About
Airsoft was developed in Japan in the early 1970s[1] to provide an
alternative for gun hobbyists because local laws prevented individuals
from privately owning firearms. A heavy emphasis was therefore placed on
making accurate replicas of real firearms. Many new Chinese guns are
dominating the airsoft market because they are more affordable. (you get
what you pay for.) They compete against established companies that are
usually expensive such as Classic Army, I Chih Shivan (ICS), Guay Guay
(G&G), G&P, Star, King Arms and Tokyo Marui (TM). The In contrast,
paintball was developed in the United States in 1981[2] as a variation
of hide and seek tag, through the use of utility companies' paint
marking guns, which mark power/utility poles, and continues to focus
more on their function than their form or aesthetic qualities. Paintball
has quickly gained greater popularity than airsoft in the United States.
In East Asia and the Pacific Rim, airsoft is much more popular and
paintball is nearly non-existent (except in Singapore, Australia, and
New Zealand where paintball is legal but airsoft is restricted). In the
interests of a more family-friendly image, paintball as an industry
usually avoids direct analogies to the military and war (seen by the
movement towards spectator-friendly speedball); whereas Airsoft runs the
gamut from Airsplat to full MilSim play.
Though Airsoft pellets generally strike with less impact than
paintballs, because of their higher velocity and smaller size, as well
as innovations like hop up, the ballistic properties of Airsoft pellets
more closely model the flight characteristics of true bullets than
projectiles used in other games. Unlike simulated shooting games like
laser tag the physical impact of Airsoft pellets on targets provide some
of the authenticity and realism of actual bullet hits because they can
hurt, cause a small amount of damage, and heighten mental and emotional
excitation and/or distress as with the use of real firearms. This
characteristic makes Airsoft very effective for combat training as well
as very frightful and worrisome for unaware by-standers or zealous
public officials. Thus, despite its growing popularity, Airsoft is
strictly regulated or even prohibited by various governments.Methods of
play
Main article: Airsoft game type variations
[edit] CQB
CQB, otherwise known as Close Quarters Battle (or CQC, Close Quarters
Combat), is a popular way of playing airsoft. The basic idea is for
people to play in an enclosed arena at close quarters, resulting in a
fast action combat or multiple surprises. A lot of times the arena may
be set up as if it were in an urban war zone or in terrain filled with
enclosing walls, gates, doorways,stair ways , tunnels, apertures,
overhead openings, or below-ground approaches that enable one player to
shoot at another from a distance of a few feet or less. CQB can also
take place in night games or in dense vegetation such as tall grass,
shrubbery, and closely packed trees. In this type of combat the fps of
the guns may have to be lower due to the closeness of the combat.
Simulated grenades and booby traps are effective due to teams sticking
together in such a small area. Players in CQB scenarios usually wear
additional vests or protective clothing to avoid injury from close-in
hits or ricochets.
[edit] MilSim
An airsoft/MILSIM player operating in a sniper role and wearing a
realistic ghillie suit as camouflage.
An airsoft/MILSIM player operating in a sniper role and wearing a
realistic ghillie suit as camouflage.
MilSim Military Simulation generally combines airsoft play with some
military live-action role-playing elements. Several goals or missions
are assigned to each team, along with a basic load-out of ammunition (6
millimeter pellets), rations, batteries, and other suitable equipment,
such as short-range radios and head-sets.
The teams will remain in the field for the duration of play, only
returning to a staging area or "safe zone" for medical emergencies, or
other such circumstances. MILSIM-games often last several days, for
example the large BERGET-event in Sweden lasts 6 days in a row, with no
breaks. In larger scale MilSims vehicles as simple as painted vans and
trucks will be used. But in some cases, such as Operation Irene, real
APCs and tanks will be used.
Airsoft players at a World War II re-enactment. The player is holding a
SIG 552 rifle.
Airsoft players at a World War II re-enactment. The player is holding a
SIG 552 rifle.
Private vehicles representing an armoured personnel carrier.
Private vehicles representing an armoured personnel carrier.
[edit] Airsoft for combat training
Many law enforcement departments, military units, and protective
security companies are turning to airsoft for an effective, low cost,
anti-inflammatory, and safe means of force-on-force training.[3] The
low-impact projectiles allow military/law-enforcement/protection
agencies to train anywhere - schools, businesses, airplanes, etc.
Training in real-life environments conditions them to deal with real
life situations and improve their skills. The most common airsoft gun
law enforcement departments, military units, and protective security
companies use would be the Systema Professional Training Rifle. The
inexpensive ammo lets military/police train more frequently and repeat
drills dozens of time in each session with minimal budgetary impact, to
the relief of taxpayers. Since minimal protective equipment is required,
this allows them to train with their actual duty gear and equipment.
Using airsoft guns for training minimizes liability to both trainees,
instructors and by-standers, as well as property owners.
[edit] Honor system
An "honor system" is employed whereby the players rely on each others'
honesty to admit to being hit, because unlike paintball, the plastic
pellets do not leave a surface mark distinguishable at a distance.
Depending on the muzzle velocity of the gun and distance from which a
person is shooting, the person on the receiving end of the shot will
usually feel the impact, but the pellets may sometimes not be felt by a
player at very long ranges, when distracted, or when running
strenuously, hence the importance of marshals or referees. However,
honest admission of hits is still required because no one can monitor
what happens to every player on the playing field.
