You’re pretty good…
Some Revolver Cat
We’ve played over a 1000+ airsoft games both casual and competitive. We’ve used everything from Polarstars to entry budget gas blow back pistols, but there’s one kind of airsoft gun that stands out from the rest – that is the revolver.
It turns out, some days we just want to go Revolver Ocelot on someone.
Airsoft revolvers are an option you don’t hear a lot about and you don’t read a lot about. Well we’ve done something to change that at Airsoft Core, so find the best choice for you here. If you’re more interested in semi-automatic handguns, check out the best airsoft pistol guide here.
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We’ve taken the time to not only answer some of the more important questions buyers might have, but we’ve also taken the time to review some of the best airsoft revolvers on the market.
If you just want to see the winners, click here.
Let’s find you the Best Airsoft Revolver of 2023:
1. KWC Smith & Wesson Airsoft Revolver M&P R8
| Action: | Eight-Shooter |
| Power: | CO2 Gas Powered |
| Material: | Full Metal Internals / Polymer Frame |
| FPS: | 400 FPS |
| Ammo: | 0.20g 6mm BB |
| Range: | 65ft |
The Smith & Wesson Airsoft Revolver M&P R8 is an airsoft gun that has accuracy and power that’s better than what you will find with a lot of other airsoft revolver options.
The revolver is 8”, black and licensed by the company Smith & Wesson. Users will find that there are authentic markings on the gun set into the rugged polymer frame. The internal construction is solid made fully from metal.
This revolver has a double action trigger system as well as rear sight that is fully adjustable in order to add additional accuracy and authenticity.
The Smith & Wesson Airsoft Revolver M&P R8 has a solid polymer frame with rugged metal internals, but the ergonomic grip is made using hard ABS plastic. There’s a 12g CO2 cartridge stored within the grip and can be accessed without hassle by simply sliding back the grip.
The style of loading is simplified. Every one of the 8 cartridges is able to maintain one BB and is positioned within the metal cylinder that turns after every round if shot off. Included with this revolver would be a speed loader, an attachable tactical rail as well as 8 cartridges.It is best to think of each cylinder cartridge as a magazine that holds eight 6mm BBs.
2. Elite Force H8R Gen2 Revolver
| Action: | Semi-Automatic |
| Power: | CO2 |
| FPS: | 325 |
| Ammo: | 6mm BBs |
| Range: | Short |
The Elite Force H8R Gen2 Revolver (Hater) utilizes a rotary magazine (it helps to think of it as a magazines that look like discs) holding 10 BBs. The ease it is to remove the rotary mag and swap with a new one makes this revolver one of the best in terms of pure competitiveness as you not only have more shots than most (10), but you can reload much easier.
As you can guess though, this makes quite a ding when it comes to realism and the “feel” of a revolver.
Airsoft revolvers of this kind have many modern features for your convenience. The top and bottom rail segments mean you can attach tactical accessories like optics, lasers, and flashlights.
We are a little disappointed that the frame of the revolver is made of polymer – as we’re used to metal frames. However, this is actually better for those trying to be competitive with revolvers as it keeps the gun easy to handle and lightweight for snap shots.
3. Valken Airsoft Revolver Full Metal C02
| Action: | Single Shot |
| Power: | CO2 Gas Powered |
| FPS: | 385 fps |
| Ammo: | 0.20g 6mm BBs |
| Range: | 75ft+ |
The Valken Airsoft Revolver Full Metal C02 is a great option for the buyer who is looking for two primary distinctions.
First would be a piece that’s going to be cost effective, not requiring them to spend so much money. The second distinction is going to be a piece that has a nice look to it, meaning one users will be glad to show off to other owners of these types of recreational pieces.
You get both of these with the Valken Airsoft Revolver All Metal C02.
