Umbrella Corporation

Legal Issue World Wide:

Australia

Airsoft guns are federally banned, although Airsoft Australia have made significant progress in legalisation and are expecting a December 2008 final decision on the proposed bill.

Austria

• Airsoft guns and pistols are allowed, but restricted to maximal 0.08 joule for persons under 18 years of age.
• All users that are at least 14 years old do not need their parent's permission.
• Airsoft guns and pistols more than 0.08 joule can be purchased in specialized weapon shops only and all users have to be at least 18 years old

Belgium

• Airsoft guns and pistols can only be bought at officially licensed dealers, who carry a government permit along with a certified weapon of defense (W.O.D.) to import and sell firearms.

Bulgaria

• Airsoft is a legal sport in Bulgaria and there are no restrictions placed on the guns.
• People between 14-18 years old need their parents' permission. For the rest (18 and above) there are no restrictions.
• The Bulgarian law considers Airsoft guns to be Airguns - you don't need any documents, licenses or anything else to possess them.
• However, shooting in "protected" (quote from the law) areas is forbidden. Protected areas are schools, administrative buildings and other public property. Also, shooting with an Airgun/Airsoft gun in public areas is forbidden.
• There are no restrictions about carrying, possessing or using Airsoft guns in Bulgaria. There are no restrictions about the age of the players (traders don't sell Airguns/Airsoft guns to minors <18 though).
• There are no restrictions about lasers, flashlights etc. Basically, you could put anything on your gun.
• There's no need the end of the barrel to be painted in orange (like in the United States)
• There are no restrictions about the power of the Airguns/Airsoft guns - you could buy an 1J Airsoft as well as an 80J PCP Airgun
• There are no restrictions about carrying Airsoft guns in public areas (it is not a good idea, however).

Canada

From the Canada Firearms Centre's fact sheet on airguns: [1]

• Airsoft guns that closely resemble real firearms are classified as replica firearms and can only be imported by companies possessing a Business Firearms License. It is unlawful to sell or transfer replica firearms without this license.
• Above 500 ft/s (150 m/s) and 5.7 joules, air guns are considered controlled firearms and must be registered.
• No legal distinction is made between airsoft and true firearms when they are used for the purposes of crime.
• In Ontario the minimum age to purchase airsoft is 18. Children under 18 must be supervised by someone over 18.
• Airsoft guns imported into the country by private citizens are at risk of being seized and destroyed at the border by customs agents. The few Canadian airsoft retailers that exist take advantage of this fact and the prices are high in comparison to other countries.

The People's Republic of China

• In the People's Republic of China, it is rumored that airsoft has been made illegal in mainland China. However, it is essentially an underground sport, and local authorities turn a blind eye to it. This enables the sport to flourish within the country, and market stalls and shops continue to openly sell airsoft guns, despite the official legality situation. It is legal in China's SARs (Special Administrative Regions, such as Macau and Hong Kong), but this legality is likely to be suspended in lieu of the upcoming Olympic Games.

Macau

• In Macau, China, all airsoft guns are legal but may not be fired with a muzzle energy above two (2) joules of kinetic energy.

Czech Republic

• Airsoft guns have the same status as real firearms, yet they fit into a category where no gun license is needed.
• The use of airsoft guns is allowed for players that are least 18 years old.
• Airsoft guns may not have an energy greater than 16 joules.
• The use of laser sights and flashlights is forbidden.
• Usage and open carrying of airsoft guns in public places is highly forbidden.
• Playing is forbidden in places which are freely accessible by civilians - it can be played only on places that are private and closed.

Denmark

Airsoft guns are mentioned in the Danish "Våbenlov" (Arms control legislation).

• You have to be at least 18 years old to buy, hand over and possess airsoft guns.
• You can use airsoft guns, on police approved sites, with a permission slip, at the age of 16.
• A firearms certificate is not required.

Finland

• Visible transportation of replica firearms in public areas is forbidden. All replica firearms must be covered with something, for example, a weapon case.
• Land owner's permission is needed to play airsoft in any area.
• Minors (under the age of 18) are able to purchase airsoft guns only with written permission from their legal guardians.

France

• Visible transportation of replica firearms in public areas is forbidden. All replica firearms must be covered with something, for example, a weapon case.
• Land owner's permission is needed to play airsoft in any area.
• Minors (under the age of 18) can only buy or use airsoft gun which are under 0.07 joules in power.
• Airsoft gun may only have a power under 2 joules , otherwise they are considered to be a weapon and must be registered.

Germany

• Airsoft guns under 0.5 joule are considered toy guns and can be freely sold to all persons above 3 years of age. Distributors agreed to raise the limit to least 14 years of age. [This is realized and the limit is thus 14 years]
• All airsoft guns between 0.5 joule and 7.5 joule must be bolt-action or semiautomatic only and can only be sold to people 18 years or older. These are considered "free" firearms, as a result:
  • Sales of guns of more than 0.5 joule are allowed only in weapon shops.
  • Guns must be marked with the trader's weapon abbreviation and a F-in-a-pentagon mark as well as the airsoft gun caliber (such as 6 mm BB).
• Target illuminating devices and lasers may not be attached to guns but are legal otherwise. For example: possession of a flashlight is allowed, even shooting with the flashlight in one hand and the gun in the other; but attaching it via mount ring to the rail system of a gun is not. Devices made specifically for the purpose of being attached to a gun (like certain flashlights with integrated foregrip for mil-spec rail) are prohibited.
• While the possession of airsoft guns is allowed, the actual use in a game is (at least) hotly debated. For sure, most players using guns with more than 0.5 joule muzzle energy leave Germany to play in countries like France, Belgium, Denmark or the Czech Republic.
  • More information can be found at Airsoft FAQ on laws in Germany, which covers more complicated issues like the "Kleiner Waffenschein", issues with the OWiG §118 in Bavaria and a definition of the term "combat shooting".

Greece

• The airsoft is basically an underground sport in Greece because the law is a little foggy. According to law the airsoft guns are not real firearms and they are free to purchase from shops.
• The airsoft guns usage and buying are not permitted for people under 18 years, however it is possible with parental supervision.
• It is prohibited to have any replica gun in public sight. This is threatened as illegal possession of a real firearm.
• The use of lasers, scopes and flashlights on a replica weapon is prohibited by the law.

Hong Kong

• In Hong Kong, all airsoft guns are legal but may not be fired with a muzzle energy above 2 joules.
• You are only allowed to play airsoft in private areas and non-country park areas.
• You may not reveal the airsoft guns in public areas.

Hungary

• The laws for airsoft in Hungary are simple (however there are additional rules). They're classified as airguns under 7.5 Joules. Fully automatic operation is legal. There is no age limit for buying, but minors (between 16 and 18) can only use them under the supervision of an adult.
• Airsoft guns can only be sold in licensed gun shops and these guns must have the proofmark of the "Hungarian Firearm Proofing Authority" (www.mkh.hu). An inspection of the gun is required for private import.
• Shooting of airguns: must be confined to a railed off private property or a shooting range. No pellet/BB should leave the range or property.
• Modification: modification of an airgun for higher muzzle energy is prohibited, but under 7.5 Joules there is no legal penalty for such act (above 7.5 Joules airguns classified as firearms which require license).
• Transportation: unloaded, in a closed case/bag.
• Storage: unloaded, gun separated from pellets/BBs, closed container, unauthorized persons should not have access to the gun
• Above the restrictions of law there are additional rules named "Hungarin Airsoft Regulation" or MASZ for short. All well-organized games (99,9 percent) are played by these rules.
• MASZ specifies the gun to use 6mm BB-s with the ballistic energy up to 1,7 Joules with any shooting type, up to 1,5 Joules semi-auto or spring or up to 1,1 Joules automatic in CQB (Close Quarters Battle), 3,3 Joules with one-shot spring or half-auto weapon that can used only over 20 meters and only by adults. It contains expectations for the right protection (mainly for the eyes) and other useful rules and instructions for ingame and other situation like: surrendering, pyrotechnic, injuries, civilians, and orders for correct operating of guns.

MASZ: [2]

Indonesia

• In Indonesia, there are no strict rules about it, and still under no consideration by the government as to whether airsoft guns are treated as "toys" or are almost equal to real guns. However, airsoft were first brought to Indonesia circa 2000 - 2001. The founders of Indonesian airsoft communities put some restrictions on airsoft games.
  • For example, airsoft players are prohibited to upgrade their gun to above 100m/s, or they'll be rejected from the community.
  • Anyone who wants to buy an airsoft gun, must be at least 18 years old and know the regulations and rules about the airsoft gun.

Some events have occurred that are perceived as endangering the continuity of the hobby, such as some robberies in which airsoft replicas were used.

Therefore, in order to control its grown, there is a govt authorized club called PERBAKIN (Indonesian Shooting Club) which is currently appointed by police to accommodate Airsoft as a new born sport. however, this information about Perbakin is inaccurate, an anonymous tip informs that PERBAKIN do not have any agenda whatsoever relating to airsoft

Most likely that the Airsoft will be under IPSC supervision since one of the sport type can be categorized as IPSC (practical shooting) and not just only skirmish (war game).However this statement can only be a wishfull thingking cosidering how little the government's attention in this activity. Govt don't approve skrimish as a sport, they only permit Target shooting and IPSC only. In other words, if you want to play Airsoft, you should become a member of this Perbakin Club and not participating in skirmishes, but only in IPSC.

Ireland

The status of Airsoft in Ireland was changed after the 2006 Criminal Justice Act, which amended the previous Firearms Acts from 1925, 1963, 1972 and 1990.

Where once authorization or a license was required for all devices which fired a projectile from a barrel, The law now defines a firearm as (amongst other things);

an air gun (including an air rifle and air pistol) with a muzzle energy greater than one joule of kinetic energy or any other weapon incorporating a barrel from which any projectile can be discharged with such a muzzle energy

The aim of this change was to establish a minimum power a device must have to be classified a firearm in order to eliminate the legal oddity where toy suction cup dart guns and the like were legally classified as firearms, thus bringing Ireland into line with the rest of the EU. In this case, one joule was used as the limit, as opposed to seven joules in Germany, 12 foot-pounds force (8.9 J) in the UK and so on. The one joule limit most likely arose from UK case law where it was found that energies in excess of one joule were required to penetrate an eyeball (thus causing serious injury). As a result, airsoft devices under one joule of power have been declassified and have become perfectly legal to possess and use within The Republic of Ireland. Those over one joule of power remain perfectly legal to possess and use within the Republic, so long as a firearms certificate is applied for and granted by the local Garda superintendent - but they are at this point classed legally as actual firearms.

Most airsoft devices over one joule cannot be owned in Ireland, because they have no individual serial number a firearms licence cannot be issued

Israel

Airsoft guns are classified as "dangerous toys" which makes airsoft illegal to import, manufacture and sell. This law is not very well enforced, however, and it is possible to find retailers who import MPEG level airsoft guns and also AEG level airsoft guns.

Israeli airsofters have created an airsoft association in an attempt to make airsoft legal - Girit "Girit Airsoft Association in Israel"("גירית – עמותת איירסופט לישראל"). Girit is cooperating with the Israeli Shooting Federation, joining it shortly as a member and cooperating with other governmental authorities in an attempt to make airsoft legal in Israel. For more information you may refer to http://www.airsoft.org.il

Girit Airsoft Association has established cooperation with USAPSA, Ukrainian, Slovenian, Swedish and Czech airsofters. An Israeli national airsoft tactical shooting competition took place near Beit Berel March 2007.

