Best Airsoft Pistols – Reviews & Buyers Guide (2021)

The first choice on the short list for the best spring airsoft guns of 2018 is the UTG Sport M1911 Full Metal Spring Pistol. Unlike a lot of spring airsoft guns, this baby is 99% full metal, and the trigger actuates the hammer of the gun. The only parts of this gun that are plastic are the grip (having a metal grip would be weird), and the short outer barrel.

Even the damn magazine is metal. This baby feels real, with two safeties, just like the original M1911. The UTG Sport M1911 has a lower 13-round mag (1 fewer than the actual double-stacked M1911 mag, but 4 more than the Colt’s M1911 magazine capacity), with 90-BB speed loaded compartment when you’re in a pinch.

The second choice on the list is the SoftAir Desert Eagle .44 Magnum. Call us a sucker for the Counter Strike days, but who doesn’t love a good ole deagle? Just like the original, it’s a big f*cking gun, weighing in at one pound despite being made of plastic. This gun feels like it would be super heavy with a metal construction, as it is already really heavy for a plastic spring pistol.

Also just like the original, this gun is solid, it’s accurate, and has a great range. It also comes in the iconic two-tone silver and black (as well as all black). The best part: It has a 28-round mag (!) and you’ll have no problem reaching for this sidearm when you need to.

This one is a two-way tie for first place. First is the KWA Adaptive Training Pistol LE (KWA ATP LE). This gun looks like a glock and feels like a glock. You may be wondering why this 23-round pistol (did we say it has 23 rounds? It has 23 rounds) has “Adaptive Training Pistol) in its name.

Well, this airsoft pistol is used to train law enforcement. Yeah. It’s kinda realistic. The KWA ATP LE has a railed polymer frame for mounting accessories, a metal slide, and infinite capacity for upgrades. It fires at 350 FPS, has a tri-dot iron sight, and curved ergonomic pistol grip.

The next one is the KJW Full Metal M9A1 Gas Blowback Pistol. This is a replica of the Beretta M9, will run on either CO2 or green gas, and is made to last even with the gas blowback stress.

Without the orange outer barrel, you would swear this was the real thing. It shoots as 300-340 FPS, satisfying stopping power, a 25-round mag, and great aftermarket support.

First on the list is the Elite Force 1911 Tactical. Yes, we know, Elite Force is a rebrand, but hear us out here. The Elite Force 1911 tactical is one of the most popular pistols in the airsoft world for a reason. It has a rugged full metal construction (even the barrel is metal), and this thing is nearly unbreakable and built to LAST. We love our realistic replicas, and this thing just looks and feels like a 1911.

It breaks down like a 1911, it is as rugged as a 1911, and even has a threaded outer barrel to attach a (mock) suppressor just like the 1911. It has a textured plastic polymer grip, gets a whopping 3-4 magazines per CO2 cartridge, and shoots at 345 FPS. The magazine has a low 14 rounds in the mag, but that’s about the only con to this pistol. It’s an absolute beast.

Next on the list is the Sig Sauer P226. Speaking of realism (can you tell we like realism yet?), if you painted the barrel of this gun you would swear it was a Sig Sauer with real bullets in it. It’s short yet heavy, compact yet has a kick to it. It has a serious 25 round mag on it, and will leave your opponent reloading while you have half your magazine left.

It also has a railed lower frame for the optional tactical light. Its 300-330 FPS makes it better for indoor play than outdoor. It has a single- and double-action trigger on it.

This Taiwanese gas powered airsoft gun producer is a very popular brand among enthusiasts because all their models are top quality with a realistic feel and look. This full metal construction is a fantastic replica that works great as a training weapon.

Those that are left-handed will appreciate the ambidextrous frame safety however the magazine release is not designed with lefties in mind. The smooth operation and double action mechanism also makes this a comfortable model.

There is room for some customization for example, it can be both Co2 or green gas powered and there are also plenty of spare parts available in case it needs repairing. One thing that you cannot change however, is the non-threaded spray.

Overall, this piece has great handling that feels very much like the real thing, including the blowback and the noise level with each shot. This is one of the best replica models available on the market, today.

