Let’s face it: airsoft is oversaturated with M4s and AKs. Go to your local field and you’re bound to find dozens of them, but what about the rare airsoft guns? The ones that aren’t so common or are even discontinued?
In this video, I go over five airsoft guns you never see on the airsoft field. What guns do you never see on the field? Let me know in the video comments!
#1 FN Herstal P90
Yeah, the P90 is pretty ugly. That being said, it’s also great in CQB because of how compact it is. The top feeding magazine (is this technically a bullpup?) reduces the size of this SMG which makes it a very handy rifle, although it does have some interesting ergonomics. Airsoft P90s use the V6 Gearbox, and they are currently offered by Cybergun, CYMA and Tokyo Marui. The TM P90 has a reputation for being an excellent AEG, and can be made incredibly quiet with a good shim job and some sound proofing foam put in the body. WE Tech makes the only GBB version of this highly iconic SMG.
#2 M14 EBR
I’m a little surprised I don’t see this rifle more often. Referred to as the MK14 Enhanced Battle Rifle by the U.S. military, this rifle is a modernized version of the M14 rifle. It features an 18″ barrel, new chassis with collapsible stock, pistol grip and picatinny rail to name a few features. This rifle saw use with various U.S. forces and the Australian Special Air Service Regiment in the wars in Iraq/Afghanistan.
The Airsoft version of the M14 is available from many different companies, but they’re not found too often on the field. Currently, G&G, CYMA, and WE Tech make M14 EBRs, while G&P and TM offer other versions of the M14. Perhaps the reason these rifles aren’t very common is because they use unique magazines, and because the V7 gearbox can be difficult to work on.
#3 Shotguns
Maybe I’m cheating a little bit here, but let’s talk about shotguns as a category. I feel like you don’t see many shotguns on the airsoft field for a few reasons. First, they’re difficult to use. Shotguns aren’t as practical as an AEG because you can get a lot more BBs downrange from a full auto burst in the same time it would take you to fire a 3 or 6 round shot from a shotgun and pump the gun to fire again. Second, there isn’t much in the way of “middle of the road” options for airsoft shotguns. Either they’re very inexpensive like the Cyma M3 shotgun line (starting around $50) or they’re high end niche products. Take the G&P shotguns for example: they’re very well made, but only shoot one BB per pump and many models cost over $250.
That being said there’s been some very cool innovations in airsoft shotguns in the last few years. An example of this is the APS CAM870, which is gas powered, shell ejecting, and comes in at a price tag of $300. Tokyo Marui entered the gas powered shotgun world with their 870, and later introduced their KSG-12 shotgun. They also offer an AA-12 replica as an AEG with multiple inner barrels. JAG Arms has their own gas 870 shotgun, which is very similar to the TM at a lower price and more widely available in the U.S.
#4 Steyr AUG
The Steyr AUG is a 5.56mm rifle that was adopted by Austrian Forces in 1978 to replace their STG58 battle rifles. This rifle was created during a time when many countries were looking for the “next gen” combat rifle. Other examples were the British L85 and the US OCIW programs. The AUG has seen some updates over the years, adding things like rail systems. Recently the AUG has seen some love being featured in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (as an SMG oddly enough) but the aging design is starting to fade away from player’s minds.
The AUG is an incredibly unique rifle, which may be why so few companies make them for airsoft. Currenly they’re offered by JG, ASG (the most common at the moment) APS and GHK offers a gas version. Featured in new MW, kinda older but they’re unique.
#5 JG S-System
The JG S-System used to be *the* starter gun back in the day. This was what we consider the G&G ARP9 to be today, but it was really, really bad. It featured an ABS plastic body and full metal outer barrel and rail, making it extremely front heavy. Despite having an FPS of around 400, the rifle is only advertised as having a range of 120 feet.
This is what I started out playing airsoft with, and it makes me jealous of players entering the hobby today. It’s mind-blowing to me how much better the quality of what you can get for $150 or less today is compared to when I started playing over a decade ago.
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