Airsoft Guns

Airsoft is a great sport designed around using military type equipment (tactical gear, communications equipment, replica firearms etc.) to complete military style scenarios. Unlike paintball, airsoft BB’s do not mark the target they hit. This is great because it means a lot less mess than paintball; however it also requires airsoft players to be especially attentive to whether or not they get "hit". Airsoft games can be a great time; however nothing ruins it faster than players not abiding by the honor system set in place. In most airsoft games players must call “hit” the moment that they are struck by a BB and cease fire. Depending on the game type the player may have to walk to a re-spawn point, walk to the starting point, or wait to be “healed” by a teammate. This not only helps gameplay move smoothly and fairly, but also gives the shooter the satisfaction of knowing that they succeeded in their attempt. When players don’t call their “hits” it can cause major disruptions to gameplay, and cause frustration amongst all the players. There are a few general rules to use to make sure that you don’t disrupt gameplay and dampen the spirit of the game.

1. Abide by the “Golden Rule” of airsoft: Always call your hits, because you want the other players to call their “hits” when you shoot them as well.


2. Wear Gear and clothing that allows you to feel your hits. Wearing too much gear, and /or loose and baggy clothing will prevent you from feeling a “hit”, and you may not even notice. Make sure that if you are wearing plate carriers or body armor you know what a BB striking your gear sounds and feels like.


3. Carry a “Red Rag/ Dead Rag” with you at all times. A “Red Rag/ Dead Rag” is a red piece of cloth about one foot by one foot that players use to signify that they have been hit. This lets opposing players know to stop shooting at that particular player, because they are out of action.


4. When you are hit, move quickly out of lines of fire so that you don’t get hit again and you don’t disrupt gameplay.


5. Never hide behind a player who is hit. This causes the opposing team to either shoot the player who is already hit, or to cease fire and disrupt the pace of the game.


6. Never call another player’s hits. This always causes unnecessary tension during gameplay, and distracts from the spirit of the game. Nine times out of ten, the targeted player truly didn’t get hit. The best way to solve the issue of a player you believe didn’t call their hit is to move closer and get a clear line of sight on the person before shooting.


7. If a player truly isn’t calling their hits always bring it to the organizer/ game staff first before confronting the player. This eliminates any form of argumentation, and also brings the issue up to the staff’s attention.

By following these simple rules, Airsoft can continue to be an amazingly fun sport. It will also help you build friendships with other players, because they see that you play honorably. So have fun out there, and call your “Hits”!

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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 honor code, airsoft rules, how to play airsoft

Airsoft as a sport relies on realism, and serious airsofters invest significant amounts of time researching the various airsoft products and technical gear they purchase. Focused attention to detail is the norm, particularly when it comes to ‘MilSim’ (military simulation games) and players seem to enjoy this aspect nearly as much as they do engaging in airsoft combat. Their historic selection of custom unit patches and ‘call signs’, their dedicated study and employment of military tactics and strategies, their theater-specific attention to weaponry, uniforms and equipment and their often long-distance travel to airsoft facility ‘combat towns’... all serve to more closely mimic real-word combat. Without such, airsoft would be little more than a chaotic afternoon of airsofters running about scatter-shot, and if that were the case, I highly doubt that the sport of airsoft would be growing so popular.

To a large degree, airsoft relies on successfully creating the illusion of real-world combat – an illusion which unfortunately can easily be shattered, regardless of the time and money invested in the sport, by airsoft players who simply don’t call their hits.

Unlike paintball, airsoft is a sport of honor (there’s no greasy marker paint involved), and relies upon those engaging in the sport to call ‘hit!’ when they’ve been struck with an airsoft BB projectile. Simple failure to do so lessens the illusion of authenticity airsoft players strive to maintain, and indeed causes frustration and anger for the participants who approach the code of airsoft conduct seriously. Not unlike the youthful game of ‘Cowboys and Indians,’ airsoft requires one’s acknowledgment of being ‘killed,’ and for anyone who engaged in the former as a child, they can attest to the irritation they experienced following having an inarguable drop on a playmate, only to hear them reply, ‘Nuh-uh! You missed me!’ If recollection serves, such dishonest interaction immediately sapped all enjoyment from playing ‘Custer’s Last Stand’ as a boy, and the same can be said for the sport of airsoft.

If you are reading this, then more than likely you’ve engaged in the sport of airsoft, and have therefore either witnessed dishonesty in hit calling, or worse, have been the culprit. Unfortunately it seems that every airsoft field has one: a player who’s tarnished their reputation by consistently not upholding the honor code, and whose name has subsequently become analogous with dishonesty.

So please, call your hits.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO 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 calling shots, airsoft rules, airsoft tips, how to play airsoft