People who are serious about their war games can use several small, lightweight Airsoft hand guns to arm themselves to the teeth. By contrast, they can use a bigger hand gun with a greater clip capacity and a higher muzzle velocity. In short, hand guns, some of which can operate as semi-automatic weapons, are highly versatile. They can be primary weapons for indoor skirmishes, or they can be back-up, concealed weapons in larger arenas. The varying clip capacities, sizes and weights of the hand guns dictate how each gun is used.

As with other Airsoft guns, the hand guns fall into three categories of firing mechanisms; spring guns, gas guns and electric guns. Spring guns vary widely in their power and muzzle velocity; they are faster and more powerful than electric guns, but they do not fire as quickly. For this reason, electric guns are ideal for close range, indoor skirmishes while spring guns give more power and can be used from greater distances. The greatest power and muzzle velocity available in the Airsoft hand guns is found in the gas guns. Many of these guns have a velocity of over three hundred feet per second (fps) as compared with electric guns, which typically have an fps below one hundred and fifty, and spring guns, which typically have an fps of around two hundred.

To be serious about war games, it is necessary to have the proper hand guns. Gas hand guns are best suited to act as primary weapons over medium distances. Electric and spring guns are best as concealed weapons because of their light weight. The full range of hand guns is necessary for collectors and enthusiasts.