Italy

Airsoft guns and pistols are allowed a velocity below 100 m/s (328 ft/s) i.e. equivalent to 1 joule: under the law, airsoft guns are not classified as firearms. You can buy and sell it both from stores and from another private citizen.

• Red tips must be present on the barrel ends of the airsoft gun when they are imported and sold by a store. Once you own the airsoft gun, you may remove the red tip; however, the similarity between genuine firearms and airsoft replicas is close enough to provoke interaction with law enforcement personnel if an airsoft gun is mistaken for its real counterpart. Airsoft used to commit a crime is treated as if you had the real gun, assault weapons carry an extra mandatory sentence in addition to the regular punishment for the crime committed.
• The minimum age to purchase airsoft and/or use it during a regular match is 18, or 14 if accompanied by a parent or legal tutor.
• Usage and open carrying of air soft guns in public places is forbidden. You can play in a private property away from public sight, or in a well-delimited private or state property after having asked the local authorities for a limited-time permit (usually from 6 to 48 hours), and having alerted the local police command, to avoid alarmed citizens calling for emergency.

Japan

• In Japan, airsoft guns are legal, but may not shoot with a muzzle energy above 0.98 joules.
• Legal requirements are set on airsoft model manufacturers to prevent any possibility of a replica weapon being converted into an actual firearm.
• Standards include (but are not limited to) use of low-melting point metals and non-ballistic plastics in structural components and incompatibility of mechanical components with actual firearm components and mechanisms.
• The overall litmus test used by the Japanese National Police Authority is whether the replica weapon can be made to chamber and fire an actual round of ammunition.
• These standards have proven successful within Japan, as it has been found that criminal elements discovered that it is significantly easier to purchase an actual illegal weapon in comparison to modifying a comparatively fragile replica into a functional firearm.
• Due to this reality, most crimes involving a threat of physical violence are often perpetrated with edged weapons, as firearms seen in public are (by default) believed to be toys by the public at large.

Luxembourg

All airsoft guns are treated under the national weapon law and demand a personal user certificate.

Lithuania

Registration of any sort is not required for airsoft weapons, however, they are only available for purchase to people over 18 years. Airsoft players have established unofficial set of rules, which regulates the behavior of players, belonging to the community.

Netherlands

The law places full restrictions on Airsoft Weapons, rendering possession illegal. When one looks at the Dutch law on this subject, airsoft is not explicitly mentioned, and the characteristics of airsoft weapons would place the weapons in Category I of the Dutch gun laws (legal to own and operate without a license). However, the Dutch Ministry of Justice can make exceptions, which it has for airsoft weapons, (The reason given is that the weapons look so realistic, that they can be used for intimidation), placing airsoft weapons that are 1:1 replicas and/or realistic in Category IV (illegal without any possibility of acquiring a permit). The sport itself has the same legal status as paintball, but since Airsoft players prefer 1:1 realistic replicas the Dutch players travel to Belgium instead.

New Zealand

Single-shot and semi-automatic (all automatic weapons require a special restricted endorsement) air-powered weapons are legal to possess and use in New Zealand, provided that the person is either over 18 years of age, or 16 with a firearms license. A person under 18 may not possess an air gun but may use one under the direct supervision of someone over 18 or a firearms license holder.

It is illegal to use these weapons in any manner that may endanger or intimidate members of the public (pointing, brandishing, etc) except where there is reasonable cause, such as an Airsoft game.

Police, New Zealand, Airguns Factsheet, <http://www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/infosheet04.html>. Retrieved on 24 July 2007 

Norway

The Arms control legislation (Våpenforskrift) requires:

• One to be at least 18 years old to buy, hand over, possess and use airsoft guns.
• A firearms certificate is not required.

Philippines

Organized airsoft started in 1985, and interest in the hobby had gone up and down, several times over the past 20 years. The airsoft gaming community initially conducted their games in secrecy, but in the recent years has reached the mainstream due to the tremendous surge of newbies, owing to the advent of cheap China-made airsoft guns. Airsoft teams are mostly clan organized, with a number of groups claiming representation, to a certain extent, of the local airsoft community, organizing and coordinating between local teams, especially during big events where hundreds of players from teams all over the country converge on selected venues for friendly tournaments.

Letter of Instruction 1264, a Presidential Directive, signed by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1982, bans the import, sale and public display of gun replicas, but purchase of airsoft guns and the movement of airsoft players are largely untouched by the government, with only a few confiscated shipments marring that record. No direct regulations have been placed on the airsoft community, and players of all ages and background are welcomed to play.

Philippine law considers any contraption a firearm if it fires a projectile larger than 5.5 mm in diameter, however, local media has suggested that airsofting will soon be considered officially legal provided there are a few exceptions like the proposed ordinance of repainting the replica gun to make it look less realistic and more distinguishable from an authentic firearm (similar to laws in the United States). However given the structure of the Philippine government and their method of operation, such a ratification may take several years to be processed.

As of 24 July 2006 the-then Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Oscar Calderon has signed a Memo approving a petition for classification of airsoft guns as air guns under current PNP Rules and Regulations dated 29 January 1992, and thus providing an opportunity for legal ownership and transport of airsoft guns under specific conditions. Despite the approval of the memo its validity is still a subject of debate. Under Philippine law, a memo from the Chief PNP amending the PNP Rules and Regulations cannot over rule/repeal or amend a Presidential directive. Only the Legislative body, the Supreme Court or the present President can do so. Since the PNP has the authority to classify what constitutes a gun replica and airsoft guns were deemed different from replicas there maybe no need to repeal LOI 1264 in order to achieve full legalization of airsoft in the Philippines.

At present, the only consolation the airsoft community will get from the signed memo is that airsofters cannot be charged for illegal possession of firearms.

Poland

Airsoft guns fall into the same category as paintball guns and air-powered weapons up to 17 Joules and are available to people over 18 years of age, registration of any sort is not required. This, however, is not strictly enforced and many cheap spring replicas may be found in toy shops (due to common practice of labelling them as "toys"). Generally, the police considers airsoft replicas toys rather than "non-lethal weapons". The Polish airsoft community has formulated "Airsoft Rules", an unofficial set of rules regarding airsoft as a whole. While they are not enforced in any specific way, abiding "Airsoft Rules" is a sign of "playing fair" and belonging to the community. Excerpts from "Airsoft Rules":

• Eye protection must be worn at all times during the game.
• Brandishing replicas in public places is not allowed. Doing so may lead to ejection from the community.
• Local law enforcement (police, Forest Guard etc.) must be informed earlier about every airsoft game taking place in the area.
• Players between 16 and 18 years of age are able to participate in airsoft games only with written permission from their parents.

Portugal

Airsoft is legal in Portugal under the name of Softair. Softair falls into a specific category designated as "Arma de softair" or in English "softair gun". According to the new Guns and Ammunitions Act (DR - Lei n.°5/2006 de 23 de Fevereiro - Regime Jurídico das armas e suas munições) some of the main excerpts are:

• Any softair gun must be totally or partially painted in fluorescent red or yellow color;
• Maximum energy level at muzzle exit must not exceed 1.3 Joules (or 374 fps);
• Softair gun purchase is limited to:
  • Minimum age of 18;
  • Only for sport practice;
  • Buyer/gun owner must be registered in a softair federation;
• Softair players/gun owners don't need to possess Public Liability insurance;
• Other special limitations may apply to softair gunsmiths and players.

This information is an excerpt of the law, for further information refer to full document (DR - Lei n.°5/2006).

Romania

Law nr. 295 from 2004 (Regimul Armelor şi Muniţiilor) regulates all use of weapons and associated ammunition:

• The law is quite unclear (in what concerns airsoft weapons) as to whether this kind of weapon classifies as "non-lethal weapon" or "toy".
• The law regulates the use of air-powered weapons (e.g. sport/competition use, that use a metal projectile) under "non-lethal" category and solely requires that you (1) are at least 18 years old and (2) register your weapon at the police precinct nearest from your location.
• The law specifies that usage of night vision (infrared) or laser aiming devices designed for military use is completely restricted to members of the army and associated entities even if the aiming device is used on a lower-restriction category weapon (e.g. such as on an airsoft gun). The law, however, does not restrict in any way the use of aiming devices not designed for military use.
• The law specifies that, should you attempt to use a non-lethal or replica gun to perform (or attempt to perform) armed robbery, you shall be prosecuted as if a real gun was used.

** Airsoft and paintball replicas can not be covered by Law nr. 295/2004 regarding the Guns and Ammo regime (Regimul armelor şi al muniţiilor), they are not listed in the law's annex as a gun because of their destination and mode of operation, therefor there's no need for an authorization to buy, own and use them.

     ** A new addition to the law 295/2004 was made at 17/02/2008 called OUG 28/2008 wich restricts evenmore the forms and regulations.

Slovenia

• One has to be at least 18 years to buy airsoft guns.
• If the velocity of an airsoft gun is below 100 m/s (328 ft/s) i.e. equivalent to 1 joule, it is considered to be a toy.
• If the velocity is higher than 100 m/s (328 ft/s), the airsoft gun is classified as a section D weapon in the Firearms control legislation of Slovenia. Additionally Air Soft Clubs and National Shooters Association in Slovenia recommend that airsoft gun velocities should not be above 100 m/s (1 J).

Spain

Airsoft guns are regarded as low power weapons and AEGs must have:

• Semiautomatic rifles and pistols: less than 2.4 joules
• Other automatic electric guns: less than 1.00 joules and local police validation.

Sweden

One must be at least 18 years old to buy and own airsoft guns. If you are under 18 a license is required. Players in Sweden are often very protective about this, and do not like players under 18.

In order to possess a gas, air or spring operated firearm without a license the impact energy of a projectile fired at a distance of 3 meters must be less than 10 joules. If it is semi or fully automatic the impacet energy must be less than 3 joules.

Switzerland

• Airsoft guns are not considered as subject to the weapon legislation and no permission is necessary.
• All kinds of laser sights are forbidden.

United Kingdom

There are currently certain restrictions on the possession of airsoft replicas, which came in with the introduction of the ASBA (Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003) Amendments, which prohibit the possession of any firearms replica in a public place without good cause (to be concealed in a hard gun case or sealed container only not to be left in view of public at any time) . The prohibition of self-contained gas cartridge weapons similar to that made by Brocock can arguably apply to Moscarts and BB-Shower grenade systems, however a formal case precedent has yet to be set. There were initial concerns among the airsoft community that the Violent Crime Reduction Bill (passed an Act in November 2006, but not yet commenced) would in future prevent airsoft skirmishers from buying realistic imitation firearms. However, on the 20th of September 2006 the Association of British Airsofters (ABA) received a letter from Tony McNulty (Minister of State for Security, Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing at the Home Office) saying that he has "decided to provide a defence for airsoft skirmishing in relation to the ban on the sale etc. of realistic firearms". There has been confirmation airsoft will receive an exemption. This letter has been scanned and reproduced on the ABA website [3]. Note that membership of the ABA may be required in order to view the letter.

Since then, the Bill has received Royal Assent, and while now Statute Law in the UK, is still a matter of some (at times heated) discussion in the UK Airsofting community - not least of which the question as to how the Act, and Specific Defence, will work, the process of which is still being decided upon at the Home Office, at the time of this edit (5th December 2006).

