Best Airsoft 1911 | 2024 Ultimate Guide

RWA NIGHTHAWK CUSTOM WAR HAWK GREEN GAS AIRSOFT PISTOL

We start off with one of the best all-rounder 1911s around, the RWA Nighthawk Custom War Hawk 1911 pistol is the latest in the long line of licensed pistols from RWA. Created originally as a collaborative project between famed shooter Chris Costa and Nighthawk Custom, the War Hawk features the Nighthawk Custom "Tri-Cut" design which gives your traditional 1911 a futuristic, modernized look by removing the rounded top of the slide in place for hard edges.

The slide features serrations on the front and rear as well as on the top. The top serrations form a point that leads your eyes to the front sight post which boasts a red fiber optic sight. To finish the look, mounted on the pistol are signature GATOR grips, which are the same premium grips found on the Steel and Stainless Steel GRP (The grips are not interchangeable due to screw positioning).

Internally, the gun is Tokyo Marui spec and allows for further upgrades and to the user's content. In addition, the War Hawk's customizability is further enhanced by the fact its lower is directly swappable with Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa allowing for supercharged performance with the latter's magazines. All in all this makes the RWA War Hawk easily one of the best airsoft 1911 pistols out there.

Pros

• Striking design
• Excellent craftsmanship and refinement
• Marui compatibility
• Strong performance and accuracy

Cons

• Lacks optics cut on the slide for RMR sights.

TOKYO MARUI MEU AIRSOFT PISTOL (1911)

The Colt 1911 is one of the most recognizable pistols of all time; a classic American icon spanning over a century of use from WWI all the way through present day and has since evolved into many different variations to include modern ergonomics. The M45 MEU has been the standard-issue sidearm for the USMC Force Recon since 1985 and the Tokyo Marui MEU should be a standard sidearm for any serious USMC player’s loadout.

Featuring an attractive design, impressive performance, and quality Novak sights, this pistol certainly offers a lot of value considering its sub-$200 price. In the same vein, the internals are just as well done as the externals, and the Tokyo Marui 1911 platform enjoys a large library of aftermarket upgrade parts to increase power and accuracy making up for its primary shortfall being the Japanese spec polymer slide.

Pros

• Novak sights offer superior target acquisition
• Proven and reliable gas blowback system
• Affordable
  

Cons

• Polymer slide due to Japanese legal requirements
• Lower FPS out of the box due to Japanese power restrictions
• Low gas capacity disadvantages the MEU in cold weather

CYBERGUN COLT 1911 RAIL CO2 GBB PISTOL-SILVER

The Cybergun Colt 1911 is a quality full metal replica of this classic legend; however its most notable feature is it features all the correct markings as Cybergun are license holders of Colt.

The 16+1 round magazine feeds 6mm BBs and takes a standard 12g CO2 capsule for power. Each capsule provides a VERY hard and loud crack when fired, a strong cycle action that clocks 390-400 FPS at 0.2g BBs. The adjustable hop-up makes it able to shoot extended ranges to take full advantage of its expanded power. The most impressive feat of engineering with this is the Cybergun 1911 is able to fit a 12g CO2 capsule completely inside this single stack grip with zero protusion in the form of an extended magazine.

An all metal pistol that cycles very hard, shoots well and handles great is a steal at a fraction of the cost of high-end replicas and the fact it is CO2 means it is capable of working well in cooler temperatures.

Pros

• Picatinny rail mount
• Amazing and accurate hop-up system
• Realistic
• Metal slide
• Licensed by Colt

Cons

• Not many aftermarket parts
• Depending on the climate, the slide cycle can get sluggish
• Uses Co2, can only remove capsule after completely depleted

RWA NIGHTHAWK CUSTOM AGENT 2

This fully licensed CNC aluminum Nighthawk Custom handgun is meticulously crafted right down to the smallest details and is fully Marui system compatible albeit with some enhancements to make it work well with green gas. The Nighthawk Custom Agent 2 is the next evolution of collaboration between Nighthawk Custom, Agency Arms, Railscales, and Hillbilly 223 and combines fully licensed elements from all three of these renowned manufacturers. The collaboration between these companies not only made a pistol that is incredibly beautiful and purpose-built but offers a modern take on the legendary 1911 pistol.

Furthermore, the special Cerakote finish applied to the pistol is exactly the same specification as the real steel AGENT 2.  Finally, adding to its beautiful design, the RWA Nighthawk Custom Agent 2 also performs brilliantly and is capable of launching BBs at 300 FPS. Limited edition to 200 pieces worldwide means you are guaranteed to be part of an exclusive club of owners  Joining this club will cost you just short of $1,200. 

Pros

• Realistic Construction and Operation
• Provides the Perfect Rate of Fire for Long-Duration Cover Fire
• A 5,000 Round Ammo Crate Box Magazine

Cons

• Heavy and Cumbersome
• A Price Tag North of a Thousand Dollars

VFC KIMBER 1911 ULTRA CARRY II TYPE GREEN GAS AIRSOFT PISTOL

For those with a perchance for subtlety, the VFC Kimber 1911 ultra carry Type 2 takes concealability to the next level.

In addition to its quality metal construction, it’s significantly shortened barrel and slide set results in a compact and extremely gas efficient 1911 that also has VFC's guide-hop system, meaning you can adjust the hop from the guide rod, without removing your slide. The grip however is slightly shorter than a standard 1911 meaning you will have 2 rounds less compared to the full-size VFC 1911.

