Over 70% of the airsoft sniper rifles out there are junk. Don’t be fooled.
Buyers in the airsoft market have to beware – many of the manufacturers out there know that sniper rifles are COOL looking and so they focus heavily on the packaging and aesthetics. You’re gonna get suckered into a bad product if you that route, which can ruin many outings.
The writers at Airsoft Core have been slinging BB’s since the 90’s and we’ve bought and tested hundreds of the top airsoft products (some of us even worked at some of the major retailers in Southern California). We’ve been to 1000+ games both casual and competitive and we can say that bolt action airsoft sniper rifles are sorely misunderstood as a product.
It is with no exaggeration that we’ve test fired well over 2 dozen airsoft sniper rifles out to the field and many more dozens inside of a control environment over the span of 10 years.
Unfortunately, a good 75 – 80% of the spring sniper rifles available on the market aren’t worth your time.
Let us save you headaches and heartaches by laying out the best choices currently available in the sections below.
We’ve reviewed a number of options and below are some of the top airsoft sniper rifles we’ve found so far. Click here to skip directly to the top choices.
There are 3 main categories for these types of rifles:
- Spring
- Green Gas
- AEG
We will eventually write reviews or buyer’s guides for other kinds of sniper rifles & their products – but for the time being we’ll be looking at mostly the spring variant since they’re by far the most common type available on the buying market.
Our Breakdown of the Best Airsoft Sniper Rifles:
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way let’s get into our guide on what some of the best buying options are. These are going to be the best airsoft sniper rifle where you can expect factors like high quality performance, looks, and durability.
We’ve taken the time to review some of them and hopefully our recommendations should provide you with a good starting point if the plan is to purchase one to use on the airsoft field or to add to your bolt action rifle collection.
Factors to consider for what makes a great spring airsoft sniper rifle
Shooting Performance
We want our airsoft sniper rifles to have:
- Consistent Muzzle Velocity – the standards we’d like to have are a +/- 12 FPS variance inside of 20 shots with .20g BB’s. Even though most sniper rifles will be firing higher weight BB’s, .20g is a good benchmark to determine consistency of air output.
- High Accuracy out to 100+ feet – it just isn’t really a sniper rifle if you’re unable to hit man-sized target out a good distance at stock performance. We utilized .32g and .40g BB’s here.
- Hop up Consistency + Quality Bucking – Consistent flight paths are reliant on these qualities.
Reliability
This airsoft rifle should work under varying circumstances. Since you’re firing fewer shots than other players – it is important that the gun fires every time.
- Quality Construction – what we mean here is that there is very little wiggle or play in the parts. This includes the internals as well as the externals. Parts should be made of something sturdy as well.
- It will work under tough circumstances – can this airsoft sniper rifle work under varying conditions such as heat or cold. What if it gets a little dirty?
- BB pick up consistency – when performing the action on the bolt – how consistent is it picking up a BB from the mag and properly loading into the hop up? Double feeds are an automatic fail for us.
Internal Build Quality
Moreso than with other airsoft guns, an airsoft sniper rifle MUST be made of quality materials and be built with precision.
- High quality bucking – the bucking is a main determiner for consistency backspin (and therefore consistency in flight path).
- Solid hop up – the hop up unit must be adjustable as well as rock solid so it doesn’t self adjust as you fire.
- Smooth inner barrel – although tightbore barrels are all the rage, a tightbore DOESN’T make your airsoft gun more accurate. Instead, a very smooth inner barrel and barrel crowning are what matter here.
- Smooth trigger parts – Sloppy trigger breaks will basically destroy any attempts at combat accuracy.
Upgradability
What we mean here is that the airsoft sniper rifle should be able to take upgrades. Stock performance is important, but so is the ability for an airsoft gun to take parts well. Luckily, there are a few major design templates (VSR-10 & Types 96 for example)
- Ability to take parts without making adjustments – parts should just drop in without needing you to shave or adjust with spacers.
