How Airsoft AEG Works: The Complete Guide.

How Airsoft AEG Works? While we’re not all engineers here, most of us are familiar with the basics of how a gun works. But how does an Airsoft AEG work, and why is it a better choice than other popular airsoft guns like spring-powered airsoft rifles? Find out all that and more in this article!

 

What is an Airsoft AEG? – How Airsoft AEG Works

An Airsoft Electric Gun, or AEG, is an Airsoft gun that utilizes a motor to move the BB, or 6mm plastic pellet, down the barrel and out the muzzle. The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery, which is stored in the stock of the gun.

The gun most commonly used for recreation and training is an M4 Carbine. An M4 Carbine is not a sub-compact, though guns like this have been converted to fit the criteria.

An M4 can shoot upwards of 400 rounds a minute, but most don’t go over 400, due to the relatively limited ammunition. However, the M4 can be modified to fire anywhere from 600–700 rounds a minute. Depending on the brand and configuration, the battery can last up to 600 rounds ($50-100, usually). Another way to calculate how many rounds you can fire is whether or not it shoots rubber bands. An M4 with.50 caliber rounds can fire as many as 20 rubber bands an hour.

You pay for the quality of the gun, not the type of rounds. For this reason, most AEGs are well known and respected by fellow students, competitors, and members of the general public. If your work is done correctly, you can often buy a new AEG for around $100 to $150. Just remember when purchasing an airsoft gun, that most have quite a bit of gunk and grease on them that hasn’t been cleaned since the gun left the factory. This can be cleaned easily and the job is usually not that difficult.

 

How do you start training? – How Airsoft AEG Works

Many times, people choose not only an airsoft gun that is purchased by them but an M4-type gun, even though the M4 is much more versatile in terms of shooting. Attaching a flashlight and a rechargeable battery to the M4 made it a really versatile gun to use. When you attach a foam paint marker and clear coat to the body of the gun with a PTFE flex pen, it turns the gun into a training mode.

 

How does an Airsoft AEG work? – How Airsoft AEG Works

Airsoft automatic electric guns, more commonly referred to as “AEGs”, work by using an electric motor to rapidly push a piston back and forth inside a cylinder. This action creates the impression of an explosion and is usually accompanied by silence as the component moves back and forth inside the gun.

 

I made this chart for what is an M16 Airsoft AEG vs. what is a Realistic Airsoft AEG (note: I am in no way affiliated with any brands).

 

Pros: – How Airsoft AEG Works

• More powerful
• Wider selection
• Slightly worse gas efficiency
• You can pick one up for $100 or less (128g magazines are more common these days)(supply by manufacturers lists vary)

Cons: – How Airsoft AEG Works

• Electrical components more likely to fail
• Smaller selection
• Slightly more fragile (rewiring is a much bigger issue with these though)
• Stain-like residue may develop on touching the skin after charging several times
• Recharging of batteries takes longer

 

Pros:

Good bang for your buck

The M16 is a favorite of those who rent airsoft guns because the rate of fire is decent for a short-to-medium range gun. They are available in all sorts of great paint jobs including camo, red and green, mocha, and black. They also come in metal, plastic, and midi versions, all with varying ranges of price. The plastic versions can be a great backup for a gun in a rental situation.

It’s also worth noting that all of these guys have great price ratios. You can often buy in bulk for $80 or less, making them a great option to keep on hand and not blow your budget.

Cons:

• You’ll need some time to learn how to operate one.
• Even at lower price points, prices can vary greatly (prices for a Realistic AEG start from $100)
• You have to spend money to have fun with them, as new batteries, springs, metal props, etc.