The Defence will be based on whether or not a person is a Skirmisher. One of the measures put in place by retailers to aid in identifying Skirmishers is a database of skirmishers registered in a central database. A person must be a regular skirmisher (i.e. skirmish 3 or more times in no less than two months) in order to be registered, and the airsoft site they register/skirmish at must hold public Public Liability Insurance. Once a skirmisher is registered they receive a membership card and must produce this before buying or trading airsoft weapons from these retailers, though not a legal requirement (As long as you can prove that you are an airsoft skirmisher you may purchase Realistic Imitation Firearms or RIFs. (Airsoft guns deemed to be realistic.) It is expected that HM Customs & Excise will also have access to the database to verify the identity of importers.

The VCRA (Violent Crime Reduction Act) came into effect as of the 1st October 2006, thus meaning that RIF (Realistic Imitation Firearms) can only be purchased by registered members of an airsoft skirmish site (accessories and ammunition are not covered by the VCRA). Only those people over the age of 18 can purchase Replica Imitation Firearms. IF (Imitation Firearms), however, are still legal and may be purchased by anyone 18 or over, regardless of membership status. These usually take the form of "Two-Tone" guns - normal Airsoft guns, that have been painted in bright colours in order to mark them out clearly as Imitation Firearms and not Realistic Imitation Firearms.

United States

• Under Federal Law,
  • Airsoft guns are not classified as firearms and are legal for all ages under federal law, as well as the laws in each state. However, in some major cities and population centers the definition of a firearm within their respected ordinances includes propulsion by spring or compressed air, thus subject to applicable laws.
  • A 6 mm minimum orange tip must be present on the barrel end of the airsoft gun to identify it as such for any commercial sales. ^[1] Once sold, local laws may vary on whether or not the orange tip must be kept - in many places, no laws exist restricting one from removing or replacing the orange tip, but one should check the local laws before making such a modification.
  • Airsoft guns' trademarks must be removed where the manufacturer does not have an existing license agreement with the manufacturer of the real fire arm. For example: Classic Army has a licensing agreement with Armalite, so the trademarks can stay on imported replicas of Armalite's weapons. In practice enforcement is hit or miss. You might get an "unlicensed" gun through customs with trademarks intact, while a licensed gun might be held in Customs by an uninformed customs agent. House Resolution 607, sponsored in early 2007, would change this if passed, allowing imports to retain trademarks even if there is no agreement between the real firearms manufacturer and the replica manufacturer.^[2]
  • In addition, the similarity between genuine firearms and airsoft replicas is close enough to provoke interaction with local law enforcement personnel if an airsoft gun is carried openly in public.
  • If someone were to, for example, attempt a robbery with an airsoft gun, they would be charged as if the airsoft gun were a real firearm.^{[citation needed]}
• New York City requires that all realistic toy or imitation firearm be made of clear or brightly colored plastics; furthermore, New York City makes possession of any air pistol or air rifle or similar instrument in which the propelling force is a spring or air, unlawful without a license. See New York City Administrative Code § 10-131(b) and New York City Administrative Code § 10-131(g)(1)(a)^[3]. The rest of New York State is unaffected by these laws, and there are no state regulations limiting or prohibiting airsoft.
• Michigan allows the purchase of Airsoft guns. However, they must have an orange tip on the barrel.
• Texas allows Airsoft guns to be owned but most cities require that the Airsoft guns be discharged only while outside city limits.
• Some cities in Illinois considers shipping or distributing airsoft guns illegal.

See also

• Airsoft
• Airsoft guns

References

1. ^ Penalties for entering into commerce of imitation firearms: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode15/usc_sec_15_00005001----000-.html
2. ^ GovTrack.us. H.R. 607--110th Congress (2007): Military Toy Replica Act, GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation) http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-607 (accessed Mar 28, 2007)
3. ^ Excerpt from New York City Administrative Code, specific sections pertaining to firearms and airguns: http://www.nysrpa.org/nyc-admincode.pdf

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_issues_in_airsoft"

Airsoft Sport is a combat game (Skirmish) similar to paintball in which participants eliminate opponents by hitting them with 6 mm (or occasionally 8 mm) plastic BBs launched from airsoft guns. Airsoft guns are most commonly powered by one of three sources: Gas (CO₂, Green Gas, Red Gas, 134A, Propane, or some other type of gas) , air that is forced through a nozzle via a manually cocked spring piston (normally called "spring guns" or "springers"), or mechanical boxes that use motors to pull back and release a spring piston (Nicknamed AEGs or Automatic Electric Guns). Participants typically use varying types of weapons designed as replicas of real firearms, tactical gear, and accessories used by military and police organizations. Airsoft has been popular in Asia for a long time, and there is now a growing interest in airsoft weapons and events in North America and Europe. Some of the notable manufacturers of airsoft guns include Tokyo Marui, Classic Army, ICS, G&G, G&P, VFC, STAR, Systema, JG, KWA, CYMA, A&K, Echo 1 and others.

History

Airsoft was developed in Japan in the early 1970s^[1] to provide an alternative for gun hobbyists because local laws prevented individuals from privately owning firearms. A heavy emphasis was placed on making accurate replicas of real firearms and target shooting. In contrast, paintball was developed in the United States in 1981^[2] as a variation of hide and seek tag, through the use of utility companies' power pole paint marking guns, and emphasizes function over aesthetic qualities.

In the interests of a more family-friendly image, the paintball industry usually avoids direct analogies to the military and war (seen by the movement towards spectator-friendly speedball), but Airsoft runs the gamut from Airsplat to full MilSim play.

Methods of play

Main article: Airsoft game type variations

CQB

CQB, otherwise known as Close Quarters Battle (or CQC, Close Quarters Combat), is a popular way of playing airsoft. The basic idea is for people to play in an enclosed arena at close quarters, resulting in fast action combat or multiple surprises. Often the arena may be set up as if it were in an urban war zone or in terrain filled with enclosing walls, gates, doorways, stair ways, tunnels, apertures, overhead openings, or below-ground approaches that enable one player to shoot at another from a distance of a certain amount of feet. CQB can also take place in night games or in dense vegetation such as tall grass, shrubbery, and closely packed trees. In these types of combat, the fps of the guns may have to be lower due to the closeness of the combat. Simulated grenades and booby traps are effective due to teams sticking together in such a small area. Players in CQB scenarios usually wear additional vests or protective clothing to avoid injury from close-in hits or ricochets. They also use smaller airsoft guns like the MP5 or auto pistols (gas or electric).

MilSim

An airsoft/MILSIM player operating in a sniper role and wearing a realistic ghillie suit as camouflage.

MilSim, short for Military Simulation, generally combines airsoft play with some military live-action role-playing elements. Several goals or missions are assigned to each team, along with a basic load-out of ammunition (6 millimeter pellets), rations, batteries, and other suitable equipment, such as short-range radios and head-sets.

The teams will remain in the field for the duration of play, only returning to a staging area or "safe zone" for medical emergencies, or other such circumstances. Military simulation games often last several days, for example the large BERGET event in Sweden lasts 6 days in a row, with no breaks. In larger scale MilSim operations players utilize vehicles such as painted vans and trucks. But in some cases, such as Operation Irene, real APCs and tanks will be used.

Airsoft players at a World War II re-enactment. The player is holding a SIG 552 rifle.

Private vehicles representing an armoured personnel carrier.

Airsoft games are not only limited to Milsim or CQB, however. There are many minor game scenarios.

Airsoft for combat training

Many law enforcement departments, military units, and protective security companies are turning to airsoft for an effective, low cost, anti-inflammatory, and safe means of force-on-force training.^[3] The low-impact projectiles allow military/law-enforcement/protection agencies to train anywhere - schools, businesses, airplanes, etc. Training in real-life environments conditions allows them to deal with real life situations and improve their skills. The most common airsoft gun law enforcement departments, military units, and protective security companies use would be the Systema Professional Training Rifle. The inexpensive ammo lets military/police train more frequently and repeat drills dozens of time in each session with minimal budgetary impact, to the relief of taxpayers. Since minimal protective equipment is required, this allows them to train with their actual duty gear and equipment. Using airsoft guns for training minimizes liability to both trainees, instructors and by-standers, as well as property owners.

Honor system

The "honor system" is employed whereby the players rely on each others' honesty to admit to being hit, because unlike paintball, the plastic pellets do not leave a surface mark distinguishable at a distance.

Depending on the muzzle velocity of the gun and distance from which a person is shooting, the person on the receiving end of the shot will usually feel the impact, but the pellets may sometimes not be felt by a player at very long ranges, when distracted, or when running strenuously, hence the importance of marshals or referees. However, honest admission of hits is still required because no one can monitor what happens to every player on the playing field.

To avoid unnecessary disputes that disrupt the game, players are discouraged from calling out hits on their opponent but are expected to signal a marshal to judge how effectively they can hit their opponents. Simulated "knife kills" can be performed when a player touches or taps an unaware opponent instead of shooting him or her at point-blank range. A "courtesy kill" occurs when a player refrains from shooting an opponent at close range while enforcing that opponent's surrender. Players are prohibited from firing blindly when not able to see their target, especially around corners. Players should avoid excessive shooting of an opponent who has already admitted being hit, known as "overkill". Harsh language and forceful physical contact between players is strongly discouraged and even penalized. Players are expected to resolve disputes politely and with proper decorum.

All airsoft players are required and expected to acknowledge being hit even if they are in doubt. Those who acknowledge being hit are expected to do the following: (1) shout "I'm hit" loudly; (2) Raise their hand or gun high; and display a "hit indicator" while walking back to the safe zone. A hit indicator can be either a bright-colored cloth during daytime -- called a "dead man's rag" -- or a blinker or mini-flashlight when in dim light or darkness. Dishonest players who fail to follow the rules or acknowledge their hits run the risk of being labeled and ostracized as "zombies" or "the undead" by the local airsoft community. They will from then on be observed more carefully by the marshals or possibly be even banned from playing in the area.

Another form of cheating occurs when an active player gains an unfair advantage by pretending to be an already-hit player, known as "playing possum", in order to avoid being shot. During night games, active players have been known to turn on their blinker lights to move casually and then to turn them off for combat. Cheating also takes place when an eliminated player becomes a "mummy" by reactivating himself within the same game without permission from a marshal. Some players also gain unfair advantage as "golems" by spontaneously joining a game (without authorization) some time long after the game had already started, therefore being in fresh condition and in a position to surprise their opponents.

Due to the nature of the Honor System, airsoft requires high moral values and gentlemanly ethics to play well, without the need for distinguishing hit marks or strict marshal's calls. This, however, is a matter of personal preference.

Game management

Airsoft games can be run by the players themselves using agreed upon rules. However, games become more realistic and usually thought to be more fun for the participants if a game marshal controls the flow of play and provides on-the-spot impartial rulings. Airsoft game scenarios can vary widely according to mission type, number of teams, number of players per team, in-game objectives or victory conditions, and game durations. Popular game scenarios include center-flag capture or recovery, team flag delivery, hostage-rescue, ambuscades, raids or assaults, and death-match (all-out elimination) skirmishes.

It is the marshal's task to segregate the players into teams, determine the game scenario and its victory conditions, assign game objectives to various teams, brief the participants, delimit playing boundaries, and set the game duration. By means of whistles, flags, megaphones, and walkie-talkie radios, a group of marshals can handle dozens to hundreds of players in a series of episodes or nonstop play. Depending on the game scenario, players may be eliminated with a single hit, taken out of and returned to action with the aid of "medics," or allowed to "respawn" (re-enter the game) at certain places or times. A good game marshal strives to maintain a high level of excitement and activity for all the players involved while maintaining safety, impartiality, and "in-game realism."

Furthermore, those intending to operate game sites or hold game events should coordinate with local public authorities, designate safe zones and boundaries, invite the players to the site, and supply players and guests with adequate parking facilities, toilet facilities, water and electrical supply, as well as sell food, ammo, or other provisions needed (especially if the game site is relatively inaccessible to commercial establishments).