To avoid unnecessary disputes that disrupt the game, players are
discouraged from calling out hits on their opponent but are expected to
signal a marshal to judge how effectively they can hit their opponents.
Simulated "knife kills" can be performed when a player touches or taps
an unaware opponent instead of shooting him or her at point-blank range.
A "courtesy kill" occurs when a player refrains from shooting an
opponent at close range while enforcing that opponent's surrender.
Players are prohibited from firing blindly when not able to see their
target, especially around corners. Players should avoid excessive
shooting of an opponent who has already admitted being hit (this is
called an "overkill"). Harsh language and forceful physical contact
between players is strongly discouraged and even penalized. Players are
expected to resolve disputes politely and with proper decorum.
All airsoft players are required and expected to acknowledge being hit
even if they are in doubt. Those who acknowledge being hit are expected
to do the following: (1) shout "I'm hit" loudly; (2) Raise their hand or
gun high; and display a "hit indicator" while walking back to the safe
zone. A hit indicator can be either a bright-colored cloth during
daytime -- called a "dead man's rag" -- or a blinker or mini-flashlight
when in dim light or darkness. Dishonest players who fail to follow the
rules or acknowledge their hits run the risk of being labeled and
ostracized as "zombies" or "the undead" by the local airsoft community.
They will from then on be observed more carefully by the marshals or
possibly be even banned from playing in the area.
Another form of cheating occurs when an active player gains an unfair
advantage by pretending to be an already-hit player (this is called
"playing possum") in order to avoid being shot. During night games,
active players have been known to turn on their blinker lights to move
casually and then to turn them off for combat. Cheating also takes place
when an eliminated player becomes a "mummy" by reactivating himself
within the same game without permission from a marshal. Some players
also gain unfair advantage as "golems" by spontaneously joining a game
(without authorization) some time long after the game had already
started, therefore being in fresh condition and in a position to
surprise their opponents.
Due to the nature of the Honor System, many players have the opinion
that Airsoft is a better sport than paintball, because airsoft requires
high moral values and gentlemanly ethics to play well, without the need
for distinguishing hit marks or strict marshal's calls. Though not
necessarily true, it does add an inspirational element to the airsoft
community.
[edit] Game management
Airsoft games can be run by the players themselves using agreed upon
rules. However, games become more realistic and fun for the participants
if a game marshal controls the flow of play and provides on-the-spot
impartial rulings. Airsoft game scenarios can vary widely according to
mission type, number of teams, number of players per team, in-game
objectives or victory conditions, and game durations. Popular game
scenarios include center-flag capture or recovery, team flag delivery,
hostage-rescue, ambuscades, raids or assaults, and death-match (all-out
elimination) skirmishes.
It is the marshal's task to segregate the players into teams, determine
the game scenario and its victory conditions, assign game objectives to
various teams, brief the participants, delimit playing boundaries, and
set the game duration. By means of whistles, flags, megaphones, and
walkie-talkie radios, a group of marshals can handle dozens to hundreds
of players in a series of episodes or nonstop play. Depending on the
game scenario, players may be eliminated with a single hit, taken out of
and returned to action with the aid of "medics," or allowed to "respawn"
(re-enter the game) at certain places or times. A good game marshal
strives to maintain a high level of excitement and activity for all the
players involved while maintaining safety, impartiality, and "in-game
realism."
Furthermore, those intending to operate game sites or hold game events
should coordinate with local public authorities, designate safe zones
and boundaries, invite the players to the site, and supply players and
guests with adequate parking facilities, toilet facilities, water and
electrical supply, as well as sell food, ammo, or other provisions
needed (especially if the game site is relatively inaccessible to
commercial establishments).
[edit] Safety
Although airsoft guns operate on completely different principles from
real firearms and are not lethal, it is imperative that safety
guidelines be followed because airsoft BBs can be fired at over 750 fps
(usually under 500 fps). To prevent injuries on and off the field, there
are common safety practices used by the airsoft community. Most airsoft
venues have standard basic rules to assure the safety of all involved.
Like many competitive sports, airsoft inherently involves a certain risk
of injury, sometimes requiring a legal waiver or clearance in case of
injury.
[edit] Wildlife and Terrain Hazards
Because airsoft games are most often played in natural surroundings,
animals can often interfere with these games and potentially be
hazardous. In the Southwestern United States, snakes offer one of the
most significant threats, especially the potentially deadly Diamondback
rattlesnake. Many games in California institute a "snake call", whereby
players have to yell "snake" when one is encountered to mark the
location and warn other players.[citation needed] After a snake has been
identified, that section of the field may be marked as out-of-bounds, or
the game may be delayed until the threat is dealt with.
Whether in natural or built-up urban terrain, airsoft players can be
subject to injury from terrain features such as slippery surfaces, steep
slopes or heights, falls or trips, collisions with unseen obstructions,
snags and sharpened objects, and even noxious substances (animal
droppings, etc.). Scratches, cuts, bruises, concussions, and sprains,
plus a few broken bones can easily occur in this type of activity. This
is another reason for the need for military-style protective gear such
as head and neck armor, all-terrain boots, thickened gloves, knee and
elbow pads, and full-length rugged attire. Airsoft players must be
careful when running rapidly as well as moving hastily in the dark to
avoid injury from such hazards.
