Accuracy is a sensitive subject when it comes to airsoft. Most new players are drawn to the sport by guns that look so much like their real counterparts. Because airsoft replicas are so accurately made, people expect them to be as accurate as real firearms. Unfortunately, this clearly isn’t the case because of the limitations imposed by the projectiles we use (BBs) and the laws of physics. As I explained in another article, airsoft guns are only accurate to distances of 120 to 175 feet. High-end guns tend to be more accurate than entry-level guns simply because they have better internal components and better quality control.
The most accurate airsoft gun is the one you build yourself. That implies buying a replica, replacing parts, and performing minor tweaks until you get the accuracy to a level you are comfortable with.
Out of the box, no gun will perform as well as it possibly can. Unfortunately, the manufacturing process of replicas is mainly focused on building as many units as possible in the shortest amount of time. This means that factory workers don’t spend too much time performing minor adjustments for each gun, adjustments that would ensure that the many internal components that influence accuracy work together optimally. If you would like to know more about airsoft gun accuracy, check out my complete guide to making your replica perform more consistently at range.
If you would like to buy an airsoft gun that is fairly accurate in its stock configuration, you will need to spend around 350 to 600 dollars. This will get you a good AEG (airsoft electric gun) that should have sufficient performance out of the box. Brands like Tokyo Marui, Krytac, VFC, ICS, KWA are some of the most appreciated by the airsoft community as most of their models offer above-average accuracy and excellent build quality.
What Manufacturer Makes the Most Accurate Airsoft Guns?
Most people agree that Japanese manufacturer Tokyo Marui (TM) is the best because they have some of the best hop-up units on the market. They are credited with inventing the AEG in the early 90s and since then they have been the industry leader in terms of innovation.
The quality of their hop-ups is legendary and their internals are said to be sprinkled with fairy dust. This combination of high-performance parts that work well together makes Tokyo Marui guns, electric or gas-powered, the most accurate airsoft replicas. The downside of these guns is that they are made especially for the Japanese market, which has very specific rules in terms of power and fps – 322 fps/ .98j.
In other parts of the world, like the US and Canada, these limits are higher so buying a TM gun will leave you at a disadvantage somewhat. Your gun will be very accurate, but your BBs will fly slower through the air. This is especially the case of heavier BBs which are known to provide better accuracy. If you play indoors this might not be much of a problem, but if you mainly play outside and with longer engagement distances, you will notice it. To get your TM gun shooting with higher fps, you will need to replace some of the internals.
What is the Most Accurate Airsoft platform?
Most people agree that the platform isn’t very important in airsoft. A bolt action sniper replica is what most people associate with accuracy, but that isn’t really the case. The thing about sniper replicas in airsoft is that they all need to be heavily modified in order to get the best accuracy. Without upgrades, snipers or DMRs are no more accurate than regular AEGs. However, when upgrades have been installed, a bolt action rifle can perform better in terms of accuracy and range. That is because their configurations allow them to use heavy BBs (0.4 grams or higher) and stiffer springs, and push higher volumes of air through their cylinders.
If you really want to play the sniper role in airsoft you have two options. You can buy an expensive replica like the Silverback SRS as it is widely regarded as one of the best stock snipers. If you still aren’t happy with its long-range accuracy you find upgrades that can be installed for better performance.
The second option is to find a cheap replica that you like for $150 to $300 and buy the best upgrade parts that you can afford. Depending on your skills, you can install them yourself and save some money, or you can find a knowledgeable technician that can do it for you. This is probably the better option as the tech can tell you which parts are a better fit for your build. Another advantage of this approach is that you can get the sniper model that you like best.
What is the Most Accurate AEG?
Why am I writing about AEGs? Because they are the most common type of replica for beginners. These guns are powered by a rechargeable battery and require minimal maintenance so they are the best pick for someone who is not familiar with airsoft. Furthermore, AEGs are easy to tune, there are tons of aftermarket parts (depending on the model, of course) and most work well out of the box.
As with sniper rifles, most AEGs have about the same accuracy. Again, depending on the price tier, you might see differences in accuracy level, but that is the case with most things. You can expect a gun that costs over $300 to be a bit more accurate than an entry-level gun simply because a more expensive replica will have better internal parts.
