Airsoft machine gun Cyma RK-47 CM042 (6 mm, Kalashnikov)

Even those who do not understand weapons at all have heard about the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifles (AKs). Therefore, AK is most often chosen for airsoft by beginners. Moreover, it is a proven solution for experienced players.

In general, machine guns are lightweight and long-range; since the advent of airsoft, they have been known as universal weapons for playing outdoors and indoors. As for Kalashnikov assault rifles specifically, they have become a symbol of Russian weapons and national pride. Therefore, it is not surprising that AK rifles are offered in every airsoft gun store.

All developed models of these weapons were implemented in airsoft. The SWA online store offers inexpensive purchase of airsoft AK of the following models: 47, 74, 74M, 12, 105, 103 and others. Here you will also find consumables and add-ons.

Airsoft guns of the GBB system

Sooner or later, any active airsoft player encounters gas airsoft weapons. Most often they are gas pistols, which most airsoft players purchase as a backup weapon. Most people who use AEG drives in conjunction with gas pistols explain their choice by the fact that the performance of the pistol is somehow lower than the main weapon and, when choosing a secondary weapon, they focus on the surroundings.

The thesis that says that gas airsoft weapons are much more like combat models can be heard quite often. But it is much less common to find players who actually use only gas weapons. Why does this discrepancy occur? There are several reasons for this explanation, and in this article we will explain in detail what an airsoft GBB weapon is and what its main pros and cons are.

How GBB pistols and rifles differ from AEG

And so, the abbreviation GBB stands for Gas Blow Back. Not all prototype airsoft gas weapons fall into this category, since the GBB not only uses gas as the main power source, but also partially replicates the operation of a combat prototype weapon. The concept of blowback means that when firing from a weapon of this system, it is always necessary to cock the bolt. With 90% of gas weapons, you will also be able to see their operation during firing.

As mentioned earlier, the main power source for such weapons is gas, which can be of 2 different types: CO2 and Green gas. The first type (CO2) is familiar to most people who have ever used an air rifle. It comes in small cans weighing 12 grams.

The second type of gas (Green gas) is slightly less common than CO2. In contrast, green gas is supplied in bottles with a volume of 0.5 liters or more. This gas produces slightly less energy when firing, but at the same time wears out the structure of the weapon less due to the silicone additives it contains.

Among airsoft players, one can often observe a debate about which gas is better suited for shooting. It is quite difficult to come to a consensus on this issue. Both sides always agree on one thing: the GBB operating system copies combat models much more accurately than the AEG drive.

Why do so few airsoft players use full-size GBB rifles?

Here we return to the question and take a closer look. There are several reasons for this. The first and most obvious are the climatic conditions of our country. The fact is that stable operation of any gas weapon is possible only at a temperature of about +15 degrees. This is the reason why practically unused pistols are more popular than rifles.

The second completely objective reason is the price of any GBB rifles. Due to their replica nature and more expensive production system, gas weapons usually cost 2 or 3 times more than AEG system drives. From this we can conclude that GBB weapons can be purchased either by fans or people who already have an AEG drive.

Which is better: gas-cylinder CO2 airsoft or AEG and GBB drives?

But are gas samples as ineffective as they are said to be? Not at all. Due to their operating system, gas weapons are often far superior to electric ones in terms of shooting accuracy and initial ball flight speed, and some samples are already sold reinforced. This type of weapon is completely unpretentious for use in water. In the case of a wedge, this sample can be quickly disassembled and problems can be fixed without interrupting the game.

Most often, the disassembly of a GBB weapon largely copies the disassembly of the original model, which is also an extremely interesting detail. Gas weapons are obviously inferior to electric weapons in terms of rate of fire, but they have confidently occupied their own niche.

Most players who use GBB weapons are involved in modeling and reconstruction. And since the rate of fire in games like Milsim only allows you to quickly use up your already limited ammunition, GBB is an extremely attractive choice for players of these types. In any case, the choice of weapon system is an individual decision for each player.

Features of GBB rifles and pistols

Looking inside the GBB system samples, you can often clearly see the model of their operation. In GBB rifles and pistols there is always a firing pin, which is precisely cocked with each movement of the bolt. The system resembles a combat system, only in this case the bolt of the weapon is retracted not thanks to powder gases, but to the gas contained inside a special cylinder. Most often, this container is located inside the weapon magazine.

