Airsoft can be a fun activity for a family outing, corporate team building, or for just a group of friends who want to have a fun weekend. Most airsoft facilities offer protective equipment and airsoft guns that people can rent on-site so that they don’t have to come with their own. This makes it great for beginners just trying to get a feel of the sport!

As many beginners turned serious hobbyists and even semi-pros will tell you, a game of airsoft typically is never your last. A lot of people enjoy it so much that before long, they eventually find themselves buying their own airsoft equipment and discussing serious strategies with their teammates. 

If the scenario above describes you, you’ll probably want to know everything you can about airsoft guns before jumping the gun on a purchase. However, before you even begin looking at a shop’s catalog, consider these factors first:

Play Style 

It’s normal for people to change up their playstyle. A lot of people start as snipers but end up enjoying close quarters battle with a small pistol a lot more. This isn’t an issue if you’re only renting equipment, as swapping will be easy. However, this will not be the case once you’ve invested in your airsoft gun. 

Try multiple airsoft gun models and switch your play roles every once in a while. Once you find a role and airsoft gun that you enjoy more than the others, then you can start shopping. 

Practicality 

Just like a real firearm, airsoft guns need to be maintained properly to remain in perfect working order. Parts can break, and you’ll eventually want to upgrade some of its stock parts—like its magazine, to load more ammunition. 

For this reason, it’s crucial to consider practicality. Buying a rare or unusual gun with uncommon parts can cost you money—not to mention, possibly prevent you from playing games with it—as you wait for repairs and parts to arrive. Your upgrade path can also be limited due to the availability of aftermarket parts. 

Which type of airsoft gun should I choose? 

There are three basic types of airsoft guns categorized by the type of power it uses to propel its ammunition: spring, gas, and electric. 

• Spring-powered 

Most beginners start with spring-powered airsoft guns because they are reliable and affordable. While most serious players have relegated these humble pieces to target practice or back garden battles, they will still hold their own during skirmishes if used properly.

The only downside with spring-powered guns is the lack of automatic firing features. This means that you will need to reset the spring after every shot. However, this also means that you’ll have unlimited firing power, as you won’t need batteries or an additional gas canister. 

• Gas-powered

As the name suggests, gas-powered airsoft guns use compressed carbon dioxide to propel the pellet from the barrel. The most significant upgrade comes in the form of semi-automatic and automatic firing capabilities.

For this reason, they are seen as a more intermediate option. While they are more expensive than their spring-powered counterparts, gas-powered airsoft guns are more affordable than electric models. Just be sure to bring an extra gas canister for drawn-out games. 

• Electric

Nothing beats electric airsoft guns, at least in terms of sheer power. Airsoft guns come with battery-powered high-torque motors and gearboxes that allow them to fire more pellets at higher speeds. This makes them ideal for field games and skirmishes. 

However, power and performance do come at a cost, as electric airsoft guns are also the most expensive to buy and maintain. 

Conclusion

Once you land on which power type you prefer, you can then choose between sniper rifles, assault rifles, machine guns, shotguns, support guns, and pistols. Whichever you choose, ensure that it makes sense for your playstyle and that it is the most practical choice for your needs!

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