GBB Type 97- paintball to airsoft?

Bwian_eh?

Active member
Joined
Nov 25, 2025
Messages
81
Reaction score
123

Has anyone looked into making one of these work for airsoft? I would imagine it's a case of changing the regulation or going straight to external HPA, but a blowback type 97 would be quite nice.

In paintball configuration, it fires at 5.5 joules, so a reduction to 1 joule would likely give the internal HPA reservoir a reasonable amount of shots between fills.
 
You'd need to replace like, all of the internals right?

They're all sized for paintballs so the feeding mechanism, nozzle, barrel, etc would all be too large for Airsoft?
 
To summarise what Lyndication has said, no 😂

You'd need to at the minimum design a hop unit and a means of attaching it to the body securely with a means to adjust it... Before even thinking about triggers, gearbox securing for the engine et cetc
 
I've seen 4.5mm lever actions converted to 6mm, overcoming similar issues. It's going to be obviously possible but a lot of machine work- but perhaps the better point is a factory made one would be very nice.
 
As mentioned you would have to gut the internals. If I were to do it I would likely try to design a 3d printed hpa engine housing that sits behind the magazine.

Then you would need to design a mounting solution for an Airsoft spec hop unit.
Then try to design an Airsoft spec mag insert or find something that fits.

Whilst I would argue it is possible factoring in the cost of an engine plus the rif it would be more cost effective to hope a real sword type 97 pops up.
 
As mentioned you would have to gut the internals. If I were to do it I would likely try to design a 3d printed hpa engine housing that sits behind the magazine.

Then you would need to design a mounting solution for an Airsoft spec hop unit.
Then try to design an Airsoft spec mag insert or find something that fits.

Whilst I would argue it is possible factoring in the cost of an engine plus the rif it would be more cost effective to hope a real sword type 97 pops up.

The thing is, its a genuine gbbr, just done in a different way to a traditional gbbr.
 
The thing is, its a genuine gbbr, just done in a different way to a traditional gbbr.
It's really not though, that's the thing. The operating mechanism is entirely different in Airsoft guns compared to paintball.

4.5mm guns are comparatively easy to convert to 6mm, and even then they're often quite bad. Wingun does a lot of that and they run terribly.
 
It's really not though, that's the thing. The operating mechanism is entirely different in Airsoft guns compared to paintball.

4.5mm guns are comparatively easy to convert to 6mm, and even then they're often quite bad. Wingun does a lot of that and they run terribly.

Wingun does them with shells, and stock, theyre not great, but with a lathe and extra work, they run very well- but there are different things to modify.
T4E paintball guns have been made to run on shells as well.

I agree on first looksie it does look like a daft idea but it has been done on multiple occasions with different platforms- I have seen some brilliant conversions of daisy red riders that shoot better than many factory airsoft guns.

Here is a video, how can you not want one?

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/Je5ICU8N06k?si=sjFPco2QhF1rURma
 
Last edited:
It would be an immense project; everything inside the shell, and possibly some of the shell, would need to be modified, rebuilt or changed. While it could be done, the cost would probably be prohibitive and the likelihood of producing something that consistently worked well rather low.
 
If you have to ask, its probably not something you can pull off alone. If you manage to get it shooting airsoft BBs and still functional, The power level is probably going to be powerful enough to turn a rentals kidney into a substance as consistent as the inside of a fray bentos pie.

Externally it might seem like an airsoft GBBR, But have you had a look inside of one? Paintball guns often aren't remotely similar.
 
If you have to ask, its probably not something you can pull off alone. If you manage to get it shooting airsoft BBs and still functional, The power level is probably going to be powerful enough to turn a rentals kidney into a substance as consistent as the inside of a fray bentos pie.

Externally it might seem like an airsoft GBBR, But have you had a look inside of one? Paintball guns often aren't remotely similar.

The power isn't the problem. I was at work in the office so watching disassembly videos wasnt really the best idea but I can freely do so now.

It's a terrible idea, but sometimes they work.
 
Back
Top