Safety

While airsoft guns are safer than a real firearm, they are by no means safe. Airsoft weapons should be treated the same as a real firearm; some of the safety precautions that anyone who is handling or shooting an airsoft rifle should follow are: to wear protective lenses or goggles, to keep their finger off of the trigger until ready to fire, and only point the gun in a safe direction. Shooters are advised to never point their weapons at animals, nor at unprotected or non-playing people. There are more safety precautions that are included in the user manuals for airsoft weaponry. The power source of the airsoft gun, be it gas, a manual cocking spring, or an electric motor does not affect how safe or unsafe the gun is.

The majority of airsoft guns are operated by an electric motor and powered by a battery. While usually safe when unmodified, any work done to the electrical system can pose an inexperienced airsoft player a shock or fire hazard. This is normally only an issue when the airsoft gun is used with a power source it is not rated for, i.e. a Gas Blow-Back Glock 17 rated for 134A gas used with propane, or a low end electric gun using a battery with a voltage that is higher than what is recommnded.

Wildlife and Terrain Hazards

Because airsoft games are most often played in natural surroundings, animals can often interfere with these games and potentially be hazardous. Snakes are probably one of the most significant threats, especially the potentially deadly. For example in California there is a "snake call", whereby players have to yell "snake" when one is encountered to mark the location and warn other players.^{[citation needed]} After a snake has been identified, that section of the field may be marked as out-of-bounds and or the marshall will be called to relocate the snake.

As always, ticks and other biting insects are also present. It is also important to watch out for poison ivy and other plants which typically cause allergies.

Whether in natural or built-up urban terrain, airsoft players can be subject to injury from terrain features such as slippery surfaces, steep slopes or heights, falls or trips, collisions with unseen obstructions, snags and sharpened objects, and even noxious substances (animal droppings, etc.). Scratches, cuts, bruises, concussions, and sprains, plus a few broken bones can easily occur in this type of activity. This is another reason for the need for military-style protective gear such as head and neck armor, all-terrain boots, thickened gloves, knee and elbow pads, and full-length rugged attire. Airsoft players must be careful when running rapidly as well as moving hastily in the dark to avoid injury from such hazards. Airsoft isn't particularly dangerous unless the weapon produces and energy above two joules. In the UK a limit of 370fps (for AEGs) has been determined by the Home Office. Anything over this is then classed as an air gun, and as such is illegal to use against another person as this then constitutes assault. At normal power levels (c. 328-350fps) the hit will only sting for a while. Airsoft can be a very dangerous sport if you are not wearing the right equipment.

Kinetic Energy

Although there is a considerable difference between Airsoft and paintball energy levels, the type of collisions that occur (elastic airsoft vs. inelastic paintball) must also be considered (refer to Airsoft Pellets Ballistics).

Kinetic energy is the energy that is transferred from the pellet to its target upon impact. One joule of energy will be transferred at an fps of 330 with a BB at the weight of .20g. Most fields limit guns to 330fps for CQB, 400fps for outdoors, and 550fps for bolt action sniper rifles, all measured with a .20g BB. The level of kinetic energy goes up and down depending on the weight of your BB and how fast your gun can propel that weight of the BB. There are certain places that play no fps limit games, the most famous being ASH BASH in Hawaii.^{[citation needed]}

In the United Kingdom, the energy limit for all Airsoft is usually one joule^{[citation needed]} (328fps with a 0.2 gram 6 mm BB) regardless of the type of game play.

Most Airsoft guns are capable of shooting from 150fps to 400fps, though it is also possible to purchase upgraded springs for some Airsoft guns that will enable 400 to 600 FPS projectile velocities.

A hop-up unit, if present, puts backspin on the BB. This backspin generates lift and gives the BB a further effective range. Too much applied hop and the BB will ark skywards, too little and the BB will fall to earth prematurely. The range of any Airsoft gun depends on both the fps at the muzzle, and the amount of HOP applied. Airsoft guns can have a range of 250 feet or more with enough power, the right barrel, and ammunition as well as a good hop-up unit. The hop-up rubber or bucking is also what retains the BB in the barrel until firing.

Airsoft player shooting from behind cover wearing goggles that fully seal the area around the eyes and a balaclava to protect the face.

Damage Effects on Human Flesh

A very close-range (5 centimeters) shot from an airsoft BB on bare skin from a gun with a velocity over 300 FPS will usually break the skin and cause minor bleeding. Shots further than that will most not break flesh at all. If playing with a t-shirt or thin clothing it may possibly make a small bruise. If one is playing with a thicker item of clothing it will not leave anything. A BB can easily cause severe injury to the eye of a person not wearing eye protection.

Eye and Face Protection

A standard of safety guidelines and equipment has evolved in the airsoft community to protect the eyes and face. The minimum safe level of gear required to participate in most games includes a pair of fully-sealing impact-rated goggles to protect the eyes of the participants. Traditional prescription glasses and sunglasses are almost never accepted as they will not prevent serious injury. Goggles not designed specifically for use with airsoft or paintball guns may break or shatter upon being struck, causing eye damage.

For this reason many organized groups of airsoft players and fields require that eye protection fully seals the area around the eyes, and also meets or exceeds ANSI's Z87.1-2003 goggle standard for eye protection: the ability to resist 3 joules of impact energy without damage. Some players instead opt for paintball goggles, which are held to higher impact rating standards, ASTM's F1776.^[4]

According to ANSI publications as of June 2006, The ASTM is currently developing a more specific standard for airsoft - ASTM Z1535Z - Standard Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Airsoft Sports.^[5]

The best overall protection is currently offered by paintball masks. These masks provide an additional level of protection by covering the face, teeth, and ears, greatly reducing the risk of injury to these body parts and the chipping of teeth. The lens is a solid piece of impact resistant plastic. Some airsoft masks are made with mesh screens, though these screens do not offer protection from cheaper or bio-degradable BBs that sometimes fragment upon impact on hard objects.^[6]

Unprotected Players or Bystanders

A player and any observer near an airsoft game site is required to keep his or her face mask, goggles, or shooting glasses on at all times. This is a standard safety requirement upon an airsoft site and this rule is always enforced by the marshal in charge to ensure that all players and observers remain safe and no accidents occur during the gameplay.

All players must immediately stop shooting when a person without eye protection is encountered in the playing area. One commonly adopted practice is for players to shout the words "Cease-fire, Blind Man!," "Heads up, Pedestrian!," "Noncombatant!," or "Walker!" and halt an ongoing game if a player or bystander is seen in the designated game play area without proper eye protection: goggles and a helmet. Any player hearing the words must, in turn, stop and also shout the words, resulting in a chain reaction which halts and alerts the whole game. Once the situation is resolved by properly removing the unprotected person from harm, the game is usually resumed at the same point at which it was stopped. It may be smart to move to a different area after a safety call so you don't give away your location.

Community safety precautions

Some other rules such as a maximum BB velocity and distance guidelines are used in different ways by groups depending on their location. Various locations often offer similar safety rules with slight variations. In order to encourage the mixing of segmented communities into a larger community that can more easily engage each other, certain organizations have created safety rules and guidelines for players to share the field under common understanding and to band together in safe environments.^[7]

Airsoft replica of a H&K G36C. Note that this replica is not in use on a field, and therefore has the magazine removed (and the chamber cleared), and has a barrel bag placed over the muzzle

When not actively playing, some fields require "barrel bags," also known as barrel condoms, which were first introduced in paintball. Many airsoft guns, especially AEGs, come with small red plastic barrel blockers that fit over the muzzle. The magazine is usually removed as well, and the gun fired to clear the chamber. Many fields also require players to leave their guns set to the safety position when they are not shooting, even during active game play. This is a practice taken from real firearms training, in which one never puts a finger on the trigger or takes the weapon off safe until ready to fire.

In certain countries such as the Philippines where large numbers of players often play every weekend in commercial airsoft venues, additional special rules have been adopted to increase safety and avoid unnecessary injury.^[8] All "real steel" firearms, explosives, and bladed weapons are banned at any airsoft battlefield to prevent harmful accidents or misunderstandings and confusion between real and simulated weapons. Players are also expected to be discreet in transporting or carrying their gear and combat-style uniforms so as not to unduly alarm the general public and force the law enforcement agencies to investigate an incident involving airsoft guns. Pyrotechnic devices and effects may be allowed under special circumstances, but are rarely employed, because of the added danger to property or to the participants from fire and explosions.

Teams

There are many organized teams all over the USA and in various countries. Some teams consist of just a few players, who just get together and play during weekends. Some prominent teams have 50 or more players, and are able to send delegations to regional or national events. Competitive teams are those who are able to get special funding or sponsorships in order to compete in tournaments or "bivouacs" (big, multi-day events) held around the country. Most of the well-organized airsoft teams adopt special names, logos, patches, uniforms, gear, and websites or forums to standardize their own identity or appearance versus other teams or groupings.

In the Philippines, there are multiple amorphous groups of airsoft players loosely organized into "teams" that range from the size of squads, platoons, and companies, to large regional confederations of multiple teams and associations. These can be organized according to family group, geographic proximity, professional affiliation, school or business organization, or even according to compatible playing styles, economic lifestyles, and personalities. Such teams can form, disband, regroup, and reform, for any reason, but they are now easily mobilized or organized through website forums and cellphone contact. Some players can belong to multiple teams, just to a particular squad, or may act as "lone wolves" who have no particular team affiliation. Some teams adopt formal rules of association but the majority do not.

There have been attempts to forge one large nationwide umbrella organization of airsofters but these have not succeeded nor persisted in the past. However, due to the continuing influx of cheaper and effective airsoft electric guns, more informal players' associations keep on growing in size, number, and influence as more people take up this sporting activity as a hobby. The growing number of airsoft game sites being set up in recent years is also allowing players in the same neighborhood to play steadily and also to roam from one game site to another.

Legal issues

Main article: Legal issues in airsoft

Airsoft guns and playing airsoft is legal in most parts of the world, but not all. Some countries have specific restrictions such as maximum muzzle energy, rules against using the trademarks of real firearms, and 'unrealistic' coloring as to distinguish them from actual firearms. They are legal throughout the U.S, but restrictions exist in certain cities such as Camden, NJ, Newark, NJ, Chicago, IL, and Detroit, MI. The states of New Jersey, Illinois, New York and Michigan do, however, allow airsoft guns to be used and handled publicly because of Federal and State laws that regard airsoft guns as toys.

Classic Army M15A4 Automatic Electric Gun. M15 is Classic Army's version of the M4

In the United Kingdom, airsoft replicas are classified as 'realistic imitation firearms' or RIF's. The sale, manufacture or importation of RIFs are restricted to activities that are exempted or have been granted a defense by the home office under the VCRA law passed in 2005 and came into force on October 1st 2007. Airsoft has been granted a defense and a skirmisher as defined under British law is allowed to purchase, manufacture or import airsoft replicas. Usually, the only accepted method of proving entitlement is to gain membership of a skirmish site that holds public liability insurance. A scheme set up by UK retailers, called UKARA, recommends that an airsoft site only give membership to a player who has played at least three games over a period of no less than two months. ^[9]

You do not need to be a UKARA registered player to purchase airsoft replicas from retailers; however, to protect themselves, many retailers will only sell to UKARA registered players. Also, players they personally know to be skirmishers will be sold to. These are all because the law penalizes the seller as well as potentially the buyer.

