How Do Airsoft Guns Work?
Airsoft guns use an air-powered system to fire ball bearing rounds at high speeds. Generally speaking, these projectiles have a diameter of 6mm, although some airsoft guns can carry different sized ammunition. Although most airsoft guns operate in much the same way, there are a few different types of compression utilized to fire rounds.
Manual Action Airsoft Guns
Otherwise known as springers, manual action airsoft guns use a spring-loaded system to fire projectiles. The user needs to draw the spring manually in order for the gun to fire. When the trigger of the gun is pulled, tension is released, which drives the internal piston to create enough compression to propel projectiles out of the barrel. Manual action springers tend to be the most affordable of airsoft guns. They are also among the most consistent, with fewer parts making them particularly reliable.
Gas Powered Airsoft Guns
If you want a high level of realism, you should think about purchasing a gas-powered airsoft gun. This type of airsoft gun operates very similarly to a standard paintball marker. As with a paintball gun, a gas-powered airsoft weapon uses a storage tank that is filled with compressed air.
These storage tanks usually take the form of magazines, meaning the aesthetics of the airsoft weapon are not compromised. To use one of these guns, all you need to do is pull the trigger. Doing so will open the tank valve, which will then release pressurized air into the gun. This in turn propels projectiles down through the barrel.
If you are looking for a very user-friendly airsoft weapon with incredible levels of realism, a gas-powered gun is the obvious choice. Most gas-powered airsoft weapons usually take the form of sidearms and handguns. However, you can also find a small selection of sniper rifles on the market.
Electric Airsoft Guns
Electric spring-powered airsoft guns are another option. Airsoft electric guns, or AEGs, are a popular choice for those looking for high capacities and considerable rates of fire. They also provide the user with good levels of firing accuracy. With an AEG, an internal battery drives a motor which turns internal gears.
These gears pull back on the piston, creating tension. This tension is then stored and applied to a projectile when the trigger is pulled. Although there are a lot of things to love about AEGs, there are some clear drawbacks. The main issue with this type of airsoft gun is that more internal components means more issues can arise. They also require a considerable amount of maintenance and are among the most expensive model of airsoft gun.
