Airsoft Guns

You’re now the proud owner of a new Airsoft gun. You picked the Bolt Action Kar 98 "98K" Mauser Carbine WWII Rifle or the M9 MEU Tactical Semi Automatic Gas Blowback Pistol - you’re ready to play! Except for one thing: which ammunition should you get?

Each gun has its own specifications and arenas of usage – sniper rifles are not used for close range combat and hand guns are no good for long range shooting. Ammunition can seriously impact how your gun functions and the types of game play in which you can participate.

Airsoft bbs come in different shapes, sizes and weights. Most airsoft pellets, also known as BBs (ball bearing) are normally 6mm spherical plastics. They typically run from 5.93-5.98mm in diameter, but don’t be fooled by these small numbers! Even a small, plastic pellet can do damage if protective gear and correct game play are not enforced. Some guns can even use bullets up to 8mm in diameter!

BB pellets are measured in hundredths of grams and are available in different weights ranging from .12g to .43g.

A different, newer option for Airsoft guns are the starch-based biodegradable bb pellets. Oftentimes, these pellets are required in outdoor game play where sweeping up is not an option. They eliminate having to try to locate the minuscule bbs, without causing harm to the environment!

How do diameter, weight and material affect game play?

Velocity: lighter pellets achieve higher velocity; therefore selecting a .12g bb will result in faster speeds. However, this lighter Airsoft ammo is subject to external factors like wind. Additionally, heavier bbs will retain velocity faster than their lighter counterparts – that is, less heavy bbs will start of fast, but slow down quickly.

Trajectory: trajectory is the curved path a projectile takes; lighter pellets have more markedly curved projectiles.

Weight: Heavier pellets cause more damage to its target, especially at close ranges; additionally, they may only be used with more powerful Airsoft guns.

Why is it so important to select one or the other? Having the wrong size, type or even weight bb pellet could damage your gun.

• .12g are usually used for gas and spring-load weapons, not for high-end AEGs (automatic electric guns).


• .23g is a heavy weight for AEGs and .25g is the heaviest weight a standard AEG, blowback or spring gun can manage.
  
• .30g-.36 are standard to heavy pellets for sniper rifles; 0.43 g is for highest levels of upgrades sniper rifles.

Airsoft gun bbs may not damage the skin but are extremely dangerous to the eyes, so goggles or other protective gear must be worn at all times while playing Airsoft sports.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, the fastest growing of all airsoft stores in the nation. Airsoft Megastore offers deep discounts on sale items for players interested in cheap AEG airsoft guns and looking to find airsoft sniper rifles cheap.

Labels: airsoft ammo, airsoft BB, airsoft bbs, airsoft gun bbs, airsoft pellets

You may have noticed that some discount retailers and big box sporting goods stores sell BBs, and perhaps wondered if purchasing them for your airsoft guns would be a good bargain. More than likely, the BBs you find in retailers that are not airsoft stores do not meet the recommended specifications for use in airsoft guns. High powered airsoft guns can be permanently damaged and their warranties voided if used with incorrect or low quality BBs.

The quality of BBs used in an airsoft gun actually makes a big difference in performance. Seamless, precision high-grade BBs are recommended for optimal performance and to prevent damage to the gun. Often BBs labeled ‘seamless’ at big box retailers are not manufactured to the same strict specifications as are those offered by airsoft providers, and do not meet the recommended standard for use in most airsoft guns. Low quality BBs used in an airsoft gun can shatter, causing the gun to jam and potentially damaging internal components irreparably. If you use the wrong BBs and your gun is damaged, the warranty will be voided and you will be left with a broken gun.

The quality BBs that are recommended for airsoft guns will allow for better performance and protect the gun from unnecessary damage. Precision high-grade seamless BBS are manufactured to strict standards regarding density and spherical consistency and have higher quality craftsmanship, resulting in better performance and higher feet per second (FPS) than their cheaper counterparts.

The importance of using quality BBs is a lesson that too many new airsoft players learn the hard way. Remember that it is also important to use the correct BB size and weight recommended for each of your guns. To learn more precautions you can take to protect the warranty on your airsoft gun, please see Protect your Airsoft Gun and its Warranty.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, the #1 fastest growing Airsoft retailer in the nation. Airsoft Megastore offers the latest airsoft guns and gear as well as a 125% low price guarantee on all new Airsoft guns and gear.

Labels: airsoft BB, airsoft correct BBs, airsoft gun BB, correct BBs airsoft