Airsoft guns are airsoft replica weapons used in airsoft sport. They’re a unique class of low-powered, high-powered, plastic airsoft guns, designed specifically to fire rubber, metal, or biodegradable plastic pellets (also sometimes called “Bucks”), that are often made from plastic or metal and often come in black. Airsoft guns don’t use live ammunition like real guns do, instead they use plastic BBs or plastic pellets that lock together using compressed air to form a hard, densely-plastic round. The pellets are generally small in size, but can vary in length; some airsoft guns are even semi-automatic or fully automatic, depending on the model. They’re firing at high velocities using electric or gas powered spring air, and although most airsoft guns fire at a velocity exceeding one mile per second, some airsoft guns can fire at up to two miles per second.
An airsoft gun is different from a “real” BB gun in a couple of ways. First, airsoft guns don’t have the metal powder coatings found in regular BB guns. Instead, the pellets are simply plastic BBs, and the operation occurs via a rubber or plastic BB system that is inserted into the bottom of the airsoft gun’s magazine. These systems are extremely durable, with few if any moving parts, and are designed specifically for ease of use. However, they are insufficient to provide the high velocities achieved with many airsoft guns. In this case, airsoft guns either use spring air, or energy compressed in by a spring inside the gun.
Today’s modern airsoft guns employ both of these types of systems. Spring airsoft guns tend to be more popular because they are easier to use. Because of this, they are usually used for paintball and airsoft ghillie wars. These guns use air pressure to propel BBs down the barrel at very high velocities and can reach speeds of over three miles per second. Paintball players can choose between electric, spring, and bb powered systems; whichever one they prefer.
The weight of an airsoft gun can vary widely, even between models. Some are made with a pistol grip, while others are designed as a more traditional semi-automatic model. Many newer models are double the weight of standard airsoft guns. This has been attributed to increased durability and other improvements on newer airsoft guns.
The pellets fired from airsoft guns, will travel much farther than traditional BBs. In addition, airsoft guns utilize low velocity plastic BBs that utilize a lower muzzle velocity than by guns. Low velocity plastic BBs (also called mini bus) weigh about a quarter of a penny each, while high velocity plastic BBs weigh about a centimeter each. Airsoft pistols utilize low velocity airsoft BBs in their electric versions, while low velocity bbs are used in the standard spring airsoft guns.
Aside from the obvious differences in size and power levels, there are other differences between airsoft guns in both play and appearance. Airsoft pistols are typically smaller than a standard airsoft gun and can be compared to a pistol model of any type. Paintball masks, on the other hand, resemble real masks worn by police officers. These accessories are needed not only for personal safety on the paintball field, but are also a good form of camouflage for those players who prefer to go through the woods or other environments without being heavily visible.
Another big difference between real guns and airsoft guns is how much they cost. Paintball gear can be bought and used once; unlike with real guns, they must be re-used. As airsoft guns have no moving parts, it is far easier to repair them or even replace them if they malfunction. Some guns, such as the spring airsoft pistols, have an easy-to-fix mechanism that can be reused as many times as necessary. The ammunition, on the other hand, is very expensive and must be replenished from one’s own supply, much like with real guns.
For experienced players who wish to engage in target shooting, airsoft guns provide an excellent option. Real guns must be carefully handled in order to prevent them from malfunctioning. Paintball equipment requires the same degree of handling, but much less so than airsoft guns do.
