To understand how airsoft guns work, we first need to identify the most popular platforms on the market. The four main types are Airsoft Electric Guns (AEG), Gas Blowback (GBB), Spring-Powered (Springer), and High-Pressure Air (HPA). While each operates differently, they share a common principle: all airsoft guns have an inner barrel through which a BB is propelled, similar to a blow dart. Before exiting, the BB is given backspin to increase its range.
The key function of an airsoft gun is to generate a small amount of pressurized air to propel the BB. Each platform achieves this in a different way.
Features of an Airsoft Gun
Airsoft gun features vary based on grade, technology, and upgrades—the more advanced the features, the higher the cost. There are countless optional enhancements, but some common ones significantly impact the user experience.
One key feature is full-auto firing mode. With the exception of Springers, most airsoft guns can fire continuously while the trigger is held down until the magazine is empty. Some models lack this feature either for realism or due to mechanical limitations.
Another notable feature is empty magazine detection, which prevents the gun from firing when the magazine is empty. This is uncommon in standard AEGs but found in high-end models, usually requiring proprietary magazines. For GBBs, this feature is standard—when the magazine runs dry, the gun ceases to function, forcing a reload.
The Working Mechanisms of Airsoft Guns
Most airsoft guns are equipped with an inner barrel, hop-up chamber/unit, and hop-up rubber. For a BB to be fired, it is first pre-loaded into the hop-up chamber. When the trigger is pulled, a small amount of pressurized air is released, forcing the BB through the chamber and out of the inner barrel.
As the BB is propelled forward, it passes through the nub of the hop-up rubber, which applies backspin. This backspin creates the Magnus effect, generating a small opposing force against gravity. This effect allows the BB to travel farther than it would under normal ballistic conditions.
Among the 4 most popular platforms, AEG and Springers fundamental mechanisms are quite similar. Both platforms involve a cylinder, piston, and a strong spring to apply a strong force to the piston and generate pressurized air from the cylinder to push a BB out of the chamber and exit through an inner barrel. However, both platforms use very different methods to pull the piston back.
Spring Airsoft Guns
First, let’s look at Springers. The user will need to manually cock the piston back to compress the spring. When the user pulls the trigger, it will release the stopper that locks the piston in place and causing the airsoft gun to fire. This mechanism is best for simulating sniper rifles, hence it is widely used among airsoft sniper rifles. Springers are simple and robust, it will work no matter what kind of weather condition, but it is slow if the user would like to have a follow-up shot. It is a great system for sniper roles, but ineffective against a large squad of enemies.
Pros
- Simple in design
- Relatively easy to repair
- Works under all weather conditions
- Cheapest in price out of all 4 platforms
- Don’t need any external power source
Cons
- Slow follow-up shots
- Only have bolt action/ pump-action as firing-mode
- Not close-quarter friendly
Electric Airsoft Guns (AEG)
As for the AEG platform, instead of needing to manually cocking the piston back, it utilizes a motor and a set of gears to pull the piston back. The AEG should have a battery stored within it; when the user pulls the trigger, it activates a switch that connects the current so the motor will drive the gears to pull the piston backward. This platform will allow users to have much faster follow up shots, and even allow users to shoot in full-auto. This was a revolutionary design back in 1991, but since then many companies mimicked and made aftermarket upgrade parts for this platform. As a result, this is one of the most popular platforms with plenty of upgrade potentials.
Pros
- Most popular platform
- One of the most versatile platform
- Easy to use
- Plenty of upgrade potentials
- Will work under any weather condition as long as the battery has power
- Higher magazine capacity
Cons
- Requires experienced technician to repair
- Could easily be damaged under rainy weather
- Might hear the gears whining sound after trigger pull and before BB is shot
- Some users may dislike the lack of tactile feel on trigger pull
- Difficult to field strip maintenance
- Unlikely to quickly repair if a malfunction occurs
Gas Airsoft Guns
The next platform will be how GBB airsoft guns work. GBB is the most realistic platform currently in the airsoft market. For the airsoft gun to shoot properly, the user must manipulate it like a real firearm. Due to their realistic nature, some law enforcement and military agencies use them as training tools.
A Gas Blowback (GBB) airsoft gun uses a pressurized gas reservoir, typically top gas/green gas (similar to propane). When the trigger is pulled, a knocker strikes the valve on the gas reservoir, releasing a small amount of gas into the system.
The gas first propels the BB out of the chamber, then uses the remaining pressure to cycle the slide or bolt, loading the next round for a follow-up shot. However, gas-powered airsoft guns struggle in cold weather. Firing too quickly can cause a cool-down effect, leading to a significant FPS drop.
Pros
- Realistic in design and usage
- Easier to field strip than AEG
- Higher chance to repair on-the-field if the malfunction happens
Cons
- Prone to cold weather
- Less consistent FPS output due to design nature
HPA or High Pressured Air Airsoft Guns
Last but not least is how HPA airsoft guns work. The benefit of using high-pressure gas is that the temperature will not drastically drop when fired quickly. The trade-off will be it usually requires a fairly large gas reservoir to store them (like a gas tank). Since HPA doesn’t cool down, it is one of the most consistent and stable platforms in the market when pressure is regulated; however, this is also one of the platforms with a higher price tag.
Pros
- Each shot extremely consistent
- Great trigger response
- Will work under any weather condition
- Quiet
- Very low failure rate
Cons
- Unrealistic appearance
- Quite expensive
- Tend to require an experienced tech to install properly
HPA tanks usually store air that is very high in pressure (about 3000 psi or more); if directly release into an airsoft gun, it can easily destroy the actual product. Therefore this platform requires a device known as a regulator, which lowers the psi to an acceptable and constant pressure for the airsoft gun to use.
How Accurate are Airsoft Guns?
Now that you understand how airsoft guns work, let’s talk about accuracy. Unlike real firearms, airsoft guns rely on backspin instead of rifling. Since BBs are round, they will never achieve the same level of precision as bullets.
However, with the right inner barrel length, consistent air pressure, and BB weight, an airsoft gun can still be accurate within 40 to 50 meters. A well-tuned airsoft rifle should be able to consistently hit an A3-sized target at 50 meters, though this also depends on the country’s FPS/Joule limits.
Which type should I choose?
For players who prefer simplicity and enjoy sniping, the Springer platform is the best choice. AEGs are ideal for those who favor an assault role and want a plug-and-play system. GBBs cater to players seeking realism and a challenge, or those using airsoft as a training tool. Lastly, HPA guns are for players who prioritize performance over aesthetics or realism, aiming for the highest efficiency on the field.
