Airsoft rifles are one of the most popular categories of airsoft guns by a significant degree and their library encompasses an immense range of different models with both AEGs and GBB included. This huge range of guns is naturally a daunting prospect for any player wishing to purchase their new gun, but rest assured we at Redwolf have you covered by presenting you with our carefully curated best airsoft rifle recommendations for this year, so in no particular order; here are our top 20 picks for best airsoft rifle for 2024.
HOW WE CHOOSE THE BEST AIRSOFT GUN
There are a number of important factors we considered when compiling our list of Best Airsoft Rifle, these include:
FUN FACTOR– Airsoft is a hobby so airsoft guns must be able to generate joy. We look at recoil, sound, design, optional accessories, and overall awesomeness that make the gun interesting. Non-shooting models can also be fun, like a beautiful airsoft revolver with realistic ammo that you can load into a rotating cylinder. We rate each of our picks on how much pleasure you can derive from ownership.
REALISM – What makes Airsoft guns attractive for so many is that they replicate real guns. While many manufacturers try their best to recreate the details and feel of a real gun, some succeed while others fail horribly and end up with something more akin to a toy. We rate how real each of our top picks feels and looks.
PERFORMANCE – Power measured in feet-per-second (FPS), range and accuracy are the key metrics we use to determine the best airsoft gun. From there, we also prioritize airsoft guns with an adjustable hop-up and high-quality buckings to ensure that they give the consistency and accuracy you need. All FPS ratings are universally based on 0.2 gram BBs.
BUILD QUALITY – We look for good quality construction, materials and refinement not only in the external components but also internally. The fit tolerances, discernable wobbles and rattles, smoothness of operation, durability of components, etc are all considered.
VALUE – Affordably priced airsoft guns that rank highly in all the above categories are prioritized over more expensive airsoft guns that offer the same, as "bang for your buck" is an important consideration for most airsoft players. This criteria rates if you are getting more for your money compared to similar guns in the same class, meaning is it a good deal. For more information on how to determine the value of an airsoft gun, check out this article on what goes into the cost of an airsoft gun.
COLLECTABILITY– Sometimes an Airsoft gun stands out simply because it is unique either because it’s not produced by anyone else or holds enough of a cultural or collectable value to make you want to have a piece of history regardless of its utility. This criteria rates whether the gun is a must-have for collectors. Some rare or limited edition Airsoft guns even appreciate in value in the secondary market and we rate their investment value where applicable.
Positioning itself as an affordable alternative to the much more expensive Systema PTWs, and the only airsoft gun designed & made in the EU (Denmark), the EVO's compact form factor and impressive electronic trigger won it the Best AEG category in the Players Choice Awards for many years running. One of, if not, the best SMG AEGs available.
Pros
Voted best AEG by Players Choice Awards for many years
Available in several variants
Same polymer material as a real gun
Most sophisticated ECU when it was first released
Well thought out usability features including quick-change spring
The Umarex HK53 gas airsoft rifle is a faithful replica of the German Cold War classic. Just like their real steel counterparts, as well as the Umarex (Elite Force) H&K G3 and MP5s, the HK53 gas airsoft rifle, is made of stamped sheet steel and high-quality polymers, giving it the same robustness you could expect from the real deal itself.
Internally, VFC has beefed up the Umarex HK53 by giving it a big bore bolt system and heavy recoil buffer with heavy recoil springs to give the HK53 gas airsoft rifle more felt recoil yet having realistic cycling and rate of fire. The HK53 gas airsoft rifle also features VFC's new Hop-up adjustment system, meaning you could adjust the hop-up by simply removing the handguard and rotating the dial, allowing you to adjust the hop without the need to remove the magazine.
Eye-catching "custom AR 15" with superior attention to detail, and offering a feature-packed electronic trigger control unit that offers a binary mode for ultra-fast CQB semi-auto shooting Special stock design to accommodate Titan Lithium-Ion batteries is also very forward-looking. The BAD AEG is not cheap and comes in either standard length or the SBR compact version, but if you want an AR 15 that is a bit edgier with an incredibly fast binary trigger for CQB game sites, this should be on your list.
Pros
Striking aesthetics Available in Carbine & SMG lengths
Sophisticated ECU trigger with ultra-responsive binary mode for CQB
Modular stock that can take a variety of batteries including TITAN Li-Ion
The EMG Lancer Systems Licensed L15 Defense electric airsoft rifle is a fully licensed replica of the L15 Defense rifle. Similar to its real steel counterpart, the receiver is made of aluminum alloy, the handguard however is made of actual carbon fiber, how cool is that! Lancer licensed LCH7 handguard is a M-Lok-compatible handguard and it will take all sorts of M-Lok compatible accessories.
Unlike most AR-15 / M4 style electric airsoft rifles, this gun does not have a monolithic Picatinny rail up top, and only the upper receiver features a Picatinny top rail.
