Airsoft guns are safer forms of highly-evolved BB guns. These guns fire plastic versions of the metal ball bearings that almost took your eye out all those years ago. These started in Asia where cheap, spring-operated plastic versions of the BB gun were made, before a clever producer noticed a demand for a more refined version for more adult war games.

Manufacturers realised that there was a demand for realistic-looking weapons that could actually be used for sport and military games. From there, they started to evolve, and a sport called Airsoft involving the guns spread throughout the world. Since 2001, it’s the fastest growing outdoor sport.

Although many different producers made a great variety of different systems and calibres, it has generally been agreed that 6 or 8mm BBs are the way to go. And no longer a lever-activated or spring-cocked firing system: a battery-operated electric motor that, through a system of gears, pushes a BB into the chamber, pulls back a spring and then fires it, then repeats. This spawned the acronym AEF – Automatic Electric Gun.

The Airsoft gun fires pellets at around 200 to 500 feet per second (60 to 150 metres per second). These are fired at rates of 300 to 2000 BBs per minute. Gun capacity is limited by the magazine size: low cap: around 50 BBs, mid cap: around 120 BBs, or high-cap: 200-500+ BBs. The BBs in the magazines are pushed into the chamber by a spring, or by a manually-operated ratchet. Also available are electrically-operated magazines that may hold up to 5000 pellets. When entering a MilSom Airsoft game, however, you may need to prove you have limited capacity of a certain number of pellets to make for a more true to life gaming experience.

Smaller guns use gas as a propellant, although it is also becoming more in demand for the larger models, due to its less artificial feel and noise. Oil and fragrances are even added to the gas to heighten this sensation. A container on the gun that may be refilled from a propane camping gas bottle may be used. The Automatic Electric Gun has a further range than gas powered guns, though, and the batteries usually hold out for longer than the gas tank.

Although Airsoft guns used to be made almost entirely out of plastic, aluminium and alloys are now seeing their way into manufacture, for durability and increased power. Some AEGs, especially when used in military simulations, also contain lead weights to make them feel more like authentic weapons.

Bullet velocity is from 50 m/s (160 ft/s) to around 125 m/s (410 ft/s). With the right adaptations, muzzle velocity can be souped up to 180 m/s (590 ft/s). You may install a module to cause backspin on the BB. This increases the amount of lift on the BB by the air flow on the underside of the ball being offset by that on the top. Lift increased and so does range. This is called a hop-up unit. Although AEG range is usually up to 75 metres (250ft), the hop up unit can double this.

You can buy Airsoft paint balls for your gun, to ensure that your hit is acknowledged. However, this benefit may be outweighed by the weak ball rupturing in your expensive gun, causing it to block. When this happens it is extremely difficult to clean, causing an effective write off.

Author: Anthoy Carter loves everything about airsoft guns. Visit here to find the best place to get an airsoft gun online.