PB Top Picks: Top 5 Gas Guns for Winter
As the weather gets colder, gas guns tend to go into hibernation. This is mainly due to their major performance pitfalls when gas pressure drops from lower ambient temperature. While higher-pressure gas or CO2 can cure this to some extent, certain gas-powered replicas have inherent advantages in winter and we're here to shed some light for those who refuse to get an AEG!
Our Top 5 Gas Guns for Winter
ASG MK23 NBB Pistol with Silencer
The ASG MK23 is the most affordable pistol on our list, a platform favoured by snipers as a near-inaudible backup platform with excellent range and incredible gas efficiency. Based on the Tokyo Marui MK23 internal design, the MK23 benefits from a massive gas reservoir inside the realistically sized mag and very low gas usage thanks to its non-blowback action.
Being non-blowback, the slide of the MK23 does not reciprocate with each shot, saving a massive amount of gas and minimising the effect of "cooldown". While it may be a more niche platform than the typical GBB pistol, the MK23 can be upgraded to out shoot sniper rifles and with the suppressor hollowed out and filled with foam, it is quieter than a mouse fart!
Tokyo Marui M4A1 CQB-R GBB Rifle Block 1 / M4A1 MWS GBB Rifle
No winter-weather GBB top 5 list is complete without the Tokyo Marui M4A1 ZET System GBBR, one of the few fully-fledged GBBR platforms that can still compete when the weather gets frosty.
Thanks to its extremely efficient internal system, tight tolerances and superbly designed magazine, TM ZET system GBBRs will outlast almost any other GBBR, though Red gas is recommended for temperatures below 10°C. While mag dumps may still be a struggle, putting down rapid semi-auto fire with a ZET system is easily doable with reliable bolt locking at the end of a magazine.
G&G Armament MGCR 556 GBBR
A new entrant into the GBBR market, the G&G MGCR shows enormous potential for cold weather effectiveness. Its ultra-light CNC aluminium bolt carrier gives it a massive efficiency advantage over legacy GBBR designs, as does the cold-resistant rubber used throughout its magazines and the platform itself.
The gas route bucking, HOP-up bucking and internal O-rings all use G&G's green rubber, a proven formula which has performed fantastically in G&G AEGs and GBB pistols. Also present inside the MCGR is G&G's "whirl valve", designed to reduce frost build-up under extreme cold temperatures and keep the MGCR doing what it does best.
G&G Armament LevAR Gas Powered Lever Action Rifle
The game-changing platform that took the Airsoft world by storm, the LevAR from G&G boasts all the enhancements which make the MGCR such a great performer in cold weather with the added efficiency benefit of being a non-blowback design.
Without the need for extra gas pressure to cycle the bolt, the LevAR system is more consistent and thus accurate than GBBR platforms and will give you far more shots per gas fill. Its "Scout Rifle" styling and compatibility with AEG HOP-up parts and inner barrels make this a fine marksman rifle for the gas-gun committed skirmisher!
Novritsch SSP5 5.1 Hi-capa Split Slide GBB Pistol
When it comes to sidearms, the lighter the slide, the better it will shoot in cold weather. Being a "Split slide" design with an ultra-light CNC aluminium rear slide, the SSP5 cycles quickly and reliably but will require a higher pressure gas or CO2 magazines when it gets really cold (<10°C) to maintain its impressive performance.
The Novritsch SSP5 series is about as good as it gets for conventional GBB pistols, though if you're on a tighter budget, check the honourable mention below!
Honourable Mention: Action Army AAP-01 GBB Pistol
The Action Army AAP-01 is the best option for a cold-weather GBB for those on a tighter budget. Its ultra-light bolt carrier weighs a fraction of what even a "split slide" does, meaning it can go the distance when the weather gets frosty.
While an un-upgraded AAP-01 isn't suitable for high-pressure gasses, it hardly needs it given its phenomenal gas efficiency thanks to its thoughtful design. We recommend going for red gas only if it is so cold your AAP won't cycle, though on a day this cold you'd have to be pretty hardcore to hit the skirmishfield with a gas gun!
If you're a gas purist, you now know what to arm yourself with during the freezing winter months! If you're ready to shop gas platforms, click the button below: