This page is for all airsoft players. There are many airsoft choices and many people are confused as to what airsoft even is. Airsoft is a hybrid between BB (or air) guns and paintball guns. They are similar to BB guns in that they shoot small plastic or metallic BB's or pellets. They are similar to Paintballs in the manner that they are used in war game scenarios where they are shot at other live moving and people/opponents. The main selling point is that they are made to replicate real guns both in mannerism, appearnce, and handling. They are, for the most part, legal in all fifty states. The contreversy is that the law dictates in order to be considered a BB gun, they need to, first, shoot metallic BB's, second, be able to pierce the skin. Given this, airsoft somewhat falls into this categorization and is legal. However, as most of us know, airsoft guns shoot best with platic/ceramic BB's and don't relaly pierce the skin in most cases. There's the dilemna.

Now that everyoen konws what airsoft is we can discuss a little more clearly as to what kinds of airsoft guns there are. Airsoft guns can be categorized into 3 different types: spring, gas, and electric.

The entry level airsoft models are considered the spring airsoft gun. These models are very competively priced and cheap, starting as little as $20 and upwards. There are spring hand guns as well as rifles, most of these models will all be under $200. These models need to be manually cocked prior to each shot and, as implied by the name, is powered by a spring. These air guns shoot around 100-300 feet per second (fps).

The next level up are the gas airsoft model. These models are very popular for the hand guns, however there are a few gas airsoft rifles. These models are propelled by gas and can shoot relatively hard. Specific gas airsoft guns have a feature known as blowback. This allows the gas hand gun to act like a real steal gun. The slide will "blow back" as the BB is shot out of the barrel. These are definately fun. These airsoft guns and rifles, depending on model, have semi-auto and full automatic firing features. These air guns shoot around 200-400 feet/second.

The last level is the most expensive of the 3, which is the electric airsoft models. These models are mostly full automatic. Many of which are rifles: MP5, M4, M16, Sig, AK, etc. These models function by having a motor pull back a higher tensioned spring. When the cycle is complete, the spring will push a piston forward which pushed the BB out. Therefore, very similar to a spring rifle, except the spring is a higher tension spring and is moved by a motor. These models can shoot upwards of 300-500 feet per second.

Depending on what your interests are, the gas and electric models are great for those back yard war games as well as those all out weekend games. I would recommend starting with the spring models and moving your way up to electric gas versions.

This page is for all airsoft players. There are many airsoft choices and many people are confused as to what airsoft even is. Airsoft is a hybrid between BB (or air) guns and paintball guns. They are similar to BB guns in that they shoot small plastic or metallic BB's or pellets. They are similar to Paintballs in the manner that they are used in war game scenarios where they are shot at other live moving and people/opponents. The main selling point is that they are made to replicate real guns both in mannerism, appearnce, and handling. They are, for the most part, legal in all fifty states. The contreversy is that the law dictates in order to be considered a BB gun, they need to, first, shoot metallic BB's, second, be able to pierce the skin. Given this, airsoft somewhat falls into this categorization and is legal. However, as most of us know, airsoft guns shoot best with platic/ceramic BB's and don't relaly pierce the skin in most cases. There's the dilemna.

Now that everyoen konws what airsoft is we can discuss a little more clearly as to what kinds of airsoft guns there are. Airsoft guns can be categorized into 3 different types: spring, gas, and electric.

The entry level airsoft models are considered the spring airsoft gun. These models are very competively priced and cheap, starting as little as $20 and upwards. There are spring hand guns as well as rifles, most of these models will all be under $200. These models need to be manually cocked prior to each shot and, as implied by the name, is powered by a spring. These air guns shoot around 100-300 feet per second (fps).

The next level up are the gas airsoft model. These models are very popular for the hand guns, however there are a few gas airsoft rifles. These models are propelled by gas and can shoot relatively hard. Specific gas airsoft guns have a feature known as blowback. This allows the gas hand gun to act like a real steal gun. The slide will "blow back" as the BB is shot out of the barrel. These are definately fun. These airsoft guns and rifles, depending on model, have semi-auto and full automatic firing features. These air guns shoot around 200-400 feet/second.

The last level is the most expensive of the 3, which is the electric airsoft models. These models are mostly full automatic. Many of which are rifles: MP5, M4, M16, Sig, AK, etc. These models function by having a motor pull back a higher tensioned spring. When the cycle is complete, the spring will push a piston forward which pushed the BB out. Therefore, very similar to a spring rifle, except the spring is a higher tension spring and is moved by a motor. These models can shoot upwards of 300-500 feet per second.

Depending on what your interests are, the gas and electric models are great for those back yard war games as well as those all out weekend games. I would recommend starting with the spring models and moving your way up to electric gas versions.

airsplat
this is my favorite hand gun, USP
this is my favorit SMG MP5