Airsoft Guns

With the ever increasing popularity of airsoft, more and more people are looking for safe and fun locations to use their weapons and organize skirmishes. However, choosing the right location for your next airsoft match entails more than simply finding a vacant lot or venturing into the woods. Laws and in some cases common sense, clearly prevent airsoft enthusiasts from playing in certain environments.

Public Land

Avoid playing airsoft games on publicly owned land such as parks or other local recreational areas, because you can never be sure as to who may venture onto your playing field and get hit in crossfire. An individual who comes upon your game may have no idea what is going on and could possible stray into someone’s line of fire. This is especially dangerous because the unknowing victim will most likely not be wearing any form of protection.

Another reason to avoid playing on publicly owned land is the fact that a passerby may interpret your airsoft weapons as the real thing. Airsoft guns, while only replicas are incredibly realistic and it may be difficult to tell if what you’re holding is an actual firearm or an airsoft gun. Having your local swat team arrive at your playing field is a sure-fire way to end a good day of airsofting.

Private Land

If you find a private location that seems suitable for an airsoft match, it’s imperative that you speak to the land owner first and foremost. We also recommend obtaining written permission if possible. If the land owner agrees to let you play on their property, it’s important that you tape off the area and post warning signs. Surrounding your airsoft field with warning tape will not only protect any curious civilians but will also create a well marked boundary for the players. However, when choosing an airsoft location it’s a good idea to avoid any areas in public view or where there is pedestrian traffic. It’s also recommended to inform any neighbors about the match if in a residential area.

Official Venues

Do to the ever growing popularity of airsoft there are a number of official airsoft fields popping up across the country and you should have no problem finding an official airsoft site near you. Official airsoft fields not only provide the safest places to conduct matches but they also have been selected to provide the optimal environment for airsoft engagements. Official airsoft venues are also a great place to meet fellow airsoft enthusiasts and to arrange future matches.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, the #1 fastest growing Airsoft retailer in the U.S. Airsoft Megastore offers a full selection of gas and electric Airsoft guns including airsoft sniper rifles and pump airsoft shotguns.

Labels: where can i play airsoft, where can you play airsoft, where to play airsoft

Technically speaking, parallax is the visible displacement of an object when viewed from two different, nonlinear points. The first time I first encountered this phenomena was with an old-school viewfinder camera as a kid. The view finder (i.e. the window you look through to take the picture) and the actual lens of the camera are located in two separate points so what you see in the viewfinder, isn’t necessarily the photograph you actually take. What you see, and what the lens “sees” are actually two different perspectives. This same visual discrepancy can affect your target practice if you use a high-power scope with your airsoft gun.

You may have noticed parallax before but dismissed it as the scope being out of focus. Parallax occurs whenever you move your eye slightly off-center to the edge of the exit pupil, the tiny aperture in the optic device where light passes through, making the cross hairs seem to move across the target. This illusion indicates that the parallax setting is not properly set for the distance you are aiming. When set correctly, the cross hairs should sit still, properly centered on target.

Why should you care?

If you aren’t using a "target" or a "varmint hunting" airsoft rifle scope, you probably shouldn’t care all that much about your parallax setting. You simply don’t require that degree of accuracy. If you spend a lot of time in target practice, however, or have a sniper role on the field, this simple setting is important.

Where do I adjust the parallax?

You can find the parallax adjustment ring on most high power scopes (i.e. power of 12 or higher) at the end of the scope’s objective bell (the part of the scope closest to the target.) Usually these rings feature suggested settings, but as you become more familiar with your airsoft firearm and scope, you can perfect the parallel adjustment and significantly improve your shooting performance.

Quick steps to adjusting your parallax…

• Secure your rifle - preferably on a shooting rest with vise


• Zero in your scope so that it's properly sighted in


• Determine your shooting range and dial in the suggested setting on the parallax adjustment ring


• While looking through the scope, shift your eye back and forth, checking for perceivable cross hair movement


• If you can identify movement, slightly adjust the setting until you have eliminated the illusion

When you have determined the perfect setting, mark the scope’s adjustment ring so that you can easily find the setting again. I recommend using something non-permanent, like white out, as you may not have the setting 100% perfect just yet.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, an airsoft retailer offering electric and gas powered airsoft guns. Please visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for airsoft AEGs, full metal airsoft rifles or the right airsoft gas gun for players of any experience level.

Labels: airsoft 101, airsoft optics, airsoft scopes, what is parallax