Value
We want to ensure that your money is well spent.
- Stock performance to cost ratio – the higher performance that come with the guns without upgrades, the better.
- Features to cost ratio – the more overall features, the better as well.
- Customer Service of manufacturer – The airsoft brand’s manufacturer and customer service capabilities should be adequate enough to cover lemons if you receive one. (Even legendary brands like TM and KWA will have lemons.)
Keep these 2 tips in mind while shopping for an airsoft gun
- What is the overall reputation of the manufacturer? Certain airsoft manufacturers will have little to no customer service (especially since the majority of them are actually off-shore companies purchasing or manufacturing directly form China with little to no United States office). Good airsoft manufacturers will have a rigorous quality assurance process to prevent bad products from ever making it into warehouses, and those that do end up there they will ensure you’re happy with your purchase.
- Does it come with a warranty? You’ll need to review the warranty policy on the airsoft guns available. Some warranties are provided by the manufacturer, and some are provided by the retail store itself. One main advantage with shopping at an airsoft specialty store (vs large online malls like Amazon) is that they will provide some kind of in-store warranty if the manufacturer doesn’t provide one.
Our 2021 List of the Best Airsoft Sniper Rifles (Spring Bolt Action):
1. Double Eagle M62 Bolt Action Spring Airsoft Sniper Rifle
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type: | Bolt Action |
| Power Source: | Spring |
| Muzzle Velocity w/ .20g BB: | 450 FPS |
| Construction: | Polymer Body / Metal Internals |
| Length: | 44 Inches |
| Weight: | 5.10 lbs |
| Inner Barrel Length: | 430mm |
| Trigger Box: | Metal |
| BB Weight Recommendation: | .32g or Heavier |
| Magazine Capacity: | 20 Rounds |
| Hop Up: | Yes, Adjustable |
| Upgradable: | No |
The DE Field Marksman Bolt Action Spring Airsoft Rifle is a fairly basic spring gun (it is also known as the Double Eagle M62). The body frame is made of polymer plastic with a one piece precision barrel. It includes a top side picatinny rail systems for attaching a scope or other tactical optics. Underneath, there is a shorter rail segment for attaching a bipod or other tactical accessories.
We consider this rifle the baseline for players buying a solid budget starter.
In the world of airsoft, this gun is fun to shoot, but is quite basic. The adjustable hop up unit (the key to long range) is actually not bad, able to sling 0.25g BB’s a good 150 feet. We opted to test with 0.32g BBs though, since we prefer ammunition that gives us more levels of accuracy.
We do wish this rifle took enhancements, but if you’re looking for solid out-of-the-box performance and aren’t worried about needing to upgrade you could do worse. We were consistently hitting targets out to 125 feet with this airsoft gun.
Who is this airsoft sniper rifle for?
This gun is good for someone looking to just plink around or play casual airsoft matches. If you’re looking to get competitive, however, we recommend looking for a higher quality alternative.
Double Eagle M62 Airsoft Sniper Rifle
Great for casual airsoft players or target shooting.
2. JG VSR-10 / BAR-10 Airsoft Bolt Action Sniper Rifle w/ Metal Trigger Box
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type: | Bolt Action |
| Power Source: | Spring |
| Muzzle Velocity w/ .20g BB: | 450 FPS |
| Construction: | Polymer Body / Metal Internals |
| Length: | 42 Inches |
| Weight: | 5 lbs |
| Inner Barrel Length: | 430mm |
| Trigger Box: | Metal |
| BB Weight Recommendation: | .32g or Heavier |
| Magazine Capacity: | 30 Rounds |
| Hop Up: | Yes, Adjustable |
| Upgradeable: | Yes, VSR-10 Compatible |
This Evike JG BAR 10 airsoft rifle is a little pricier when compared to other spring long rifles, but there is a reason why it is still one of the best choices on this list. It is a rebuild of the famous VSR 10 design by Tokyo Marui – which is the main standard for many of the spring airsoft rifles upgrades that exist. If you end up buying this though, you shouldn’t be disappointed by the out-of-the-box performance of this Remington M700 replica.
