Author: Dave

Should you buy a used airsoft gun?

 

This is a question that has plagued BB Warriors on a budget since the inception of airsoft. Should you save some cash and lose a little value to get what you believe is a nicer gun? What about the opposite? What do you consider when it’s time to sell your used gun?

 

We’re going to try and answer those questions today. If you understand how to value an airsoft gun, you can get a better idea of what the used guns you are buying are really worth. It may help you determine if it’s even the right call to buy used instead of brand new!

 

How to Value Your Used Gun For Sale

This is a difficult task for many people on the market, and you can actually use most of these techniques as a buyer to determine if something is a good deal or not. We believe this gets broken down into a couple of simple techniques:

• Research Your Gun
• Price Out a Brand New One
• Determine value-added accessories
• Determine value-reduced usage/tech work
• evaluate your personal value of the gun

It sounds like a lot to take in, but really it is a simple process. Firstly, research the gun’s brand new status. Learn everything about it from stats to performance to included accessories. This will all help you later. During this process, take note of the price of a brand new one. Make sure to factor in retailer coupons, special deals and any other cost saving measures. The goal here is to compare the lowest possible price of a brand new gun, to the price of this used one you intend to set. Ideally, you’ll price your gun at 60-70% of the lowest brand new price for a similar quality used rifle with minimal use.

Once you have the price set for the base gun, you can plus up the value a little bit for added accessories and included materials. It shouldn’t ever really eclipse the price of the new gun, unless it’s a ton of stuff though. Extra magazines, red dot sights and any other included items can help increase value. The same is also true in reverse though. If the gun is missing parts, or has been opened for work by anyone who is not a verified technician with good reputation, it often damages the perceived value of the gun for the buyer. These are all things you should keep in mind.

Lastly, you need to factor in your personal value of the gun. This is more to determine if it is worthwhile for you to sell, but is not something you should use to gauge increased price. To be blunt, your buyer doesn’t care what YOU think the gun is worth, but what THEY think it is worth to them. You have to keep this in mind and be reasonable when pricing out and negotiating a sale.

 

 

Where Can You Sell Your Gun?

In today’s modern age, selling anything even remotely shaped like a gun is taboo. This means airsoft guns are against policy to sell on sites like Craigslist, and Facebook, as well as other social media sites. So where can you go to sell your used gun now that you’ve priced it? Where do you look for used guns to buy? There are a few places:

• Swap Meets at your local fields or GI Walk In stores
• HopUpp App
• Airsoft Marketplace on Reddit
• Various Discords for Airsoft

You actually have a lot of options, but they are definitely much more “underground” than they are mainstream, save for the first option. With any of these tools, you always want to be cognizant as a buyer of getting ripped off. This is especially true with online interactions and whenever possible ask for vouches and do your due diligence to not get scammed.

 

So Is Buying Used Worth It?

It’s not as viable as you may think. While there are definitely good deals to be had, and sometimes if you want a new project gun this can be a good cost saving measure to engage in, on the whole it’s not worth the effort. For the vast majority of airsofters, if you are an avid discount hunter you can often score a new gun for close to or the same price as some used guns.

Compare the listings you see on the HopUp app for yourself and see just how little you really are saving when you factor in the price of shipping a used gun. We often offer free shipping or steep discounts on many of the same products, only ours are brand new.

That begs the question then: When is buying used worth it?

The best deals when buying used, beyond obviously low pricing, is when you’re getting a lot of extras for your money. If you can get a lower price, but a buyer can throw in a box of magazines, batteries, and some accessories you have yourself a good deal. If it’s just a beat up gun of questionable condition and you’re only getting a menial discount, just buy brand new, and thank yourself for it later.

 

Hopefully that clears up some of the confusion about buying used. If you’d like to peruse our brand new guns at all time low prices, click HERE.

 

 

So You Want To Buy An M4…

M4 rifles are the most common rifle in the world of airsoft! There’s a reason why so many people own these rifles and compare them to other models. When you are just starting out, the M4 can be one of the best models in the business for reliability and performance while maintaining a reasonable price point. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite M4 style rifles under $200 for all of you just starting  out!

