Airsoft Weapons – Guns, Pistols, Revolvers and Rifles

Airsoft rifles are perhaps the branch of airsoft that leaves the most room for customization and variety. The airsoft rifle category includes sniper rifles, bb guns, and some would even include shotguns on the list. This is such a diverse group of options. The ranges of choices are suitable for different types of people. Some are good for youth, others for the veteran player.

Double Eagle M4 Airsoft Automatic Rifle

There are a number of online outlets where you can see a variety of airsoft rifles. These can range from under $20 to high prices in the hundreds. What you want will depend on who will be using the gun and how much you are willing to spend. The average airsoft owner who just shoots at targets every once in a while will likely not want a high powered, fast shooting sniper rifle. The most basic model of airsoft rifles is the BB gun. These are directed toward kids or other first time gun owners. The airsoft BB rifle uses a crank to pump for power and are safe for users of all ages. They are easy to aim and fun to use. In fact, just recently the Red Ryder BB gun, a timeless toy, celebrated its 70th anniversary.

There are also many airsoft rifles geared toward adults. These bring more power and speed and perform at a much higher level. These are particularly good weapons for serious players who compete on the battlefield. Most of the popular models are replicas of well-known rifles. Some of the most popular airsoft rifles are thus the AK-47, the M-16, and the AR-15. These airsoft weapons perform at a high level and are fun and relatively easy to use. Most of them have high capacity clips, too, so you can play longer.

M187D Bolt Action Airsoft Sniper Rifle

There are also many sniper rifles for airsoft that boast the same befits as the others, but with long-range capabilities. These guns fire at incredible speeds to send bullets downrange quickly. Many come with great scopes and stands to ensure support and stability, making these highly accurate. These models tend to be more expensive than other rifles because of their high performance. Other rifles usually run about $200 for the mid-level models. Of course, the full metal versions and models with other features will cost more. You will have to explore all your options and consider your budget.

The Colt 1911 is a legendary pistol and Palco Sports, the manufacturer of the beauty has done everything possible to make this airsoft version a worthy one. This Mil-Spec 1911 is full metal, except the grtip and the orange tip and has the Colt Trademarks laser engraved on the barrel.

No spring, this wonderful weapon is powered by a CO2 cartridge and has one of the strongest and most realistic recoils of all airsoft weapons available today. This also translates to a BB speed of 370 feet per second, superior speed and also distance with a adjustable hop-up. If you are looking for a real looking quality pistol you’ll have fun with for many years to come, this Colt 1911 is definitely a great choice. The price is in the $140 range, not bad for a excellent pistol.

Airsoft pistols are an important part of any airsoft collection. For certain courses, pistols may be the primary weapons. This would be the case for small courses simulating close combat. Aside from this, you could use an airsoft pistol as a secondary weapon during skirmishes. Whatever your need for an airsoft pistol, you should know you have many options. First, you can choose between the types of pistol you want. Some people want airsoft pistols that mimic antique styles, while others like pistols that are replicas of Glock, Beretta, or another major pistol brand.

Walter CP99 Airsoft Pistol

Prices for airsoft pistols can vary over a considerable range. Those made of full metal will usually be more expensive. In fact, plastic airsoft pistols can sell for under ten dollars. The nicer models can sometimes go for $300 or more. Just about each type of pistol has a range of quality. For instance, revolver models have cheap plastic version but also full metal, powerful models that are worth the higher price. Aside from standard and revolver pistols, there are machine pistols. These pistols have high round capacities and, of course, a quick rate of fire. For airsoft, these guns have rapid fire! These are some of the most unique airsoft weapons because of their speed and controllability.

Taurus PT24/7 Airsoft Pistol

Another cool feature of airsoft pistols is a silencer. Just like with a real pistol, you can silence your weapon for sneak attacks and silent kill shots. These mock silencer barrel extensions provide a nice cosmetic effect. They make the gun look more legitimate and will earn you some respect among competitors. When choosing a pistol you want to think of comfort. You will need to have a good solid grip to maintain control, so get one that fits your hand nicely.

939 UHC Airsoft Revolver

You will also want to consider speed and range of fire. Most pistols come equipped with the hop-up system, meaning you can shoot even farther. Although most have this system, there will still be variations between models. Speed is key too, so consider if the fit of the gun allows you to get off quick fire and think long and hard about a machine gun model.