Completely VSR 10 compatible and pre-upgraded with Angel Customs components, this rifle features rugged internals (such as a more fully reinforced trigger box) to ensure very consistent performance and durability.
In general, we find that the Angel Customs components are serviceable. Not the best, but they help get the rifle to where it needs to be.
The hopup is entirely adjustable and rather good, capable of slinging 6mm BB’s out to long range at 180 feet with ease at 450 FPS. The best shots we made were consistent man-sized target hits at 150 feet.
Some of the feature upgrades are:
- Polished aluminium cylinder
- Metal Bolt
- Upgraded cylinder head
- Upgraded nozzle
- Metal Trigger Box
- High Powered Spring
Who is this airsoft sniper rifle for?
This gun is for the airsoft player looking to get serious about being in their sniping role. It is a low cost alternative to picking up a TM VSR10, and you’re really not losing anything by going with JG vs Tokyo Marui in this case.
The way we see it, the money you would’ve spent on a Marui you could then pick up upgrades for this JG and make it vastly outperform the TM at the same price point.
JG VSR-10 / BAR-10 Airsoft Bolt Action Sniper Rifle w/ Metal Trigger Box
Our recommended start if you want to get competitive with airsoft sniper rifles.
3. Well Shadow Op MB01 Type96 MK96 APS-2 Airsoft Bolt Action Sniper Rifle
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type: | Bolt Action |
| Power Source: | Spring |
| Muzzle Velocity w/ .20g BB: | 400 FPS |
| Construction: | Polymer Body / Metal Internals |
| Length: | 46 Inches |
| Weight: | 7.7 lbs |
| Inner Barrel Length: | 499mm |
| Trigger Box: | Metal |
| BB Weight Recommendation: | .32g or Heavier |
| Magazine Capacity: | 30 Rounds |
| Hop Up: | Yes, Adjustable |
| Upgradeable: | Yes, APS-2 Compatible |
The Well L96 AWP Bolt Action Sniper Rifle is designed after the real life L96 sniper rifle model, famously known as the AWP in Counterstrike. This particular rifle utilizes similar internals to the Maruzen APS2 Type 96 design, which alongside the Tokyo Marui VSR 10 is the other format of spring rifles with loads of standardized upgrades.
Keep in mind that since these are effectively cloned parts there is a chance that some upgrades will not fit perfectly in this airsoft rifle ( this isn’t too unusual in the world of airsoft ). Some sanding or adjustments may be needed. We don’t recommend attempting too many advanced enhancements with this sniper rifle while you’re still a new player in the airsoft game.
We think the most impressive thing about this rifle features are the solid externals.
While the body frame material is still ABS polymer plastic with a full metal barrel, there’s something about the L96 designs that lend themselves well to durability. Additionally, the bolt handle is much easier to manipulate than the M700 design BB rifles. All potential airsoft snipers should consider this as a great choice, if not a good option.
Who is this airsoft rifle for?
This is for someone looking for a well costed alternative to the VSR 10 platform. The APS-2 platform has nearly as many upgrades as the venerable VSR10, and is typically found in the cooler (in our opinion) looking L96.
Well Shadow Op MB01 Type96 MK96 APS-2 Airsoft Bolt Action Sniper Rifle
APS2 compatibility means large assortment of aftermarket parts.
