Equipments

What is Airsoft?

Airsoft can be basically equated to a more realistic version of paintball. The 'markers' used are plastic replicas of real life weapons, although the plastic equipment looks fairly real, they are designed to be very safe and legal.

The munitions used are generally 6mm BBs although 8mm BBs are becoming more common, these weigh from around 0.12g to 0.43g each the most common weight is 0.2g. Currently replicas propel the BBs using either a pure-gas, spring or electric-powered gas system. The game consists of a series of skirmishes played with these munitions / weapons. The bottom line, is it's meant to be fun and safe.

Airsoft markers are not convertible to real firearms, and should not be confused with replicas, blank-firers, or air pistols / guns. The only similarity between Airsoft and real firearms is the size and shape. (Above taken from Arnies Forum Website)

Airsoft is like counter-strike or any other First Person Shooting computer game but in physical form. You have to run, hide, shoot, out-smart and outwit your opponent who does the same on you. A highly competitive game to promote teamwork, friendship and fun.

- The History

The sport of Airsoft started in Japan during the early 1980s. It was illegal to own firearms in Japan but there was a significant interest in them, so a company started producing spring-powered replicas of firearms that fired 6mm, plastic BBs. There are some people who insist that Airsoft originated from the early days of paintball, when there were paintball guns that fired .22 caliber paintballs, but we will not delve into that subject.

During the latter part of the 1980s the sport migrated to neighboring countries such as Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Airsoft started appearing in North America and Europe during the middle of the 1990s but it is only during the last 2-3 years that the sport started thriving in these venues.

- The Guns

This is essentially what attracts players into the sport. Airsoft guns are 1:1 scale replicas of actual firearms that fire 6mm, round, plastic pellets commonly called as "BBs" which are propelled out of the guns by compressed air. In most cases, Airsoft guns mimic the looks and functionality of it's real-steel counterpart. By that, Airsoft guns look, feel, weigh, and functions similar to the actual firearm. Often, the only way you can tell apart a "real steel" firearm and an airsoft gun is when you pull that trigger.

There are 3 major types of Airsoft guns: Automatic Electric Guns (AEGs), Gas-Powered (GBB/NBB), and Spring-Powered.

The most popular of the 3 types is the Automatic Electric Gun. The creation of the AEG is partly responsible for Airsoft's "boom" during the late 1990s. Basically, an AEG is powered by an on-board Ni-Cad battery (similar to hobby R/C Cars), which operates a motor that turns gears inside the gun to compress and release a piston, which in turn creates the blast of air needed to propel the 6mm BB through the barrel of the gun. This system allows the gun to efficiently generate the power needed to support the fully-automatic features of most AEGs and the result is a realistic Rate-Of-Fire (ROF) of anywhere from 600 - 900 Rounds-Per-Minute (RPM), once again mimicking the capabilities of real steel firearms. This is the airsoft gun of choice for most skirmish veterans. The reigning king of the AEG manufacturers is, undisputedly, Tokyo Marui of Japan, due to it's high-quality construction and an immense number of after-market support and upgrades for it's guns. Though, at an average price of $300 for an AEG, it is far from being cheap, but is worth every penny that you invest on it.

Another popular type of an Airsoft gun is the gas-powered. While there are several types of gas-powered airsoft guns, the most popular are the Gas-Blowback guns (GBBs). The GBB allows a realistic, semi-automatic firing of the gun by employing either an on-board, or magazine-stored gas storage system. Basically, the same compressed air that propels the BB out of the bore is harnessed to cycle the slide back (hence: blowback). This creates the realistic "recoil" by cycling the slide / upper receiver back-and-forth while firing the gun. This system gives the hand-held gun the capability to empty a magazine as fast as you can pull the trigger, and just as easily reload the gun by inserting a fresh magazine. Needless to say, this feature holds tremendous appeal for the "simulationist".

And finally the spring-powered Airsoft gun. Spring-cocking guns are true to their name in that you cock the spring first, and then fire. Cock spring, fire, cock, fire, cock, fire, etc. These guns are usually magazine fed and semi-automatic, but they must be hand-cocked after every shot. This system is very cost-effective, and the guns are surprisingly sturdy. Every Airsofter, in his lifetime, has owned at least one spring-powered gun, either a pistol or a rifle. Due to it's relatively cheap price-range, this is usually the gun of choice for the person just starting to play airsoft. A spring-powered handgun can be purchased for as little as $20.

Is it a firearm?

No. Airsoft guns are TOYS. They cannot fire REAL bullets nor can they be modified to do so. The internal design and workings are totally different from that of real firearms.

Does it hurts?

