What is airsoft?

A Beginner's Guide to the Sport and Equipment

What is airsoft? Airsoft originated in Japan during the 1970s in response to strict firearm laws. Airsoft is a recreational shooting sport that simulates military and law enforcement scenarios using replica firearms (airsoft guns) that shoot plastic BBs. It is a fun and thrilling way to experience the adrenaline and excitement of combat scenarios without the risk of real bullets. Airsoft is a popular hobby enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. In this article, we will delve into the world of airsoft and provide you with all the information you need to get started.

Is it safe to play airsoft?

Yes! Airsoft is safe if you wear the proper protective gear so as not to injure yourself in areas such as the eyes, mouth, teeth, nose, head, and other areas you want to protect. Remember that eye protection is mandatory to play at an airsoft field/site, and at many airsoft fields players must wear goggles or properly rated shooting glasses because an airsoft BB can blind you if shot in the eye. Face protection is mandatory for under-18s as well, and eye protection; for over-18s, face protection isn't mandatory, but it is recommended so a tooth doesn't get chipped. But don't let this detour you! Airsoft is a great experience when you're safe and protected on legal private-property sites with clear rules and safe distances. For more info, read these airsoft safety tips

Are airsoft guns illegal?

Airsoft guns are very legal. There are exceptions to this, however. For one, black real imitation firearm or RIF, unless you have a valid defence/ukara licence, you can buy them and it's legal to have them. If you don't have a valid defence, then the sale of RIFs is illegal, but actually using them is not illegal as long as there is an adult present. These replicas are classed as realistic imitation firearms, and many players get that defence through regular games at a registered skirmish site. RIFs need to be concealed when transporting them to an airsoft game. Airsoft guns should not be shown to the public eye outside an airsoft site, your own home, or an airsoft shop. The reason for this is that airsoft guns tend to look exactly like the guns they are trying to replicate, and even an orange tip does not mean they will be treated casually in public. Therefore, airsoft guns can easily be mistaken for real guns, and you can get easily arrested for showing the public eye a RIF. In an airsoft-safe environment, however, this is completely acceptable, and we encourage you to show off your guns and be proud of what you have, no matter what the gun is. Airsoft guns also should not be shot at the public as they can blind and/or hurt someone, and this is very dangerous; therefore, to stay out of trouble with the law, keep your RIFs and/or two-tone weapons hidden away in a safe place until your next airsoft game or garden target shooting. Another point is for two-tone weapons. If an airsoft gun is "two-tone," this means that 50% of the gun's appearance is in a bright colour, which makes the gun an unrealistic imitation firearm; therefore, it can be bought by a person(s) without a valid defence. This does not mean that they should be shown to the public eye; however, you should still keep your guns concealed in a safe location in your household until you're ready to use them in an appropriate environment. Airsoft shops will usually follow these rules closely, and the airsoft community is also useful for checking current guidance before you buy.

For more info, check out this artical about airsoft guns and the law

What is the point of airsoft?

The point of airsoft is to reenact a military simulation for people who want that type of experience, and the minimum age to buy an airsoft gun is 18. Airsoft is also for fun and to be shot. This gives a thrill to the person playing and to have with family and friends. Airsoft is a fun and social airsoft hobby to be played with family and friends alike. There is also airsoft skirmishing, a whole day where people play a series of game modes played by a group of players and different teams. These teams shoot at each other and try to complete a series of objectives based on what the airsoft site marshals dictate/choose.

If you want to buy realistic imitation firearms, regular skirmish site attendance is commonly used as part of a valid defence route. New players often learn these requirements through the airsoft community. Airsoft shops can explain the buying process and, in some jurisdictions, airsoft guns must have an orange tip to identify them as replicas.

What is an airsoft gun used for?

What different uses can someone buy airsoft guns for?

Airsoft gun/bb gun/airsoft gun can be used for cosplay purposes; for example, maybe you want to play as your favourite video game character, you want to play your favourite character from a movie or tv show or you want to play as a specific military faction such as a marine or a corporal in the army or a specific operative. It is also an airsoft hobby built around teamwork, fun, and the wider airsoft community, not just reenactment. For clothing and loadout pieces, many players start with affordable kit from an army surplus store.