Other than the Lancer Licensed and featureful externals, the EMG Lancer Systems Licensed L15 Defense series M4 / AR-15 style electric airsoft rifles come with EMG Alpha stock, EMG Slimline polymer pistols grip as well as an enlarged magwell that helps you in reloads.
The VFC FAL (LAR) Standard Type I GBB is a faithful replica of the FN FAL, also known as the Right Arm of the Free World and it is also the first ever gas blowback FAL style rifle, not to mention that the FAL is also quite rare as an AEG. The VFC LAR is a replica of the metric version of the FAL which features meters as measurement in the sighting system instead of yards which the inch pattern L1A1 that Britain and Commonwealth countries adopted. This rifle is very similar to that of the early Belgium made FALs (Model 50.00). The gun has a very realistic and robust built, being made out of metal with some steel parts which includes the outer barrel, bolt carrier, carry handle. Yes, this baby has a carry handle!
Pros
Gorgeous Design that is a Faithful Replica of the FN FAL
The Novritsch SSR-4 Gen 2 is Novritsch's upgrade over the original SSR-4 M4/AR-15 style AEG. This gun comes in 2 different versions, a full metal receiver version and a lightweight polymer receiver version.
The SSR-4 is targeted towards new Airsoft players in mind, as it is essentially a M4/AR-15 style electric Airsoft rifle that anyone can get their hands on. The gun comes pre-upgraded out of the box with the new Gen 2 internals, allowing you to compete with more expensive builds. Exterior-wise, the gun is simple yet modular, as it has Picatinny rails and M-LOK slots for mounting different accessories, and it has QD sling points on the gun for setting up your sling attachments. The gun also features a 14mm CCW thread, giving you the ability to mount muzzle attachments like tracer units and/or suppressors for that tactical look.
Best performance for the buck, the KC-02's semi-auto blowback system remains unbeaten after nearly two decades since its original launch. Designed by legendary Airsoft engineer, Tanio Koba, the KC-02 offers crisp and stable blowback action in a compact no-frills design making this gun ripe for customization and upgrades to eye-watering power levels.
Pros
Super efficient gas system designed by legendary Tanio Koba
Uses by green gas & CO2 magazines
High upgrade potential
Small & versatile form factor
Cons
Light recoil
Non-tactical form factor based on 22 caliber real gun
The Umarex G36C airsoft gas blowback rifle by VFC is a beautifully designed rifle with an entire polymer body designed to be robust for extended use. The blowback on the Umarex G36C airsoft rifle is one of the best for the airsoft G36 GBBRs out there. It is crisp and snappy and really packs a punch with every shot.
The Umarex G36C airsoft rifle is one of the best gas blowback guns on the market, and we might even say that this replica would be an ideal choice to simulate a genuine H&K G36C for training or theatrical purposes. The high cycle rate and reliable performance make the airsoft G36C rifle by Umarex quite the shooter and is bound to be a conversation starter at any airsoft field or event.
Double eagle is well known for its robust and well-made mid/entry-level Airsoft electric guns and for its innovation and quality control. This is Double Eagles first Gas Blowback airsoft M4, so you can expect this airsoft Noveske N4 to boast the same great quality as the rest of Double Eagles' line of products. The EMG Noveske N4 GBBR by Double Eagle is fully licensed by EMG and Noveske. The rifle utilizes the famous MWS ZET system that is used in the Tokyo Marui MWS M4 / AR-15 series of gas airsoft rifles that are renowned for their robust build quality in the airsoft world.
Pros
Fully licensed by noveske
Excellent performance
Fully compatible with Marui MWS parts and upgrades
Voted best gas blowback rifle by Popular Airsoft's Players Choice Awards, the Tokyo Marui MK18 MOD 1 is the latest from TM using the ZET system as seen in their highly acclaimed MWS guns. The fit and finish of the gun is what you have come to expect from Tokyo Marui, everything is solid and the rifle is also compatible with standard MWS parts making this an incredibly customizable gun right out of the box. Furthermore, the ZET system also gives the MK18 exceptional gas efficiency and consistency which translates into great performance on the field.
Pros
Cerakote finish
ZET GBB system for superior performance
Huge library for aftermarket upgrades and accessories
The legendary GHK G5 was a watershed moment for GBBRs when it was first released, it proved the efficacy of the open bolt GBB design for rifles and showed its potential by demonstrating a hard enough kick to take airsoft immersion to new heights. The G5 is incredibly slim and compact and as it is made of a solid ABS polymer it's also very light weighing in at just 2kg with the magazine inserted. This plastic construction also gives it some of the best recoil of any GBB in the market, in short, this is probably the closest you can come to firing a real gun in airsoft. Some say it looks incredibly like a Scorpion EVO, which is not available in the gas blowback version. So this is a sort of Scorpion EVO GBBR alternative.
