Assault rifles are used in some form by nearly every military in the world. They are the standard firearm for the infantrymen deployed around the world as I write this article. In my time in Iraq I personally carried the M4. It is one of many assault rifles in use today.
This variety is directly emulated in the airsoft assault rifles used in matches today. While there are different action types available, this article will focus mostly on Automatic Electric Guns (AEG), as it is the best trade off of fire modes and price. I say this because a spring gun is totally impractical and an air gun will get too costly for the average user when he finds himself paying for new air every match or. With and AEG you still get the powerful shots you get with are but you can easily carry extra batteries and recharge when you’re done instead of buying new.
There are many manufacturers of AEG Airsoft Assault Rifles but some of the prominent ones are Classic Army and UTG. It’s easy to find a good looking airsoft assault rifle but you also have to consider the materials used and the quality of the build. I prefer metal myself but there are some companies that make good plastic replicas also. I would always look for a metal gearbox. This is important because the moving parts will take a lot of stress and metal is obviously much less prone to break than even the strongest plastic. If you plan to make yourself into a serious airsoft warrior it will be worth spending the extra money to get the accessories.
They make so many accessories that you could emulate your favorite war hero with all of the same gear and weapons. I personally enjoy the M4 replicas but that is a bias that comes from years of experience and carrying the weapon on a daily basis. If you prefer the other brands or types of guns they are all out there to be found. Some airsoft assault rifles are actually licensed copies and as such can bear all of the same markings of the original firearm. This is increasingly important in the world of ultra-realistic airsoft matches where everything from magazine capacity to the weapon makers name stamped realistically on the side of the gun is considered crucial. For the serious enthusiast I would recommend getting a metal AEG and at the very least a good low or no magnification scope.
In airsoft as in real life these scopes are just easier to pick up the target and being faster on target is the difference between being dead (out) and alive (in) the game. Please see my other reviews for specific airsoft assault rifles and gear.
