Types of Airsoft Guns.
There are four types of airsoft guns; gas, electric, spring, and HPA. This page will describe the differences.
AEG (Airsoft Electric Gun)
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The aeg or airsoft electric gun, is an airsoft gun that is run on batteries. Those include: Ni-Cd, Ni-Mh, and Lipo. But after a number of charges, you will need to replace the battery. it uses an electric motor to drive back a piston which then is compressed by a spring, compressing air to fire the gun. It gets a little more complicated but all you need to know is that as long as you choose a reliable AEG and feed it proper bbs and the right size battery, it’ll fire great every time.
Electric Blow Back- Essentially modified AEGs to cycle the mock bolt or slide simulating the function of a real steel arm. They aren’t really recommended though because they often add an additional level of complexity to the already stressed AEG and can often break. The only current realistic and reliable EBB is Tokyo Marui’s new Recoil Shock line. However, these bad boys are expensive, averaging $500-600 plus another 25-40 for each magazine. I anticipate seeing cheaper clones produced in the future much like the AEGs Tokyo Marui produced years ago, but it will be awhile before we see those.
Electric Blow Back- Essentially modified AEGs to cycle the mock bolt or slide simulating the function of a real steel arm. They aren’t really recommended though because they often add an additional level of complexity to the already stressed AEG and can often break. The only current realistic and reliable EBB is Tokyo Marui’s new Recoil Shock line. However, these bad boys are expensive, averaging $500-600 plus another 25-40 for each magazine. I anticipate seeing cheaper clones produced in the future much like the AEGs Tokyo Marui produced years ago, but it will be awhile before we see those.
Gas
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Gas powered guns either have magazines that have nozzles in them that one can insert a nozzle from a can of green gas or propane to fill that magazine up, or CO2 cartridges that are either inserted into the handle of the gun, or the magazine itself and are primarily used in pistols. These types of airsoft guns require no batteries and the fuel is in the magazine, not the gun itself. Though after extended use, the rifle magazines can tend to leak, something that pits it in the "Only if you have the money for it" category.
Gas Blow Back- These are extremely realistic and are extremely rewarding when you play games/events with them. They use pressurized propane, duster gas or green gas to blow back a slide or bolt and fire the bb then cycling another round into the chamber. These operate extremely realistically and function exactly like their real steel counterpart most of the time. However, they come with some drawbacks: difficult to maintain if you’re new to the concept, expensive mags (usually $30-50 each,) do not function well in cold weather if at all, limited ammo capacity (50 rounds is usually highest per mag.)
Gas Blow Back- These are extremely realistic and are extremely rewarding when you play games/events with them. They use pressurized propane, duster gas or green gas to blow back a slide or bolt and fire the bb then cycling another round into the chamber. These operate extremely realistically and function exactly like their real steel counterpart most of the time. However, they come with some drawbacks: difficult to maintain if you’re new to the concept, expensive mags (usually $30-50 each,) do not function well in cold weather if at all, limited ammo capacity (50 rounds is usually highest per mag.)
Spring
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Single shot, pump/pull every time you want to shoot. These do well for sniper rifles and shotguns because they mimic the real steel action. They tend to be easier to work on/less complex/more reliable than AEGs because of the design, but firepower is limited when going toe to toe with other players sporting AEGs and GBBs.
HPA (High-Pressure Air)
HPA- A relatively new product for the airsoft industry, it’s short for “High-Pressure Air.” These are becoming extremely popular because the FPS and ROF can be changed easily for different field regulations as well as they provide consistent, reliable shots. The downside is that they require an external air tank, much like you see on paintball guns. In addition, they are extremely expensive when compared to AEGs and even some GBBs.