4. BBTac M62 Airsoft Sniper Rifle
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type: | Bolt Action |
| Power Source: | Spring |
| Muzzle Velocity w/ .20g BB: | 470 FPS |
| Construction: | ABS Plastic Body / Metal Internals |
| Length: | 44 Inches |
| Weight: | 6.55 lbs |
| Inner Barrel Length: | 430mm |
| Trigger Box: | Metal |
| BB Weight Recommendation: | .32g or Heavier |
| Magazine Capacity: | 20 Rounds |
| Hop Up: | Yes, Adjustable |
| Upgradable: | No |
The BBTac M62 looks like the real thing, similar to the real world M700 design of spring sniper rifles. Rated with a muzzle velocity of 470 to 480 FPS with 0.20g BBs this rifle is stock ready to accept heavier BBs for a better flight path and long range of effectiveness. Internally, this model seems most similar to the Type96 airsoft guns, however we cannot confirm whether those Tokyo Marui VSR 10 (JG BAR 10) components will fit in this particular sniper rifle.
We don’t believe this airsoft gun takes any upgrades.
Externally, this gun has a short top picatinny rail for the attachment of scopes rings or rifle optics. Additionally, there is a short picatinny rail segment near the front for bi pod installation. The cheek rest is fully functionally and the gun includes some butt pad spacers for your fixed polymer stock so that way you can adjust the length of pull for high comfort.
The high quality hop up unit is fully adjustable and seems to hold itself well despite hundreds of BBs being shot through the airsoft rifle. All in all – this model is a decent choice for a rifle, especially for the price. Not the worse on the list, but nothing about it stands out particularly about this spring powered airsoft rifle. It’s still a good choice among all the long rifles available.
Who is this airsoft sniper rifle for?
This product is good for someone on a small budget looking to for an entry level casual plinker. We wouldn’t recommend it if you wanted to get super serious about airsoft sniping due to the lack of upgrades available.
5. Well MB4411G Bolt Action Spring Sniper Rifle
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type: | Bolt Action |
| Power Source: | Spring |
| Muzzle Velocity w/ .20g BB: | 450 FPS |
| Construction: | Polymer Body / Metal Internals |
| Length: | 44 Inches Full / 35 Inches Folded |
| Weight: | 11.5 lbs |
| Inner Barrel Length: | 400mm (VSR-10 Type) |
| Triggerbox: | Metal |
| BB Weight Recommendation: | .32g or Heavier |
| Magazine Capacity: | 30 Rounds |
| Hop Up: | Yes, Adjustable |
| Upgradeable: | Yes, TM L96 and VSR 10 Hybrid |
This bolt action spring gun is easily the most aggressive looking sniper rifle we have on this list. It includes a fluted metal barrel similar to the L96 design of sniper rifle. The folding stock features a fully adjustable cheek rest and rubberized butt pad makes sniping with this gun extremely comfortable.
The free floating quad rail system allows you to attach multiple tactical accessories including lasers, flashlights, and forward grips / bipods to the airsoft rifle if needed. The upper scope mount rail is the longest we’ve seen on any of the bolt action airsoft sniper rifles featured on this list and so you can go wild with whatever rifle scope or optic you want.
This design of Well sniper rifle utilizes a hybrid system of Tokyo Marui L96 and VSR 10 (JG Bar 10) internal parts.
Stock out-of-the-box performance is still quite good slinging BB’s at a muzzle velocity of 450 FPS very consistently. The trigger is crisp and snappy.
While utilizing different components makes for a very unique sniper rifle we’re not certain just how well upgrade parts will go together. Compatibility with the Well brand has been spotty in our experience and so you’ll want to probably go to professional airsoft tech for help on this one.
Who is this airsoft gun for?
The type of airsoft player who really wants to go onto the field with a unique & cool looking bolt action rifle. The folding stock is great for helping you get into position while the overall look is just awesome.
Well MB4411G Bolt Action Spring Sniper Rifle
Hybrid VSR10 and APS2 Parts Compatibility.
Our Conclusion
First we want to say that any rifle we recommend in our buyer’s guides is just that, a recommendation. If we say you should go with one over the other this doesn’t mean we’re dumping on the other options we’ve reviewed in these lists.
