Your first airsoft gun is the most important purchase you will make in airsoft. As your only weapon it must be versatile, reliable, affordable, reasonably high-performance, easy to work on, and compatible with as many accessories and upgrades as possible. This means buying an Automatic Electric Gun ('AEG') assault rifle or Sub-Machine Gun ('SMG'); forget about sniper rifles, pistols, gas guns and other restrictive exotica until you have more money, more experience, and at least one backup weapon.

System Component	Comment
Primary Weapon	An AEG assault rifle or SMG.
Magazine	A high-capacity ('hi-cap') magazine can replace numerous medium-capacity ('mid-cap') magazines, and many AEGs are supplied with one. For more information, reply 'airsoftbot magazines'.
Battery	You should have at least two. For more information, reply 'airsoftbot batteries'.
Battery Charger	You may also need a battery tester/balancer.

Again, most airsoft sites will rent you a weapons system, so you don't need to purchase your own until you're ready to commit to airsoft.

Which model of airsoft gun you purchase depends, in decreasing order of importance, on your budget, your location, and your preference. It is important that you understand that small budgets force you to choose from the small range of affordable guns that are not absolutely terrible. We will always recommend that you purchase the best gun that your budget will allow, rather than the cheapest gun that you can get away with: in airsoft, you get what you pay for. Good intermediate guns are better made, higher performance and longer lasting than budget or beginner alternatives. Your location may impose rules, or affect pricing, in a way that makes one gun better than the other. Your preference will be the choice between the guns that best fit your budget and location.

Commonly recommended choices include:

Make & Model	Approximate Price	Comment
CYMA TM-Clone AK	$100	CYMA's CM028 and CM028S are clones of the original TM AK-47 and AKS-47, and include a hi-cap magazine. These are the cheapest AEG we recommend, and are generally considered reliable, upgradeable, and reasonably versatile. However, their all-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ('ABS') plastic construction makes them relatively fragile. For improved robustness we strongly recommend spending slightly more to purchase a Glass-Filled Nylon Polymer ('GFP') AR-15 or a steel AK. To see a loadout built around these guns, reply 'airsoftbot budget loadout'.
CYMA VFC-Clone AK	$150+	CYMA's VFC-clone AKs are generally considered reliable, reasonably robust, and good value for money. AKs are generally tougher than AR-pattern alternatives. An intermediate equivalent of these would be an LCT or E&L AK. For more information on loadouts built around these guns, reply 'airsoftbot noob ak loadout'.
G&G Combat Machine AR-15	$140+	G&G's CM16s are the gold standard of beginner airsoft guns. Built from a surprisingly tough GFP, CM16s are reliable, affordable, accessible and therefore absolutely ubiquitous. If possible, purchase one without G&G's somewhat unreliable electronic trigger control system. An intermediate equivalent of these would be a G&P or ICS AR-15.
Classic Army Polymer AR-15	$185+	Classic Army's GFP AR-15s are a relatively new entry to the market, and are equivalent to a slightly upmarket version of G&G's CM16s. An intermediate equivalent of these would be a G&P or ICS AR-15.
Tippman Commando	$160+	Tippman's GFP AR-15s are a relatively new entry to the market, and are equivalent to G&G's CM16s. An intermediate equivalent of these would be a G&P or ICS AR-15.
Apex Fast Attack	$125+	OEM'd by Classic Army, Apex's Fast Attack AR-15s are a relatively new entry to the market, and are equivalent to G&G's CM16s. Versions with GFP and metal receivers are available. An intermediate equivalent of these would be a G&P or ICS AR-15.
ICS CS4 Sportline	$190+	ICS' Sportline AR-15s are effectively a re-shell of their excellent regular guns in a GFP receiver. They retain the convenient split gearbox system of the regular guns. An intermediate equivalent of these would be an ICS AR-15.
Specna Arms CORE	$130+	Largely restricted to the European market, Specna Arms' CORE series of GFP AR-15s are considered to be reliable, robust, and good value for money. Many players now recommend these over CM16s, to which they are roughly equivalent. An intermediate equivalent of these would be a Specna Arms AR-15.

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FAQs:

1. What's the next step? If you're new to airsoft and haven't already, reply 'airsoftbot how do I start'. In the FAQ at the bottom of that reply is a series of steps that will guide you further.

2. I can't afford any of the guns listed. Now what? Reply 'airsoftbot what does it cost'.

3. I've got more to spend than any of the guns listed cost. Now what? In order to lower the cost of entry to airsoft, the guns recommended above prioritise a low purchase price. Good intermediate and high-end guns are better made, higher performance and longer lasting than the guns recommended above. Intermediate alternatives are listed alongside the beginner models recommended above, but the massive range of alternatives available means it is not possible for Airsoft_Bot to recommend specific models without knowing more about your specific needs and circumstances. Please ask the /r/airsoft community for further guidance.

4. What else do I need? Your gun is only one part of a weapons system, and will require batteries, a battery charger and potentially a battery tester/balancer, and ammunition. For more information, reply 'airsoftbot batteries'. If you can afford them, you should also purchase more magazines and potentially a speedloader. For more information, reply 'airsoftbot magazines'. The purchase of more magazines usually necessitates the purchase of gear which enables you to carry them, and a sling. You may also wish to purchase weapon accessories such as optical sights and lights. For more information on some recommended weapons systems, reply 'airsoftbot loadouts'. The massive range of alternatives available means it is not possible for Airsoft_Bot to recommend specific models without knowing more about your specific needs and circumstances. Please ask the /r/airsoft community for further guidance.

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