| For the interested person who is looking to join the | | | | by compressed air that fires the BB. The gas is either |
| exciting and exhilarating fun of the sport of Airsoft, | | | | stored in an onboard cylinder or a gas filled magazine |
| finding an affordable Airsoft gun is not as complicated | | | | that connects to the gun. Some of the more popular |
| as it may seem. Although some of the higher-end guns | | | | styles are the gas blowback guns or commonly called |
| can be expensive, the average newcomer does not | | | | the GBBs. The compressed air that fires the BB also |
| have to spend a small fortune to purchase and enjoy | | | | returns the firing slide to the fire position at the same |
| a quality Airsoft gun. Before the interested buyer | | | | time. This return action creates a realistic "recoil" |
| begins to search for his optimal weapon, an | | | | sensation from which the name blowback is derived. |
| understanding of the different types of guns that are | | | | Reputed to be great fun to play with, the high-end |
| available, and how these guns work can be very | | | | GBB model guns can also cost around several |
| helpful. Generally speaking, Airsoft guns fall into three | | | | hundred dollars. The non-blowback gas guns are less |
| different categories, which are defined by how the | | | | costly and start at around 40 dollars. The last category |
| guns are designed and operate. The more complicated | | | | of guns to look at is the Spring guns, which are also |
| the inner mechanisms that fire the guns, usually the | | | | referred to as the "Springers". Commonly tagged the |
| more expensive they become. The first category we | | | | cheap Airsoft gun, these spring guns were the original |
| will examine is the Automatic Electric Airsoft Gun or | | | | Airsoft models. In order for the gun to fire, a spring |
| what is commonly referred to as the AEG. These | | | | mechanism must be manually cocked back each and |
| electric guns are arguably the most popular guns | | | | every time. Due to their simplistic design, the Springers |
| among veteran Airsoft players. They have given the | | | | are the most inexpensive and cost effective Airsoft |
| sport its greatest appeal and are singularly responsible | | | | guns. These guns are recommended as perhaps the |
| for its explosive growth around the world. The AEG | | | | best for entry-level players. Most players at some |
| has an electric motor that is powered by an onboard | | | | point have owned one of these models, which can be |
| battery. The motor turns the gears inside the gun, | | | | purchased for as little as 20 dollars. In an effort to find |
| which in turn causes a piston to compress and release. | | | | a cheap Airsoft gun the shopper must keep in mind |
| The piston creates a blast of air that propels a 6mm | | | | the value for the money. Even though one can |
| plastic BB through the barrel of the gun. This fully | | | | purchase a gun for around 20 dollars, this does not |
| automated system gives these guns the exciting | | | | mean that the gun is cheap in quality. A well made 20 |
| rapid-fire feature that makes them so popular. These | | | | dollar Springer can be a great value for the money, |
| guns also tend to be the most expensive of the | | | | just as a two hundred dollar AEG can be a great |
| Airsoft gun family, usually costing around several | | | | value as well. Usually no matter the price, buying a gun |
| hundred dollars. The next group of guns to look at is | | | | from a well-established Airsoft manufacturer is |
| the Gas Powered Airsoft guns. These guns operate | | | | important and worth the investment. |