Remember your BB gun? Well, now instead of a steel ball bearing, imagine a plastic one. Then, instead of the primitive lever-operated or pull-back spring system, substitute an electric motor with gears: Airsoft guns.
These cheap Asian stocking fillers were since recognised by clever manufacturers to be in demand by more adult military aficionados and so Airsoft guns were then refined with better materials and technology to supply the fastest-growing outdoor pursuit since 2001 - Airsoft.
Although many different producers made a great variety of different systems and calibres, it has generally been agreed that 6 or 8mm BBs are the way to go. And no longer a lever-activated or spring-cocked firing system: a battery-operated electric motor that, through a system of gears, pushes a BB into the chamber, pulls back a spring and then fires it, then repeats. This spawned the acronym AEF - Automatic Electric Gun.
An AEG is capable of attaining muzzle velocities of 200 to 500 feet per second (60 to 150 metres per second) and can fire from 300 to 2000 pellets per minute. How many you actually shoot depends on your magazine. These are usually classified as low cap: around 50 BBs, mid cap:around 120 BBs, or high-cap: 200-500+ BBs. These push the BBs into the chamber either using a spring, or manually-operated ratchet. You can even find guns with electrically-operated magazines that can hold up to 5000 pellets! However, if you are entering a military-simulation game, your magazine capacity may be restricted, to ensure you are a close to the real thing as possible.
However, gas-powered Airsoft guns are becoming increasingly popular due to more realistic noise and recoil. These are powered, usually, by propane in a proprietary container, screwed to the back of the gun. Recently, the possibility to 'charge' your gun using a camping gas propane tank has appeared. This gas type of gun is more common on Airsoft pistols than rifles due to the size of the motor and gear mechanism necessary to shoot the BB. AEGs have a longer range than gas guns, and the batteries usually last longer than a charge of gas.
Although Airsoft guns used to be made almost entirely out of plastic, aluminium and alloys are now seeing their way into manufacture, for durability and increased power. Some AEGs, especially when used in military simulations, also contain lead weights to make them feel more like authentic weapons.
Muzzle velocity in AEGs may range anywhere from 50 m/s (160 ft/s) to around 125 m/s (410 ft/s). Modifications to the gun may allow velocity to be increased up 180 m/s (590 ft/s). There are also motorised units available called hop-up units which cause the bullet to backspin, increasing lift, and so range. Typical range can be 75 metres (250ft), which may be doubled by the unit.
You can buy Airsoft paint balls for your gun, to ensure that your hit is acknowledged. However, this benefit may be outweighed by the weak ball rupturing in your expensive gun, causing it to block. When this happens it is extremely difficult to clean, causing an effective write off. - 30320
These cheap Asian stocking fillers were since recognised by clever manufacturers to be in demand by more adult military aficionados and so Airsoft guns were then refined with better materials and technology to supply the fastest-growing outdoor pursuit since 2001 - Airsoft.
Although many different producers made a great variety of different systems and calibres, it has generally been agreed that 6 or 8mm BBs are the way to go. And no longer a lever-activated or spring-cocked firing system: a battery-operated electric motor that, through a system of gears, pushes a BB into the chamber, pulls back a spring and then fires it, then repeats. This spawned the acronym AEF - Automatic Electric Gun.
An AEG is capable of attaining muzzle velocities of 200 to 500 feet per second (60 to 150 metres per second) and can fire from 300 to 2000 pellets per minute. How many you actually shoot depends on your magazine. These are usually classified as low cap: around 50 BBs, mid cap:around 120 BBs, or high-cap: 200-500+ BBs. These push the BBs into the chamber either using a spring, or manually-operated ratchet. You can even find guns with electrically-operated magazines that can hold up to 5000 pellets! However, if you are entering a military-simulation game, your magazine capacity may be restricted, to ensure you are a close to the real thing as possible.
However, gas-powered Airsoft guns are becoming increasingly popular due to more realistic noise and recoil. These are powered, usually, by propane in a proprietary container, screwed to the back of the gun. Recently, the possibility to 'charge' your gun using a camping gas propane tank has appeared. This gas type of gun is more common on Airsoft pistols than rifles due to the size of the motor and gear mechanism necessary to shoot the BB. AEGs have a longer range than gas guns, and the batteries usually last longer than a charge of gas.
Although Airsoft guns used to be made almost entirely out of plastic, aluminium and alloys are now seeing their way into manufacture, for durability and increased power. Some AEGs, especially when used in military simulations, also contain lead weights to make them feel more like authentic weapons.
Muzzle velocity in AEGs may range anywhere from 50 m/s (160 ft/s) to around 125 m/s (410 ft/s). Modifications to the gun may allow velocity to be increased up 180 m/s (590 ft/s). There are also motorised units available called hop-up units which cause the bullet to backspin, increasing lift, and so range. Typical range can be 75 metres (250ft), which may be doubled by the unit.
You can buy Airsoft paint balls for your gun, to ensure that your hit is acknowledged. However, this benefit may be outweighed by the weak ball rupturing in your expensive gun, causing it to block. When this happens it is extremely difficult to clean, causing an effective write off. - 30320
About the Author:
Author: Anthoy Carter is very into the sport of airsoft and knows alot about airsoft guns. Go to this website to find the best place to find an airsoft gun.
