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Airsoft

I haven't played airsoft in a long time (since early 2003 I think) but this info is still valid so I figured what the hey, I'll leave it up.

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What the heck is airsoft?

Airsoft is similar to paintball (the sport that is most similar to airsoft) but differs in a few very important ways. If you've played or seen computer or video games that concentrate on things like counterterrorism, SWAT duties or tactical (small-unit) military simulations, that is what a typical airsoft game is like.

I do airsoft because I grew up as an Army brat, playing escape and evasion in high school, play guns all the time, that sort of stuff. This is the more grown-up version! :) Plus it's cheaper than paintball and way more realistic.

What they shoot
The main piece of equipment in airsoft is an air-powered rifle or pistol that shoots plastic BB's 6mm in diameter.

Not the same as an air rifle
Note that these are NOT air pistols or pellet guns - pellet guns and air guns shoot smaller BB's or pellets at a much faster velocity (speed) and can break the skin and may cause pretty bad damage to people and property. Airsoft weapons shoot at speeds up to 400-450 feet per second (or fps for short), which is much slower than the 700 fps or so a pellet gun shoots.

Airsoft weapons also have a comparatively short range when compared to pellet guns, up to an 80-100 feet effective range. "Effective range" means basically the farthest distance you can expect the weapon to precisely hit what you're aiming at. Beyond the effective range the BB or bullet can lose accuracy from lower speed, wind effect, etc.

How real are they?
The main thing that really got me into airsoft is the realism of the weapons, which you cannot get with paintball guns. Airsoft weapons are modelled after the "real steel", or the actual pistol, assault rifle, machine gun or submachinegun, so they look almost like the real thing. By US federal law all airsoft weapons must have a blaze orange tip on the muzzle or barrel and should have the "trademarks" (the Colt, Taurus, Beretta, etc. logos) removed or covered. Even though these are classified as toys you can still go to jail for holding up someone with one of these pointing them at a person, so the airsoft hobbyist needs to have a level head and some responsibility, just like any real gun owner. Most groups don't allow anyone under 18 years old to play, and you have to be 18 to buy an airsoft weapon.

Type of airsoft games
The other thing that I like about airsoft is that it isn't paintball. Paintball is more of an "arena" type of shooting game - capture the flag, fort defense, etc. is a normal type of game, with paintballs whizzing around and you get tagged and you're out.

Airsoft games usually fall into Close Quarter Combat (CQB) or MILitary SIMulation (MilSim) types. CQB is typically SWAT-style houseclearing or counterterrorism stuff (room to room, down hallways, that sort of thing, generally indoors), MilSim is usually outdoors in the bushes and leaves. I like the MilSim stuff the best because I was an Army brat growing up and have camo's, boots, face paint and stuff like that. :) I used to do E&E (Escape and Evasion) games with high school ROTC buddies and really dig doing it now.

Cost
Airsoft is also way cheaper than paintball. A box of paintballs can be $60 for the good stuff, I think about 2000 rounds (? I'm not sure). A bag of airsoft BB's in the biodegradable type from the top Japanese companies is less than $20 for 1800 rounds. You do the math! The weapons are also a lot cheaper - a single shot airsoft pistol that looks like the real thing is about $30, or a semi-automatic electric version is $40 and up. Assault rifle airsoft weapons start at about $300 and go up from there with modifications, but a top of the line paintball "marker" is $1500.

I'm not saying all airsoft weapons are 1/5 the cost of all paintball guns but you can have a fun springer gun fight with buddies for about $40.

"Hidden" costs of airsoft guns include things like extra magazines (or a hicap mag, one that holds 250-600 rounds, $45), slings ($20), scope if you really want one (not necessary in most cases, $50), and of course upgrades. A stronger spring gives you more speed ($13), better gears ensure your gun can handle extra battery voltage ($60-100), and you'll need a battery no matter what ($50 for a cheap-o battery and charger). Eye protection is mandatory, $20 gets you a metal mesh goggle/face mask, dual-pane anti-fog goggles are $70 or so. Camoflauge clothing like BDU's (Battle Dress Uniform, what the armed forces wear) can run $60 new or $30 used, plus boots. Gloves, camo scarves and such are optional, just like the high-zoot vests the CQB guys like to wear.

Paintball also has its hidden costs, you'll need air to power the gun, paintball mask, refill tubes, vests, clothing, etc. Upgrades cost a ton as well because there is a huge cottage industry of machinists that make upgrades for the paintball guns, and machining and anodizing aluminum parts is not cheap.

How can you tell you hit somebody?
The only thing I may not like about airsoft is the fact that you literally rely on the guy you hit to be honest and count himself out. I can see there would be problems with a guy who gets hit with a BB on his gear, doesn't feel it, then goes on to shoot you and you have to argue with him in the middle of a firefight. This isn't a big problem if you are playing with stand-up guys who are honest about getting hit (obviously). Some new players shrug off the hits and you have to yell at them to "call your hit".

Sometimes I've been hit and in the heat of battle say that since it went through bushes or leaves then it doesn't count (many groups don't have ricochets count), however if you think about it, a real bullet would zing through those leaves and get you. "Soft" cover like a bush just doesn't protect you like a tree. :)

My tip for getting hit is to yell "hit, hit!" as loud as you can, raise your firing hand (whichever hand touches the trigger) and stand up. Since I have full protection anyway, if the guy who hit me fires again I may get upset but at least HE would be in the wrong, not me. I want a rep as a good, honest player, not a "hoser" (one who continues to fire at a dead guy). Also, on the way back to the dead zone, keep saying really loudly, "dead man walking, dead guy coming through" so you don't get shot again. That happened to a buddy of mine during a night game. Me and another teammate lit him up as he was coming back to the dead zone and he was on our team! Of course he was a bit mad. :)

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