Want to be a warrior for a weekend? Then consider trying the popular sport of games using airsoft guns.
Airsoft guns became immensely popular when they arrived in North America from Japan in the mid-1990s. It was illegal then in Japan to own a firearm, and this ban may have fueled Japanese interest in them. The ever-inventive Japanese manufacturers paid attention to this customer curiosity and developed the first airsoft guns, powered by springs.
Airsoft games range from short skirmishes involving a few participants through organized scenarios between teams to major military simulations and historical reenactments with dozens of players. Airsoft guns often are used in military and law enforcement training.
While the prospect of such realistic replicas may alarm some parents, airsoft gun enthusiasts insist that their games are not intended for children. Most airsoft guns are age-restricted to players over 16, and commercially organized airsoft games usually require players to be at least age 18.
Longtime hobbyists recommend that beginners try spring-powered airsoft guns first, until they get a feel for the gear. Spring-powered guns tend to be made more cheaply, often in China, and therefore are more likely to break in the most vigorous battle simulations. Compressed-gas airsoft guns are sturdier, but the top gun for serious airsoft enthusiasts is an airsoft electric gun, or AEG.
Rechargeable batteries in AEGs run an electric motor located in the gun handle. This small motor drives a spring-piston unit that propels the plastic pellets. AEGs are much faster to fire than spring-loaded or compressed-guns. This faster performance has led to the development of a range of AEGs that closely simulate automatic or semi-automatic guns. Because airsoft guns can look so much like real guns, they're required by U. S. Law to have a bright orange plastic tip on the muzzle to distinguish them as replicas.
While most airsoft gun bullets are rubber or plastic, some are metal. The non-metal pellets usually are too light to injure a player, but metal projectiles have been known to break a player's skin if fired at close enough range. Usually, however, airsoft guns' projectiles travel too slowly to do any damage to a player. Muzzle velocities for spring-power or compressed-gas airsoft guns vary from 30 to 260 meters per second (100 to 850 feet per second). Electric-powered airsoft guns fire pellets at 150 and 500 feet per second (60 to 150 meters per second), sometimes firing as many as 3, 000 rounds a minute. True bullet speed ranges from 370 to 1, 500 meters per second (or not as fast as Superman!).
Projectiles shot from spring-power or compressed-gas airsoft guns travel at velocities from 100 to 850 feet per second (30 to 260 meters per second). Electric-powered airsoft guns fire pellets at 150 and 500 feet per second (60 to 150 meters per second). Genuine bullets shoot out at speeds from 370 to 1, 500 meters per second.
Airsoft guns powered by electricity contain a rechargeable battery that runs an electric motor. This motor drives a piston-spring device that launches the pellets. Battery power led to the creation of automatic or semi-automatic airsoft guns that are now the most popular. These guns can achieve projectile velocities between 150 and 500 feet per second or 60 to 150 meters per second, and can fire from 100 to 3, 000 rounds per minute. Not bad for a plastic replica gun. - 31373
Airsoft guns became immensely popular when they arrived in North America from Japan in the mid-1990s. It was illegal then in Japan to own a firearm, and this ban may have fueled Japanese interest in them. The ever-inventive Japanese manufacturers paid attention to this customer curiosity and developed the first airsoft guns, powered by springs.
Airsoft games range from short skirmishes involving a few participants through organized scenarios between teams to major military simulations and historical reenactments with dozens of players. Airsoft guns often are used in military and law enforcement training.
While the prospect of such realistic replicas may alarm some parents, airsoft gun enthusiasts insist that their games are not intended for children. Most airsoft guns are age-restricted to players over 16, and commercially organized airsoft games usually require players to be at least age 18.
Longtime hobbyists recommend that beginners try spring-powered airsoft guns first, until they get a feel for the gear. Spring-powered guns tend to be made more cheaply, often in China, and therefore are more likely to break in the most vigorous battle simulations. Compressed-gas airsoft guns are sturdier, but the top gun for serious airsoft enthusiasts is an airsoft electric gun, or AEG.
Rechargeable batteries in AEGs run an electric motor located in the gun handle. This small motor drives a spring-piston unit that propels the plastic pellets. AEGs are much faster to fire than spring-loaded or compressed-guns. This faster performance has led to the development of a range of AEGs that closely simulate automatic or semi-automatic guns. Because airsoft guns can look so much like real guns, they're required by U. S. Law to have a bright orange plastic tip on the muzzle to distinguish them as replicas.
While most airsoft gun bullets are rubber or plastic, some are metal. The non-metal pellets usually are too light to injure a player, but metal projectiles have been known to break a player's skin if fired at close enough range. Usually, however, airsoft guns' projectiles travel too slowly to do any damage to a player. Muzzle velocities for spring-power or compressed-gas airsoft guns vary from 30 to 260 meters per second (100 to 850 feet per second). Electric-powered airsoft guns fire pellets at 150 and 500 feet per second (60 to 150 meters per second), sometimes firing as many as 3, 000 rounds a minute. True bullet speed ranges from 370 to 1, 500 meters per second (or not as fast as Superman!).
Projectiles shot from spring-power or compressed-gas airsoft guns travel at velocities from 100 to 850 feet per second (30 to 260 meters per second). Electric-powered airsoft guns fire pellets at 150 and 500 feet per second (60 to 150 meters per second). Genuine bullets shoot out at speeds from 370 to 1, 500 meters per second.
Airsoft guns powered by electricity contain a rechargeable battery that runs an electric motor. This motor drives a piston-spring device that launches the pellets. Battery power led to the creation of automatic or semi-automatic airsoft guns that are now the most popular. These guns can achieve projectile velocities between 150 and 500 feet per second or 60 to 150 meters per second, and can fire from 100 to 3, 000 rounds per minute. Not bad for a plastic replica gun. - 31373
About the Author:
Author: Anthoy Carter enjoys the sport of airsoft and knows alot about airsoft guns. Go to this website to find the best place to find airsoft guns.