For the enthusiasts, this Desert Eagle replica is a great choice for a primary if you are sticking to the pistols instead of the more clunky rifles. This model gives you good range and power with the option to go for a semi-automatic or fully automatic shooting mode.

It is a full metal design to give you the experience of the real thing which in this case also includes blowback action. Even with lesser quality BBs this is a showoff – this model is capable of 394 feet per second with a .12 BB.

One downside is that it has limited rounds of just 20 which can slow you down when on the field. However, the more experienced will be able to reload quickly and get back to chasing the competition.

Umarex comes with yet another Walther P99 replica, this time a version with a good integrated accessories rail under the muzzle so you can fully customize it to just how you like it. Add a laser or flashlight for more indoor fun and precision or keep it simple and only make use of the adjustable rear sight for a classic look.

This airsoft gun can shoot both steel BBs and pellets giving you more choice than with other models. It is also powerful with a rated 360 feet per second.

The major downside of this Umarex product is that it has a very small magazine of just 8 rounds, despite being a semi-automatic. However, if you are looking for an airsoft pistol for target training this might be a top choice.

If you have been struggling to find an airsoft pistol with a great grip then look no further than this ASG model that is fully licensed by CZ. It has a plastic casing but the grip has a strong texture on all sides to make sure that the piece is always steady in your hand.

You can add accessories using the integrated rail but the original design already gives you extra precision thanks to the 3 dot system. Expect a clear shot up to 120 feet but this piece really shines during closer ranges of less than 100 feet.

This is another dual model that can take both Co2 and green gas, both of which come with a metal magazine. The green gas already gives you good fps at around 340 but the Co2 gives even more kick with up to 380 feet per second.

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Another great Beretta M9 airsoft option is this one by WG that features a new generation gas blowback system. This is one of the highest performance pieces available now with an fps of 430 – 500.

There are fiber-optic sights with and adjustable rear sight and a tactical rail system for extra accessories. WG used metal for the upper construction but high grade polymers for the textured hand grip modeled after military style pistols.

This version is only Co2 capable so you cannot switch out the magazine for a green gas one. However, Co2 lasts a long time so you can keep adding rounds for a long time before you start to notice a dip in power.

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Though made of top quality polymers, this glock 17 replica does have an aluminium alloy slide. From a distance it still looks quite real thanks to the rollmarkts and logos that are fully licensed by Glock.

The grip on this version is great since it is textured and also has checkering on the front and backstrap. Another benefit of this design is the modular backstrap which you can adjust to fit your own hands perfectly.

It feels more lightweight than the real thing but this lets you focus on practicing grip and precision. Reloading is also easier since it is a reversible magazine.

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This classic looking piece packs quite some power with up to 420 fps using a .20g BB. It can hold 8 rounds and the package includes 3 speed loaders.

The grip is the most fascinating part with its wood and leather look. It is an ergonomic grip that is textured with finger molds so it sits comfortably in your hand.

This is a semi-automatic revolver however it is not in the same league as a fully automatic pistol. Nonetheless, you can have a lot fun with this piece that is made for outdoor play.

The advantage of getting a Taurus is that you can enjoy the fully automatic power without paying the Desert Eagle price tag. That is why this piece is a great alternative model to keep with you as a secondary piece.

This is an officially licensed and trademarked Co2 design with full metal blowback. With a .20 BB you can expect around 290 – 330 fps which is more than enough for indoor play.

One thing to remember is that this piece requires regular maintenance and make sure that you check the gas before each game. This version is known to have some issues with efficiency when in fully automatic mode.

The newer versions released by We-Tech are a step up from their earlier models with the Bulldog compact inspired by a PX4 Storm being a good example. It offers the feel of a Beretta with a strong polymer lower frame and aluminum slide.

The safety and hammer de-cocker follows an ambidextrous design so those that are left-handed will find this one of the more comfortable pieces. It also has an integrated accessories rail for further personalizing of the piece.

It has quick aim green-dot front sight and rear sights for better precision. It also echoes with a hard blow back to give you a realistic feel.