Rating of the best airsoft gearboxes for 2022

Keeping fit is a hot topic in this sedentary world. There are a huge number of ways to do this, but the trouble is, almost all require a certain attitude and willpower, with rare exceptions, and one of them is airsoft. It is easy to get infected with it, it has everything you need for health: adrenaline, physical activity and weapons, a lot of shooting and no victims. Why not an ideal sport? Airsoft has its own secrets and keys to success. One of them will be discussed today. In the material we will talk about the best gearboxes for airsoft.

Varieties of airsoft guns

1. spring (spring);
2. gas (pneumatic);
3. electropneumatic.

Spring models

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

• price;
• 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 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 (because it exactly copies the appearance of a real weapon), in the future, these definitions of airsoft weapons will be used in the article.

Gas actuators

More common than the previous type. Principle of operation: the use of compressed gas energy to give the charge the required initial speed. Some models, when fired, imitate recoil and return movement of the shutter, have their fans among lovers 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.

• inability to use at sub-zero temperatures.

Electropneumatic airsoft drives

The most common variety, the popularity is well deserved, the rate of fire and the range of aimed fire. The main difference from other drives is the principle diagram: the electro-pneumatic model, in fact, consists of a gear box and a shell that matches the appearance of the weapon in shape. Principle of operation: the spring is cocked by the force of the electric motor and, during the 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 gear box is a fairly complex mechanism designed to ensure the firing of an airsoft drive.

The structure of the device includes the following components:

• gear box body;
• electric motor;
• reducer;
• anti-reverse;
• mainspring with guide;
• compressor;
• contact Group;
• launch group.

The body of the gearbox consists of two box-shaped covers made of silumin and fastened together with screw connections.

Depending on the shape of the housing corresponding to one or another drive model, there are seven versions of gearboxes. The numbers 1,2.3, ... 7 are not related to the release order of the version, but indicate belonging to one or another replica model. The mass prevalence of 2 and 3 versions speaks of the popularity of the M-16 and AK-47 prototypes, which are equipped with them.

Gearbox housings are divided into three types

Standard

• optimal cost;
• good quality at standard loads.

• the maximum range is 120 m, the installation of a more powerful spring leads to loosening of the case;
  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 walls of the case.

• 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 parts and body fasteners.

Milled

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

• available for any tuning;
• unlimited service life.

• not detected.

electric motor

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

Classification:

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

The best electric motors for gearboxes

High Torque long manufactured by SHS. High-speed, allows the cocking of springs up to SP170 inclusive.

• metal body and parts;
• famous manufacturer.

• requires the installation of stronger gears.

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

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

• torque-up gears are recommended.

Reducer

A set of gears, usually three, is a simple form of a gearbox, the task of which is to transmit the rotational movement 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 mounted on an axle supported in the body of the housing on the bushings.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.

Spurs

Included in standard factory gear boxes.

• price.

• when installing reinforced springs, gear wear is accelerated.

Best Gearbox Spur Gears - 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 impact is inevitable, which leads to accelerated wear of the teeth.

Helical gears do not have this disadvantage, the shape of the teeth provides a smooth and uniform distribution of the dynamic load. This factor is of great importance for springs from 110 m / s and gearboxes with a design rate of fire from 600 to 1,200 rounds per minute.

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

Manufactured from steel, the lower gear ratio allows you to build more powerful springs up to and including the SP150 Guarder. Use with bearings can lead to their destruction, the use of bushings is recommended. A bearing is built into the middle and sector gears.

• allow tuning the drive to a rate of fire of 1,200 rounds per minute and a ball flight speed of 150 m/s.

• not detected.

Anti-reverse

Designed to block the reverse motion of the gearbox from the action of the mainspring.Principle of operation: at the moment of decompressing the spring, the ratchet fixes the gear of the motor shaft.

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

The best anti-reverses for gearboxes

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

• steel;
• suitable for the vast majority of gearbox modifications.

• steel is not hardened.

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

• hardened steel.

• not detected.

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

• hardened steel.

• not detected.

Compressor

Principle of operation: the gearbox transmits the rotational movement 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 nose. The ball located in the barrel, in the combat 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 appropriate 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 very important 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 components of the unit depend to some extent on the stiffness of the spring. For example, to achieve a ball flight speed of 120 m / s, you will have to replace all the components of the factory-made gearbox.

According to the method of manufacturing springs are:

• equally wound,
• unequally wound, a feature of this type of springs are softer ends, partially compensating for the impact at the moment of expansion, relieving 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, indicates the flight speed in m / s, an airsoft ball with a standard weight of 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 detected.

Best Steel Springs - M130 (SHS) (TH1015)

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

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

• not detected.

Spring guide

The main task of the part is to avoid deformation of the spring during compression. It is a tube with a support washer, made in the factory from plastic. More advanced models can be made of metal.For particularly 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.

The best guides for springs

Guarder (GE-05-05)

• made of steel:
• high quality surface finish.

• not detected.

SHS Spring guide, (wd0011)

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

• not detected.

Piston group

Piston

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

piston head

Manufactured from light alloy metals. Equipped with a sealing collar to create compression when the piston moves to compression, and holes to facilitate the return movement.
For tuning, there are silent heads equipped with a special buffer. In the assembly, the head and piston are referred to as the piston group.

Best Gearbox Piston Groups - Silent Head ver 3 Systema Japan

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

• price.

Nozl

It performs a dual function: feeding the airsoft ball into the chamber and providing compressed air for its dispersal. It is driven by a sector gear of the reducer, the work is synchronized with the piston group.
The main task of the assembly is to ensure tightness and maintain air pressure without loss.

Best Gearbox Nozzle Modify for G3

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

• provides excellent tightness;
• long service life.

• price.

contact Group

Performs the function of supplying power to the motor. It is actuated by a trigger. When firing in bursts, it experiences serious overloads, therefore, there are serious quality requirements for the elements of the assembly.

Best Contact Group - (SHS) (NB0026)

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

• not detected.

Gearbox manufacturers overview

Tokyo

Don't box me in.

Marui

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

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

• the highest cost of drives, gearboxes and components.

G&P

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

• 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 products at an affordable price and decent quality, AK replicas. gearboxes for them are generally out of competition.

• price;
• quality.

• not detected.

The choice on the gearbox market is extensive and is represented by offers for the most demanding taste, and budget options for beginners.