Airsoft guns/BB guns/airsoft guns are also used for skirmishing. Skirmishing is basically playing a series of matches against other players throughout a variety of objective-based game modes. Most sites let new players rent equipment, which makes trying it easier. Skirmishing is intended to be played with friends and family and with the intent of getting shot and shooting somebody to give fun and a thrill. It also relies on an honor system, so players are expected to acknowledge when they have been hit and call themselves out to support sportsmanship.

Airsoft guns/bb gun/airsoft gun can also scare off pests. Now, as an airsoft company, we do advise and do not by any means condone the harm of animals, as it is cruel; however, guns like blank-firing firearms can scare off pests and do not fire a projectile at them; therefore, no harm is being projected onto the animal.

Some airsoft guns/bb guns/airsoft guns are for collectors. There are some airsoft replicas that look extremely similar to some historic weapons, i.e: Kar98k, Lee Enfield bolt action, Sten gun, flintlock pistol, M3 Grease Gun and more, and many are designed to resemble actual firearms. People like to collect these because the real thing is either unobtainable or really expensive; airsoft replicas are not only less expensive than the real thing but also safer, so people who like to collect might drive towards airsoft replicas instead.

Airsoft guns/bb guns/airsoft guns can also be used for reenactment purposes too, for instance gas guns/or gas powered guns, including gas pistols. gas guns/gas powered gun give off a realistic blowback feature in a sense simulating "recoil" and functions the replica just like the real firearm. This is one reason some players prefer them to pellet guns for display or role-focused events. Unlike paintball, that style of play is often chosen for immersion as much as impact. Other guns like spring airsoft guns or electric airsoft guns aren't as good for reenactment purposes because spring airsoft guns don't have a blowback feature and electric airsoft guns can have a blowback feature, but it makes a sound every time it is fired, so gas-powered guns are perfect for reenactment purposes. A paintball marker fires frangible rounds, while airsoft replicas are generally lighter and more precise in feel. Compared with paintball markers, airsoft replicas also tend to run at lower energy levels.

How does the game of airsoft work?

A game of airsoft can range from a number of different objective-based game modes. For instance, capture the flag, where two teams have a flag and the opposing teams have to capture each others flags in order to score points, domination where two teams have to capture certain point of the map to win, team deathmatch where two teams got at each other and have one life and the team with the most people left wins or when a team loses all their players that team loses. But an airsoft game can be creative as well, and some airsoft sites craft their own game modes to surprise the players and give them something brand new to try and play. Airsoft games can take place in various environments, including woodlands and urban settings, with many players using dedicated airsoft fields or private land with permission, especially when varied terrain makes games more interesting, and a registered skirmish site can also matter for regular play and legal purchases in the UK.

In airsoft, you can get shot, which is called a "hit" or getting hit. What happens if you get hit? Well, effectively you're "dead" in the game; therefore, you put your hand up, shout "hit!" nice and loud, and walk over to a respawn point or where dead players stand until next round. Unlike paintball markers, airsoft BBs do not usually leave visible marks on impact, so calling hits honestly is a key part of the game. Obviously, other airsoft sites do have different rules about getting hit and/or being dead, but most sites are fairly similar in terms of being "hit".

What is an Airsoft gun and what do they shoot?

There are different types of airsoft replica weapons, i.e: Electric airsoft guns, green gas powered guns, spring airsoft guns, C02 powered airsoft guns and HPA airsoft guns/compressed gas guns/ compressed air airsoft guns. All these different types of systems have their own benefits and downsides, but they all fire the same ammunition as plastic projectiles.

Airsoft Guns Ammo

All airsoft guns fire the same ammunition, which are plastic BB pellets that are normally 6mm in diameter.

These plastic BBs range in different weights and are extremely available for purchase. Loads of companies make them, and they can be bought from loads of online marketplaces, including our airsoft shop and also many other websites. BBs come in both regular plastic and biodegradable plastics; loads of airsoft sites allow regular BBs, but some only allow BIOs. BBs also come in loads of different quantities, ranging from 100-round bags or 10,000-round bottles/bags to suit your ammunition needs. The muzzle velocity of a BB fired is one of the main safety checks at sites.

