Airsoft has come a long way since it became a thing, that’s for sure. We now have airsoft guns that offer next-level expandability, insane rates of fire, mind-boggling upgradeability, and can break the 400-FPS wall.

But the basics are still important. Power, reliability, capacity, expandability, ergonomics. What makes a good airsoft gun a good airsoft gun still requires you to look at the fundamentals.

So, we took some time to mull over customer favorites and hot new items so we could tell you some good choices if you’re looking for a new airsoft pistol

With that said, what airsoft gun should you buy?

What Airsoft Pistol Should I Buy?

It’s a tough question. To answer it, you need to take some time to think about what you need.

Everyone should carry an airsoft sidearm as a backup in a match. But what do you need most? Expandability? Power? A high rate of fire?

Generally, good airsoft pistols will offer some balance across all three. Here are some of the most popular airsoft guns on the market.

Action Army AAP-01

The Action Army AAP-01 is, has been, and will foreseeably continue to be one of the most popular airsoft pistols on the market.

What do airsoft players like about it? Well, it has a compact footprint, carries and points well, offers snappy cycling and an insane rate of fire, and is capable of shooting on full-auto.

Which will drain the 22-round mag it comes with in like a second, but worry not. The Action Army AAP-01 is compatible with Glock airsoft mags and you can even get a drum mag for it - that 350 round mag will let you go a bit harder on full-auto.

The Action Army AAP-01 is also compatible with a ton of cool accessories, like CTM Speed Holsters, magwells, charging rings, and tons of other cool stuff.

Airsofters also love the rails above and below the barrel which offer plenty of real estate for optics, lasers, lights, and other cool airsoft attachments.

You can also upgrade or expand the ever-lovin’-heck out of it. We’ve covered this before. Check out our previous blogs, Trick Out Your AAP-01 with These Airsoft Gun Parts and Airsoft Attachments and Ammo for Your Action Army AAP-01 to get some ideas.

Glock Airsoft Guns

What can we say, Glock airsoft guns are great and airsoft players love them.

But there are too many good ones for us to pick out the best ones. Instead, check out some of the following Glock airsoft guns. They’re all great options in their own right:

• Elite Force/Umarex G18C Green Gas (This one’s full-auto capable!)
• EF Gen3 G17 CO2
• EF/Umarex Gen3 G19 Green Gas
• EF/Umarex Gen5 G19X Green Gas
• EF/Umarex Gen4 G17 Green Gas

We offer all of these Glock airsoft guns at MiR Tactical (and many others) but the ones above are great picks.

The first one is an especially great option if you love a smooth-shooting green gas Glock airsoft pistol, plus it’s full-auto capable and comes with an extended airsoft magazine which is a bonus.

Airsoft players love Glocks because they’re realistic and offer the same basic fire controls as the real thing, not to mention many of them are full-sized, fully-licensed Glock replicas.

Also, Glock airsoft guns are fun to upgrade and mod, and many of them have rail sections under the barrel where you can add attachments.

Hi Capa Pistols

Hi Capa pistols, that are modeled after 1911-style pistols, are also very popualar.

There are lots of good options out there. Just like Glock airsoft guns, there are a lot of good ones, including:

• Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa airsoft pistols, like the 5.1 and 4.3 (multiple options and configurations are available for each one, like the 1 Gold Match Custom and 4.3 Tactical.)
• Lancer Tactical makes some really good Hi Capa airsoft pistols, too. Check out the Knightshade series.
• Army Armament makes solid Hi Capa airsoft pistols - consider the R501.

The great thing about Hi Capa Airsoft pistols is that lots of brands make some awesome upgrade parts for them. Take a look at COWCOW, Airsoft Masterpiece, and Maple Leaf Hi-Capa parts, to name just a few.

Elite Force 1911 Tac

The Elite Force 1911 Tac is another great 1911-style airsoft pistol at an awesome price.

What do airsoft players love about it? It features an all-metal frame and slide and a smooth-shooting blowback action that mimics recoil which boosts realism.

Also, it features a section of rail under the barrel and a reverse threaded tip for muzzle devices.

At this price point, it’s a great choice in an airsoft sidearm that won’t break the bank.

Tokyo Marui Biohazard

The Tokyo Marui Biohazard deserves a separate callout from the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capas mentioned above.

The Biohazard is based on the Tokyo Marui M9 and features a polymer slide and frame with metal controls and hardware. It also features an adjustable hop-up system and double-stack mag that allows for more gas storage in the magazine, increasing power.

ASG CZ P-09

The ASG CZ P-09 is another great option if you’re looking for a new airsoft pistol. It’s a realistic replica that’s officially licensed by CZ and is packed with features that airsoft players love.

Among these are a metal outer barrel, an ambi safety, an adjustable hop-up, a 3-dot sight system, and a rail under the barrel. It also offers realistic blowback that simulates recoil. If you’re a CZ fan, this airsoft replica comes highly recommended and reviewed.

ASG M9

ASG also makes an all-metal M9 airsoft pistol which is a really good deal considering the price point.

This ASG M9 features all-metal construction with a Weaver rail at the front so you can mount lights, lasers, or other airsoft accessories. It features an adjustable hop-up, realistic blowback, and comes with a 25-round mag, slightly better than most Glock airsoft guns.

Also, the model in the link above is a green gas airsoft gun but there is a CO2 mag available for it, which is another nice bonus.

Need a Recommendation? Contact Us

Not sure what airsoft pistol you should buy? Don’t be a stranger. Either visit us in our shop in Buffalo Grove or call us at 800-581-6620. We’ll help you find one that works perfectly for you.