Evike.com Blog & Articles

Five years ago, if you were to say that a .22 caliber style pistol would become one of the most popular airsoft sidearms of all time, I would call you crazy. Fast forward to where we are now, and it seems that the subversive AAP-01 "Assassin" pistol has captivated the airsoft player base at large. Much of an airsoft gun's popularity is often attributed to its prevalence in video games, and outside the occasional long-barrel integrally suppressed silenced .22, this civilian handgun platform isn't featured in media nearly as often as a HK USP for instance. Nevertheless, it appears that the hobby's desire for modularity and performance has trumped all else. The Action Army AAP-01 first debuted as the "perfect sniper sidearm," as its stealthy design and selectable fire options portrayed it as a solid covert "get off me" weapon for those carrying a long range rifle. As a brand typically best known for their sniper upgrade parts, Action Army did well to make the AAP-01 compatible with aftermarket parts down the line. The pistol was essentially a Tokyo Marui Glock with a fascinatingly different form factor, taking much of the same spec internal parts as the popular Japanese pistol. Coming in at the low price of $100 flat at the time of its release, many players picked one up simply for the upgrade potential to be had. Four years later, the stealthy handgun's popularity has blossomed into one of the most highly recommended sidearms of all time. Sure, the pistol might have some room for upgrades. But is it really the best budget handgun on the whole airsoft market? Let's dive in to find out!



From its initial iteration, the AAP-01 was designed to be a high performance pistol. The theory behind its "bolt" design as opposed to a standard pistol's full reciprocating slide was conceived as a way to increase the handgun's overall gas efficiency. Having a small bolt blowback instead of a full slide saves gas and concerns itself with less moving parts. One of the parts that doesn't move like a standard handgun's would is the barrel, which is firmly fixed to the front of the handgun. Whenever you fire a standard airsoft 1911 for instance, the barrel will tilt downwards to aid in feeding the next round just like the real thing! Since operation requires movement of the barrel, tolerances regarding fitment of that barrel are typically loose to reduce buckling or lock-up during use. The AAP-01 has no such worries, and as a result of its fixed barrel design has incredible out-the-box accuracy for a stock handgun. Despite being one of the most inexpensive pistols on the airsoft market, the blueprints for its functionality elevate it to a standard of performance far higher than its similarly priced competitors. Now that's a good price to performance ratio!

What parts do players upgrade their AAP-01 with?

The AAP-01 is good, but it can definitely be better. Internal upgrades are a fun way to personalize your airsoft gun and make improvements to its competitive viability. In the past few years, many brands have rallied to the craze behind the AAP-01, producing high quality aftermarket parts designed to bring the pistol to its best. We'll take a look at some of the most popular AAP-01 upgrades to give you an idea of what this pistol is capable of.



When it comes to buckings for GBB systems, Maple Leaf reigns supreme. The Decepticon/Autobot series Maple Leaf buckings are perfect upgrades for the AAP-01, helping to provide a more even and centered backspin application to your BBs. Not only is this one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your pistol's range and accuracy, but it is also one of the most inexpensive. This is a must have if you want your AAP-01 to be a force to be reckoned with at any range!



A good quality bucking will make a good difference in your range when paired with the correct BBs, but if you're looking to make your shot groupings as tight as they can possibly be, I'd recommend upgrading your inner barrel. The AAP-01 has a stock inner barrel length of 131mm. For best results, I recommend the Lambda 6.03 133mm inner barrel to give your pistol better shot to shot consistency and just a smidge of extra velocity without going over the 350 CQB limit.



The AAP-01's price point isn't exactly sorcery at the factory. Extensive use will cause your hammer set to wear over time, which can eventually lead to performance affecting damage. By upgrading your hammer set to CNC steel, you can future-proof your AAP's trigger components to ensure that it'll keep kicking no matter how much abuse you put it through.



When it comes to gas systems, the cycle time of the bolt will typically outspeed your human ability to pull the trigger fast enough. One of the best ways to quicken your trigger response for rapid semi-automatic fire capabilities is by upgrading to an adjustable trigger! This Titanium Tactical trigger has become popularized for its absence of a trigger integrated safety, giving it an advantage in split second encounters.

The Potential of the AAP-01

Beyond performance upgrades, the AAP-01 can be externally reconfigured with aftermarket options to fit a variety of roles in airsoft. The world is your oyster with the AAP-01! Check out all the ways you can personalize yours:



One of the big appeals of the AAP-01 is it's likeness to integrally suppressed .22 caliber handguns in the real steel world. With this threaded barrel adapter, you can mount the suppressor of your choice to the AAP-01, achieving the stealth design of your dreams! Alternatively, you can simply throw a thread protector on the end of it and make your AAP-01 a deadly precise subcompact pocket pistol!



This budget handguns full polymer design might not be for everyone. Fortunately, there are a decent selection of aluminum aftermarket upper receiver kits for the AAP-01, allowing you to add your very own full metal flair to your pistol. This Scorpion kit in particular offers two different lengths to account for multiple different styles of AAP setup!



Ready to evolve your AAP-01 into something more than just a handgun? Behold, the TTI Carbine Conversion Kit for AAP-01, which allows for attachment of a M4 style handguard and buffer tube. Ths kit effectively turns your pistol in a 9mm style GBB SMG, giving you an entirely new way to use your AAP. As the icing on the cake, it also features a TDC hopup adjustment system right under the rails for increased accuracy and ease of trajectory adjustment. If you have an AAP-01 and are considering testing the waters of the GBBR experience, this might just be the perfect kit for you!


This handgun truly is a swiss army knife! Check it out with the AP7 Kit from CTM!

Reflecting on the journey of the AAP-01, it's clear that its success is not just about the gun itself but what it represents: the importance of versatility and personalization in airsoft equipment. Whether it stands as the absolute best budget handgun in the market is up for debate, but its impact on the community and its place as one of the most highly recommended sidearms is undeniable. The story of the AAP-01 "Assassin" is a compelling reminder that sometimes, the most unlikely candidates can become legends in their own right, challenging conventions and setting new standards for what players expect from their gear.