 

Apex Fast Attack Series

 

The Apex Fast Attack Series is one of the most affordable guns on this list. Starting with the CQBR at $100 and the full length at $110 on sale, these guns pack a punch without punching your wallet. They all roll on the higher side of the FPS spectrum so they are definitely built for outdoor. With a spring change, Apex rifles can handle indoor without issue. They feature reliable performance, and quality polymer externals. They do not include a battery or charger (unless you get the Airsoft GI Combo) but at such a low price you can afford to pick up another option if you wish. These guns are perfect for new players, because they are a blank slate for customized builds! You can even snag one under two bills in this great starter kit!

 

Apex Full Metal Series

Now, most of the full metal apex guns screech just past $200, but this specific one, the Fast Attack 702, manages to make the cut. It features all of the same great performance found in the polymer body version, however, it all fits in a metal body. The included Keymod handguard means it will be easy to customize to your needs. This durable package is a can’t miss deal on the Airsoft GI website.

 

Lancer Tactical Gen 2 M4’s

 

The Lancer Tactical Gen 2 M4 rifles are another amazing option for beginner players. They are a polymer construction rifle that is available in a multitude of styles. They often include a battery, charger and some bb’s to get you started as wel. If you’re worried about performance, don’t be. The Lancer Gen 2 M4 is a stout gun capable of keeping up with the high end guns in performance. You won’t be left out in the open out ranged by your competition with these wonderful blasters.

 

Classic Army Skirmish Mk18

The Classic Army Skirmish Mk18 rounds out our collection of awesome beginner M4’s under $200. This gun puts out insane range and accuracy, with a stylish modern profile fit for upgrading with accessories. This gun will take almost any part you want to add on down the road, whether it’s lights and lasers, sights, or an M203 grenade launcher! Add a suppressor to the threaded flash hider if you want to complete the look! Much like the lancer gen 2, this rifle is a stalwart performer more than capable of hitting the long range shots.

 

These aren’t even all of them!

While these are our top picks, there are so many great guns available on Airsoft GI for you to browse. Use these as a guide, and find the rifle that’s a perfect fit for you! We’ve even got a guide on how to figure that out too! Just click HERE!

 

 

 

Which gun reigns supreme?

The two most common rifles on the airsoft field are the M4 / AR15 or the AK style. Without a doubt, you’ve seen the comments on at least one airsoft video on youtube where someone proclaims “Oh no! Not another M4” and the AK is beginning to get the same treatment. Is one of these really superior? Does one of these clearly make for a better rifle? Let’s dive in to what makes each of these guns great and break it down!

 

The American Standard: The M4

The M4 rifle is a descendant of the Ar15 family of rifles, and a more compact version of the military standard for many years, the M16. It features a 14.5″ barrel, a collapsing buttstock, and modern variants can be equipped with all manner of grips, accessories, rail systems and other accessories. This rifle is so popular, that it saw foreign militaries pick it up in conflicts overseas when their rifles failed to meet the combat standard. In fact, modern variants of the M4, such as the 416 are seen in use by many units world wide, including the SEALS, GROM, French Army, SAS and many others!

The airsoft version typically features a version 2 gearbox, which makes it the most parts-standard rifle on the market. It features many of the same aesthetics and accessory compatibility options as the real thing. It is widely regarded as one of the most customizable rifles in the business, and with good reason. There is a reason you see so many people with M4’s on the field, because everyone wants to be the good guy! Along with the style, many players want the robust parts options and rugged dependability most M4 models are known for.

These factors congeal into a model that has cornered the airsoft market in it’s popularity. Almost every manufacturer makes an M4 of some kind, and many even branch out from military styles to crazy competition style or outright outlandish guns designed to market a hypebeast appeal or make you feel a certain kind of way on looks alone. The AK may be a popular choice, but is it even in the same league?