Yes of course! All sport does have some level of pain involved while playing. All airsoft replicas are all in original (0.7~0.9j) form and no modification is done to increase their power. Being shoot from 200fps (feet per second) to 250fps feel like a pinch from your girlfriend / wife. In fact, when you play, most of the time you dont even feel that you were hit! So, it is not as painful as most people think. Do you think being hit by tennis ball hurts much more than a 0.2g of 6mm plastic bb?

Is it Dangerous?

Nope, not at all. We play with responsibility and all safety concern is taken into consideration. We use industrial safety goggle (tested to see does the plastic lens crack when shooting from 2 meters) to protect our eyes and will not shoot when the distance of the opponent and yourself is 2 meters.

Why Airsoft and Not Other Sport?

Airsoft allow us to be a SWAT members, Snipers, Commandos, FBI / CIA / DEA and whatever military / law enforcement / secret agents roles you see in the movies, for a while. Airsoft has all the fun factors without the seriousness of being one.

- The Appeal

Airsoft gives people the ability to own a shooting version of their dream gun. Due to the law and the cost, people cannot always own their dream gun, and Airsoft provides you with a realistic replica, and on top of that allows you to be able to shoot that replica (albeit: non-lethal).

Often, people would watch movies and TV and say, "Wow, that gun is awesome, I'd like to get me one of those". Actually, what you may be seeing in those movies and TV shows, ARE, in fact, Airsoft guns. Due to their relatively cheap price tags and precise realism, movie studios often employ Airsoft guns for it's production work. They simply digitally alter the images to incorporate the muzzle flash, sound and effects to mimic the real firearms.

The ability to own and play with these "dream guns" are in and of itself appealing enough to enthusiasts. The added advantage of being able to take these guns out to a local playing field and "shooting" your best friends with it in friendly competition is a cincher.

Another appeal with Airsoft is the ability to "role-play" with them. There are countless clubs, teams and organizations devoted to the sport of "waging war" with airsoft guns. Known throughout the world as Skirmishing. In essence, role-playing allows people to fulfill their fantasies, which (due to physical disabilities or circumstances) they never got the chance to. These people may be bankers, insurance brokers, secretaries, students, computer programmers by profession, but for 1 day a week they can be Green Berets, Assassins, SWAT members, Navy SEALs, whatever. Their mind is the only limit. This role-playing ability is enhanced by the fact that Airsoft guns are extremely realistic. I mean, after all, it's rather difficult to play the part of a Navy SEAL when you're holding a neon, orange-yellow-colored, Super-Soaker squirt gun.

Ok, So Who Are You People?

We are peace loving professional that works in the day like everybody else and want to be a weekend warrior to sweat out like any sports. Most important is Airsoft is highly exciting, addictive and fun for relaxation.

Airsoft is a thriving hobby supported by law-abiding enthusiasts. It will continue to grow, and it will strive to maintain it's anonymity. Those who are fortunate enough to participate in a well-organized skirmish will be quickly impressed by the quality and maturity of the players, and, more often than not, becomes hooked in the game. The camaraderie that can be found amongst airsofters cannot be found in any other sport.

Any Plans of the Future?

Unfortunately, Airsoft's most appealing feature is also it's most controversial aspect. Needless to say, there are people out there who are against any hobby that, in their words, "glorify violence". We are sensitive to that fact and as a result, Airsoft became more of an insider sport. Information about Airsoft is readily available on the internet but that is only if people know what they are looking for.

This is not to say that airsofting is an illegal hobby, as owning and skirmishing with these guns is perfectly legal in most states. It's just that due to the nature of our sport, we must be discreet about it. The relatively high-cost of these guns discourages minors from purchasing them, and our anonymity limits the number of unstable people from knowing about it.

Airsoft is very new in Vietnam and due to some sensitive issue; this sport is only for available for friends or family members of current players. Who knows someday we are able to have our own club and games are open to public. We are working toward this direction and try to make this sport be accepted by the local authorities.

Airsoft Hobby and Sport Exists in:

United States - Legal

United Kindom - Legal

Hong Kong - Legal. < 2 Joules

Norway - Above 18 to play / buy airosft | 16 with permission from the local police.

Hungary - Legal

Croatia - Legal

Germany - Legal. Need a proof sign of a local authority, semi-auto only and < 7.5 Joule.

Poland - Legal and above 18

Finland - Legal

Slovenia - Legal

Switzerland - Legal

France - Legal

New Zealand - Legal for semi-auto airsoft gun. Above 18 or 16 with firearm license

Japan - Legal

Indonesia - Airsoft exist

Philippines - Airsoft exist

Taiwan - Legal. Airsoft gun impact energy below 20 Joules/cm2

Singapore - Allow to operate in club membership