Airsoft Guns

It has been a while since we blogged on airsoft safety – so it’s time for a refresher course! Like any firearm-related hobby, there are certain risks you take when participating in airsoft, but you can easily mitigate these risks with the right equipment and behavior. If you are new to airsoft, it is important you take the appropriate measures to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. If you are an experienced airsofter, it never hurts to brush up on the best practices.

Airsoft Safety Gear

The right gear will reduce the sting you feel when hit and decrease the likelihood of serious injury. Here is a quick check list of the most effective airsoft safety gear:

• Safety Goggles are Critical. If you enjoy being able to see, invest in a solid pair of shatter-proof safety goggles. Don't remove the goggles when you are on the playing field or out the firing range. If for any reason you lose your goggles on the field or spy someone who is unprotected, shout out “blind man” so that others know to stop firing.


• Cover Up Exposed Skin. Full-coverage clothes like long-sleeve shirts and pants will take the sting out of hits and reduce the degree of welting you experience. Though not required, a tactical airsoft vest will add a layer of protection to the chest. (It also makes carrying secondary hand guns, magazines and other supplies much more convenient.) We also recommend donning a protective face mask when playing competitively. This will not only shield the face, but it can prevent painful broken teeth. If you take an airsoft BB traveling at 450 FPS in the teeth, you will probably end up looking like jack-o-lantern.


• Get a Brain Bucket. If you plan on playing competitively, we strongly recommend investing in a hard helmet for the field. A helmet prevents direct hits to the head during play, which as any experienced airsoft players can tell you, hurts like hell.

Handling Your Airsoft Gun

When handling your piece, use common sense and always assume the piece is loaded. Here are a few more helpful recommendations to keep in mind when handling your airsoft weapon:

• Know Your Weapon. Thoroughly read your weapon’s owner manuals with special attention to safety guidelines specific to your piece.


• Point Away. When off the field, always points it away from people.


• Don’t Mess with the Trigger. Do not touch or jiggle the trigger unless you explicitly intend to shoot the gun.


• Clear Your Weapon. When your gun is not in use, remove your magazine, clear your weapon and switch your gun to safety.


• Put it Up. Be sure to keep all Airsoft guns and/or equipment out of children's reach, even when unloaded.

The Biggest Safety Issue of All - Taking Your Gun Public

Every so often I come across an airsoft news story that makes me cringe. Usually these stories revolve around someone brandishing an airsoft gun in public for “fun”, shock value or even to commit a crime. Doing this is insanely irresponsible and stupid. Airsoft guns are hyper realistic and nearly indistinguishable from their real-life counterparts. If you wield a hyper realistic firearm in public, you frighten bystanders and may even get shot by law enforcement. With this in mind, the following guidelines will help keep you safe – and alive:

• Assume Real Gun Behavior. Always be aware that the vast majority of bystanders do not know you are carrying an airsoft gun – they will assume it is the real deal. Do not brandish your Airsoft gun in public – it’s illegal to do so in most places and you may cause a panic or get yourself shot by a real firearm.


• Keep the Tip. Do not remove the orange tip on the gun… again, it’s illegal and can increase confusion.


• Bag It. Always transport your gun in a case.

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 (Airsoft AEGs) including airsoft sniper rifles and spring airsoft shotguns.

Labels: airsoft gun safety, airsoft safety, airsoft safety gear

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

While the vast majority of airsoft players take pride in preserving the integrity of airsoft, a handful of others act irresponsibly with airsoft guns and give the sport a bad rap. It is in the news regularly - airsoft guns being used to intimidate, to take out aggression and even to commit robberies. The realistic look of airsoft guns contributes to the fun of the game, but also causes the average person to perceive airsoft guns as real guns. For good reason, carrying an unconcealed airsoft gun is illegal in many areas.

When transporting or handling airsoft guns away from the field, you should always keep them packed away and out of public view. Aside from the legal repercussions, brandishing an airsoft gun in public can have extreme, even deadly consequences. Just imagine the horror you (or your mother, or grandmother) would feel if someone was walking through the neighborhood with a sniper rifle in hand. It is not uncommon for concerned citizens to call the police upon encountering someone carrying or shooting an airsoft gun, unaware that it is a replica. Police officers will also assume that an airsoft gun is a real gun, and will treat the situation as such. If you do not want officers pointing real guns at you, or worse, shooting you, keep your airsoft gun out of sight at all times when in public.

A related issue that tarnishes the reputation of the sport is taking part in what is widely known as 'backyard airsoft.' Most players agree that backyard airsoft, or playing in close proximity to homes or other buildings, should be avoided. The possibility of injuring someone or causing damage to a home is only the beginning. Playing with airsoft guns in view of neighbors or passersby can cause public fear, and law enforcement officers are likely to get involved. Airsoft should always be played in areas that are out of sight of others and distant from buildings and other structures. Communicating with law enforcement about what you are doing is also a good idea.

Though many airsofters do not heed this advice, keep the orange tip intact on your airsoft guns. This could possibly prevent the above situations, and may also be required by law. The orange tip is in many cases the only visible indicator that an airsoft gun is not a real weapon.

Although airsoft has been growing in popularity, a majority of people are unfamiliar with the sport and the realistic replica guns used to play. If you are carrying an airsoft gun, most people will assume it is a real gun. There are already people who are determined to make replicas of real guns illegal, and causing problems with an airsoft gun is not going to help the case for responsible players who love to play airsoft. Being responsible with airsoft guns not only protects your safety and that of people around you, it protects the integrity of the sport.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, a leading online provider of airsoft guns, gear and accessories. Airsoft Megastore offers guaranteed lowest prices on airsoft guns including electric airsoft guns and airsoft sniper rifles.

Labels: airsoft backyard, airsoft gun laws, airsoft gun safety, airsoft in backyard, airsoft laws, airsoft safety, backyard airsoft war

Airsoft is a fun and adrenaline charged sport, but also one that demands proper safety precautions to protect yourself and others from injury. Practicing safety with Airsoft guns is important both on and off the field.

As with any type of gun, it is critical to always point the gun in a safe direction away from people, and never touch the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Even if you are simply transporting or cleaning an Airsoft gun, concern for the safety of yourself and others should guide your behavior. Keeping the safety engaged any time that the gun is not in use is advised.

Another important safety precaution is to keep your Airsoft gun empty when not in use, and even so, treat every Airsoft gun as if it were loaded. Be sure to keep all Airsoft guns and equipment out of children’s reach, even when unloaded.

Always be aware that most people do not know that your Airsoft gun is a replica. Do not brandish your Airsoft gun in public, or anywhere that it is visible to others who may mistake it for a real firearm. Not only is carrying an unconcealed Airsoft gun illegal in many areas, the realistic appearance of the gun can lead others to think you are carrying a deadly weapon. Even with an orange tip visible, a law enforcement officer is not going to take any chances after seeing you carrying what appears to be a dangerous firearm. Transporting your gun in a case where it is not visible to the public can prevent panic and keep you from getting hurt or killed.

The Airsoft safety tips we have presented are essential for any Airsoft player, but do not account for every possible scenario. Always take extra precautions and exercise common sense when handling Airsoft guns and playing the game. Thoroughly read the user manuals that come with all of your equipment, where additional safety guidelines specific to your equipment should be provided.

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 gun rules, airsoft gun safety, airsoft safety, airsoft safety tips