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The key to finding a good gun is doing the research necessary to determine if the weapon is of the quality you are needing. That’s where we come in. We have taken the pleasure of forming a list of the ten cheapest, yet well made, airsoft guns available. These weapons, while they may not have the fancy bells and whistles some of your more high dollar pieces may have, are an excellent choice for those looking for high quality at an affordable price.
Crosman Marine Airsoft SR01
- Player Level: Beginner
- Weight: 1.7 lbs.
- Length: 28 in.
Perfect for any close-quarter combat, the Crosman SR01 is fully licensed by the US Marines. Boasting a 350-round magazine and a foldable stock, the SR01 will have you in the game at a fraction of the cost. Don’t let the price tag fool you; the SR01 packs a mean punch.
Measured with a .20g bb, the SR01 is capable of shooting rounds at 325 feet per second. Furthermore, at 100 feet away, you can expect more than 80 percent accuracy. For a spring powered gun, that ratio is astronomical. Additionally, the front and rear sights are adjustable, as well as the hop-up system, allowing you to control the accuracy of the shot at long ranges.
As far as the quality of the material, for this price range, you can’t expect to have a full metal gun. With that said, the SR01 feels exceptionally sturdy. On lower-end guns, the stock and other non-critical parts, are often noticeably of lesser quality. However, this is not so with the SR01. The stock is steady and feels like it belongs on an expensive gun.
The SR01 is just a single-fire rifle. With it being spring powered, that means that it requires the shooter manually reload a round by pulling the slide back. While this may seem like an ancient form of shooting, especially when compared to the technology on most airsoft guns today, this provides an inexpensive and efficient entry point for anybody looking to get into the sport. This gun requires no battery and no gas, meaning it cost nothing to be able to shoot, except the ammo of course.
Just because this gun is on the cheap list doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some great features. Like the ability to add optics, lights, and many other accessories on the Picatinny-style rail. Additionally, the stock on the SR01 is foldable, meaning the shooter can change the style of shooting to adjust for close-combat style play.
Overall, the Crosman SR01 is perfect for any beginner looking to get into the sport without having to spend much money. For a cheap airsoft gun, you can’t get much better than this.
Velocity Airsoft M16A1
- Player Level: Beginner
- Weight: 4 lbs.
- Length: 30.5 in.
Modeled after the M16 used by the fighting men and women of our armed forces, the Velocity M16A1 has the look and feel of the real piece without the high price tag of some of its competitors. Though its body and stock comprise of a high-caliber ABS polymer compound, the internal components, mainly the barrel, are made of a high-grade aluminum. Don’t let the polymer fool you; the M16A1 can withstand any beating you can give it.
Weighing in at 4 pounds, the M16A1 feels robust and sturdy while running through the battlefield. It’s not too heavy that you get tired of carrying it after just a few minutes. It’s also not too light that you feel like you’re going to break it. Also, if you want added comfort while packing it around, it comes with an excellent sling.
Unlike many spring powered airsoft rifles, the M16A1 fires at a rate of 250 feet per second. Also, it comes with a high-capacity magazine capable of holding 200 rounds at a time. This capacity means less time reloading and more time destroying the enemy.
What we liked about it, and what caused us to put it on our list, is how accurately the M16A1 shoots. With its 36-inch-long aluminum barrel, a .20g bb is accurate upwards of 100 feet. Also, it has two front sights, one for long range and the other for short range.
If you are looking for an entry-level airsoft rifle, but don’t want to spend a ton of money, the M16A1 is one of the best options available. When your enemy gets shot with they know it; it hits with the same power that the more expensive guns do. They won’t know you’re shooting an affordable gun.
BBTac BT-M82
- Player Level: Beginner-advanced
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- Length:
For an excellent beginner AEG (automatic electric gun), the BBTac BT-M82 is the perfect gun. At just a fraction of the cost of many AEGs, the BT-M82 is a replica of the Sig-552. Though it has a high-grade ABS polymer body, you’ll believe it’s a metal body simply by how sturdy and durable the gun is.
Powered by a 7.2-volt Ni-CD rechargeable battery, the BT-M82 is capable of firing rounds at 250 feet per second. Additionally, unlike most cheap airsoft guns, the BT-M82 has the ability for the shooter to select between semi-auto and full-auto firing modes. Don’t worry, though, about running out of ammo quickly. This airsoft gun comes with a high capacity magazine.
The feature that caused us to put this airsoft gun on our list of best bargain-basement airsoft rifles is its adjustable hop-up system. Though it is typical for the high-end airsoft guns, the hop-up system rarely comes on a low-end airsoft gun. This feature allows for increased accuracy at an extended range. That makes the BT-M82 perfect for any style of play.
The Bt-M82 comes fully ready to shoot directly out of the box. Though it has rear and front iron sights, it also comes with an electronic red dot scope, flashlight, foregrip, and other accessories that make this gun an excellent deal for your money.