[edit] Gun Safety Rules
The airsoft community follows safety rules that are similar to those
used for real firearms and paintball. They are usually as follows:
* Wear eye protection at all times during a game or within the
designated playing area.
* Never shoot at anyone not wearing eye protection.
* Treat all guns as if they are loaded and ready to fire.
* Always point the gun away from anything and everything that is not
intended to be shot.
* Keep fingers away from the trigger and outside the trigger guard and
the safety on until ready to shoot.
* Turn off the safety just before firing.
* Do not fire more shots than needed to achieve your objective.
* Always be sure of the target and what is behind it.
* Have a precise idea of the effect on a target of your weapon's
ammunition, especially with regards to projectile penetration,
ricochets, and damage effects.
* Take responsibility for any and all damage produced by the projectiles
fired from your gun.
* Immediately place the gun on safe after firing.
* Do not leave a gun, loaded or unloaded, within access range of
unauthorized persons.
* Do not touch or manipulate another person's gun without permission,
knowhow, or proper intent.
* Load batteries and ammunition only at the last instance before using
the gun.
* Unload the ammunition, fire off the last few rounds, and remove the
batteries before packing the gun for storage or transport. Never leave
the springs of firing mechanisms and magazines under tension if not in
use.
* Store and transport the gun in a sealed container or gun bag. Keep the
gun hidden from public view as much as possible and bring it out only on
the playing field or for especially approved display purposes.
* Safety isn't always safe: Never trust safety catches to always work.
Many airsoft group and clubs also have rules as to which guns can be
used at which range- i.e., no shooting with a 600+ FPS weapon at under
100 yards, etc. Many airsoft groups and game sites also impose maximum
ammunition velocities for various types of scenarios, such as a maximum
of 350 FPS for CQB.
[edit] Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy transfer is relatively minimal in airsoft compared to
that of paintball. An airsoft projectile weighing .2 grams and traveling
at 300 feet per second (90 meters per second) transfers about 1 joule of
energy. A paintball projectile weighing 2.84 grams and traveling at 300
feet per second transfers 11.8 joules.
Although there is a considerable difference between airsoft and
paintball energy levels (1 joule versus 12 joules), the type of
collisions that occur (elastic airsoft vs. inelastic paintball) must
also be considered (refer to Airsoft Pellets Ballistics).
Most airsoft guns are capable of shooting from 150fps to 450fps, though
it is also possible to purchase upgraded springs for some airsoft guns
that will enable 400 to 600 FPS projectile velocities.
A hop-up unit, if present, puts backspin on the pellet giving a slight
upward arc. This gives an airsoft gun more range than a paintball gun.
Airsoft playing fields usually have rules specifying what velocity is
allowed for each player position.
Airsoft player shooting from behind cover wearing goggles that fully
seal the area around the eyes and a balaclava to protect the face.
Airsoft player shooting from behind cover wearing goggles that fully
seal the area around the eyes and a balaclava to protect the face.
[edit] Damage Effects on Human Flesh
A very close-range shot from a metal BB on bare skin from a gun with a
velocity over 400 FPS will usually break the skin and cause minor
bleeding. Shots from over 100 feet will not cause bleeding, but will
possibly leave a small bruise, depending on the power of the gun.
A BB can easily cause severe or permanent damage, including blindness,
to the eye of a person not wearing eye protection. Eye protection must
be worn at all times and must never be taken off in the playing field.
[edit] Eye and Face Protection
A standard of safety guidelines and equipment has evolved in the airsoft
community to protect the eyes and face. The minimum safe level of gear
required to participate in most games includes a pair of fully-sealing
impact-rated goggles to protect the eyes of the participants.
Traditional prescription glasses and sunglasses are almost never
accepted as they will not prevent serious injury. Goggles not designed
specifically for use with airsoft or paintball guns may break or shatter
upon being struck, causing eye damage (although rare and easily
prevented).
For this reason many organized groups of airsoft players and fields
require that eye protection fully seals the area around the eyes, and
also meets or exceeds ANSI's Z87.1-2003 goggle standard for eye
protection: the ability to resist 3 joules of impact energy without
damage. Some players instead opt for paintball goggles, which are held
to higher impact rating standards, ASTM's F1776.[4]
According to ANSI publications as of June 2006, The ASTM is currently
developing a more specific standard for airsoft - ASTM Z1535Z - Standard
Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Airsoft Sports.[5]
The best overall protection is currently offered by paintball masks.
These masks provide an additional level of protection by covering the
face, teeth, and ears, greatly reducing the risk of injury to these body
parts and the chipping of teeth. The lens is a solid piece of impact
resistant plastic. Some airsoft masks are made with mesh screens, though
these screens do not offer protection from cheaper or bio-degradable BBs
that sometimes fragment upon impact on hard objects.[6]
[edit] Unprotected Players or Bystanders
A player and any observer near an airsoft game site is required to keep
his or her face mask, goggles, or shooting glasses on at all times. This
is a standered safety requirement upon an airsoft site and this rule is
always enforced by the marshal in charge to ensure that all players and
observers remain safe and no accidents occur during the gameplay.
