Action

In firearms terminology, an action is the mechanism that handles the ammunition (loads, locks, fires, extracts and ejects) or the method by which that mechanism works. Breech-loading weapons (not used in airsoft) have actions; actions are technically not present on muzzleloaders, as all are single-shot weapons with a closed off breech.

Action related to airsoft
Related to firearms, most gas blowback rifles can mimic the action of their real counterparts.

Bolt action

 * In bolt-action firearms, the opening and closing of the breech is operated manually by a bolt. They mostly are used as sniper rifles. For example Action Army does produce some Dual power Snipers

Break action
5KU has produces an break action shotgun
 * A break action is a type of firearm where the barrel(s) are hinged and can be "broken open" to expose the breech.

Pump action

 * In pump action or slide action firearms, a grip called the fore end is manually operated by the user to eject and chamber a new round. Pump actions are predominantly found in shotguns. Tokyo Marui M870 Tactical Shotgun Gas is a prime example of one quality gas powered shotgun

Leaver action
Lever-action firearms use a lever to eject and chamber cartridges. An example of firearms using lever action is the Terminator Lever Action Shell Ejecting Gas Airsoft Shotgun by 6mmProShop.

Blowback opperated
The most common gas blowback airsoft rifle is the Ar-15 type rifle
 * Blowback operation is a system in which semi-automatic and fully automatic guns. In blowback operation the bolt is not locked to the chamber, relying only on spring pressure and inertia from the weight of the bolt to keep the action from opening too quickly. Blowback operation is used for low-powered cartridges due to the weight of the bolt required. Within airsoft the opperation is similar but the gas is extracted from the magazine and not from the energy which the expanding gas does produce when a bullet goes down the barrel and does return through the gas block.

Revolver

 * A revolver houses cartridges in a rotary cylinder and rotates them in-line with the cylinder bore (actually a forcing cone) prior to each shot. Revolvers are most often handguns. The cylinder is most often rotated by manipulation of the trigger and/or hammer, although some are "double action" using the manual pull of the trigger to rotate the cylinder and cock the hammer. Revolvers in airsoft mostly do house a cartridge with an 6 mm bb. For example ASG does produce the famous Dan wesson revolvers.