There are several types of gas powered Airsoft guns. These guns have proven to be very popular among enthusiasts and great fun to shoot. These replicas are usually semi-automatic pistols that are powered by refrigerant gas. Some typical models of these pistols are the Colt 45 and the Glock.

Gas powered guns operate by the release of high-pressure gas that is stored in a chamber. When the gas is released from the reservoir it expands. This expanding action causes the BB to be launched from the gun.

The most popular of these gas-powered guns is called the Gas-blowback or the GBB. These guns use either an on board gas system or a magazine stored gas system. This gas operating system gives the GBB’s a very realistic semi-automatic firing feel. The compressed air that fires the BB’s is also used to return the slide back to the firing position, which creates a “recoil” sensation as the slide/upper receiver moves back and forth. This is where the name “blowback” is derived. The GBB system allows the shooter to empty a magazine as fast as the trigger can be pulled. The gun is easily reloaded by inserting a new magazine. This system holds tremendous appeal for the dedicated Airsoft player.

The GBB tends to be the most accurate of the gas-powered guns rivaling the AEG for precision. The GBB is also more powerful than the non-blowback gas guns or the springers. The most popular of the GBBs can be purchased in the low hundreds of dollars.