Also, the use or possession of any kind of replica weapon, loaded or otherwise in a public place is an offense under the United Kingdom's 2003 'Anti-social behavior order' law. This can carry heavy penalties, except under specific conditions.^{[citation needed]}

A measure that is often employed by airsoft players is informing local law enforcement officials where and when airsoft games will take place, so that misunderstandings can be avoided.

Due to the nearly unstoppable and steady entry of lower-cost yet high-quality airsoft guns from abroad, the Philippine National Police has issued in December 2007 its Circular 11 (Airsoft Implementing Rules and Regulations).^[10] It regulates the purchase, one-time registration, transport, usage, transfer of ownership, importation, manufacture and repair, marking and branding, as well as commercial sale of airsoft guns by Filipino citizens of legal age. Only airsoft guns with a muzzle velocity of 550 feet per second (fps) or less using 0.2-g BBs can be registered. The PNP AIRR also regulates the operation of airsoft playing fields, registration of airsoft teams, and the enactment of standardized rules and codes of conduct among airsoft players. Foreigners are still barred from transporting or registering ownership of airsoft guns but this does not prevent them from playing with them on private fields or commercial game sites.

Hazards of being mistaken for a real firearm

There have been unfortunate instances in which an airsoft replica firearm have been mistaken for a real steel firearm. In these rare cases players must know how to act; making it clear that they are not armed with a weapon, while still acting as if it were a real firearm. Some safety precautions you can take so that no confusion arises are: not removing the orange tip, informing surrounding public about airsoft, and playing in private areas. The major distinction between a real firearm and an airsoft gun is the shape of the magazine feed area, which contains a round circular opening through which the pellets pass. Thus, releasing and removing the magazine can assist in distinction between an airsoft gun and a firearm.

Orange-tipped airsoft gun muzzles

There have been countless cases of airsoft guns being mistaken for real firearms, and many cases where armed law enforcement units have responded to tips of unlawful firearm use. This is the main reason that Federal laws require minimum 6mm (approx. 1/4") orange tips to be present on all "toy guns" (including airsoft replicas) imported into the United States.^[11]

However, the effectiveness of such measures remains open to debate, because these orange tips can be easily removed, covered, or painted away at any time. One prominent case occurred in Longwood, Florida when a student threatened fellow classmates with an airsoft pistol and was subsequently shot dead when he aimed it towards an officer. The orange tip mandated by US Federal law had been painted black.^[12] Airsoft players will generally do anything to avoid using the orange tip on their guns because it makes them more visible at a distance when they play. The majority of airsoft guns now lack orange tips even if they originally had them, even in localities that require them, so this type of legal regulation would be impractical to enforce in all instances. This is often the norm if the airsoft gun is used only in private or restricted game locations that are not usually accessible to law enforcers. Furthermore, theatrical or movie productions may require the absolute lack of any markings that would distinguish a replica gun from a real gun, so there are regulated exceptions to the orange-tip rule.^[13] Furthermore, their legal imposition means that criminals can attempt to disguise real firearms as toys by painting the tip of the barrel orange, or vice versa.^{[original research?]} For police departments that are already hampered by a lack of resources to enforce America's laws on actual firearms, the additional task of tracking down and constantly monitoring non-lethal replica guns could result in much more lax enforcement of the orange-tip rules.^{[original research?}

Airsoft equipment

Airsoft equipment encompasses many types of equipment used in the sport of airsoft, including the airsoft gun used to shoot airsoft pellets at opponents, safety goggles, and all sorts of tactical gear including vests, equipment holders, and gun accessories.

Cost

To a new player choosing between airsoft and paintball, a beginning package for airsoft is much cheaper in terms of hardware, but for apparel they can be roughly equivalent. They both can range from $20 for a vest, to $180 (expensive version) for a ghillie suit. One major difference, however, can be seen in the cost of ammunition and upkeep of the packages - due to the type of ammunition used, airsoft guns are less prone to "jamming", and airsoft bbs (6mm) are considerably cheaper to purchase than paintballs.

Airsoft rifles and pistols are usually the most expensive piece of equipment. Low-quality electric guns, commonly called LPEGs (low priced/powered electric guns) can cost from $15-$90 USD depending on the quality, the MPEGs (medium priced/powered electric guns) can cost in the range of $80-$180 USD and are usually a clone of an AEG with lower quality materials (i.e. recent CYMA guns, A&K, etc.), while a higher quality AEG are usually more than $200 USD. A paintball gun of equal level usually costs between $250-$350. The overall average for a high quality electric gun such as a "Classic Army", "KWA", "ICS",and "Tokyo Marui" is around $200-$500 USD (or much higher, if the user decides to purchase a pre-upgraded gun or a specialized gun, such as a sniper rifle or an LMG replica) depending on the model. PTW's(Professional Training Weapons)manufactured by Systema and Inokatsu usually cost upwards of$1000 and are sold mainly to collectors and those looking for the closest possible replicas for law enforcement and law enforcement training. Some custom guns can cost more than $2,000 USD. Gas rifles start at around $150 but most high quality gas guns start at about $500.

In Mil-Sim games, where the main aspect of the play is realism, equipment is usually much more expensive. Many Mil-Sim players choose to wear real gear (not an airsoft replica) and in some cases, real ballistic protective armor. This can raise the price of the game considerably, with guns and gear sometimes totaling in excess of $1,000 USD.

Airsoft guns

Main article: Airsoft guns

An example of a gas blowback airsoft pistol, in this case a replica of a SIG-Sauer P226

The guns used in airsoft are typically replicas of real firearms, except that they have a mechanism for pushing out projectiles 6 mm or 8 mm in diameter. An example would be the Classic Army M15A4, which is a replica of the M16 assault rifle. Airsoft guns are considered replicas of real firearms but not all replicas are Airsoft guns; some replicas don't have a firing mechanism while others, such as the Real Action Markers, may have a different mechanism and shoot non-Airsoft types of projectiles.

Airsoft guns are classified according to their operating principle which can be either: spring, electric, or gas-powered. An airsoft gun is selected according to the level of performance (battery life, range, rate of fire, magazine capacity, size, and weight) or realism the player requires. Early-generation airsoft guns were mostly "springers." Airsoft guns with springs are almost never semi-auto and never auto. Second-generation airsoft guns had gas-powered mechanisms that required either an internal "Flon" (CFC) gas reservoir or an external a high-pressure CO2 chamber. AEGs (automatic electric guns, such as assault rifles) are the most commonly produced type now used and have high-capacity rechargeable batteries to energize plastic or durable metal gearboxes that compress air for propelling the BBs.

Most airsoft pistols are gas-powered using biodegradable and environmentally safe "green gas" and produce a realistic blowback recoil effect when fired. Each pistol magazine contains a small storage gas cylinder with enough power to propel the 30+ BB projectiles also housed in the magazine. Thus a player can realistically load, fire, and unload an airsoft pistol with similar realism as a "real steel" semi-automatic pistol. A few early-production AEPs (Airsoft Electric Pistols) have been released but these suffer from weaker BB velocities because of the difficulty of fitting a small-enough motor in the housing of a pistol, although the range is sometimes greater than a gas pistol because FPS can equal drag. AEP's often have a higher rate of fire than their gas counterparts.

Most early airsoft guns were often completely made of plastic except for some internal moving parts. Newer guns, especially those made in China, have metal barrels, receivers, gearboxes, gun sights, and other external parts. A typical airsoft gun is noticeably lighter than its "real steel" counterpart due to the use of aluminum, alloy, and plastic components. Thus, airsoft guns tend to get scratched, damaged, or broken easily from rough handling. When fired, most airsoft guns have a weak vibration and a much softer whirring sound, without any strong recoil, bright muzzle flash, concussive noise, or smell of burnt propellant as those produced by real firearms, although there are smoke caps available for airsoft guns for added realism.

Low FPS guns and pistols are used at shorter ranges (also called Close Quarter Battle (CQB) and usually of 200 feet or less). CQB situations include close range confrontations such as "house entry" where maneuverability is more important than range or power. The airsoft guns used in these scenarios typically fire less than 360 fps to ensure safe operation. Some high-powered and well-upgraded airsoft sniper rifles, some of which are semi-automatic or single-shot bolt-action designs, can fire 6 mm pellets at velocities of about 600 fps.

Most Airsoft players carry one short or long airsoft gun, sometimes with an airsoft pistol as a side arm or backup. Carrying additional backup guns is done during long-duration scenarios that would prevent the player from going back to the safe zone to replace a defective gun. Each gun would need its supply of magazines and batteries or gas canisters. Magazines come in either low-capacity (low caps: 25-80 BBs), medium-capacity (mid caps: 80-150 BBs), or high-capacity (high caps: 200-500+ BBs). These magazines are spring loaded; the high-cap magazines often have a ratchet wheel that can be wound up periodically to force BBs up the magazine feed chute, but these magazines make a rattling noise when running or walking. Some airsoft guns have electric-powered box or drum magazines that hold thousands of BBs (sometimes up to 5000). Also, many pistols and rifles have metal weights in them for a more realistic feel, effect, and balance.

Grenades and launchers

Players can use grenades, grenade launchers,smoke grenades, mines, and claymores that utilize very minor or no explosives (pyrotechnics). Most of these "pyro" devices are powered by a compressed gas. As with many aspects of airsoft equipment, each item is designed as a playful analogy to the real thing, and many times lack the violence of such. The hand grenades have many faults and therefore not as popular or common as grenade launchers like the M203 which launches a large shower of pellets, NERF or foam slug rounds using compressed gas. And while most players, if they do at all use grenade launchers, will simply use an underbarrel launcher such as the M203, some players purchase heavier support weapons such as replicas of the Heckler & Koch 69 40mm grenade launcher, or a CAW revolving launcher, which can hold up to 6 40mm gas powered pellet grenades, (the pellet capacity of each grenade varies by its producer, and specified use, though grenades by MadBull Airsoft have been known to be able to fire over 200 pellets in a single shot), and shoot them in a semi-automatic mode. By using the Caw launcher, support gunners can get off up to 1224 rounds of 6 mm ammunition in about 3 seconds. Mines are not particularly popular because whilst some mines do fire 6 mm pellets in large amounts, similar to an M203 launcher, others only produce a mushroom cloud when activated without actually firing any pellets. The airsoft claymore mine are more expensive in some cases, but popular due to their effectiveness. Anti-tank weapons exist such as the M72, but they are not common or popular due to their weight and greater expense. These are rarely used in casual play, but can be implemented (with special rules for it in place) when playing on an official airsoft field.

Airsoft projectiles

Main article: Airsoft pellets

6mm plastic BBs (0.12 g). A sample of inexpensive BBs. Note visible seams.

Most airsoft guns fire spherical plastic pellets ranging from 0.12 to 0.88 grams in weight, though the most popular weights for AEGs are between .20 and .28 grams, depending on the range that the gun is typically used at. Heavier rounds are typically used for sniping, as they are more stable in flight and thus, more accurate at long range. While BBs may be heavier, it is not necessary to have the gun upgraded to a very high FPS level. The best way to increase the accuracy of a rifle is to adjust the hop-up to the point of where the bb flies as straight and as far as possible without curving upwards or downwards at short distances. The hop-up places a back spin on the BB so as to make it fly straighter. Pellets are typically 6 mm in diameter, though 8 mm varieties exist for specialty weapons. Pellet quality is important, as malformed pellets could easily damage the barrel of the airsoft weapon and/or the hop up system.

