Airsoft is a competitive shooting sport, very similar to paintball, in which participants are shooting small plastic balls with air guns, so as to not cause any real damage.
There are plenty of modalities of the game, and many types of guns and gear to go with it.
Usually, it is played with air rifles, but it comes in very handy to have an airsoft pistol with you as a secondary weapon or a backup, as you never know what kind of situation you’re going to get yourself into throughout the game.
And in some games, airsoft pistols might actually be the primary weapon, so either way, they’re a great addition to your airsoft gear.
There are plenty of airsoft pistols available in today’s market, so you’re guaranteed to find one that suits both your preferences and needs.
It’s important that you get a pistol that is as high-quality as possible, as it can significantly affect your shooting capabilities, and you want to be at the top of your game. We’ve compiled a list with our top nine picks for the overall best airsoft pistol, hopefully, one of them suits you perfectly!
In a hurry?
If you’re getting ready for an airsoft match and you want to be on your A-game, you’re going to have to be prepared.
A good airsoft pistol can be key to make that win possible, so if you’re in a hurry to get the very best, we recommend you check out our number one top option: the Game Face Stinger P311 Airsoft Pistol.
It’s one of the most reliable and high-quality options, ideal for all levels of players, and highly popular amongst customers wanting to be on their A-game.
OUR TOP PICK
The Game Face brand is one of the most popular when it comes to airsoft pistols, as it offers many different designs and models, all to a premium level of quality.
It is no wonder, therefore, that the Game Face Stinger P311 Airsoft Pistol has made it our number one pick.
It’s designed to resemble the US military pistols that were popular in the past, with a 12-round drop-out magazine that is incredibly easy to reload.
It’s a spring-powered repeater airsoft pistol with lever safety, made from incredibly durable and lightweight plastic. It can shoot up to 325 FPS, allowing you to dominate the game like a pro.
It also features a fixed blade front sight, and a notched rear sight, helping you aim with higher accuracy.
It’s ideal for beginners and advanced players alike, and it provides a high-quality performance for a great overall value.
Pros
- Reliable and high-quality brand
- Designed after the popular US pistols of the past
- 12-round drop-out magazine, easy to reload and convenient
- Incredibly durable and long-lasting
- Shoots up to 325 FPS
- Fixed blade front sight and notched rear sight - enhanced accuracy
Cons
- The drop-out magazine can be a little temperamental
EDITORS CHOICE
The Colt Special Combat 1911 Airsoft Pistol is a close second on our list as it is one of the most popular airsoft pistol options, thanks to the design and high-quality performance it delivers.
It’s a semi-automatic that shoots 6mm ammo, with a magazine that can hold 12 rounds. It has been made with high strength ABS polymer, which gives the pistol a more realistic feel, weighing 4.6 pounds.
Thanks to the hop-up function it features, it creates a back-spin effect on the ammo, providing you with a longer shooting distance, which is very convenient. It also features a railed frame that allows you to add accessories such as a light.
It’s ideal for all levels of airsoft, and with its incredible durability, it is guaranteed to last you many games.
Pros
- Highly popular design - excellent quality
- Semi-automatic with a magazine that holds 12 rounds
- Made with high strength ABS polymer for a realistic feel
- Hop-up function for a longer shooting distance
- Railed frame ideal for adding accessories such as a light
Cons
- No significant downsides
BEST VALUE
The Bbtac Dual Spring Two-Pack Airsoft Pistol is a highly convenient option to go for, as it comes with two pistols instead of one, meaning you have a replacement ready for when needed.
They’re made from a high impact plastic construction, meaning they are lightweight and comfortable to use, while being incredibly durable and long-lasting.
The muzzle velocity is up to 260 FPS, and for the accessible price, they perform surprisingly better than a lot of other airsoft pistols.
They’ve also been designed to replicate a real gun, so they feel like the real deal! Ideal for your airsoft game, thanks to their accuracy in close range, they’re definitely an option to consider.
Pros
- Pack of 2 pistols - incredible value
- Made from high impact plastic - very durable and long-lasting
- Muzzle velocity of up to 260 FPS
- Designed to look like a real gun - very appealing
- Budget-friendly price
Cons
- Not easy to reload, not the most convenient during an airsoft game
RUNNER UP
The Elite Force Walther PPQ Airsoft Pistol is beautifully designed and an amazing product option when it comes to performance and quality.
