Spring Airsoft Guns

Spring airsoft guns incorporate a spring that must be compressed — cocked — each time you want to shoot. Many beginner airsoft players start with a spring airsoft gun because they’re affordable and easy to shoot. 

However, spring airsoft guns may not necessarily be as realistic or enjoyable to shoot as electric or gas-powered airsoft guns. 

What Are Spring Airsoft Guns? 

Spring airsoft gunsare manually cocked airsoft guns that come in various shapes and sizes. Spring pistols,spring rifles, and spring sniper rifles shoot one airsoft BB every time you manually cock the spring and pull the trigger. However, spring shotguns shoot multiple BBs each time you pull the trigger, similar to the spray of birdshot or buckshot. 

A spring airsoft gun is the perfect first airsoft platform for a beginner. They don’t require batteries or gas and are always ready to shoot. However, spring airsoft guns aren’t capable of shooting in semi-auto or full-auto mode. 

Are Spring Airsoft Guns Legal?

In general, airsoft guns — including spring airsoft guns — are legal in most countries, including Europe, the United States, and select countries in Asia. However, airsoft isn’t legal in China, Australia, Singapore, or Malaysia. To learn more about the legality of airsoft guns, check out our post on airsoft gun laws by state. 

How Do Spring Airsoft Guns Work? 

Spring airsoft guns use a simple mechanism that requires few moving parts. To ready the spring airsoft gun to shoot, you must first compress the spring by pulling back on a cocking lever (on an airsoft rifle, including airsoft sniper rifles), pumping the foregrip on a spring shotgun, or racking the slide of a spring airsoft pistol. 

The spring is then held in place by the trigger sear, which releases the spring tension when you pull the trigger. 

As the spring unwinds, it forces a piston into a cylinder, which creates high-pressure air that flows through a nozzle and out the muzzle. Along the way, it picks up the BB in the chamber and shoots it out of the airsoft gun. If you want to shoot again, you must repeat the process. 

If you want to achieve a higher velocity — measured in feet-per-second (FPS) — you can change out the factory spring for a stiffer one. However, not all spring airsoft gunsare designed for the extra force applied to the components. A stiffer spring also doesn’t solve many of the other drawbacks of spring airsoft guns. 

Spring Airsoft Guns vs. Electric Airsoft Guns vs. Gas Airsoft Guns

Unlike spring airsoft guns, electric and gas-powered airsoft guns can shoot in semi-auto and full-auto modes. However, spring airsoft gunsare typically more affordable and can be more realistic in some cases. An airsoft spring sniper rifle also offers a stabler shooting platform that lends itself to greater accuracy. 

Shooting electric airsoft guns still requires a spring, but an electric motor and gearbox do the work instead of you. Gas-powered airsoft guns don’t use a spring at all. CO2 or green gas provides the air charge necessary to expel the BB out of the muzzle. 

Pros and Cons of Spring Airsoft Guns

There are several advantages and disadvantages to spring airsoft guns. Consider the following if you’re thinking about investing in a spring airsoft gun. 

Some pros of spring airsoft guns include:

• Generally more affordable
• Simple design makes them more reliable 
• Don’t require gas or batteries 
• Easy to learn how to operate 

That said, there are also some disadvantages. These include:

• No semi-auto or full-auto shooting modes
• Requires cocking every time you want to shoot 
• Fewer model options are available compared to electric or compressed gas-powered guns 
• Less immersive shooting experience 

What Are Some Popular Spring Airsoft Gun Models?

Many popular brands produce spring airsoft guns, including Tokyo Marui, Umarex, Silverback, Novritsch, KTW, CYMA, and ARES. Here are a few of the most popular spring airsoft guns: 

• CYMA M870 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun (Full Stock CQB)(CM350)
• Silverback TAC 41 P Airsoft Bolt Action Rifle (Sport Version - Black)
• Tokyo Marui SAA.45 Civilian 4.75 inch Spring Revolver
• KTW Ithaca M37 Feather Light Full Metal Model
• Novritsch SSG10 A2 Airsoft Sniper Rifle (Spring Power)
• ARES Lee Enfield NO 4 MK1 Airsoft Sniper Rifle with Scope and Mount (Spring Power)
• KTW Winchester M1873 Rifle
• Snow Wolf BARRETT M107A1 Airsoft Sniper Rifle - Black (Spring Power)
• Umarex WALTHER PPQ 'HME' Metal Slide Spring Pistol
• Tokyo MaruiDouble EagleSpring Airsoft Pistol (High Grade)

Start your spring airsoft gun collection with RedWolf, your go-to retailer for everything airsoft, including airsoft carbines, automatic electric guns (AEGs), gas-blowback (GBB) handguns (including Glock, Hi-Capa, Sig Sauer, and Beretta), pump-action shotguns, grenade launchers, and submachine guns (SMGs). 

Our selection of full-sizespring-powered airsoft guns, including spring airsoft rifles, is unmatched. RedWolf also carries numerous replacement parts and accessories, from hop-ups, buckings, and nozzles to flashlights, red dots, and magazine pouches.