Paintball pellets are also available for airsoft guns, but are unpopular due to the incompatibility with hop up systems, as well as the potential damage they could cause if a pellet were to burst inside the gun, which frequently happens. While airsoft pellets are often called BBs, the BB gun is so named because it originally fired BB-sized shotgun shot or metric ball bearings of .177 caliber (steel BBs are actually between .172 and .173 inches (4.5 mm) in diameter). The price of low grade pellets range from $3.50, for a container of about 5000, to around $10 USD, for a large tub of about 10,000. Higher grade pellets can cost as much as $10 USD for 2000 BBs. Most middle to high grade pellets come slightly lubricated with a silicone spray.^{[citation needed]}

Clothing

See also: Military camouflage

Most players typically wear military battle dress uniforms (BDUs) consisting of separate pants and shirts or jackets, because it – just as with real soldiers – aids concealment from adversaries. Some players will go as far as to use a ghillie suit, which breaks up the human outline by having sticks, leafs, and items like that in the fabric/netting.

The choice of camouflage pattern of the BDUs is normally determined by suitability to the playing area or local availability. These fall into general categories such a forest (greenish), desert (tan), winter (gray-white), and urban (black or civilian-wear). Aside from the advantage of camouflage, some participants aim to faithfully replicate a specific combat unit (particularly in games such as MilSim). Also common, especially among the new and non-regular players, are the so-called "contractor style" – in reference to private military contractors – which combine civilian or tribal costume with single-item or mismatched military gear and attire.

Typically, military surplus stores are a good source for such items. In the U.S. the most common pattern is "Woodland" camouflage pattern, but recently MARPAT (recently adopted by the United States Marine Corps) and ACU (adopted in 2006 by the United States Army), and CADPAT (Canadian Armed Forces) have also become popular choices in North America, but most European camouflage patterns are suitable with Flecktarn (Germany) being a popular alternative, or even strictly commercial patterns such as Multicam or Real-Tree.

Similarly in Europe, local military uniforms are more readily available and probably more suitable to local conditions. Popular patterns include the German Flecktarn, British DPM or Swiss Alpenflage.

In the Philippines, civilian airsofters are forced to wear mismatched, commercial or foreign military uniforms (BDUs), because laws allow only military and police personnel to wear official uniforms. It has become popular among civilians and airsoft players to wear only the upper garment or the pants, but not both.

Aside from concealment, Military BDUs also provide protection from typical outdoor elements such as weather, flora and most importantly the impact of the BBs. When not wearing full paintball-type face masks, many players wear neck armor such as a balaclava and military-style helmets, such as the Kevlar MICH 2000 or PASGT helmet. Furthermore, players need to wear the proper field footwear such as combat or hiking boots (not just ordinary athletic shoes) in order to safely and quickly travel on foot in harsh terrain. They also wear padded gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and protective vests for additional protection.

In some cases rules are adopted that allow only casual clothes in an effort to encourage realism, because players will more actively avoid being hit.

Tactical gear

Players wear tactical clothing and accessories not only for the added realism, but to fulfill the practical needs similar to that of a real soldier. One such example is the ability to carry spare magazines, batteries, propellant gas canisters, water, food, or other equipment in specified vests. The most common are holsters, load bearing vests, and modular rigs such as MOLLE, ALICE, and the British PLCE systems. Some players even wear hydration systems, such as those manufactured by Camelbak.

Gun bags or gun cases that can be padlocked allow airsoft guns to be transported in private or even public vehicles without the risk of damage or careless access by non-owners. Airsoft guns need to be carried discreetly and away from the public eye and it is usually impractical to bring the guns in the original boxes. These gun cases usually have extra padding and multiple compartments to stow the gun parts, accessories, batteries, and ammunition in an organized manner.

Pyrotechnics

Some airsoft sites allow the use of pyrotechnics, which are small explosive-driven replicas of ordnance such as grenades. Unfortunately, homemade devices of this sort are often unsafe and can lead to serious injury. There are several types of pyrotechnics: pellet grenades which fire out pellets to replicate the shrapnel of a fragmentation grenade; smoke grenades which provide cover to move and fire from behind; and flashbangs/thunderflashes which emit a very bright flash of light (often accompanied by loud sound) for the purpose of disorientating and temporarily blinding/deafening the target.

The latest Airsoft grenades have much improved since their first introduction, TLSFX UK and Spectrum Pyrotechnics have done pioneering work in the development of much tougher grenades using rocket star burst shell cases, allowing them to be thrown much farther, ring pull fuses, and filling grenades with dry peas instead of paint balls or pellets, making them mostly biodegradable. The ring pull allows German stick type grenades for re-enacters and adds to the realism of ball grenades.

Some players also create homemade pellet grenades with the use of fireworks and pellets enclosed in a casing, such as 35 mm film canisters. Such items are often frowned upon, however, as they could be harmful to other players or the playing environment due to the plastic and shrapnel often used.

Smoke grenades have also been improved with cool burning and much less toxic smoke. Use of old naval rescue smokes should be avoided, as the smoke used was never designed for possible inhalation.

Other equipment

A large amount of equipment exists for real world soldiers which is also usable in airsoft games held by private citizens. Military surplus stores can provide many items currently issued to the player's country. Some common examples are scopes, flashlights, picatinny rails (also known as RIS rails), holsters, silencers and red dot scopes.

Equipment is generally for increasing combat efficiency, but can be used to provide enhanced realism. However, bringing or carrying any sharp pointed or bladed weapons into the playing area is discouraged or proscribed by game site organizers unless such gear are authorized for a particular training scenario or for added safety in a hazardous environment.

See also

• Airsoft guns
• Airsoft pellets
• Classic airsoft
• Japan Arms Collection
• Legal issues in airsoft
• List of Airsoft Manufacturers
• Lasertag
• Paintball
• Airguns
• BB gun
• CA249

References

1. ^ History of Airsoft: http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/history.asp
2. ^ The Origins of Paintball: http://durtydan.paintballresource.org/www.durtydan.com/ddpis/3origin.html
3. ^ Airsoft for force-on-force training: http://www.airsoftarms.com
4. ^ ASTM F1776 standard for paintball goggles: http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZD5TRRSKC&sub_cat=32
5. ^ ASTM Z1535Z: Proposed standard for airsoft eye protection: http://public.ansi.org/ansionline/Documents/Standards%20Action/SAV3723.pdf (see page 12)
6. ^ Durability Test of Mesh Masks http://www.ampair.net/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.102
7. ^ Texas Airsoft Organization
8. ^ Filipino Airsoft Players (FAP) Standard Rules and Regulations: http://www.filairsoft.com/forum/showthread.php?t=821
9. ^ UKARA Q&A. Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
10. ^ Philippine National Police Circular 2007-011 (Airsoft Implementing Rules and Regulations): http://www.uaaph.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142&Itemid=1
11. ^ Electronic Code Of Federal Regulations, Title 15: Commerce and Foreign Trade, PART 1150—MARKING OF TOY, LOOK-ALIKE AND IMITATION FIREARMS. Government Accountability Office via http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov+(2008-01-30). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
12. ^ Ramsey Al-Rikabi. "The real problem with fake guns", Times Herald-Record, 2006-03-19. Retrieved on 2008-02-01. 
13. ^ Electronic Code Of Federal Regulations, Title 15: Commerce and Foreign Trade, PART 1150—MARKING OF TOY, LOOK-ALIKE AND IMITATION FIREARMS § 1150.4 Waiver.. Government Accountability Office via http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov+(2008-01-30). Retrieved on 2008-02-28.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft"

Contact us:

UMBRELLA CORPORATION

2^nd Floor UG Store No. 17

Jl. H. Abdul Wahab Siamin 2 – 8

Surabaya Jatim Indonesia 60241

Phone/fax: +62 31 71990880

Email 1: umbrella_corporation@rocketmail.com

Email 2: umbrella_corp_indie@hotmail.com

Contact person online: Miss. Alice

Contact person offline: Mr. Moch Afif and Mr. Aldi

Moch Afif mobile phone: +62 81332505655

Aldi mobile phone: +62 81332079597

Please feel free to contact us. English or Indonesian language welcome.

If you are interested to play as trial, please visit:

Blast (Battle Land and Shooting Target)

Indoor 700m2 and outdoor 1000m2

Jl. Pantai Ria Kenjeran (Kenpark)

Surabaya Jatim Indonesia

Phone/fax: +62 31 3817306

Contact person offline: Mr. Faisal and Ms. Yuni

NB: No need to worry if you don’t have an Airsoft (mostly AEG). They provide airsoft for rent at very affordable price.

Or

You can call to check up for Airsoft Skirmish Activity in town:

G-Team Airsoft Club Surabaya

Contact person: Mr. Aldi at 081332079597 atau Mr. Heru at 0811378926

About us:

Welcome to the Umbrella Corporation!

Umbrella's Military Replica Division was founded as the covert branch for special Airsoft modification and up-grade research reasons. Since the founding of the corporation - the latest Airsoft equipment and technology has been supplied and guided by this mighty division. Much of the Airsoft operations and special researches originated from this branch of the corporation. Umbrella is also home to all Indonesian Branches, with its central headquarters located in Surabaya.

Umbrella Corp. Launches new Online and Offline Marketing Program:

After decades of research, Umbrella launches its next generation “Easy to Shop” system designed by Mr. Bakul. The program was originally titled “Quantum” but due to complications with an earlier program, the name has changed. This next generation marketing program will be supporting corporate selling operations world wide. As a matter of fact, a selling program known as “Easy to Shop” - is tracking your movements and needs on this website as you read.

Next Generation Affordable Skirmish (War Game) and Practical Shooting Sport:

Umbrella's HQ has released new cheaper and more realistic Airsoft GBB (Gas Blow Back) and AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) products that will revolutionize old fashioned Practical Shooting and Military Training. Project “Airsoft” will be enhanced with I-APSC and G-Team community as main user to develop a next generation skirmish or combat game and practical shooting training. This will be much safer and fun than the real one; a very expensive dangerous product with multiple complex procedures released by the Real Gun Manufacturer and regulations by our POLICE Fire Arms Dept..

Umbrella Corp and G-Team fight Anti-Airsoft & Terrorism:

Umbrella Corps Special Airsoft organization called G-Team is responsible for sharing tactical and strategic knowledge to our local law enforcement such as TNI and POLRI. Cult-like “Anti-Airsoft” and terrorism factions were exterminated with the pro-act of Indonesian armed forces recently. But the fight against “Anti-Airsoft” and terrorism is far from over. Umbrella has recently signed a contract with the TNI to develop next generation affordable and safer training system for the sake of increasing ability of our TNI special forces.

Airsoftguns

Airsoft guns (also known as "Soft Air Guns") are spring, electric, or gas powered air guns that fire small spherical plastic pellets of either 6 mm or 8 mm diameter (0.24 or 0.32 inches), although spring-operated "air guns" may be disputed as air guns altogether. Very cheap airsoft guns are normally underpowered and unsuitable for match play, but some Chinese manufacturers such as Jing Gong, A&K and BOYI/ D BOYS are now producing match-quality AEG's for under $100. The more expensive models by manufacturers such as Tokyo Marui, Classic Army, and G&G are preferred by professional players due to their reliability and accuracy.

Most airsoft guns are replicas of real firearms, in keeping with the realistic style of airsoft, but occasionally fictional firearms or body kits are available, such as the M41A Pulse Rifle from Aliens. Some very inexpensive airsoft guns are reduced scale models (such as the Boys models by some makers) or caricatures (such as the mini-electrics) of firearms. In addition, some designs are replicas of firearms that never even went into service or production, such as XM8 prototypes.