All players must immediately stop shooting when a person without eye
protection is encountered in the playing area. One commonly adopted
practice is for players to shout the words "Cease-fire, Blind Man!,"
"Heads up, Pedestrian!," "Noncombatant!," or "Walker!" and halt an
ongoing game if a player or bystander is seen in the designated game
play area without proper eye protection; goggles and a helmet. Any
player hearing the words must, in turn, stop and also shout the words,
resulting in a chain reaction which halts and alerts the whole game.
Once the situation is resolved by properly removing the unprotected
person from harm, the game is usually resumed at the same point at which
it was stopped.It may be smart to move to a different area after a
saftey call so you don't give away your location.
[edit] Community Safety Precautions
Some other rules such as a maximum BB velocity and distance guidelines
are used in different ways by groups depending on their location.
Various locations often offer similar safety rules with slight
variations. In order to encourage the mixing of segmented communities
into a larger community that can more easily engage each other, certain
organizations have created safety rules and guidelines for players to
share the field under common understanding and to band together in safe
environments.[7]
Airsoft replica of a H&K G36C. Note that this replica is not in use on a
field, and therefore has the magazine removed (and the chamber cleared),
and has a barrel bag placed over the muzzle
Airsoft replica of a H&K G36C. Note that this replica is not in use on a
field, and therefore has the magazine removed (and the chamber cleared),
and has a barrel bag placed over the muzzle
When not actively playing, some fields require "barrel bags," also known
as barrel condoms, which were first introduced in paintball. Many
airsoft guns, especially AEGs, come with small red plastic barrel
blockers that fit over the muzzle. The magazine is usually removed as
well, and the gun fired to clear the chamber. Many fields also require
players to leave their guns set to the safety position when they are not
shooting, even during active game play. This is a practice taken from
real firearms training, in which one never puts a finger on the trigger
or takes the weapon off safe until ready to fire.
In certain countries such as the Philippines where large numbers of
players often play every weekend in commercial airsoft venues,
additional special rules have been adopted to increase safety and avoid
unnecessary injury.[8] All "real steel" firearms, explosives, and bladed
weapons are banned at any airsoft battlefield to prevent harmful
accidents or misunderstandings and confusion between real and simulated
weapons. Players are also expected to be discreet in transporting or
carrying their gear and combat-style uniforms so as not to unduly alarm
the general public and force the law enforcement agencies to investigate
an incident involving airsoft guns. Pyrotechnic devices and effects may
be allowed under special circumstances, but are rarely employed, because
of the added danger to property or to the participants from fire and
explosions.
[edit] Teams
There are many organized teams all over the USA and in various
countries. Some teams consist of just a few players, who just get
together and play during weekends. Some prominent teams have 50 or more
players, and are able to send delegations to regional or national
events. Competitive teams are those who are able to get special funding
or sponsorships in order to compete in tournaments or "bivouacs" (big,
multi-day events) held around the country. Most of the well-organized
airsoft teams adopt special names, logos, patches, uniforms, gear, and
websites or forums to standardize their own identity or appearance
versus other teams or groupings.
In the Philippines, there are multiple amorphous groups of airsoft
players loosely organized into "teams" that range from the size of
squads, platoons, and companies, to large regional confederations of
multiple teams and associations. These can be organized according to
family group, geographic proximity, professional affiliation, school or
business organization, or even according to compatible playing styles,
economic lifestyles, and personalities. Such teams can form, disband,
regroup, and reform, for any reason, but they are now easily mobilized
or organized through website forums and cellphone contact. Some players
can belong to multiple teams, just to a particular squad, or may act as
"lone wolves" who have no particular team affiliation. Some teams adopt
formal rules of association but the majority do not.
There have been attempts to forge one large nationwide umbrella
organization of airsofters but these have not succeeded nor persisted in
the past. However, due to the continuing influx of cheaper and effective
airsoft electric guns, more informal players' associations keep on
growing in size, number, and influence as more people take up this
sporting activity as a hobby. The growing number of airsoft game sites
being set up in recent years is also allowing players in the same
neighborhood to play steadily and also to roam from one game site to
another.
[edit] Legal issues
Main article: Legal issues in airsoft
Airsoft guns and playing airsoft is legal in most parts of the world,
but not all. Some countries have specific restrictions such as maximum
muzzle energy, rules against using the trademarks of real firearms, and
'unrealistic' coloring as to distinguish them from actual firearms. They
are legal throughout the U.S, but due to high crime rates, restrictions
exist in certain cities such as Camden, NJ, Newark, NJ, Chicago, IL, and
Detroit, MI. The states of New Jersey, Illinois, New York and Michigan
do, however, allow airsoft guns to be used and handled publicly because
of Federal and State laws that regard airsoft guns as toys.
