Post by BullDog on May 12, 2013 21:54:23 GMT
The question of "Which gun should I get?" is an age-old one that plagues Airsoft forums everyday. People are uncertain of which gun is "better," and which one they should get, so they create a topic on an Airsoft forum and ask everyone their opinion on the matter. In this topic, I'm going to cover as much as I can with regards to choosing an Airsoft gun, and try to put an end to this nonsense once and for all, so as to stop this plague from infecting this forum anymore.
Below, are all of the things that one should consider when looking for an Airsoft gun.
How the Gun Operates:
When you choose an Airsoft gun, you have to consider the operation system that powers said gun. Do you want a spring, gas, or electrically powered Airsoft gun? Let's go over them, shall we?
Spring Powered Guns
Spring powered Airsoft guns generally are not very popular, with the exception of shotguns, and sniper rifles. The reason for this is that spring powered assault rifles and sub-machine guns are going to be of low quality, and be cheaply made. Not to mention, they are tedious to use, especially against players with AEG's.
Gas Powered Guns
Gas powered airsoft guns are great performers, however they can be very expensive to buy, use, and maintain. This is because the guns themselves can be expensive, as can spare magazines and the gas to power them (usually propane, green gas, or even CO2). Maintenance on a gas powered gun is relatively easy, but can be expensive to handle when a part breaks. They also do not perform as well in certain weather conditions, making them less advantageous to many players.
Electrically Powered Guns (AEG's)
The AEG is by far the most reliable, and popular operating system for an Airsoft gun. They are operated by rechargeable batteries, which power a mechanical gearbox that lies within the gun and is the core of its function. They operate well in any and all weather conditions, and are do not require extensive maintenance. However, when they do require maintenance, they can be very difficult to work on unless you know what you're doing.
The Type of the Gun:
Seeing as there are various different types of Airsoft guns out there, you need to be sure of what you're looking for. Examples of the various types would be assault rifles, heavy & light machine guns, pistols, sub-machine guns, shotguns, and sniper rifles. Let's have a look at each of these in more detail.
Assault Rifles
These are by far the most popular type of Airsoft gun, and for good reason. They are incredibly modular, heavily customizable, and come in a wide variety of different styles (AK-47, G36, M16 / M4, etc).
Heavy & Light Machine Guns
Although not as popular as the assault rifle, a lot of players prefer and use these for the role of a "Support Gunner." They may not be as modular as they are heavier and bulkier than other weapon types, but they make up for that in sheer firepower and BB capacity. They too come in a wide variety of different styles (M-249 SAW, RPK, M-60, etc).
Pistols
Sidearms are very popular, as they are a players second line of defense should their primary weapon fail them. Sidearms are modular, easy to use, and very effective provided you know how to use them well. They too come in a variety of different styles (1911 Colt, USP .45, Beretta M9, etc), but should not be purchased until you have a reliable primary weapon.
Sub-Machine Guns
Second to the assault rifle, sub-machine guns are the next most popular Airsoft gun. They are extremely modular, customizable, compact and lightweight, and easy to use in close quarters situations. Numerous different styles are available (MP5, UMP .45, AK-74U, etc).
Shotguns
Although not as popular as other weapon types, shotguns can be perfect for certain scenarios, including close quarters battle. Most of them are spring powered, however there are a few that are gas powered. These only come in a few different models.
Sniper Rifles
Sniping in Airsoft is very tedious and time consuming, which is why most people don't play this role. However, those that do will find themselves spending a very large amount of money to get their gun to a performance level that will make them an effective sniper. As with all of the other types, there are a wide variety of systems available (L96A1, M-24, Dragunov, Barrett .50 Cal, etc). They also come in spring, gas, or AEG models.
The Role That You Want to Play:
The Airsoft gun that you want might vary depending upon the role that you want to play. The most notable would be Infantrymen / Riflemen, Medics, Sharpshooters / Snipers, and Support Gunners. Let's have a closer look.
Infantrymen / Riflemen
To put it lightly, these are more or less regular soldiers; the first ones in, and usually the last ones out. They generally carry standard assault rifles or sub-machine guns depending on the AO (Area of Operations) such as an open woodlands or inside of an office building (CQB).
Medics
A medic can carry any weapon that they choose to, really. Most will carry the same weapons as an infantryman / rifleman; an assault rifle or a sub-machine gun.
Sharpshooters / Snipers
It should be obvious, but someone playing this role will want to carry a nice sniper rifle, and some sort of a sidearm. Many players will carry a standard pistol as a sidearm, and others will carry a sub-machine gun such as an MP5K.
