Airsoft grenade launchers are an awesome piece of kit; not only do they look really cool, but when used effectively, they can become game changers on the field.
Before rushing to buy a grenade launcher, however, it’s important to know just what you’re getting. We’re breaking down when grenade launchers are worth using, some of their drawbacks in skirmishes, and some of our most popular models for you to explore.
How Do Airsoft Grenade Launchers Work?
Airsoft grenades are seriously fun to use and fantastic tools for clearing rooms or cover. However, an airsoft grenade you hold in your hand and a grenade launcher are two very different things.
In real combat, a grenade launcher can propel a grenade over long distances to explode on impact. In airsoft, the majority of grenade launchers are ‘shower grenades’, meaning they fire a shower of BBs directly from the chamber instead of shooting a projectile that then releases BBs upon impact.
Most airsoft grenade launchers work with a grenade canister, which has multiple holes filled with hundreds of BBs facing out the firing end. The canister is filled with gas, and a release valve sits on the other end of the canister deep in the barrel.
When the grenade launcher’s trigger is pulled, the valve is released, and all the gas in the canister sends all the BBs flying out at once. Shower grenade BBs travel slower than BBs fired from a gun, quick enough to hurt at close distances but slow enough to arc them over nearby cover.
Grenade launcher canisters are one-time use on the field, but can be refilled with gas and BBs between matches; if you can carry multiple canisters, you can reload your launcher to fire a new one.
Are Airsoft Grenade Launchers Worth it?
| Airsoft Grenade Launcher Pros | Airsoft Grenade Launcher Cons |
| Cover a Wide Area in One Second | Limited Range |
| Added Realism in MilSims | Added Weight to Loadout |
Ultimately, most people who choose an airsoft grenade launcher are either doing it because of a very specific skirmish situation or for realism in military sims. The vast majority of players can enjoy airsoft perfectly fine without a grenade launcher, but at the same time, seeing or using one on the field can add some extra adrenaline to the game.
A grenade launcher is a very specific piece of kit. You could argue that it’s much more like a large shotgun than their real combat counterparts, particularly in terms of range. A shower of BBs is a great way to clear a room of enemies in a split second in enclosed, close-quarters combat; in most other cases, such as taking on enemies in cover across a field, a simple airsoft pistol will far outperform a grenade launcher thanks to its range and accuracy.
Some players have spoken about including grenade launchers to add to the intimidation factor – the thought of being hit with dozens of BBs at once can put doubt into enemies’ minds when they try to push.
Airsoft grenade launchers can also be a lot of fun if you’re looking to add realism to your skirmishes. However, it’s worth checking the game rules whenever thinking about bringing a launcher to a military simulation game.
What to Know Before Buying an Airsoft Grenade Launcher
If you’ve decided that you need an airsoft grenade launcher in your arsenal, then how do you make sure you get the best one for your style?
Types of Airsoft Grenade Launchers
Airsoft grenade launchers mainly come in two formats:
- Mounted Launchers – These attach to the bottom of your airsoft rifle with their own trigger.
- Stand-Alone Launcher – These can come in various styles, from short-nosed pistols to larger replica grenade launchers, and are designed to be carried separately.
There are also some grenade launchers that combine both, allowing you to use them as stand-alone weapons or mount them to a larger rifle.
Airsoft Grenade Launcher Canisters
When buying an airsoft rifle, you only really need to consider the quality of the rifle itself (although having decent ammo makes a difference, of course). When buying a grenade launcher, you also need to consider the canister you’re getting.
Normally, airsoft grenade canisters contain most of the action parts, including the gas and BBs, while the launcher itself mainly serves as a launchpad for the canister. Therefore, you need to make sure you have a quality grenade canister to get the most from your weapon.
Many airsoft grenade launchers will come with their own canister, so if you’re buying a reputable launcher, you should be able to trust the canister it comes with. However, the vast majority of launchers also work with any standard size canister (40mm), meaning you can go out and buy a quality canister separately if you prefer.
If you’re not sure what to go for, we recommend the Nuprol grenade canisters as a simple but effective option.
Our Favourite Airsoft Grenade Launchers
Whether your focus is on performance or looks, our collection of airsoft grenade launchers has something for everyone! Here are some of our favourites, both amongst our customers and our technical team.
S&T G36 6mm Airsoft Grenade Launcher
If you’re looking for a realistic grenade launcher at a decent price, you can’t go far wrong with the range by S&T. With models suited to various rifle styles, they’re great if you’re looking for a simple attachment to your existing weapon.
This particular model is designed to fit nicely with G36 rifles, and with a combined aluminium and nylon construction, is much loved for its realistic look and touch. It also works with all standard 40mm airsoft grenade canisters.
Tokyo Marui M320A1 Grenade Launcher
From one of the most reputable companies in airsoft, Tokyo Marui, this grenade launcher is designed to pair with their M320A1 rifle but can also function as a standalone launcher.
This is a unique launcher in that the gas is stored within the weapon instead of the grenade canister. As a result, you need to use this launcher with Tokyo Marui’s own canisters, which tend to be cheaper than most because they don’t need to store gas.
Tokyo Marui’s M320A1 canisters only house 18 rounds, which is much less than most you’ll find on the market (many boast about being able to fire hundreds of BBs at once). Tokyo Marui says this helps maintain consistent gas pressure on every BB, making their trajectory longer and more reliable than competitors. It might not look as flashy in the air, but if you want a grenade launcher with guaranteed performance, Tokyo Marui is always a safe bet.
ACETECH Volcano Grenade Launcher
If style and intimidation are the order of the day, you won’t find many cooler grenade launchers than the ACETECH Volcano.
Not only does this look like a badass pistol from the world of Cyberpunk, it fires like one, too. With a built-in tracer and flame effects, the ACETECH Volcano looks incredible in action, with BBs seemingly exploding from the barrel with fire and smoke!
The maximum impact from this weapon comes from pairing it with ACETECH’s custom-made grenade canisters, but the weapon does still work with standard canisters, too.
At Surplus Store, we have a wide range of grenade launchers and canisters to choose from. Our technical team are also happy to help, whether in store or online, so feel free to get in touch.