Learning More about Airsoft Guns and Rifle
I had many question about airsoft guns when I started out. I am sure that you do too. Let's tackle the basic questions first before we get into other things.
What are airsoft guns?
One
thing, airsoft guns are not the traditional BB guns or airguns popular in
the US and the UK. The traditional BB guns shout out .177 metal BB while airsoft
guns shoot out 6mm plastic BB which is slightly bigger. The thing that airguns
and BB guns are the same is that they both resemble real weapon. Another thing
is that airguns cannot shoot full auto like machine guns.
Another thing, airsoft guns are not paintball guns. Paintball guns are much more simple in design and do not resemble real guns. Paintball guns are mainly used for war-game where they shoot out plastic balls that contains paint. The plastic ball will break and splatter paint on the the opponents body, marking has been shot. The plastic ball is slightly bigger than the plastic 6mm BB that airsoft guns use. Another thing is that paintball guns cannot shoot full auto like machine guns.
So yes, airsoft guns are guns that resemble real weapon and shoot out 6mm plastic BB. With airsoft electric guns, airsoft guns can shoot full auto like a machine gun.
How did airsoft guns started?
Airsoft guns started in Japan. People were interested in having their own guns but the law prohibits them. So, with airsoft guns that resemble real weapon, they can have their own guns without breaking the law. Manufacturers of airsoft guns have license agreements with the real guns manufacturers so that they can make replicas of the same designs and look. Airsoft guns are meant to look and feel the same like firing a real guns. Only that it does meant to give serious injuries.
Are airsoft guns dangerous?
Airsoft guns are not meant to give serious injuries. Airsoft guns can shoot for a distance between 50 to 300 feet accurately with the speed of 200 to 600 feet per second (fps). Most airsoft guns are made not to even break glass with the plastic 6mm BBs. They can shoot out 0.2g to 0.25g plastic BBs. But some modified airsoft guns can even shoot 0.3g plastic BBs. This sometimes can cut skin but cannot penetrate flesh. The injuries are not life-threatening. However, wearing goggles is always advisable to protect the eyes.
To know about airsoft BBs, read my section on airsoft BB pellets.
How do the airsoft guns work?
Mainly there are three types of airsoft guns. They are the spring airsoft guns, the airsoft electric guns and the gas powered airsoft guns. These guns are different in the way how they shoot out the plastic BBs. Read my section on types of airsoft guns.
Are airsoft guns legal?
In countries like US, UK, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, yes they are. In some
other countries, they might. I don't really have the full list of which countries
allow airsoft guns for personal keepings as they look exactly like the real
guns. Therefore, carrying the airsoft guns in public should be done with cautions
just like carrying a real one. In the US, airsoft guns should have a orange-red
nozzle which differentiate the airsoft guns and the real guns.