AEG 101: What Does AEG Mean In Airsoft?

Overview of Airsoft

The sport of airsoft is a relatively young but growing sport. It is typically played in an outdoor natural environment with two teams competing in a variety of game types. It is similar to the sport of paintball, but uses air powered guns that fire plastic BBs (usually 6-8mm in size) as opposed to paintballs. Airsoft guns have a variety of features that can be customized to the user's preference.

Airsoft is regulated in certain countries such as the United States, so age restrictions for legal play vary by location. That said, there is a strong online community that is constantly developing new game types, custom builds, and modifications to the sport.

What Is AEG?

AEG stands for Automatic Electric Gun. It is the most common type of airsoft gun used in the sport today. AEGs are powered by an electric motor and use small rechargeable batteries to provide power to the motor. AEGs fire off semi-automatic or fully automatic bursts of BBs, depending on the model, and are able to deliver impressive rates of fire.

The AEG is a general term that encompasses a few other types of airsoft guns such as the AEP (Automatic Electric Pistol), the AGB (Gas Blowback) and the GBB (Gas Blowback rifle). AEPs are fully automatic versions of pistols, while AGBs and GBBs are semi-automatic and are powered either by a gas canister or a battery.

Advantages of AEGs

AEGs are the most popular type of airsoft gun used by airsoft players today because of their reliability and performance. AEGs are worry-free in terms of gas systems which can be unreliable in certain weather conditions. Additionally, the electric motor in AEGs allows them to provide a high rate of fire and consistent shots over a longer period of time - something gas powered guns may struggle with. And, of course, AEGs can be easily customized to the user's preference with the addition of scopes, rails and other attachments.

AEGs also offer the ability for players to engage in long distance engagements as well as close range. Because of the sheer force of the plastic BBs, hitting a target at a long range is much easier than with a paintball gun. These advantages combined make AEGs the go-to choice for most airsoft players.

Disadvantages of AEGs

The main disadvantage of AEGs is the cost. AEGs tend to cost more money than other types of airsoft guns. Additionally, AEGs require more maintenance and the electric motors generate a lot of heat when in use, leading to overheating issues. Finally, AEGs do not offer realistic recoil, which many experienced airsoft players may find unappealing.

Insights

AEGs are the most popular type of airsoft gun used by airsoft players because of their reliability and performance. While AEGs may be more expensive than other types of airsoft guns, they offer many advantages such as higher rates of fire, easier customization, and long-range engagements. AEGs also require some maintenance and generate a lot of heat in use, so they may not be the best choice for those who want a more realistic experience. Nevertheless, AEGs are the go-to choice for most airsoft players and are sure to remain one of the most popular options.