Airsoft can be a blast but combining WW2 history with the sport allows you to enjoy a whole new level of fun.
WW2 airsoft guns combine the functionality of modern airsoft firearms with the iconic aesthetic and practicality of World War II weapons.
Finding your own WW2 airsoft gun can be tricky, but this guide can give me some great examples and helpful advice.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for WW2 Airsoft Guns
Comparison of the Best WW2 Airsoft Guns
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What is a WW2 Airsoft Gun?
A WW2 airsoft gun is simply an airsoft weapon that's been modeled after a historical gun used in the second world war. Due to their similarity to weapons that hold lethal ammunition, many WW2 airsoft guns will have small orange caps of their tips so that people don't accidentally assume they are a live firearm.
There are WW2 airsoft guns in all sorts of shapes and sizes, ranging from rifles to carbines to pistols. You can find airsoft guns from both sides of the war; both the Allies and the Axis powers are represented in shops and markets.
Of particular note is that you can find WW2 airsoft guns of both automatic and semiautomatic variety even though most firearms used during that conflict were semiautomatic in nature.
What Makes a Great WW2 Airsoft Gun?
Good WW2 airsoft guns will have several key features you should check for as you browse.
An Excellent Aesthetic
The aesthetic is what separates WW2 airsoft guns from regular firearms. You'll want to make sure that any chosen airsoft gun you pick at least fits with the World War II aesthetic even if it doesn't match up perfectly with an actual model used by the soldiers during the war. Fortunately, there's lots of historical evidence you can use to compare your chosen airsoft gun with real-life weaponry used in bygone years.
Game Face ASRGTH GFSMG Airsoft Submachine Gun
Room For Ammunition
Good WW2 airsoft guns should have plenty of room for extra rounds. Lots of World War II airsoft battles feature tons of shooting, and you don't want to run out of ammunition during a critical moment of the campaign or battle. However, keep in mind that larger magazines do have more of a risk of jamming. That's somewhat historically accurate, too.
Size
You'll also want to make sure that your WW2 airsoft gun can fit into any holster that you might have with your uniform. Most World War II airsoft enthusiasts go all out and have a kit or costume to accompany their airsoft weaponry. If this sounds like you, you'll want to ensure that your firearm can be stashed in your holster or sling to complete your desired aesthetic.
Review of the Best WW2 Airsoft Guns
These are the best WW2 style airsoft guns:
Best Overall:
Game Face ASRGTH GFSMG Airsoft Submachine Gun
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who have recently used this airsoft gun have found that it's a ton of fun to play with and it's excellent when you want to spray down the battlefield in BBs. However, it's large magazine drum has a slight double feeding issue which can occasionally lead to jams. Be sure to load it carefully to avoid this problem.
Why it Stands Out To Us
This machine-gun stands out to us thanks to its exceptionally large magazine and great construction. The metal frame ensures that it'll keep working even after you use it for several games in a row. The comfort of the handle and stock also helps to alleviate a little bit of the shaking that comes from firing so many projectiles at once.
Who Will Use This Most
Anyone who wants to be a front-line trooper springing down the battlefield will love this WW2 airsoft gun. It's sturdy and relatively consistent so long as you take the time to load the BBs carefully and don't mind an occasional jam. The occasional jam may actually increase its historical accuracy!
Bottom Line
Overall, this is one of the better machine-gun World War II airsoft weapons you can find. The low asking price is a great advantage over its competitors, as well.
Runner-up:
Double Eagle M40 Black Airsoft BB Rifle
[amazon fields="B0001MKWOQ" image="1" value="thumb" image_size="large" image_align="center" image_link="none"]
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent users have indicated that this is best purchased as a toy for kids who want to pretend that they are in World War II themselves. This airsoft gun isn't super powerful and its adherence to the World War II aesthetic is minimal, especially considering the foldable stock.
Why it Stands Out To Us
This airsoft gun primarily stands out due to its extremely low asking price. You can easily pick this up without any budgeting on your part at all. The folding stock, while flimsy due to its cheap construction materials, is a nice touch since it allows people with longer or shorter arms like to use it effectively. Its compact size makes this a great choice if heavier weapons are difficult for you to use, as well.
Who Will Use This Most
Kids or people who aren't super attached to a perfect World War II aesthetic will find the most use out of this airsoft gun. They can still enjoy themselves and this gun can provide fun target practice. It can find a place in the faux World War II battles in a pinch, but most serious game contenders will want to look elsewhere.
Bottom Line
Pick this airsoft gun up if you like the WW2 aesthetic but don't care too much for detail, or if you're not serious about going to a major combat event.
Best for the Money:
Soft Air Thompson M1A1 AEG
[amazon fields="B001B4QVMA" image="1" value="thumb" image_size="large" image_align="center" image_link="none"]
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who've used this WW2 airsoft gun recently are very impressed by its adherence to historical realism. Although the stock and grip aren't made of real wood, this M1A1 looks very much like the real thing. The battery drains relatively quickly but otherwise, it's a dependable rifle.
Why it Stands Out To Us
This airsoft gun stands out to us due to its excellent aesthetic and great power. It's a great workhorse of a gun that's befitting a front-line American soldier. In addition, the snappiness of its magazine makes reloading easy and smooth, perfect for performance in the heat of combat.