Users can expect a revolver that has a loading mechanism that’s not generic. It’s able to hold about 1 rounds for each brass catridge. What’s even better is that these disks are reusable. If you are a user that values a piece that enables you to add different attachments you can’t live without, then you’ll appreciate the upper and lower rails of this piece.
This is a CO2 powered revolver piece that can fired in double or single action. It can fire off about 385 FPS assuming BBs that are at least .20g are being used.
4.Elite Force Legends Gambler Airsoft Revolver
| Action: | Semi Automatic – Single Action |
| Power: | CO2 Gas Powered |
| FPS: | 400 |
| Ammo: | 6mm BB |
| Range: | Short – Medium |
The Elite Force Legends Gambler Airsoft Revolver is able to fire BBs using a Co2 powered cartridge. The front sight is adjustable and it comes with 6 catridges designed to each carry a single 6mm BB. This fires at at 400 fps – meaning it packs quite a punch.
This is, simply, a beautiful replica of a older western six shooter. Included with the gun are 5x 12g Co2 cartridges and the six mock real steel cartridges. They’re going to look pretty real, but don’t worry, they are designed to just carry the BB’s,
The Elite Force Legends Gambler Airsoft Revolver is accurate up to little over 70 feet, which is more than users would usually expect from a piece with a short barrel.
Lastly, there are only 1000 made world wide. As far as we know, once they’re sold out, that’s it.
5. Valken Airsoft Revolver Full Metal C02 6mm (2″)
| Action: | Semi Automatic |
| Power: | CO2 Powered |
| FPS: | 375 FPS |
| Ammo: | 0.20g |
| Range: | Short – Medium |
The Valken Airsoft Revolver Metal C02 6mm (2″) is able to shoot off 20g BBs at about 375 FPS. It’s a CO2 powered gun, is semi-automatic and has a 6 shot capacity – with 6 shells each holding one 6mm bb. These 6 shells do come with rubber tips – which means it’ll scratch the finish less. There is a fixed blade front sight as well as a notch rear sight.
There’s a detachable grip panel, which makes it easy for users to replace the CO2. It has the right amount of heaviness needed in order to provide an authentic feel.
This gun is good for practice shooting, which will enable users to improve their shooting ability while working with an airsoft gun that’s not overwhelming.
It’s certainly not a real gun, but this doesn’t mean users can’t practice things such as sighting and getting used to how to pull the trigger. When you factor in how much it costs to do something such as going to a gun range, using this piece instead makes perfect sense.
Users are new to using a revolver type gun of any sort will appreciate the Valken Airsoft Revolver Full Metal C02 6mm (2″). In addition to helping to improve skills it can also be a lot of fun during competitive action.
6. Black Ops Exterminator Revolver
| Action: | Semi Automatic |
| Power: | CO2 Powered |
| FPS: | 410 FPS |
| Ammo: | 0.20g |
| Range: | Short |
The Black Ops Exterminator Revolver is the only snub nose revolver option in our list. Complete metal contstruction of the frame plus the rails make this an oustanding option for buyers looking for an aggressive piece.
The included fiber optic rear sights will help you aim in low light conditions and the compact design will ensure you can manage in a CQB environment.
The price of this particular revolver does stand up well to its counterparts from a similar price range. This does fire a bit hot at 410 fps with 0.2g BBs (don’t use 0.12g), meaning that a lot of indoor fields may bar you from using this gun. However, for outdoors you might be able to get by.
For such a small gun it packs quite an good punch.
- INCREASED CONSISTENCY: With CO2 power and an authentic 6 shot cylinder, this airsoft gun performs like a beast allowing you...
- PRECISION ENSURED: The air pistol includes a 2.5 inch barrel, a smooth double action hammer, and adjustable rear fiber optics...
- SHOOTS BBs AND PELLETS: Shoot airsoft BB gun pistols and pellets at 525 FPS with included realistic metal cartridges (pellet...
So What is the Best of these Airsoft Revolvers?
