CO2 GUNS

If you’re just getting into airsoft and are thinking about what kind of guns you’d like to invest in, Co2 airsoft guns are a solid choice. 

Co2 air pistols are among the most popular types of guns used by airsoft enthusiasts today because they offer a good mix between realism and performance. 

What Is a Co2 Airsoft Gun?

Co2 guns work via the use of a 12g Co2 cartridge that is filled with compressed carbon dioxide. These cartridges are disposable and designed for a one time use only, and most contain enough Co2 to last for at least fifty to one hundred rounds (depending on the gun).

The Co2 cartridge will be loaded either into the gun or into the magazine of the gun. Either way, you’ll need to screw in the cartridge until the end of the cartridge is pierced with a nozzle pin. This creates a hole in the cartridge through which the Co2 being held inside can be released. 

Each time you pull the trigger, a very small amount of the Co2 will be released out of the nozzle pin and into the chamber to help propel the BB down the barrel. 

The Co2 also cycles the slide in an airsoft pistol or the bolt in an airsoft rifle to permit a new BB to be stripped from the magazine and loaded into the chamber as well. Most Co2 airsoft guns are either semi-automatic or full-auto. 

Most airsoft players will equip themselves with multiple Co2 cartridges before heading out into the field or the arena so they can reload while in the middle of a game if necessary. They’ll also carry a small Allen wrench, which is usually needed to screw and unscrew cartridges in the gun or magazine as part of the reloading process. 

Alternatively, players may carry multiple magazines with each magazine loaded with a fresh cartridge. This is a much faster way to reload a Co2-powered airsoft gun versus having to swap out individual cartridges. 

What Is a Co2 Gun Used For?

The most common type of Co2 airsoft guns, by far, are Co2 pistols. These are very common sidearms that you’ll see used by airsoft players, and most have realistic blowback actions to closely simulate how real semi-auto pistols work as well. 

This means that Co2 pistols can be great companion weapons to real firearms for training purposes. For example, if you have a real Colt 1911 pistol that you practice with at a shooting range or in tactical defense courses, you can also invest in a nearly identical Co2 1911 blowback pistol for airsoft to use as a tactical training weapon in airsoft games. 

Co2 rifles are less common than Co2 pistols, but they offer similar shooting consistency.

What Are Some Popular Models of Co2 Airsoft Guns?

Picking the best Co2 airgun for you can be challenging because there are so many to choose from.

Co2 Airsoft Pistols

If you want a Co2 pistol that’s big and intimidating, look no further than the KWC Desert Eagle L6. This is a close replica of the famous Desert Eagle pistols that you see wielded by the Agents in the Matrix as well as by Arnold Schwarzenegger in many of his movies. 

Another big pistol that’s a bit more tactical is the KSC MK23 SOCOM Co2 pistol, which is a close copy of the Heckler & Koch Mk23 pistol that was issued to U.S. SOCOM units and survived the strictest torture testing that any service pistol has ever gone through. 

If you’d prefer something a bit more elegant and futuristic, the KJ Works Steyr L9A2 Co2 Airsoft pistol might be to your taste. The Steyr even comes with Picatinny rails to add lights or lasers to it like you could to an actual firearm. 

If you really want to get old school, it’s hard to beat the KWC P08, which is a close BB pistol replica of the famous Luger pistol that the German military issued in both World Wars. 

Another classic pistol from the World Wars that served as the American counterpart to the German Luger was the Colt 1911. A faithful replica is the KJ Works 1911 CO2 Airsoft Pistol, Cybergun AO 1911 GBB pistol. 

If you’re into revolvers and would like a classic six-shooter, you’ll want to take a look at the SRC Titan Revolver. The Titan comes with six dummy shells into which you can load individual BBs. 

Co2 Airsoft Rifles

You also have no shortage of options when it comes to Co2 rifles. If you’d like a short AR that’s a good choice for tactical maneuvers in tight conditions, you’ll want to take a look at the GHK M4 GBBR Airsoft V2 rifle, which is a licensed copy of the Colt M4 carbine.

If AK rifles are more your type, however, you might be more drawn to the GHK AKM V3 GBBR airsoft rifle, which comes with a beautiful laminated stock and handguard just like real AKs do. Both of these are gas rifles that can use CO2 magazines. 

Or if you’d like to go with something a bit more classic and old school, check out the King Arms M1A1 Co2 airsoft carbine, which is a close replica of the M1 paratrooper carbine that was issued to American paratroopers who landed in the Normandy during the D-Day landings in 1944. This would make a great combo with the KJ Works 1911 pistol that we mentioned above.

Co2 airsoft guns are appealing because they closely mimic the appearance, weight, and functionality of real firearms. This is why airsoft players who desire realism in their games are naturally drawn to using Co2-powered guns, and it’s also why they’ll be a good choice for you as well.