real steel should be followed with air soft guns as well. While this is not a comprehensive list, following the safety guidelines below will help you stay safe.

o First and foremost, always treat the gun as if it were loaded. Given the BBs small size, it is markedly harder to tell if an air soft gun is loaded than it is to determine if a real gun, which uses bigger ammunition, is loaded.

o Use the gun's safety when you are not actively using it. After removing the safety, you should keep your finger out of the trigger guard until right before you are ready to shoot. This will help minimize "friendly fire" incidents and keep everyone safer.

o Never point the air soft gun at something you're not going to shoot. This goes for when the gun is loaded or not.

o Never store your air soft gun loaded. Double and triple check to make sure the gun is completely unloaded before storing it, and always store ammunition separate from the gun.

Air soft can be fun, exciting, and intense. Given the nature of the sport, it is also dangerous, and no matter how careful you are, injury may be sustained. However, following the guidelines outlined in user manuals and this article, the likelihood of your getting hurt can be greatly reduced.

Airsoft Pistols

How to Choose the Right Airsoft Pistols

Executive Summary by Andy West

airsoft pistols

The first thing buyers should consider is their purpose for using the airsoft gun. In other words, is the pistol simply for shooting at targets or is it to be used in serious airsoft competition? If the answer is the latter, it's best to choose electronic or gas powered airsoft rifles as they give you the power you need in the heat of the battle. 

However, if you're just doing some target practice, the manual spring powered airsoft gun will work just fine. Spring-loaded airsoft pistols don't work well in competition because you have to reset the spring after each shot as opposed to the automatic firing power of gas and electric guns.

Your local weather conditions also play a role in determining which airsoft gun is best for your needs. Gas powered automatic guns tend to malfunction and perform poorly in cold weather, whereas spring loaded pistols perform well in all weather conditions.

Of course, consumers also have to set a budget when shopping for airsoft pistols. These guns come in a wide range of prices, so there really is something available at almost any budget. But don't just look at the upfront cost of the airsoft pistol; you must also consider maintenance costs and other related expenses. As an example, automatic weapons will use ammunition faster, thus increasing your costs to stock up on BBs. With gas-powered airsoft pistols, you also have to purchase gas canisters on a regular basis. In short, don't be shortsighted when buying your pistol, look at the bigger picture.

You should also consider the quality of the airsoft gun before buying it. Does it look like it will break easily? If you're using it for skirmishes, you need one that features durability. Make sure to note how much of the gun is crafted from metal and how much of it is plastic. Depending on your needs, you might be able to get away with a lower quality gun if it's just for target practice.

For serious airsoft players, you need to determine the level of upgrades you can perform on the pistol. Some airsoft pistols are very flexible, allowing the owner to modify them to perform an array of various functions. Other guns, aren't quite as flexible, meaning what you see is what you get. Also, think about how much it will cost to upgrade the pistol to get it to perform how you'd like it to. If the price is too high to upgrade, you might be better off springing for a better, more expensive gun.

Lastly, you should never buy an airsoft gun just because you think it looks "cool." Sure, aesthetics are important, but performance is much more crucial. Many of the flashy-looking guns simply don't perform as well as you might think. Accuracy, durability, and precision should always trump the physical appearance of the pistol. In short, you want an airsoft pistol that will shoot where you want it to shoot every single time.

With all of these tips, finding your next airsoft gun should be a breeze. Just remember to practice safety with all of your airsoft pistols, and be sure to maintain the gun properly to extend its lifetime.

Airsoft Guns

How to Choose the Best Airsoft Gun

Executive Summary by Danny Woods

airsoft guns

To say the least, airsoft guns come in a very wide variety. Airsoft guns can be purchased anywhere from $15 to over $500 and the quality more or less depends on the price. The lower-end guns can seem more like toys while the higher-end ones can be very functional, very realistic, and quite effective when playing with others.

The three primary types of airsoft guns are spring-loaded, electric, and gas blowback.

Spring-loaded guns are the most inexpensive (typically $20-$60) but they are mostly used only for target practice or for the aesthetics of the model gun. After that, there are electric guns which come in low-powered, medium-powered, electric blowback, and automatic electric.

Automatic electric guns (AEGs) are the most reliable and powerful but they are also more expensive than the others. Finally, gas blowback guns work very well but are the most expensive, and where electric guns only have to have their batteries replaced, gas guns obviously require gas to be replaced.

After that, there is the type of gun itself. Airsoftguns come in all the forms that real firearms are available in. Semi- and fully-automatic pistols, rifles, carbines, submachine guns, and sniper rifles are all available in airsoft form. Depending on the model, brand, and cost of the gun, accuracy, muzzle velocity, rate of fire, and overall reliability vary.

As expected, smaller guns have smaller clips and shorter-barreled guns are less accurate than longer-barreled ones. As far as aesthetics goes, some airsoft guns will be painted in the colors that they would normally be seen in if they were real firearms but others come in clear plastic. All airsoft guns must be painted orange at the tip of the barrel for legal reasons (so that they are not mistaken for actual firearms)- so make sure that if you modify your gun yourself, you don't repaint the tip some other color.

As far as game play goes, it is important to use a weapon that is fitted to the type of activity you are involved in. For target practice and general shooting, a spring-loaded gun will suffice but when playing with others, it is necessary to have a better gun. Because of how many different types of airsoft guns in the market, it can be intimidating trying to find a specific one worth spending money on.

First, look for the type of gun that you want. Pistols are good to start with because they are simple and less expensive than other types. Look for a gun with a good clip size and a muzzle velocity of over 250 feet per second. If you want a fast gun, make sure the clip is large (at least 200 BBs) or you'll end up spending a lot of time reloading.

In trying to pick an optimal airsoft gun, it is important to do a little research and look at reviews about what people have said about specific models of guns. Due to the large amount of brands, price ranges, and models available, this is the only way to ensure that you get the most out of your money.