Airsoft Pistols

We have a great selection of airsoft pistols, perfect for close-quarter combat and airsoft skirmishes. At Socom Tactical, we carry a variety of gas blowback airsoft pistols in a range of styles at incredible prices.

Gas Blowback Pistols

Ammo Capacity

Sidearms often carry significantly less ammunition than a modern assault rifle. Their handheld design limits the size of the magazine, thus reducing the number of bullets it can fit comfortably. Fortunately for airsoft pistols, the tiny volume of a BB pellet means more ammo can be carried per magazine, allowing most airsoft pistols a capacity of around 25-30 rounds per mag; double that of their real-steel counterparts. 

Gas Types - Performance, Reliability and Long-Term Maintenance

Throughout the various brands, there are four main power levels of airsoft gas. These are commonly denoted by colour: Black as the most powerful, then Red, Green, and lastly Blue as the weakest. Players may also encounter 'maintenance gas', which is solely designed for long-term storage of gas magazines, instead of performance. 

Pistols with a plastic/polymer slide - namely Tokyo Marui, though their internal part quality is very high - require a low power gas for regular use, to avoid dealing damage directly to the slide. A lightweight plastic slide will naturally be snappier than a heavier, metal slide, but if pushed with the extra force of a high-powered gas, the lesser integrity of any plastic slide can quickly result in cracking. High power gas can also deal damage to low-quality internal parts that aren't built for heavy wear and tear, something to keep note of when it comes to 'cheap' airsoft pistols. Read on for more info on the differences between low and high-quality gas airsoft pistols.

Nimrod Blue or Abbey Predator are ideal choices of gas for any airsoft pistol 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 - The UK weather frequently dips up and down in temperature: if it's certainly a cold day, go for Red. If you're in the heat of summer, stick to Green. Most experienced players take both to game day, as to not be caught off guard by unreliable temperature.  
• FPS Limits - The most important factor. Red gas is known to push some standard pistols over the UK's 350 FPS limit, especially on hot days. To not get caught out at the Chrono, it's wise to take a can of weaker gas with you. 
• Internal parts - Some airsoft pistols with metal slides may still have weak internal parts that can break when pushed beyond their limits. 

Pick between Nimrod or Abbey for reliable Green and Red airsoft gas. 

Black gas is best used in cold, near-0° temperatures that can stump the cycling of a gas blowback airsoft gun. In most cases, you want to avoid using Black gas in an airsoft pistol, as to stay within UK power limits and minimise wear on your internal parts. Even some metal slides, particularly those made from low-quality pot metal, can be cracked by the excessive force of an overly powerful gas. 

Gas Non-blowback Pistols - 'NBB'

Non Blowback airsoft pistols come in two distinct forms:

• Cheap Backgarden Toys - with minimal working parts to keep costs low, these are marketed as toys for back garden plinking. Often sold in bright colours to avoid UKARA restrictions. 
• Silent Airsoft Performance - The opposite end of the spectrum. There's no better example than Tokyo Marui's MK23 SOCOM and its many clones, which has enjoyed the reputation as airsoft's go-to sniper sidearm since its introduction in 2001. Here, the lack of a 'blowback' function makes for whisper-quiet shots, keeping your position concealed. The simplified design is highly gas-efficient, granting the MK23 great shot-to-shot consistency and the ability to engage targets at short-to-medium range. 

Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistols

An airsoft pistol is great for close-up combat situations and can be a game-changer in airsoft matches. Our airsoft pistols come in all shapes and sizes, from small and compact to large and intimidating full metal airsoft guns.