Types

Spring powered

Spring-powered airsoft guns (often called "springers" or "spring guns") are single-shot devices that use potential energy stored in a spring to launch an airsoft pellet down the barrel of the gun. The user must cock a spring gun prior to each shot much as you would a real shotgun or bolt-action rifle. This is typically achieved by pulling back the slide (pistols) or bolt (rifles), which in turn compresses the spring and makes the gun ready to fire. Because of this, these guns are by definition incapable of automatic or semi-automatic fire.

This is a spring powered rifle made by Softairusa

While most electric guns also use springs for this, they are not considered to be in the same category as the single-shot spring-powered guns. Low-end spring guns tend to be much cheaper than their electric-powered equivalents due to their simplicity and cost of components (spring assembly, electric motor, battery, and battery charger) and thus are widely available. These guns are less suited for competition because they are at a disadvantage against automatic guns in close combat and do not provide enough accuracy and power for long-range uses. Some exceptions: higher-end spring-powered airsoft rifles can be quite expensive; these guns are typically suited for "marksman" applications in airsoft matches and can provide competitive muzzle velocities. Additionally, pump shotguns are sometimes used, especially in CQB (Close Quarters Battle). In colder weather, spring pistols may actually be the best possible backup gun, as gas pistols function very poorly (see below), and even the batteries on AEPs won't do too well in extremely cold weather.

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This another spring powered rifle M-4A1. this shoots around 325fps

That is one of the major advantages of a spring powered airsoft gun, as it can be fired in any situation, without the need of an outside force. In a situation where the user is either out of gas or his/her batteries have died, it renders their selected weapon useless whereas one using a spring-powered weapon is not hindered by problems such as this. Also, while not often thought of or even considered, a spring gun may be completely immersed in water and still function with little or not effect on the weapon's performance. In the case of an electric or gas weapon, the concept would be unthinkable and would cause the obvious damage one would expect that water would cause, but in the case of a springer, the only real damage that the gun can suffer is possible rusting of metal parts which can be avoided by thoroughly drying the weapon.

This your less expensive spring airsoft gun but still extremly powerful.

The other major advantage that spring weapons hold over other powered airsoft guns is price. True AEGs can range from $200-$500 and high-end gas pistols can cost well over $120, each also requiring extra equipment; gas, batteries etc. Spring guns tend to not exceed $50 except in cases of high end "sniping" rifles and average out to be around $35-$55 in price. Most players start with a spring pistol as their first, which will usually cost about $20-$30. Because of their price spring's tend to act as "training guns" to bring new players to airsoft games and are considered the primary weapon of "backyard skirmishes." Almost all airsoft players at one point in their interest in the sport own a spring weapon, whether for it’s actual application or for the replica value as there are examples of certain firearms that only exist in airsoft renditions as spring weapons.

Some pistols are alos spring shooting around 200fps

Traditionally, spring pistols or low quality rifle are used as low-end side arms, and high end sniper rifles used for marksman applications

Gas Powered

Gas-powered airsoft guns use pressurized gas to propel pellets. These guns are capable of automatic and semi-automatic operation. The most common gases used are propane (usually referred to as "green gas" by airsoft players) and HFC134a, HFC-22 and in modified guns "Red Gas" refrigerant. Less commonly used gases include CO₂ and nitrogen/high pressure air. Another gas said to exist for use in gas powered airsoft guns is "black gas". However, it is unknown if this gas truly exists.

 

This is a desert eagle gas powered pistol

Electric powered

 

Classic Army M15A4 AEG

 

Example of Standard AEG Gearbox Operation

Electric-powered airsoft guns typically use a rechargeable battery to drive an electric motor, which cycles an internal piston/spring assembly in order to launch pellets. Automatic and semi-automatic operation is possible which gives these guns the popular name "automatic electric guns" or AEGs. These guns often attain muzzle velocities of 200 to 400 ft/s (60 to 120 m/s) and rates of fire of between 300 and 1000 rounds per minute. They are the most commonly used and widely available type of airsoft gun.

This is a P-90 fully atomatic airsoft gun that shoots around 140fps

These type of guns were developed in Japan and the Japanese company of Tokyo Marui dominates the market. In a Tokyo Marui AEG, the motor drives a series of 3 gears mounted inside a gearbox. The gears then compress a piston assembly against a spring. Once the piston is released, the spring drives it forward through the cylinder to push a pellet into the chamber, through the barrel, and forward from the muzzle. Many manufacturers have now more or less replicated this basic model, adding reinforced parts or minor improvements.

 

This a M-4A1 fully atomatic airsoft gun. These types of fully atomatic rifles are powered by a nicad rechargeable battery

These weapons are powered primarily by nickel cadmium (NiCad) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) with varying voltages and milliampere hours ratings. The most common battery is an 8.4 V large battery (usually about 2400 mA•h.) Also available are 8.4 V "mini" batteries, which generally have 600 mA•h capacities. Voltages for large batteries range from 7.2 V, all the way up to 12 V. The rule of thumb usually is the higher the mAh, the longer the battery lasts while the higher voltage, the higher rate of fire (RoF).

This your very expensive airsoft gun , this is the M249 SAW and fires 600 rounds a minute

External modifications, such as metal bodies and reinforced plastics that make AEGs look and feel even more realistic, have become very popular. AEG manufacturers such as Classic Army (Yick Fung) produce replicas that are visually nearly identical to their real counterparts, boasting metal bodies and stronger furnishings. Most AEGs produced as of late are designed to be as visually realistic as possible.

The two most common AEGs fielded by players are the AR-15 series (M16 rifle, M4 carbine, etc.; sometimes referred to as the Armalite or Colt series) and the Heckler & Koch MP5 series, because parts for repairs or modifications/customization are commonly available. Also popular are the AK or Kalashnikov and FAMAS and more recently the Heckler & Koch G36.