How to Increase Rate of Fire in Airsoft Guns?
Increasing your airsoft gun’s rate of fire (ROF) enhances suppression and hit probability but requires careful upgrades. Here are the most effective methods:
1. Upgrade to High-Voltage Batteries
- How it works: Swapping an 8.4V NiMH battery for a 9.6V or 11.1V LiPo boosts power delivery, increasing ROF by 10–20%.
- Pros: Quick, affordable upgrade.
- Cons: Strains stock gears and motors, risking premature failure without reinforced internals. If there is no mosfet, it will burn out the trigger switch.
2. Install a High-Speed Motor
- Stock motors (18,000–25,000 RPM) can be replaced with 30,000–40,000 RPM motors for a significant ROF boost. Pair with a MOSFET to protect trigger contacts.
- Pros: Noticeable ROF improvement (15–30 BBs/sec).
- Cons: High-speed motors reduce torque, causing sluggish semi-auto response in high-FPS setups.
3. Switch to Lower-Ratio Gears
- Replace stock 18:1 gears with 13:1 or 16:1 ratios to reduce cycle time. Combines well with high-torque motors for balanced performance.
- Pros: Sustained ROF gains (20–30 BBs/sec).
- Cons: Requires gearbox disassembly; mismatched parts risk piston stripping.
4. Optimize Electrical Efficiency
- Rewire with 16AWG silicone cables and Deans connectors to minimize resistance, improving trigger response and ROF by 5–10%.
Pros and Cons of High ROF
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Better suppression/area denial | Accelerated gearbox wear |
| Higher hit probability in CQB | Increased BB consumption (cost) |
| Competitive edge in fast-paced games | Significant drop in velocity |
While having a high rate of fire can be good, the initial shot may be high, but every shot after drops significantly in power. I recently worked on a gun I was sent from Osaka that shoots 55 rounds per second. The initial shot was around 97m/s, but by shot 30, it was at around 50m/s. This was not the issue though, the problem stemmed from poor part choices. Having a gun with a very high rate of fire, while is cool, will shorten the life of the gun significantly. The issue with this gun, was that the gears were grinding. The owner has put in a brushless motor, with Gate Titan MOSFET and lightweight POM piston assembly. But he cheaped out and got basic 13:1 gears which some teeth had broken off.
Personally I think balancing the gun to have a decent semi-auto response and rate of fire quick enough to get people cowering behind cover, but slow enough not to empty a magazine in a few seconds is very important. For my guns I aim for 18 – 30 RPS and usually have my MOSFET programmed to burst fire of 3-5 shots to allow suppressive fire.
Controversial Opinions in the Airsoft Community
- “High ROF = Poor Sportsmanship”: Players using 25+ RPS setups in outdoor games are often criticized for overshooting and “spray-and-pray” tactics, which newer players find discouraging.
- ROF Caps Divide Players: While some fields enforce semi-auto locks above 20 RPS, others argue caps stifle LMG/SAW roles. Binary triggers further muddy the rules.
- HPA Polarization: High-pressure air (HPA) systems enable 50+ RPS builds, but critics call them unbalanced and “pay-to-win”.
While increasing ROF can elevate your airsoft game, balance upgrades with reliability and field/community etiquette. My personal opinion is to Prioritize snappy trigger response for semi-auto play, and always check local rules to avoid penalties. For sustained performance, pair mechanical upgrades with high-quality BBs and regular maintenance to ensure the gun doesn’t break down.
What is it like using a super fast gun?
Honestly speaking, it is fun to see other players run or panic when you start opening fire. I set my gun to 50 RPS for a game, just for the fun of it. Players scattered, they hid and I easily became a dominant force.
The downsides? Well, I was emptying magazines in two seconds, got complaints for overkilling and went through over 1000 BB’s in one game. Also that first shot needs to make the difference because I was seeing the flight path of my laser beam of BB’s get shorter and shorter due to losing compression because the piston couldn’t draw in enough air. This made leading shots against a moving target, a nightmare. It was fun, but it is a gimmick if I am being honest.
What is it like being against a player using a super fast gun?
It isn’t fun at all. Getting hit 20 times in the same spot in a fraction of a second stings. I finished a match against a player with a gun shooting 45 rounds per second and came out bleeding as the 20 or so shots on the same area broke the skin when he hit my neck. While others backed away. I did not find it scary as I have been against people with real guns during military service. But lesson learnt, move away.