Support Gunners
Gunners are the ones who lay down suppressive fire; they spray rounds in the direction of the enemy with the sole intention of keeping their heads down long enough to allow their comrades to move to a more advantageous position. They will want to carry either a light or heavy machine gun, and plenty of ammunition.
The Airsoft Gun Itself:
Now that you've covered everything listed above, you have to consider the weapon itself that you're looking at; consider it's internals, it's externals, and everything about the weapon.
Specifications
Take a look at the stock FPS (Feet Per Second) and RoF (Rate of Fire) readings. Do you like what you see, or do you want something with a little more... oomph right out of the box? What about the gearbox version (if it is an AEG)? There are a variety of different versions, 2 & 3 being the most popular. This will be important if you want to upgrade your gun a lot. What about it's effective range, its height, length, and weight? Pay close attention to all of those things, and more.
The Internals
Pay attention to what the internals of the gun are like; try to find, read, and watch reviews of the gun that you're looking at, and make sure it seems to be of sound and reliable performance, with little to no problems regarding the internals. Nothing is worse than buying a gun that has unreliable and fragile internals.
The Externals
Do you like the finish on the gun? Do you like the add-ons that it has on it (stocks, vertical grips, motor grips, rails, iron sights, etc)? Most of these things can be changed, but do you like what you see right out of the box? Do you think it will be a good fit for what you're looking for?
The Customization Options
Most players will want the ability to add things onto their gun at some point, whether it be an optic of some sort, a vertical grip, a flashlight or laser, etc. Does the gun have rail space to add these things, or the option to add a rail if you want one? Can you change the iron sights easily if you'd like to? Pay close attention to how customizable the gun is if you think you're going to want to play around with new accessories.
Finally, Personal Preference
Do you like the gun overall? Is it within your price range? Do you like the look of the gun, its specifications, its customization options, etc? If you don't, then look into a different gun. If you do, then consider other models of the same type before you settle on one; shop around, and make sure that you're getting what you want.
The Price Range:
Consider very carefully how much you're going to be spending on the gun, as well as everything else that you need for the gun, or for other gear in general. You don't want to spend more than you want to, but you definitely don't want to spend too little on your gun, or it won't be of reliable quality. As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn't spend any less than around £90 for an AEG.
If you consider everything that I have said very carefully, and you do your research before you pick a gun, you should have no problem picking something that you will be happy with. take your time, shop around, and try to get to a local field or shop to check out some different Airsoft guns before you settle on one.
Below, are all of the things that one should consider when looking for an Airsoft gun.
How the Gun Operates:
When you choose an Airsoft gun, you have to consider the operation system that powers said gun. Do you want a spring, gas, or electrically powered Airsoft gun? Let's go over them, shall we?
Spring Powered Guns
Spring powered Airsoft guns generally are not very popular, with the exception of shotguns, and sniper rifles. The reason for this is that spring powered assault rifles and sub-machine guns are going to be of low quality, and be cheaply made. Not to mention, they are tedious to use, especially against players with AEG's.
Gas Powered Guns
Gas powered airsoft guns are great performers, however they can be very expensive to buy, use, and maintain. This is because the guns themselves can be expensive, as can spare magazines and the gas to power them (usually propane, green gas, or even CO2). Maintenance on a gas powered gun is relatively easy, but can be expensive to handle when a part breaks. They also do not perform as well in certain weather conditions, making them less advantageous to many players.
Electrically Powered Guns (AEG's)
The AEG is by far the most reliable, and popular operating system for an Airsoft gun. They are operated by rechargeable batteries, which power a mechanical gearbox that lies within the gun and is the core of its function. They operate well in any and all weather conditions, and are do not require extensive maintenance. However, when they do require maintenance, they can be very difficult to work on unless you know what you're doing.
The Type of the Gun:
Seeing as there are various different types of Airsoft guns out there, you need to be sure of what you're looking for. Examples of the various types would be assault rifles, heavy & light machine guns, pistols, sub-machine guns, shotguns, and sniper rifles. Let's have a look at each of these in more detail.
Assault Rifles
These are by far the most popular type of Airsoft gun, and for good reason. They are incredibly modular, heavily customizable, and come in a wide variety of different styles (AK-47, G36, M16 / M4, etc).
Heavy & Light Machine Guns
Although not as popular as the assault rifle, a lot of players prefer and use these for the role of a "Support Gunner." They may not be as modular as they are heavier and bulkier than other weapon types, but they make up for that in sheer firepower and BB capacity. They too come in a wide variety of different styles (M-249 SAW, RPK, M-60, etc).
