Airsoft As A Serious Sport

Many people don't like firearms, owning them, having them in their homes, or even thinking about the violence associated with guns or weaponry. I personally don't like Brussel sprouts, or spiders. However, get an airsoft gun in my hand, and I am right at home, as home as I would be sweeping my front porch or sleeping in my bed.

For those of us that love military television shows, books about combat, military gear, and realistic weaponry, there is airsoft, a new sport to be reckoned with on the playing field.

What is this 'airsoft' I keep hearing about?

Airsoft is the catch-all name for the sport of using 1:1 real metal replica firearms in battles and skirmishes between players having similar weaponry. In Europe and around the world, it is also sometimes referred to as "soft air." The airsoft guns shoot soft (non-metal) BBs / pellets. These are not the BB guns of yesteryear that shoot metal pellets or BBs. These are painstakingly reproduced 1:1 replicas of real firearms both in use currently around the world, or of a historical nature. They simulate the look, feel, weight, and power of a real weapon, but without damaging bullets. They are powered by CO2 or Green Gas in the pistols, and can be spring or electric operated in the rifle or sniper rifle categories. Typically, the automatic weapon rifles (such as an M4A1) are automatic electric guns, or AEG's. AEG's simulate real battlefield fire, and shoot hundreds of rounds per minute. These each come with an orange tip in the USA, to discern between real and airsoft guns, as they replicas are so highly accurate in detail.

Airsoft history

Airsoft guns started being produced in Japan in the 70s. Nobody was allowed to have weapons, but simulated weapons were allowed, and gave people an opportunity to learn battlefield tactics with no actual weapons being used. Once people realized they could have the same battle as they were having in paintball, but without the silly looking guns, Airsoft began to catch on like wildfire. Demand increased, and now thousands of guns per shipment are being imported into the US from China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, where they are produced.

Kinetic energy is the energy that is transferred from the pellet to its target upon impact. One joule of energy will be transferred by a 0.20 g BB at 100 meters per second (330 feet per second). A typical set of limits on guns might be 100 m/s (330 feet per second) for CQB, 125 m/s (410 feet per second) for outdoors, and 175 m/s (570 feet per second) for bolt action sniper rifles, all measured with a 0.20 g BB. The amount of kinetic energy depends on the weight of the BB and how fast the gun can propel it. Certain places play "no velocity limit" games. Most hold this to 300 feet per second.

Most Airsoft guns are capable of shooting from 160 feet per second to 410 feet per second, though it is also possible to purchase upgraded springs for some Airsoft guns that will enable up to 590 feet per second.We are now stocking Airsoft Sniper Rifles that fire at 470 feet per second.

Hop Up Shooting Technology

When present, puts backspin on the BB, generating lift and giving it a greater effective range.The Hop UP feature allows for adjustment to wind age and elevation. The range of any Airsoft gun depends on both the muzzle velocity and the amount of hop applied. Airsoft guns can have a range of (250 ft) or more with the right combination of power, barrel, and ammunition as well as a good hop-up unit. A good hop-up unit can sometimes double the range.It is recommended that a.20g BB or greater be used.

Electric Guns: (AEGS) Battery Powered

Airsoft Guns that are battery powered and allow continuous shooting (Full or Semi Automatic) modes of "fire".

Spring Guns

Spring-powered Airsoft guns use energy in a compressed spring to "fire" an Airsoft pellet down the barrel of the gun.Because the spring must be re-compressed before each shot (achieved by "cocking" the gun).

Gas Powered Guns

Gas-powered Airsoft guns are very similar to CO2 guns,in the sense that both use a pressurized gas as a power source to propel BB's. They differ in that CO2 comes in disposable cartridges, while gas is contained in one large canister that is then used to refill the gun.The most common gas used is called "Green Gas," a mixture of propane and polysiloxane lubricant; HFC-134a is another specialized gas that can be used.

Like CO2 pistols, gas powered guns have several advantages over spring powered pistols: increased power, consistency, heavier weight, and realism. Several models also feature Blow back action, like many of the other types of Airsoft guns, gas guns are being made with more metal and reinforced polymers, for enhanced performance and greater durability.

Henry Mason / New Century Hobbies

http://www.newcenturyhobbies.com

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