There are three types of airsoft gun: spring, gas, and electric . All work on the same principle of compressed gas expanding to force a pellet down the gun's barrel and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

History

In the 1980s, it was illegal to possess firearms in Japan, but there was a large interest in them. Because of this interest, a company started to produce spring-powered guns that looked like the real firearms. These guns fired a 6mm plastic bb. The sport then migrated to North America in the mid 1990s.^[1]

Types of airsoft guns

Spring powered

A spring powered airsoft gun modelded after a Desert Eagle .44 Magnum

Spring-powered airsoft guns are single-shot devices that use potential energy stored in a spring to launch an airsoft pellet down the barrel of the gun. The user must cock a spring gun prior to each shot. This is typically achieved by pulling back the slide (pistols), bolt (rifles), or the grip on a shotgun, which in turn compresses the spring and makes the gun ready to fire. Because of this, these guns are by definition incapable of automatic or semi-automatic fire. Spring powered airsoft guns are typically not as powerful as gas and electric models, although this can vary by cost.

While most electric guns also use springs for propulsion of the airsoft pellet, they are not considered to be in the same category as the single-shot spring-powered guns. Low-end spring guns tend to be much cheaper than their electric-powered equivalents due to their simplicity and lack of electrical components (spring assembly, electric motor, battery, and battery charger) and thus are widely available. These guns are less suited for competition because they are at a disadvantage against automatic guns in close combat and do not provide enough accuracy and power for long-range use. There are some exceptions, however, as higher-end spring-powered airsoft rifles can be quite expensive; these guns are typically suited for "marksman" applications in airsoft matches and provide competitive muzzle velocities. Additionally, pump shotguns are sometimes used, especially in CQC (Close Quarters Combat). In colder weather, spring pistols are more reliable than gas-powered pistols (see below) and even the batteries on AEPs (Automatic Electric Pistols) both of which can be adversely affected by extreme cold.

This represents one of the major advantages of spring powered airsoft gun, as it can be fired in any situation, without reliance on an external source of power, such as batteries or gas. The lack of reliance on external power sources causes some players to favor spring powered guns. Spring guns are also less susceptible to the effects of water, where a battery-powered gun could malfunction when wet.

The other major advantage that spring weapons hold over other powered airsoft guns is price. True AEGs can range from $200-$550 and high-end gas pistols generally cost from $80-$200 both of which also require extra equipment; gas, batteries etc. Spring guns tend to not exceed $50, except in cases of high end "sniping" rifles which average out to be around $103-$370 in price. Most players start with a spring pistol as their first airsoft weapon, which will usually cost about $10-$30. They are also more readily available in most department stores. Because of their price, spring guns tend to act as "training guns" to bring new players to airsoft games and are considered the primary weapon of "backyard skirmishes." Almost all airsoft players at some point own a spring weapon, whether for its actual use in the sport or for the replica value since some airsoft weapons are only available as spring versions.

Gas powered airsoft guns

A gas blowback Heckler & Koch USP Compact replica, made by KSC.

Gas-powered airsoft guns use pressurized gas to propel pellets. These guns are capable of automatic and semi-automatic operation. The most common gases used are "green gas" (which consists of a mixture of propane and a polysiloxane lubricant) and HFC-134a. Less commonly used gases include "red gas" (which is actually HCFC-22), CO₂ and nitrogen/high pressure air. Red gas is usually avoided unless the airsoft gun has undergone modification, as its relatively high critical pressure can cause damage to the airsoft gun. CO₂, nitrogen, and high pressure air are less common because they need to be stored at higher pressures than "green gas" or HFC-134a.

The first ever gas powered airsoft guns were commonly referred to as 'classic' guns, owing to their age. These guns were most commonly powered by liquid propellants such as R-12 (Which was marketed by the Japanese as FLON-12 or brand name Freon-12) Freon feed system with a majority of the configurations containing two tanks, one containing the R-12 and one used as an expansion tank, and the gun itself. R-12 was commonly used in car air conditioning systems. It is also illegal in some states and parts of the world because it is not environmentally friendly. Later users modified these old guns to be powered by regulated CO₂ canisters or nitrogen/high pressure air bottles to increase power and consistency. However, these guns have largely been superseded by the newer and more versatile AEGs, or automatic electric guns. One of the reasons for this is because the most commonly available propellant, R-12, is costly. Additionally, at high flow rates, liquid propellants tend to cool down, eventually freezing. As cooldown progresses, the rate of fire gradually decreases until the gun ceases operation. The user would then be forced to wait for the propellant to warm up again. CO₂ is not affected as badly by this tendency, and nitrogen/high pressure air is immune to it. Furthermore, if liquid propellant is introduced into the gun's mechanism, rubber parts can freeze and eventually damage the gun.

Gas power tends to be used in airsoft pistols where size constraints make electric-powered mechanisms impractical. Other instances where gas is favored are where adjustable velocities are required or where a blowback feature is desired. A blowback feature is a mechanism which cycles a slide or bolt to better simulate a real firearm's operation. Because of the mechanical complexities involved with distributing and regulating gas, these guns have largely given way to electric guns for less specialized applications, however, they still remain favorable amongst some airsofters. They are not just limited to pistols; submachine gun airsoft replicas and sniper rifle airsoft replicas commonly use gas mechanisms. Whilst the submachine gun replicas typically feature a blowback mechanism similar to the pistol replicas, sniper rifle replicas usually omit the blowback mechanism in favor of reduced recoil and increased muzzle velocity.

Along with using gas to power guns, it is also applied for use in replica grenades. These grenades are both projectiles, fired from a grenade launcher such as the M203 or GP-25, or throwable. The shells work on the system of an internal piston, filled with gas. Either a series of pellets or in some cases a rubber or soft foam head is seated in or on top of the shell. When the pressure is released the projectile(s) are shot from the launcher sent downrange.

In the case of the throwable grenades, inside the grenade there is a similar piston to the one used in the shells, but is on a literal "timer" that allows the user to clear the area of effect. Pellets or powder act as the projectile in the case of these grenades. Currently both types of grenades are not very common, mostly because grenade launchers are quite expensive and the throwable grenades are not very reliable.

Electric guns

There are many types of electric guns:

Automatic electric guns

An AEG modeled after an AK-47

Electric-powered airsoft guns typically use a rechargeable battery to drive an electric motor, which cycles an internal piston/spring assembly in order to launch pellets. Automatic and semi-automatic operation is possible which gives these guns the popular name "automatic electric guns" or AEGs^[2]. These guns often attain muzzle velocities between 150 and 500 ft/s (60 to 150 m/s) and rates of fire of between 100 and 2000 rounds per minute. They are the most commonly used and widely available type of airsoft gun.

These type of guns were developed in Japan and the Japanese company Tokyo Marui dominates the market. In a Tokyo Marui AEG, the motor drives a series of 3 gears mounted inside a gearbox. The gears then compress a piston assembly against a spring. Once the piston is released, the spring drives it forward through the cylinder to push a pellet into the chamber, through the barrel, and forward from the muzzle. Many manufacturers have now more or less replicated this basic model, adding reinforced parts or minor improvements.

An illustration of the gearbox's workings

Jing Gong Steyr AUG AEG

These guns are powered primarily by nickel cadmium (NiCad) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) with varying voltages and milliampere hours ratings. The most common battery is an 8.4 V large battery (usually about 2400 mA•h.) Also available are 8.4 V "mini" batteries, which generally have 600 mA•h capacities. Voltages for large batteries range from 7.2 V, all the way up to 12 V. The rule of thumb usually is the higher the mAh, the longer the battery lasts while the higher voltage, the higher Rate of Fire (RoF).

External modifications, such as metal bodies and reinforced plastics that make AEGs look and feel even more realistic, have become very popular. AEG manufacturers such as Classic Army and Tokyo Marui produce replicas that are visually nearly identical to their real counterparts. Tokyo Marui, however, sticks with a durable ABS plastic where as Classic Army features full metal bodied guns and stronger furnishings. Most AEGs produced as of late are designed to be as visually realistic as possible.

The two most common AEGs fielded by players are the AR-15 series (M16 rifle, M4 carbine, etc.; sometimes referred to as the Armalite or Colt series) and the Heckler & Koch MP5 series, because parts for repairs or modifications/customization are commonly available. Also popular are the AK or Kalashnikov, the Heckler & Koch G36 and more recently, the Springfield M14.

Hybrid guns

Hybrid Airsoft guns are the newest type of airsoft guns on the market, debuting summer 2006. Hybrid airsoft guns are basically standard AEG's with a little extra reality built in. The magazine is loaded with shell casings, each containing a single plastic pellet. These shell casings can have a small red cap, the same as those found in any child's toy cap gun placed on the top of them. These guns feature an electrically powered, full blowback system and operate on a "round-per-shell" basis such that for every pellet fired, a shell casing is ejected and the cap is fired providing a realistic sound and smoke effect. The only problem though with this concept, is that there are only two modes of fire: Semi (single shot) or Manual (cocking after every shot).

Low powered electric guns

KWA selective fire "Boys" Colt Commando electric rifle, approx. 3/4 scale, pictured with .12 gram Crosman ammunition and Cybergun

called low powered electric guns (LPEGs) to distinguish them from the original, more expensive and more powerful AEGs even though their mechanical/electrical design and operation is similar. They are not to be confused with Mini Electrics (described below). Originally they were only of novelty value, often regarded below spring operated guns due to their construction and low velocities.

Medium Powered electric guns

Some companies - like UTG with their popular MP5 and AK-47 models - have improved their quality to such an extent that some models are now considered simply as mid ranged AEGs that are more affordable but still reasonably effective. Among airsofters, these are commonly called middle powered electric guns(MPEG's).

Since there are spring action guns that can notably outperform the true low end LPEGs and can be found at comparable prices, they are generally considered to be better choices.

Electric Blow Backs

Electric Blow Backs, also known as EBBs, are cheap electric guns, mostly modeled after real world pistols, which typically run from four AA batteries or AAA batteries. EBBs generally have a very low muzzle velocity and "blow back" like a Gas Blow Back to simulate the action of a real pistol.

Mini electrics

Recently, the company UHC, well known for its spring guns, began manufacturing a range of electric guns in miniature size that fire only full automatic. They differ from LPEGs in that they are not replicas of real firearms, being miniaturized version of real firearms, mostly made of black or clear plastic.

They have a small ammo capacity, usually between 50 and 100 rounds, but they have good range and functional hop-up. Even among experienced airsofters, they are great for target practice and for kids. They have become very popular in recent years, and are now being manufactured by Tokyo Marui, as well as the Taiwanese company HFC. These “minis,” as they are referred to, are not a viable option in games against AEGs since their small ammo capacity, short range and poor far range accuracy leave their wielder at a large disadvantage. Mini electric guns are able to compete with spring pistols at close ranges however, primarily due to their high rate of fire.

AEP

Automatic Electric Pistols , abbreviated AEPs, was first introduced by Tokyo Marui in 2005 with their Glock 18C (followed later by a Beretta 93R model). They were the first handguns to incorporate an electric powered system that is capable of fully-automatic operation.

In cold weather, AEPs are often considered better sidearms than gas powered pistols, because batteries are not as badly affected by frigid weather. Gases like CO₂ and green gas are stored in liquid form and require heat in order to vaporize. A gas pistol at 10 °F will usually only get one to two usable shots from a full magazine.

Because the gearbox and battery are smaller, the velocity of the pellets is relatively slow for airsoft play. The velocity of an AEP is usually between 200 to 280 ft/s (85.3 m/s). However, the advanced hop up units on these new guns tend to compensate for the low power and can produce an effective range comparable to those of an AEG. CYMA's Glock 18C is capable of firing full auto at around 270fps with reasonable accuracy, making it an excellent choice of sidearm for under $40.

