New to airsoft and want to learn everything there is to know about airsoft guns? Well, then you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we will discuss what airsoft guns are, what they are used for, how they work, and how you can choose the right one for you.
We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about airsoft guns. Keep reading to learn more!
What’s an Airsoft Gun?
So what is an airsoft gun? In short, an airsoft gun is a replica gun that is powered by pressurized gas, electric power, or spring-driven mechanisms and shoots plastic or biodegradable BBs.
Airsoft guns are designed to mimic real firearms and their look and feel and are often almost indistinguishable from the real thing. This makes them popular among military and law enforcement training scenarios and war game simulations, as well as for recreational use.
What Are Airsoft Guns Used For?
Primarily, airsoft guns are used for playing airsoft games. Airsoft game scenarios can range from simple target shooting to large-scale, live-action war games.
Many people use airsoft guns to practice gun safety, as well as for honing their shooting skills.
Airsoft guns are also popular for military and law enforcement training, as they are a more accurate representation of what an actual firearm looks and feels like, are a lot safer to use than actual firearms, and can help trainees better understand what they will be doing in a real-world scenario.
What Do Airsoft Guns Shoot?
Generally speaking, airsoft guns fire round pellets, that are typically made out of plastic or biodegradable materials. These are commonly referred to as “BBs”.
Airsoft BBs come in different sizes, colors, and weights. They usually measure between 6mm and 8mm in diameter and are usually either a single color or feature multiple colors. The weight of the BBs can also vary from 0.12 to 0.40 grams.
There are also special airsoft gun ammunition like tracer BBs that glow in the dark.
How Do Airsoft Guns Work?
To really simplify it, when you pull the trigger on an Airsoft gun, you cause the firing mechanism inside the body of the gun to compress air rapidly around a spring-driven piston, which then forces the BB out of the barrel at high velocity.
Now, how exactly airsoft guns work will depend largely on the type of mechanism used to propel the BBs. There are four main types of mechanisms used in airsoft guns: gas-powered, spring-driven, electric (AEG), and high-pressure air (HPA).
Gas-powered airsoft guns use pressurized gas to fire BBs, usually either CO2 or green gas. Spring-driven guns use a mechanical spring as the source of power. Electric airsoft guns (AEGs) use an electric motor to drive a piston that fires the BBs. And high-pressure air (HPA) guns use compressed air to fire BBs.
How Fast Do Airsoft Guns Shoot?
The average velocity with which an airsoft gun fires BBs is between 300 and 500 FPS (feet per second). However, the actual speed at which an airsoft gun will fire its BBs can vary depending on what type of mechanism it uses and the weight and size of the BBs.
For example, AEGs usually have a velocity of around 300 FPS, while gas-powered airsoft guns can usually fire BBs at velocities of up to 500 FPS.
In most cases, the heavier the BBs are, the slower they will fly. So if you’re looking for a high-velocity airsoft gun, you should opt for lighter BBs.
What Types of Airsoft Guns Are There?
There are many types of airsoft guns out there. To be honest then pretty much any type of firearm can and has been replicated in airsoft form.
The most common types are rifles, pistols, sniper rifles, shotguns, and submachine guns. There are also specialty airsoft guns such as grenade launchers, revolvers, heavy machine guns, muskets, and even miniguns.
Each of type of airsoft gun typically has its own unique pros and cons, so it’s important to do your research and pick the one that best suits your needs. For example, airsoft sniper rifles usually offer more accuracy but don’t have the same rate of fire as an AEG.
If you want to learn more about them, then be sure to check out our article on all the different types of airsoft guns!
Do Airsoft Guns Hurt?
Does airsoft hurt is a question that many people have. Now to be honest it really depends on quite a few different factors such as what type of airsoft gun you got shot with, what kind of BBs are being fired, what part of your body is hit, what protection you are wearing, and what your pain tolerance is like.
Generally speaking, airsoft guns don’t hurt that much as long as you are wearing protective gear such as a face mask
And they won’t cause any real permanent damage. It may just leave a red mark or bruise, but it’s nothing serious.
How to Choose an Airsoft Gun?
Shopping for your first airsoft gun can be an exciting and overwhelming experience all at once. Choosing an airsoft gun is not something to be taken lightly as it will determine what type of airsoft experience you will have.
With such a wide range of styles, features, and prices on the market, it can be hard to know where to start and it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle.
When it comes to purchasing an airsoft gun, there are a few key points to consider, such as what type of gun you want (e.g., rifle or pistol), what power source you prefer (e.g., gas, electric, spring-powered), what material the gun is made of (e.g., plastic or metal), what weight it is, what velocity you need, what kind of accuracy you want and so on.
But the most important factor to consider is what type of airsoft you will be playing. Different types of airsoft require different kinds of guns, so make sure you have a good understanding of what type of airsoft game you are going to be playing and what type of gun is best suited to that particular game.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Conclusion
So let’s take a look at the key takeaways from this article:
- An airsoft gun is a type of non-lethal firearm that utilizes compressed gas and air to shoot plastic pellets or BBs.
- Airsoft guns are considered safe if used properly and in the context of a safe environment, and they are often used in recreational activities or combat simulations.
- There are four main types of airsoft guns> spring-powered, electric, gas-powered, and HPA. And there are also many different types of airsoft guns, ranging from pistols to sniper rifles.
- Airsoft gun power is typically measured in feet per second (FPS) or Joules (J), and the distance they can shoot varies depending on what type of gun it is, what power source it uses, what type of BBs it fires, and what its velocity is.
- When choosing an airsoft gun, make sure to take into account what type of activities you will be using the gun for, what power source it uses, what type the gun is, and its maximum velocity, weight, and price.
All-in-all, Airsoft guns can be a great way to participate in recreational activities and combat simulations. They are relatively safe when used properly.
We hope this article has provided you with an overview of what airsoft guns are and what they can be used for. If you have any questions or need more information leave a comment below!
