9 Best Airsoft Guns Under $300 for 2024 (Ranked and Reviewed)

Having a great airsoft gun is crucial for any airsoft player. However, the best airsoft guns can be quite pricey. If your budget is limited, you should try even harder to find the best gun that you can afford. In order to help you, we ranked and reviewed 9 of the best airsoft guns under $300 on the market in 2024.

If you’re in a hurry:

The choice of airsoft guns on the market is huge, with literally thousands of options available. Even with a limited budget, there’s a good number of options. But, a lot of the airsoft guns available are low-quality and should be avoided. This is especially true for cheaper products. That’s why having a reliable guide in choosing a more affordable airsoft gun is crucial.

And before you pick which gun in particular to go with, you need to decide the type of airsoft gun you want. In airsoft, you can choose between assault rifles, pistols, sniper rifles, SMGs, as well as other types. In addition, depending on how they’re powered, there are electric, gas, and spring airsoft guns. If you’re a beginner looking to get into airsoft, we strongly recommend getting an electric airsoft rifle, or an AEG.

If you’re not really sure what airsoft guns even are, how they are used, what to look for in them, how to stay safe when using them, and what types of airsoft guns are there, you can check out our buyer’s guide below.

There are many factors to consider when choosing an airsoft gun. Some of the more important ones that we took into account when we made this list are the shooting performance (FPS), accuracy, reliability, build quality (both internal and external), value for money (we made sure to only include airsoft guns on the list if they’re definitely worth their respective price), the presence of an adjustable hop up, the reputation of the manufacturer, as well as others.

And now, here are the best airsoft guns under $300 on the market in 2024.

Best Airsoft Guns Under $300 for 2024

A budget of $300 is surely enough to find some very solid options in airsoft. This is especially true if you’re looking for a pistol or a sniper rifle. When it comes to airsoft rifles or SMGs, the high-end options usually go above $300. However, there are some very good options below that price tag too.

Best Airsoft Rifles Under $300

1. KWA Full Metal VM4A1 2.5 / M4 Carbine Airsoft AEG Rifle

FPS	390-440
Length	825.5mm – 908.1mm
Inner Barrel	396.9mm
Battery	7.4v Small Type LiPo recommended
Magazine	30/120rd Mid Capacity
Gearbox	Ver 2.5 Full Metal
Motor	Long Type
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable
Firing Mode	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety
Manufacturer	KWA

Among the many AEGs around $300, we chose the VM4A1 2.5 / M4 Carbine AEG as the best one out there.

One of the newest models on the list, it has already proven itself as probably the best airsoft rifle in its price bracket. It’s manufactured by a highly reliable airsoft manufacturer, the Taiwanese KWA. The rifle features the brand-new Variable Performance System by KWA, as well as other relatively newer features.

The KWA VM4A1 2.5 / M4 Carbine AEG is a full metal rifle that comes with a reinforced metal gearbox, matched heavy duty springs and high-torque motors, rotary style hop up, and a PTS Enhance Polymer Grip which provides more comfort.

It’s one of the more powerful airsoft rifles on the list, with a high FPS of around 390-440. It’s also accurate and highly dependable. On the other hand, it features a relatively lower (compared to some of the others rifles on the list) mid-capacity magazine with 30/120 rounds.

The KWA VM4A1 2.5 / M4 Carbine AEG may not be as perfect as the airsoft rifles that cost $400 or $500. However, if you’re looking for a solid airsoft gun for a price of around $300, there is probably no better choice. This is supported by other lists of best airsoft guns as well.

2. CYMA Platinum M4 QBS Airsoft AEG Rifle

FPS	350-370
Length	850mm-930mm, Adjustable
Inner Barrel	~400mm
Battery	7.4v Small LiPo Recommended
Magazine	150rd Mid-Cap
Gearbox	Ver 2 Metal, Upgradeable
Motor	Long Type
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable
Firing Mode	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety
Manufacturer	CYMA

Another solid airsoft gun for a price of around $300 is the CYMA Platinum M4 QBS AEG. It’s manufactured by CYMA, one of the oldest airsoft manufacturers. CYMA is known for producing affordable, and yet durable airsoft guns with good performance.

