When I first got into Airsoft, I didn’t care too much to know how Airsoft guns work. I just wanted to lock and load and get to my first game. But then something happened and I had no idea what to do. My gun started to misfire. After doing some research, it looked like my hop-up might need adjusting. What the hell’s a hop-up? I realised then I knew nothing about my weapon and needed to learn quickly.
Airsoft guns work by feeding a BB from the magazine into the chamber. Once the BB is in the chamber, a piston is released propelling the pellet through a hop-up device and out through the inner barrel. All this action is completed simultaneously once the trigger has been pulled. However, there a three different gun types that work differently.
After learning how to adjust the hop-up, I began to learn how other parts worked too. Soon, I knew the basics of how an Airsoft gun worked and I think it’s something you should learn too. It could be of some benefit in the future.
Learning the basics of how your gun works is quite simple really and I’m going to help you every step of the way.
What Type Of Guns Are Used In Airsoft?
Before I dive into how an Airsoft gun works, you need to understand that there are three different types of gun used in Airsoft:
- A Spring Powered gun
- A Gas Powered gun
- An Automatic Electric Gun
Spring-Powered Airsoft Guns
Spring-powered airsoft guns, also known as springers, are the simplest and least expensive type of airsoft gun. These guns use a spring to compress air and shoot the BBs. When the spring is pulled back, it compresses air in a cylinder. The trigger releases the spring, which then pushes a piston forward, forcing air out of the cylinder and propelling the BB forward.
One of the advantages of spring-powered airsoft guns is that they are reliable and require little maintenance. They also do not require any external power sources such as gas or electricity, making them more affordable to operate. However, spring-powered airsoft guns are generally less powerful than gas or electric-powered guns, and they have a slower rate of fire.
Here are two examples of spring-powered airsoft guns:
- G&G Combat Machine CM16 Raider L Airsoft Gun: This gun that is popular among beginners. It has a durable polymer body and a 450-round high-capacity magazine. It shoots at a velocity of 330 feet per second and has an adjustable hop-up system for increased accuracy.
- CYMA CM028 AK47 Airsoft Gun: This is a spring-powered airsoft gun that replicates the popular AK47 rifle. It has a full metal body and a 600-round high-capacity magazine. It shoots at a velocity of 350 feet per second and has an adjustable hop-up system for increased accuracy.
Gas-Powered Airsoft Guns
Gas-powered airsoft guns use compressed gas to propel the BBs. There are two types of gas used in airsoft guns: Green Gas and CO2. Green Gas is a mixture of propane and silicone oil, while CO2 is a highly pressurized gas stored in small canisters.
When the trigger is pulled, a valve releases a burst of gas, which propels the BB forward. Gas-powered airsoft guns have a higher rate of fire than spring-powered guns and are generally more powerful. However, they require more maintenance and can be more expensive to operate due to the cost of gas canisters.
Here are two examples of gas-powered airsoft guns:
- Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 – This gas-powered airsoft pistol is a popular choice among airsoft enthusiasts due to its high accuracy and customizable features.
- G&G GPM92 – This gas-powered airsoft pistol is modelled after the classic Beretta 92 handgun, and it features a full metal construction and a high-capacity magazine.
Electric-Powered Airsoft Guns
Electric-powered airsoft guns, also known as AEGs (Automatic Electric Guns), use a battery-powered motor to drive a gearbox that compresses air and propels the BBs. The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery that is typically stored in the gun’s stock.
When the trigger is pulled, an electronic switch activates the motor, which turns gears inside the gearbox. The gears compress a piston, forcing air out of the cylinder and propelling the BB forward. AEGs are the most popular type of airsoft gun due to their high rate of fire and consistent power. They are also relatively easy to maintain and can be customized with a variety of accessories.
Here are two examples of electric-powered airsoft guns:
- G&G CM16 Raider Electric Airsoft Gun: This gun is a popular choice for beginners and features a durable polymer body, an adjustable hop-up system, and a high-capacity magazine.
- Elite Force HK416 A5 Electric Airsoft Gun: This gun is a replica of the popular real-world HK416 rifle and features a full metal body, an adjustable hop-up system, and a high-capacity magazine.
How Airsoft Guns Shoot
Regardless of the type of airsoft gun, the way they work is essentially the same.
An Airsoft gun shoots when the trigger is pulled, and a mechanism inside the gun releases a burst of air or gas, propelling the BB forward. The BB travels down the barrel of the gun and exits the muzzle at a high velocity.
The velocity of the BB depends on several factors, including the type of gun, the power source, and the weight of the BB. The velocity of airsoft guns is typically measured in feet per second (fps), with most guns shooting between 200-500 fps. Some high-end airsoft guns can shoot up to 700 fps, but these guns are typically used for long-range target shooting and not in competitive games.
The weight of the BB also plays a role in the velocity and accuracy of the gun. Lighter BBs travel faster but are less accurate, while heavier BBs travel slower but are more accurate. Most airsoft guns are designed to shoot BBs between 0.20-0.25 grams in weight, but there are heavier and lighter options available.
I think it’s also important to understand the components of a gun. This will help with future maintenance as well as repairs and learning how your weapon shoots.
Components Of Airsoft Guns
Airsoft guns come in different types and designs, but they all have some common components. These include:
- Barrel: The barrel is the long, narrow metal tube that the BB travels through before it is shot out of the gun. It is usually made of brass or steel and has a smooth bore to reduce friction and improve accuracy.
- Magazine: The magazine is the part of the gun that holds the BBs. It is usually detachable and can hold anywhere from 20 to 500 BBs, depending on the type of gun. The magazine is inserted into the gun’s receiver, which is the part of the gun that holds the magazine in place.
- Trigger: The trigger is the part of the gun that is used to fire the BB. When the trigger is pulled, it activates the firing mechanism, which causes the spring to compress and release, propelling the BB out of the gun.
- Hop-up: The hop-up is a small rubber or silicone nub that is located inside the barrel. It puts backspin on the BB, which helps it travel further and more accurately. The hop-up can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of backspin.
- Power source: The power source is what drives the firing mechanism of the gun. There are three main types of power sources used in airsoft guns: spring, gas, and electric. Spring-powered guns are the most common and are typically the least expensive. Gas-powered guns use compressed gas to propel the BBs, while electric guns use a rechargeable battery to power a motor that drives the firing mechanism.
Airsoft Gun Safety Features
Like any type of firearm, airsoft guns can be dangerous if not used properly. To prevent accidents, airsoft guns come with several safety features.
- Orange tip: In the United States, airsoft guns are required by law to have a bright orange tip to distinguish them from real firearms.
- Trigger safety: Most airsoft guns have a trigger safety that prevents the gun from firing unless the safety is disengaged.
- Magazine safety: Some airsoft guns have a magazine safety that prevents the gun from firing unless the magazine is inserted.
- Eye protection: It is essential to wear eye protection when using airsoft guns. BBs can cause serious eye injuries, and wearing goggles or a mask can prevent accidents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, airsoft guns are a fun and exciting way to enjoy recreational shooting and competitive games. They come in a variety of types and power sources, including spring-powered, gas-powered, and electric-powered guns. Regardless of the type of airsoft gun, the mechanism for shooting is essentially the same, with a burst of air or gas propelling the BB forward.
