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Airsoft Pistols

Airsoft Pistols

Airsoft players have a lot of options when it comes to choosing an airsoft pistol, so it's important to know what you're looking for before you buy one. Airsoft pistols can be powered by gas, CO2, spring or electric, and each type has its advantages. Check out our full range of airsoft guns for sale. Gas blowback pistols are the most popular choice for skirmishing, with realistic recoil and great performance. Spring pistols are cheap and simple, while CO2 pistols offer consistent power in colder weather. All of our airsoft pistols are available as a RIF or two-tone airsoft pistols and with 0% interest finance. Shop All Airsoft Guns | Shotguns | Electric Guns | Revolvers | SMGs
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Frequently Asked Questions

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What Are Gas Airsoft Pistols?

Gas Airsoft pistols are the most realistic type of Airsoft pistol. They are powered by compressed gas, which gives them a realistic recoil. Gas Airsoft pistols are more expensive than electric or spring pistols, but they're worth the investment if you're looking for a realistic Airsoft experience.

What is an Electric Airsoft Pistol (AEP)?

Electric airsoft pistols (commonly known as AEPs - Automatic Electric Pistols) are sidearms powered by small batteries: in some cases AA, AAA, or a tiny 7.4v LiPo battery. Electric airsoft pistols are semi-automatic and sometimes fully automatic, meaning they can shoot multiple BBs without having to be manually cocked each time.

In most cases, AEPs lack any sort of recoil or cocking mechanism, though Electric Blowback (EBB) pistols are available. However, a blowback function of an electric pistol is purely an aesthetic novelty and is not part of the loading mechanism. The blowback is also characterised by a short, but noticeable delay after each pull of the trigger.

For players looking for a realistic airsoft sidearm, we would recommend a Gas Blowback pistol over an electric one. Most AEPs share the drawbacks of spring pistols; they are cheaply made and their internal system makes them unsuitable for airsoft skirmishes.

What Are Spring Airsoft Pistols?

Spring-powered pistols are usually made to be as cheap as possible, designed for back garden 'plinking' or target practice. Each shot requires the slide to be pulled back, creating compressed air ready to be released with a pull of the trigger. This means that spring pistols require cocking before each shot by default.

We would not recommend spring pistols to players looking for a realistic airsoft sidearm, due to their cheap plastic construction. Nor would we suggest using one at an airsoft skirmish, as their spring-action makes them wildly impractical in close-quarter situations where rapid follow-up shots are needed. For an affordable sidearm that doesn't compromise on realism, we highly recommend a Gas Blowback pistol from E&C or WE - these are detailed replicas of real pistols, each with powerful recoil and substantial magazine capacity, making them a formidable backup to your main RIF.

How To Choose An Airsoft Pistol?

When choosing an Airsoft pistol, it's important to consider what type of Airsoft player you are. If you're looking for a realistic Airsoft experience, a gas-powered pistol is the way to go. If you're just starting out, or on a budget, an electric or spring-powered pistol is a great choice. Airsoft pistols come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to find one that's comfortable for you to hold and use.

At Socom Tactical, we carry a variety of gas blowback airsoft pistols in a range of styles at great prices.

Gas Blowback Pistols

Ammo Capacity

Thanks to the small size of a BB, most airsoft pistol magazines hold more rounds than their real-steel counterparts, typically around 20–30 rounds, with extended magazines holding even more. Keep spares in a magazine pouch and load them quickly with a speedloader.

Gas Types - Performance, Reliability and Long-Term Maintenance

Airsoft gas comes in a range of power levels, often indicated by colour, from lower-power gases such as Nimrod Blue through green gas to higher-power red and black gases. Players may also encounter 'maintenance gas', which contains extra silicone to help keep seals in good condition.

Pistols with a plastic/polymer slide, such as most Tokyo Marui pistols, should be run on lower-power gas to avoid damaging the slide. High-power gas can also damage internal parts that aren't built for heavy wear, something to bear in mind with budget pistols.

Nimrod Blue or Abbey Predator gas are good choices for pistols with a plastic slide.

For pistols with a metal slide, depending on your circumstances, you'll have the choice between green and red gas. Consider these factors:

  • Weather - Gas performance drops in the cold. On colder days, a slightly stronger gas can help your pistol cycle; on hot days, a weaker gas may be better. Many experienced players take more than one gas to game day.
  • FPS Limits - The most important factor. Stronger gas can push some pistols over your site's limit, especially on hot days. Always chrono before play.
  • Internal parts - Some pistols with metal slides may still have internal parts that can break when pushed beyond their limits.

Pick between Nimrod or Abbey for reliable airsoft gas, or browse all airsoft gas.

The strongest gases are generally best kept for very cold conditions. In most cases, avoid using them in an airsoft pistol, to stay within site power limits and minimise wear on your internal parts.

Gas Non-blowback Pistols - 'NBB'

Non-blowback airsoft pistols don't cycle the slide when fired. This makes them quieter and more gas-efficient.

  • Silent Airsoft Performance - There's no better example than Tokyo Marui's MK23 SOCOM and its clones, long regarded as one of airsoft's go-to sniper sidearms. The lack of blowback makes for quiet shots, helping keep your position concealed, and the simple design gives great shot-to-shot consistency. Upgrade yours with our MK23 pistol upgrades.

Upgrading a gas pistol? See our Hi-Capa upgrades, AAP-01 parts and pistol spare parts, and find a holster to carry it.
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