Gas-powered airsoft guns

Gas-powered guns tend to have a blowback feature that simulates "recoil" and adds realism. Some Gas guns are not blowback. Gas blowback guns, or GBBs, are fun but more expensive to buy. Gas pistols are usually the most cost-effective GBBs; however, assault rifle platforms, Sniper rifles, Submachine guns, DMRs/designated marksman rifles, and grenade launchers are on the more expensive side of airsoft but are fun and worth the money nonetheless.

Electric airsoft guns (AEG's)

Automatic electric guns are the most popular choice in the airsoft world. Automatic electric guns/AEGs are inexpensive and are a fantastic option to start your airsoft journey, and are the best to start playing airsoft and shooting every airsoft bbs you throw at them. Inside, an electric motor drives the gearbox, which helps determine the rate of fire as well as the overall feel. AEGs are super customisable and very versatile, so a lot of that comes down to personal preference. There are also AEPs, or automatic electric pistols, and they are very good to start with as a sidearm. And they are fun for garden plinking also. An automatic electric gun is definitely the best way to start airsoft and/or build your loadout.

Spring-powered Airsoft guns

Spring airsoft guns are perfect for target practice or garden plinking. A spring airsoft gun is manually cocked before each shot, and with each trigger pull it releases the stored spring power consistently. These can look like a real gun, but they don't perform as such; these are more toys than airsoft guns. However, airsoft guns such as Sniper rifles and shotguns operate much like real guns. These airsoft guns are widely used in airsoft games and are very good when bought from reputable companies. These airsoft guns, including spring guns and bolt action rifles, excel in airsoft games and can outperform some AEGs and GBBs. An airsoft sniper can be relatively cheap to buy, but a good airsoft sniper will cost similar to an AEG and, in some cases, a GBB too.

HPA Airsoft guns

HPA/compressed air airsoft guns/compressed gas guns are the most expensive option in the airsoft world and can out perform every airsoft gun type i have mentioned on here. These are not recommended for new players and are only recommended for experienced/advanced airsoft players. This type of airsoft gun doesn't take your standard green gas but instead runs on high-pressure air, which is held in a large tank that some airsoft players put in a bag due to the size and mass of the tank. HPA is very expensive, with some kits costing over £1,000. However, they are a ton of fun, so if you have the budget for this type of airsoft gun and you have the experience, then go for it; you will not be disappointed!

How powerful do airsoft guns shoot?

Airsoft game sites set FPS (feet per second) limits to keep players safe and reduce the risk of injury. Airsoft guns are normally limited to 1.14 joules for guns firing on full auto. Guns are normally tested using 0.20-gram BBs before a game begins. At many UK sites, standard assault rifles, submachine guns and pistols are limited to around 330–350 FPS. Fully automatic guns usually have lower limits because they can fire many BBs very quickly. Players must always follow the limit set by the individual site, as the rules can vary.

More powerful airsoft guns, such as designated marksman rifles and bolt-action sniper rifles, can shoot much harder. DMRs are often limited to approximately 400–450 FPS, while bolt-action sniper rifles may be allowed to fire at around 450–500 FPS. These guns normally have a minimum engagement distance, meaning they cannot be fired at players who are too close. Some upgraded airsoft guns can exceed 500 FPS, but they are usually not allowed at normal game sites because they can cause serious injury.Guns are normally tested using 0.20-gram BBs before a game begins. At many UK sites, standard assault rifles, submachine guns and pistols are limited to around 330–350 FPS. Fully automatic guns usually have lower limits because they can fire many BBs very quickly. Players must always follow the limit set by the individual site, as the rules can vary.

More powerful airsoft guns, such as designated marksman rifles and bolt-action sniper rifles, can shoot much harder. DMRs are often limited to approximately 400–450 FPS, while bolt-action sniper rifles may be allowed to fire at around 450–500 FPS. These guns normally have a minimum engagement distance, meaning they cannot be fired at players who are too close. Some upgraded airsoft guns can exceed 500 FPS, but they are usually not allowed at normal game sites because they can cause serious injury.

For more info, see this article: What does FPS mean in airsoft?