AEG

From AirsoftWiki

AEG Overview

AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) refers to the highest grade Airsoft SMG, Assault rifle, or Rifle. AEGs typically exact replicas of real firearms made of plastic and metal.

These types of Airsoft guns were developed in Japan in the 80's. Companies such as Tokyo Marui, Classic Army, and ICS dominate the high end Airsoft market for AEGs. Classic Army is also one of the only companies who is legally allowed to use the trademarks of real guns on their AEGs.

Automatic and semi-automatic operation is possible on almost all AEGs. These guns have muzzle velocities between 200 and 400 feet per second (fps) and rates of fire between 300 and 1100 rounds per minute (rpm).

Basic Mechanics

AEGs are powered by rechargable batteries that drive an electric motor, which cycles an internal piston/spring assembly in order to launch BBs. Nickel cadmium (NiCad), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), or Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) with varying voltages and milliampre hours ratings are the battery technology of choice for AEGs. The most common battery is an 8.4V large battery (usually about 2400 mAh). 8.4 V "mini" batteries, which generally have 600 mAh capacities are also available. Voltages for large batteries range from 7.2 V, all the way up to 12 V. The rule of thumb usually is the higher the mAh, the longer the battery lasts while the higher voltage, the higher the rate of fire (rof).

In a standard AEG, the motor drives a series of three gears mounted inside the gearbox. The gears then compress a piston assembly against a spring. Once the piston is released, the spring drives it forward through the cylinder to push a BB into the chamber, through the barrel, and forward from the muzzle.