Airsoft guns are a mix between a bb gun and a paintball marker. An airsoft gun looks and feels just like the real thing and often they are exact replicas. Although many of the airsoft guns are bought as collector items, owners also use them in the field of play in a game called airsoft which is very similar to the game of paintball. With airsoft guns though, the players shoot non-metallic, spherical pellets that can hurt if you are not protected properly. Unlike paintball, the players in airsoft rely on honesty to say whether they have been "hit" or not since there is no paint to prove that you had a direct hit on someone. You tend to see military enthusiasts playing airsoft both indoors and outdoors and engaging in some hard core battles. The airsoft guns use compressed air to fire the pellets and the power is generated from gas (co2), electrically powered gearboxes, or manually spring loaded varieties. Each one has advantages or disadvantages when compared to the other types.
What I like about airsoft guns are all the different types of weapons you can buy. They have spring pistols, gas guns, spring shotguns, rifles, sniper rifles, and AEG's (Automatic electric gurns). The variety is amazing and I think that's why military enthusiasts prefer airsoft to paintball, although many of the battlefield tactics are similar when you are playing the game. The airsoft machine guns like the Airsoft AK 47, Airsoft P90, and the Airsoft M4 are very popular in stores. Who wouldn't want to have an airsoft UZI available to them. The MP5 airsoft gun is another top seller and these electric rifles look authentic. The Double Eagle G36C is a commando style airsoft rifle that is pretty cheap to own. Which type of airsoft gun is best for you? Perhaps the single shot spring powered airsoft guns are a good choice if you aren't concerned with power. Spring airsoft guns are better used as a hobby gun than for competition since they are not capable of keeping up with the rapid fire associated with gas and electric powered airsoft guns. Spring guns are a great choice for beginners in the game of airsoft and only cost about $30. Electric airsoft guns, like the Tokyo Marui, use a rechargeable battery to power the motor which fires the pellets. With muzzle velocities between 150 to 500 feet per second and the ability to shoot up to 2000 rounds in a minute, you can understand why the electric airsoft guns are the most popular choice in this sport. They are often referred to as AEGs which stands for automatic electric guns and top selling models include the MP5, M16, and the G36. The older airsoft guns tend to be gas powered varieties that can be harder to find these days. The gas powered MG-42 is a rare find and sells for $100's. Gas airsoft guns use external CO2 tanks or the internal tank with airsoft gas. Some of them even have a "blowback" effect like the Green Gas KWA G26C Pistol or the Green Gas KWA G18C Pistol. We found the widest selection of airsoft gun reviews online at Airsplat.com. The site is loaded with helpful information and they carry all the top brands like CYMA, Tokyo Marui, G&G (Guay Guay), Double Eagle, Classic Army, ICS, UTG, BOYI, KWA along with reviews of popular airsoft guns like the G36 rifles, AK47 machine guns, M16 AR, P90 pistol, and tommy gun. The reviews are in depth with photos and great feedback. We found some solid opinions in reviews at Poweredgehawaii.com/Reviews.asp. They had have detailed writeups on the Tokyo Marui G26 and the P99. Airsoftretreat.com is another reputable site with dozens of reviews on the latest airsoft guns and you can leave feedback or comments on the review. You can guy many airsoft pistols and rifles in regular sporting goods stores (Sports Authority) or online at etailers that sell specific models or makes. Pricing varies by style - spring airsoft pistols range between $20 and $50, gas guns are $70+, spring shotguns are $200 or more, the AEGs are $250 to $400, and the airsoft sniper rifles are the most expensive with several costing close to $1000.
Best Airsoft Gun:
It's hard to say one airsoft gun is better than another because of the huge variety that exists in this category. Certainly, the most recommended gun was the Electric Tokyo Marui AEG ($235). It's top rated on several airsoft gun sites and reviews point towards this brand as being reliable and consistent in performance. The Tokyo Marui airsoft gun is fully automatic which means you'll be shooting 100's of pellets in seconds and hitting what you aim at. The high capacity magazine holds 500 rounds. Tokyo Marui makes high quality AEGs (automatic electric guns) that are sold worldwide. Their guns are spring, gas, and and electric powered giving the customer the most options and their prices are quite reasonable. One other gun worth noting is the G&G AK104 AK47 Airsoft Gun AEG Rifle ($280). The AK47 airsoft gun shoots .2 gram bb's 360 feet per second (fps) and the magazine clip holds 600 rounds. It's made in Taiwan and is sold at Airsplat.com. Cheaper guns are listed down below.
Automatic Electric Airsoft Gun:
We mentioned that the Tokyo Marui is a top selling AEG but there are others that do very well in this market. The Double Eagle G36C is the perfect starter airsoft run that only costs $35 HERE. The package includes the battery, charger, red dot scope, mock silence, tactical forgrip, and sling. The gun will fire .12g BB's. Some customer comments on the Airsoft1.com website said it took too long for the gun to be in stock and they recommend trying Amazon.com. Sounds like this gun is in high demand and not that easy to get. The Boyi D-Boys M4 SIR Airsoft Gun AEG Rifle ($115) is available on Airsplat.com and features 320-350 fps shooting along with a 300 round magazine. The site is adjustable for front and rear and the Hop Up is adjustable as well. The UTG Warhawk AK47 Assault Rifle ($125) is a mid-level gun that features full and semi-automatic shooting. Two high capacity magazines are included.
Airsoft Pistols:
Many experts say that buying a pistol is not a bad idea for airsoft guns. Unlike paintball where rapid fire is the key, airsoft battles in backyards and the woods are more strategic in nature and pistols are more fun. Spring airsoft pistols are cheap - $25 or so - and you will do fine with any brand. The gas airsoft pistols like those from Western Arms, KSC, and KWA make good Glock and Berretta airsoft pistols. The KWA Model-305-G19 Airsoft Gas Blowback Pistol $113 comes highly recommend and is a replica of the Glock 19. The WE PHX Hi Capa 5.1 Gas Blowback is another option and you can find it online HERE. The review goes over the features and there are pictures.
Cheap Airsoft Guns:
If you are looking for one of the spring loaded guns, check out the M14 Airsoft Sniper Rifle Spring Airsoft Gun ($35) on Amazon.com HERE. The reviews are favorable on this airsoft spring gun eventhough you have to cock the gun each time you shoot. It's inexpensive and easy to maintain. It has a 37 round capacity and shoots .2g BB 280 feet per second. Owners say the RIS System and the sturdiness of the TSD gun are what they like. Many note it's a bit heavy, but overall it's considered a "great buy for the money". The MK23 Navy Seal Spring Pistol ($20) is by UTG and sold on Amazon.com for practically nothing. The pistol offers good velocity, a solid build, and a 25 round magazine. Owners say it's quite accurate with .12 BB and they like the silencer that is included. I must admit that for $20 this pistol looks darn real and I guess that's why parents need to tell kids who handle these to be very careful and give them a good safety lesson on how to use it. Many reviews we read online talk about "shooting at a friend" so we hope that everyone wears protective eye goggles, a helmet, and even some neck protection. Airsoft1.com has some low prices, but too many comments left on their site report long wait times to get an airsoft gun.
