Airsoft

For the guns used in the activity, see Airsoft gun.

Four airsoft players fire at an objective.

Airsoft is a sport which uses replica firearms to shoot small diameter plastic pellets. Common uses for airsoft are competitive gaming (similar to paintball), military simulations, target shooting, military training, and recreation. While similar in operation to BB guns, airsoft guns use lightweight (usually) plastic projectiles (BBs) 6mm (or 8mm) in diameter instead of metallic 4,5mm BBs. Airsoft guns also typically have a muzzle velocity of less than 180 m/s (600 ft/s), compared to a BB gun which may have a muzzle velocity of 365 m/s (1200 ft/s) or more. The combination of the lighter BB projectile, with greater surface area and the reduced muzzle velocity means that airsoft is generally considered safe when used in a controlled environment and with safety equipment like protective eyewear.

Airsoft games vary greatly in style and composition depending on location, budget, and the quantity of participants. However, they often range from short-term skirmishes and organized scenarios to military simulations and historical reenactments. Gaming with combat situations on a mock battlefield mainly involve the use of common military tactics to achieve the set objectives. Participants typically use varying types of airsoft weaponry along with either real or replica military gear and uniforms.

History

Airsoft was designed in Japan in the 1970s and marketed in the United States in the 1980s by a major BB gun manufacturer. Airsoft was conceptualized as a new approach in BB gun application as opposed to the common air gun that was designed for hunting, the airsoft gun was created with a purely recreational application in mind.

Ballistics and speed

Further information: Airsoft pellets § Pellet ballistics, and Airsoft pellet ballistics

Airsoft player shooting from behind cover wearing goggles that fully seal the area around the eyes and a Balaclava to protect the face.

Kinetic energy is the energy that is in the pellet while it moves, and it is transferred to its target upon impact. One joule of energy will be transferred by a 0.20 g BB traveling at 100 metres per second (330 ft/s). A typical set of limits on guns might be 100 m/s (330 ft/s) for CQB, 125 m/s (410 ft/s) for outdoors, and 175 m/s (570 ft/s) for bolt action sniper rifles, all measured with a 0.20 g BB. The amount of kinetic energy depends on the weight of the BB and how fast the gun can propel it. Certain places play "no velocity limit" games. In California the average limit for CQB is 350 and below. On most fields in America the limit for AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) guns is usually in the 400 ft/s range. For snipers the range can be anywhere from 400 to 550 ft/s. Guns have these high velocities to go farther at a much more accurate rate, but fire rate is compromised unless a smaller spring is added (preferably 110%). Furthermore, the lower velocity means that the BB will glide more, which is a good thing for indoor skirmishes, but outside the wind usually catches hold of it and spirals it out of its course.

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Italy, the energy limit for Airsoft guns is one joule (100 m/s with a 0.20 g, 6 mm BB) regardless of the type of game play. Some UK sites allow semi-automatic-only weapons up to 400FPS and bolt action rifles up to 500FPS. Northern Ireland has a maximum velocity of 328FPS with 0.2 gram BB without regard to the type of weapon.

Most Airsoft guns are capable of shooting from 50 m/s (160 ft/s) to 125 m/s (410 ft/s), although it is also possible to purchase upgraded internals for some Airsoft guns that will enable up to 210 m/s (690 ft/s) projectile velocities.

Most airsoft guns now incorporate a system known as hop-up wherein chamber units apply friction to the uppermost surface of a BB, which puts a backspin on the BB to generate lift and give it a greater effective range. The range of any Airsoft gun depends on both the muzzle velocity and the amount of hop applied. Airsoft guns can have a range of 75 metres (246 ft) or more with the right combination of power, barrel, and ammunition when combined with a good hop-up unit. A good hop-up unit can sometimes double the range. Hop up does decrease the velocity of the projectile (a gun firing 340fps with the hop fully unwound can drop as low as 300fps with the hop up set in accordance to maximized straight shooting & maximum range even in a well set up weapon).

Safety

Main article: Toy and sport gun safety

Eye and face protection

Players in the 'safe zone' between games.

The minimum safe level of gear required to participate in most games includes a pair of impact-rated goggles or shooting glasses to protect participants' eyes. If shot from at least ten feet away, there will be no damage to other body parts. Traditional prescription glasses and sunglasses, or goggles not designed specifically for use with airsoft or paintball guns, may break or shatter upon being struck causing damage to the eye.

Full-face masks (similar to, and often including paintball masks) are considered the safest form of eye-protection since they cover the rest of the face, protecting vulnerable parts such as teeth. Some airsoft masks are made with mesh screens, although there is debate that fragments from lower quality or bio-degradable BBs may pass through the mesh and enter the eye. However, there have been no recorded incidents of such an occurrence. Masks with mesh screens are often preferred by players who wear prescription eyeglasses as they increase ventilation and reduce the amount of condensation on the lenses, while the lenses provide additional protection against possible fragments that might penetrate the mesh.

