What Exactly is the Sport of Airsoft?

Airsoft is much like paintball, but no visible mark is left when you shoot an opponent. This is because airsoft is played with guns that shoot small plastic 6mm airsoft BBs. All airsoft guns propel their plastic BBs using compressed air, but the air can be compressed in many different ways. Many Airsoft rifles are powered by an electronic (battery powered) gearbox, which simply pulls back a somewhat powerful spring with an air plunger attached to it. Then there are airsoft guns that use (pre) compressed air (or even propane) to fire. Lastly, there are "spring" airsoft rifles, which are single shot, manually cocked guns (which also use a spring with a plunger attached it it). Most of the single shot spring powered airsoft guns are airsoft sniper rifles.

The single shot spring powered airsoft sniper rifles are the cheapest of the 3 different types of airsoft guns, while the electric AEG airsoft guns and the C02/Gas airsoft rifles are far more expensive. Generally spring airsoft rifles cost about $85 - $140, while the electric and gas powered airsoft rifles tend to cost about $100 - $220 or more. The places where the airsoft battles take place generally feature tactical things like bunkers, buildings, towers, trenches, and more. This is much like the types areas that the military uses for their training and simulations. Due to this fact, strategy plays a critical role in being a good airsoft player.

The role that you play in the airsoft games (or scenarios) generally depends on what type of airsoft gun you have. Airsoft snipers use powerful airsoft sniper rifles, while those who like to move around more (and get more action) use automatic electric airsoft rifles (also known as AEG airsoft guns). The most popular electric guns are the airsoft AK-47, airsoft M4, airsoft M16, and even airsoft M249 rifles (which are used for heavy support). The types of airsoft games can vary quite a bit, based on the location and amount of players. The most popular type of airsoft games are short matches (or "skirmishes"). However, military simulations are also pretty popular, along with a few other types of organized scenarios. Also, another fairly popular thing that airsoft guns are used for is reenactments of historical events (for example, a reenactment of Vietnam).

Just like paintball, the rules of airsoft are based on simplicity and common sense, along with an honor system. Those who know that they have just been hit are expected to immediately yell out "I'm hit" and raise their hand in the air as well. However, it is sometimes very hard to even know if you have been hit or not, due to the fact that the plastic airsoft BBs leave no visible mark at all. Even so, it is not really recommended that yell out when you think you have hit your opponent (it is up to them to admit being hit). Generally you will simply shoot your opponent in order to get a "kill", but those who like to have mercy on their opponents can sneak up behind them and tap them on the back (when possible). This is also known as a "knife kill", and is a lot less painful than shooting your opponent at point blank range. Believe it or not, it can actually be quite painful to get hit by a plastic BB, especially at close range. Much like any other sport, airsoft is mainly about having fun, while sticking to a basic honor system / code of conduct.