GAS AIRSOFT GUNS

Green gas airsoft guns rely on compressed gas, called “green gas,” to function. Several green gas airsoft guns are classified as gas blowback, meaning the bolt or slide recoils back like the real thing. While green gas airsoft guns cost more than your average spring-powered or electric airsoft gun, they introduce a more realistic and entertaining experience on the airsoft field. 

What Is Green Gas in Airsoft? 

Green gas is a compressed gas often used in airsoft to provide the force necessary to propel BBs down range at your opponents. In contrast to CO2, green gas chemically resembles propane. However, unlike propane, green gas incorporates silicone lubricant. 

Other types of gas exist in airsoft, including HFC134a, red gas, and black gas. Green gas has more pressure than HFC134a but less than red or black gas, as black gas holds the highest pressure. Gas pressures are important because some countries or fields do not allow air guns powered by high-pressure air (HPA). 

For example, many Japanese gas-powered airsoft guns can only use HFC134a since it’s the lowest-pressure gas available. However, most airsoft guns available worldwide take green gas or CO2. You can learn more about green gas and the best airsoft gas for your platform by checking out the other resources on our blog. 

Green Gas vs. Other Types of Airsoft Guns 

Green gas airsoft guns contain gas reservoirs either in the gun body itself or the magazine. These reservoirs often make gas airsoft gun magazines heavier than automatic electric gun (AEG) magazines. 

However, airsoft players frequently gravitate toward gas airsoft guns because they offer a more realistic playing experience than airsoft AEGs or spring airsoft guns despite a higher price point. 

Gas blowback (GBB) airsoft guns are powered by green, red, or black airsoft gas. These platforms replicate the recoil felt using the real-steel versions, but you can also achieve a similar feeling with an electric blowback (EBB) pistol. These electric pistols use batteries instead of green gas, which suffers from cool-down effects and is susceptible to lower temperatures. 

Gas airsoft guns often shoot in semi-auto or full-auto, depending on the individual platform. Many new airsoft players choose to run a green gas pistol because they’re easy to operate, refill, and manipulate on the field, especially in close-quarters combat (CQB) scenarios. However, gas airsoft guns can be loud, so adding suppressor adapters can help better conceal your position. 

Are Green Gas Airsoft Guns Safe?

Green gas airsoft guns can be slightly more complicated than standard spring-powered airsoft guns or AEGs. You must pay attention to the gas levels and recognize when they’re getting low by the corresponding drop in your airsoft gun’s performance. 

However, you don’t have to cock the gun every time like a springer or call it quits if you forgot to plug your batteries in a charger like with an AEG. 

What Are Some Pros and Cons of Green Gas Airsoft Guns?

Green gas airsoft guns have several advantages and disadvantages: 

Pros 

Some of the benefits of green gas airsoft guns include:

• Realistic operation and shooting action
• More character and more memorable shooting experience than other types of airsoft platforms
• Cheaper running costs than CO2
• Easily top off a partially full gas reservoir 

Cons 

That said, green gas airsoft guns can also have certain downsides, such as:

• Green gas can be hard to find outside of airsoft stores
• Responds to cold weather with a drop in performance 
• Flammable
• Gas magazines can be heavy
• Proper refilling techniques require a learning curve

How Does Green Gas Work? 

Green gas airsoft guns store the green gas inside the gun itself or within a removable magazine. When you pull the trigger, a hammer (or knocker) contacts the valve and releases a small amount of pressurized gas before the valve closes once more. 

That small amount of gas propels the ammo down range at several hundred feet per second (FPS). In GBB models, the gas released also works the slide (for gas airsoft pistols) or the bolt (for gas airsoft rifles) and loads another BB. 

When using green gas, keep it out of direct sunlight. If you want to use standard propane, you need to add silicone oil, as it doesn’t come pre-mixed. Propane is also flammable, so take precautions to prevent any safety hazards. 

If you want to upgrade your green gas airsoft gun, a new hop-up, nozzle, and bucking can make a difference. Choosing a higher-grade inner barrel will also help your green gas airsoft gun group better. Note that the hop-ups, buckings, and nozzles for gas airsoft guns differ from those for AEG platforms.

What Are the Main Types of Green Gas Airsoft Guns?

Most gas airsoft guns are classified as non-blowback (NBB) and gas blowback (GBB). An NBB gas airsoft gun doesn’t have the characteristic recoil often associated with gas guns. It’s a great alternative if you want to use green gas to power your airsoft gun but don’t want the realistic recoil during gameplay. 

You’ve probably come across GBB airsoft guns with the acronyms GBBP and GBBR. These stand for gas blowback pistols (GBBP) and gas blowback rifles (GBBR). 

Here are several common types of green gas airsoft guns: 

• Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistols
• Gas Airsoft SMG
• Gas Airsoft Rifles
• Gas Airsoft Sniper
• Gas Airsoft Shotgun

You can also find several gas airsoft machine guns and airsoft grenade launchers at RedWolf. Some of our most popular brands include KWA, Action Army, EMG, and Elite Force.

What Are Some Popular Green Gas Airsoft Platforms?

Some of the most popular green gas airsoft guns are pistols and rifles, but gas shotguns can also be a lot of fun. 

Here are a few of our favorite picks: 

• If you’re a fan of Glock, we’ve got plenty of options, from RWC and Strike Industries to the Umarex Glock 17 Gen 5 GBB airsoft pistol. 
• Any 1911 gas airsoft pistols we sell are a worthy sidearm for sniper rifles, from Tokyo Marui’s variant to the RWA Nighthawk Custom War Hawk.
• Dominate any close-quarters skirmish with an airsoft Desert Eagle customized to suit your style of gameplay, or choose capable off-the-shelf variants like the Cybergun Desert Eagle L6 .50AE GBB Airsoft Pistol or the Golden Eagle Hi Capa 5.1 GBB Airsoft Pistol. 
• Explore a new brand of GBBRs with GHK, known for its realistic replication of many popular platforms like the M4 GBBR Airsoft V2. 
• VFC commands a solid reputation in the airsoft world, and build quality is evident in everything from their MK20 SSR GBB Airsoft Rifle to the 1911 Kimber LAPD SWAT Custom II Green Gas Airsoft Pistol. 
• If it’s a gas airsoft shotgun you’re after, the Tokyo Marui SAIGA 12K Gas Blow Back Shotgun or the Tokyo Marui M870 Wood Stock Type Airsoft Shotgun. 

If you’re curious to learn more about green gas airsoft guns, check out our list of the top 10 best gas airsoft guns. There, you’ll also find technical articles, like how to do airsoft gun maintenance. The next time you need anything airsoft-related from your wishlist, RedWolf’s got you covered.