Classic Army M15a4 Automatic Electric Gun. M15 is Classic Army's version
of the M4
Classic Army M15a4 Automatic Electric Gun. M15 is Classic Army's version
of the M4
In the United Kingdom, airsoft replicas are classified as 'realistic
imitation firearms' or RIF's. The sale, manufacture or importation of
RIFs are restricted to activities that are exempted or have been granted
a defense by the home office under the VCRA law passed in 2005 and came
into force on October 1st 2007. Airsoft has been granted a defense and a
skirmisher as defined under British law is allowed to purchase,
manufacture or import airsoft replicas. Usually, the only accepted
method of proving entitlement is to gain membership of a skirmish site
that holds public liability insurance. A scheme set up by UK retailers,
called UKARA, recommends that an airsoft site only give membership to a
player who has played at least three games over a period of no less than
two months. [9]
You do not need to be a UKARA registered player to purchase airsoft
replica's from retailers; however, to protect themselves, many retailers
will only sell to UKARA registered players. Also, players they
personally know to be skirmishers will be sold to. These are all because
the law penalizes the seller as well as potentially the buyer.
Also, the use or possession of any kind of replica weapon, loaded or
otherwise in a public place is an offense under the United Kingdom's
2003 'Anti-social behavior order' law. This can carry heavy penalties,
except under specific conditions.[citation needed]
A measure that is often employed by airsoft players is informing local
law enforcement officials where and when airsoft games will take place,
so that misunderstandings can be avoided.
Due to the nearly unstoppable and steady entry of lower-cost yet
high-quality airsoft guns from abroad, the Philippine National Police
has issued in December 2007 its Circular 11 (Airsoft Implementing Rules
and Regulations).[10] It regulates the purchase, one-time registration,
transport, usage, transfer of ownership, importation, manufacture and
repair, marking and branding, as well as commercial sale of airsoft guns
by Filipino citizens of legal age. Only airsoft guns with a muzzle
velocity of 550 feet per second (fps) or less using 0.2-g BBs can be
registered. The PNP AIRR also regulates the operation of airsoft playing
fields, registration of airsoft teams, and the enactment of standardized
rules and codes of conduct among airsoft players. Foreigners are still
barred from transporting or registering ownership of airsoft guns but
this does not prevent them from playing with them on private fields or
commercial game sites.
[edit] Hazards of being mistaken for a real firearm
The most important factor, in distinguishing whether a gun is an airsoft
replica or a real firearm, is the gun holder's intent and actions in
using an airsoft gun, as with any real firearm. Safe, prudent and
discreet use, along with forthright honesty will help the replica gun
holder to avoid any legal misunderstandings. In many jurisdictions,
using an imitation firearm to commit a crime (which often includes the
generic term of "brandishing") carries the same penalty as if a real
firearm were used.
The incredible similarity of airsoft guns to real firearms has caused
many public officials and law enforcement authorities to be alarmed at
the potential misuse of airsoft guns in crimes. So far, however, there
have been few, if any, comparative studies of the incidence or frequency
in which airsoft guns have been used in actual crimes, as compared to
real weapons. Despite the large influx of airsoft guns into the
Philippines since the 1980s, there have been few reports of any being
used to commit crimes and there has been no rise in the crime rate
despite the sudden importation of cheaper AEGs from China in the last
few years (since 2005).
Despite their close resemblance to actual firearms, and the possible
negative intentions from ruthless persons, airsoft guns can be easily
distinguished from real firearms if one knows what signs to look for.
Most airsoft guns break and scratch more easily than normal firearms do
because they are made with cheaper or more fragile metals and plastics.
Whenever an airsoft gun and a regular firearm are used within hearing
distance, the difference between the two is easy to hear. Airsoft guns
are much quieter, and they lack the muzzle flash caused by the
gunpowder. The sound of an electric airsoft gun can mostly be compared
to that of a Sewing Machine, albeit louder. Spring airsoft guns make a
loud popping noise when fired.
The major distinction between a real firearm and an airsoft gun is the
shape of the magazine feed area, which contains a round circular opening
through which the pellets pass. Thus, releasing and removing the
magazine can assist in distinction between an airsoft gun and a firearm.
[edit] Orange-tipped airsoft gun muzzles
There have been a few highly isolated cases of airsoft guns being
mistaken for real firearms, and some cases where armed law enforcement
units have responded to tips of unlawful firearm use. This is the main
reason that Federal laws require minimum 6mm (approx. 1/4") orange tips
to be present on all "toy guns" (including airsoft replicas) imported
into the United States.[11]
One prominent case occurred in Longwood, Florida when 15-year-old Chris
Penley threatened students with an airsoft pistol at his middle school
and was subsequently shot dead when he aimed it towards an officer. The
orange tip mandated by US Federal law had been painted black.[12]
However, the effectiveness of such measures remains open to debate,
because these orange tips can be easily removed, covered, or painted
away at any time. Airsoft players will generally do anything to avoid
using the orange tip on their guns because it makes them more visible at
a distance when they play. The majority of airsoft guns now lack orange
tips even if they originally had them, even in localities that require
them, so this type of legal regulation would be impractical to enforce
in all instances. This is often the norm if the airsoft gun is used only
in private or restricted game locations that are not usually accessible
to law enforcers. Furthermore, theatrical or movie productions may
require the absolute lack of any markings that would distinguish a
replica gun from a real gun, so there are regulated exceptions to the
orange-tip rule.[13]
Furthermore, their legal imposition means that criminals can attempt to
disguise real firearms as toys by painting the tip of the barrel orange,
or vice versa. Legislators may not realize the danger that police
officers would face if confronted with real firearms that have been
disguised to look like replica or airsoft guns.[original research?] For
police departments that are already hampered by a lack of resources to
enforce laws on actual firearms, the additional task of tracking down
and constantly monitoring non-lethal replica guns could result in much
more lax enforcement of the orange-tip rules.[original research?]
