One of the reasons many players love the airsoft hobby is the excitement of engaging in simulated combat situations. Some players take this immersion a step further by basing their equipment on a theme based on an organization or historical period. One of the most popular themes is WWII, as that conflict produced several iconic weapons, some of which are still in use today.
This article will present the 10 best WWII airsoft guns on the market, along with a few extras to make any MilSim feel more authentic. If you’re looking for a great period piece to add to your armory, these airsoft replicas offer a great choice.
Although invented during WWI, submachine guns came into their own in WWII. The iconic submachine guns or SMGs were used in minor and major engagements on both sides, with often devastating results. Here are some of the most famous among them, along with their airsoft counterparts:
1. Sten Mk. II
The British Sten was a submachine gun that reflected the country’s ingenuity in the face of adversity. Created as a response to the British need for equipment after its retreat at Dunkirk, the Sten was both cheap to make and easy to manufacture. Although there were reports concerning misfires related to the Sten Mk. II, the gun remained a standard issue until the end of the war.
In the case of its airsoft version, the Northeast Sten MK2 GBBR offers a very faithful replica of this iconic gun. It looks and feels like the real thing, with its all-steel construction and weight of 7.24 pounds. With a 32-round magazine and about 390 FPS, this green gas-operated submachine gun has a gas blowback recoil that adds to the immersion.
2. PPSh-41
Also known as the Shpagin Machine Pistol, the PPSh-41 was the standard submachine gun of the Soviet army for WWII and beyond. It was easy to produce and more accurate than the previous version, the PPD-40—this gun armed entire companies as they made their way to the German capital.
A great replica comes in the form of the ARES PPSh-41 AEG Submachine Gun. With a frame created out of metal and a wooden stock, it’s an accurate representation of the real Shpagin. You can even field strip this gun the same way you would the real thing. The ARES PPSh-41 is battery-operated and can take either an 8.4-volt NiMh or a 7.4-volt LIPO. It’s rated at 370 FPS, with a drum magazine that holds an impressive 2,000 rounds.
3. MP40
The Maschinenpistole .40, more commonly known as the MP40, was the premier submachine gun of the Wehrmacht during WWII. It was designed to address the lethal flaws of its predecessor, the MP38. It’s presumed that over a million of these weapons were created during the conflict. Many of the weapons were brought to the U.S. after the war as souvenirs.
This gun's airsoft replica, the SRC Steel MP40 AEG Submachine Gun, offers a very good representation of the original. Created with stamped steel and imitation Bakelite, this battery-operated gun fires at around 350 to 370 FPS with a 60-round magazine. The electric blowback mechanism simulates realistic recoil, while the folding stock makes it easier to wield in CQB engagements.
4. Thompson M1A1
The standard submachine gun of the U.S. Army during WWII, the Thompson saw use even before the war during the era of Prohibition. Also known as a Tommy Gun, this submachine gun was employed by both law enforcement and criminal organizations alike. This gun was prized among the paratrooper units during the war due to its effectiveness in close combat situations. It indeed earned an excellent reputation among U.S. troops at the time.
The Cybergun Auto Ordnance Licensed Thompson M1A1 mimics this classic SMG rather well. With its full metal body and simulated wood grain buttstock and grip, it weighs and handles like the real thing. With a 450-round magazine firing at 360 FPS, it has a full auto mode with a 600 to 700 round rate of fire per minute. You can even get a separate drum magazine for that distinct mobster look.
If you were an infantryman in WWII, whatever side of the conflict you were in, chances are you would have been issued a standard rifle. These guns were designed to be the best ones of their time, and some of them are still in use today. Here are some of the famous rifles of WWII, along with their airsoft versions:
1. Lee-Enfield
Already in wide use even before WWII, the Lee-Enfield No. 4 MKI became the general issue military rifle for British troops. Highly accurate even at over a thousand yards, the Lee Enfield allowed soldiers to engage the enemy at longer distances effectively. Even today, a version of this rifle is used by police forces in Bangladesh, making it history’s longest-serving bolt-action rifle.
RWA’s Lee Enfield No. 4 is the spring-powered airsoft version of this reliable weapon. Made out of real wood, this is truly a collector’s dream and would be a prized addition to anyone’s armory. As with the original, the gun is bolt action and holds up to 30 rounds, firing them at 400 FPS. It weighs a rather hefty seven pounds and measures about 43 inches.
2. M1 Garand
Few guns are as iconic as America’s M1 Garand, and it has undoubtedly earned its reputation as a very efficient weapon. Even General Patton considered it as the greatest battle implement ever devised. Unlike the standard bolt-action rifles issued at the time, the M1 Garand was semi-automatic and had a faster rate of fire while remaining accurate. Its effectiveness gave U.S. troops a definite advantage in both the western and eastern theater during the war.
The ICS M1 Garand is a relatively faithful replica of this well-known rifle. It's a one-to-one copy of the actual gun with a genuine wood stock and a full metal barrel. This battery-powered rifle fires rounds at 460 to 470 FPS and has a 42-round magazine. It has an adjustable hop-up system, and its full metal gearbox is fully upgradable. This is definitely a top-tier M1 Garand airsoft model.