One of the best features of the CYMA Platinum M4 QBS AEG is its Quick Buffer system (QBS) spring system. The QBS is one of the most convenient quick change spring systems overall, enabling easy spring changes without needing receiver disassembly. This is especially good for beginners, who would otherwise have to open the rifle if they wanted to change a spring.

This full metal rifle proves the reputation of CYMA, being highly robust and reliable. The CYMA Platinum M4 QBS AEG has a relatively lower FPS (compared to some more expensive airsoft guns) of around 350-370 and is also one of the longest rifles on this list. It features a mid-capacity magazine with 150 rounds and an adjustable hop up.

In a nutshell, the CYMA Platinum M4 QBS AEG is a solid airsoft rifle, which is definitely among the best in its price bracket of around $300.

3. G&G Combat Machine 16 Raider Airsoft AEG Rifle

FPS	370-400
Length	785 / 885mm
Inner Barrel	363mm
Battery	Butterfly Type
Magazine	450 rounds G&G Hi-cap magazine
Gearbox	Version 2
Motor	Long Type
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable
Firing Mode	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety
Manufacturer	G&G

And if $300 is above your budget, you can still find some hidden undervalued gems. There are good (given the price) airsoft AEGs under $200 too. Probably the best one in this price bracket is the G&G Combat Machine 16 Raider AEG. A solid, affordable rifle that’s more than worth its price tag.

The G&G Combat Machine 16 Raider is a full metal AEG that features an integrated rail system, a lightweight heavy duty polymer receiver, adjustable front and rear sights, and an adjustable hop up. In addition, it has one of the largest magazine capacities among the airsoft guns on this list, with a 450-round hi-cap magazine. The rifle shoots BBs at an FPS of 370-400.

Given its price tag, it has surprisingly solid accuracy, rate of fire, and range. The rifle is also highly durable and easily customizable. It’s manufactured by G&G, a Taiwanese airsoft manufacturer with a solid reputation when it comes to quality products.

All in all, the G&G Combat Machine 16 Raider AEG offers relatively good quality at a cheap price. Of course, you can’t expect it to perform similar to much more expensive guns. But, if you’re a beginner looking to get into airsoft without spending much money, this one may be your best choice.

4. JG T3-K1 Full Size Lipo Ready Airsoft AEG Rifle

FPS	300-315
Length	1040mm
Inner Barrel	~509mm
Battery	9.6v Small Type / 7.4v LiPo Recommended
Magazine	500rd Hi-Capacity
Gearbox	Ver 2 Full Metal, Fully Upgradeable
Motor	Long Type
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable
Firing Mode	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety
Manufacturer	JG

The cheapest airsoft rifle on this list is the JG T3-K1 Full Size Lipo Ready AEG. Although not up to par with the other AEGs on this list, the rifle is pretty solid for its price tag of a little above $150. It’s manufactured by JG Works, the largest airsoft manufacturer in China, known for its affordable replicas.

The JG T3-K1 Full Size Lipo Ready AEG shoots BBs at around 300-315 FPS. It’s one of the airsoft rifles with the highest magazine capacity on this list, with a hi-capacity magazine of 500 rounds. For its price, it’s pretty accurate, sturdy, and with a good rate of fire.

If you’re looking to get an airsoft rifle for around $150, the JG T3-K1 Full Size Lipo Ready AEG is probably your best choice.

Best Airsoft SMG Under $300

5. G&G CM16 ARP9 CQB Carbine Airsoft AEG

FPS	330-350
Length	500mm – 590mm (adjustable)
Inner Barrel	~150mm
Battery	7.4V Small Butterfly Type recommended
Magazine	G&G 9mm style carbine magazine / 300 rounds
Gearbox	Ver 2 Full Metal, Fully Upgradeable
Motor	Long Type
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable /image
Firing Mode	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety
Manufacturer	G&G

If you’re looking for a shorter and more compact airsoft gun, you should consider a submachine gun (SMG). These are more maneuverable and portable than assault rifles, and are therefore better for close quarters scenarios. If you decide to go that way, there are some truly great airsoft SMGs on the market.

Just like with airsoft assault rifles the high-end SMGs can cost more than $400, and even more than $500. Still, there are some solid airsoft SMGs at a significantly lower price. Among those, we chose the G&G CM16 ARP9 CQB Carbine AEG as the best SMG under $300.

