"What gun should I get?" is a question I hear all the time. With literally thousands of choices on the Airsoft market, such a decision can be quite challenging and overwhelming. My task is to make your decision a bit easier.
First, let's examine the main Types of Airsoft Weapons.
Spring: This term refers to guns that requires the user to manually compress the spring via a lever or bolt before each shot. The upside to spring guns is that you don't have to bother with batteries or gas; The downside is their low FPS (usually 330 or less) and the fact you can only shoot as fast as you can pull the lever back and squeeze the trigger. Spring guns are fine for backyard battles, but that's about it.
Gas: These guns are powered by a compressed gas such as propane, green gas or Co2. Gas guns can range from pistols to sniper rifles. One of the nice things about gas guns is they sound awesome, and you don't have to fool with a battery. However, their performance and functionality are affected by weather, and it can be a pain to carry extra gas around with you. Luckily, there are options such as the Airsoft Innovations Refillable Gas Can, which allows propane and green gas users to carry an extra gas supply around in a container small enough to fit in a standard grenade pouch. Gas guns are also higher maintenance weapons that must be cared for regularly if you want them to last. Gas guns are acceptable for most playing situations.
Automatic Electric Guns (AEG's): These guns use a battery powered motor to compress the spring and fire the weapon. AEG's can be broken down into three categories:
- LPEG
- MPEG
- High end
LPEG stands for Low Priced Electric Gun. These are the type of guns you'll find at Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods and other hobby/sporting good stores. In addition to their cheap plastic externals, these guns have plastic internals which are not nearly as durable as the metal internals found in mid to high quality guns. LPEG's also have a low FPS and little to none upgrading capability. These guns are fine for backyard wars or if you are only playing against spring guns or other LPEGS. Try to go against anyone else and you will die. Quickly.
MPEG stands for Mid Priced Electric Guns. Most of these guns have metal gearboxes and are cloned off of Tokyo Marui's designs. Companies such as JG and CYMA have really come along in the MPEG category, providing durable, quality weapons at a low cost. MPEG's will let you compete in all playing situations.
High-end guns tend to use higher grade materials internally and externally and have more highly tuned internals for a better stock performance. Although there are some perks to high-end guns, for the most part you are just paying for a name brand and sometimes better externals. These weapons work in all playing situations.
There are several important factors which you should consider before buying a gun, and they are as follows:
Playing Style:
Are you an aggressive player who likes to move a lot and be in the midst of the action, or do you prefer to stay on the outskirts of the action? For someone who likes to be highly mobile, a small to mid-sized weapon (and possibly one with a folding or collapsing stock) will allow for greater maneuverability. A larger weapon with a longer barrel and higher FPS will provide greater range and accuracy for the player who prefers to engage from a distance.
Environment:
This category can be broken down into three main subcategories.
- Close Quarter Battle/Close Quarter Combat (CQB/CQC)
- Woodland
- Urban
CQB/CQC is almost always indoors, so space is limited and close engagements are common. If you play, or want to play CQB, you'll want to stick with a lower powered, compact weapon. Most CQB sites have a maximum FPS limit of 330-350 or less.
Woodland battles take place in forested areas, where engagement distances are usually fairly great. For this type of environment you'll want something with a good bit of FPS (350 or higher) and a good rate of fire.
Urban battles tend to be a mix of woodland and CQB scenarios. A mid sized AEG or a combination of an AEG and a pistol or other compact sidearm is ideal for this type of play.
The Bottom Line...
...is this. If you are planning on doing any serious Airsoft, wait until you have at least $150 to put towards a decent gun. If you need gear too, plan on spending $200-$250. That may mean waiting a bit longer, but trust me, it's worth it.
Got your gun but trying to decide what gear you need? Check out my article "Functionality or Overkill?".
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