3. Kar98K
If you were a German infantryman during the Second World War, you’ll most likely have been issued the Karabiner 98 Kurz, also known as the Kar98K. Although less famous than the other entries on this list, a testament to its reliability was its widespread use by partisans who captured them from the enemy. It says something if both sides of a conflict like using the same gun.
Matix’s version of the Kar98k is a gas-powered rifle with genuine wood stock and a working bolt-action system. It fires rounds at around 400 to 435 FPS and has a magazine capacity of 11 rounds. At almost 9.6 pounds, it’s rather heavy, but the same can be said of the actual gun. The adjustable hop-up system and sights make adjusting your aim and the BB’s trajectory easy depending on prevailing field conditions.
During the conflict, pistols were issued to officers, vehicle crew members, and enlisted men who normally wouldn’t engage in direct firefights. Back then, if you had to resort to a sidearm to protect yourself, something was already very wrong. For those reasons, iconic pistols from WWII weren’t as widely used as rifles or SMGs.
This apparent rarity made collecting them a sort of pastime for soldiers in the field who were, unsurprisingly, fascinated by firearms. Many scrounged these pistols as souvenirs and trophies and brought them back when they went home. Now, you too can obtain these sidearms in airsoft form. The most famous are the following:
1. Luger P08
Few guns can be tied as closely to the Wehrmacht as the Luger P08. Also known as the Parabellum, this gun was used as early as 1900, way before the Germans adopted it in 1904. In fact, it was replaced as the standard-issue pistol by the Walther P38 as early as 1938 but remained in circulation due to the P38’s production issues. During the war, the gun was so popular among American trophy hunters that it was used as bait to lure unsuspecting soldiers into triggering traps.
The WE airsoft version of the Luger P08 is a gas blowback pistol featuring realistic recoil. With a full metal construction and semi-automatic action, the gun is a rather immersive representation. The magazine holds 15 rounds and fires BBs at 300 to 330 FPS.
2. Colt M1911
Considered the most popular handgun ever made, the Colt 1911 set the bar on how a handgun should be designed. It was a standard issue for U.S. military troops since its introduction from 1911 to 1986. And its reliability was well known both inside and outside of the conflict.
Today, the Colt M1911 remains popular even in airsoft battles, as it's one of the most commonly used sidearms in all kinds of airsoft events. The Elite Force version has a full metal frame powered by CO2. Its full gas blowback system simulates actual recoil and fires rounds at 345 FPS while the magazine holds 14 BBs with an extra round held in the chamber.
3. TT-33 Tokarev
Not as well-known as the other handguns on this list, the TT-33 Tokarev is more of a collector’s gun than anything. Issued to officers of the Soviet Army, these guns rarely ever saw action on the battlefield. Although machine gunners and snipers were also given these guns, having the enemy get close enough for you to use them was an undesirable situation.
The SRC SR-33 TT-33 is the definitive airsoft version of this gun. With engraved serial numbers and the CCCP star design on the grip, it’s a very accurate model of the actual Tokarev. The full metal zinc alloy construction makes this gun feel like the real thing. It uses green gas, red gas, or propane and fires rounds at 300 to 310 FPS with a magazine that holds 12 rounds. It also features a blowback system to mimic recoil.
These next weapons aren’t something that an average foot soldier would have. They’re heavy, required the soldier to be immobile, and had a report that advertised you to every enemy in the vicinity. Machine guns were unwieldy, but they were the terror of the battlefield and remain iconic even to the present day.
The airsoft versions of these guns share the same bulky design, and you won’t be running around with these unless you’re a fan of lower back pain. However, placing these guns around points in capture the flag games will offer amazing defense against invaders.
1. M1919 Browning Machine Gun
As America’s premier machine gun during WWII, the M1919 Browning saw service during WWI and continued delivering firepower during the Korean and Vietnam war. This machine gun provided company support throughout the conflict and protected the troops until the war’s end.
EMG has a very accurate airsoft replica of the original, featuring full metal construction and a heavy-duty finish; this is undoubtedly a collector’s dream weapon. Firing rounds at 400 to 430 FPS, you’ll be peppering the field with BBs at full auto. With a 5,000 round box magazine, you won’t be running out of ammunition that quickly. At 18 pounds, however, you’d better have a sidearm for surprises because you won’t be running with this for too long.
2. MG42
Few things were as frightening to a tough battle-tested WWII soldier than the sound of the MG42 firing on full auto. At 1,200 to 1,500 rounds per minute, this weapon devastated troops during the invasion at Normandy and lasted until the German army was finally defeated. The war department had to make training movies to teach soldiers how to recognize the sound it makes.
The Matrix Full Metal MG42 recreates this weapon in its full glory. Made out of steel alloy, the level of detail on this gun would satisfy even hardcore WWII collectors. Firing BBs at 320 to 350 FPS, its 2,000 round steel box magazine provides great cover fire when set up. At over 15 pounds, however, you’d better have a good way of lugging this thing around the field.
If your airsoft group has been trying to find a way to add more immersion to your games, then having a WWII MilSim might be the ticket. With the growing popularity of the hobby, manufacturers have made more options available for those that are looking for accurate WWII replicas. Filling your armory with the best WWII airsoft guns available has never been easier.