The firing pin in a GBB weapon does not serve to pierce the gas valve of the weapon's magazine, which releases the required amount of gas to fire and, in some cases, to recock the bolt.

Airsoft drive and its features

The key feature of this type of weapon is that the vast majority of airsoft drives have the ability to fire automatically; the rate of fire varies over a fairly wide range, and depends on the type of drive and the motor, piston and other parts used in it. On average, an airsoft machine fires about 8-15 rounds per second, machine guns fire at a higher rate of fire. By the way, there are also sniper rifles powered by an electric drive, and although they, as a rule, do not have the ability to fire automatically, the rate of fire is quite good - you do not need to waste time manually cocking the weapon, you just need to press the trigger steadily.

The airsoft drive is powered by batteries, which also differ in physical dimensions, operating voltage, capacity and type. In general, airsoft batteries are a rather large topic that deserves a separate article; in short, the most common type is a LiPo battery because has acceptable parameters and an average price. If the drive comes with a battery, then it is most likely NiMh, and it is unlikely to be enough for normal gaming - at best, a couple of hours of not very active shooting.

Speaking of life time and the number of shots from one battery - a very rough calculation formula is 1mah is approximately equal to 1-2 shots, i.e. An 1800 mah battery will last you about 2000 shots, plus or minus 200-300 balls. We will not dwell in detail on airsoft batteries in this article, but if you want more details, then for example, you can read about nickel batteries.

For all its attractiveness, the AEG weapon is not without its drawbacks. The possibility of automatic fire comes at the cost of increasing the complexity of the weapon, and accordingly increasing the costs of its purchase and maintenance. Another disadvantage that is inherent in any electronics is the fear of water, as well as the rapid discharge of batteries during cold periods.

Regarding prices for airsoft drives, they are scattered over a fairly wide range. There are well-known brands that produce very high-quality airsoft weapons with excellent characteristics - for example, E&L, Tokyo Marui.

And there are brands that are focused on the middle and lower price segment, but despite the pricing policy, they try not to lower the quality bar below the plinth. Such economy class airsoft brands include, for example, the well-known Chinese company Cyma. There are also very sad companies from China that make drives for pennies, but such weapons literally fall apart before our eyes. Of course, for a beginner there is no particular point in chasing a super cool and sophisticated machine gun, and it is logical to opt for the same Cyma - it is quite possible to buy an airsoft machine from them for 7-8 thousand rubles.

Review of airsoft weapons for beginners

Airsoft weapons are distinguished by their perfect imitation of a real combat arsenal. These are not futuristic paintball units that shoot colorful balls. Airsoft weapons even copy in detail the machine guns and pistols in service in different countries of the world.

In this article, we have prepared an overview of the types of airsoft weapons and examined the most popular models. In order to orient the reader in the price range, we have given the minimum prices of the most profitable online store based in Hong Kong (China). From other sellers, including in Russia, similar products can be purchased at 2-5 times more expensive.

Advantages of electric drive

Airsoft machines of the AK series are also sold with a mechanical drive, but the electric one fully reveals all the properties of the weapon. Electro-pneumatic drives can be purchased at any site; they are compatible with all common models of AK airsoft machines.

The electro-pneumatic drive has some weaknesses, namely the inability to hold a charge for a long time at high humidity and low temperature. But this disadvantage is not absolute, and it is outweighed by the following advantages:

Reduced weight: improves player mobility and gives the weapon the necessary maneuverability.

Pros of the upgrade: by increasing the battery capacity and voltage, the charge will last as long as you want.

The electric drive is an additional expense, but it will be more than paid for by the victories that the improved weapon will give you! In the SWA online store you will find your version of an AK assault rifle with electric drive.

Contact us if you love airsoft! We have been passionate about this game for a long time and seriously, so we will be happy to help a beginner choose a weapon and treat an experienced player with sincere understanding. We love the world of airsoft and will help you become a part of it!

