Airsoft guns are not classified as “real” guns, because they are 1:1 replicas of actual firearms. They are usually made of plastic or metal that propel plastic pellets known as BBs, using compressed air. A BB may be 5-8 mm round or spherical pellet weighs 110-600 milligrams. Though an airsoft gun may not be real, its design and functional mechanism can be very similar to its counterpart.

There are three main types of airsoft guns – spring powered, gas powered, and electric-powered (or automatic electric guns). Spring powered guns differ from the other two, because they cannot be automatic or semi-automatic. They are spring-cocked, meaning that the user has to cock the spring by pulling back the slide or bolt before firing each shot. Spring powered airsoft guns are inexpensive and readily available. Though they may not be very suitable for close combat competitions, they are widely used for “sniper” and “marksman” functions. Pressurized gases like propane and HFC134 a refrigerant are commonly used to propel BBs by gas-powered guns.

Carbon dioxide and nitrogen may also be used aren’t as popular. Advantages to gas powered guns include adjustable velocities and blowback features. Onboard or magazine stored gas storage systems are used in gas blowback guns or GBBs, using the same compressed air that propels the pellet to pull back the slide. Hence, this feature in BBGs makes them capable of automatic or semi-automatic fire.Originally developed in Japan during the late 1990s, an automatic electric gun uses electrical power from an onboard battery to drive a motor that turns gears inside the gun to compress and release a piston. This piston creates a blast of air that propels the BB. These airsoft guns are capable of firing 600-900 rounds per minute. AEGs are widely used in competitions today.

Electric Airsoft Guns provides detailed information on airsoft guns, airsoft gun history, airsoft gun pellets, airsoft machine guns and more.

Spring powered airsoft guns differ from the other gas powered and electric powered airsoft guns because they are a single shot or spring cocked devices much like a real shotgun or bolt action rifle. The user has to cock the spring by pulling back the slide or bolt before firing each shot. Though they may not be very suitable for close combat competitions, they are widely used for “sniper” and “marksman” functions.

The spring airsoft gun is ideal for beginners because it’s cheap, durable and widely available, and because it is easy to use, almost every airsoft gun enthusiast has started out with a Spring airsoft gun.The MP5 SD3 is the most popular spring rifle, well known for its CQB (Close Quarters Battle) applications and mainly used by tactical groups. It features a metal retractable stock and mock silencer, and the scale magazine can hold 20 rounds. The Hop-Up model has increased range and accuracy for skirmishing. The model is mainly constructed of ABS plastic, with some internal metal components. It weighs 2.89 Pounds and shoots several hundred feet at a rate of 270 feet per second.As for spring handguns, the M9 seems to be the most widely used and has a 22 Round Magazine, opening ejection port, functional trigger & amp and hammer.

The model is mainly constructed of ABS plastic like the MP5 SD3, with some internal metal components. Optional all metal mock screws on silencers are available. The M9 weighs 1.25 lbs — has a muzzle velocity of 275 FPS, and is effective up to 90 Feet. The model comes in single, two-tone and silver color. Electric Airsoft Guns provides detailed information on airsoft guns, airsoft gun history, airsoft gun pellets, airsoft machine guns and more.

Gas-powered guns use pressurized gases like propane and HFC134a refrigerant to propel BBs, or little round metal pellets. These guns are commonly known as BB guns. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen may also be used and are more common. Environment friendly Freon (a variety of nonflammable gaseous or liquid fluorinated hydrocarbons) may also be used, but the type of gas used for operating these guns may also depend on the type of gun. Gas power is more commonly used in smaller handguns like pistols. Gas is either injected into a reservoir within the gun or attached to an exterior tank.

Gas-powered guns have a few advantages, which include adjustable velocities and blowback features. In the blowback mechanism, onboard or magazine-stored gas storage system is used to propel the pellets. The same compressed air that propels the pellet is used to pull back the slide. These airsoft guns are known as gas blowback guns or GBBs. Because of this blowback feature, BBGs are capable of automatic or semi-automatic fire. This means that the magazine can be emptied as fast as the trigger is squeezed, and be easily reloaded by inserting a new magazine.Green gas, normally a mixture of propane and silicone oil, is the recommended and most commonly used propellant in gas-powered Airsoft guns. HFC134a refrigerant is also widely used but is less powerful and not suitable for colder climates, where the gas may become insufficient to operate the guns. However, excessive use of Green gas may be harmful to guns that cannot handle the exceptional power. Electric Airsoft Guns provides detailed information on airsoft guns, airsoft gun history, airsoft gun pellets, airsoft machine guns and more.