| Airsoft guns are not classified as "real" | | | | |
| guns, because they are 1:1 replicas of actual | | | | Pressurized gases like propane and HFC134a |
| firearms. They are usually made of plastic or | | | | refrigerant are commonly used to propel BBs |
| metal that propel plastic pellets known as | | | | by gas-powered guns. Carbon dioxide and |
| BBs, using compressed air. A BB may be 5-8 mm | | | | nitrogen may also be used aren't as popular. |
| round or spherical pellet weighs110-600 | | | | Advantages to gas powered guns include |
| milligrams. Though an airsoft gun may not be | | | | adjustable velocities and blowback features. |
| real, its design and functional mechanism can | | | | Onboard or magazine stored gas storage |
| be very similar to its counterpart. | | | | systems are used in gas blowback guns or |
| | | | GBBs, using the same compressed air that |
| There are three main types of airsoft guns - | | | | propels the pellet to pull back the slide. |
| spring powered, gas powered, and | | | | Hence, this feature in BBGs makes them |
| electric-powered (or automatic electric | | | | capable of automatic or semi-automatic fire. |
| guns). Spring powered guns differ from the | | | | |
| other two, because they cannot be automatic | | | | Originally developed in Japan during the late |
| or semi-automatic. They are spring-cocked, | | | | 1990s, an automatic electric gun uses |
| meaning that the user has to cock the spring | | | | electrical power from an onboard battery to |
| by pulling back the slide or bolt before | | | | drive a motor that turns gears inside the gun |
| firing each shot. Spring powered airsoft guns | | | | to compress and release a piston. This piston |
| are inexpensive and readily available. Though | | | | creates a blast of air that propels the BB. |
| they may not be very suitable for close | | | | These airsoft guns are capable of firing |
| combat competitions, they are widely used for | | | | 600-900 rounds per minute. AEGs are widely |
| "sniper" and "marksman" functions. | | | | used in competitions today. |