What we found in our testing is that the battery that comes with this BT-M82 holds a charge for an extreme amount of time. In fact, we charged after it was completely dead for 45 minutes. After that time, we then shot around 2000 more rounds, and it was still firing powerfully. This longevity equals a ton of fun without the fear of your battery dying. All in all, the BBTac BT-M82 is a perfect gun for any skill level who doesn’t wish to spend a ton of money on a rifle.
Crosman Elite Stinger R33
- Player Level: Beginner
- Weight: 2.5 lbs.
- Length: 24 in.
If small and compact is what you like, the Crosman Elite Stinger R33 is the perfect match. Made to be a fourth of the size of its real steel counterpart, the m16, the smaller size fo the R33 make it ideal for close-combat scenarios. Add in its authentic feel, and you’ve got an excellent airsoft gun for just a fraction of the cost of a high-end gun.
For a cheap airsoft gun, the R33 is accurate. At 75 feet, with a .12g bb, you can expect to hit your mark each time. It is spring-powered, so it must be re-cocked after each shot. However, the cocking mechanism is extremely easy to pull back that even children looking to get into airsoft would be able to do it.
The sights that come with the gun are excellent as well. Not only does it have a fixed front sight but also has a dual rear sight, allowing more increased aiming ability. When you factor in the adjustable hop-up, the R33 is perfect for any skirmish.
The size, though, is what caused us to want the R33 on our list. To look at it, you would think it was just a replica designed to be placed on a shelf, especially if it didn’t have the orange tip required by law. The detail put into the gun is impeccable for a budget airsoft gun. However, it functions amazingly to be such a small ordinance. And the size allows you to easily maneuver around buildings, trees, walls, and whatever else your game choice dictates.
While this gun isn’t intended for tournament style play, for someone looking to get into airsoft without spending a ton of money, the R33 would be an excellent choice. The polymer body makes it exceptionally sturdy and able to withstand even the hardest falls.
Crosman 50003 Stinger R37
- Player Level: Beginner
- Weight: 2.9 lbs.
- Length: 24 in.
From one of the most trusted names in the airsoft industry comes another impeccably accurate spring-powered reasonably-priced airsoft gun. The Crossman Stinger R37 comes with everything you need to get out into the field the very first day you get it. Built to resemble an ar-15, the R37 is about a fourth the size of the real thing.
Though the size allows for incredible maneuverability in tight quarters, it’s not the feature that made us put it on our list. This gun has everything you could wish to have on a more expensive airsoft rifle. This list includes a forward grip, adjustable or removable stock, front and rear sights, and a Picatinny rail system for additional accessories.
Also, something else you wouldn’t expect on such a small, affordable gun is its magazine capacity. The durable high-grade plastic magazine can hold 400 bbs. That means more time shooting and less time loading. Additionally, it has extraordinary power, shooting the rounds at upwards of 250 feet per second.
The hop-up system improves its accuracy over longer distance. It is recommended, however, to use heavier bbs as the .12g rounds tended to curve upwards considerably. However, with .2 or .25g, we saw exceptional accuracy for such a budget airsoft gun.
For a beginner, this is the perfect gun. Designed with speed and precision in mind, you’ll be playing with the big boys in no time. If you’re worried about the quality of the materials used to make this gun, don’t. Though It’s not metal, Crosman has developed a great durable gun that will last you quite some time in play.
Soft Air SCAR-L
- Player Level: Beginner
- Weight: 7.5 lbs.
- Length: 34 in.
In the world of Spring-powered airsoft guns, it doesn’t get much better than the Soft Air SCAR-L. Built as a replica to the FN Herstal Scar, the Soft Air version features many of the same qualities and features of its real-steel counterpart.
The Soft Air SCAR-L boasts of a high-capacity magazine able to hold 350 rounds. Additionally, it has many customizable features, such as the adjustable stock and foregrip, as well as Picatinny rails for additional accessories. For a cheap airsoft gun, the customizability to the shooter is that of a more expensive gun.
However, the feature that caused us to put the SCAR-L on our lists is that fact that it has two different styles of weapons available. Though buyers must purchase each separately, you can have either a spring-powered rifle or an AEG (automatic electric gun.) Both have the same build and features on the outside, but each has different abilities.
The Spring-powered version can reach a velocity of 400 feet per second. The reason the SCAR-L can shoot so hard is due to the heavy weight spring Soft Air has used. Also, with the adjustable front and rear sights, this weapon is remarkably accurate. A great feature of the spring-powered version is the ability to switch which side the charging handle is on, allowing for a right or left-handed shooter to quickly pull it back.
The electric version is powered by a single, double “A” battery and can reach a velocity of 260 feet per second with a .20g bb. Also, since this version is an AEG, you can switch between semi-auto and full-auto, giving you the feel of firing a real gun.
Considering both styles are the same in price, which you choose is all up to you. You won’t regret making this your first airsoft gun or adding it to an existing arsenal as it can compare to many high-priced rifles.
