Among our range of airsoft rifles, you’ll find a selection of HPA guns, which work slightly differently than other gas-powered airsoft weapons. These pieces of kit are known for being powerful and offering various other benefits, but is an HPA airsoft rifle the right choice for you?

We consider their pros and cons to help you decide.

What is HPA in Airsoft?

HPA stands for high-pressure air, which refers to the system the guns use to fire. HPA guns are pneumatic airsoft weapons that rely on a supply of high-pressure air, as opposed to internal gas canisters of CO2 or green gas.

These guns will utilise a separate high-pressure air tank that is either built into the stock or connects to the gun via a hose. This, in turn, connects to a pneumatic valve mechanism, also known as an engine; this is where the gearbox in regular electric guns is usually located.

Popular HPA gun brands include Wolverine and Valken.

How Do HPA Airsoft Guns Work?

Every time the trigger is squeezed, high-pressure air travels from the external canister to propel the BB out of the gun. A regulator can be used to change the air pressure, allowing you to control the velocity and rate of fire, providing a more customised experience.

How to Fill an HPA Airsoft Tank

You will need to fill your HPA tank by using the right kind of air compressor and accompanying adapter. Scuba tanks or diver’s bottles may also be used since the air is similarly compressed. If you do not have the right compressor yourself, many airsoft or paintball shops and sites will have filling stations.

If you want to fill up from a dive shop but they say they don’t do airsoft or paintball stuff, ask whether it would be possible if you brought your own adapter, as this can often be the issue.

An airsoft player aiming a gun in the woods

The Benefits of Using HPA

HPA airsoft guns can be somewhat divisive, but there are several reasons why they’re so popular among some players.

1. Faster Rate of Fire

HPA guns can offer an impressively higher rate of fire than other options, increasing the speed of your shooting. The rate of fire can also often be adjusted without increasing the overall power of your weapon.

2. High & Consistent FPS

The extreme pressure exerted on the air results in an impressive amount of force, resulting in high FPS that can be easily adjusted by controlling the air pressure – the higher the PSI, the higher the FPS, ultimately leading to more accurate and long-range shots.

Electronic circuit boards or valves attached to the trigger allow you to control exactly how much air is used when firing, offering increased consistency with each shot. This provides a win over CO2 guns, which can be more inconsistent due to the changing pressure in the canister.

What is a good FPS for airsoft?

3. Reliable & Simple Internal Design

Because HPA guns only really rely on their engine and an external air tank, there are far fewer moving parts involved here than with an AEG, for example. This means there is less to go wrong, reducing the risk of pesky malfunctions in the field. You should also have no problem playing in the cold or rain because of this simpler design.

4. Quiet

Airsoft guns with more working parts will be noisier as their gears and pistons move. HPA guns do not have these louder parts, so they end up being incredibly quiet, with the only sound produced being the BB exiting the barrel. If stealth is a big priority for you, this feature can be a great bonus!

5. Easily Adjustable

As already mentioned, HPA airsoft guns are easy to adjust depending on what you want from your shooting. You can quickly modify the rate of fire and velocity without any disassembly required to suit field regulations and personal preferences for different skirmish events.

Two airsoft players

Potential Drawbacks to HPA Airsoft Guns

These pros certainly highlight why HPAs can be desirable. But are there any reasons why using an HPA gun might not be the right move for you?

1. Weight

Due to the external tank and line, using HPA guns can end up being pretty heavy and bulky, which isn’t ideal when you’re traipsing around a skirmish site all day. Some systems will add to the overall weight of your loadout and limit your mobility by quite a bit. To mitigate this, some HPAs may use smaller tanks that screw directly into the gun or stock.

2. High Cost

HPAs tend to be more expensive than their AEG and GBB counterparts. A lot of HPAs are made when a donor gun is gutted and fitted with an HPA system, accounting for the higher costs. Purpose-made HPAs tend to price at least around £500, not accounting for the additional equipment you’ll need.

Getting set up with an HPA airsoft gun can be quite a large initial investment and probably won’t be suitable for more beginner-level enthusiasts.

Choosing your first airsoft gun

3. Safety

Because HPA guns can reach higher FPS more easily, you’ll need to be more careful about ensuring they adhere to site and legal limits. You might not be popular on the field if you’re making powerful, painful shot after shot.

Some airsoft sites might not allow the use of HPA weapons as they can be easily adjusted again once their FPS has been checked.

Are HPA Guns Worth It?

As with most airsoft gun choices, deciding whether the pros make up for the cons of HPA systems will come down to personal preference. Are you willing to spend a little more on a powerful and consistent airsoft rifle? Or do you prefer something more lightweight with easy manoeuvrability, even if it sacrifices a faster rate of fire?

If your top priorities are power, reliability and accuracy, HPA airsoft guns can definitely be worth trying.

If you’re considering adding an HPA gun to your repertoire, be sure to check out our diverse range of airsoft guns. We also stock HPA conversion kits if you already have something in mind that you want to transform.

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