Some believe that orange tips are not required after sale of an airsoft
gun in most places. Electric-AirsoftGuns.com claims that "the federal
law only says that the orange tip must be present during importation and
sale. Once the item has been transferred to private ownership, the
orange tip is no longer required."[14] However, in Federal Regulations,
Title 15, Part 1150, it clearly states that these orange markings must
be "permanently affixed to the muzzle end of the barrel as an integral
part of the entire device".[15]
[edit] Airsoft equipment
Airsoft equipment encompasses many types of equipment used in the sport
of airsoft, including the airsoft gun used to shoot airsoft pellets at
opponents, safety goggles, and all sorts of tactical gear including
vests, equipment holders, and gun accessories.
[edit] Cost
To a new player choosing between airsoft and paintball, a beginning
package for airsoft is much cheaper in terms of hardware, but for
apparel they can be roughly equivalent.They both can range from $20 for
a vest,to $180 for a ghillie suit. One major difference, however, can be
seen in the cost of ammunition and upkeep of the packages - due to the
type of ammunition used, airsoft guns are less prone to "jamming", and
airsoft bbs (6mm) are considerably cheaper to manufacture than
paintballs.
Airsoft rifles and pistols are usually the most expensive piece of
equipment. Low-quality electric guns, commonly called LPEGs (low
priced/powered electric guns) can cost from $5-$100 USD depending on the
quality, the MPEGs (Medium priced/powered electric guns) can cost in the
range of $80-$180 USD and are usually a clone of an AEG with
lowerquality materials(ie recent CYMA guns, JG, ECHO 1, A&K, etc. etc.),
while a higher quality AEG can be more than $200 USD. A paintball gun of
equal level usually costs between $200-$300. The overall average for a
high quality electric gun such as a Classic Army, Tokyo Marui, and G&G
is around $200-$500 USD (or much higher, if the user decides to purchase
a pre-upgraded gun or a specialized gun, such as a sniper rifle or an
LMG replica) depending on the model. Some custom guns can cost more than
$2,500 USD.
In Mil-Sim games, where the main aspect of the play is realism,
equipment is usually much more expensive. Many Mil-Sim players choose to
wear real gear (not an airsoft replica) and in some cases, real
ballistic protective armor. This can raise the price of the game
considerably, with guns and gear sometimes totaling in excess of $10,000
USD (very unlikely), although many do just fine with fake camo and gear.
[edit] Airsoft guns
Main article: Airsoft guns
An example of a gas blowback airsoft pistol, in this case a replica of a
SIG-Sauer P226
An example of a gas blowback airsoft pistol, in this case a replica of a
SIG-Sauer P226
The guns used in airsoft are typically replicas of real firearms, except
that they have a mechanism for pushing out 6-mm or 8-mm diameter
projectiles.An example would be the Classic Army M15A4, which is just a
replica of the M16 assault rifle. Airsoft guns are considered replicas
of real firearms but not all replicas are Airsoft guns; some replicas
don't have a firing mechanism while others, such as the Real Action
Markers, may have a different mechanism and shoot non-Airsoft types of
projectiles.
Airsoft guns are classified according to their operating principle which
can be either: spring–, electric– or gas-powered. An airsoft gun is
selected according to the level of performance (battery life, range,
rate of fire, magazine capacity, size, and weight) or realism the player
requires. Early-generation airsoft guns were mostly "springers."Airsoft
guns with springs are almost never semi-auto and never auto.
Second-generation airsoft guns had gas-powered mechanisms that required
either an internal "Flon" (CFC) gas reservoir or an external a
high-pressure CO2 chamber. AEGs (automatic electric guns,such as an uzi)
are the most commonly produced type now used and have high-capacity
rechargeable batteries to energize plastic or durable metal gearboxes
that compress air for propelling the BBs.
Most airsoft pistols are gas-powered using biodegradable and
environmentally safe "green gas" and produce a realistic blowback recoil
effect when fired. Each pistol magazine contains a small storage gas
cylinder with enough power to propel the 30+ BB projectiles also housed
in the magazine. Thus a player can realistically load, fire, and unload
an airsoft pistol with similar realism as a "real steel" semi-automatic
pistol. A few early-production AEPs (airsoft electric pistols) have been
released but these suffer from weaker BB velocities because of the
difficulty of fitting a small-enough motor in the housing of a pistol,
although the range is sometimes greater than a Gas pistol because fps
can equal drag. AEP's often have a higher ROF or rate of fire than their
gas counterparts.
Most early airsoft guns were often completely made of plastic except for
some internal moving parts. Newer guns, especially those made in China,
have metal barrels, receivers, gearboxes, gun sights, and other external
parts. A typical airsoft gun is noticeably lighter than its "real steel"
counterpart due to the use of aluminum, alloy, and plastic components.
Thus, airsoft guns tend to get scratched, damaged, or broken easily from
rough handling. When fired, most airsoft guns have a weak vibration and
a much softer whirring sound, without any strong recoil, bright muzzle
flash, concussive noise, or smell of burnt propellant as those produced
by real firearms, although there are smoke caps available for airsoft
guns for added realism.
