GATE unveils the PTX, an HPA pistol

GATE, the Polish maker of airsoft electronics and HPA engines, has unveiled the PTX, a compact submachine gun in pistol form that runs on high pressure air. Airsoft Milsim News reported the launch on 12 January 2026.

A factory fitted HPA engine

Most HPA airsoft guns are electric rifles that have been converted by fitting an aftermarket engine in place of the gearbox. The PTX is different. GATE says the electropneumatic engine is fully integrated at the factory, and calls it a first for a compact airsoft pistol.

The engine is GATE's PULSAR S2, paired with a VSR style hop up chamber. The PTX fire control unit is the ASTER II Bluetooth, which lets the owner change settings from a phone instead of opening the gun. GATE has already published a user manual for the PTX.

How HPA works

An HPA gun takes its power from a bottle of compressed air, normally carried on the player's kit and connected to the gun by a line. A regulator brings the bottle pressure down to a set level, and a valve inside the engine releases a measured burst of air for each shot. Because there is no piston and spring, an HPA engine is quiet, has very little vibration and keeps a steady muzzle velocity once it is set.

The downside is the extra kit. A player needs the bottle, the regulator and the line, plus somewhere to fill the bottle. Some sites have their own fill stations, and others expect players to bring full bottles.

What it means for players

A compact HPA pistol is aimed at close quarters and speedsoft players, who want a small gun with a fast, consistent rate of fire. GATE's fire control units are already widely used in electric guns, so many players will know the ASTER app and its settings.

Before buying, check your site's rules. Many sites set separate power limits for HPA guns, and some ask that the regulator is locked or sealed so the pressure cannot be raised during the day. Sites usually check this at the chronograph.

GATE has not given a price, a release date or a full list of specifications for the PTX. We will report them when the company confirms them.