All of these are considered to be some of the top buying choices for the best airsoft sniper rifles of 2021. However we feel that there is always one that’s going to offer a little more in terms of overall value than the rest. So, we have no problem saying that…
Our #1 Choice
It is pretty clear that the best airsoft sniper rifle on the market is the JG BAR 10 / VSR 10.
It provides the best in terms of performance, value, and future upgrade ability.
We mentioned that one of the strongest attributes of this product was that it could be used right out of the box without having to make many adjustments due to it being pre upgraded, but if you wanted to take it to the next level it certainly could.
There are a few rifles we didn’t include, like the Elite Force Amoeba, simply because we didn’t have quite enough experience with that particular airsoft rifle. Elite Force has been upping their game lately, however, on finding good manufacturers to put their brand on, so there’s that.
So, grab your ghillie suit, optic, and speed loader and get out there and play.
Final Winners
JG VSR-10 / BAR-10 Airsoft Bolt Action Sniper Rifle w/ Metal Trigger Box
Frequently Asked Questions:
How far can airsoft snipers shoot?
Unfortunately due to the physics of a spinning 6mm BB, the maximum effective range of an airsoft sniper rifle is roughly between 150 meters and 200 meters.
You can review our article on “how far can an airsoft gun shoot” for more info.
What is the best scope to buy for my sniper rifle?
The unfortunate truth is that the 6mm plastic BB fired from airsoft rifles can only travel so far before they lose energy and fall to the ground. Even the most upgraded gun can only take their BB’s out to about 350 feet before they touch the ground. Even if an opponent took a hit at that range they may not even feel it. You have to make sure to do a follow up shot!
So there’s two schools of thought for the job of airsoft snipers:
- One, relative short range means that the scope you want to pick up should only magnify by a small amount – as any more than that is simply overkill. You don’t want to be paying a ton of money for weapon optics that allow you to see a target you cannot hit. Aim for 2x or 3x magnification here for your scope.
- Two, the role of a sniper also includes being a scout. This means that your rifle and optic allows you to gather intel, or an understanding of the opponent that your other team members won’t have. You can use a high magnification rifle scope to check out the enemy movement patterns, where their strong side is, what weapon specialists are going where, and then report back to your squad mates.
With that said – both schools of thought are valid. The our writers believe that it is up to you to decide what role you play. Either one is a great choice. In our experience however, we find that most players end up preferring the first option described above.
What weight BB should I use in my airsoft gun?
For good sniper rifles we recommend heavy BB’s. This is because you need to have a very consistent and stable flight pattern for your weapon of choice to ensure that you hit your target at long distance with a single shot every time. After all, you don’t have a high rate of fire.
You only get a small window to hit your target (not to mention a low fire rate) and you want it to be accurate with your airsoft rifle. We recommend 0.32g or even 0.43g , but you should still be able to get by on 0.25g in a pinch – but only if you can’t buy the heavier BB.
The best sniper rifles are capable of firing a 0.43g BB easily.
You’ll find current prices on airsoft bbs quite reasonable these days, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
How much should I spend on my first Spring Action Airsoft Sniper Rifle?
This is a somewhat difficult question to answer because it depends on how much a person plans to participate in the hobby. The price of a stock spring powered sniper rifle can go from as little as $100 all the way up to $250 for a gas powered sniper rifle.
Overall – most starter airsofters should expect to pay the price of about $100 – $150 for a starter spring sniper rifle and look for upgrades afterwards. You could immediately buy one of the best pre-upgraded spring loaded guns, but you run the risk of not at all liking the role of a sniper and wasting your money.
Take it from us, playing the sniper is not for everyone, so trying it out with a beginner bolt system rifle is a great choice.
The fact is, if you’re spending more than $350 for your sniper rifle then you’re probably looking at something like the Silverback airsoft guns, which are designed to look similar to .50 cal sniper rifles. Functionally, though, they’re the same as the airsoft rifles we listed above. We prefer performance over looks, but sometimes the rule of cool is at play when sniping.
