ASG – how to choose an airsoft gun?
Selection of the first ASG replicas and the accessories designed for it can be difficult at first. There are rifles, shotguns and pistols to choose from, and each differs not only in design and appearance, but also in application.
In this guide, we will suggest what to look for when buying an ASG replica for beginners, give you an idea of the prices of such replicas, and answer the question of which propulsion system is best. You will also find out what the famous and popular hop-up and blow-back systems are.
Which ASG replica should I choose to start with?
There is no clear and easy answer to the question of which ASG replica to choose for beginners. There are many types of replica, each with characteristic features for its type, such as high rate of fire for submachine guns, a long range for replica sniper rifles or a versatile assault rifle that will work well in open terrain.
The best way to find the answer to this question is to think about what we will use our first replica for. If it's going to be playing close to home then an ASG replica of a spring- or gas-powered pistol or shotgun would be the best choice.
However, if you want to actively participate in ASG competitions, it would be best to opt for equipment from a wide range of carbines and rifles of various types. An all-purpose choice will always be an electric-powered assault carbine with good range, high rate of fire and the availability of many spare parts and accessories.
It is important to remember that you cannot always use the same type of replica in all ASG conditions. We won't use a replica sniper rifle to fight in a building, just as we won't use a pistol as our main weapon in open terrain. It is therefore worth paying attention to what a particular replica model offers, its starting velocity, effective range, what the combustible prototype of that model is actually designed for and so on.
To the question of whether there are any limitations in choosing an ASG replica to start with, the answer is one: there are none. In fact, anyone can choose the one they think is right for them and that they like best, whether it be a replica of the most famous AKM - Kalashnikov assault rifle, or American M16.
What are the characteristics of the selected ASG replica drives?
There are three basic replica drives: spring, electric and gas.
| Drive | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Spring |
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| Electric |
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| Gas |
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Replica prices, or what we pay for
Regardless of how much money we are willing or able to spend on buying a replica, it is important to be aware of what we can expect within a given budget. This will protect us from unnecessary disappointment, as well as allowing us to better plan our purchase.
The primary factor influencing the price of a replica is its propulsion system, followed by how it was made and what materials were used during the creation process, and ending with small details such as the licensed markings of the original manufacturer or the technological innovations used in its construction.
Due to the drive, spring-loaded replicas are the cheapest, where the simplicity of the driving mechanism translates into its price. This type mainly includes cheap replica pistols, usually made of plastic, but there are sometimes models made entirely of metal.
Another type of spring-loaded replicas are similar in price and size to shotguns and sniper rifles. The latter are usually more expensive, but because of what they offer technically and how they are made, they offer very good value for money compared to electric replicas.
In the case of electric replicas, there is a wide price range, from the lowest at around £200 to the highest at up to £5,000. Here, every detail affects the price. It is obvious that we will pay less for a carbine with a body and small elements made of plastic than with metal elements. However, the total price is more influenced by the internal construction, the parts used of better or worse quality. For example, an M4 replica made of reinforced plastic with an internally reinforced system can be much more expensive than an all-metal Kalashnikov with normal internal parts. Sometimes the difference will be around 100 zlotys, and sometimes even several hundred.
Gas replicas offer the most realistic experience, but their price is always higher than in the previously described types. Thus, in the case of the main group, i.e. gas pistols, prices start at around 150 PLN, while other models are an expense of up to a thousand PLN. The main element that raises the price is the material used to make the gun, the quality of the internal mechanisms and the breech recoil system - Blow Back.
Gas-powered assault and sniper carbines are also available, but are rarely chosen due to the often high prices not only of the replica itself, but also of the basic equipment for it, such as spare magazines.
What is the Hop-up and Blow Back system?
ASG replicas use two systems that significantly affect the shooting parameters and realism of the shots fired.
Let's start with the basic system used in almost every replica, i.e. Hop-up system. It is a system that turns up the balls fired by replicas. It uses the physical phenomenon of the Magnus effect. In simple terms, a rubber or silicone seal, assembled on the inner barrel of the replica, sets the ball in a rotational motion when fired. The clamping force of the rubber Hop-up determines how much the ball will be cocked. Thus, depending on which balls are used, the heavier the ball, the more pressure the rubber band must exert on it. Most replicas use an adjustable Hop-up mechanism, even in gas guns, but there are replicas that have a fixed setting adapted to a given ball weight.
Blow Back is a lock recoil system, which, through the use of gas from the tank, sets the dummy lock of the replica in motion. This system is primarily used in GBB (Gas Blow Back) replicas. In the case of gas replicas, the use of the Blow Back, apart from the interesting visual effect and bringing it closer to the flammable original, carries certain disadvantages. The main disadvantage of using this system is the 'siphoning' effect that occurs most often at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. When firing, the valves freeze and all the gas escapes after the first shot is fired, which is why the use of gas replicas is discouraged during the autumn and winter period.
What is RIS and what is it used for?
The RIS (Rail Interface System) is the primary method of attaching tactical equipment to ASG replicas. It is a Picatinny/Weaver standard rail assembly, that is, with a base width of 22 mm.
Many airsofters go to great lengths to have a full range of RIS rails, as they allow accessories to be attached to the replica. First of all, it is important to be able to mount optoelectronic sights such as collimators or scopes. In addition to equipping the replica with optics, for many ASG players it is important to mount additional accessories, for example, a flashlight, a laser sight, a vertical grip and even a grenade launcher.
Which balls to choose and what weight?
There are many types of balls of different weights available on the market, and sometimes it is impossible to find your way through this plethora of offers. When selecting balls, the most important thing is to match the weight of the ball to the power of a particular replica.
It is impossible to unequivocally determine the given weight of the ball to the power of the replica, but it is possible to outline the range in which the ball will perform very well. It is equally important not to choose balls that are too light for a powerful replica or, conversely, heavy for a weak replica, as this can result in virtually zero operation of the hop-up system and the inability to fire an accurate shot. Below are the approximate ball weights assigned to the power of the replica:
- <250 FPS – 0,12 g
- 250 - 350 FPS – 0,20 g /li>
- 350 - 400 FPS – 0,25 g /li>
- 400 - 450 FPS – 0,28 g/li>
- 450 - 550 FPS – 0,30 g /li>
- 550- 650 FPS – 0,36 g lub 0,40 g /li>
- >650 FPS – 0,40 lub 0,43 g /li>
You can read more about it in our guide, entirely dedicated to the issue, which balls to choose for an ASG replica.
Glossary of ASG terms - answers to frequently asked questions
What is an FPS?
FPS - stands for feet per second and is a colloquially used unit to determine the power of an ASG replica. It tells us at what speed the bullet leaves the barrel. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect way to measure power, as it does not take into account the mass of the bullet or the amount of air in the pneumatic system. Nevertheless, FPS is widely used and allows us to compare different replicas. It is generally accepted that the FPS value is measured on 0.20 gram bullets.
What is a gearbox?
Gearbox is the heart of the AEG replica. It is a complex mechanical and electrical system that is responsible for its operation. It consists of many components, such as the skeleton, gears, trigger, spring, piston, cylinder and fire mode switch.
What is AEG?
AEG stands for Airsoft Electric Gun, or replica electric-powered firearms.