The G&G CM16 ARP9 CQB Carbine AEG is a good looking, compact, and lightweight airsoft gun. Its length is adjustable between 500 and 590mm, with an inner barrel around 150mm long. Its FPS is solid at around 330-350.

This SMG features a 300 round magazine, an adjustable hop up, an ergonomic motor grip, and an integrated MOSFET. It’s manufactured by the solid Taiwanese G&G. Another advantage is that it’s highly upgradeable and customizable.

In a nutshell, the G&G CM16 ARP9 CQB Carbine AEG is a great choice that you can’t go wrong with. In its price bracket, this is very likely the best SMG you can find.

Best Airsoft Pistols Under $300

Airsoft pistols are generally cheaper than AEGs. In fact, with a budget of $300, even the best airsoft pistols are comfortably within your reach. Here are the best airsoft pistols under $300 (and at the same time the best overall):

6. Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 Gas Blowback

FPS Range	250-300
Gas Type	HFC134a, Green gas
Dimensions	235mm x 143mm
Magazine	31 rounds
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable
System	Gas Blowback
Firing Mode	Semi-Auto, Safety
Manufacturer	Tokyo Marui

Among the plethora of great options, we chose the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 Gas Blowback pistol as the best one out there. Manufactured by one of the most famous airsoft companies ever, the always reliable Japanese Tokyo Marui, it can hardly get better than this pistol.

While other companies have created similar airsoft pistols, this one is truly elite, fully living up to the reputation of Tokyo Marui.

It’s a gas blowback pistol featuring a high-strength polymer slide and frame. The Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 uses green gas and can shoot up to 300 FPS. Its magazine can carry 31 rounds, much more than standard gas blowback pistols, so it protrudes slightly from the bottom.  

The Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 is lightweight with a comfortable grip. It features a Hi-Grouping barrel stabilization and a hop up system which make it highly accurate. Apart from its high accuracy, it also has a great range. In a nutshell, the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 is characterized by great shooting consistency, FPS stability, and cycling speed.

It’s an all-plastic pistol, which comes with both advantages and disadvantages to full-metal pistols. Some of the advantages are the snappy blowback, the cycling speed, as well as having great gas efficiency.

One of the disadvantages of plastic airsoft pistols is that the slide is less durable. However, the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 has a solid construction and has proven to be very durable in various tests. Therefore, it successfully overcomes even the biggest concerns usually related to plastic pistols.

In addition to it being great out of the box, the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 is also highly upgradeable and customizable, with a number of aftermarket parts available for fine-tuning it.

The Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 may be among the pricier pistols, but without a doubt, it lives up to the price. And due to its gas efficiency, in the long run, it’s still cost-effective. Hands down, this is probably the best airsoft pistol you can get.

7. Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2

FPS	345
Gas Type	12g CO2 Cartridges
Dimensions	230mm x 135mm
Magazine	14+1 rounds
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable
System	Gas Blowback
Firing Mode	Semi-Auto, Safety
Manufacturer	Elite Force / Umarex

Another option you absolutely can’t go wrong with is the Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2. If the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 is the best green gas airsoft pistol, then the Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2 is hands down the best CO2 airsoft pistol out there.

The Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2 features a full-metal construction, which makes it very realistic. Another thing that adds to the realism is the ultra-realistic slide action. This pistol has a great shooting performance and accuracy out of the box, and it comes with an adjustable hop up which further improves them.

It comes with all the features expected of a 1911 safety pistol. The usage of CO2 enables the Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2 to have an FPS of around 345, which is among the highest on this list. The CO2 also enable this pistol to have a very strong blowback, making it one of the most realistic airsoft pistols out there.

The Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2 has a built-in rail to which you can add on a flashlight or a laser. It also features a threaded tip which allows you to add a mock silencer or a suppressor.

The only con to this gun is its relatively low magazine capacity of 14+1 rounds, which is characteristic of all single-stack 1911s.

Even though we ranked it as the second pistol on our list, the Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2 is a viable alternative, and for some players even a better choice than the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1.

Some of the instances when you should definitely consider getting the Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2 over the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 are:

• if you prefer a full metal build over an all-plastic pistol;
• if you prefer CO2 to green gas; or
• if you want to save some money and not sacrifice quality.

