Airsoft Guns

Determining whether or not a gas powered airsoft gun is right for you will depend on how you plan to use your gun. If you are new to airsoft, it may not be clear how an airsoft gas guns may be a better or worse fit than spring or electric options. This article will help clear things up.

First, ask yourself “what can I spend?” If you have a limited funds (say less than $50), a gas gun is probably not your best bet. You would be better off looking at inexpensive spring guns which – no doubt - will make less of a dent on your wallet. You can find a decent spring gun for as low as $15. If you are ok with spending anywhere from $50 to $250 for your airsoft weapon, then the gas gun option is still on the table. Gas airsoft guns will start around $50 and can go over $200 for a gas powered airsoft rifle and even as high as $400 for some of the more high quality options. This is obviously more than a spring gun, but also less than an electric airsoft gun or AEG which start closer to $100 mark, making gas guns a nice mid-priced option.

If gas guns are within your budget, next consider these benefits and drawbacks:

Gas guns are powerful, providing superior accuracy and range. Of the three power types – electric, gas and spring - gas offers the highest velocity and range, making it a favorite on the airsoft field. This makes gas powered guns especially great for target practice and sniping roles.

Gas pistols have the most realistic look and feel. One of the coolest benefits to gas guns is their authentic look and feel, especially when it comes to pistols. Hand guns tend to be too small to accommodate electric motor components required for an AEG. Likewise, spring guns are single fire, meaning spring guns cannot support automatic fire. Gas guns provide a very authentic experience. Not only do gas guns come in metal varieties, providing the right weight and feel, but they deliver “blowback.” This means that after a shot is fired, the gas forces the slide back to load the next airsoft BB providing a kick-back sensation similar to recoil. These features make gas gun feel very much like a real firearm. They are probably the most authentic feeling of these three power varieties.

Gas guns can support semi and full automatic fire. If you require rapid automatic fire, AEGs or gas guns are your only options. Spring powered guns are not able to provide this.

You will need to carry replacement cartridges when participating in skirmishes. When set to semi or fully automatic, gas guns can be – well – gas guzzlers. The blowback feature, while authentic, will go through more gas and you will need to carry replacement canisters on the field. This can become bulky, inconvenient, and the cost eventually adds up. This tips the scales in electric guns’ favor when it comes to airsoft skirmishes unless you plan to be a sniper.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, an online airsoft store offering electric and gas powered airsoft guns. Please visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for spring airsoft rifles and competition grade airsoft ammo for players of any experience level.

Labels: benefits of gas powered airsoft guns, gas airsoft guns, gas airsoft pistols, gas airsoft shotguns