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.
These cheap Asian stocking fillers were since recognised by clever manufacturers to be in demand by more adult military aficionados and so Airsoft guns were then refined with better materials and technology to supply the fastest-growing outdoor pursuit since 2001 – Airsoft.
Nowadays, some standardisation has taken place, and BBs are now 6 or 8mm in diameter. Also, the method of delivering the payload has been standardised, with some variations, and is now named AEG – Automatic Electric Gun. These have an electric motor, which both cocks a spring and also drives a pellet into the chamber. The spring is then released, smacking into the pellet and propelling it out of the chamber.
A typical Airsoft gun can shoot the BBs at speeds of 200 to 500 feet per second (60 to 150 metres per second). Rates of fire range from 300 up to 2000 BBs per minute, depending on the capacity of the gun’s magazine. Magazines are classed as the following: low cap: around 50 BBs, mid cap: around 120 BBs, or high-cap: 200-500+ BBs. Magazines include a spring, or manually-operated ratchet to help the BB into the chamber. There are also electrically-operated magazines available that may hold up to 5000 pellets. Military-simulation Airsoft games, however, may require you to have a more realistic magazine capacity to make the experience more genuine.
Gas-powered Airsoft guns are also becoming more refined, and as a result, more popular. The main reason for their popularity is the more genuine-feeling recoil and sound. There are even some gas propellants that include a scent and silicone oil to heighten this feeling. These guns are powered more commonly by propane, which may also be recharged from a propane bottle used for camping. Gas-powered guns have a smaller firing mechanism than electric, and are therefore more common in pistols than battery power. The AEG type of gun has a longer range and duration of use than gas.
Airsoft guns are becoming more refined in their manufacture, and the mass produced plastic parts may now be replaced with harder-wearing alloys of aluminium, producing a longer-lasting machine, with better power and accuracy. You may even buy weighted AEGs to make it feel like you are wielding the real thing.
Muzzle velocity in AEGs may range anywhere from 50 m/s (160 ft/s) to around 125 m/s (410 ft/s). Modifications to the gun may allow velocity to be increased up 180 m/s (590 ft/s). There are also motorised units available called hop-up units which cause the bullet to backspin, increasing lift, and so range. Typical range can be 75 metres (250ft), which may be doubled by the unit.
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 enjoys everything about airsoft guns. Go to JD Airsoft Guns to find a great place to get an airsoft gun online.
