The AK-47 is arguably the most popular and easily identifiable assault rifles in the world.
According to the study of World Bank in 2004, of the 500 million guns in the world, roughly 75 million are AK-47s. That’s one in every seven firearms in the world!
Also known as the Kalashnikov, after its designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, the AK-47 is a gas operated rifle developed for the Soviet Union’s Army. It has been in service for more than six decades, since 1949, and is readily available in almost every country in the world.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the AK-47 also to dominate the world of airsoft guns. Here are some of the leading characteristic of this assault rifle and why it’s selling like hot cakes, both in the real world and the competitive sport of airsoft:
- Low costs production compared to Western assault rifles
- Easy to use and very useful in mid-range skirmishes
- Very reliable under extreme conditions
- Available in almost every geographic region
Name | Speed | Material | Magazine | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Soft Air Kalashnikov (Editor's Choice) | 330-380 FPS | Metal upper receiver and barrel | 600 | Check Price |
Crosman Elite Battlemaster | 200 FPS | Durable plastic | 430 | Check Price |
BBTac Airsoft Powerful Assault (Best Budget AK) | 250-300 FPS | Durable plastic | 200 | Check Price |
Double Eagle AK-47S (Best Choice Under $100) | 425 FPS | Metal barrel and metal body | 400 | Check Price |
BBTac BT-AK | 250-300 FPS | Durable plastic | - | Check Price |
CYMA Full metal AK-47 | 350 FPS | Plastic body and full metal gearbox | 600 | Check Price |
BBTac AK BT-022 | 200FPS | Durable plastic | - | Check Price |
Jing Gong jg6803 ak-47 | 400 FPS | Metal barrel and metal body with plastic elements | 600 | Check Price |
CYMA AK-47 V3 Airsoft AEG Rifle CM 028 | 300+ FPS | High quality ABS body | 600 | Check Price |
Kalashnikov Spetsnaz Electric Powered | 350-380FPS | Metal barrel and metal body | 550 | Check Price |
Below are the best AK-47 airsoft guns of 2018:
1. Soft Air Kalashnikov Tactical Electric Powered Airsoft — Best Airsoft AK
The electric powered rifle is easy to use and is beginner-friendly. It’s recommended for those who are still learning the ropes of the sport of airsoft. The AK-47 rifle is your practical starter gun choice and a great weapon during a practice session.
On the battlefield, the Soft Air Kalashnikov is a reliable armament that can handle any kind of terrain especially urban and jungle.
This fully-automatic rifle can fire up to 600 rounds per minute at speeds of 475 feet per second (FPS). Moreover, it’s got an adjustable spin-up firing system mated with a rechargeable 8.4 volt, 1200 mAH “stick” battery.
Far from the shaky nature of its real-life counterpart, the airsoft version is more accurate. It can hit a target the size of a quarter at a 40-feet distance. The power range is approximately 198 feet.The rifle also has a removable fore-grip and a nylon fibre foldable stock to minimize recoil.
- Ergonomic design making it easy to carry around
- High-powered and decent firing rate
- Very accurate even at range
- Has an aggressive and realistic styling
- Battery wires fits quite tight inside the battery compartment
- Stalk is not easy to unfold
Overall, this is an armament that will surely give you the adrenaline rush of an airsoft match without going through a steep learning curve of mastering the weapon. It’s highly recommended for those who want to progress fast in airsoft.
2. BBTac Airsoft Powerful Assault Warranty – Best Budget Airsoft AK
Another airsoft gun that pays homage to the original is the BBTac Powerful Assault. It’s got the look and feel of an AK-47 but has slightly been modified to be a proactive weapon of choice in the airsoft sport.
The BBTac can fire from 150 FPS to 300 FPS, depending on the size of the BBs you use; the lighter the ammo, the faster its firing rate becomes. It’s made from durable plastic and has a hi-cap magazine that holds approximately 200-rounds.
The size of this airsoft rifle is almost comparable to a real-life AK but is lighter and much easier to carry around.
- Inexpensive airsoft starter
- Classic look and replica feel
- Made from durable plastic
- Does not require batteries
- Spring powered
- Not very accurate
- Poorly built
The BBTac delivers the basics, without having to look cheap.
