A key point to note is that airsoft guns are not the same as live ammunition, since there are no BBs being shot off (although some models do come with a "reloadable" magazine). Unlike live ammunition, these guns use low-pressure compressed gas to perform all the necessary operations of firing a projectile from an elastic reservoir at high velocity. Despite their differences in operation and effectiveness, both types of guns can cause physical injury. 

The physical injuries include bruises and abrasions from direct hits, but on occasion, shots have been fired with enough force to fracture bones. The specifics differ by company and model. Some manufacturers claim accuracy exceeding 100 feet on a full charge while others hover around 30 feet on a full charge. Some models fire regular speed, or green gas, while others are made for just airsoft and fire slower "plastic" balls. 

Keep in mind that even if you are firing a gun that is rated at only 300 FPS, the energy from even a slow projectile can still cause pain. In the case of shots fired with an airsoft sniper rifle with a small capacity magazine (which has been known to happen), most experts agree that those few rounds will more than likely kill any person (or animal) hit by them. 

Specifications of Airsoft Guns

Airsoft guns are the type of gun that shoots 6mm pellets at velocities similar to a BB. These guns are not powerful enough to cause injury unless you are severely injured and at close range, but can cause more than just pain in the form of welts or bruising if you're shot with one repeatedly. The specifications for these guns vary depending on your needs and the manufacturer’s model. However, most guns shoot between 400-500 FPS with 0.20g pellets. 

For a higher velocity pellet, some manufacturers offer 0.25g or 0.28g pellets. One of the first things you should consider when buying a gun is safety. Although these guns shoot at a velocity lower than 12 gauge shotgun pellets, they are still dangerous if you are not careful. The most important thing is that guns produce high pressure and fire in an uncontrolled manner. It is extremely important that people keep their fingers off the trigger until they want to shoot, and that they know how to operate the gun properly.

Another consideration is the weight and size of the gun. If you're looking for a cheap gun, don't buy too heavy because it may cause difficulty for beginners to control and aim properly, and it will be difficult for some players to carry around all day long once the game begins.
Break-away guns are also another type of airsoft gun that makes it safer. They are designed to break into pieces if you are shot, so they don’t hurt as much.


How are Airsoft Guns Made?

These guns usually have two parts: the barrel and the receiver. The barrel is typically made out of steel, aluminum, or plastic while the receiver is constructed either of plastic or metal. Most of the time, the stock can be made of wood or a synthetic material such as glass fiber. The barrel is typically placed into the receiver by pressing it in at a pushpin-like head. The head then slides up and down to allow for precise alignment to make sure that everything lines up properly. 

All barrels are attached to their receivers using one or two screws that go through holes located on either side of the receiver and into threaded openings on each end of the barrel and also making sure that recoil momentum is directed evenly down the barrel. The gun's internal mechanism consists of the bolt, firing pin, and barreled action. The pistol's bolt operates within a locked breech and is actuated by the sear, which is connected to the trigger and hammer. The main function of the bolt is to hold the cartridge until it fires. 

The sear engages with a notch cut into the rear of the cartridge above its primer only when pulled back by the trigger. When fully depressed it releases the striker so that it can fly forward and fire. The barrel of airsoft pistols usually have rifling grooves machined into its bore to impart spin on a projectile upon its exit from this point. Rifling is most often used in rifles to impart spin on projectiles. Rifling imparts a stabilizing spin to the bullet as it travels down the barrel. This allows the bullet to maintain stability and enables more accurate shots, while preventing deflection at the muzzle. 

However, due to its great expense, rifling is rarely found on pistol barrels. Instead, they may be smoothbore and used for hunting or target shooting. A common misconception is that airsoft guns for kids are capable of firing over long distances because of their ability to fire through rifled barrels; however, this can only occur if there is a high-pressure gas present in the barrel when fired. Gas pressures in rifles and revolvers are usually too low for this to occur.

Popular Types of Airsoft Guns

If you're new to the airsoft hobby, or you've never picked up an airsoft firearm before, it can be difficult to know where to start. Airsoft guns come in all shapes and sizes, and each one is intended for different styles of players. In this article, we break down some of the most common types of airsoft guns:

1. AEG

Also known as Electric Airsoft Guns, this is the original form of airsoft firearm. It is a gun that uses a battery to power an airsoft system, and it requires no gas or ammunition.


2. Gas-Powered

These guns that utilize gas cartridges are usually known as GBBs (Gas-Blowback Operation). These guns require a gas cartridge to be inserted in the chamber, and then you can pull back on the bolt and fire. GBG guns come in all shapes and sizes, from compact pistols to hefty rifles!

3. Electric Airsoft Gun (E-Gun)

These are still classified as airsoft firearms, but they use gearboxes instead of batteries for power. A lot of the older AEGs will use electric motors, and newer guns like the Polar Star Fusion Engine allow you to convert any GBB into an electric-powered gun!

4. Spring-Powered

Some airsoft guns use springs instead of batteries or gas to fire BBs. These types of guns use a lever that is then pushed and pulled quickly in order to fire. Pistols are usually spring-powered, but there are some spring airsoft rifles out there as well!


The most important thing to remember when picking your first airsoft firearm is that it's going to be somewhat of a learning process. Don't expect to be an amazing player right away! The best way to learn airsoft is by starting out with a cheaper gun so you can get used to the basics and develop your skills.

Also Read: Airgun VS Airsoft


How to Choose the Right Airsoft Guns?

Armed with this helpful guide on how to choose your gun, you'll find it impossible to go wrong! We recommend looking at both the cost and performance of your airsoft. To make things even easier, we've made a neat little list of the top factors to consider for beginners:

1. Power and Accuracy 

The higher the muzzle velocity, the more range you are able to get and the harder your BBs hit! If you're looking to play outdoors, high power is absolutely essential. A higher fps means more downrange power and accuracy. This should be your first priority when choosing your airsoft gun.

2. Weight 

Most airsoft guns weigh between 4-6 pounds, with some being as heavy as 15 pounds! Some guns are even made of metal which means they can be quite heavy. If you're a smaller player, we recommend looking for a gun that's lighter and has an adjustable weight to accommodate different players without sacrificing firepower.

3. Price 

Just like everything else, from cars to video games, you get what you pay for. The more expensive the gun, the higher quality of components it will have and the better performance it will deliver. We recommend budgeting anywhere between $60-$300 for your first airsoft firearm if you're on a tight budget. However, if you are looking to take things seriously or are just looking to have fun then we recommend saving up a little more cash and investing in a gun that's priced over $300.

4. FPS 

Muzzle velocity or fps is the speed that your BBs travel when fired out of the barrel of your airsoft gun and is measured in feet per second (fps). The higher the fps, the faster your BB's travel downrange and the more accurate you'll be at long range. We recommend beginning players stay within the 250-450 fps range when selecting their first gun.

5. FPS Velocity 

Muzzle velocity is an important factor to consider when choosing your gun, but a lot of players are interested in getting a high muzzle velocity but don't want to shell out for a high-quality gun since they're still new to the sport and not sure if it will stick with them. Airsoft guns that are low in quality often have lower fps velocities which mean less accuracy and power from your gun.