Airsoft Rifle
– Electric or
Spring Powered?
When it comes to
using an airsoft rifle, the question boils down to what kind is best
for you: electric or spring powered. Your answer should ultimately be
based on why you want an airsoft gun in the first place. If you are
interested in target shooting or knocking over tin cans in your
backyard, spring airsoft rifles are the way to go. However, if you’re
a serious enthusiast and are into airsoft war games with your friends,
an electric rifle is clearly superior in almost every case.
The Pros and Cons of Electric
Airsoft Rifles
An electric rifle uses a rechargeable battery - usually Nickel Cadmium
(NiCad) or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh) – to propel airsoft BBs.
There are several advantages to choosing electric rifles over spring
airsoft guns. The main benefit is that you get rapid-fire
automatic discharge capabilities. This is extremely important on
the combat field! An airsoft electric rifle also holds a charge
for a long time, especially the airsoft models being manufactured
today.
The biggest
downside to using an airsoft rifle is durability. This is
especially true if you’re hard on your rifle during war games –
tossing it around, dropping on the ground with the gun under you, etc.
Electric airsoft rifles necessarily have more intricate and sensitive
internal parts than a spring rifle. So expensive repairs must be
taken into consideration. Batteries can also be costly.
The Pros and Cons of Spring
Airsoft Rifles
Spring powered airsoft rifles are
comparatively simple guns. They typically utilize a pneumatic pump or
bolt to load (coil) the spring that fires the airsoft
ammunition. The main advantage of this type of rifle is
durability and consistency. They can take a beating better than
electric airsoft guns, and they produce very consistent muzzle
velocities, which makes for better accuracy.
In recent months, advances in the
technology used in the manufacturing process of the springs in airsoft
guns have produced some truly amazing results. One of the knocks
on a spring rifle used to be that the spring lost its elasticity and
eventually had to be replaced (a real pain in the neck). That
seems to have been largely eliminated with the modern airsoft
products.
The other disadvantage of a spring
rifle is still true, though. They’re single-shot guns that
require significant time between shots. Therefore, they are
virtually useless for airsoft war gamers. However, a growing
trend for airsoft teams is to include a hidden sniper. If that’s
the case for your team, then a spring powered airsoft rifle is a
perfect addition!
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