The origins of airsoft go back to the 1970’s when the sport was invented in Japan. Guns were outlawed there, and airsoft provided sport and mimicked real guns. A movement in the US also took off around this time, with guns like Daisy Air Guns. Models like this led to pellet guns, and the combination of these models and the Japanese market launched the airsoft industry.

1911 UHC Airsoft Pistol

The airsoft industry has since advanced with two ideas in mind. First, is sport. Airsoft is a sport with multiple variations. It can be used for team vs. team play, much like paintball. It also comes with scenarios like capture the flag, etc. Interestingly, airsoft is also used for military reenactments. This gives airsoft some potential that paintball and other such sports have not realized. The second element of the industry is its gun models. Airsoft guns are not just functional. Instead they serve as replicas of real gun models.

Thompson M1A1 AEG Airsoft Gun

Soon after this time, paintball also became a popular sport. Many found that paintball was physical, adrenaline-rushing, and good exercise. The sport gained popularity quickly and was becoming a worldwide hobby. Another hobby was taking off too. This was model building and included model cars, planes, toys, and so on. As these two hobbies grew in popularity, they began to merge. People became interested in making model guns, and ideally these guns could be functional. Airsoft guns made this popular. People could model the guns in accordance with the specifications of real guns. But, of course, these guns did not fire real ammo. By merging these two hobbies in such a way, airsoft was born.
Since these times, airsoft has come a long way. Many people still value airsoft guns that are closely modeled after the real things. Make-it-yourself guns, however, do seem to have lost popularity. Instead, most people buy these gun models. From there, they are used in training or for purely recreational purposes. Like with paintball, groups can gather in woods or other private areas to play. The sport has caused some controversy in recent years. The bullets have been known to cause minor injuries, and there have been some extraordinary cases.

AccuShot Competition Shadow Ops Sniper Rifle

There is also a question about the ethical implications of airsoft. Many believe that the sport models war too closely. In fact, many players dress up in military gear, like special ops uniforms. The fact that the bullets do hurt is also said to heighten the excitement and element of danger. Lastly, airsoft has created some legal problems. States differ on what types of airsoft guns are legal, if any at all. There are also disagreements between states about age for purchasing and selling airsoft guns.

Airsoft players take pride in their weapons. These pieces of equipment can be expensive, and many people take pride in their guns. One of the less discusses airsoft elements, however, is the ammo that these weapons fire. When choosing ammo, there are several factors to take into account. These are brand name, material, and weight. These are the things you will want to consider carefully when preparing for your airsoft outing.

Like with any product, the manufacturers produce varying quality. You will want to get to know the different brands producing airsoft pellets. Brands have different reputations and, of course, different prices. There is certainly nothing wrong with buying a cheap brand, but this will only be suitable for cheaper weapons.

Crosman 6mm 0.12g Plastic Airsoft BBs

The next thing to consider is the material of the ammo. Most ammo on the market is plastic, but there are other options. There are now biodegradable options, which are said to be better for the environment. These pellets are designed to break down and decompose rather than being a pollutant. One main issue with these is that if you don’t use them in time, they might dissolve in the packaging. The other popular option is metallic bullets made of aluminum. These are believed to be hazardous and can even break safety equipment. These work great for long range firing, but are only approved for target shooting.

The weight of the ammo will determine how well it will work under different circumstances. Lighter pellets achieve the greatest initial velocity but are not suggested for more powerful weapons. The bigger weapons are designed to fire the heavier pellets, and these pellets travel farther than lighter ammo. Just about all of these are 6mm but the weight varies from about .12g to .66g. The heavier ammo is that meant for sniper or other long range fire. Due to this, they are also not recommended for competitive play.

TSD 6mm 0.28g Competition Grade Airsoft BBs

There are many options for ammo. The first and most important thing to consider is the ammo that is intended for your gun. Putting small ammo in a higher powered weapon can damage the equipment. Choose a good brand and a nice material unless you are using cheap guns that don’t mean that much to you. Pick a weight for your ammo that matches your firing needs and is designed for your type of play. Unless they do not make it for the size you need, consider biodegradable ammo. Of course, be sure to use it before it expires.