Best Airsoft Sniper Rifles Under $300

8. AMOEBA “Striker” S1 Gen2 Bolt Action

FPS	400
Length	1085mm
Weight	4100g
Magazine Capacity	55 rounds
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable
System	High Power Spring, Bolt Action
Manufacturer	AMOEBA

Among the plethora of great options, we chose the AMOEBA “Striker” S1 Gen2 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle as the best one out there. Although relatively new, this powerful sniper is proven enough to justify taking the number 1 spot when it comes to airsoft snipers under $300.

At a little more than 4kg (9 lbs) and 1085mm long, the AMOEBA “Striker” S1 Gen2 is not among the lightest bolt action sniper rifles. However, it’s among those with the highest magazine capacity. This sniper rifle features a magazine capacity of 55 rounds, an adjustable hop up, and shoots BBs at an FPS of 400.

One of its greatest advantages is that it’s highly customizable and upgradeable. It’s customizable with many items, such as with AEG springs, which allow you to adjust its velocity on the fly. In fact, it may be the best airsoft sniper in that regard. This makes the AMOEBA “Striker” S1 Gen2 great for more experienced players. But even if you’re a beginner, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t start with this sniper rifle.

The “Striker” S1 Gen2 is produced by AMOEBA, which is a relatively new company. Despite that, they have proven themselves very solid in manufacturing all kinds of airsoft guns and accessories. This sniper rifle is not an exception.

Taking all relevant factors into account, the AMOEBA “Striker” S1 Gen2 is a great choice for a sniper rifle. It’s powerful, very customizable, and comes at a surprisingly affordable price for a sniper of its quality.

9. Tokyo Marui VSR-10 G-Spec

FPS	260-290
Length	950mm – 1135mm
Weight	2090g
Magazine Capacity	30 rounds
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable
System	Bolt Action
Manufacturer	Tokyo Marui

Another good option is the Tokyo Marui VSR-10. Manufactured by one of the most legendary airsoft companies ever, the always reliable Japanese Tokyo Marui, this sniper rifle is a great choice. It’s such a famous design, that other companies have created snipers based on its exact design. For years, this sniper rifle was and still is considered among the very best ones on the market.

Apart from the unprecedented reputation of its manufacturer, this sniper rifle is one of the most customizable and durable on the list. It provides you with a very sturdy base and a bunch of aftermarket parts for upgrading it.

As with all Tokyo Marui guns, its FPS of 260-290 is on the lower end. This is due to Japanese laws which limit the muzzle velocity of airsoft guns. Therefore, if you want higher FPS, you’ll need to upgrade the sniper rifle itself. So, it’s fair to say that this sniper rifle is more suited for experienced players.

The Tokyo Marui VSR-10 is one of the lightest sniper rifles on this entire list, with a weight of just above 2 kg (4.6 lbs). It features an adjustable hop up and a magazine capacity of 30 rounds.

If you don’t mind paying for a more expensive sniper rifle, than it can hardly get better than the Tokyo Marui VSR-10. Excluding the price as a factor, it would have probably be ranked first among sniper rifles. This is especially true if you don’t mind its lower muzzle velocity, or if you’re planning to upgrade it yourself.

Comparison Table of Best Airsoft Guns Under $300

	KWA VM4A1 2.5 / M4 Carbine AEG	CYMA Platinum M4 QBS AEG	G&G Combat Machine 16 Raider	JG T3-K1 Full Size Lipo Ready AEG	G&G CM16 ARP9 CQB Carbine	Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1	Elite Force 1911 TAC Co2	AMOEBA “Striker” S1 Gen2	Tokyo Marui VSR-10
FPS	390-440	350-370	370-400	300-315	330-350	250-300	345	400	260-290
Type	AEG	AEG	AEG	AEG	AEG SMG	Pistol	Pistol	Sniper rifle	Sniper rifle
Power Source	7.4v Small Type LiPo recommended	7.4v Small LiPo Recommended	Butterfly Type	9.6v Small Type / 7.4v LiPo Recommended	7.4V Small Butterfly Type recommended	HFC134a, Green gas	12g CO2 Cartridges
Magazine	30/120rd Mid Capacity	150rd Mid-Cap	450 rounds G&G Hi-cap magazine	500rd Hi-Capacity	G&G 9mm style carbine magazine / 300 rounds	31 rounds	14+1 rounds	55 rounds	30 rounds
Hop up	Yes, Adjustable	Yes, Adjustable	Yes, Adjustable	Yes, Adjustable	Yes, Adjustable	Yes, Adjustable	Yes, Adjustable	Yes, Adjustable	Yes, Adjustable
Firing Mode	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety	Semi/Full-Auto, Safety	Semi-Auto, Safety	Semi-Auto, Safety
Manufacturer	KWA	CYMA	G&G	JG	G&G	Tokyo Marui	Elite Force / Umarex	AMOEBA	Tokyo Marui