Pistols
Sidearms are very popular, as they are a players second line of defense should their primary weapon fail them. Sidearms are modular, easy to use, and very effective provided you know how to use them well. They too come in a variety of different styles (1911 Colt, USP .45, Beretta M9, etc), but should not be purchased until you have a reliable primary weapon.
Sub-Machine Guns
Second to the assault rifle, sub-machine guns are the next most popular Airsoft gun. They are extremely modular, customizable, compact and lightweight, and easy to use in close quarters situations. Numerous different styles are available (MP5, UMP .45, AK-74U, etc).
Shotguns
Although not as popular as other weapon types, shotguns can be perfect for certain scenarios, including close quarters battle. Most of them are spring powered, however there are a few that are gas powered. These only come in a few different models.
Sniper Rifles
Sniping in Airsoft is very tedious and time consuming, which is why most people don't play this role. However, those that do will find themselves spending a very large amount of money to get their gun to a performance level that will make them an effective sniper. As with all of the other types, there are a wide variety of systems available (L96A1, M-24, Dragunov, Barrett .50 Cal, etc). They also come in spring, gas, or AEG models.
The Role That You Want to Play:
The Airsoft gun that you want might vary depending upon the role that you want to play. The most notable would be Infantrymen / Riflemen, Medics, Sharpshooters / Snipers, and Support Gunners. Let's have a closer look.
Infantrymen / Riflemen
To put it lightly, these are more or less regular soldiers; the first ones in, and usually the last ones out. They generally carry standard assault rifles or sub-machine guns depending on the AO (Area of Operations) such as an open woodlands or inside of an office building (CQB).
Medics
A medic can carry any weapon that they choose to, really. Most will carry the same weapons as an infantryman / rifleman; an assault rifle or a sub-machine gun.
Sharpshooters / Snipers
It should be obvious, but someone playing this role will want to carry a nice sniper rifle, and some sort of a sidearm. Many players will carry a standard pistol as a sidearm, and others will carry a sub-machine gun such as an MP5K.
Support Gunners
Gunners are the ones who lay down suppressive fire; they spray rounds in the direction of the enemy with the sole intention of keeping their heads down long enough to allow their comrades to move to a more advantageous position. They will want to carry either a light or heavy machine gun, and plenty of ammunition.
The Airsoft Gun Itself:
Now that you've covered everything listed above, you have to consider the weapon itself that you're looking at; consider it's internals, it's externals, and everything about the weapon.
Specifications
Take a look at the stock FPS (Feet Per Second) and RoF (Rate of Fire) readings. Do you like what you see, or do you want something with a little more... oomph right out of the box? What about the gearbox version (if it is an AEG)? There are a variety of different versions, 2 & 3 being the most popular. This will be important if you want to upgrade your gun a lot. What about it's effective range, its height, length, and weight? Pay close attention to all of those things, and more.
The Internals
Pay attention to what the internals of the gun are like; try to find, read, and watch reviews of the gun that you're looking at, and make sure it seems to be of sound and reliable performance, with little to no problems regarding the internals. Nothing is worse than buying a gun that has unreliable and fragile internals.
The Externals
Do you like the finish on the gun? Do you like the add-ons that it has on it (stocks, vertical grips, motor grips, rails, iron sights, etc)? Most of these things can be changed, but do you like what you see right out of the box? Do you think it will be a good fit for what you're looking for?
The Customization Options
Most players will want the ability to add things onto their gun at some point, whether it be an optic of some sort, a vertical grip, a flashlight or laser, etc. Does the gun have rail space to add these things, or the option to add a rail if you want one? Can you change the iron sights easily if you'd like to? Pay close attention to how customizable the gun is if you think you're going to want to play around with new accessories.
Finally, Personal Preference
Do you like the gun overall? Is it within your price range? Do you like the look of the gun, its specifications, its customization options, etc? If you don't, then look into a different gun. If you do, then consider other models of the same type before you settle on one; shop around, and make sure that you're getting what you want.
The Price Range:
Consider very carefully how much you're going to be spending on the gun, as well as everything else that you need for the gun, or for other gear in general. You don't want to spend more than you want to, but you definitely don't want to spend too little on your gun, or it won't be of reliable quality. As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn't spend any less than around £90 for an AEG.
If you consider everything that I have said very carefully, and you do your research before you pick a gun, you should have no problem picking something that you will be happy with. take your time, shop around, and try to get to a local field or shop to check out some different Airsoft guns before you settle on one.
