Airsoft Guns – History

In 1980s Japan it was illegal to own a firearm, but there was a large interest in them. Because of this interest, manufacturers started to produce realistic looking spring-powered guns. These guns fired several calibers of plastic or rubber BBs, but were eventually standardized into 6 mm and 8 mm sizes.

The early spring powered weapons then morphed into gas powered ones, using a variety of systems. The hobby then migrated to North America in the mid 1990s. Then low powered spring guns transformed into Classic airsoft. About ten years after this time, Japan hit a recession just as AEGs, or automatic electric guns, hit the market.

Many old manufacturers were lost, leaving Tokyo Marui, inventor of the AEG, as the primary manufacturer. Marui then invented an improved Hop up system, further improving the accuracy and range of the weapons.

In the early 2000s, Classic Army of Hong Kong entered the scene and gradually improved its quality of guns until it now rivals Tokyo Marui. A few years later countless Chinese brands flooded the market with cheap entry level weapons.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft_gun

Please note that this post has been published for information and discussion purposes only and that the views expressed within it may not be those held by Bristol Airsoft.

Airsoft Guns – Performance

Airsoft guns shoot plastic pellets at velocities from 100 ft/s (30 m/s) for a low-end spring pistol, to 500 ft/s and beyond for heavily-upgraded customized sniper rifles.

Most non-upgraded AEGs using the Tokyo Marui system are in the middle, producing velocities from 270 to 300 ft/s (80 to 90 m/s) with the exception of companies such as G&G, G&P, Cybergun, Aftermath Airsoft, D-boys, Cyma and Jing Gong which manufacture guns that produce velocities of over 328 ft/s (or 1J with a .2g pellet) stock.

The internal components of most guns can be upgraded which can increase the pellet velocity significantly. Using heavier pellets (.25g, .3g, etc.) will significantly reduce the gun’s muzzle velocity, but can increase accuracy at range and reduce susceptibility to wind drift.

Conversely, lighter pellets may travel further but are less accurate. High-velocity AEGs often employ heavier pellets, as the velocity penalty does not affect them as much, while the accuracy benefits remain.

Most high-end AEGs, such as Classic Army and Tokyo Marui, should not be loaded with anything lighter than 0.2 g pellets, as the lighter pellets (0.12 g, 0.15 g) are typically made for low-end guns, and are not built to the same quality (such as surface smoothness).

The stresses the pellets go under upon firing could shatter lighter or poorly made pellets as they leave the barrel, potentially damaging both the weapon and the target.

Airsoft guns are modified to increase pellet velocity, rate of fire, or reliability. For an electric airsoft gun, the pellet velocity can be increased by simply upgrading the mainspring.

Doing this will increase the air pressure subjected to the pellet produced during operation. But due to the higher forces at play, it is advised that other parts should be upgraded together with the mainspring in order to maintain a high level of reliability.

The rate of fire is increased by using a battery with a higher voltage, high speed ratio gears and/or a high speed motor. Rates of fire can be increased to over 20 rounds per second with very few upgrades, but with careful selection and extreme modification of gearbox components, rates of fire in excess of 50 rounds per second are not unheard of.

In the case of gas guns, a higher pellet velocity can be achieved through the use of different types of gases and/or changing the valve. It must be noted that some gases have detrimental effects to some plastic components inside the airsoft gun.

Airsoft guns can commonly come with mounts or rails on which you can add external accessories. Some common customizations added are flashlights, scopes and lasers.

Since some airsoft guns have the exact external frame as real guns, you can use these external parts meant for real guns, but the opposite does not apply.

In no way can an airsoft rifle be modified to shoot real ammunition. In most cases, scopes and flash lights have little effect on the performance of the airsoft gun itself, rather the user’s ability to use their gun effectively in different situations.

In most cases, add-ons are more for aesthetics rather than performance. However, some scopes must have scope rings (which are not usually included in airsoft gun packages) that are used to mount the higher end scopes to a default rail mount.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft_gun

Please note that this post has been published for information and discussion purposes only and that the views expressed within it may not be those held by Bristol Airsoft.

Airsoft Guns – General Description

Airsoft guns are highly detailed firearm replicas manufactured for recreational purposes.

Airsoft guns propel non-metallic 6mm pellets at muzzle velocities ranging from 100 to 600ft/s by way of compressed gas or a spring-driven piston.

Depending on the mechanism driving the pellet, an airsoft gun can be operated manually or cycled by either compressed gas such as Green Gas (propane), or CO2, a spring, or an electric motor.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft_gun

Please note that this post has been published for information and discussion purposes only and that the views expressed within it may not be those held by Bristol Airsoft.

Airsoft Guns – Safety Concerns

Airsoft is safe with proper care, and the recommended playing age is 18 or above.

The plastic projectiles expelled from airsoft guns travel at fairly low velocity and are too light to penetrate the skin. Though some heavier projectiles made of copper or other metal can penetrate skin, they are banned at all Airsoft events.

Also most states require an orange marker on the tip of the muzzle so that it is not mistaken for a real firearm. The wieght of the BB is typically .12 – .30 grams, but heavier, more application specific BBs exist that can weigh .43 grams or more.

However, weapons upgraded to higher than 500 fps (feet per second) can penetrate the skin at shorter distances.[citation needed] This is usually countered by such high-power weapons either being disallowed or restricted from being fired within a minimum engagement distance.

All sites require players to wear protective eyewear, in the form of goggles, masks or glasses.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft_gun

Please note that this post has been published for information and discussion purposes only and that the views expressed within it may not be those held by Bristol Airsoft.