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Spring-pneumatic springs

The basic type of weapon in airsoft is spring. In this segment you can find the most inexpensive models. The operating principle is simple. A person cocks the spring - using a bolt (on rifles), a special handle (on shotguns) or a slider (on pistols). When the trigger is pulled, the spring is released and its energy forces the ball out of the barrel. This energy is enough to impart a speed of 120 to 210 m/s.

Features of spring springs:

• for each shot you need to cock the spring;
• less powerful than gas ones;
• more powerful than electric pneumatics;
• able to work at any temperature;
• easy to repair;
• do not require additional costs.

It would be wrong to think that spring guns are only suitable for airsoft beginners. Spring devices can be very good and often correspond in price to electro-pneumatic drives. Or, for example, sniper rifles with an optical sight, which do not require automatic shooting, operating on a spring mechanism are the best option.

Operating principle

Let’s immediately determine that an airsoft weapon is a soft pneumatic weapon. It operates on the general principle - bullets fly out of the barrel under air pressure accumulated in the cylinder. The bullets are balls of different diameters and masses (from 0.12 to 0.43 g). The starting speed of the bullet is from 80 to 200 meters per second (depending on the type of weapon and model). However, game participants often agree not to use drives with a shot speed of more than 120 m/s, since this can be dangerous to health - although such a bullet will not kill, it can cause serious injuries.

Types of weapons

All products available on the market can be divided into three classes - electric, spring and gas - depending on how the airsoft weapon shoots.

Electropneumatics are the most popular and are represented by all models, from pistols to machine guns. Its structure includes a battery, a motor and a gearbox (it contains springs, pistons, gears and a cylinder). The engine drives the gears, which in turn drive a spring that pulls back the piston. One of the advantages of such weapons is the ability to fire bursts from them.

Weapons on springs (spring) are the most elementary in structure. The mechanism is represented by a piston, a cocking mechanism and a spring. The spring is manually cocked - it retracts the piston and ensures air injection into the cylinder. It will not be possible to shoot back in bursts with this type of weapon. On the other hand, in return you will receive reliability and power of the shot, and therefore sniper rifles are often made according to this design.

Electro-pneumatic weapons

The principle of operation is the same as that of springs - pneumatic. With the difference that the spring is cocked not by the shooter’s hand, but by an electric motor, which is powered by a battery. This makes automatic burst fire possible - for which electropneumatics are valued.

Automatic (AEG)

Automatic electric guns (AEG) are the most used in airsoft. In Russian, the word “drive” is traditionally used to designate these machines. The drives make it possible to fire up to 1,500 rounds per minute, accelerating the striking ball from 46 to 200 m/s. In terms of ball speed, an airsoft machine is often inferior to manual spring mechanisms, but the ability to shoot in a burst completely compensates for this disadvantage.

Devices with an AEG drive also include an airsoft machine gun, for example, a modernized Kalashnikov machine gun.

Recoil-operated assault rifles (EBB)

High-end automatic airsoft rifles are equipped with the Electric BlowBacks (EBB) system. There are a few such models that make up less than 1% of electro-pneumatic actuators. They have a moving shutter, due to which some semblance of recoil occurs. The recoil force is significantly lower than that of military weapons.

The naturalism of these drives also has its disadvantages:

• recoil simulation requires additional energy consumption, which drains the battery faster;
• excessive vibration of the mechanism can contribute to earlier failure of the weapon.

But if you're willing to spend an extra couple of hundred dollars to get a realistic experience, then the EBB drive is your option.

AK assault rifle review

The company G&G, well-known among players, produces a series of AK assault rifles. They have a battery hidden in the forend, and a shutter movement is implemented, which makes the airsoft version more similar to the real thing.

Let's take a look at one of their best models, the GK74N. The specimen has wooden fittings, one spare battery, a battery charger, a flywheel, a cleaning rod, a magazine for 500 balls, instructions for dummies and an advertising brochure.

All parts are sharpened very tightly, there is no play, the drive seems to be machined from a single piece of metal with wooden inserts. The magazine has a convenient window for filling balls and is attached very tightly. As a result, such an airsoft machine does not make unnecessary sounds when moving. If the magazine is lost or damaged, it can be replaced with similar ones from other companies that fit without problems, for example, from Cyma and ICS.

