“There’s 80 bajillion different types of airsoft guns on the market and I have no idea which one to get!” If that sounds like you, know that we understand at GF. And while the best bet for beginners is to speak with one of our qualified representatives, we’re happy to provide you with this brief explanation of spring guns. These airsoft weapons are single shot guns that rely on elastic potential energy stored away inside springs to compress air which then launches the airsoft pellet through the gun’s barrel. That means that prior to every shot fired, you’ll need to cock these guns by pulling back on the slide, bolt or grip depending on what type of gun it is.
True, most electric airsoft guns (AEGs) use a spring setup too, but they are not classified the same as these single-shot firearms. The reason being that the arsenal found here is incapable of fully or even semi-automatic fire – the reason for which was explained above. Because of their simple designs that lack costly electrical parts, spring-powered airsoft guns generally run cheaper than AEGs do; which makes them great for newcomers to the sport.
They’re also better suited for extreme weather conditions than gas and electric weapons that can occasionally cause problems when it’s deathly cold out. Additionally, spring guns are more likely to last even when they get wet. Since they do not rely on any sort of external power source, their biggest advantage is their rugged reliability.
Do keep in mind, however, that using one of these types of airsoft weapons will often put you at a distinct disadvantage in CQB situations to those armed with auto-fire guns. In addition, many lack the accuracy to be effect in ranged situations. That being said, there are certainly some spring-powered sniper rifles out there that are fantastic choices for even experienced marksman.