 

The Right Arm of the Soviet World: The AK

The AK was designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov as an improvement over the semi-automatic rifles he saw in use by the Nazis in WW2. It’s commonly depicted with wood furniture, a full stock and a complete lack of accessory options, but modern variants designed since his original was first manufactured have addressed this. Nowadays the AK is just as customizable as the AR15, though parts can be a little harder to come by if you don’t know where to look. The AK, much like it’s American counterpart, can come in all shapes, sizes and calibers, making it adaptable to any mission.

The Airsoft version features a version 3 gearbox, which shares many parts compatibility options with a V2, and in some ways even improves on the design. A mounted motor cage makes controlling your motor height and angle a breeze, while some other minor improvements make disassembly and re-assembly  a bit easier as well. The hop up chamber is the biggest change from an AR rifle on the inside, using a slider most of the time, where an AR style typically uses a rotary hop up.

These facets combine into a rifle that can be as rugged and simple on the outside as the inside, but the converse is also true. AKs can be just as complex with microswitches, mosfets and high performance parts on the inside, while smothered in MLOK, Keymod, or 1913 rail on the outside. Every gun is as unique as the player who owns it.

 

 

So which one is better?

 

Which one is the better rifle? Can the AR’s american sensibilities trump the more difficult customization of the AK? Will the AK’s internal ease of upgrades trump the older design of a version 2 gearbox? Does one have an ergonomic benefit over the other?

The answer to this question is honestly personal. You have to look at the pros and cons of each. Hold each one and see what makes you feel like an absolute badass when you shoulder it. The options are endless on both sides of the spectrum, and personal preference is going to be the primary decided.

But if you’re curious which way I’d go….

 

Just get a bull-pup. Everyone knows it’s the way of the future.

 

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Want to browse our selection? Click HERE

Hello Again Airsofters! We here at Airsoft GI working on a new format for answering some of the most popular beginner questions in the airsoft industry, as scrounged up by all kinds of AI and fancy computer technology!

This time, we’re centering on questions starting with the word “How” in relation to airsoft. We’ve scrolled through a few different internet databases that tell us what new and curious airsofters are asking on the internet, compiled them here into our top eight favorites, and we’re going to answer them for you today! Let’s get into it!

How many types of airsoft guns are there?

 

The short answer is countless. There are innumerable makes , models, and styles of gun out there. To quantify this a bit more simply, there are three primary modes of delivering power to an airsoft bb, however. These are Spring, Electric, and Gas, with gas containing a few subsets as well. Within the category of gas guns, you have CO2 powered, Green Gas, and High Pressure Air as your primary sources of the “gas” in either blowback or non-blowback styles. These can fit a variety of roles, quality levels, and aesthetic styles based on your preferences, and quality varies, with no one specific style being better than another without comparing specific guns.

 

How do Airsoft guns work?

 

Airsoft guns work by using the concept of air or gas compression to deliver force to a bb, that is then spun by a hop –up bucking to rotate the bb and generate lift so that it can attain distances otherwise impossible to hit. Different power styles do this is different ways, by using compressed green gas or CO2, or by generating their own compression via a piston either racked by hand or by a motor and gears powered by electricity. Some guns can even use the power of high pressure air and a solenoid, similar to how a paintball gun functions.

 

How do electric and gas airsoft guns differ?

The primary difference is in the way that they deliver power to the BB. An electric gun utilizes a simple linkage of gears and a motor powered by your battery to pull a piston back. That piston is under load from the main spring, which pushes the piston back forward when the piston is released, generating compression inside the cylinder, which forces the BB down the barrel.

Gas guns utilize a compressed gas, instead of a spring piston to propel the BB down the barrel. This is release via a series of valves, hit by a knocker when the trigger is pulled, similar to how a trigger on a firearm activates a firing pin to strike a primer, but without all of the combustion.

How to improve your airsoft gun accuracy?

 

Improving accuracy is a complex question, as many parts of your airsoft gun play into accuracy.

 

The first step is making sure you have a steady and reliable FPS reading. Making sure you have no air leaks in your gearbox and internal components means you can more finely tune your hop up for a given weight of bb. This is a good time to make sure you have the right air volume in your barrel, and there are plenty of tools on the internet that make the math behind this simple and easy.

