Airsoft Action Types

[Pilot824]

Hello everyone, this will be my first post for airsoft.. evar

Anyways, I've been paintballing for quite some time now and I am looking at moving to airsoft. My first question (asides from where the hell can I play?) is what are the types of airsoft guns?

So far I know about the motorized one, AEG? and heard about a few more using CO2 and pumping the rifle. What are all the different types of airsoft guns and could you describe them as to exactly how they work? (If you want, include a link to save you time).

Thanks in advance!

[ap27]

Well the 3 basic ones are Electric, Gas and Spring.

Electric ones are powered by a motor & piston and run on a battery. There are different kinds of batteries (Nickel Cadmium - NiCd, Nickel Metal Hydride - NiMH, Lithium Polymer - LiPo are the three common ones) and come in different voltages (7.2V, 8.4V, 9.6V are common for Nickel based ones, 7.4V, 11.1V for LiPos).
LiPos are generally better in terms of charge capacity and such, but need special balancing chargers.
Usually, the higher the voltage, the higher the rate of fire of the electric gun.
The higher the capacity (in mAh), the longer the battery lasts before needing a recharge.

Then there are gas guns, which are powered by either propane (most common, also called green gas, top gas or HFC22), CO2 or duster gas (also called HFC134a).
Duster is usually easy on the internals of the gun, but low power. CO2 is the opposite of that. Propane is the 'just-right' one in some ways.
Gas guns come in rifles and pistols. Both generally hold the gas in the magazine of the gun, along with BBs.


Last are springers. Not very useful in pistols or assault rifles, but there are bolt action sniper rifles that are spring based and very effective. You effectively compress the spring when you pull the bolt back and cock the rifle, and then fire.

[Cliffradical]

Once you get AV's, you may want to look into investing in a GBBR (Gas Blow-Back rifle).
They tend to be quite expensive, but with your previous experience in paintball, you may find maintenance easier to wrap your head around than an AEG.

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by Cliffradical

Once you get AV's, you may want to look into investing in a GBBR (Gas Blow-Back rifle).
They tend to be quite expensive, but with your previous experience in paintball, you may find maintenance easier to wrap your head around than an AEG.

I would still highly recommend against a GBBR for a beginner.

[Armoredshell]

Originally Posted by Styrak

I would still highly recommend against a GBBR for a beginner.

Agreed 100%
Aeg to start with

[George Burdell]

Originally Posted by Cliffradical

Once you get AV's, you may want to look into investing in a GBBR (Gas Blow-Back rifle).
They tend to be quite expensive, but with your previous experience in paintball, you may find maintenance easier to wrap your head around than an AEG.

You do have to do significantly more maintenance than on an AEG though.

[R.I.T.Z]

Originally Posted by George Burdell

You do have to do significantly more maintenance than on an AEG though.

like what?

[Debrief]

Originally Posted by George Burdell

You do have to do significantly more maintenance than on an AEG though.

No.

GBBs have more strain on their internals than AEGs. A quality AEG will often require no maintenance for 1000's of rounds.

[George Burdell]

Originally Posted by R.I.T.Z

like what?

You have to clean and lubricate a GBBR quite often; I can't imagine an AEG needing more maintenance than that.

[R.I.T.Z]

Originally Posted by George Burdell

You do have to do significantly more maintenance than on an AEG though.

Originally Posted by George Burdell

You have to clean and lubricate a GBBR quite often; I can't imagine an AEG needing more maintenance than that.

you just contradicted yourself....

[Frozen Tex]

Originally Posted by George Burdell

You do have to do significantly more maintenance than on an AEG though.

He said more maintenance is required on a GBBR THAN on an AEG. Reading comprehension is your friend, people.