Who Will Use This Most
Contenders who want an ultra-realistic airsoft rifle will really appreciate what this gun brings to the table. At the same time, anyone in search of a high-performance WW2 airsoft gun will also find a lot to enjoy. It's great for firing off rapid volleys and taking your time for hitting accurate shots alike.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is best used by those who are serious about looking the part during their next WW2 airsoft gun competition. Due to its consistency and high-power, it's best used by a front-line soldier or infantry that is going to be in the thick of things rather than the reserves.
4. Well M1 D69 Electric Airsoft LPEG
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who've used this rifle most recently have reported that it fires consistently and accurately within its effective range. However, the magazine has some trouble feeding BBs into the barrel of the weapon if you fill it too close to the top. You should try to fill it three-fourths of the way for optimal performance if you are worried about jamming during an inopportune moment.
Why it Stands Out To Us
This rifle stands out to us thanks to its adherence to historical accuracy. It's modeled after the real-world M1 carbine, so it can shoot with semiautomatic accuracy. It has a smooth trigger and a strap that you can attach for easy carrying across the battlefield. It also has an automatic switch you can flip, although this does not appear to historical realism.
Who Will Use This Most
Those who are interested in participating in a bottle from a little further range will appreciate this carbine. It's not truly long-distance the way real carbines are, of course, but it's great for taking down high priority targets and pretending to be a marksman during World War II. The faux-wood aesthetic keeps the rifle comfortable to use and gives it some good durability even if you use it frequently.
Bottom Line
Overall, we'd recommend this for the World War II history aficionado, especially if you have a shoulder strap that can accommodate its hooks. It's a great rifle for those serious about looking as close to a World War II soldier as possible.
5. WW2 Mauser Broomhandle C96 German Airsoft Spring Hand Gun
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent users of this airsoft gun have said that it looks fairly similar to the real model of weapon that it is designed after, although the hammer doesn't cock and that negates the effects somewhat. In addition, it's affordable asking price is offset due to its cheap plastic construction, so this isn't the best airsoft gun for taking into the bushes where it'll get bumped frequently.
Why it Stands Out To Us
This airsoft gun stands out to us thanks to its extreme affordability and its ease-of-use. While the lack of a hammer cock prevents it from reaching real historical accuracy, it does make it easier to use than the real-world equivalent. The trigger pull is very smooth and the magazine slides in and out with a minimum of effort.
Who Will Use This Most
Officers playacting in a World War II scenario will appreciate this as a backup sidearm. In addition, we think this would be a great choice for kids who want to get into World War II airsoft events but who might not be old enough to handle some of the more powerful machine guns and carbines. This gun doesn't shoot BBs very fast or hard, so the chances of accidental injury are low.
Bottom Line
This is a cheap but fun WW2 airsoft gun and it's a great choice if you need an affordable sidearm for your next engagement.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Before you make a final purchase, keep these key considerations in mind so you can choose the perfect airsoft gun for your desires.
Type
Of course, the type of WW2 airsoft gun you choose dictates where you can holster it and what role you'll play in the battle. Rifles and carbines often have more range and can fire more shots, while pistols and submachine guns will be better for close-quarter action. It's all down to personal preference.
Power
Certain WW2 airsoft guns have more kick behind each BB. You'll want something that has enough power so you can project your rounds across the field of battle, so examine how fast each gun you are eyeing can push their rounds before buying.
Durability
Naturally, a lot of World War II airsoft competitions and events will have you crawling around in the mud or undertaking physical activity in simulations of the actual battles that happened in the 1940s. Cheap airsoft guns that can't withstand a little punishment will oftentimes not be worth dollars you spend on them. It's often a better idea to pay a little extra and get an airsoft gun that will stand the test of time.
Types of WW2 Airsoft Guns
Broadly speaking, there are three major types of WW2 airsoft guns you can choose from before you march into battle.
Pistols
Pistols or sidearms are ideal for close-quarter combat and are usually holstered on the hip or thigh. There are American and German models available for purchase and these are great for use as a backup weapon if you run out of ammunition for your primary gun or are suddenly ambushed. Certain World War II competitions will have rules limiting you to one larger weapon and one secondary weapon like a pistol, instead of a sniper and a machine gun, for instance.
Machine Guns
Machine guns are automatic, spew a lot of BBs at once and are ideal for suppressive fire. Part of the fun of using machine guns is in laying down so much fire that you draw the attention of your enemies and might even get to take down several targets at once. Keep in mind you'll probably have to spend more money on ammunition for this weapon type than any other.
Rifles/Carbines
Finally, rifles or carbines are the longest ranged weapons available to you. These are typically semiautomatic and can project fire across great distances while providing excellent accuracy. These are usually a little heavier than the other weapon types and take more practice to excel with.
Conclusion
Regardless of the soldier you play or the type of firearm that's your favorite, you should be excited to be taking part in World War II airsoft events or games since they're a lot of fun. Remember to choose your airsoft gun based on your personal preference and what kind of soldier you want to emulate. Good luck and good hunting!
