Types of Airsoft Guns July 22, 2006
Posted by admin in : Airsoft Guns Articles , trackbackAirsoft guns are not real BB gun. Generally they are replicas (in appearance only) of real firearms, but occasionally also fictional firearms (e.g. the M41A Pulse Rifle from the Aliens films).
Airsoft guns are air or gas powered firearms that fire small spherical plastic pellets of either 6 mm or 8 mm diameter. They are used in the sport of Airsoft which is similar to Paintball.
There are three types of airsoft guns: spring, gas, and electric. All of them work on the same principal of gas pressure being built up in a piston that forces a traditional BB down the gun’s barrel. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
While the real BB gun shoots out a .177 metal BB, airsoft guns shoot out 6mm plastic BB. The BBS that an Airsoft gun shoots are slightly bigger and are not made of metal. The only thing that the two have in common is the fact that they resemble a real gun or weapon. Airsoft guns are also, unable to shoot full auto like machine guns.
The airsoft gun started in Japan. Japanese people are interested in having their own gun, but the law prohibit them to do so. Therefore, the airsoft gun was designed to look like a real gun or weapon without breaking the law. Normally, manufactures of the airsoft guns have a license agreement with regular gun manufactures so that they can legally make replicas and designs the same.
Spring powered
Spring-powered airsoft guns (often called “springers” or “spring guns”) are single-shot devices that use potential energy stored in a spring to launch an airsoft pellet down the barrel of the gun. The user must cock a spring gun prior to each shot much as you would a real shotgun or bolt-action rifle. This is typically achieved by pulling back the slide (pistols) or bolt (rifles), which in turn compresses the spring and makes the gun ready to fire. Because of this, these guns are by definition incapable of automatic or semi-automatic fire.
Gas Powered
Gas-powered airsoft guns use pressurized gas to propel pellets. These guns are capable of automatic and semi-automatic operation. The most common gases used are propane (usually referred to as “green gas” by airsoft players) and HFC134a, HFC-22 and in modified guns “Red Gas” refrigerant. Less commonly used gases include CO2 and nitrogen/high pressure air. Another gas said to exist for use in gas powered airsoft guns is “black gas”. However, it is unknown if this gas truly exists.
Electric powered
Electric-powered airsoft guns typically use a rechargeable battery to drive an electric motor, which cycles an internal piston/spring assembly in order to launch pellets. Automatic and semi-automatic operation is possible which gives these guns the popular name “automatic electric guns” or AEGs. These guns often attain muzzle velocities of 200 to 400 ft/s (60 to 120 m/s) and rates of fire of between 300 and 1000 rounds per minute. They are the most commonly used and widely available type of airsoft gun.
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