 

Step two involves using proper high quality, heavy weight bb’s (we recommend .28g to start) as heavier BBs can carry their force longer, and make better use of the hop-up’s rotational forces to stabilize in flight, leading to more accuracy.

 

Step three is all about taking a look at the components of your gun and improving individual parts. A tight bore barrel can increase accuracy in your airsoft gun by tightly focusing air behind the bb, while a hop up bucking could help impart better spin via a longer contact patch or different hardness of the rubber.

 

Utilizing any one of these methods can help, and heavier bb’s are a good inexpensive first step before you dive into the internal parts, but finely combing through all three steps will lead to the best results. Each of these topics is honestly worth a blog article in and of itself though, as there is a lot to unpack that we will cover in a later post.

How to get started in Airsoft?

Getting started is easy. Find a local field (by using a site like Airsoft C3 or Google) to locate one near you. If they have options for rental equipment, show up and rent a gun. It’s that easy.

 

If you need to buy your own gear to play, because local fields don’t exist or you’re not ready for that yet, we recommend one of these starter kits. Then call your friends up, get them to buy in, and start blasting each other!

 

How do airsoft spring guns work?

 

Spring guns work on the same principle of compression as other guns, however instead of using compressed gas, or using gears to pull a piston, you are locking the piston rearward via your own strength by pulling a bolt or operating rod to charge the gun. Pulling the trigger releases the piston, allowing air to compress between the piston head and the bb, and propel it out of the barrel.

 

How long do CO2 powered airsoft guns usually last?

 

CO2 powered airsoft guns can last different lengths depending on the quality. Some non-blowback or partial blowback guns can last six months to a year, or less if not properly cared for, while a high quality CO2 blowback pistol like this M9 can last for years and years if you take care of it, and take the time to keep it clean and lubricated.

 

How to tell what gun an airsoft gun is based on?

 

This question was awfully vague, so we’ll answer it in a few different ways.

If you want to know what an airsoft gun’s counterpart is, often times you can tell simply by looks, especially if you have any familiarity with firearms from the real world. Many firearms shapes are quite iconic and it can be pretty easy to pick out the similarities. Some guns even used licensed appearances, such as this Glock or this MP5.

 

If you want to know how a gun is powered, often times it is listed in the description of the product on our website. It will tell you if it is spring, gas, or electric powered, and the type of performance you can expect.

Hopefully, this has answered some of the more burning questions of the airsoft hive mind. Did you find this article helpful? Reach out to us on social media, and let us know what your questions are so we can answer them in our next Top 8!

We have a very close relationship with our replica guns as Airsofters. It’s the primary implement we use to interact with each other in the game of airsoft. We get shot by them and shoot each other with them. We shoot targets with them. That’s why buying a good one is such an important part of the airsoft experience. While skill will almost always trump performance, there are gaps that having a good gun can lessen, especially while you are still learning the ropes. We here at Airsoft GI have put together a great list below of our favorite guns for 2019.

What’s in an Airsoft Gun?

What’s in a gun often comes down to what type of system it’s powered by. Whether you have a gas blow back rifle (GBBR) or an automatic electric gun (AEG) or a new pistol, the systems that power them are all pretty unique. They vary as much as the real steel counterparts they are based on.

What’s most important in each case though, is getting the highest quality parts you possibly can inside your new BB Blaster. With Gas Blow Back rifles and pistols, that means that steel parts are the Holy Grail of internal components. While many of the options on the market do not include these parts stock, getting as close as you can is the goal. AEGs are all about metal gearboxes, MOSFETS and neodymium magnet motors; as many of these as you can squeeze into your system is ideal.

Quality over Quantity: Why This Is Important

While it’s always important to buy quality guns, it is especially important when you first start out. It becomes imperative that you get something that is going to last. Nothing will kill your good time faster than a jammed BB or a stripped piston. Nothing makes a game more frustrating than when you keep getting shot before your plastic gearbox blaster is even in range of hitting another player. Always make sure you get a gun with metal gears, and if the externals are plastic and not metal, try to get something made of a durable polymer and not a cheap ABS plastic.

