Airsoft Guns:
tips for picking the best plastic pellet bb guns
Developed about 35 years ago, airsoft guns
are safer versions of traditional BB guns. They fire lightweight plastic BBs
instead of the more dangerous metal ammunition. The muzzle
velocities that airsoft pistols and rifles produce are relatively low (180-300 fps).
The pellets are not moving as fast, so they're safer than
standard air guns.
Airsoft products
are often designed to be close replicas of military guns - for three
reasons. First, collectors have created a market for authentic-looking
replica guns for cheaper and safer display. Next, war gamers are
switching from paintball in large numbers to similar team sports
featuring airsoft BB guns. And finally, the
movie industry provides a steady demand for realistic, blank-firing weapons
for use in their productions, and modified airsoft pistols
and rifles
are the perfect solution.
Ammunition is fired from airsoft
guns
using one of three methods: springs, gas (CO2 or environmentally
safe "green gas"), or electric (via batteries).
The following is a brief explanation of how each type of airsoft gun
works.
Spring Airsoft Guns
Spring-powered guns are the simplest, least expensive, and most durable kind
of airsoft gun you can buy. A single cock of the gun coils the spring, preparing
the BB for launch. Many of the newer airsoft models feature the "hop up" system, which
is an additional piece added to the inside of the barrel of the guns.
This imparts backspin to the pellet on its way out, which in turn causes the ammunition to fly straighter
for longer distances. Accuracy out to 75-100 feet is now possible with
these newer airsoft products. Here are two of the most popular
spring airsoft guns:
Gas Airsoft Guns
Gas-powered guns use either CO2 cartridges or
so-called "green gas" cartridges to fire pellets. While airsoft BB guns using this
power plant produce excellent distance in most circumstances, it's important to
note that muzzle velocities will drop off significantly while firing these guns when it's
cold outside. The other potential drawback is expense, as replacement cartridges
can add up if you use your gun a lot. However, airsoft enthusiasts often choose
these models over the others because of the added firepower and don't mind the
trade-offs.
Electric Airsoft Guns
Electric airsoft guns
(often referred to as 'AEG') are the most popular among war gamers. These
BB guns are often made to mimic serious military
weaponry, like Uzis, M16s, and AK-47s.
Their biggest appeal is that the internal motors that operate the
airsoft's firing mechanism allow
for extremely rapid automatic fire. Hold down the trigger and spray
your opponents in a barrage of airsoft BB fury!
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