Useful Information About Airsoft Guns

By Anthony Carter

Airsoft is becoming a more popular sport every year with thousands of Americans of all ages enjoying participating in these real time combat simulations. More often than not the guns used to play airsoft are replicas of actual firearms, with the difference being that they use a mechanism to fire 6mm or 8mm diameter projectiles. Airsoft guns are mostly classified by their operating mechanism.

There are three dominant forms of mechanisms present on airsoft guns. These are gas, spring, or most recently, electric. The performance of the gun will vary depending upon its exact characteristics. The accuracy, battery life, capacity, range, size, and weight will be different in various models. Originally, the first airsoft guns used a spring mechanism, but then at a later date the gas powered mechanism was developed in Japan, such gas powered guns are referred to as classic airsoft guns. They functioned by using a gas flow system which powered the firing mechanism. The gas was generally carbon dioxide or compressed air and was contained in an external tank.

AEGs, or automatic electric guns, are now very popular with airsoft players. They work by having rechargeable batteries that trigger a firing mechanism which displaces air to launch the projectiles. Although AEGs are the most recent development, airsoft guns that have gas powered triggers are still popular as people think that they have a more realistic feel.

Most gas powered pistols and guns require propane gas. You can now purchase the magazines that have a compact cylinder of gas built in that has enough strength to fire all the projectiles. It is aid that this creates a more realistic feel.

The first airsoft guns were manufactured wholly out of plastic apart from a few internal metallic parts. Now the most modern forms have both internal and external metallic pieces. If you have ever picked up an average airsoft gun or pistol, you will know that they do not feel as heavy as the original thing. But it is possible to purchase some that have added weights inside to give a more realistic impression and feel.

The magazines that are used with airsoft guns come in many different capacities. Pistols may only have a ten to thirty pellet capacity though it is possible to purchase hi cap magazines which can hold as many as fifty pellets.

Automatic electric guns have magazines that are sold in three different capacities - low, mid, and high. Low capacity means between thirty to eighty pellets, mid range have eighty to one hundred and fifty, whereas high capacity AEG magazines can hold up to five hundred or even more pellets.

When playing airsoft it is also possible to use replica mines, grenades, and grenade launchers. These are generally powered by compressed gas and are designed to appear as similar in appearance to the real thing. A grenade or grenade launcher may hold or fire as many as three hundred pellets at a time. A mine may not release any pellets but only produce a thick cloud of smoke when exploded.

Anti tank airsoft weapons can also be purchased but these are not often used as they are costly and heavy. - 31373

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