How do I do maintenance?
Check out our guide on airsoft sniper rifle maintenance.
How much does a good airsoft sniper cost?
You can expect to spend between $125 to $200 for a good airsoft spring rifle for sniping.
Keep in mind that if you’re spending less than $100, you’re typically buying something that is highly likely to not be very good.
Should I have a high FPS for my rifle?
Yes and no. A high fps means that you’re firing BB’s out at a fast velocity, but it is only part of the formula that allows a BB to travel a long way. The next things to consider are backspin and BB weight.
A high FPS means you can push out heavier BB’s at a reasonable rate to maintain a good backspin.
You’ll also want to refer to your local field for FPS limits. Some will have a different listed FPS for spring bolt action sniper rifles or DMRs, but place limitations on rate of fire.
What are some tactical accessories or items I should consider?
Aside from the scope, which we mention above, snipers will want to think about a bipod. Notice we said think. Don’t immediately go out and buy just because it looks cool. The reason is that you’re going to have to consider the terrain a bit.
A bipod will allow a person to brace and stabilize your shot on open ground environments. However, a rock outcropping can serve the same purpose.
Next you’ll want to think about a sling. There are several reason why you want a solid sling, but here are three:
- You will sometimes be idle and want to rest your arms a bit and let it hang. This is okay, as tired arms means you’re going to have a harder time making important shots.
- There are times where your hands or fingers will slip and you will drop the gun. The sling can ensure that your gun doesn’t just slam onto the pavement and break.
- It allows you to have your hands free in case you need to move to a sidearm or adjust your surroundings.
Lastly, you might want to consider an airsoft sidearm or similar products. Most will think that a pistol will work great here, and it will. However, you might want to consider a smaller AEG, SMG or even carbine. This is because you’ll still be able to participate in close quarter action should the situation require it, and a small SMG isn’t much larger than a pistol.
Should I consider a semi automatic sniper rifle?
Due to the limited effective range of these airsoft guns you’ll find that simply heavily upgraded an AEG will effectively build you a semi automatic sniper rifle. The price range for these long range airsoft guns will usually be quite expensive (mostly the reasons being that a 6mm plastic BB has physicial limitations). Most of the airsoft snipers we see in an airsoft game utilize the bolt action variety.
How do I become a good sniper in an airsoft game?
In addition to having one of the best airsoft sniper rifles, in our opinion the two most important components of being effective as a marksman on the airsoft battlefield are:
- The stuff between your ears – meaning your brain making smart decisions
- The muscles move you around – meaning your physical fitness.
We at Airsoft Core believe that the game is actually far more physical than many players initially thing it to be. The fact is, physical fitness plays a part in being an effective airsoft player in general – but it matters very much as a sniper. Even though you’re laying on the ground quite a bit, you still need to crawl and move slowly when needed, or even sprint and stop when needed. Breathing more heavily during your match is a perfect way to mess up crucial shooting.
Additionally, you will need to make good decisions. The main thing to understand is that a sniper absolutely must be patient. If you take your shots at the first sight of an enemy you can easily give yourself away. In a 200 yard fight between a discovered sniper or a fireteam of 4 AEG’s, we would mostly bet on those AEG’s winning.
Can I remove the orange tip?
United States has federally mandated that all airsoft guns and airsoft rifles are to be sold with the orange tip. This is really for your own safety as you don’t want any police agencies believing you have any real firearm products. You’d hope that United States law enforcement would be able to tell the difference between an airsoft gun and a real one, but it is not really reasonable for them to assume.
This is why the orange tip is essential and removing them can create a problem. Even the best airsoft sniper rifles are going to have this orange tip.
Ultimately, we want you, the airsoft player, to be safe, and the world of airsoft truly does NOT need any tragedies.
There are other legal concerns as well.
Please, keep your orange tip on your airsoft guns
