Airsoft Guns

On its surface, Airsoft may appear to be dangerous. It is, after all, a high energy sport that involves powerful gun replicas and adrenaline. But if you follow some basic safety precautions, airsoft is in fact a very safe activity.

Protective Eye Coverings
This is one of the most important necessities for engaging in Airsoft activities as the eyes are some of the body’s most vulnerable points. People should never aim their Airsofts directly at another person’s eyes, but accidents do happen. In order to prevent serious, permanent damage to the eyes, Airsoft participants should purchase protective glasses or goggles from a reputable Airsoft accessories dealer. Eye-protecting accessories range in cover from protective shades to full protective facemasks, so Airsoft participants have a wide variety of protective eye covering choices.

Protective Facemasks

Some facemasks come equipped with goggles, but others are designed to be used in tandem with eye protection. Facemasks protect other vulnerable facial areas such as the nose and the teeth; taking an Airsoft BB to the teeth can cause serious dental damage. Airsoft facemasks also protect soft-tissue areas like the cheeks, the chin, and the forehead.

Protective Helmets
While BBs fired from Airsoft guns are unlikely to penetrate the skull, a direct hit to head can still sting greatly and cause a bump or a cut. Wearing a protective helmet will prevent such things from happening and will, of course, make Airsoft battle participants look cooler than they would without helmets. Protective helmets often come in replica form in typical uniform colors.

Protective Clothing
Wearing a protective safety vest is a sound idea since getting hit with a BB in the torso stings. While Airsoft ammo is not likely to penetrate the skin, getting shot at close range anywhere is quite painful. Many protective vests also have convenient places for storing additional weapons and ammo, so the benefits go beyond safety. Wearing loose clothing all over the body is more important than wearing a protective vest because the baggy clothes will protect all the places it covers from the sting and cut of the BBs. Protective long sleeves and pants come in everything from basic baggy to ghillie-style sniper camouflage.

Protective Gloves
Wearing gloves to protect the hands is a good idea because getting hit with a pellet on the fingers or the back of the hand is rather painful. Good gloves will also help the Airsoft participant better hold onto the gun and other weapons, increasing the Airsoft wielder’s grip. Gloves also look really cool; no Airsoft outfit that includes all the other protective clothing should be without gloves.

Gun Box
Protecting the Airsoft gun is important for both the gun and the gun wielder. An Airsoft gun should not just be left lying around in the garage or the closet; a gun box will keep the gun from getting the wear and tear that anything can get from sitting out with no protection. A gun box can also protect the gun carrier when out in public since even an Airsoft gun could be mistaken for a real gun if viewed from a certain angle.

Other Safety Tips
All Airsoft weapons come with the orange tip that tells everyone who sees it that it is not a real weapon. Removing, painting over, or otherwise concealing this tip is a federal offense as well as a bad idea. Given the amount of high-profile shootings people have seen on the news over the past several years, the public is particularly sensitive to the appearance of people carrying anything that looks like a firearm in public.

Only participate in Airsoft in the proper type of area. Airsoft is best enjoyed from an Airsoft park or on secluded, private property; people should not do Airsoft in crowded neighborhoods.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, an airsoft retailer offering spring, gas and electric powered airsoft guns. Please visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for airsoft AEGs, BBs, and protective airsoft gear.

Labels: airsoft protective gear, airsoft safety, airsoft safety gear

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

In Part I of this series, Airsoft Safety Essentials Part I: Handling your Gun, we examined important safety measures to bear in mind when handling an Airsoft gun. Part II provides an overview of some key pieces of protective attire that can help prevent injury when playing Airsoft:

Safety Goggles
A pair of impact resistant goggles is the absolute minimum protection that must be worn when playing with Airsoft guns. Eye protection is so important that yelling "blind man" has emerged as a widely known signal to stop firing immediately due to someone in the vicinity lacking eye protection (the phrase can also be shouted for other reasons, but always means cease fire). Do your part to promote Airsoft safety by never shooting at anyone who is not wearing eye protection.

Face Mask
Many Airsoft players choose to wear protective face masks, which cover and shield the face during play. Some face masks are combined with goggles for full-face protection, while others are designed for use in combination with impact resistant goggles. A face mask can help prevent a direct hit to your face and teeth.

Tactical Vest
An Airsoft tactical vest protects the skin from the direct impact of an Airsoft BB. In addition to adding a layer of protection, these vests also make it convenient to carry extra guns, magazines, BBs and other supplies. Airsoft tactical vests are available in many styles at a wide range of prices.

Airsoft Helmet
An Airsoft tactical helmet prevents direct hits to the head during play. Many players also enjoy the realism that a helmet adds to the game.

Full Coverage Clothing
Generally, wearing a long sleeve shirt and long pants is advised when playing Airsoft. Clothing that covers exposed areas of skin lessens the impact of BBs and can prevent welts from forming as the result of a hit.

Though all of the protective equipment mentioned here is not required to play the sport of Airsoft, a protective pair of safety goggles should be worn at all times during a skirmish.

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 a cheap Airsoft tactical vest or looking to find Airsoft sniper rifles cheap.

Labels: airsoft goggles, airsoft safety attire, airsoft safety clothes, airsoft safety gear, airsoft vests, airsoft what to wear