Airsoft Grenade Launcher Shells

Airsoft Grenade Launcher Shells at Evike.com

The 40mm bore comes from the real M79 and M203, which is why nearly every launcher in this hobby is built around it. Airsoft grenade launcher shells work nothing like the real thing, though. They are reusable pressure vessels: you fill them with gas, load them with Airsoft BBs, and they spray a cone of plastic downrange. This collection covers 40mm and 50mm shells, launcher-specific shells, and specialty projectiles.

Matching Airsoft Grenade Shells to Your Launcher

Diameter comes first. Most launchers take 40mm, but 50mm exists and a few Russian-pattern launchers use their own dimensions. A 40mm shell will not chamber in a GP-25.

Then check length. Some launchers have short chambers that reject high-capacity shells even at the correct diameter. Manufacturers list a maximum shell length, and it is worth reading before you order a six-pack of long shells you cannot close the breech on.

If you are still choosing a platform, the Airsoft grenade launchers collection covers standalone and underbarrel options that determine what shells you can run.

Gas vs. CO2 Shells

Green gas shells are the standard. They fill from a propane adapter, hold pressure reasonably well, and cost less to run.

CO2 shells hit harder and stay consistent in cold weather where green gas loses pressure. They also stress seals more. Some fields cap CO2 shell muzzle velocity or ban them outright, especially indoors. Check field rules first. Whichever you run, keep Airsoft gas and CO2 in your kit, since a shell without propellant is a paperweight.

Capacity, Material, and How Many You Need

Shell capacity runs from around eighteen BBs up past a hundred. High-capacity shells clear a room. Small ones cost less and refill faster.

Body material matters more than most people expect. Shells get dropped, stepped on, and fired into walls. CNC aluminum takes that. Polymer weighs less and costs less, and it splits eventually.

Buy more than one. Reloading a shell mid-game takes longer than you think, so most players carry three or four in a grenade pouch and swap rather than refill. Seals and valves are consumables too, and replacements live in grenade launcher parts.

Evike.com manufactures shells in-house alongside carrying the rest of the market, which is part of what comes with being the world's largest Airsoft retailer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airsoft grenade launcher shells reusable?

Yes. Unlike real 40mm munitions, Airsoft grenade shells are refillable pressure vessels. You gas them, load Airsoft BBs into the projectile ports, fire, and repeat. A well-maintained aluminum shell lasts years. Seals and o-rings wear out with use and get replaced individually, which is normal maintenance rather than a defect.

Do all 40mm Airsoft grenade shells fit all launchers?

Not necessarily. Diameter is only half the fit. Launchers have a maximum chamber length, and long high-capacity shells will not close in a short-chambered launcher. Some Russian-pattern launchers use entirely different dimensions. Check your launcher's stated maximum shell length against the shell's specification before buying.

How many BBs does an Airsoft grenade shell hold?

Depends on the shell. Compact models hold roughly eighteen to forty BBs. Mid-range shells sit around sixty to ninety. High-capacity shells reach one hundred and fifty. Capacity trades against size and weight, and larger shells may exceed your launcher's chamber length. Match capacity to your launcher first, then to how you play.

Should I buy green gas or CO2 Airsoft grenade shells?

Green gas for most situations. It costs less to run, is gentler on seals, and satisfies field limits more often. CO2 shells deliver more energy and hold pressure in cold weather where green gas fades. Many indoor and CQB (Close Quarters Battle) fields restrict or ban CO2 shells. Confirm your field's policy before committing to a CO2 setup.

Do Airsoft grenade shells hurt?

They fire the same 6mm Airsoft BBs as any replica, spread across a wide cone, so individual BBs carry less energy than a direct rifle hit. At close range, a full shell is unpleasant. Field muzzle velocity limits and minimum engagement distances still apply. Eye protection is not optional, and full-face protection is worth considering.