Airsoft Basics: What is a Pistol?

Airsoft Basics: What is a Pistol?

What is a Pistol?

An Airsoft pistol is usually a replica of a real world pistol design which uses compressed air or gas to fire a 6mm BB at Airsoft skirmishing safe velocities.

Not to be confused with Air pistols which fire 6mm BBs, an Airsoft pistol must shoot below 350 FPS to be permitted in an Airsoft skirmish. 

Airsoft pistols come in all shapes and sizes, and there are several different types of pistols, each of which has its pros and cons. Read on to learn more about the different types of Airsoft pistols and which one suits you the most!


Pistol Types

So, what type of pistol suits your needs? For more information on each pistol type, click the top line!

Spring Action 

What is a Spring Pistol? 
Spring action Airsoft pistols are the most basic and affordable Airsoft pistols out there, but are more suitable for target practice and building marksmanship and safety skills at home than for going toe to toe with skirmishers on the Airsoft field. 

Spring action pistols use an internal piston and spring system, and require the slide to be cocked back before each shot to load the BB and compress the spring. When the trigger is pulled the spring pushes a piston forward, compresses the air inside the cylinder and shoots the BB down the barrel and at the target (if you pointed it in the right direction, that is!).

Spring pistols come in many different price ranges, and most of the cheaper ones are made from poor quality materials and don't tend to last very long. If a spring pistol is what you want, we recommend going with a reputable brand such as Tokyo Marui, UHC, Umarex or Cyber Gun for your spring pistol needs. 

Gas Blowback (GBB)

Automatic Electric (AEP)

Gas Non-blowback (NBB)


Why use a Pistol?

Airsofters generally use their pistols as a sidearm, living comfortably in a holster until they are required to take a tight corner on the skirmish field, or when the primary weapon runs dry. 

Being small in size, easy to carry and fast to draw makes pistols the natural choice for those who require a secondary weapon and want to get access to it rapidly in an emergency situation.

Any pistol can be used as a sidearm, though the most common pistols used for this are GBB and AEP pistols, and snipers generally prefer an NBB pistol for stealth or a full auto capable GBB for extra firepower. 

Some skirmishers choose to use pistols as a primary weapon in CQB (Close Quarters Battle) skirmishes to take advantage of their compact size when compared to rifles, gaining extra agility and allowing more effective use of cover in cramped conditions. 

For CQB a GBB pistol would be the best choice due to their almost instantaneous trigger response and high rate of fire in semi-automatic. This gives you the edge when entering a room, and improves your chances of getting the first shot off and getting the kill before the enemy lands one on you!

GBB pistols are also loved by Airsofters for their realism, both in the way they operate and the way they look and feel. The moving slide action and recoil of a GBB pistol are hard to beat when it comes to realism, and GBB pistols are often used as props in the Film and TV industry, and by Military and Law Enforcement for demonstration and training scenarios. 


Fingers crossed you now have the foundational knowledge needed to make the right choice when it comes to shopping for your first Airsoft pistol. If you are ready to lock and load and get straight into it, check out our range of Airsoft pistols by clicking the button below! 

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