What Is A Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol?
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Playing airsoft can be seen as just playing with toy guns. It’s somewhat true, they are toy guns in the sense that they are not real firearms. Most airsoft pistols are replicas of the real thing, meaning they look and feel like it too. But what if your airsoft pistol shoots the way real pistols do as well? This is now possible with the Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistols.
How Do Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistols Work?
Gas blowback airsoft pistols are the closest you can get to the real thing in the airsoft world. They are powered by compressed gas that gives them an almost instant trigger response. Every time you shoot, the gas blowback causes the slide to shoot back, just like a real gun. This action also adds to the recoil of the gun that makes you feel like you are shooting the real thing. Another feature is that these pistols lock to the rear when you run out of ammo, just like a real pistol would.
Blowback vs Non-Blowback Pistols
The main difference between GBB and Non-GBB pistols is that the slide of the non-GBB pistols’ slide does not cycle or shoot back. It is a non-functional slide only for aesthetic purposes. They also use less gas than the GBB pistols. They are also generally much quieter than their counterparts. With fewer mechanics inside the non-GBB, it feels so much lighter than blowbacks. The only disadvantage of the non-blowbacks is that they may look like the real thing, but they don’t shoot like it.
CO2 or Green Gas for Gas Blowback Pistols?
Generally, you can use all types of gas on gas blowback pistols, even propane. But CO2 is the most common gas blowback pistol you can find in the market today. There are green gas pistols that are great too but they have less firepower than the CO2 gas blowback pistols. When you look for a gas blowback airsoft pistol, you need to consider the way they are constructed and the materials used because having blowback means that there is an internal strain on your pistol and your mechanisms can get screwed up if they can’t handle the pressure. Always make sure that before you purchase your blowback pistol, what gas should be used and how much firepower that pistol can take.
Pros and Cons of Gas Blowbacks
These pistols are all the rage now in the airsoft world. Every player needs a trusty sidearm to complete their arsenal of weapons. So if you are thinking of getting a Gas blowback pistol, let us give you a list of its advantages and disadvantages to better help your decision.
Quick Glance
What's Good
- Recoil – This is the main reason that airsoft players prefer using gas blowback weapons. It makes it feel like you are shooting a real firearm
- No gearbox noise – There is no motor that whines on gas blowback pistols. You make a quieter sound than (AEG) Automatic Electric Guns therefore you are harder to spot in the arena.
- More than just a replica – Adding the gas blowback feature, your replica guns are now more than just that. They can shoot like them too.
What's Bad
- More gas usage – When you use a gas blowback pistol, you tend to use up more of your gas than non-blowbacks. Every time you press the trigger, the hammer releases and makes contact with a nozzle that releases a spurt of gas into the valve directly behind the BB. This is something that non-blowbacks don’t have.
- Maintenance – With gas blowback pistols, you will need to maintain your pistol quite often because of the internal strain it receives from the blowback.
Our Final Thoughts
Choosing the perfect sidearm can be worrisome for a lot of people. Not really knowing what type of pistol to get. Gas blowback pistols can be a great sidearm to help you with your battles in an airsoft arena. It may have some drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons on this one.
