Airsoft Guns

As many of you know, being shot by an Airsoft gun can hurt - especially if you are pinged in the face or neck. Don't let the "soft" part of the name fool you. Airsoft guns have a high FPS and can be extremely dangerous if used improperly. With adequate protective gear, however, you can play without the fear of unexpected injury or undue pain.

The single most important article of protective equipment is eye protection. Having sufficient eye protection is essential when playing Airsoft, because even a light weight plastic bb can do severe, permanent damage to the eyes. Most leagues require eye protection and many official fields will remove you from play if at any time you take off your eye protection during an ongoing game. Keep your eye protection on whenever you are on the field or have your airsoft gun in hand.

When it comes to Airsoft eye protection you typically have three options.

The first option is to wear impact resistant protective glasses. Protective glasses are a popular option, because they are extremely lightweight and let’s be honest, they look pretty cool. However, protective glasses do not provide the best eye protection, because even though they wrap around the face there is still the possibility that an Airsoft BB could hit your eyes if shot at just the right angle. Another downside of protective glasses is that they may fall off or become askew during an intense match requiring you to drop out of play.

Your second option when playing Airsoft is to wear protective goggles. Airsoft protective goggles are a great choice because they provide comprehensive coverage to the eyes. Goggles really don’t have any of the downsides associated with glasses, because they are held tight to the face with a strap which eliminates the possibility of an Airsoft BB hitting your eyes. Nevertheless, there are some downsides associated with protective goggles. For example, cheaper goggles tend to fog up and may limit your field of vision. Thankfully, many manufacturers are starting to produce Airsoft goggles that feature tactical mesh in place of traditional lenses which alleviates any fogging issues.

Your third and safest option is to wear a full face tactical mask. Airsoft tactical face masks are an excellent choice, because not only are your eyes well protected, but your face is fully protected too. This helps to prevent getting hit in the face which almost always stings like crazy and leaves a visible welt. Many tactical face masks also feature a visor shading your eyes from harmful rays and increasing your overall visibility. Airsoft face masks are typically more expensive, may restrict head movement due to their size and may impede some peripheral vision.

Whatever eye protection option you choose to use, be sure that it’s from a reputable manufacturer, because a protection device using low quality plastics may not be able to withstand the impact of an Airsoft BB at a high velocity. If you have any questions about Airsoft protective gear visit our online store at http://www.airsoftmegastore.com.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, an online 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 face mask, airsoft goggles, airsoft gun safety, airsoft safety

If you are thinking about taking up a firearm sport, chances are you are considering airsoft versus paintball. Both sports can be a lot of fun and will get your adrenaline pumping, but there are some critical details that make the two very different experiences.

Paint ball guns (also known as paint ball markers) use expanding gas to propel paintballs at the target. A completely assembled paintball gun consists of a body, barrel, gas system and hopper (i.e. the loading mechanism) and is available in pump action, semi-automatic and fully-automatic. A paint ball gun feels and maneuvers like, well, a paint ball gun. Even blindfolded, no one would ever mistake a paint ball gun for the real thing. Likewise, most paintball games are less concerned with realism and usually take place in an obstacle course type environment. It will get your adrenaline pumping, but it’s not really hyper authentic.

Airsoft guns on the other hand, are highly realistic replica firearms that fire small plastic airsoft pellets (6mm or 8mm). These firearms look and operate like the real deal, and for this reason airsoft guns are very popular among the competitive firearm gaming and military simulation set. In fact, airsoft guns are so realistic in design, weight and maneuverability, that they are also used for professional police and military training. Likewise, an accomplished airsoft player who has perfected their shot through diligent target practice, will also be able to carry that skill over to real firearms. Conversely, paintball guns are so different from the real thing that an accomplished paintballer will have to learn a completely different set of skills to become an accomplished marksman. It is this authenticity is what gives airsoft its edge and separates it from the paintball community. There are a wide variety of airsoft guns styles available, from pistols to shotguns, sniper rifles and even high power airsoft electric guns (AEG’s) that shoot between 300 and 450 FPS (feet per second). You would select your firearm based on the type of airsoft skrimage you planned to participate in.

How Much Will It Cost?

Obviously it will depend on the specific gun you select, but in general, airsoft guns are less expensive than paintball markers. Very high end paintball guns can set you back as much as three grand, but you can get a good quality starter gun for around $300. Thanks to its growing popularity, airsoft manufacturers have been producing very affordable, high-quality guns in the past few years well below the $200 mark.

But Does it Hurt?

As far as pain is concerned, yes, being hit with either a paintball or an airsoft pellet can be painful. It will depend on a number of circumstantial variables including where you are hit, the distance of the shooter, whether the hit is against clothes or bare skin and the FPS of the firearm. In both sports, you should wear protective eye goggles and I personally recommend a face mask and some sort of wrap to protect your neck, because that’s where it can really sting.

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 spring airsoft shotguns.

Labels: airsoft vs paintball, is airsoft better than paintball, is paintball better than airsoft, paintball vs airsoft