Now we’re going to go over all of these airsoft guns in short order so that users will have an easier time deciding on the best airsoft revolvers for you. So here is our summary of the 5 airsoft gun selections mentioned here.
The Elite Force Legends Gambler Airsoft Revolver is designed to model a real old western six shooter. It’s a solid gun, but the unique design does mean that finding a matching holster will be somewhat difficult. The fixed hop-up will mean that you’re stuck with a single bb trajectory.
Buyers are going to be pleasantly surprised by how accurate it actually is, especially for a gun that has only a 2.5” barrel on it.
If you want an airsoft revolver that’s unique and will provide you with a good experience whether it is in practice or gameplay, then we feel that the Valken Airsoft Revolver Full Metal C02 6mm (2″) is perfect.
We have to be honest and say that we don’t feel like it’s the best in terms of accuracy as airsoft revolvers go, but if we were grading it from 1 to 10 with one being the worse and ten being the best we would give it a 9. Considering the 2.5″ barrel – this is still quite a good choice.
In terms of power you get a lot with this gun. You’ll be able to test this out for yourself and see when it pierces through things you think it wouldn’t be able to. Some examples would include different fabrics.
The build is good and the feel is good. All in all we feel like it’s going to be hard for buyers of this piece to have any regrets.
For the price, the Elite Force H8R Gen2 Revolver is pretty solid. From a pure competitive standpoint, this gun will outshoot the others purely because it runs 10 round discs as cyclinder magazines versus fake shells that have to be loaded individually.
The additional rail segments, fiber optic sights, and aggressive look makes this one of the top choices.
Despite being a shorter barrel gun, the Black Ops Exterminator Revolver has a lot going for it. The rail system allows you to install some awesome optics (we recommend a red dor or a reflex sight of some kind) and the chrome finish makes it quite a beauty.
All in all the Valken Airsoft Revolver Full Metal C02 is made to be very nice looking, but it offer so much more than this.
First we believe in terms of the feel this piece provides users are going to like it. It not too light, but it’s not really weighty either. We would say the weight is right what it needs to be in order to feel comfortable handling it in practice or in game play. The grip is ergonomic and won’t cause a person discomfort. Even though the gun is comprised of polymer it’s very strong.
Users who are looking for a revolver that’s looks very close to the real thing will appreciate the Smith & Wesson Airsoft Revolver M&P R8, because it’s as close as they can probably get in this regard. It’s solid construction adds the sense of realism users crave along with the heaviness of the piece.
Its accuracy is superior and the finish is nicely done in order to create the aesthetic appeal so desired by serious owners. For the price of this piece it’s a good choice.
The Winner Is:
If we had to decide on which one of these is on top of our best airsoft revolvers list we would probably focus on the Smith & Wesson Airsoft Revolver M&P R8 option. We think it’s one of the best airsoft revolvers on the market.
There are a few reasons why we like it. First it utilizes the “realistic” brass shell system that makes revolvers stand out among other hand guns. This makes it incredibly fun to shoot.
Next, we like the price, we feel this is going to be affordable to most people and they won’t have to worry about sacrificing on things such as authenticity, FPS capability and durability when they go out to buy.
Sure, the other options mentioned are all good. If we’re going with what we feel provided the best bang for the buck though, then the Elite Force H8R Gen2 Revolver option would be the 2nd choice in what we recommend to buy. The 10 shot capacity is 25% more shots than even the 8-shooters.
Airsoft revolvers aren’t the most popular option in the game, because people tend to look to buying rifles and high powered airsoft guns. However, if your goal is to keep things simple and get acclimated to the sport in a way that will enable you to take baby steps, then an airsoft revolver might be just what you need.
They are simple, compact and built for precision shooting all at a reasonable price. They also serve as a good secondary piece or side arm in skirmish.
Where can I buy it?
Visit the below links to check out the latest price & see other user submitted reviews:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why don’t you include many .177 metal pellet or metal bb guns in your buyer guides?
