Classification of Airsoft Guns

An airsoft gun is a replica firearm that works by propelling BBs (plastic pellets). These guns are very popular in the entertainment industry since using real guns is dangerous and expensive. People also buy the gun for fun. There are different types of airsoft guns. The classification is based on the BBs firing mechanism.

You could get a spring gun. A spring propels the BBs in this gun. A spring gun is neither automatic nor semi-automatic – you have to cock it before firing. Cocking is done by pulling the slide towards you so that the spring is ready to fire the next BBs. After the activation of the springs, the BBs are fired when you pull the trigger since this releases the spring. This is the simplest type of airsoft gun and it is also the cheapest. Yet another type is the electric airsoft gun, also known as an AEG. This gun also uses a spring for propulsion. The only difference between it and a spring gun is that the spring is battery-powered while a spring gun is manual. This gun is more powerful compared to a spring gun in that it shoots at a higher velocity. This gun is also more expensive.

The other type is the gas airsoft gun. This gun, as the name suggests, utilizes pressurized gas for propulsion. The most commonly used gases for propulsion are nitrogen, carbon dioxide, green gas (propane and silicone mixture), and pressurized air. The gases that are used for propulsion are stored in their liquid form in cylinders. On the pressing of the trigger, the liquid is released and it evaporates into the gas. Pressure builds up quickly and this shoots the BBs. The greatest benefits of these guns are that they shoot at high velocity and they come in automatic and semi-automatic forms, but they are the most expensive airsoft guns. Sub-categories include hybrid gun, automatic electric gun, low-powered electric gun, medium powered electric gun, electric blowback, mini electric, automatic electric pistols, and training weapon.

Classification is also based on the material that is used to make the gun. You could get plastic or full metal airsoft guns. The greatest advantage of metal guns is that they are more durable in that the shooting mechanism is not easily damaged. Plastic guns are only good for targeted shooting. Metal guns look more realistic, but they are more expensive. Classification could also be based on the use. The gun could be used in the entertainment industry, for training purposes, for target shooting, as a decoy to keep intruders out, and for fun. Airsoft guns have different magazines, among them low capacity (or low-cap), medium capacity (or mid-cap), high capacity (or high-cap), box/drum magazine, real capacity (or real-cap), single stack, and double stack magazines.