The Differences Between Spring and Gas Airsoft Sniper Rifles

While gas powered and spring powered airsoft sniper rifles both offer pretty similar performance, there are a few things to be considered. For example, you never have to buy anything other than airsoft BBs for a spring airsoft rifle, but you have to buy green gas (or propane with the right adapter) to power a gas airsoft rifle.

Also, another difference between spring and gas powered airsoft rifles is the fact that gas airsoft sniper rifles can sometimes be affected by temperature (for example if it is really cold out). Spring airsoft rifles always perform exactly the same no matter what the temperature is, since they are powered by a spring rather than gas. The discharge rate of gas is generally slower when it is cold, which means that your gun may shoot a bit slower if it is really cold outside.

Also, as far as price goes, spring airsoft sniper rifles are always cheaper than the gas powered ones. The difference in price is usually about $40 - $80 or so. So if you combine this with the fact that you have to buy gas on an on-going basis (assuming that you have a gas powered airsoft gun), it becomes pretty obvious that a spring powered airsoft rifle is a much cheaper choice.

When it comes to appearance, you cant really tell spring and gas powered airsoft sniper rifles apart, other than by closely examining their magazines. The magazines are totally different between the 2 guns, since the gas airsoft rifles actually store their gas inside of the magazine, while spring powered airsoft guns only store BBs inside of their magazines.

All of the spring airsoft sniper rifles are bolt action, single shot guns. In fact, they can ONLY be single shot, since you have to cock back a heavy spring each time you shoot them. Most of the gas powered airsoft sniper rifles are bolt action (single shot) too, but they can also be semi-auto. This is a huge advantage that the gas powered airsoft sniper rifles have over the spring powered sniper rifles.

When it comes to actual performance, generally gas powered airsoft sniper rifles shoot at a slightly higher velocity VS the spring powered ones. On average gas airsoft rifles shoot about 50-100 FPS faster than spring airsoft rifles. Also, it is much easier to cock a gas powered rifle since there is no heavy spring to pull back.

Both the gas powered and the spring powered airsoft sniper rifles shoot exactly the same accuracy-wise, but you may want to use a slightly heavier BB if you are shooting a gas powered rifle. Again, gas powered airsoft guns shoot a little faster than the spring powered guns, so it may be necessary to use a heavier BB in order to achieve the best accuracy at longer distances.

When trying to decide whether to purchase a gas powered or a spring powered airsoft rifle, I would recommend that you consider the most important factors, such as the price, the ability to shoot in semi-automatic mode, and whether or not you want a gun that is easy to cock (again, spring airsoft rifles are far harder to cock VS gas airsoft guns). Also, dont forget about the fact that you will always need to purchase gas in order to fire a gas powered airsoft rifle. With a spring airsoft rifle you simply have to cock it for each shot; no additional power source is ever needed.