Electronic Versus Mechanical Guns

There are many markers that don't really fit into the mechanical marker category as a "blowback" marker. While these guns once were common, they are increasingly more difficult to find on the shelves these days and are almost exclusively available online. Each of these varieties of guns has different pros and cons which are very different from traditional blowback mechanicals. Here is a brief overview of some of these.

Pump

You must pump the gun (slide a handle forward and then backwards) between each shot. The biggest drawback is the rate of fire (very low), but pumps are often the most accurate guns available and offer a fun alternative to semi-automatic play.

Autococker

Autocockers are basically self-cocking pump guns. They are considered by many to be the most accurate semi-automatic guns available, but they are not as fast as electro-pneumatic guns. Autocockers also have many more parts that tend to break than either classic mechanical or electronic guns. Additionally, to fire properly they must be tuned and adjusted constantly to operate ideally.

Automag

Automags are mechanical guns, but they are blowforward guns. They require no cocking and operate at around 800 psi (a relatively high operating pressure). They can handle a high rate of fire with the optional electronic frame (the electro-mechanical variety of the gun). They are known for their reliability but they also are gas hogs and get fewer shots per tank than many other guns.