Replicas made by premium brands like Tokyo Marui, Krytac, VFC, ICS, KWA tend to offer above-average accuracy in their stock configurations. However, even their products can have issues due to the use of outsourced parts. Like with cars, not all the components are made by the manufacturer. Some are ordered from other factories and flaws can appear during the manufacturing process. If QC doesn’t find the error, then a whole batch of airsoft guns will be compromised.
Another essential point about premium brands is that their products can also benefit from upgrades or minor tweaks that can improve accuracy. Most seasoned airsofters will buy a gun and immediately swap up the parts that they consider to be inferior. There are some who will swear by the improvement to accuracy that an R-hop or flat-hop brings so they immediately install one of these in a brand new gun. These modifications are known for offering better results when using heavier BBs and, as I explained before, they have a more stable flight trajectory.
The best thing about AEGs is that, with a few upgrades and modifications, a beginner gun that costs under $200 can be made to be as accurate as a $500 stock gun. This is certainly the best route for a beginner to take. You simply buy the best gun that you can afford at the moment and play with it until you get a feel for the game. If over time, you feel like you need more accuracy, you can simply replace parts like the hop-up bucking and the barrel as these have the most impact on accuracy.
These days, there are thousands of YouTube tutorials that can show you how to upgrade your replica and how to make tweaks that can improve accuracy. This large amount of freely available information is great because it means you can find videos specifically for your gun. Just by following the instructions and using a few common tools, you can improve its performance.
What is the Most Accurate Airsoft Pistol?
While there isn’t a specific model I can point to as being the most accurate, what I can recommend is that you buy a Hi-Capa. This is an airsoft pistol that was developed by Tokyo Marui in the form of a 2011 (basically an updated Colt 1911). These days, there are plenty of other brands that offer a Hi-Capa pistol, like WE, KJW, and Armorer Works. Most of these are built to TM specifications, meaning that their internal parts are interchangeable. As the TM model was the most successful replica of its time, it is considered to be the golden standard by which others are measured.
I won’t state that the TM model is the most accurate as, over time, other companies have made similar or even better variants. In addition, even TM pistols can be upgraded with superior parts to improve accuracy. The most common are changing the bucking and modifying the barrel and hop-up assembly. What you should keep in mind is that airsoft pistols, as with real pistols, are only intended to be used at short range. This means that they don’t need to be crazy accurate to be effective in CQB or close-quarters combat.
Because the TM Hi-Capa has been in service for so long, there are millions of aftermarket parts that will fit in most Hi-Capa copies. In fact, you could actually build your own pistol from scratch. This means that you can buy whatever model you like and then customize it to your heart’s desire. If that means tuning it for accuracy, you can get the best parts that money can buy.
To sum up, I recommend buying a Hi-Cappa model not because it is the most accurate of the box, but because the availability of parts allows you to improve its accuracy. In addition, should anything break during use, you won’t have any issues finding replacements.
How Can You Improve the Accuracy of an Airsoft Gun?
- Clean the inner barrel. This is an easy thing to do and you should do it even if your gun is brand new. You should also clean it regularly, preferably after each game day. Removing any gunk and debris from the inside of the barrel will help your BBs fly better at long range. Just make sure to turn off your hop or just remove it completely if you can. This will ensure the bucking isn’t damaged.
- Stabilize the inner barrel inside the outer barrel. If the inner barrel has a lot of wiggle room inside the outer barrel, it will vibrate as the gun is fired, thus affecting your accuracy. To prevent this, you should make sure that the two barrels fit together as tightly as possible and you can do it in a variety of ways. If there isn’t much play, but the inner barrel still moves, you could try to wrap some tape around it. Another option is to buy spacers that can be installed all along the inner barrel. Alternatively, you can make these on your own from a few pieces of foam.
- Use heavier BBs. These can have a more stable flight and aren’t blown off course as easily as lightweight BBs.
- Buy better quality BBs. The quality of the ammo you use can impact your accuracy. You should always buy the best BBs you can afford. High-quality BBs are made with more precise machinery that ensures they have a more spherical shape. In addition, they are also better polished, which allows them to have a more consistent flight trajectory. If you would like to find out more about BBs and their costs, this guide is for you.
- Change the hop-up bucking. In most guns, the stock bucking isn’t great. You can buy better buckings from companies like Maple Leaf, Mad Bull, or Prometheus. Installed correctly, these can improve the accuracy and consistency of your shots.
