Rating of the best gearboxes for airsoft for 2024

Maintaining physical fitness is an urgent problem in this world of a sedentary lifestyle. There are a colossal number of ways to do this, but the trouble is, almost all require a certain attitude and willful effort, with rare exceptions, and one of them is airsoft. It is easy for them to "get infected", it has everything that is necessary for health: adrenaline, physical activity and weapons, a lot of shooting and no victims. What is not an ideal sport? Airsoft has its own secrets and keys to success. One of them will be discussed today. In the article, we will tell you about the best gearboxes for airsoft.

Varieties of airsoft weapons

1. spring (spring);
2. gas (pneumatic);
3. electro-pneumatic.

Spring models

Most affordable in terms of price and service. Manual cocking of the piston, which, after pressing the trigger, with the help of an air flow, gives the airsoft ball the necessary dynamics.

• cost;
• immunity to ambient temperature.

• low rate of fire;
• insufficient combat range.

These properties have led to the fact that this type of airsoft weapon is common among sniper rifles and shotguns, where the rate of fire is a secondary factor.

In general, airsoft has its own terminology and in accordance with it, everything that shoots is called a drive, or a replica (since it exactly copies the appearance of a real weapon) in the future, these definitions of airsoft weapons will be used in the article.

Gas drives

More common than the previous type. Principle of operation: the use of compressed gas energy to give the charge the required initial velocity.Some models, when fired, simulate the recoil and return movement of the shutter, have their fans among fans of maximum proximity to real life. Gas actuators are in the middle price segment, are quite popular and are in steady demand.

• good rate of fire;
• sufficient range.

• the inability to use at subzero temperatures.

Electro-pneumatic airsoft actuators

The most common variety, the popularity is well deserved, with a rate of fire and an effective range of fire. The main difference from the rest of the drives, the schematic diagram: the electro-pneumatic model, in fact, consists of a gearbox and a shell, in shape corresponding to the appearance of the weapon. Principle of operation: the spring is charged by the force of the electric motor and, during descent, gives the ammunition the necessary ballistic energy. Power source - batteries. Rate of fire: up to 2,500 rounds per minute.

• high rate of fire;
• maximum firing range for the drive.

• susceptibility to low temperatures.

The gearbox is a rather complex mechanism designed to ensure the firing of an airsoft drive.

The device structure includes the following components:

• gearbox body;
• electric motor;
• reducer;
• anti-reverse;
• combat spring with a guide;
• compressor;
• contact Group;
• launching group.

The gearbox body consists of two box-shaped covers made of silumin and fastened to each other with screw connections.

There are seven gearbox versions, depending on the shape of the housing corresponding to one or another drive model. The numbers 1, 2, 3, ... 7 have nothing to do with the order of release of the version, but denote belonging to one or another replica model. The massive prevalence of versions 2 and 3 indicates the popularity of the M-16 and AK-47 prototypes, which they are equipped with.

Gearbox housings are divided into three types

Standard

• optimal cost;
• good quality under standard loads.

• maximum range 120 m, installation of a more powerful spring leads to loosening of the body;
  not intended for tuning.

Reinforced

They are made by stamping a powder mixture of silumin with the addition of zinc to increase the strength of the alloy. In addition, some manufacturers increase the thickness of the cabinet walls.

• the ability to install springs with a capacity of up to 150 m;
• available for tuning.

• winter operation with a powerful spring significantly increases the wear of body parts and mountings.

Milled

It is made from a solid blank by processing on a CNC machine.

• available for any tuning;
• unlimited service life.

• not found.

Electric motor

Performs the task of generating torque and transmitting it to a group of gears.

Classification:

• along the length of the motor gear stem:
  short, used in version 3 gearboxes;
  long, 2 version of drives.
• according to the principle of action, they are divided into two types:
  "Torque-Up", which increase the torque and, accordingly, power, allow with great effort to overcome the resistance of the mainspring and maintain the required rate of fire; "Turbo", which increase the rotational speed at the expense of torque power; Both approaches pursue the same goal - maximum rate of fire, so choosing the type of gearbox is a matter of taste. The main parameter is the power of the electric motor, the torque force depends on it and, accordingly, the permissible power of the mainspring, which provides the firing range.

The best electric motors for gearboxes

High Torque long, made by SHS. High-speed, allows spring charging up to and including SP170.

• metal body and parts;
• famous manufacturer.

• requires the installation of more durable gears.

SHS High Torque short motor manufactured by SHS. High speed, allows spring charging up to SP170.

• metal body and parts;
• suitable for versions 3, 6 and 7.

• torque-up gears are recommended.

Reducer

The set of gears, as a rule, of three, is a simple form of a gearbox, the task of which is to transfer the rotational motion of the engine to the piston group of the compressor. Depending on the type of gearbox, the gearbox can additionally increase or decrease the number of revolutions.

The gear is attached to an axis that rests on the bushings in the body of the body. There are three types of bushings, made of plastic, metal and in the form of bearings; bronze bushings have proven to be the most reliable.

There are two types of gears: spur and helical.

Straight-toothed

Included with standard factory gearboxes.

• price.

• when installing reinforced springs, gear wear is accelerated.

Best Spur Gears for Gearbox - SHS High Speed ​​13: 1 Gear Set (CL14006)

Manufacturer: SHS, Hong Kong

• reliable manufacturer.

• increased wear when installing springs from 110 m / s.

Any, even the highest quality spur gears have a design flaw; at the beginning of the rotational movement, a dynamic shock is inevitable, which leads to accelerated wear of the teeth.

Helical gears are devoid of this drawback, the shape of the teeth ensures a smooth and even distribution of the dynamic load. This factor is of great importance for springs from 110 m / s and gearboxes with a calculated rate of fire from 600 to 1200 rounds per minute.