While masks offer superior protection, they can interfere with the use of scopes, and in cheaper masks, condensation inside the goggles can reduce visibility. During very hot days the masks can also cause the player to overheat more quickly due to the lack of air circulation. Some players have mounted small battery-powered fans (designed for computer circuit boards) on the masks to improve ventilation and reduce or avoid condensation, but the interfering noise and vibration could be detrimental to their situational awareness.

Community safety precautions

Airsoft replica of a H&K G36C. Note that this replica is not in use on a field, and therefore has the magazine removed, the chamber cleared, and has a barrel bag placed over the muzzle.

Rules such as a maximum BB velocity and engagement distance guidelines are used by different groups. Some organizations have created common safety rules and guidelines.

When not actively playing, some fields require "barrel bags", also known as barrel stoppers, to be placed over the muzzle of the gun. The magazine is usually removed as well, and the gun fired to clear the chamber. Most fields also require players to leave their guns set to the safety position when they are not shooting, a practice common when using real firearms. In certain countries, such as the Philippines, additional special rules have been adopted.

All "real steel" firearms are banned at any airsoft battlefield to prevent harmful accidents or confusion between real and simulated weapons. In some cases, for example Milsim games, players are allowed to carry knives for use as a tool rather than a weapon. A similar limit applies to training blades, which are allowed at some airsoft fields but under strict usage rules. Players are expected to be discreet in transporting their gear and uniforms so as not to alarm the public or police. Pyrotechnic devices may be allowed, but are rarely employed because of the added danger. When they are allowed, there are usually legal limits on the effect of the device (e.g. amount of smoke, volume of sound, or brightness of flash).

Legal restrictions

Main article: Legal issues in airsoft

Classic Army M15A4 Automatic Electric Gun.

Airsoft guns and playing airsoft is legal in most parts of the world. Some countries have specific restrictions, such as maximum muzzle velocity and "unrealistic" coloring to distinguish them from actual firearms. They are legal throughout the U.S, but restrictions do exist in certain cities such as Camden; Newark, NJ; Chicago, IL; and Detroit, MI. The states of New Jersey and Michigan, however, do not allow airsoft guns to be used or handled publicly because of the resemblance to real firearms. They may be used on private property with the consent of the owner. The Customs and Border Protection FAQ page states that Airsoft guns are not considered toys and do not require orange tips for importation.

In the United Kingdom, airsoft replicas are classified as realistic imitation firearms or RIFs. 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 Violent Criminal Reduction Act. Airsoft skirmishing has been granted a specific defense against the requirements of the act, and a skirmisher as defined under British law is allowed to purchase, manufacture, and import airsoft replicas. The accepted method of proving entitlement to the defense is to be a member of a site that holds public liability insurance. An association set up by UK retailers, called the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association (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. It is also possible to purchase Airsoft replicas if you are a member of an insured reenactment society or are in the film or TV industry. The right to buy a RIF is still reserved for individuals age 18 and over.

Many retailers are part of the UKARA scheme and will only sell to players who are registered to a skirmish site that fulfills the desired requirements for the VCRA Defense. A player will be "registered" with UKARA, as only a retailer can become a member. Retailers must renew their membership annually. The Association has a database of registered players from approved airsoft sites that is updated on a regular basis by the sites themselves. Retailers who are members of UKARA have access to the database and can check for proof of eligibility for purchasing using the player's site membership number before selling any RIFs to private individuals.

Other schemes have been attempted to allow Airsoft players to comply with the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, but none have been successfully implemented. Also, the use or possession of any kind of replica weapon—loaded or otherwise—in a public place without valid reason is an offense under UK law and can carry heavy penalties.

As an alternative to RIF's, IF's (Imitation Firearms, including 'two tones') are available. These are RIF's which have been painted a bright color (excluding white/silver/gold) over 51% of the item. No specific defense is required for purchase of IF's; however, they are strongly discouraged and sometimes banned from skirmishes because some players feel that they undermine the requirement for a specific skirmisher's defense. IF's exist primarily to enable non-skirmish retailers to sell imitations to the general public.

Orange-tipped airsoft gun muzzles

American federal laws require minimum 6 mm (0.24 in) orange tips to be present on all "toy guns" (including airsoft replicas) while being transported within or imported into the United States. These brightly colored tips show the difference between real and replica firearms, which helps to ensure safety. However, when playing on a private field, no orange tip is needed. In strict technicality, the Federal regulations do not specifically require the owner to keep the muzzle painted after acquiring their airsoft gun. Many players choose to keep the tip, whether for safety or another reason, and some switch their orange-painted flash hiders with more realistic ones shortly before playing while at the field's staging area.

Airsoft guns

Main article: Airsoft gun

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 imitation firearms. They have a mechanism for pushing out projectiles 6 mm or 8 mm in diameter.

Airsoft guns are classified according to their operating principle, which can be spring, electric, or gas-powered. Some companies produce full replicas of counterpart grenade launchers which fire a projectile spray of 6mm pellets by use of a high-powered spring mechanism or a form of compressed gas propellant(i.e Green gas, Propane, or Co2). These grenade launchers can be mounted onto specific types of airsoft guns or used by themselves. Most early airsoft guns were made entirely out of ABS plastic except for some internal moving parts.