Things to look out for

Here are some stats to keep an eye on as you shop for your gun so you know you are getting a quality piece of kit.

Body Style

Arguably this is the first place you should start looking when browsing for an airsoft gun. What is the aesthetic style you’d like to use? Whether you want to go M4 or AK or do something a bit left of the normal trends like a bull pup or a sub machine gun style, you have to make that decision first. This will inform what expectations you can have of the guns as you look at the other stats we have listed below.

Be mindful of where you are planning to play, as shorter guns can dominate in CQB, but longer guns tend to have better opportunity to be accurate over distances seen in outdoor arenas. Think about size and looks as well. Is this gun going to be too large for you? Can you reach all of the controls? If you are left handed, does it accommodate your needs? You should have all of these things in the back of your mind before proceeding.

 

FPS

This is one of the primary statistics used to gauge the usage and performance of an airsoft gun. While there is no “best” FPS for all styles of play, it can be one of the first indicators that a gun is going to meet your play style. FPS determines how fast a BB can get from point A to point B and often is the chief statistic when determining how much a gun hurts, or how likely a player is to feel the hit. There are other factors that play into performance we’ll discuss below, but this one is a big one and shouldn’t be ignored.

Rate of Fire

Often times, airsoft guns will denote their rate of fire with a Rounds-Per-Second rating (or RPS) to show case how quickly you can dispense rounds in full-auto on a select fire airsoft gun. This shows you how quickly you can spray and pray to your hearts content, and guns built for a higher rate of fire are often built to withstand the abuse. Parts to look for here to see if a gun can put out high RPS are: High speed gears, High speed or very High torque motors, Low FPS builds.

Accuracy

While most places can’t tell you exactly how accurate a gun is, due to the many environmental factors that contribute to an accurate shot outside of the rifle’s construction, there are definitely parts to keep an eye out for. These parts include: Barrel style or rotary hop-ups, tight bore barrels, and upgraded hop up buckings. All of these parts determine how accurate your gun can be over extreme distances, and many of these are becoming things manufacturers include stock instead of expecting you to upgrade after you buy.

Tighter barrels focus air more tightly behind the bb, allowing for more stable flight. Better hop up units and buckings allow for more finite adjustment and spin on the BB, allowing you to perfectly tune your hop up to the different weights of BB you might be shooting at any given game. Just remember to actually adjust the hop up properly, it doesn’t do you any good if it’s set wrong.

MOSFETS and Electronic Control Systems

Some guns now even include extra features through the use of a MOSFET or Electronic Control System (sometimes called an ECS or ECU). These are a fantastic addition to a gun, as they can regulate your electrical components for safe usage of higher powered batteries, such as 11.1v LIPOS or give you more options for select fire. Want to turn your full auto mode into a three-round burst? A gun with an ECS usually has that option. Want to push the limits of your rate of fire with huge batteries? A MOSFET unit is a must have for high cycle rate setups.

Rail Systems and Included accessories

This plays a bigger part in the “looking cool” category than performance, but it’s an important thing to consider when buying a gun. Can you attach the types of accessories you want to add? Does you gun accommodate a scope or red dot? Can you bolt on that cool laser, flashlight or foregrip?

Many styles exist here, and for airsoft purposes, none are really better or worse, but offer different options for customization. Make sure the one you get is made of a sturdy material like metal or polymer, and that you familiarize yourself with what accessories are on offer. Platforms include standard picatinny which fits most accessories, and then Keymod and MLOK which are two different modular systems that allow you to save weight. These systems can utilize an adapter to attach older picatinny accessories, while also allowing for direct mounting of accessories made for their specific systems.

AIRSOFT GI PICKS FOR TOP 2019 AIRSOFT GUNS

Now you have our criteria we use to measure the quality of a gun. Here’s our short-list of notable stand out airsoft guns for 2019. These guns cover a wide range of needs, and give the best value for your dollar, even if that price tag is a bit higher than some people may want to spend up front. These guns will make sure that you get your money’s worth.

