HPA GUNS

HIGH PRESSURE AIR FOR MORE POWER

High-pressure air (HPA) systems are a type of pneumatic airsoft weapon that use externally supplied high-pressure air instead of internal gas canisters like the majority of gas-operated airsoft guns. Think of it as a cross between an AEG and GBBR except that there’s no blowback and shoots similar to an AEG but with more range and power! HPA airsoft guns are adjustable and suffer less from peak performance limitations compared to other systems. Thus they usually come at a price but require less tuning to reach peak performance.

EMG Salient Arms Licensed GRY AR15 (M4) CQB (HPA) - Gray (by G&P) Out of Stock GP-JAK010

$718.99

High-pressure air (HPA) airsoft guns use a separate tank of compressed air for power. While HPA airsoft guns can cost more than your average spring- or gas-powered airsoft gun setup, they offer adjustability, customization, and plenty more benefits.

Some of the most popular HPA airsoft guns allow you to optimize the rate of fire, velocity, and trigger response to conquer your opponents.

What Is an HPA Airsoft Gun?

A high-pressure air (HPA) airsoft gun is a pneumatic airsoft weapon that uses externally supplied high-pressure air to propel the BB down range. HPA airsoft guns typically aren’t blowback (with exceptions), but they can match the range and power of an automatic electric gun (AEG).

In terms of physical shape, the trigger on an HPA airsoft gun resembles that of a gas blowback rifle (GBBR). However, HPA platforms aren’t as susceptible to colder temperatures as gas-powered airsoft guns.

HPA guns come in several varieties, from carbines and rifles to personal defense weapons (PDWs). Players looking for a more realistic gun probably won’t find it in an HPA setup, as they’re more so designed for stealthy gaming while on the field. The adjustability built into an HPA airsoft gun also makes it great for tuning to fit your airsoft field’s regulations.

How Does an HPA Airsoft Gun Work?

Instead of pumping up a spring, charging a lipo battery, or filling up gas magazines with green gas, HPA airsoft guns require a tank full of compressed air. These air tanks are typically made from aluminum or carbon fiber to save weight. A remote tether line connects the HPA tank to the gun for a constant air supply to power BBs down range.

HPA airsoft guns allow players to adjust the velocity (feet per second, or FPS), rate of fire, and trigger response to achieve optimal settings and meet airsoft field limits.

Players can manipulate the valve dwell time to adjust the air efficiency using HPA regulators, which is especially helpful for a sniper rifle. You can convert an AEG or GBB to HPA, but you’ll need to swap internal components (AEG) or magazine components (GBB) to do so.

For example, you can convert a GBB Hi-Capa pistol (from Tokyo Marui or your favorite brand) or an Action Army AAP-01 C GBB Airsoft Pistol to HPA with an HPA engine (Polarstar is a popular brand), gearbox, and a conversion kit.

Like AEGs, HPA airsoft guns use hop-up buckings, inner barrels, and nozzles. Like any other airsoft rifle, you can add flashlights, grenade launchers, suppressors, and slings to customize your setup. Unlike gas and AEG airsoft guns, HPA airsoft guns don’t require extra magazine pouches or battery chargers.

What To Look For in an HPA Airsoft Gun

As you’re looking through RedWolf’s listings for an HPA airsoft gun, consider what role you want to play and what budget you have to work with.

Do you want a speedsoft/paintball setup or a more tactical and realistic HPA airsoft gun? Deciding whether you want to run a backpack with an external tank and remote tether line or mount the tank to the gun can help narrow your options.

HPA airsoft guns can be complex for first-time players, especially if you want a setup you can rely on to run every time you hit the field. For example, many HPA airsoft guns are Bluetooth compatible and include single or dual solenoids for adjustability. However, you can still find a simplistic HPA platform that won’t require reading through tons of technical notes.

What Are Some Pros and Cons of HPA Airsoft Guns?

An HPA airsoft gun has a range of advantages, including:

Adjustable velocity, rate of fire, and trigger response
A spectrum of complexity available, from simple to intricate
Fewer parts to replace if they fail
One HPA tank and tether line can serve multiple platforms (though not at once)
Quieter than a GBB or AEG airsoft gun

That said, there are some potential downsides to keep in mind as you choose your gear:

Tend to cost more than your average spring- or gas-powered platform
Custom HPAs can be expensive to build
Carrying the tank around can be cumbersome and require gear adjustments
May not be acceptable under certain airsoft field regulations
HPA system can be more complex to service than other types of airsoft guns

What Are Some of the Most Popular HPA Airsoft Guns?

The ASG CZ Scorpion EVO3A1 SMG w/ Wolverine Inferno Gen. 2 HPA Edition is a popular HPA setup that’s compact and perfect for close-quarters battle (CQB). It functions similarly to the AEG platform but offers the efficiency and power of HPA.

The Wolverine Airsoft MTW HPA M4 rifle is also another popular platform if you’re looking for a super-compact platform. If you’re looking for more of a speedsoft setup, check out the ARC Airsoft ARC-1 HPA Powered Airsoft Rifle.