It’s made from high strength polymer for durability, with a metal barrel to feel even more realistic.
It shoots 6mm airsoft ammo at a speed of up to 300 FPS, and it includes 2 magazines and 400 6mm plastic airsoft BBs so that you’re more than prepared for your game.
It’s a beautiful looking authentic Walther replica, with a built-in hop-up system to enhance your aim and ensure accuracy with each shot.
It also features an integrated accessory rail so that you can add your own customizations to the pistol, making it unique to your needs and preferences for the best possible performance.
Pros
- Authentic Walther replica - beautiful and high-quality design
- Made from high strength polymer, with a metal barrel - incredibly durable
- Shooting speed of up to 300 FPS with a hop-up system for enhanced accuracy
- 2 magazines and 400 6mm plastic airsoft BBs included
- Integrated accessory rail
Cons
- No significant downsides
RUNNER UP
The Colt .25 Spring Airsoft Pistol is another incredibly popular option, which can come in handy during your airsoft game with a reliable performance.
It’s been designed as an accurate replica of the Colt 25, and as it is spring-powered, it has to be cocked before each shot, making it realistic.
It shoots at a speed of around 150 FPS and it has a 7-round magazine.
What makes this airsoft pistol so desirable is that it is a very small and compact size, making it very easy to carry and conceal, and an ideal last-resort weapon for when you’re out of every other weapon.
Your enemies won’t know what hit them! It is also incredibly durable and long-lasting, becoming a reliable companion across many games.
Pros
- Accurate replica of a Colt 25
- Shooting speed of around 150 FPS with a 7-round magazine
- Small and compact size, ideal as a last-resort weapon
- Spring-powered and highly reliable
Cons
- Not very accurate past 10 feet of distance
RUNNER UP
Another product option from the Game Face brand is the GFAP13 Airsoft Pistol, reliable, high-quality, and a great choice for those that want to be on their A-game while competing at airsoft.
The frame is constructed from metal, which not only makes it incredibly durable but also gives it a more realistic and heavy-weighted feel.
It shoots at a speed of up to 250 FPS, with an electric battery-powered gearbox mechanism.
It includes both the battery and the charger, and it comes with a 30-round magazine, giving you plenty of shots before having to reload.
It’s a solid reliable option for both beginners and advanced players, with a high-quality performance that enhances the accuracy in your aim.
Pros
- Metal frame for extreme durability and a realistic heavy-weighted feel
- Shooting speed of up to 250 FPS
- Electric battery-powered gearbox mechanism - battery and charger included
- 30-round magazine - ideal for beginners and advanced players
Cons
- The battery life doesn’t last very long
RUNNER UP
Just in case you couldn’t tell that we really like the Game Face brand, here is another reliable and popular option by them: the Game Face Recon Combat Airsoft Pistol.
As a spring-powered pistol, you get a single shot at a time in between having to cock it, which makes it more realistic.
For the price, it is a high-value option ideal for beginners that want to practice their skills before committing to airsoft.
With the fixed front and rear sights, you can improve your accuracy by practicing your aim with ease, and the pistol comes with 300 airsoft bullets ready for you to use!
Also included with this pistol is a holster, making it a convenient purchase that gets you ready to go. The design is lightweight, with great durability for a long-lasting use of the gun.
Pros
- High-value option ideal for beginners
- Fixed front and rear sights to improve accuracy and aim
- 300 airsoft bullets and a holster included with the product
- Lightweight and durable design
Cons
- It feels cheap and doesn’t have the best accuracy past 10 feet
RUNNER UP
The Umarex Store Glock 17 Airsoft Pistol is another great product option that is popular amongst customers and that offers a reliable performance during a game of airsoft.
It has a 20-round capacity, with a shooting speed of 290 FPS, with a gas power source for a powerful performance.
It has a realistic blowback action and a hop-up function for accuracy at longer distances.
It’s been designed to be incredibly convenient and practical, as well as having an integrated weaver rail for further customization.
The high-quality it presents has allowed it to become an officially licensed Glock product, and overall, it is an ideal option for players that want to be on their A-game.