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Buyer’s Guide

What Are Airsoft Guns?

Airsoft guns are essentially very realistic replicas of real guns. They closely resemble their real-life counterparts in both looks and feel. Some airsoft manufacturers replicate real guns to the smallest details, right down to the triggers, switches, and even logos.

Unlike the real guns they replicate, airsoft guns shoot small plastic pellets, which are 6mm in diameter and weigh 0.1-0.2 grams. Since these are completely safe (if all safety procedures are followed and eye protection is worn), airsoft guns are a great option for combat enthusiasts.

Realism is one of the things that make airsoft so appealing to people who like combat simulations. Airsoft guns allow people to completely immerse themselves into a combat game and be safe at the same time.

In most of the US and the world, airsoft guns are completely legal to use for everyone, and you don’t even need a license. Still, there are some notable exceptions such as Australia, so make sure to research the legality of airsoft in your country.

Staying Safe When Using Airsoft Guns

Keep Your Eyes and Face Protected

The first thing to keep in mind is to always have at least eye protection (goggles) on, but full-face protection (full-face masks) is strongly recommended. Having the full face protected is especially important for children. In fact, at many airsoft fields wearing a full-face mask is mandatory for children.

The reason for wearing eye and face protection is that the face, and especially the eyes, is a very sensitive area. Indeed, the most dangerous airsoft injuries come from being shot in the eyes, which can cause serious issues, and in extreme cases even the loss of the eye. Ears should also be protected since it’s another very sensitive area. Finally, face masks will protect your teeth, which can be easily chipped if shot.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

While you don’t need to wear any special clothes for airsoft, there are certain things you should consider, such as the following:

• You shouldn’t leave any skin exposed. That includes wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, and gloves.
• Wear shoes that offer ankle support. Many airsoft fields are in wooded areas, with a lot of trees and logs, so tripping is possible. Keeping your ankles safe is always a good idea.
• While far from mandatory, knee and elbow pads can also be a good idea.

Always Treat Your Airsoft Guns Like You Would Real Guns

This is another crucial thing. While airsoft guns aren’t real, you need to always treat them as if they were. This includes the following:

• NEVER show off your airsoft guns in public. Yes, you know they are toys. But they look very realistic, and most people won’t be able to tell the difference. If people see you with an airsoft gun in public, they will get frightened, they could call the police, or in the worst case they could pull out a real gun in self-defense. If you want to avoid all that chaos, keep your airsoft guns hidden, carrying them in a gun case (or bag) on the way to the airsoft field.
• Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction, such as the ground. Don’t point the gun at anything or anyone if you’re not planning to shoot it/them. Accidental shootings happen.
• Keep your finger off the trigger unless you’re planning to shoot.
• Keep the gun’s safety on unless you’re planning to shoot.
• DON’T look down the barrel. Even if you have eye protection on.
• Always think of the weapon as if it were loaded. When you’ve finished playing, remove the magazine and ensure that it’s empty. After removing the magazine, shoot a few times on the ground.
• Avoid shooting hard surfaces from a few feet away. Airsoft pellets can ricochet and go pretty much anywhere.
• Keep the airsoft gun in a safe place.
• Don’t consume alcohol before (or during) playing airsoft.

Don’t Shoot Recklessly

You should also consider the safety of other airsofters. That includes never aiming at an opponent’s head and face. Also, avoid shooting from close proximity to an opponent. When in such a situation, yell “Bang!” or something similar instead of shooting the player. Being hit from a few feet away can cause some pain. Finally, don’t shoot blindly, or from small holes.