Best Helical Gears - Super Shooter 100: 300 (CL4015) Super Shooter, China.

Made of steel, the reduced gear ratio allows for larger springs up to and including SP150 Guarder. Use with bearings can lead to their destruction, the use of bushings is recommended. A bearing is integrated in the middle and sector gears.

• allow tuning the drive up to a rate of fire of 1200 rounds per minute and a ball flight speed of 150 m / s.

• not found.

Antireverse

Designed to block the reverse travel of the reducer from the action of the mainspring. Principle of operation: at the moment of spring release, the ratchet fixes the gear wheel of the electric motor shaft.

The ratchet, made of steel, is mounted on the axle with an emphasis on the bushing in the body Advanced models are made of hardened steel and require appropriate quality from the parts they interact with.

Best anti-reverse gearboxes

SHS stopper and springs for v.2 and v.3 (CL5003)

• steel;
• fits the vast majority of gearbox modifications.

• steel is not hardened.

Stopper and springs for gearbox version 2 (ZC Leopard) (M-193)

• hardened steel.

• not found.

Spring stopper for gearbox version 3 (ZC Leopard) (A-13)

• hardened steel.

• not found.

Compressor

Principle of operation: the gearbox transmits the rotational motion of the electric motor using a rack and pinion to the compressor piston, which in the extreme position jumps off the teeth, and under the influence of an expanding spring, creates a high pressure area, directing compressed air through the piston head to the nozzle. The ball located in the barrel, in the firing position, is pushed out of the barrel by the air flow.
The compressor mechanism consists of the following parts: piston, piston head, cylinder, cylinder head, spring, spring guide.

Best Compressors for Airsoft Gearboxes - ZC Airsoft Piston

The quiet type compressor with the corresponding design features of the cylinder head significantly reduces the noise level of the gearbox.

• high build quality;
• high quality workmanship, only metal and rubber are used;
• increased wear resistance, resistance to deformation.

• requires careful installation.

Spring

A simple but crucial detail in a gearbox. Its properties determine the speed and range of the airsoft ball. The operation of the drive mechanism is designed in such a way that the requirements for the quality and strength of all other units of the unit, to one degree or another, depend on the stiffness of the spring.For example, to achieve a balloon flight speed of 120 m / s, you will have to replace all factory-made gearbox assemblies.

According to the method of manufacturing the springs are:

• equally wound,
• unevenly wound, a feature of this type of springs is softer ends, partially compensating for the impact at the moment of expansion, removing the load from other parts;
• hardened, characterized by a characteristic matte sheen and less susceptibility to temporary deformation during operation;
• not hardened.

Spring marking: M 100, M110, denotes flight speed in m / s, airsoft ball of standard weight 20 g.

Best Hardened Springs - M100 SuperShooter (SHS) (TH1023)

Spring M100 SuperShooter (SHS) (TH1023) variable pitch, hardened, M 100.

• great quality;
• budget price;
• high wear resistance and low susceptibility to deformation.

• not found.

Best Steel Springs - M130 (SHS) (TH1015)

Spring M130 (SHS) (TH1015) with variable helix pitch, M130.

• in terms of wear resistance it is not inferior to hardened analogues;
• made of high quality steel.

• not found.

Spring guide

The main task of the part is to avoid deformation of the spring during compression. It is a plastic tube with a support washer. More advanced models can be made of metal. For especially powerful springs, instead of a washer, a thrust bearing is used to facilitate the rotation of the spring around the axis during compression and expansion.

Best spring guides

Guarder (GE-05-05)

• made of steel:
• high quality surface grinding.

• not found.

SHS Spring Guide, (wd0011)

• made of stainless steel;
• high quality surface grinding.

• not found.

Piston group

Piston

The piston body can be made of polymer or durable aluminum alloys. O-rings are made of high quality rubber.

Piston head

It is made from easily alloyed metals. Equipped with an O-ring to create compression during the compression movement of the piston, and holes to facilitate return movement.
For tuning, there are silent heads equipped with a special buffer. The assembled head and piston are called a piston group.

The best piston groups for gearboxes - Silent Head ver 3 Systema Japan

• low noise;
• high quality workmanship
• allows you to extend the life of the drive.

• cost.

Nozl

It has a double function: feeding the airsoft ball into the chamber and providing compressed air to accelerate it. It is driven by a sector gear of the reducer, the work is synchronized with the piston group.
The main task of the unit is to ensure tightness and maintain air pressure without losses.

Best Gearbox Nozzle Modify for G3

Nozzle Modify for G3 (GB-08-05) manufactured by Modify, Taiwan.
Manufacturing material - high quality plastic.

• provides excellent tightness;
• long service life.

• cost.

contact Group

Carries out the function of supplying power to the engine. It is triggered by a trigger. When firing in bursts, it experiences serious overloads, therefore, there are serious quality requirements for the elements of the unit.

Best Contact Group - (SHS) (NB0026)

• body material perfectly tolerates thermal and mechanical overloads, is resistant to deformation;
• copper contacts;
• budget price.

• not found.

Overview of gearbox manufacturers

Tokyo

Don’t box me in.

Marui

was among the first to start production of airsoft weapons and accessories for them. The Japanese company is the standard of quality in this area.

• high quality production and assembly;
• the best design solutions.

• the highest cost of drives, gearboxes and accessories.

G&P

One of the three industry leaders, specializes in M ​​series models and accessories.

• high quality;
• price range, from budget to elite.

• narrow specialization.

CYMA

One of the leaders in the budget segment. In its assortment you can find any product at a reasonable price and decent quality, a replica of AK. gearboxes for them are generally out of competition.

• price;
• quality.

• not found.

The selection of gearboxes on the market is extensive and is presented by offers for the most demanding taste, and budget options for beginners.