The Airsoft AEG Buying Guide

 by godfathertrevor
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.
 
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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.
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DJNASHA says: Mar 4, 2013. 8:10 PM
quick question is aftermath a good brand if so i want to get the m4 can you help me thanks
finn12345 says: Jan 6, 2012. 4:20 PM
im looking for a good website do you think airsplat is bad?
godfathertrevor (author) in reply to finn12345Jan 6, 2012. 9:01 PM
Not necessarily bad (it just depends on what you end up buying).

Evike.com or airsoftgi.com will likely have a better selection.
coolkidtn in reply to godfathertrevorFeb 4, 2013. 4:40 PM
airrattle is boss!!! i ordered an AR-15 from them and it is great
jonv8 says: Oct 5, 2012. 10:29 AM
ah nice to see you have the guns insted of geting pics of the internet!!
cclime1 says: Feb 15, 2011. 7:25 PM
I have an electric one and its mag is the battery and the scope is the loader.
BoogieWipes in reply to cclime1Mar 30, 2012. 3:35 PM
I used to have one of those, kinda cheapy, you can get a better shotgun than that.
Atlas Portal 2 in reply to BoogieWipesJul 13, 2012. 7:03 PM
I saw one by the name of Cyber Stryke *Cyber Strike
fragmaster4 says: Jan 14, 2012. 11:01 AM
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 says: Jan 14, 2012. 10:59 AM
Opsgear has some decent looking stuff. I wouldn't know though. But they are kind of expensive, $200 - 378.
finn12345 says: Dec 14, 2011. 5:26 PM
so basicly we just want to modify it if our airsoft is bad?
godfathertrevor (author) in reply to finn12345Dec 15, 2011. 9:49 PM
No. Basically you want to save up to something decent instead of buying rubbish.
35Timmy says: Jun 4, 2011. 12:32 PM
(removed by author or community request)
godfathertrevor (author) in reply to 35TimmyJun 4, 2011. 2:57 PM
Please stop spamming me.
35Timmy in reply to godfathertrevorNov 5, 2011. 9:07 AM
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 in reply to godfathertrevorJul 30, 2011. 8:09 AM
hey that was not spam that was to help people
35Timmy in reply to godfathertrevorJul 30, 2011. 8:09 AM
that was never any spam what that was is to help people
35Timmy in reply to godfathertrevorJun 5, 2011. 6:04 PM
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 in reply to godfathertrevorJun 5, 2011. 1:54 PM

sorry i just wanted to show what you said no ment of spam in fact i was never told that besides you
gmuir says: Oct 16, 2011. 10:13 PM
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 (author) in reply to gmuirOct 17, 2011. 9:01 AM
Thanks!
gmuir in reply to gmuirOct 16, 2011. 10:17 PM
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 (author) in reply to gmuirOct 17, 2011. 9:03 AM
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 says: Aug 24, 2011. 10:05 PM
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 (author) in reply to ilpugAug 25, 2011. 8:06 AM
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 in reply to godfathertrevorAug 25, 2011. 9:44 AM
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 says: Aug 9, 2011. 12:59 AM
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 (author) in reply to mrfnkAug 9, 2011. 2:41 AM
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 in reply to godfathertrevorAug 11, 2011. 2:18 AM
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 in reply to mrfnkAug 24, 2011. 10:04 PM
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 says: Jul 17, 2011. 12:21 PM
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 (author) in reply to jrg3ni0usJul 17, 2011. 8:49 PM
No, save your money. You're already about halfway to an A&K.
jrg3ni0us in reply to godfathertrevorJul 21, 2011. 1:59 PM
Thanks. I didn't know I was actually close to being able to by a better quality gun :)
godfathertrevor (author) in reply to jrg3ni0usJul 21, 2011. 7:57 PM
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 says: Jul 20, 2011. 11:54 AM
i see those at academy.aret they any good.and their $180.
godfathertrevor (author) in reply to nfk11Jul 20, 2011. 9:12 PM
Yes, well I've never heard of academy.aret so I'd say no go.
nfk11 in reply to godfathertrevorJul 21, 2011. 6:37 AM
oh sorry i mest up on that.i meant academy sports and outdoors.and that was soposed to mean are they any good.
godfathertrevor (author) in reply to nfk11Jul 21, 2011. 8:44 AM
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 in reply to godfathertrevorJul 21, 2011. 3:23 PM
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 says: Jul 20, 2011. 12:01 PM
my friend bought a P90 at softair for $30.it got held back a little but i here it sucks :-(
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