AIRSOFT RIFLE

Airsoft rifles are replicas of real-steel guns. Available in semi-automatic or full-auto, airsoft rifles come in several varieties: spring, electric, gas, and high-pressure air (HPA). 

The airsoft rifle market spans everything from entry-level spring airsoft rifles to the costly yet powerful professional training weapons (PTWs) produced mainly by Systema. 

What Is an Airsoft Rifle?

An airsoft rifle mirrors the basic form of a real-steel rifle. Longer than an airsoft pistol and grenade launcher, airsoft rifles can match (in carbine form) or exceed the length of airsoft submachine guns (SMGs) and airsoft shotguns. They’re also a favorite among snipers, as most airsoft rifles are designed for either CQB or the airsoft sniper role. 

Most beginner airsoft players choose an airsoft pistol or rifle as their primary weapon. Beginners can easily run both if they like, as many airsoft rifles can reach out across the field while their pistol counterparts are adept at clearing rooms and tagging opponents in close quarters. For players who value marksmanship, the airsoft sniper can be a fun role to play, as many airsoft sniper rifles replicate real-life rifles carried by deadly snipers. 

How Does an Airsoft Rifle Work?

Airsoft rifles operate differently depending on the type of airsoft gun you choose. For instance, spring-powered airsoft rifles (also called “springers”) use a compressed spring to cock the gun before each shot. On the other hand, airsoft automatic electric guns (AEGs) let a motor and gearbox do all the heavy lifting. As you can guess, gas-powered airsoft rifles use green gas or CO2, while HPA rifles require high-pressure air. 

Spring-Powered Airsoft Rifles

Springer airsoft rifles don’t require batteries, gas, or compressed air to operate. They’re some of the simplest and easiest to shoot, but semi-auto and full-auto firing modes aren’t available. It’s as simple as cocking the gun, shooting, and repeating the process until your opponents are tagged or you call “hit.” 

Electric Airsoft Rifles

Airsoft AEGs require a rechargeable battery, a battery charger, and a motor to drive numerous ratioed gears to compress and release a spring. AEGs are some of the most popular types of airsoft rifles because they allow you to point and shoot until you run out of ammo or battery power, whichever comes first. 

You can easily upgrade AEGs, and they perform well in most conditions. If you plan on playing for most of the day, stock up on batteries and BBs. 

PTWs

Professional training weapons (PTWs) are somewhat of a subcategory of AEG rifles, although they’re much more expensive than your average electric rifle. For example, the Systema PTW89 - Type 89 (Professional Training Weapon) can cost several thousand more than your average EMG, APS, Elite Force, CYMA, Lancer Tactical, or Cybergun. These highly tuned airsoft rifles use sophisticated gearbox designs to maintain superior performance and power. 

Gas-Powered Airsoft Rifles

Gas-powered airsoft rifles are favorites among airsoft players as well. These airsoft rifles use green gas or CO2 and often have a blowback action that mimics the recoil of real-steel rifles. 

Gas blowback (GBB) rifles can be more expensive to get into than AEGs, as you have to purchase green gas or CO2 to fill your magazines or the gun directly. However, they’re highly engaging to shoot. 

HPA Rifles 

Finally, HPA rifles round out our list. These airsoft rifles are controlled by regulators and are typically fed from an external tank that attaches via a tube. HPA rifles are relatively simple in design and have fewer moving parts. However, the power they generate (minus any blowback, which is great for accuracy) can be too much for some airsoft fields. 

How To Choose an Airsoft Rifle

Deciding to run an airsoft rifle instead of the many other types of airsoft guns is only the first of many decisions before you. 

Players often navigate through the many airsoft rifle options available by gravitating toward a specific type of rifle (such as airsoft AEGs, springers, gas, or HPA) or how realistic or tactical that rifle might be. As players learn who makes different airsoft rifles and how well they perform, they may also become loyal to one or more brands, such as VFC, Tokyo Marui, Krytac, Classic Army, or KWA. 

One great place to start with airsoft rifles is the spring-powered segment. Spring airsoft rifles familiarize players with how the gun operates and what sort of experience they can expect on the field. The downside to springer airsoft guns is that they require you to manually cock the hammer every time, so you may find yourself calling “hit” more often than you want.

From there, players often graduate to an AEG. These airsoft rifles use an electronic mechanism to actuate the rifle, so you don’t have to manually cock it every time. If you’re looking for more of a realistic experience, gas blowback rifles can be a lot of fun. 

HPA rifles don’t have the recoil you feel with a GBB airsoft rifle, but they’re powerful enough to be banned on some airsoft fields. PTWs are the top tier in airsoft rifles, sought after mostly by law enforcement or through-and-through airsoft enthusiasts. 

If you’re a fan of the classic real-wood look, the KTW Type 38 Infantry Airsoft Classic Rifle (Arisaka M1905) features real wood furniture. The Arcturus AK12 Airsoft AEG Rifle presents a more tactical version, and the Novritsch SSR-4 Gen 2 Airsoft M4 AEG Rifle (Polymer Receiver) incorporates an M-LOK compatible handguard ready for a flashlight.

How To Upgrade an Airsoft Rifle

With so many different types of airsoft rifles available, it’s easy to see that upgrades will vary between them. However, most have similar components you can swap out for your favorite upgrade parts. 

For example, if you have an AEG airsoft rifle, you can upgrade the hop-up bucking, inner barrel, spring and spring guide, cylinder head, nozzle, piston and piston head, tappet plate, selector plate, gears, bushings, and bearings. 

Bolt-action airsoft rifles have some of the same upgradeable parts, including the inner barrel, spring and spring guide, piston and piston head, hop-up, and cylinder. Gas airsoft rifles can be upgraded with new inner barrels, nozzles, valves, fire control sets, and hop-ups. Since most players are selective about how they build out their HPA setups, upgrades aren’t necessarily as common here as on other airsoft rifles. 

Popular Airsoft Rifle Models

Airsoft rifles give players a wide range of choices, types, and budgets to choose from. Available options range from assault rifles and classic rifle platforms to WWI and WWII airsoft replicas and Designated Marksman Rifles (DMRs). Airsoft replicas of full-metal platforms include the AR-15, AK lineup, FN SCAR, SIG MCX, and M14. L85/SA80 airsoft rifles are popular in the UK, while FAMAS is famous in France. The RWA Battle Arms Development SBR Airsoft M4 AEG Rifle and 556-LW Airsoft M4 AEG Rifle are also popular choices.

RedWolf is your go-to source for airsoft rifles — check out our list of the best airsoft AEGs, the 10 best DMRs, and the 12 best airsoft AK47 rifles. If you’d like to learn more about airsoft (like how far airsoft guns can shoot), check out our blog for a complete hub of resources.