An airsoft gun made by Celcius Technology (Hong Kong). This Training Weapon model is a replica of the M4A1 and has also installed a G&P Trijicon ACOG scope replica.

Newer guns, especially those made in Taiwan and China, have metal internal and external parts. Japan has specific rules about producing airsoft with metal parts. A typical airsoft gun is noticeably lighter than its "real steel" counterpart due to the use of aluminum, alloy, and plastic, though some have weights in them for a more realistic feel. Smoke caps are available for certain airsoft guns to add realism.

Gas hand gun magazines usually contain 10 to 20 BBs in a standard capacity magazine; however, some are high capacity magazines which have a winder and can hold 50 rounds or more. In the case of AEG rifles, magazines come in either real-capacity (equivalent to the capacity of its real steel counterpart), low-capacity (low caps: 30-80 BBs), mid-capacity (mid caps: 80-150 BBs), or high-capacity (high caps: 200+ BBs). These magazines are spring loaded. The high-cap magazines often have a ratchet wheel that can be wound up periodically to force BBs up from the holding chamber of the magazine to the feed chute. Due to loose BBs in the reservoir, they often make a rattling noise when running or walking. Some airsoft guns have an electric-powered box or drum magazine that holds thousands of BBs.

Hop-Up

The "Hop-Up" system, which is installed in most stock airsoft rifles and pistols, is used to add extra range to the pellets by putting a backspin on each as it is fired. A small rubber nub protrudes into the top of the barrel through a small hole, and it catches the top of the BB as it flies past. Adjusting the Hop-Up makes the nub protrude lower or higher into the barrel, so that backspin is increased or reduced. Ideally, the Hop-Up should be adjusted so that the pellets fly as far as possible in a straight line. The Hop-Up adjustment is usually relatively easy to access so that players can adjust it during play. On the majority of airsoft guns, it is located underneath the in-built bolt cover, but sometimes it is only accessible by using an Allen key.

Airsoft projectiles

Main article: Airsoft pellets

6 mm plastic BBs (0.12 g). A sample of inexpensive BBs.

Most airsoft guns fire spherical plastic pellets ranging from 0.12 plastic to 0.88 grams of aluminum or other light metal in weight. However, the most popular weights for AEG's (automatic electric gun) are between .20 and .28 grams. Heavier rounds (.30-.48 grams) are typically used for long range and sniper use since they are more stable in flight and less easily deflected by wind. They are usually bought in bags or bottles of 2,000 to 5,000, but other sizes are available, such as a 250,000 round of tournament grade pellets. Pellets are typically 6 mm in diameter, though 8 mm pellets do exist. These pellets are available in the .12 to .45 gram range. Pellets are used for the majority of play, although foam balls may be used to represent M203 rifle-grenade shells.

Clothing

See also: Military camouflage

Most players, especially those participating in MilSims, wear military clothing consisting of various forms of camouflage. Some players, usually snipers or marksmen, will even wear a ghillie suit to break up the human outline by having sticks, leaves, and similar items in the fabric or netting as well as its own camouflage leafing material all over it. Aside from the advantage of camouflage, some participants aim to faithfully replicate a specific combat unit such as the SAS, Spetsnaz, or police.

In some countries, such as the Philippines, airsoft players are not legally allowed to wear official uniforms. In Sweden, for example, it is illegal to wear both rank insignia and Swedish flags on civilian uniforms. It has become popular among Swedish civilians and airsoft players to wear only the upper garment or the trousers, but not both.

When not wearing full paintball-type face masks, many players wear protective clothing around their head such as a balaclava, scarves or Shemaghs, or military-style helmets. Other players will cut off half of their face masks to allow them to aim down the sights of their weapons more easily because the mask gets in the way. Players generally wear combat or hiking boots (not just ordinary athletic shoes) for safety in harsh terrain. They also wear padded gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and tactical vests for additional protection and realism, in addition to practical reasons such as carrying equipment and ammunition. Airsoft teams will often use custom patches or hats to identify members of the team that they are on.

Tactical Equipment

Players wear tactical clothing and accessories for added realism and practical needs similar to those of a real soldier. The most common are holsters for side arms, load bearing vests, and modular rigs. Many players also use a hydration system. Equipment for real world soldiers is also often used in airsoft games, such as reflex sights, red-dot scopes, flashlights, Picatinny rails, Weaver rails, and mock sound suppressors. Many Mil-Sim players choose to wear real equipment, and, in some cases, real ballistic protective armor. This can raise the price of the game considerably.

Camouflage is an integral part of airsoft. Ghillie suits and face paint are sometimes worn, but many people choose not to wear ghilles suits due to the weight of such apparel. Many games are also organized or limited by a camouflage type.

See also

• Airsoft guns
• Airsoft pellets
• Air gun
• Classic airsoft
• Lasertag
• Legal issues in airsoft
• UK Airsoft Wiki