Classic Army Nemesis GEN2 MK18 M4 Carbine AEG

The Nemesis Mk18 by Classic Army easily landed the top M4 of 2019 for us! It is feature rich, with an ECS system to allow for programmability and one of the fastest stock triggers in an AEG. The Mk18 also contains all of the performance parts we look for in an electric rifle. This MILSIM ready blaster has the rotary hop up with a great bucking and tight bore barrel for accuracy while also rocking a torque motor for maximum trigger response. It’s a great mid-length rifle that can handle close quarters or long range, it all just depends on how you set it up.

This gun sells for $319.99 and you can snag it here!

Elite Force GLOCK 17 Gen 3 CO2 Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol

The Glock 17 from Elite Force is an Airsoft Unicorn. It is available in a Green Gas model and now covers two different generations of the pistol as well. These stalwart performers are perfect for players who want a reliable, performance minded pistol with simple controls that is going to work every time you pull the trigger. Coupled that with proper holster compatibility between the airsoft model and the real deal, and you have an option for game play and training that can’t be beat.

This gun retails for $169.95 and you can snag it here!

Elite Force H&K MP5-A5 GEN2 AEG Airsoft SMG by VFC

The VFC Avalon system has been around for a little bit now, but it’s newest entry comes in the form of an H&K licensed MP5. These compact submachine guns took the stage for us as one of the best new sub-guns of 2019. It features everything that makes an Avalon model great, including a wonderful MOSFET for the most battery options and the same stellar performance the Avalon M4’s are already legendary for. High end metal externals seal the deal. If you want a compact CQB blaster, this is a must purchase gun.

This gun retails for $349.95 and you can snag it here!

Modify M24 USR150 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle

It’s hard to find a great out of the box sniper rifle. Often times, you’ll end up paying more than you should for a base gun, only to double or triple your expenses on upgrades. The Modify USR150 bucks that trend by being a 100% battle ready rifle out of the box. Simply add a scope and start hunting. This gun clocks in around a whopping 500 FPS which is perfect for most outdoor needs and has an easy to use bolt action system. Skip the headache and pick one of these up if the sniper life is calling your name.

This gun retails for $484.95 and you can snag it here!

LCT Airsoft AK74 AEG Airsoft Rifle

If we’re doing a top guns list, we have to include an AK. The LCT AK has been one of the best platforms for RUSFOR guys for a while now, and that didn’t change in 2019. The LCT AK74 features a full metal receiver, real wood stock and handguard and the kind of performance you expect of a rifle in this price range. 380-390 FPS out of the box means it’s a standout for outdoor play, and as you start to beat up the authentic furniture, the wear only adds to the aesthetic over time, meaning it gets better looking where most guns start to look ragged and busted.

This gun retails for $326 and you can snag it here!

KLI 1911 Baba Yaga Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol

We wanted to include a classic style of pistol on this list and the Baba Yaga by KLI is a new take on classic style. It comes in options for either CO2 or Green Gas and features metal construction and TM compatible parts. With this style of handgun, being able to customize the components for how you play is essential. A textured grip ensures you won’t drop the gun as you get a little sweaty playing airsoft, and the flared magwell makes magazine changes a breeze. Couple that with easy to use sights and top of the line performance this pistol is a real winner.

This pistol is $134.99 for the green gas version. Get yours here!

Get out and Play.

These guns all give you the best possible value for your dollar. While other guns meet these criteria, these are some of the big hits for us here at GI. They meet and exceed the standards for what we include in our own collections, and you’ll find one, if not multiple of these in the collections of almost every staff member at Airsoft GI. The most important thing is that you get out and play. Pick the gun that fits you best, head out to your local field, and start playing Airsoft!

Want to pick up one of these guns for yourself? You can find all of these and SO MUCH MORE at Airsoft GI!

 

Want to see some other top picks? Try this article.