The Airsoft AEG Buying Guide

With the growing popularity of airsoft it seems that every player is an "expert" on buying gear, guns, ammo, etc.

The problem is that many of these buying guides rely on poor research, lack of understanding on how airsoft guns operate (people that make the argument that airsoft barrel extensions muffle a considerable amount of sound... -_- ).

I've been playing airsoft for about three years spending most of my free time doing research on most everything in the airsoft world.

I'm hoping that this guide will strongly influence your decision on purchasing an AEG. This is my first instructable, so I'll do my best to effectively communicate my thoughts and ideas.


NOTE: This is in no way a guide for purchasing real guns, nor are any of my suggestions even viable for real weapon use. This guide is for airsoft only.

Step 1 What is an AEG? / A Noteable Avoidance

AEG's (Automatic Electric Guns)

These are the most common skirmish worthy airsoft guns. They use battery power (along with gears and a motor) to propel 6mm plastic bb's. Excellent for Infantry, Assault, Defense, and pretty much every other position (If you're a sniper, then Spring airsoft guns may also be a viable alternative).

Avoid Walmart and Sports Authority:

TRUST ME. I've spent well over $500 on cheap airsofts that break and become useless, since you can't Frankenstein them together. It's well worth it to save the $100+ required for a decent AEG.

Comments

[cclime1]

I have an electric one and its mag is the battery and the scope is the loader.

[BoogieWipes]

I used to have one of those, kinda cheapy, you can get a better shotgun than that.

[fragmaster4]

What I meant by "I wouldn't know though" is that I wouldn't know about the airsoft wapons. I have ordered some gear from them and it looks to be good quality.

[fragmaster4]

Opsgear has some decent looking stuff. I wouldn't know though. But they are kind of expensive, $200 - 378.

[finn12345]

im looking for a good website do you think airsplat is bad?

[godfathertrevor]

Not necessarily bad (it just depends on what you end up buying).

Evike.com or airsoftgi.com will likely have a better selection.

[finn12345]

so basicly we just want to modify it if our airsoft is bad?

[godfathertrevor]

No. Basically you want to save up to something decent instead of buying rubbish.

[35Timmy]

(removed by author or community request)

[godfathertrevor]

Please stop spamming me.

[35Timmy]

don't worry i stopped second no intent i had no idea what it was back then second its not spam thats to help and i deleted any of them that your worryed about

[35Timmy]

hey that was not spam that was to help people

[35Timmy]

that was never any spam what that was is to help people

[35Timmy]

ps do not worry about it the reason why it was because i wanted to see how people would like one of my air rifle atricles ,it's safe for the electronics and it is just if it is ready to come to the market which is to help people

[35Timmy]

sorry i just wanted to show what you said no ment of spam in fact i was never told that besides you

[gmuir]

thanks for the tips its about time an adult posts things like this for pepole who actualy want to make this as a profesanal sport

[godfathertrevor]

Thanks!

[gmuir]

also bought this a while back was wondering if its a good gun or not so far it scares some of my frends but i never have shot them or pointed a fire arm at them......AGM Full Metal M4 TDW-RAS AEG Rifle w/ Enhanced Motor & Full Metal Gearbox

[godfathertrevor]

People say that AGM/ACM airsoft guns aren't that great but I had an AGM M14 that I never had a problem with.

[ilpug]

You forgot to mention Classic Army guns, and Guns made by the actual weapons manufacturers, which are usually high quality and very compatible, but are a wild card due to rarity

[godfathertrevor]

For the price of a Classic Army Sportline I can buy a JG and put some upgrades into it. Other than the Sportline series, Classic Army is way too expensive for the beginner.

I'm not aware of any airsoft guns manufactured by the real steel manufacturers (unless you're just referring to those licensed to Umarex).

[ilpug]

HK makes an MP5, and Beretta makes a variety of pistols. Those are the ones I know of, but others are probably out there.

[mrfnk]

I have a crosman 1377, Shoots One bb at a time. but not those plastic ones. It shoots .177 bbs and .177 pellets as well, rifled steel, and shoots 600 ft/sec. It still shoots like it was new.
I grew up shooting my dad's but his only shoots .22 pellets. I'm not sure what he paid, but mine was 45 dollars in 1995, and 15 more for the shoulder stock. The rear sight it came with was junk. It got replaced the first time I sighted it in.

Yeah It shoot's one at a time, but if you miss your first shot, you lost your target at the same time. I don't know who told you to avoid crosman guns, but you shouldn't repeat their advice to anyone without checking for yourself first. Good luck finding a bb gun that shoots faster and hits its mark every time for less then 400 dollars.

[godfathertrevor]

That's dangerous. On top of that, if you wanted to play at an event you wouldn't be allowed to use it. And you might possibly get arrested for assault.

[mrfnk]

it's a bb gun not a toy.
I don't point or shoot guns at people. that's how you're supposed to handle, and teach others to handle guns if they're real or not.

[ilpug]

airsoft guns are made for that. what you are talking about is a pellet gun. those can be just as dangerous as real guns.

[jrg3ni0us]

Here's my final question...

I have afully automatic AEG in K-mart for about $50. It is clearly labeled as a beginers gun and is made by palco.Should I buy it?

[godfathertrevor]

No, save your money. You're already about halfway to an A&K.

[jrg3ni0us]

Thanks. I didn't know I was actually close to being able to by a better quality gun :)

[godfathertrevor]

My pleasure, when you make that $100 check Craigslist. There are always people selling really good brand name AEG's for cheap. Just make sure he or she can Tell you everything about the airsoft gun, make sure there are pics, inspect it to be sure he or she isn't lying, that kind of stuff.

[nfk11]

i see those at academy.aret they any good.and their $180.

[godfathertrevor]

Yes, well I've never heard of academy.aret so I'd say no go.

[nfk11]

oh sorry i mest up on that.i meant academy sports and outdoors.and that was soposed to mean are they any good.

[godfathertrevor]

I see.

I checked them out (never heard of them before this) and I'd definitely have to say no.

Try Craigslist and ask a buddy that plays airsoft to help you find the right one.

[nfk11]

ok.i have 2 ppl i can ask.1 has a p90(good one) and a shotgun and pistol. my other one bought the crappy p90 and has shotgun and pistol and two mini guns.not gatling guns like mini scars

[nfk11]

my friend bought a P90 at softair for $30.it got held back a little but i here it sucks :-(

[godfathertrevor]

Yes, well, for $30 it's more or less obligated to suck.

[Football viking boy]

which gun do you think is better, i have 3 days to buy one before i am gone for a month so plz respond quickly (getting these off craigslist)

1) DPMS M4A1 SIR (assault rifle)-- full metal, 375 FPS, 15 rounds per min- $180

2) SIG SAUER 552 Commando (SMG) 360 FPS, 14 rps-- $150

3) CYMA WWII Thompson (SMG), wood trim, 390fps, 12rps, 170$

thanks!

[godfathertrevor]

Go back on Craigslist in a month.

1. DPMS guns are cheap (manufactured by Cybergun a.k.a. Sports Authority crap)

2. Chances are the SIG is also made by Cybergun

3. The CYMA Thompson MAY be crap.

You'll likely find a JG or Echo 1 airsoft by then.

[Football viking boy]

Thanks for your help :) I will just buy a new gun somewhere else, you saved me a lot of money