The battery in the handguard is of a standard size and has regular terminals, so you can replace it without any problems. Don't forget to take a spare handguard with you to the game. They are easy to change. There is a button on the fore-end ring; when you press it, you need to move the ring forward. A higher power battery can be placed in the butt; it is initially made hollow.

All disassembled parts of the machine are attached to hex bolts, which will not create problems during disassembly. The shutter is made of aluminum alloy so as not to waste a lot of energy on its movement.

The gearbox here is ordinary, version 3 and with an additional cylinder. According to the manufacturer, it should work for a long time without repair. The average firing speed of the weapon is 135 m/s, which makes it possible to play at full strength in open areas.

Almost all parts of the machine gun are made of steel, which makes it shock-resistant and durable. The downside here is that it takes a long time to charge the batteries, and if both are discharged, then it is not possible to install another one at the test site.

Gas weapons (GBB, NBB)

Gas weapons are rightfully considered the best for airsoft:

• silent;
• pleasant to use;
• the most powerful;
• simulates recoil like a real weapon (Gas BlowBack version - GBB);
• there are no moving parts;
• longest service life;
• there is no complex mechanism inside;
• Easily disassembled and assembled, repaired if necessary.

If it were not for the restrictions on ambient temperature and a certain cost of operation, this weapon would be an ideal option for playing airsoft. The properties of the gas change when cooled: when it becomes about +10°C outside, the firing efficiency drops catastrophically; with a further decrease, the weapon stops firing. If you plan to use the weapon only in the warm season, then this point is not significant.

A 1000 ml gas cylinder for refilling costs from $8. This amount of gas is enough to fire about 800 shots from a pistol.

PKP "Pecheneg"

According to experts, this rifle unit is the latest modernization of the Kalashnikov machine gun. The weapon was designed by employees of TsNIITochMash. Serially produced since 1999. The baptism of fire took place in Chechnya. Later used in South Ossetia and Syria. In a short time, “Pecheneg” became quite famous and recognizable.

Production is carried out by the American-Taiwanese company Raptor Airsoft. This non-combat model costs about 55 thousand rubles.

Popular models

The first positions in the world ranking of airsoft weapons are occupied by the M4 carbine and the M16 rifle. These are American assault rifles that are in service with many countries. The carbine differs from the rifle in having a shorter barrel and a telescopic butt, which makes it convenient for transportation and use. Replicas can be purchased for $150 and up.

The AK-47 or Kalashnikov assault rifle is the second most commonly used weapon in world airsoft. This state of affairs only reflects real life: the Soviet machine gun is still widely used in armies around the world. Only available with AEG drive. There are few variations in appearance. They are also available with a stock made of real wood. Budget models will cost $70. From Tokyo - $250-$300.

The SVD, the Dragunov sniper rifle, can confidently be classified as a popular airsoft weapon. SVD is implemented with different drives: spring, AEG, GBB/NBB. Chinese stores offer to buy a gas replica SVD with full recoil simulation for $400.

About the PKM airsoft machine gun

This rifle unit is produced by the Chinese manufacturer A&K and is an exact copy of a real modernized machine gun. The non-combat model is equipped with a folding metal bipod. This material is also used to make the barrel, gearbox, body and carrying handle. Impact-resistant plastic is used in the production of stocks and pistol grips. It is equipped with a cleaning rod, a charger, a bipod, a steel electric hopper magazine in the form of a box, the capacity of which is 5 thousand balls, a battery with a capacity of 1200 mAh and a voltage of 9.6V.

To become the owner of this airsoft machine gun, you will have to pay from 25 to 30 thousand rubles.

Grenades and grenade launchers

There are three types of grenades in airsoft:

• those used in grenade launchers;
• throwing gas grenades;
• throwable grenades with firecracker charge.

Grenades used in grenade launchers fly at a distance of up to 60 m, fueled by gas. Just like other types of grenades, they have balls as “damaging elements”. Hand grenades with firecracker charges, in addition to balls, can be filled with peas.

The cost of one grenade ranges from $30-$100. But they are reusable, so the actual costs are significantly lower.

Devices for firing grenades will cost starting from $30. You can buy a one and a half meter bazooka for no less than $300.

