If you've been using basic spring airsoft guns for a while and been bitten by the bug, you're probably keen to get started on some of the more sophisticated options in the arsenal. These include advanced spring models, and electric and gas guns in pistol, rifle and automatic weapon formats.

Spring airsoft guns are the most basic but you can get some sophisticated models. Other than a range of handguns, you can get a wide array of spring airsoft rifles such as the Smith & Wesson M3000. However, if you're looking for a gun with automatic function, you'll need to find another type, either electric of gas.

Electric airsoft guns are the most popular type nowadays and offer some great advantages over springers. The most important is that they're automatic. Also known as AEG (Automatic Electric Gun), these guns are worked by an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. Some modes have high capacity magazines with a capacity of 100s of pellets which make them perfect for an environment where continuous shooting may be required such as an airsoft game. Say goodbye to cocking your weapon before each shot.;with an electric gun you can fire as fast as your fingers can pull the trigger.

You can get different types of AEGs ranging from pistols to rapid fire machine guns and assault rifles. If you're on a budget you could look at LPEGs (low powered/priced electric guns). Of course, these cheap airsoft guns are not as good as AEGs. For one thing, the gearboxes are made out of plastic instead of metal.

Gas airsoft guns offer automatic fire, too, or they can be semi-automatic. A number of gases are used including propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. One advantage of gas guns is that they're lighter and more compact than the electric item. However, their performance is influenced by the temperature; owing to the cooling effect of the gas, they work better in warm climates.

So much for the mechanisms, now let's look at the types of gun available. The most basic types are handguns which include pistols and revolvers.

Rifles are available in a range of styles. Sniper rifles are popular owing to their exposure in the media, especially in movies such as Shooter. Most are bolt action though semi-automatic models are available. When it comes to rifles, the length of the gun is an important factor in the accuracy of the firearm.

Carbines are basically shortened versions of an existing rifle, assault or otherwise. They're light and portable and perfect for indoor use. Examples of carbines are the M4 and XM177, Socom16, and the AK74SU.

Assault Rifles can fire automatically, either in Burst or Full-auto, or both. Examples are the M16 family and Kalashnikovs.

Shotguns are available in both spring and gas form. Most fire a single BB at a time though there are exceptions. An example is the Smith & Wesson M3000 spring airsoft shotgun.

Submachine Guns (SMGs) are good for indoor environments where maneuverability is more important than firepower and range. SMGs come with both full and semi-auto types.

One of the great things about airsofts is that you can get replicas of famous firearms, both modern and historical. You can choose from a single shot pistol that's a full blown exact replica of a modern military firearm, a shotgun with real pump action, a perfect replica of a hunting rifle, or a six shooter from the Wild West of old.