3. Crosman Elite Battlemaster Airsoft Rifle — Classic Designed AK-47 Assault Rifle
If you want an airsoft that is close to the original look of the AK-47, then you should consider the Crossman Elite rifle. Its straightforward and no-frills design is also quite functional. It’s also one of the most affordable AK airsoft rifles in the market.
This airsoft gun can hold 430-rounds per magazine and fire at a rate of 565-shots per minute. It’s powered by a rechargeable 7.2-volt, 700 mAH battery.
Over the years, the Crossman line has proven easy to use and great for target shooting. The manufacturers also included sling mounts to make it more comfortable to carry.
However, unlike its other rivals in the AK airsoft category, the Crossman Elite lacks several features such as a solid stock and optics that can improve its performance.
- Very affordable
- Easy to use and quite durable
- Retro design
- Ergonomic pistol grip
- Poor accuracy
- Subpar firing power
Overall, this airsoft rifle is a great starter weapon for those new in this sport. It’s suitable for target practice, but not as much in combat and team competition. While its affordable, adept players and pros may shy away from it because it lacks many crucial features.
4. Double Eagle AK-47S Automatic Electric Airsoft Assault – Best Airsoft AK under $100
The Double Eagle AK-47S airsoft rifle is as real as it can get.
It shoots at fully automatic and semi-auto mode with ease. It has a firing rate of up to 400 rounds per minute at 425. The AK-47S is powered by 8.4V stick battery. Shots are also entirely accurate thanks to its tighter-bore barrel.
- Sleek look
- Very durable
- Readily available spare parts
- High powered shots
- A bit more expensive
- Bulkier and quite heavy
Overall, the AK-47S is not only a looker but also a performer. It’s a great armament to have around especially when you are in a tight spot and needs some serious stopping power to neutralize advancing airsoft enemies.
5. CYMA AEG Full Auto Airsoft Metal AK-47 – Tokyo Marui Clone
This Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) can shoot up to 350 FPS and has a magazine capacity of 600 rounds. It also holds a lot of BB pellets and will take a while before you need to reload or change the mag.
The CM028 is made of a sturdy plastic material with a wood-like finish.
- Realistic design
- Budget-friendly price
- Made of durable materials
- Rifle to CQB gun function
- Iron sights have low accuracy
- Doesn’t come with a battery or charger
Overall, the CM028 airsoft ripple is an excellent chance for you to own a Tokyo Marui replica without spending a lot of dough. It’s got all the essentials you need for an AEG model.
6. BBTac Airsoft Electric Completed Magazine – One Purchase Has All
One of the hassles of buying an airsoft is gathering the whole set.
This airsoft rifle is equipped with semi and fully automatic modes, with a hopping system that can be adjusted to your preference. It can shoot at 200 FPS and comes equipped with a 50-RD 6-mm clip with a BB opening. It’s also compatible with a 1,500 RD barrel mag if you want to fire more without reloading; however, it’s sold separately.
The BBTac is an excellent armament if you want to do some practice shooting.
- Very affordable
- Additional accessories
- Decent firepower
- Very light
- Lacks range
- Standard mag holds few rounds
Overall, the BBTac Complete Magazine is an all in one set which lets you save money, as compared to purchasing its added accessories separately. It also won’t be undone concerning firing rate, accuracy and stopping power. It’s a great starter kit that lets you have your first complete airsoft set without breaking the bank.
7. Jing Jong JG683 Electric Airsoft FPS 400 Capacity Magazine – Insane Value Airsoft Gun
The Chinese military has also employed the service of the AK-47. It came as no surprise that they too would find inspiration in modelling an airsoft gun after it.
Considering its overall performance versus its price, you can quickly conclude that this one’s a bargain. Using .20 BBs, it can shoot at an average of 400 FPS and is still accurate even at 50 yards.
It’s made from sturdy materials and has a beautiful wood finish to highlight its aesthetics. Its manufacturer claims that its competition level and the numbers seem to support that.