Follow Any Rules Set by the Airsoft Field You’re Playing At

The airsoft field you’re playing at will likely have its own set of rules, which may include the rules discussed above, but may also include additional rules not mentioned here. Whatever those are, they exist for a reason, and you should follow them at all times. Not doing so can mean putting yourself or others in danger, but could also see yourself banned from the airsoft field.

Types of Airsoft Guns Depending on Their Power Source

Depending on what powers them, there are different types of airsoft guns. Mainly, we divide them in 3 categories: spring, electric, and gas airsoft guns.

Spring Airsoft Guns

The simplest and by far cheapest are the spring airsoft guns. Although the first airsoft guns ever were spring guns, they aren’t practical for an airsoft battle. This is mainly because they require the player to manually cock the gun before each shot. Because of this, they have a much slower rate of shooting and are virtually unusable in an airsoft match.

A notable exception to this is using spring airsoft sniper rifles. Indeed, the only significant usage of spring airsoft guns is when it comes to sniper rifles. Since the slow rate of fire and the need to manually cock the gun before each shot is not an issue with sniper rifles, many of them are of spring type.

Electric Airsoft Guns

The most popular type of airsoft gun are the electric airsoft guns. This is especially true for beginners. We strongly recommend you to go with an AEG as your first airsoft gun, if you’re a beginner.

Electric airsoft guns are battery-powered. They use a motor to pull back a piston which compresses the air behind the pellet, therefore firing it out of the gun.

Electric guns will come with a rechargeable battery and a charger. This means that once you buy the electric gun, you don’t have additional recurring costs, apart from buying pellets. If your battery goes out, you can simply charge it. Having a reserve battery on you can also come in handy, since if the battery goes out while you’re playing that would be game over for you.

They’re also easy to maintain, powerful, accurate, durable, consistent, have a fast trigger response, and offer a wide variety of choices to modify them.

When we talk about electric airsoft guns, people usually think of airsoft rifles. But, there are also automatic electric pistols. While not as popular as gas-powered pistols, they can still be a good choice, and in some cases even a better option than the gas pistol (especially in cold weather, when electric airsoft guns perform better than gas guns).

Gas Airsoft Guns

A gas airsoft gun is a semi-automatic or fully automatic airsoft gun that uses gas as a power source to shoot airsoft pellets out of the gun. There are a couple of gases that can be used to power the gun, most notably green gas and CO2. Gas-powered pistols are a common choice for a sidearm.

These guns are the second most popular type of airsoft guns, following electric airsoft guns. But, there are use cases when gas guns are much more popular than even electric guns. Most notably, gas-powered pistols are more common than automatic electric pistols (AEPs). Therefore, they’re a great option for a secondary weapon.

Even though rifles are the most common, pistols are also widely used in airsoft, mainly as a sidearm. The airsoft pistol has its advantages over rifles, so having them as an option is usually a good idea. They’re especially useful in close-quarters battles and tight spaces because they’re small enough and let you easily move around with them.

Blowback vs non-blowback gas airsoft pistols

Some of the terms that you might have heard are blowback vs non-blowback gas pistols. In essence, gas blowback airsoft pistols are those that have a recoil upon firing, similarly to real pistols. This hugely increases the realism of these type of pistols, so they’re far more popular than any other type of airsoft pistols. A large majority of the items on our list of best airsoft pistols are gas blowback guns.

Still, you should be aware that gas blowback airsoft pistols have a disadvantage too. Once again, that’s their cost-effectiveness. A blowback pistol will use gas both for shooting the BB and for the recoil. In comparison, a non-blowback pistol will only use gas for the shooting.

Despite this, if you’re looking for the best of the best airsoft pistols, it’s very likely you’ll end up with a gas blowback airsoft pistol.

Other terms that you should know are fully and semi-automating firing modes. In essence, fully automatic shooting means that the gun will shoot out pellets for as long as the trigger is pressed, up until you release it. Semi-automatic means that the gun shoots out one pellet for every pressing of the trigger, and you need to release the trigger and press it again for another firing.

Different Airsoft Gun Categories

Airsoft Assault Rifles

This is probably the most popular, as well as the most beginner-friendly category. If you’re just getting into airsoft, your first gun will likely be an airsoft rifle. There’s a huge choice of assault rifles, ranging from relatively affordable to very expensive.