At Airsoft Core we aim to promote the sport and hobby of airsoft – which refers to the 6mm plastic BB. The metal bb guns (like the Crossman SNR357) are great for target, but really most people join airsoft so they can play with and against other people. You do NOT want to be shot by steel BB’s – and so the 6mm plastic BB’s are the best option.
What is the best BB I should use?
We almost always recommend high quality 0.25g BB’s as standard. We know that most airsoft guns are chronoed (the muzzle velocity test) is done with 0.20g, but we almost always prefer the more straight and consistent accuracy versus FPS & range.
Our recommendations are below. Click on one of the links to find out the price as well as look at user reviews.
Should I buy a revolver that fires BB’s at a high FPS?
It depends on what you plan to use the revolver for. Some revolvers fire a 0.20g BB at 400-500 FPS, which is well within the capabilities of a Co2 pistol. But, you’ll never get to play on a field with that. Keep in mind that most fields will use their own 0.20g BBs to chrono test you before allowing you on, so you can’t cheat the system by loading heavy BB’s.
If you plan to just target plink – then those kinds of gas pistols are fine, however. We do advise that you be very careful at guns that shoot at 500 or more FPS – that can be dangerous to any living creature.
Is it hard to reload a revolver?
It is definitely far more difficult than most magazine fed pistols. You’ll not only need to contend with each individual mock cartridge getting lost, but you’ll also need to remove the old ones before you can put in the new ones.
Speed loaders are available – and we do see players who are able to use it well. However, we find that most players using airsoft revolvers just fire the six shots and then just holster the weapon. They don’t like to risk losing the 6 shells on the field, because once you lose them in the forest you might as well consider them gone.
With that said, you can get quite good with a lot of practice. If you watch any video by Jerry Miculek you’ll see him reload a six shooter in a handful of seconds. Keep in mind that you probably won’t want to replicate his technique 100%, because he just drops the old shells on the ground.
What airsoft play style works best with a revolver?
If there’s a specific skill set you’d want to have as an airsoft player, it would be the ability to precisely shoot. It is quite easy to miss in airsoft (and in real steel) and you do not get many shots with your revolver.
We recommend practicing your draw, and ensure that your first shot is on target. You can set up targets at various ranges and try to hit each one a single time without needlessly following up with more shots. You can try counting your shots, but we’ve found that most players lose count easily midway through an airsoft battle.
We find that most airsoft players are used to “overshooting” because their magazine capacities are so large. Even in MILSIM games each midcap carries 120 rounds in a standard M4 style airsoft rifle.
Double Action vs Single Action Revolvers – What’s the Difference?
The main thing to know here is that most airsoft pistol, whether they’re self loading or airsoft revolvers, don’t quite match their real steel counterparts in terms of whether they’re double action or single action.
Double action means that the hammer will be drawn back as you pull the trigger and then will release forward at the end of your trigger pull. This means that you will feel resistance very early in the pull and your finger has to travel a longer distance before the pistol discharges.
Single Action occurs when the hammer is already drawn back and your trigger pull just releases it forward. Some revolvers are famous for being SAO (Single Action Only). This means that the pistol trigger only controls the hammer moving forward. This then requires the shooter to use their hand or thumb to draw back the hammer first before pulling the trigger. This can heavily affect fire rate.
Luckily – most of the airsoft revolvers don’t have to deal with this as they’re almost always double action.
Is there a difference in performance between a snub nose revolver vs long barrel revolver?
While there may be a significant difference in length between a 2 inch barrel and an 8 inch barrel – it doesn’t really matter too much for airsoft. There is a small difference in range and accuracy – but really the main component providing this is the hop up unit.
Hop ups gives a BB it’s backspin – which is what allows it to have a stablized flight pattern.
So in the grand scheme of things: no, there isn’t really a difference.
How much more strategic do you have to be with a revolver over a pistol?