Psychological component

We all live in a society and are bound by responsibilities and privileges. But on the same airsoft team there may be a subordinate and a boss, a bank director and an ordinary person with a loan from this bank, a schoolboy who wants to become a military man, and a Marine major, and even a criminal and a police officer holding an AKSU airsoft machine gun.

The game is a great excuse to get acquainted and take a break from the daily routine. Here you can address your boss by name or have a heart-to-heart talk with your subordinate without remembering your working relationship. The airsoft machine will unite everyone.

Someone could not realize themselves in life, cannot achieve the desired result for some reason. The game will give you the opportunity to test yourself and your capabilities, recharge your confidence and good mood!

Mortar

Mortars in airsoft are designed simply. But they are the most spectacular of the entire arsenal of weapons. Multi-charge mortar shells. They are filled with gas, thanks to which they fly out of the mortar tube and cover a distance of up to 80 m. For such a large projectile, this looks incredibly cool.

The most famous 70mm mortar is produced by Hakkotsu. You can buy it for $75.

Airsoft balls are sold by weight. It is more profitable to buy a kilogram: it will contain approximately 4300 balls weighing 0.23 g (6 mm explosive). This pack will cost $7. Although smaller packages are also sold: for example, 2000 balls of the same mass will cost $5.

About technical specifications

1. The airsoft machine gun operates using an electro-pneumatic mechanism.
2. Weapons of 6 mm caliber.
3. Weighs no more than 7.25 kg.
4. Length is 118.5 cm.
5. In the inner part of the non-combat PKM there is a gearbox with an adjustable hop-up.
6. The projectile, according to the manufacturer, covers from 100 to 120 m within one second. Judging by the reviews, in fact the figures are somewhat lower: from 85 to 100 m.
7. The airsoft model is equipped with a 51-centimeter internal barrel.

Airsoft guns

Gas weapons in airsoft are represented by pistols, sniper rifles and automatic weapons. I won’t dwell on pistols, since they are familiar to all of you. I’m only interested in BlowBack weapons in this topic, so I won’t dwell on bolt guns either.

Gas weapons are much more realistic in terms of operating principle, shooting sensations and loads on the mechanism than electro-pneumatic ones. Firstly, there is some kind of recoil, and secondly, the bolt travel (well, excluding bolt-action rifles such as the L96 or Remington 700) and the firing sound are louder.

An example of an automatic GBB weapon.

By adjusting the amount of gas flowing into the blowback chamber, you can achieve quite strong returns, such as on this model.

However, there are also significant disadvantages. Firstly, gas drives are characterized by inconsistency of pressure at different temperatures, and secondly, tuning a gas system is more difficult than an electro-pneumatic one, an expensive shot, as well as cooling the gas reservoir during tempo shooting with a drop in pressure, result in inconsistency in speed and therefore accuracy. In general, GBB drives can be purchased at almost any airsoft gun store, but the range is significantly lower than AEG.

Another thing is sniper rifles, which do not require tempo shooting. With them it is possible to achieve some constancy of speed, high power in the absence of severe wear of the trigger. However, the accuracy will still be lower than that of a spring rifle.

Also, this does not reduce the dependence on temperature. In addition, they are mainly made in the Asian part of the continent, where it is much warmer than in Russia, and gas weapons are easier to operate.

Gas airsoft weapons - everything a beginner needs to know

other parts of this article:

Today, in our series of articles for a beginner in airsoft, we will look at the features of gas-cylinder airsoft weapons. We will try to describe the principle of its operation and describe all the pros and cons.

For those who have just joined - in the first part of the series we talked in general terms about airsoft weapons, in the second part we talked about the pros and cons of spring airsoft weapons. Now it’s time to deal with this type of airsoft weapon as a gas cylinder weapon.

Gas airsoft gun. As the name implies, such systems push the ball forward using the energy of the expanding gas. Initially, the cartridge with liquefied gas under pressure is in a closed state; when you press the trigger, the cartridge opens slightly and part of the gas comes out of it. The gas changes from a liquid to a natural (gaseous) state, and due to expansion, pushes the ball out. The greater the pressure in the tank, the faster the ball will accelerate.