Assault rifles are fully or semi-automatic, which allows them to fire in bursts. They are usually electric powered. You can get airsoft replicas of some famous real-life assault rifles, such as the M4 or the AK-47. Airsoft assault rifles have a great range and are very easy to use.

Airsoft Pistols

An airsoft pistol is essentially a highly realistic replica of a real pistol. While they closely resemble the real pistol they replicate, airsoft pistols shoot small, round, plastic BBs.

In airsoft, pistols are mainly used as a sidearm, a secondary weapon. If you’re mostly playing close quarters, you may even opt for an airsoft pistol as your primary weapon. Pistols are also great for target shooting practice.

Airsoft pistols are highly popular, in part due to their affordability. Indeed, compared to airsoft rifles, pistols are usually much cheaper.

Airsoft SMGs

Airsoft SMGs are something in between assault rifles and pistols. This can often prove as an advantage, since they have the power and fire rate of an assault rifle, while having the compactness of a pistol. Just like assault rifles, airsoft SMGs are most commonly electric.

Airsoft Sniper Rifles

An airsoft sniper rifle is essentially a highly realistic replica of a real sniper rifle. They are long-range, accurate rifles.

Sniper rifles may not be the best choice for a complete beginner, since they are more challenging to use. Still, they can be one of the most fun weapons to use in airsoft.

Although you may think that sniper rifles are expensive, there are actually very affordable options. This is because most sniper rifles in airsoft are spring-type. Not only are they cheaper to get, they’re also cheaper to use because they don’t require gas or electricity. Yet, there are also some very high-quality and expensive sniper rifles.

Airsoft sniper rifles will often shoot at 400 FPS and over. And if you decide to upgrade it, this number can significantly increase. With a higher FPS, sniper rifles also have a better range than other weapon types.

Compared to other weapon types, sniper rifles should usually shoot much heavier BBs. Such BBs are more accurate since they’re not affected by the wind as much.

What To Look Out for When Buying an Airsoft Gun?

If you’re looking to buy an airsoft gun, it’s crucial to know what to look out for. We considered a bunch of different factors when creating this list of best airsoft guns for 2024. These factors are some of the most important things you should look for in an airsoft gun. Here are just some of the things to consider when buying an airsoft gun:

• Build quality – It’s no surprise that one of the key things to consider is the build quality, both internal and external. You want a gun with high-quality internal components (such as the barrel, trigger, and bucking), as well as high-quality external components (such as the grip, slide, and rail).
• Shooting performance – You want an airsoft gun with consistent FPS (meaning that the FPS doesn’t vary too much between different shots), high accuracy (so that you can hit opponents from a distance), and a hop up.
• Reliability – When it comes to construction, metal build is usually considered more reliable than plastic. However, in some cases, the plastic can be of high quality and very durable (such as the Tokyo Marui models), so it’s not a problem.
• Value for money – You’d be surprised how often price doesn’t correlate with quality when it comes to airsoft guns. Therefore, getting a more expensive airsoft gun is justified only if it lives up to its price. When making the list of best airsoft guns, we ensured that the price of each gun on the list is justified.
• The reputation of the manufacturer – Getting an airsoft gun from a well-known brand means that you shouldn’t worry too much about its quality. If you’re buying an airsoft gun produced by a company such as Tokyo Marui or Elite Force, it’s very likely that you’re getting a high-quality piece.

Conclusion

With thousands of airsoft guns out there, it’s difficult to distinguish the quality from the junk. So, we took into account the shooting performance, accuracy, reliability, build quality, value for money, and the manufacturer of the numerous guns on the market to create a list of the best airsoft guns under $300 for 2024.

In this article, we presented the 9 best airsoft guns under $300 currently on the market. Some of the best of the best are the:

• KWA VM4A1 2.5 / M4 Carbine AEG – best airsoft rifle under $300
• CYMA Platinum M4 QBS AEG – another great pick
• G&G CM16 ARP9 CQB Carbine AEG – best airsoft SMG under $300
• Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 – best airsoft pistol under $300
• AMOEBA “Striker” S1 Gen2 – best airsoft sniper rifle under $300

Although there are many options on this list, you really can’t go wrong with any of these picks.

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