New players coming into our store will often have researched the sport a little bit before coming in. From places like YouTube or Google, people will kind of get a general introduction of what is out there. As people who have been into the sport of airsoft for a long time, we are aware of what is out there and the pros and cons of the various models and systems that a new person might not.
The first thing I wanted to discuss is gas blowback guns as a primary weapon in airsoft. Remember, everything I will be talking about is in the context of playing the sport out at an airsoft field, so some pros and cons might not apply to your unique situation.
Back to gas blowback rifles: They look and feel cool, have recoil, have realistic capacities, and function identically to the real thing. Why don't you see too many of these in the airsoft field or at your local retailer? When you search through Google or YouTube, you might catch a glimpse of what is available on Airsoft on the other side of the pond. These items might not be available to us in the United States for legal or licensing reasons. When I say legal reasons, I mean that these gas blowback rifles and SMGs might look or function in a way that the American authorities do not approve, and so they are banned from importation. If you go out of your way to acquire one and have it sent to America, you run a high chance of getting the airsoft gun seized. When I mentioned licensing reasons, I mean that some models and designs have their trademarks and intellectual properties enforced in America, whereas in Asia and Europe, the laws differ. Thus, we cannot get one of the many unauthorized reproductions here in the US and sell it as a retailer. If you go out of your way to get these items, you could get them seized by customs or if you manage to get it through, understand that you have zero product support as it is a grey market item. This is a terrible way to start into airsoft as product and retailer support are very important for you to get started correctly.
Let's talk about the practicality of a gas blowback rifle now. One of the most touted features would be how realistic they function and recoil. This is also leading to its greatest weakness. Airsoft guns are essentially high-tech toys, and when manufacturers make them, they have to adhere to certain restraints, such as a price point that people will find attractive, which will determine the materials put into it. Guns that recoil and have moving mechanical parts are subject to wear and tear. An airsoft rifle probably costs a fraction of the real thing and is made with less strong parts. The high-wear items on gas guns are almost always made with less-than-ideal materials to keep costs down, so if you use them a lot, things will eventually wear out, fail, and need replacement. When we talk about playing airsoft at a field, for example, I could easily shoot 200 to 800 rounds on a busy day. An AEG can handle that with no problem. A gas gun's parts will be significantly worn, and you must also remember to clean and lubricate all the important parts. This is true of gas pistols, which do not see as much use. However, the same rules apply if you run the pistol as a primary.
That brings me to cost. To carry the amount of ammo that is usually used in a game, that adds up for the magazines. Gas gun magazines for rifles are around $50 or more, and you might carry 30-50 rounds. Compare that to a $20 high-cap AEG magazine that functions without much drama and can hold 300 rounds, and you are behind the curve. Gas guns, no matter what size, require maintenance for the magazines. A leaky magazine is the easiest way to put you out of commission, so stay on top of that.
Now, let's compare it to the preferred choice of AEGs for beginners. If you ever walk into an airsoft store, you will see that most long guns are AEGs. Why? Because they function well and don't take much to keep them going. They are relatively inexpensive to run after the initial investment of guns and batteries. All airsoft guns will wear out or break at some point, but a good running AEG can get you 15,000-25,000, whereas you will see way more downtime with a gas blowback rifle.
If you are new and looking to start, do yourself a favor and go to an AEG first. Gas blowback rifles are better left to collectors and those with the patience and understanding to keep them going. It is truly a labor of love!
Most importantly, go out there, have fun, and stay safe!
