Airsoft Guns

Any airsoft fanatic knows that the truly best military simulation sport out there is airsoft; however, some paintballers and non-players remain unaware of the benefits and advantages airsoft has over paintball. Here are the top 10 ways in which airsoft skirmishes trump paintball games:

1. Airsoft game play is more realistic than paintball play

Airsoft guns look like real guns, so much so that legally airsoft manufacturers must include a 6mm orange tip at the end of the barrel to identify it as an airsoft gun and not a firearm. Airsoft guns resemble real firearms in many aspects: their barrels, machinery, magazines and accessories more closely mirror firearms than paintball guns.

2. Shooting airsoft ammo allows for better accuracy than shooting with paintball ammo:

Airsoft bbs are smaller than paintball pellets, so they experience less wind resistance and therefore, are more accurate. Airsoft bbs are less visible to the opponent because of their smaller size, which adds to their accuracy. Also, when playing paintball, players may see the larger paintball pellet flying toward them and can take cover accordingly, which decreases your hit percentage.

3. Airsoft skirmishes are more tactical than paintball games

With the realism of the airsoft guns, tactics play a large part in airsoft battles. Players really feel as though they are on the battle field and must act strategically and intelligently to win a skirmish. With the ability to release large rounds of airsoft ammo quickly, bum rushing opponents and sloppy strategy will lead to a quick defeat; therefore, designating a chain of command (see reason #7) is vital. The highly tactical aspect of airsoft battle helps transcend the sport into a milsim reality.

4. Buying a quality airsoft gun is cheaper than getting a paintball gun

A quality electric starter airsoft gun costs around $22.95 and airsoft ammo is extremely cheap, too - $11.95 for a round of 4000 airsoft bbs. Paintball guns and ammo cost significantly more for comparable quality, around $79.95 for a beginner paintball gun. Paintball pellets also carry a bigger price tag at $59.98 for 4000 rounds of paintball ammunition.

5. Airsoft guns have greater usability than paintball guns

Airsoft guns vary in weight, ranging from as light as 2 pounds to heavier than 6 pounds. The airsoft ammo can be sized at .12 grams or as hefty as .28 grams; however, .20 gram airsoft bbs are the most common size. On the other hand, the average paintball gun on the light end weighs about 5 pounds and can reach more than 15 pounds for nicer, heavier-duty models. Maneuvering a paintball gun becomes clumsier and less agile than handling a lighter airsoft gun. Due to the lighter gun and airsoft bb weight, airsoft guns are easier to carry around, which increases their usability.

6. Rounding up a pickup game with airsoft guns is easier and less messy than assembling a paintball gathering

This airsoft skirmish advantage is pretty uncontested in the paintball verse airsoft world – it is much easier to get together an airsoft game than a paintball game. First, when playing airsoft, the location has fewer restrictions than when playing paintball. Playing airsoft is legal on private property, so you and a friend could easily have a one-on-one battle in someone’s big backyard or land. Second, airsoft play is much cheaper so it can be easier to rally people to play. Paintball play– because of the paint splatter – is much more restricted.

7. In airsoft games, having defined roles is important and commonly used

Airsoft skirmishes typically divide into two teams, with detailed and strategized roles for each player on the team. The main roles for airsoft battle include a team leader, tactical officer, rifleman, recon, sniper and heavy infantry; however, there are additional roles that can be designated to aid in the order on the field.

Paintball play sometimes involves a chain of command, but the structure is much more flexible and open to interpretation than in airsoft. Paintball teams normally just separate into three classes: frontmen, mid-players and back players.

Airsoft is a more realistic milsim game which explains why tactics, strategy and a defined hierarchical chain of command are used more frequently than in paintball games.

8. There are more options to upgrade your gun in airsoft

As discussed in reason #1, quality airsoft guns are cheaper than paintball guns; therefore, it is easier (and less expensive) to update and upgrade your airsoft gun than a paintball gun. Beyond the lower cost of tricking out your airsoft gun, more options for upgrades exist. External upgrades like fore grips, scopes, sights and switches are available at affordable prices as well as internal upgrades to boost performance like nozzles, fuses and gearboxes.

The best part about the low prices for airsoft parts and accessories is that you can get into the sport as a beginner without having to front a lot of money. Then, when you become more advanced, upgrading is easy and affordable.

9. Airsoft bbs shoot faster than paintball pellets

Airsoft bbs fly at speeds of 150 to 600 feet per second (fps), with an average speed of over 300 fps, whereas paintball pellets only achieve speeds of 200 to 300 fps on average.

10. The military practices with airsoft guns and ammo for training

Military personnel and police officers use airsoft guns during training before transitioning to real artillery. Just this month, officers in Dane County, Wisconsin used airsoft guns and rifles for their basic training at a closed-down public school.

We think these are the top 10 reasons why airsoft is better than paintball, but we’re sure you airsoft aficionados know many more!

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, an online airsoft retailer offering electric and gas powered airsoft guns, as well as airsoft parts, upgrades and accessories. 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 ammo, airsoft and paintball, airsoft bbs, airsoft guns, airsoft shotguns