An AEP differs from electric blow-backs because the AEP has a fixed slide (in which there is no external movement of the slide during operation), while an EBB attempts to simulate the "blow back" action in the slide experienced in a real pistol or Gas Blow Back (GBB). An AEP, however, has much more power and accuracy.

One of the newer AEP-styled guns is the Marui replica of the Heckler & Koch MP7. It is considerably larger than either of the other guns, and can be upgraded to a much higher power through the use of an external battery, but uses the same system as the AEP, so the classification is ambiguous. It is slightly more powerful than the others and is a suitable choice for CQB (Close Quarter Battle) games due to its small size and decent barrel- to gun-length ratio.

Some semi-automatic pistols can be modified to be automatic pistols. To make them more effective, they often use AA batteries or AAA batteries can be replaced with a 9v battery to make their ROF higher; this procedure, though, can often wear-out the airsoft gun, since a motor typically running from 4 AA/AAA batteries will take 3v to run, and a 9v would therefore put 3²= 9x as much energy through it.

Classic guns

Classic airsoft guns are usually older variety airsoft guns which are gas powered. Unlike the gas pistols of today, they can run on either an internal tank using conventional airsoft gas or use an external CO₂ tank much like a paintball gun. They generally cost more than the standard AEG but provide a more realistic approach to airsoft. There is usually some "recoil" provided by these guns. While these guns can become more powerful than AEG's, almost all users operate them at sub-AEG power. Instead of relying on muzzle velocity for range and accuracy, they employ a special hop-up called an LRB. The LRB turns the entire barrel into a hop-up system, so the pellet can travel much farther without high muzzle energy. They also have a higher rate of fire because a spring doesn't need to be pulled back each time a shot must be fired.

Sights

Optical sights are fairly common for use on rifles; mostly red dot sights for short-range use, and telescopic sights for longer-range use. These range from inexpensive sights designed for use on pellet guns and .22 rifles, to mid-range sights, usually inexpensive replicas of actual rifle sights (such as replicas of the famous M68 Aimpoint), to actual sights designed for use on rifles, including the EOTech Sights, and the Trijicon ACOG TA01NSN. Most of these sights are mounted on a MIL-STD-1913 Rail.

Magazines

KSC GLOCK magazines for their gas blowback models. Interesting features: the valve up top which releases gas when depressed by the hammer, and the lack of GLOCK logo on the right-hand magazine, as it came with a KWA GLOCK

Magazines are usually realistic looking replicas of real firearm's magazines and as such are made of the same materials like stamped metal or high impact plastic. They occasionally feature markings and/or engravings that match or mimic their real counterparts.

Gas blowback magazines are usually made out of thicker metal, since they contain compressed gas to power the guns as well as the pellets. The magazines usually have a valve on the bottom that is used to charge its internal cylinder with gas. They are designed to be similar in weight to a fully loaded magazine from a real firearm.

Airsoft magazines are divided into the following classes according to the number of pellets they hold:

Standard

These type of magazines aren't classified according to their capacity (in some cases up to 300 rounds), but by the fact that they are the standard unmodified magazines originally included with the weapon itself. They are normally loaded by inserting pellets down a shaft, compressing a spring held inside that will later feed the pellets into the gun.

Standard magazines offer quiet operation (no rattle or manual winding of high-capacity magazines) and are sometimes the only alternative available for certain airsoft gun models. They are also useful to help players limit their ammunition consumption.

Standard magazines almost only come with Tokyo Marui guns whereas some companies like Classic Army or ICS supply high-capacity magazines with their guns. However, most magazines will not feed every single pellet, leaving 2-3 pellets at the end of the magazine (some players may circumvent this problem by inverting the gun to allow gravity to feed the pellets instead).^{[citation needed]}

Low capacity (Low-Cap)

Low cap mags hold no more than 100 rounds for AEGs. Low caps are used for players who aren't interested in playing for long periods of time. (Low caps only hold the minimum amount of ammo) These mags can be used with a lot of different AEGS & other electric rifles, but mostly for pistols.

Medium capacity (Mid-Cap)

This is a loose category used to describe a type of magazine that has been modified to hold more rounds - usually between 100 and 200.

Mechanically they still function like a standard magazine and as such keep the advantage of quiet operation over high-capacity magazines (that also require a winding mechanism), but minimize the disadvantage of a standard magazine's lower number of rounds.

High capacity (Hi-Cap)

This term is used for all magazines with more capacity than a standard magazine and for rifle hi-caps. They require a manual or battery powered wind or a spring to feed the BBs. For pistols, hi-caps are determined by a high BB capacity but work like a standard magazine. With both types a toothed wheel is rotated to bring pellets from a reservoir, along a track and up into a channel into the gun. With one type this gear is turned manually while in the other a pressure sensitive pad is used to operate a battery powered electrical motor to perform the same function.

These magazines are almost exclusively used in AEG type of guns and the obvious advantages is the greater number of rounds, which can be especially useful for automatic fire. The disadvantage is that the loose pellets can rattle and the noise could reveal a player's position to other competitors. Also, Hi-cap magazines are not allowed at most major airsoft events, where realism is often a prerequisite.

Real capacity (Real-Cap)

Real-Caps are identical in operation compared to standard magazines, but they carry the same amount of ammunition that the real version of the magazine can carry, which is often much less than the standard magazine, e.g. an M-16 Real-Cap will hold 30 rounds instead of the 68 of a standard magazine.

These tend to be used solely by those wanting the most realistic MILSIM ("MILitary SIMulation") games. Again they offer the stealth of no rattling rounds, but their main use is for the realistic qualities.

Performance

Airsoft guns shoot plastic pellets at velocities from 100 ft/s (30 m/s) for a low-end spring pistol, to 550 ft/s and beyond for heavily-upgraded customized sniper rifles. Most non-upgraded AEG's using the Tokyo Marui system are in the middle, producing velocities from 270 to 300 ft/s (80 to 90 m/s) with the exception of a few companies such as G&G, G&P and Jing Gong which manufacture guns that produce velocities of 340-375 ft/s stock. The internal components of most guns can be upgraded which can increase the pellet velocity significantly. Using heavier pellets (.25g, .3g, etc.) will significantly reduce the gun's muzzle velocity, but can increase accuracy at range and reduce susceptibility to wind drift. Conversely, lighter pellets may travel further but are less accurate. High-velocity AEG's often employ heavier pellets, as the velocity penalty does not affect them as much, while the accuracy benefits remain. Most high-end AEG's, such as Classic Army and Tokyo Marui, should not be loaded with anything lighter than 0.2 g pellets, as the lighter pellets (0.12 g, 0.15 g) are typically made for low-end guns, and are not built to the same tolerances. The stresses the pellets go under upon firing could shatter lighter or poorly made pellets as they leave the barrel, potentially damaging both the weapon and the target.

Airsoft guns are modified to increase one or more of the following properties: pellet velocity, rate of fire, or reliability. For an electric airsoft gun, the pellet velocity can be increased by simply upgrading the mainspring. Doing this will increase the pressure produced during operation. But due to the higher forces at play, it is advised that other parts be upgraded together with the mainspring in order to maintain a high level of reliability. The rate of fire is increased by using a battery with a higher voltage, high speed ratio gears and/or a high speed motor. Rates of fire can be increased to 20+ rounds per second with very few upgrades, but with careful selection and extreme modification of gearbox components, rates of fire in excess of 50 rounds per second are not unheard of. In the case of gas guns, a higher pellet velocity can be achieved through the use of different types of gases and/or changing the valve. It must be noted that some gases have detrimental effects to some plastic components inside the airsoft gun.

Airsoft guns commonly come with mounts or rails on which you can add external accessories. Some common upgrades added are flash lights, scopes, lasers etc. Since some airsoft guns have the exact external frame as real guns you can use these external upgrades meant for real guns, but the opposite does not apply. In no way can an airsoft rifle be modified to shoot real ammunition. In most cases, scopes and flash lights have little effect on the performance of the airsoft gun itself, rather the user's ability to use their gun effectively in different situations. In most cases these types of add-ons are more for aesthetics rather than performance. However, some scopes must have scope rings (which are not usually included in airsoft gun packages) that are used to mount the higher end scopes to a default rail mount.

Airsoft gun care

Barrels should be cleaned after every use, especially in sandy environments. If you own an AEG, you should fire two to three shots in semi-automatic mode to decompress the gearbox spring after you are done firing. (some guns come with a button that can be pressed to decompress the spring). Empty the magazine in order to preserve the strength of the magazine spring. It is also smart to spray a non-corrosive silicone spray into the gun barrel and hop-up chamber from time to time, as suggested in most AEG and other airsoft gun manuals. With single shot spring airsoft rifles, do not keep the gun cocked, but if keeping the gun cocked is personal preference, always keep the safety on as the gun may fire randomly and injure someone.

Magazines for gas guns should be left pressurized so all seals stay intact. If the gas used has silicon lubricant in it, then further lubrication usually isn't necessary; if not, a drop or two on the internals will do. When expelling gas from a gun you should never use the release valve located on the magazine as the releasing gas can freeze the o ring causing gas leakage.^{[citation needed]}

Some longtime airsoft gun owners complain about their gun's paint either scratching or wearing off. While in most situations it's a bad idea to do "touch ups," if a full repainting is needed, a flat, enamel based spray paint should be used, such as Krylon. More and more retailers offer painting services to restore an airsoft gun's original appearance.

Batteries are an important factor governing the lifespan of AEG gearboxes. Using a battery which has too high a voltage will cause the gearbox to cycle at a rate that could potentially damage internal components such as the piston. A battery with too low a voltage may lack the power to cycle an AEG gearbox even once. Selecting the correct battery for a particular gun is therefore very important. Batteries not only vary in voltage, but also in ‘mAh’. The Mili-ampere hour value gives an indication of how long a battery will continue to power an AEG gearbox for. In addition, higher mAh batteries tend to have a higher current draw, which will marginally increase the rate of fire of an AEG.

Trademark problems

Some airsoft guns can be such accurate replicas that they violate intellectual property laws (specifically those regarding trademarks), most notably some models from Tokyo Marui bearing Colt or Heckler & Koch trademarks that may not be imported into the United States. Certain companies such as Classic Army or ICS avoid this problem by licensing their replicas from the original manufacturers like ArmaLite or Olympic Arms. Trademark problems are usually avoided through the removal of trademarks with a sander, such as a Dremel, or having them covered up, often with easily-removable colored tape.

House Resolution 607

On January 22, 2007, House Resolution 607: Military Toy Replica Act was sponsored by Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), which states:

Directs the Secretary of Defense to require that any contract entered into or renewed by the Department of Defense include a provision prohibiting the contractor from requiring toy and hobby manufacturers, distributors, or merchants to obtain licenses from, or pay fees to, the contractor for the use of military likenesses or designations on items provided under the contract.

This would mean that airsoft manufacturers producing airsoft guns based on those used by the Department of Defense would not have to pay licensing fees for importation into the United States, allowing legal airsoft versions of U.S. Military guns, with trademarks intact. ^[3]

References

1. ^ AirSplat Airsoft Info: [1]
2. ^ [http://www.airsplat.com/airsoft-definition.htm "Airsoft Guide and Information - What is Airsoft!? ." Airsplat. 15 May 2008 http://www.airsplat.com/airsoft-definition.htm.
3. ^ GovTrack.us. H.R. 607--110th Congress (2007): Military Toy Replica Act, GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation) http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-607 (accessed Mar 28, 2007)

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