- Performs rather well
- High-speed firing rate
- Great aesthetics
- Very accurate even at range
- Inability to have attachments
- Some battery-related quirks
Overall, the Jing Jong AK-47 offers one of the best values in this list. It performs very well, is impressively accurate and has decent stopping power. However, we feel that its lack of railings for attachments has limited the overall potential of the gun. But aside from that, we recommend this for anyone who wants more bangs for their bucks.
8. BBTac Airsoft Electric Gun AK BT-022 Fully Automatic Rifle – The Best Starter Kit
This is the third and final product we have from BBTac on this list, which just goes to show you the reliability of their products. The BBTac BT-022 is arguably the best AK model to get you introduced to the world of airsoft.
The airsoft gun also has a fully automatic and safe mode, on top of being semi-automatic. The plastic material used is somewhat durable except for the tip of the barrel. The stock is also quite rigid, if not cumbersome.
- Very affordable price
- Easy to aim because of the laser
- Comes with Safety Glasses and Spot Light
- Very straightforward to use
- Slower firing rate
- Too light for its good
Overall, the BT-022 is quite a fine starting piece for those who are new to airsoft. It’s cheap but still has a lot to offer. The laser sight helps you improve your aim, which is quite good during practice.
9. Soft Air Kalashnikov Spetsnaz Electric Powered Airsoft Rifle – The Most Modern AK-47
While a lot of the entries on the list look at the AK-47 as an assault weapon, Soft Air brings out the tactical nature of this firearm. Named after the elite Russian Special Forces, the limited edition Spetsnaz looks very modern and is the rifle of choice for almost every airsoft match.
- Looks very realistic
- Light and easy to carry
- Devastating firing power
- Limited edition collectable
- Short range weapon
- Stiff price
Overall, the Kalashnikov Spetsnaz airsoft rifle is a great rifle if you’re a collector or even into competitive airsoft. The gun has a very decent performance and will be very useful in urban competition maps. Not to mention, it’s quite a looker.
10. CYMA AK-47 v3 Airsoft CM028 – Most Improved AK-47 Model
CYMA’s newest version of the favourite AK-47 takes shape in the CM028. This improved edition boasts several upgrades including a new metal gearbox made from durable high-quality ABS body. Unlike its AEG counterpart, this rifle is no mere copy but has an identity of its own.
The CM028 can fire at a rate of 325 FPS and comes equipped with a 600-rounds hi-cap metal magazine.
This product is also packaged together with cleaning/ unjamming rod, 8.4v 1100 mAH battery, and charger.
- Affordable price
- Quality ABS build
- Upgraded metal gearbox
- Looks quite realistic
- Quite heavy
- Decent range
Overall, the CM028 has come a long way compared to its predecessor. It’s got an average performance, but with a cheaper price tag. It’s one of the best starter AK-47 rifles you can get today.
Airsoft Gun – Buyer’s Guide
When buying an airsoft gun, it’s first essential to know the reason why you are buying one in the first place. If it’s just for shooting bottles and cans in your backyard, then the cheaper models will do. However, if you are planning to compete with friends in an airsoft match, then you have to invest in much more expensive firearm models and equipment.
Another thing you should consider is whether can be upgraded just by installing add-on or attachments. Often, it’s best to buy from manufacturers that also sell compatible accessories. You should also see to it that the size of the BBs you are using are the ones optimal for your airgun if you want it to perform at its best.
Our nominations:
- Editor’s Choice – Soft Air Kalashnikov Tactical AK47 Electric Powered Airsoft Rifle
- Best Budget AK – BBTac AK Airsoft Gun Powerful Spring Full Size Assault Rifle Machine Gun
- Best AK under – $100 – DE Ak-47S Metal Automatic Electric Airsoft Assault Gun 425 FPS Black
Final Words – Conclusion
As you know, airsoft guns can also cause extreme harm if handled irresponsibly. As the owner of the airgun, it is up to you to ensure that they are being kept in a safe place away from young children. If your kids are playing with airsoft guns, please make sure that you are there to supervise them.
We hope that this post has helped you to pick the best airsoft guns modelled after the AK-series. Remember, to always be a responsible airsoft owner whether you are in your own house, backyard, or in a competition ground. Airsoft is fun, if and only if, everyone sees to the safety of other people and animals first.
If you think that we missed an excellent AK-47 airsoft gun, let us know in the comments.