The power of airsoft pistols, rifles and machine guns is regulated by a set of specifications formed by the rules for the game of airsoft, this means that you cannot play with any type of replica (be it a pistol, a rifle or a long barrel rifle) but only with the ASG (air soft gun) they have power less than 1 Joule. Also in this case we suggest that you always check the specific rules in your country or in any case of the association in which you participate and check the precise limitations imposed by the regulation.
However, the purpose of this article is not to talk about the maximum power thresholds imposed by airsoft or military simulation organizations, but to talk about What are the elements that determine power? of the pistol or rifle according to its type of feed.
Power spring-loaded airsoft guns and rifles; depends on what?
In this type of softgun, or ASG, the firing power is determined by the force stored by the spring during the manual loading phase. Spring loaded pistols and rifles are often limited in power to 0.4 – 0.5 – 0.6 – 0.7 Joules but can be (at least some) modified quite easily by replacing the air unit spring. If the spring is not of the standard type and therefore it is not easy to find it, in some cases an increase in power can be obtained simply by extending it a little and reassembling it in its seat. For name brand pistols and rifles, reinforced springs are usually available as replacements.
Power Co2 airsoft guns and rifles; depends on what?
In this type of ASG, the power is simply given by the pressure available in the standard Co2 refills on the market. Usually, Co2 reloads for pistols have a capacity of 12 grams and often the pressure of the carbon dioxide contained inside them is not specified. There are also different capacities, such as the 88 gram ones used on some airsoft rifles. On these softguns it is practically impossible to increase the firing power if you do not have capsules with higher pressure available. However, let us remember that CO2 ASGs are usually relatively powerful and can in some cases exceed 1 Joule of power, encountering the phenomenon called “overjoules” which can make them unsuitable for playing airsoft.
Gas power guns and airsoft rifles; depends on what?
As with the C02-powered ASGs, the gas or green gas-powered ASGs also have a power that depends on the pressure of the refill cylinders available. In this case, however, it is easier to find high-performance refills on the market which have pressures of even 130PSI or 150PSI. We remind you that standard gas or green gas powered pistols and rifles have a tendency to lose power in the presence of low temperatures of use (due to the Boyle effect).
Power guns and electric airsoft guns; depends on what?
Airsoft guns and electric rifles use a motor and a set of gears to pre-compress a loaded spring. The spring, a bit like usually happens also on spring-loaded pistols with manual loading, is an element that is part of the air group and which generates the pressure needed to fire the pellet. Again, electric softguns can have different power levels depending on the model (e.g. 0.5 Joule, 0.7 Joule etc) but again these can (at least some) be changed quite easily by swapping out the spring of the assembly air. If the spring is not of the standard type and therefore it is not easy to find it, in some cases an increase in power can be obtained simply by extending it a little and reassembling it in its seat. For branded pistols and rifles, reinforced springs are usually available as spare parts for which the speed values are indicated in meters per second (m/s) and indicate the speed with which – unless otherwise specified – a standard 6 BBs mm and 0.20 grams of mass is expelled from the ASG. For example, there are reinforced springs for which the manufacturer declares speeds of 100m/s, 110m/s, 120m/s, 140m/s, etc.