What is Airsoft?

[Deva]

The Guns

 

Airsoft guns are full size 1:1 scale replicas of real world firearms. They shoot small plastic balls, 6mm in diameter with approximately 1 Joule of energy. This energy level is very low when compared to most other shooting genres and is a safe energy for use with both paper and human targets.

 

These replicas are commonly made entirely from plastic with only a few metal parts inside to increase the reliability and durability of moving parts. Construction quality varies wildly from model to model, as does the use of materials.

 

Airsoft guns can be powered by electricity (from a battery pack inside the gun), by spring (the user manually compresses the spring before each shot) or using an expanding gas (refrigerant gas is commonly used from a reservoir either inside or outside the gun).

 

The only thing airsoft replicas have in common with real firearms is their external size and shape. Inside, these models have totally different workings to the internal mechanism of a firearm, and the materials used for construction could not possibly withstand the explosive forces of a bullet that real weapons are designed to take.

 

The Game

 

Similar in essence to paintball, two or more teams are pitched against each other in different scenarios. Originally designed to simulate a war zone with more realism than can be achieved with paintball, these games are played on privately owned and insured sites dotted around the country. Normal Airsoft replicas are used and strict safety limits are imposed in order to make sure that everyone has fun and no one gets injured.

 

A days play will usually cost you about £15 to £25, or possibly more if you choose to hire a weapon. This normally includes all games during the day and hire of eye & face protection. Some sites will even provide lunch. Airsoft Skirmishing is generally far cheaper than paintball.

 

Airsoft games can have many scenarios and there are plenty of favourites. "Capture the flag", "hostage rescue" and "last man standing" are popular paintball games that have been adapted for airsoft.

 

To play airsoft, you must be wearing the correct protective clothing. As with many other sports you're only safe if you are properly dressed. After all, you wouldn't expect to see Lewis Hamilton getting in to his racing car wearing his favourite t-shirt and no helmet! An Airsoft BB hit on bare skin will leave a small mark on the surface of the skin that will look and feel like a bee-sting. The more powerful the airsoft gun, the more it will hurt if you get hit, but with site energy limits in the UK being largely 1 Joule, there is no possibility of a BB causing a penetrative injury. With this in mind, airsofters wear eye & face protection, sturdy boots and tough clothing. For extra protection gloves and a scarf can be worn to give cover for your hands, neck and ears.

 

For more information and guides please go to the guides forum here:

http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/?showforum=7