AIRSOFT SMGs
Compact Full-Auto Firepower for Close Quarters (CQB)
Airsoft Submachine Guns (SMGs) are all about packing rapid-fire power into a small, maneuverable package. These subcompact airsoft guns bridge the gap between full-sized rifles and pistols – giving you rifle-like performance in a pistol-sized frame.
Designed for tight spaces and high-speed action, SMGs excel in indoor arenas and CQB scenarios where agility is key. They typically fire in semi or full-auto, allowing you to sweep through doorways and clear rooms with ease. Mir Tactical offers a huge selection of airsoft SMGs, from iconic classics to cutting-edge modern designs, so every player can find the perfect compact weapon for their play style.
Airsoft SMGs come in a variety of models inspired by real-world counterparts. If you want a legendary SMG, consider the famed H&K MP5, beloved by SWAT and special forces for decades. Prefer something futuristic? The FN P90, with its distinctive top-mounted magazine, offers a sci-fi look and superb handling in tight quarters. Into modern tactical style? Guns like the G&G ARP9 or KWA QRF Mod.3 deliver AR-pistol aesthetics in 9mm SMG form. We even carry hard-hitting HPA-powered options like the Wolverine MTW-9, which brings tournament-level performance. Whether it’s a classic Uzi or a cutting-edge Kriss Vector, Mir Tactical has an SMG to suit every scenario – each one built to give you an edge when mobility and rapid fire matter most.
What Is an Airsoft SMG?
An airsoft SMG (Submachine Gun) is a replica of the real-steel submachine guns used by military and law enforcement for close-quarters combat. In the real world, SMGs like the H&K MP5, MP7, and UMP gained fame for their compact size and use of pistol-caliber ammunition, making them ideal for clearing rooms and engaging targets at close range. These firearms are shorter and lighter than rifles, often with folding stocks and shorter barrels, allowing for easy handling in tight spaces. Many real SMGs also feature high rates of fire to put lots of rounds on target quickly.
In airsoft, SMGs faithfully mimic those characteristics. Airsoft submachine guns are smaller than typical airsoft rifles but larger than pistols, hitting a sweet spot in size. They prioritize compactness, maneuverability, and fast handling, just like their real counterparts. Most airsoft SMGs come with ergonomic designs and features you’d expect on larger guns: top and side accessory rails for mounting optics, foregrips, and lights; adjustable or folding stocks to suit different play styles; and often a threaded barrel for attaching mock suppressors or tracer units. Because of their light weight and balance, airsoft SMGs can even be fired one-handed in a pinch, earning some models the nickname “machine pistols.” In essence, an airsoft SMG gives you the firepower of a rifle in a handgun-sized form, making it a favorite for players who need speed and stealth in close-quarters battle.
How Does an Airsoft SMG Work?
Like other airsoft guns, SMGs use a few different power systems to propel BBs – and each type has its own benefits. You’ll find battery-powered electric SMGs, gas-blowback SMGs, and even high-tech HPA-driven SMGs, plus the occasional spring-powered novelty. Regardless of the power source, all airsoft SMGs shoot 6mm plastic BBs and are typically capable of semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Here’s a breakdown of the common types and how they work:
AEG (Electric) SMGs
AEG SMGs are extremely popular thanks to their reliability and ease of use. An AEG SMG uses a rechargeable battery to drive an internal motor and gearbox. When you pull the trigger, the motor cycles a set of gears that compress a spring piston, launching a BB out of the barrel. This happens rapidly for each shot, and holding the trigger enables full-auto fire. The beauty of AEGs is consistency – they will keep shooting as long as your battery and magazine last.
GBB (Gas Blowback) SMGs
Gas-powered SMGs bring an extra level of realism and recoil into play. GBB SMGs use compressed gas – usually green gas or CO2 – stored in their magazines to fire BBs and cycle the bolt with each shot. This cycling action produces a satisfying kick (recoil) and realistic operation, closely mimicking how a real SMG feels when shooting.
HPA SMGs
For those who demand the absolute best in performance tuning, HPA-powered SMGs are an exciting option. HPA (High Pressure Air) SMGs use externally stored compressed air (in a tank and line setup) to drive a pneumatic engine inside the gun. This setup replaces the battery or gas and gives you extremely consistent, adjustable power.
How to Choose an Airsoft SMG
With so many options available, choosing the right airsoft SMG comes down to your play style, budget, and preferences. Start by considering your role on the field: Are you primarily a CQB player who will use an SMG as your main weapon, or are you a sniper looking for a compact secondary gun for those too-close encounters?
Popular Airsoft SMG Models
- Umarex H&K MP5 A5 SMG (AEG) – The classic 9mm submachine gun in airsoft form.
- Umarex H&K MP7A1 (Gas Blowback) – A compact PDW-style SMG that’s ultra-light and maneuverable.
- G&G CM16 ARP9 (AEG) – A modern pistol-caliber AEG that has taken the airsoft world by storm.
- KWA QRF Mod 3 (AEG) – KWA’s take on a modern SMG, featuring a unique curved magazine.
- Elite Force H&K UMP45 – The UMP is the bigger brother of the MP5, firing .45 ACP in real life.