10 Best Airsoft Guns 2024 in the United States

An airsoft gun is somewhat like a paintball gun, except that in airsoft the weapon fires round, 6 mm.-wide plastic pellets instead of paintballs. (Don’t confuse the airsoft gun with the BB gun or pellet gun: the BB gun fires metal pellets, while the pellet gun fires 4.5 mm lead pellets.) Airsoft guns are made to look and feel very much like the actual pistol, rifle or shotgun (with a slight modification so that it is recognizable that the weapon is an airsoft gun). You can get airsoft guns that work on gas, battery power, or spring action to propel the pellets.

We've put together this guide to help you select the best airsoft gun that answers to your needs. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of airsoft gun,

• See useful tips about that type of airsoft gun,    

• Read reviews of different brands of airsoft gun, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of airsoft gun, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

We can distinguish between the types of airguns by the method of propulsion of the plastic pellets:

• Spring-powered: bHere, you have to pull back a spring on the weapon, and release it by pressing on the trigger. You can only fire a single pellet at a time, since you have to pull back the spring each time you want to fire the device. The UTG AccuShot Competition Shadow Ops Sniper Rifle uses a spring-powered propulsion mechanism.

• Electric/Battery-powered: These use rechargeable batteries that run a motor inside the firearm. This can fire both automatic (where one press of the trigger can give a constant stream of bullets) and semi-automatic rounds (where you load the pellets, but must pull the trigger each time to fire a shot). This also includes the electric blowback gun, which has a recoil when you fire it, recreating the workings of a real gun

• Gas-powered: These use a pressurized gas canister to propel the pellets forward. They use a variety of gases: CO2, propane, or HCFC. They also come in automatic and semi-automatic versions. The Colt 100th Anniversary 1911 Full Metal Airsoft Pistol works on CO2 gas canisters.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Realistic: The BBTac Airsoft Pump Action Shotgun got praise for being so realistic: it is made of metal, and the sound it makes when cocking it is like a real shotgun. The same thing was said about the Colt 100th Anniversary Full Metal Airsoft Pistol. (But some are in truth only plastic replicas of real firearms.)

• Heavier pellets go further: It might be counterintuitive, but heavier pellets actually go further and fasters. People suggest using .20g pellets, so that they will not be deflected by air or wind resistance. Lighter pellets also won’t travel as fast: the Soft Air Taurus PT24/7 Spring Powered Pistol only shoots at 315 feet/second when using a .12 g pellet.

• Eye Protection: It is essential that each player use protective goggles or mask that are adequate for airsoft. Since the pellets are plastic, the goggles do not have to be very sturdy--but wearing glasses alone will not be adequate. It is suggested to get the special airsoft goggles, for maximum safety.

• Sights and scopes: Some airsoft guns are provided with sights and scopes just like the real model. For example, the SR01 Marines Airsoft Rifle has a Weaver Rail Mount for attaching sights and a scope. In some models, you can even attach a flashlight or laser pointer.

• Speed of the projectiles: An important factor in buying an airsoft gun is the speed of the pellets that are shot. The slower the speed, the greater the possibility that the pellet will be deflected by the wind. Typically a pistol fires at a speed of 170-350 feet per second, and a rifle fires at 300-400 feet/second. Sniper rifles can reach 500 feet/second.

BBTac--are manufacturers of airsoft BB guns and accessories. They make airsoft pistols, shotguns, rifles, and BBs. They make both electric and spring-operated rifles.

Taurus-- are makers of sports and fitness goods, as well as electronics. In airsoft equipment, they make scope mounts, pistols, carbon dioxide magazines, and more.

U.S. Marines-- were essentially formed in 1775 in Philadelphia, as an American amphibious force that would fight both on sea and on land. They make a variety of airsoft weapons: combat rifles, pistols, grenades, and holsters.

UTG--makes accessories for the shooting sports. They manufacture scope mounts and sights for air rifles and air pistols, as well as airsoft rifles, pistols and shotguns. Their rifles, shotguns, and pistols can be powered by CO2, springs, or electricity.

Colt--was founded by Sam Colt in 1836 in Paterson, New Jersey. The Colt name is renowned for making percussion guns and the revolver, which could fire without having to be reloaded. They produce firearms for the military, law enforcement, commercial, and international markets.