AK47s are some of the most well respected airsoft guns in the entire industry. For one, their innate popularity led to them being one of the first electric airsoft rifles on the market, and thus people who have been playing this sport for so long can really relate to them. It's like when you purchase your first car, and see the same model years later. There is a certain nostalgia to it, and there's no doubt that familiarity is one of the reasons airsoft AK47s are so popular. It is much more comfortable to use something you know rather than something new and perceptually foreign.
In addition to the familiarity, and partially owing to it, is the prevalence of these types of rifles in the media. There are literally thousands of movies which feature either the protagonist(s) or antagonist(s) using AK47s in their firefights. Most often it is the bad guys, as the good guys usually have some kind of more modern weapon or simply a pistol, but there are times when heroes like Arnold and Stallone must step up and use what they need to in order to get the job done. Because of the media saturation of AK47s, it is no surprise that so many people like them.
Of course, there is also something special about the mere appearance of the rifle. It has a somewhat stocky look, but you can tell there is a lot of power. The metal and wood blend together elegantly, and the weapon emits a defiant radiance when being fired. All it takes is seeing one battle with multiple airsoft AK47s in use to really appreciate how amazing it all is.
Yet another reason for the popularity of these airsoft rifles is their presence in an extensive list of prestigious games. For example, there are many variations of the AK47 in the newest Call of Duty game. When people are seeing these images and even simulating their use, that makes an impression fast.
There's no doubt that airsoft AKs will continue to enjoy this level of popularity, but it is also certain that modifications will be made. There are now low, medium, and high tech AK47s, as well as variations like the AK-74.