The G&G SGR 556 is not just a new airsoft rifle, but it also introduces the brand new G&G G3 gearbox system. The G3 gearbox by G&G is a revolutionary step for airsoft as we know it, the G3 gearbox is a split gearbox design, allowing you to take the G&G SGR 556 as you would on a Systema PTW or a real steel firearm as the upper and lower receiver can be separated completely. Speaking of PTW similarities, the G&G SGR 556 has a last-round cut-off function, thanks to the IR sensor in the chamber, allowing it to detect any BBs that could be in the chamber, once all BBs are fired, the gun will stop firing and you will need to insert a new magazine then pushing on the functional bolt release to "chamber" a round for it to continue to fire. Do note that you do not need a proprietary magazine to have access to the bolt release and the last round cut-off feature like the Tokyo Marui NGRS system, any M4 / AR-15 style magazine will work just as well.
Pros
Uses the revolutionary G3 gearbox
Quick change barrel and hopup
Quick change spring
Last round magazine cutoff compatible with standard AEG magazines
Fully customizable ETU
Excellent performance
Cons
Unrealistic externals
GHK AKM V3 GBBR AIRSOFT (GHK AK V3 GBB SYSTEM)
Click on Photo for More Information
FUN
★★★★★
REALISM
★★★★★
PERFORMANCE
★★★★
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★★
The GHK AKM V3 GBB Airsoft rifle is an excellent replica of this iconic rifle and an upgrade to the previous GHK AK system and is perfect for Airsoft enthusiasts who want a realistic and high-quality Airsoft AKM. One of the standout features of the GHK AKM Airsoft rifle is its full-metal, stamped steel construction and real wood furniture like the handguard and buttstock. The Airsoft rifle is made from high-quality materials that are both durable and realistically accurate.
Overall, the GHK AKM GBB Airsoft rifle is a top-of-the-line Airsoft AK that is perfect for Airsoft enthusiasts who want a realistic and high-quality rifle. Whether you're a collector, a shooter, a videographer, or a gamer, the GHK AKM Airsoft rifle is sure to exceed your expectations. So why wait? Get yours today and experience the thrill of the AKM for yourself!
Pros
Arguably the best performing GBB AK around
Full metal
Good recoil and realistic operation
Wide variety of aftermarket parts
Cons
Half travel bolt
Difficult to mount accessories without purchasing aftermarket rails
The best and most awe-inspiring semi-auto sniper rifle after the now-defunct SOCOM GEAR M82. An epic collector rifle in the making for a decade, this rifle doesn't disappoint when it comes to the blowback and recoil. Construction is top-notch and solid with no creaks. Not coming with the scope and bipod is rather disappointing so it loses marks on realism, but collectors determined to own this amazing sniper rifle will surely find ways to make do with a similar scope or find a Marui PSG-1 scope.
Pros
First gas blowback rifle ever of this Iconic sniper rifle
Huge blowback and recoil effect
Beautiful build quality with realistic stamped receiver
Renowned for their simple yet robust designs, BCM rifles have been used by many well-known shooters in the firearms industry such as Travis Haley, the GBRS Group, and Larry Vickers, to name a few. It is to no surprise, BCM stands for quality and reliability.
With this rich history, BCM partnered with VFC to bring the airsoft community a fully licensed product sporting the latest BCM externals and VFC internals, pushing this airsoft gun to maximum performance.
Externally, the rifle is exquisitely crafted and an incredible amount of detail has been paid to each surface. Everything you see on the airsoft gun transfers extremely well to its real steel counterpart, making this rifle an ideal choice for those that might consider using it as a training platform.
Pros
Eight fully licensed BCM parts
Snappy and satisfying recoil impulse
New performance improvements result in consistent FPS
If you are looking for an all-around great M4-style AEG that won't break the bank, you'd be hard-pressed to find one better than the Umarex HK416A5. This rifle features tried and tested VFC AEG internals and a solid, sturdy construction that is truly built to last. The flexibility of the platform ensures you can run your favorite H&K rifle in colder weather conditions without having to worry about some of the downsides of a gas operating system. In addition, the internals are the tried and proven internals found in other VFC AEGs. The gun features a MOSFET like all modern AEGs and parts are compatible with other standard version 2 parts.
Pros
High FPS
Sturdy, Durable Construction
One of the most Reliable Internal Assemblies on the Market
Cons
Asia Edition Means that the Rifle Lacks EU F and 6mm Markings
The M733 is probably a rifle that is instantly recognizable my many movie buffs and firearms enthusiasts. The rifle is the precursor to the rifle that we now know today as the M4. However, its biggest claim to fame is its prominent featuring in the hit movie HEAT starring Robert De Niro and a variant being used by Delta Force in Black Hawk Down. The M733 is an excellently made rifle and comes with strong, snappy recoil with an ideal retro feel straight from the 80s and 90s.
In conclusion to this, I will remind you that “best” is usually very subjective. However, I hope that you can use some of the points I have made to help you make a decision on what might be good for you.