BBTac M16A2
- Player Level: Beginner
- Weight: 3.6 lbs.
- Length: 38 in.
Fashioned after the Vietnam War Era M16, the BBTac M16A2 is a replica in both size and feel. Constructed from a high-grade polymer, the M16A2 is one of the sturdiest guns you can get.
The stock on the BBTac M16 isn’t adjustable, though that doesn’t affect its shooting abilities. However, the reason it is on our list is that it could probably be one of the most accurate spring-powered airsoft guns available. When shooting .2g bbs, you can expect a velocity of around 250 feet per second. However, when you add on the length of the barrel and the hop-up system, you can expect accuracy up to 75 feet or more, especially if you aim correctly.
The magazine can hold 200 rounds in its reservoir chamber. Weighing in at 3.6 pounds and 38 inches long, it is one of the bigger guns on our list. However, it has sling hooks attached to the front and back of the gun and comes with a well-made sling to help you carry the weight for an extended period.
We also found it to be extremely durable, though it only consists of plastic. It feels solid in your hands and allows you a firm grip when recharging the handle. Just be careful that you don’t pull the trigger while recharging or it will fire a shot.
Designed for ease of use and maintenance-free play, the BBTac M16A2 is the perfect gun for a beginner marksman looking to enjoy the sport. Though the long rifle isn’t the best choice for close-quarter combat, you can still be efficient and accurate. You won’t be disappointed with this gun as your first.
BBTac M83
- Player Level: Beginner
- Weight: 8.8 lbs.
- Length: Up to 39 in.
Designed with the M4 rifle in mind, the BBTac M83 would be an excellent choice for beginner and expert airsoft enthusiasts alike. One of the few AEGs on our list, the eM83 is everything you could hope for in a low-end airsoft rifle. For just a fraction of the price, you get a gun that will make you a leader of the pack.
Powered by a 7.2-volt rechargeable battery, the M83 is capable of shooting a velocity of 250 feet per second. Additionally, since it an AEG, the shooter can quickly switch between semi-auto and full-auto shooting modes. Even on full auto, the high-grade electric motor consistently shoots .2g bbs at 250 feet per second or more.
The BBTac M83 is specifically designed to be an entry level airsoft gun. This fact is what caused us to put the M83 on our list. Not only can it be an M4 replica but can also be switched to accommodate a more close-quarter combat style. Included with the M83 are a removable barrel extension and adjustable stock that, when transformed, turns the M83 into the perfect short rifle. Additional accessories that come with it include an electric sight, flashlight, and sling. Interesting, though, is that the electronic optics allow you to see your sights in during night play as well; a feature rarely found on low-end airsoft guns.
The battery included is designed to last extended periods without needed recharging. We found we could play all day on a single charge, and that was on full auto. Keep in mind, though, that it only takes the gun about 10 seconds to empty a full magazine while on full auto.
With all the added accessories, as well as the well-built design, the BBTac M83 is the perfect gun on our list for any beginner. You will be able to immerse yourself into the airsoft world immediately upon receiving your gun.
X36 Double Eagle M85
- Player Level: Beginner
- Weight: 7 lbs.
- Length:
For a budget airsoft gun that comes already assemble and ready to go, look no further than the X36 Double Eagle M85. Designed with functionality and ease of use in mind, the DE M85 has everything you need to get on the field and be a productive member of your team.
Build wise, like most inexpensive airsoft guns; the M85 entirely consists of a high-grade plastic material. However, as we found when testing, the material is extremely durable and sturdy. The adjustable stock has no wiggle room when extended, giving you the assurance you need while in combat. Also, the magazine fits tightly into its compartment with no wiggle when firing.
It is an AEG, so it has the option to select semi-auto or full auto. However, what sets the M85 apart from our affordable airsoft AEGs, and what made us want it on our list, is its rate of speed. We found that, on a full charge, the battery-powered motor can empty the 40-round magazine in about 3 seconds.
Even further proof of its worthiness to be on our list is the consistency at which it fires the rounds. Even on full auto, you can expect each round to come out at around 200 feet per second. With the adjustable hop-up system, you can be extremely accurate in one of the cheapest guns around.
The additional accessories included with the rifle make the M85 an even better deal. Included are items such as a flashlight, an electronic sight, and the foregrip. The electronic sight has two settings; changing the settings allows you to see your dot better in bright sunlight or nighttime shooting. Overall, the M85 is a remarkable inexpensive airsoft gun and is perfect for any airsoft shooter.
Conclusion
Cheap doesn’t always mean bad. As you can tell by our list, the advancements in airsoft technology have allowed manufacturers to create great guns that cost a fraction of the price. Just because a gun consists of plastic doesn’t mean it’s of lesser quality, especially if you’re looking to get into the sport without spending much money.
Before buying any airsoft gun, be sure you do your homework. Research the different options available and find which gun best suits your particular needs and styles. Don’t be afraid to rent a gun from your local range to see if the features fit you before you invest your money. After all, no two shooters are the same.
