How Do Airsoft Guns Work: Spring, Gas, Electric Compared

There’s a reason why the global airsoft gun market is valued at $1.5 billion. The exciting hobby appeals to many different users — both young and old. If you’re new to airsoft, then it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different terminology out there. This is especially true if you’re in the process of buying your first gun.

Which type should you go with: spring, electric, or gas airsoft guns? If you’re curious about the difference between these types of air guns, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be diving into each type of firing mechanism, as well as the pros and cons that come with them. That way, you’ll know for sure which one is right for you. Let’s get started!

How Do Spring Airsoft Guns Work?

Spring airsoft guns don’t run on batteries or CO2. Instead, they use a manual spring mechanism to fire the pellets. The spring inside the gun is compressed each time with a lever. When you pull the trigger, it causes the spring to release. This causes the plunger to drive compressed air in a forward direction.

This air travels through the barrel and causes the pellet to launch. Because you need to compress this lever manually each time, it means that spring airsoft guns can only be in a semi-automatic mode that requires cocking each time.

Pros and Cons of Spring Airsoft Guns

The biggest pro that comes with spring airsoft guns is their price. They’re some of the most affordable ones available. This makes them great for beginners or younger airsoft players. You also don’t need to worry about keeping up with batteries or extra CO2 cartridges. Finally, you can use them in all types of weather without worrying about breaking them.

Unfortunately, there are not automatic fire features. Instead, you need to manually cock each shot, which can significantly affect your shooting. Many spring guns also tend to be on the cheaper side, but this varies from model to model.

How Do Gas Airsoft Guns Work?

Gas airsoft guns use CO2 cartridges to operate the spring mechanism inside of them. Typically, these CO2 cartridges fit in the magazine of the airsoft gun. Whenever you pull the trigger a small amount of compressed air is released. The compressed air is controlled by the pressure nozzle which leads the air into the air pellet.

The flow of the gas through the barrel then causes momentum. This momentum causes the pellet to fire from the gun. Some gas-powered airsoft guns are just semiautomatic, while others have full-auto modes. Many gas airsoft guns also feature realistic blowback capabilities — just like a real gun.

Pros and Cons of Gas Airsoft Guns?

If you want realism, then you can’t do much better than gas airsoft guns. The blowback on many of the models makes them feel like a real firearm when you shoot them. There’s also some recoil on the gun. This may affect your shooting, but it certainly adds to the realism. As such, they’re great for training purposes.

Gas airsoft guns are also pretty powerful since they use compressed air to fire. They are also capable of full-auto capabilities depending on the model. However, there are some downsides as well.

For one thing, you need a constant supply of gas canisters. This can get expensive to replace, especially since CO2 can go bad eventually. The recoil on CO2 guns also affects their accuracy. As such, they’re not the most accurate airsoft guns on the market.

How Do Electric Airsoft Guns Work?

As their name suggests, electric airsoft guns run on batteries. This battery connects to a small motor inside the airsoft gun. The motor activates gears within the gun which causes the bolt to compress against the spring.

This results in a huge burst of air pressure as the bolt is repeatedly turned by the electrically powered gears. As a result, it typically gives electric airsoft guns the ability to shoot in both automatic and semiautomatic firing modes.

Pros and Cons of Electric Airsoft Guns

The best part about electric airsoft guns is that they almost all have full auto capabilities. Depending on the type you get they can also be fairly affordable. However, some more expensive models can shoot faster and harder.

The downside is that you need to constantly charge the batteries on them. Also, they require a lot of maintenance, especially if you’re using a more expensive version.

Is It Alright For Kids to Play With Airsoft Guns?

At a minimum, we generally recommend for kids to be at least twelve years old before they start playing with airsoft. That’s because airsoft and BB guns can cause serious eye injuries if they aren’t used correctly. It’s important to remember that when done correctly, airsoft can be an exciting and fulfilling game — one that teaches young people important lessons.

However, if you’re a parent, then it’s important to teach your child the safe way to use airsoft guns. If you want some tips, then make sure to check out our guide on everything parents should know about this type of equipment.

Interested in Airsoft Guns? Look No Further Than the Airgun Megastore

We hope this article helped you learn the difference between spring, electric, and gas airsoft guns. Ultimately, the right airsoft gun for you depends on what you’re using it for and your budget. Once you decide on the right type, it’s time to find a specific product. Unfortunately, there are many manufacturers out there that make inferior guns that perform poorly and break easily.

So, how do you find a supplier that offers quality airsoft guns? Simple: by shopping at the Airgun Megastore. Since 2009, we’ve been offering customers a huge variety in selection when it comes to airsoft and BB guns. Best of all, we provide this large inventory at massive discount prices. If you have any questions about our selections, then make sure to contact us today.