If you’re getting into Airsoft, an airsoft gun is one of the first things you need to get. You have three options: spring-loaded airsoft guns, gas guns, and electric ones. If you’re considering an electric airsoft gun, you’re on the right track, but you need to be aware of its pros and cons.
Often times, electric airsoft guns shoot at a higher speed, have better chances of hitting a moving target, and fire more pellets in a shorter period. They can occasionally have difficulties like battery-life, but in general are a great option for games.
In this article, you will learn more about these pros and cons so you can decide if electric airsoft guns are any good for you. Electric guns will be compared to gas airsoft guns and spring-loaded ones. You will also learn how you can minimize the cons of electric airsoft guns if you choose to get one as your primary weapon.
Are Electric Airsoft Guns Any Good?
Electric airsoft guns are not just good but are excellent enough to be the universal primary weapon type in airsoft tournaments. They rapid-fire airsoft pellets at a higher speed than other guns and can improve your odds of taking someone out.
Electric airsoft guns are effective. And if someone else is using them, you need to use them too. Only when others don’t use electric airsoft guns in a game can you even ponder the option of not using these. The section below will illustrate exactly why this type of gun is considered a must in most semi-professional and serious amateur tournaments.
Pros Of Electric Airsoft Guns
In this section, I will point out the specific advantages that electric airsoft guns have over spring and gas guns. You will need to keep these in your mind when you consider their disadvantages, so you can make a balanced decision. I have personally used all three types of airsoft guns, so these perks are compared to the alternatives.
Higher Speed Pellet Delivery
Airsoft spring pistols can have a speed of 100 FPS on average, which is around 2.5 times lower than the average for electric airsoft guns. Gas mechanism airsoft guns have a pellet velocity closer to that of electric ones.
However, electric airsoft guns are often fully automatic, while gas guns are semi-automatic. The speed of individual pellets might be similar on both models, yet the electric ones shoot more pellets in a shorter time span, which brings us to the next advantage of electric airsoft guns.
Shoot More Pellets In A Single Trigger Pull
Electric airsoft guns being automatic means you pull the trigger, and a stream of pellets is launched at your target. This can be pretty effective at hitting a group of targets or making contact with a moving target.
If you have to pull the trigger with each shot (as is the case with spring-loaded pistols), you would need to pull the trigger 6 times to hit a target that has one in six odds of getting hit. With an automatic gun, you can hit that target with a single trigger pull.
Higher Chances Of Hitting Your Target
As mentioned earlier, every target has a specific chance of getting hit. It could be 1 in 12 or 1 in 100, but it is mathematically sound. With an electric airsoft gun, enough pellets are fired in a single trigger pull that you have a better chance of hitting your target. You can afford to have poor aim and still catch your opponent with an accidental pellet if you spray your rounds wide enough.
Cons Of Electric Airsoft Guns
While airsoft guns have plenty of benefits, which lead to their almost universal adoption across airsoft fields, there are a few disadvantages that you need to consider. These drawbacks are contextual and can be offset to an extent.
Rely On Limited Battery
Airsoft players need to factor the limited supply of pellets they have into their strategy. But when they use electric weapons, they also have another variable to factor in: the battery life of their gun. Running out of pellets can end a game, and so can running out of battery. When you use an electric airsoft gun, you need to carry a spare battery to avoid becoming useless to your team in the middle of a game.
Not Suitable For Rainy Conditions
Airsoft slings can allow you to carry a spare battery. You can even keep one at your respawn point and run without the weight. However, even a spare battery cannot ensure function when it starts raining. Wet conditions can render electric airsoft guns useless. That’s why you need to carry a spare pistol or a gas gun so you can stay in the game if your electric gun loses function.
Should You Use An Electric Airsoft Gun?
The drawbacks above might make you seriously consider doing away with electric airsoft guns. But if you read my article on how long electric airsoft guns last, you will see that the possibility of them running out mid-game is low. Moreover, the chances of rainfall aren’t high enough across the year to handicap electric airsoft guns.
You should use an electric airsoft gun in any game where other players have electric guns. The only time you can afford to go in with a gas gun as your primary weapon is when no one has an electric airsoft gun. Using a spring-loaded or gas airsoft gun when others have electric airsoft guns is a major disadvantage.
What Are Different Airsoft Guns Good For?
We have briefly touched upon different types of airsoft guns. All of them can be advantageous in specific contexts. Here is what different types of airsoft guns are good for:
- Spring-loaded gun – For sniping or as backup
- Gas airsoft gun – As a semi-automatic backup
- Electric airsoft gun – As a primary weapon in a high-stakes game
Final Thoughts
Electric airsoft guns can rapid-fire pellets at a higher speed than gas guns and spring-loaded ones. However, they are limited by their battery power and can break down during heavy rain. Regardless of the conditions or gun you use, it is always a good idea to carry a spare of a different type.