While conceal carry is not a big deal in airsoft considering the fact that you would want your sidearm to be easily accessible in a skirmish at all times, this 1911 would be great for those with smaller hands but would still want to enjoy running comfortably with one of the best 1911 airsoft pistol models around.

Pros

• Compact profile perfect for conceal carry and backup sidearm
• High gas efficiency
• Proven and reliable gas blowback system
• Robust metal construction

Cons

• No accessory rails or attachment points
• Quite expensive

TOKYO MARUI VORPAL BUNNY AM.45 LLENN VERSION GREEN GAS AIRSOFT PISTOL

For those with certain unique… tastes, the Tokyo Marui Vorpal Bunny AM45 pistol is 1:1 functional replica based off the same gun used by the character Llenn in the popular anime series Gun Gale Online.

The base of the pistol is the Tokyo Marui DT.45 compact pistol ensuring great function and compatibility with other Marui spec parts and its compact frame allows for quick and easy manipulation and maximum speed and effectiveness ingame even with the futuristic cosmetic addons.  The finish is in an eye catching, head turning hot pink and its design is highly futuristic and the pistol also features a compensator up front and extended magazine lip for better grip.

Granted the design is a love/hate aesthetic and the coloration is certain to create divisions amongst anime fans and players who prefer realism, we feel this airsoft 1911 deserves a place on this list simply because it brings something extremely unique to this tried and tested platform.

Pros

• Extremely unique futuristic design from the anime Gun Gale Online
• Compact profile perfect for conceal carry and backup sidearm
• High gas efficiency
• Proven and reliable gas blowback system

Cons

• No accessory rails or attachment points
• Potentially divisive color scheme and futuristic design

ICS KORTH PRS 4 INCH GBB AIRSOFT PISTOL - BLACK (LICENSED BY KORTH)

Korth is regarded by many as one of the most exclusive firearm brands in the world, with each of their custom designed and made pistols regularly retailing at over 4000 Euros or more. The Korth PRS is easily one of the rarest and expensive examples of the 1911 in existence with each one being handmade to exact customer specifications making each PRS unique.

While this fully licensed replica by ICS might not be individually hand crafted like the real thing, ICS captures the essence of the PRS in both form and function making it an excellent and unique airsoft 1911. This unique airsoft pistol 1911 is a smooth operating compact 4" pistol that comes with a thread adapter and an underslung rail for accessories allowing it to be fully skirmishable as well.

Pros

• Fully licensed by Korth with correct markings
• Unique design based in one of the most exclusive 1911 styled pistol models.
• Smooth operation

Cons

• Exclusive rarity of the Korth brand may not be recognizable to most airsofters.

KJ WORKS 1911 KP-16 GBB AIRSOFT PISTOL

The KJ Works KP-16 is a compensated 1911 pistol in FDE with a modernized design and plenty of aggressive indentations for the most effective grip possible . Inspired by the futuristic design of the 1911 in the famous Hitman games, the KP-16 features relief cuts up front for lightening of the slide and an accessory rail on the bottom for the mounting of lights and lasers.

Internally the pistol is designed to handle prolonged use under green gas and CO2 which gives you very satisfying recoil impulse and snappy cycling as well as a well earned reputation for reliability that ensures your pistol will continue functioning for years to come.

Pros

• Reliable and well performing KJW internals.
• Can handle green gas and CO2
• Full metal externals

Cons

• Potentially divisive color scheme and futuristic design

ARMY ARMAMENT X SP SYSTEM 1911 GOVERNMENT GBB AIRSOFT PISTOL

The Army Armament pistols have long been considered a great entry-level option for players looking for an inexpensive sidearm. The pistol is full metal and boasts great recoil impulses. Being patterned after 1911s, this particular version is modeled after the 1911A1 famously seen used by US servicemen during World War II.

Internally the pistol is robust and is designed to work under the rigors of green gas. As an added benefit, the pistol works with other magazines from Tokyo Marui and other TM Spec magazines.

This particular Army 1911 has been modified internally by SP System using T8 aftermarket parts, allowing this gun to be more gas efficient and accurate compared to the stock Army 1911, effectively making this a pre-upgraded gas airsoft pistol.

Pros

• Very affordable
• T8 aftermarket parts ensures superior performance
• Full metal externals

Cons

• Not licensed by Colt
• Lack of any accessories

ARMY ARMAMENT X SP SYSTEM 1911 GOVERNMENT GBB AIRSOFT PISTOL

The GBLS DAS M1911A1 as the name suggested is based on the A1 version of the 1911 pistol and is made to be as realistic as it could be while still being an airsoft pistol. externally, the gun is made of high-quality CNC S45C steel that has also been heat treated to make it even more robust and durable. This 1911 pistol has a realistic 7+1 round capacity with a realistic trigger pull of roughly 4 KGs.

The internals of this gas airsoft pistol is no slouch too, GBLS actually developed from the ground up a new and proprietary system to cater to green gas use only, as CO2 magazines tend to enlarge the mag well, making it unrealistic. The loading nozzle is made of CNC 7075 aluminum, which is done so as a regular polymer-made loading nozzle just won't be able to carry that much pressure to cycle the slide properly without the risk of exploding. The GBLS DAS M1911A1 also has a lambda precision inner barrel installed giving it great accuracy out of the box.

If you are looking for the most realistic 1911 training tool that can also double down as an airsoft pistol, look no further, the GBLS DAS M1911A1 is THE 1911 training weapon.

Pros

• The most realistic feeling airsoft 1911
• Excellent quality full steel parkerized externals
• Excellent performance
• Highly realistic operation

Cons

• Heavier than other airsoft 1911s
• Extremely expensive