Airsoft guns have three broad classifications depending on their use in
the game which in turn determines the pellets' speed and energy
generated. Airsoft guns are classified accordingly as Low-FPS for CQB
games, High-FPS for normal field games, and Excessive-FPS for
semi-automatic or single-shot sniper guns firing at 600 fps or higher.
Most airsoft guns typically fire 200-450 fps, since they are used
outdoors for most operations, balancing good speed and range with energy
generated.
The Low-FPS guns and pistols are used at shorter ranges (also called
Close Quarter Battle (CQB) and usually of 200 feet or less). CQB
situations include close range confrontations such as "house entry"
where maneuverability is more important than range or power. The airsoft
guns used in these scenarios typically fire less than 360 fps to ensure
safe operation. Some high-powered and well-upgraded airsoft sniper
rifles, some of which are semi-automatic or single-shot bolt-action
designs, can fire 6mm pellets at velocities of about 600 fps.
Most Airsoft players carry one short or long airsoft gun, sometimes with
an airsoft pistol as backup. Carrying additional backup guns is done
during long-duration scenarios that would prevent the player from going
back to the safe zone to replace a defective gun. Each gun would need
its supply of magazines and batteries or gas canisters. Magazines come
in either low-capacity(aka low caps or real caps) (30-80 BB rounds),
medium-capacity(mid caps) (80-160), or high-capacity(aka high caps) (200
to 400+ BB rounds). These magazines are spring loaded; the high-cap
magazines often have a ratchet wheel that can be wound up periodically
to force BBs up the magazine feed chute, but these magazines make a
rattling noise when running or walking. Some airsoft guns have
electric-powered box or drum magazines that hold thousands of rounds of
ammunition(sometimes up to 5000). Also many pistols and rifles have
metal weights on them for a more realistic feel, effect and balance.
[edit] Grenades and launchers
Players can use grenades, grenade launchers,smoke grenades, mines, and
claymores that utilize explosives (pyrotechnics). Most of these "pyro"
devices are powered by a gas. The hand grenades have many faults and
therefore not as popular or common as grenade launchers like the M203
which launches a large number of pellets or foam slug rounds using green
gas. And while most players, if they do at all use grenade launchers,
will simply use an underbarrel launcher such as the M203, some players
purchase heavier support weapons such as replicas of the Heckler & Koch
69 40mm grenade launcher, or a CAW revolving launcher, which can hold up
to 6 40mm gas powered pellet grenades, (the pellet capacity of each
grenade varies by its producer, and specified use, though grenades by
MadBull Airsoft have been known to be able to fire over 200 pellets in a
single shot), and shoot them in a semi-automatic mode. By using the Caw
launcher, support gunners can get off up to 1224 rounds of 6mm
ammunition in about 3 seconds. Mines are not particularly popular
because whilst some mines do fire 6mm pellets in large amounts, similar
to an M203 launcher, others only produce a mushroom cloud when activated
without actually firing any pellets. The airsoft claymore mine are more
expensive in some cases, but popular due to their effectiveness.
Anti-tank weapons exist such as the M-72, but they are not common or
popular due to their weight and greater expense. These are rarely used
in casual play but can be implemented when playing on an official
airsoft field.
[edit] Airsoft projectiles
Main article: Airsoft pellets
6mm plastic BBs.
6mm plastic BBs.
Most airsoft guns fire spherical plastic pellets ranging from 0.12 to
0.88 grams in weight, though the most popular weights for AEGs are
between .20 and .28 grams, depending on the range that the gun is
typically used at. Heavier rounds are typically used for sniping, as
they are more stable in flight and thus, more accurate at long range.
While BBs may be heavier, it is not necessary to have the gun upgraded
to a very high FPS level. The best way to increase the accuracy of a
rifle is to adjust the hop-up to the point of where the bb flies as
straight and as far as possible without curving upwards or downwards at
short distances. The hop-up places a back spin on the BB so as to make
it fly straighter. Pellets are typically 6mm in diameter, though 8mm
varieties exist for specialty weapons. Pellet quality is important, as
malformed pellets could easily damage the barrel of the airsoft weapon
and/or the hop up system.
Paintball pellets are also available for airsoft guns, but are unpopular
due to the incompatibility with hop up systems, as well as the potential
damage they could cause if a pellet were to burst inside the gun, and it
does frequently happen. While airsoft pellets are often called BBs, the
BB gun is so named because it originally fired BB-sized shotgun shot or
metric ball bearings of .177 caliber (steel BBs are actually between
.172 and .173 inches (4.5 mm) in diameter). The price of low grade
pellets range from $3.50, for a container of about 5000, to around $10
USD, for a large tub of about 10,000. Higher grade pellets can cost as
much as $10 USD for 2000 BBs. Most middle to high grade pellets come
slightly lubricated with a silicone spray.[citation needed]
[edit] Clothing
See also: Military camouflage
Most players typically wear military battle-dress uniforms known as BDUs
consisting of separate pants and shirts or jackets when playing, because
it – just as with real soldiers – aids concealment from adversaries.
Some players will go as far as to use a ghillie suit, which breaks up
the human outline by having sticks, leafs, and items like that in the
fabric/netting.