If you were going to use something such as a pistol, then you don’t have to be as strategic when it comes to firing off shots. They get a magazine capacity of 20-30 rounds. With a revolver the shots you take have to be more deliberate and thought out, because you only get 6 of them, just like the real deal. Revolvers are a blast to use in the game, but certainly not as practical as some other options might be.
Is the Velocity (FPS) on airsoft revolvers going to be lower due to their small size?
Believe it or not a lot of revolvers typically have an FPS that’s reasonably high. This is due to most of them being CO2 powered – which is typically held at higher pressures than green gas powered variants.
What are the primary components a person should look for in the best airsoft revolvers if they are just getting into using them?
Speaking from our long experience at AirsoftCore we believe that users should focus on a gun that has superior performance and can be loaded easily. The last thing you want is for performance to be compromised in any way. A good revolver is one that is easy to load and easy to make use of. Additional things a user should look for are as follows:
- Easy unloading procedure – an easy unloading procedure will ensure mistakes aren’t made when you’re in the middle of an airsoft fight.
- Solid backspin consistency – to ensure you have range and stable BB flight patterns.
- Rate of fire – If the goal is to have a good airsoft revolver, then you have to make sure the rate of fire is what it needs to be. A good revolver will provide a rate of fire that’s consistent and will make sure a user is able to discharge as often as needed.
- Solid Construction – typically it is better to go with all metal options, but this isn’t always the case if the real deal came in polymer.
- Fun Factor – let’s face it, you’ll be somewhat at a disadvantage with a revolver versus someone with a standard semi-automatic pistol. However, is the revolver more fun? Yes, we do think so.
What different variations of airsoft revolvers can you find on the market?
You can find different variations of these guns, which would include spring action powered and CO2 powered options.
- Spring action powered options are those that are going to require a user to manually cock the hammer before shooting off every shot. Some action must be taken in order to fire the next round.
- With a CO2 powered option you can shoot off all the barrels as quickly as you’re able to pull the trigger, also known as semi-automatic action mode.
The basics are something we feel users of airsoft revolvers will appreciate more than anything in the beginning. As you get accustomed to using these you’ll want to focus more on the overall functionality and realism of your piece.
Does the brand name matter?
It depends. One thing to know is that there are airsoft companies out there are don’t manufacturer their own products. Instead, take airsoft revolvers that have already been built and place their own brand on them. To take it a step further, some airsoft companies, namely Cybergun, Umarex, Elite Force, and a few others, will also license out the name of real firearms manufacturers. This means that a number of the revolvers on the market are partly the same.
So, even though it may say that it’s a Dan Wesson airsoft revolver, it actually is a revolver made by HFC or WG with the Dan Wesson branding on top of it. For those looking to have an authentic looking gun, this is a good options. Some other steel real revolvers that have been branded through these companies are Colt Pythons, S&W Model 29’s, and more. Cosplayers, for example, might want an airsoft gun that has authentic branding on it.
Most of the time, if you see a real steel manufacturer’s name on it, changes are it is NOT actually made by that manufacturer.
Green Gas Vs Co2 – Which is better for an airsoft revolver?
Most of the revolvers on the market will be Co2. This is because Co2 has long been the king of gas powered pellet guns. However, green gas started making it onto the scenes in the 90’s as a replacement for red gas. The fact is, six shooters just haven’t advanced in technology in a way to start having many green gas options (if you see them – let us know!).
In general for airsoft pistols, however, you’ll find that green gas guns fire at a lower muzzle velocity but are far less harsh than Co2 cartridges. Additionally, it costs far less for an airsoft buyer to own green gas cans versus repeatedly buying Co2 cannisters.
One thing that’s great about green gas is that it is self lubricating, so as you fire your air pistol it will actually keep your rubber seals in good condition. Co2 has a tendency to be very harsh on your seals and you might see your air pistol take more wear and tear than it needs to.