Pros
- 20-round capacity with a shooting speed of 290 FPS
- Realistic blowback action and an adjustable hop-up function
- Integrated weaver rail - convenient and practical
- Officially licensed Glock product - amazing and high-quality design
Cons
- No significant downsides
RUNNER UP
Last but not least on our list of top picks, we have the Sig Sauer Airsoft Proforce M17, another great quality product that is popular amongst airsoft players.
It’s designed to look and feel like an authentic Sig Sauer ProForce M17, with a metal slide construction and a full blow-back action.
With a speed of up to 320 FPS and the use of green gas magazines, it’s a powerful airsoft pistol that is ideal for advanced players.
It also features an optic ready slide with a removable rear sight plate, helping enhance your aim and accuracy.
With a great range and consistent performance, it’s a great addition as a secondary weapon, or even as a primary one!
Pros
- Authentic replica of the Sig Sauer ProForce M17
- Metal slide construction and full blow-back action - realistic feel
- Speed of 320 FPS and use of green gas magazines
- Optic ready slide with removable rear sight plate
- Great range and consistency
Cons
- Not very durable or long-lasting
Best Airsoft Pistols Buying Guide
When buying an airsoft pistol, there are many different things to consider if you want to ensure it’s the right fit for your needs and preferences.
With so many options available in the market, it can be tricky to decide which products are truly the best, and it can be hard to determine which features are needed.
The better the airsoft pistol is, the better you will perform during your airsoft game, so it really is an important choice to make.
Here are the main factors that we take into consideration when choosing our top picks, summarized in a small buyer’s guide:
Material and durability:
The material that the airsoft pistol is made out of will directly affect how long-lasting and durable it is, as well as defining the feel and the weight of the pistol.
Most airsoft pistols are made out of either plastic or strong polymer construction, allowing the pistol to be lightweight and comfortable to use while remaining highly resistant to regular use.
However, airsoft pistols that are looking to better replicate real guns and certain pistol designs, will go for a metal frame that feels a lot more realistic and heavy-weight when in use.
The material that you choose is up to your own preferences and needs, as it shouldn’t really affect the overall performance.
Design and practicality:
It’s very tempting to look for an airsoft pistol that is designed after a certain gun model, or that looks especially appealing, but it’s important to maintain practicality, as the pistol needs to be easy to use, convenient, and able to perform well during your game.
After all, it’s not a pretty design that will get you the good shots.
Think about whether you want an automatic, semi-automatic, or spring pistol, depending on your own shooting style.
Magazine capacity and shooting speed:
The more rounds your pistol can carry, the fewer times you will have to stop and reload, so the magazine capacity can be a very important factor in how well you perform in the heat of a game.
The shooting speed will affect your game in a similar way, the faster you can shoot the more probability you will have of hitting certain targets.
If you struggle with aiming or need to improve your accuracy, look out for airsoft pistols with specific accuracy and distance features!
Accessories:
Other things that you can look out for in airsoft pistols are accessories that might enhance your performance and shooting capabilities.
For example, an integrated accessory rail will allow you to further customize your pistol so that it is unique to your needs and preferences, and you could add items such as a flashlight, for when you’re competing in low-lighting or at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do airsoft bullets hurt?
This depends on the range you’re being shot from, the place where you’re being shot, and the layers of protection that you’re wearing.
Airsoft bullets shouldn’t ever cause any serious damage or injuries, as they aren’t real bullets, but they can hurt quite a lot and leave a few nasty bruises.
This is why it’s important to wear protective gear and not aim at delicate body parts in close range.
Do airsoft guns need orange tips?
If you’ve looked through different airsoft pistol options, you might have noticed that they all feature an orange plastic tip. Is this necessary?
The answer to this is yes. Not for any functional reason, but because it is required by US federal law.
It is so that airsoft guns can be told apart from real guns, and you don’t get in trouble for carrying a firearm when in reality it is just an airsoft pistol.
I was around 12 the first time I shot a paintball.HOLY COW that was eye-opening... oh yeah, I couldn't believe how much the sting of getting hit was.I remember to this day the adrenaline rush after getting plucked off by some guy probably 20 years older than me.
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