The choice of camouflage pattern of the BDUs is normally determined by
suitability to the playing area, but sometimes simply local
availability. These fall into general categories such a forest
(greenish), desert (tan), winter (gray-white), and urban (black or
civilian-wear). Aside from the advantage of camouflage, some
participants aim to faithfully replicate a specific combat unit
(particularly in games such as MilSim). Also common, especially among
the new and non-regular players, are the so-called "contractor style"
which combine civilian or tribal costume with single-item or mismatched
military gear and attire.
Typically, military surplus stores are a good source for such items. In
the U.S. the most common pattern is "Woodland" camouflage pattern, but
recently MARPAT (recently adopted by the United States Marine Corps) and
ACU (adopted in 2006 by the United States Army), and CADPAT (Canadian
Armed Forces) have also become popular choices in North America, but
most European camouflage patterns are suitable with Flecktarn (Germany)
being a popular alternative, or even strictly commercial patterns such
as Multicam or Real-Tree.
Similarly in Europe, local military uniforms are more readily available
and probably more suitable to local conditions. Popular patterns include
the German Flecktarn, British DPM or Swiss alpenflage.
In the Philippines, civilian airsofters are forced to wear mismatched,
commercial, or foreign military battle-dress uniforms (BDUs) because
government regulations forbid non-military or non-police personnel from
wearing official government uniforms. It has become fashionably popular
among civilians and airsoft players to wear either the upper garment or
the pants alone (but not together), even in ordinary social gatherings.
This eases the need to avoid wearing full military uniform in public
when traveling to and from airsoft gaming venues.
Aside from concealment, airsoft players need to protect themselves from
the hazards of the sporting activity such as BB hits, terrain
difficulties, and physical injury from accidents. Military BDUs thus
provide the requisite padding and protection against skin injuries. When
not wearing full paintball-type face masks, many players wear neck armor
and military-style helmets, such as the Kevlar MICH 2000 or PASGT
helmet. Furthermore, players need to wear the proper field footwear such
as combat or hiking boots (not just ordinary athletic shoes) in order to
safely and quickly travel on foot in harsh terrain. They also wear
padded gloves, elbow pads, kneepads, and protective vests for additional
protection.
Some people do not wear special gear, but dress in casual clothes,
sometimes rules actually limit the player's clothes selection (e.g. no
jackets, or no baggy jeans). These rules make the player more vulnerable
so they actually try not to get hit or use obstacles like in real life.
These players usually do not use guns over 450 fps (feet per second),
because at ranges between 10-100 feet, they really hurt!
[edit] Tactical gear
Players wear tactical clothing and accessories not only for the added
realism, but to fulfill the practical needs similar to that of a real
soldier. One such example is the ability to carry spare magazines,
batteries, propellant gas canisters, water, food, or other equipment in
specified vests. The most common are holsters, load bearing vests, and
modular rigs such as MOLLE, ALICE, and the British PLCE systems. Some
players even wear hydration systems, such as those manufactured by
Camelbak.
Gun bags or gun cases that can be padlocked allow airsoft guns to be
transported in private or even public vehicles without the risk of
damage or careless access by non-owners. Airsoft guns need to be carried
discreetly and away from the public eye and it is usually impractical to
bring the guns in the original boxes. These gun cases usually have extra
padding and multiple compartments to stow the gun parts, accessories,
batteries, and ammunition in an organized manner.
[edit] Pyrotechnics
Some airsoft sites allow the use of pyrotechnics, which are small
explosive-driven replicas of ordnance such as grenades. Unfortunately,
homemade devices of this sort are often unsafe and can lead to serious
injury. There are several types of pyrotechnics: pellet grenades which
fire out pellets to replicate the shrapnel of a fragmentation grenade;
smoke grenades which provide cover to move and fire from behind; and
flashbangs/thunderflashes which emit a very bright flash of light (often
accompanied by loud sound) for the purpose of disorientating and
temporarily blinding/deafening the target.
The latest Airsoft grenades have much improved since their first
introduction, TLSFX UK and Spectrum Pyrotechnics have done pioneering
work in the development of much tougher grenades using rocket star burst
shell cases, allowing them to be thrown much farther, ring pull fuses,
and filling grenades with dry peas instead of paint balls or pellets,
making them mostly biodegradable. The ring pull allows German stick type
grenades for re-enacters and adds to the realism of ball grenades.
Some players also create homemade pellet grenades with the use of
fireworks and pellets enclosed in a casing, such as 35mm film canisters.
Such items are often frowned upon, however, as they could be harmful to
other players or the playing environment due to the plastic and shrapnel
often used.
Smoke grenades have also been improved with cool burning and much less
toxic smoke. Use of old naval rescue smokes should be avoided, as the
smoke used was never designed for possible inhalation.
[edit] Other equipment
A large amount of equipment exists for real world soldiers (who also
sometimes use such equipment for training) which is also usable in
airsoft games held by private citizens. Military surplus stores can
provide many items currently issued to the player's country. Some common
examples are scopes, flashlights, picatinny rails, holsters, and
silencers.
Equipment is generally for increasing combat efficiency, but can be used
to provide enhanced realism. However, bringing or carrying any sharp
pointed or bladed weapons into the playing area is discouraged or
proscribed by game site organizers unless such gear are authorized for a
particular training scenario or for added safety in a hazardous
environment.
[edit] See also