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OVERVIEW Airsoft guns are classified as "toys." There are rumors that these "toys" can be modified to kill; however, airsoft enthusiasts know this is far from the truth. There are also rumors that the Japanese Yakuza and Chinese Triad converted airsoft guns to fire real pistol cartridges, but are limited to a single shot. It is impossible to convert any airsoft replica to fire a real bullet due to its materials, internal design, and construction. Most rumors are driven by the realistic look of the airsoft gun and ignorance about the internals beneath the gun's "skin", a simple mechanism that cannot seriously injure people. Also, airsoft barrels are too thin to use a real bullet. If someone were to replace all of the parts necessary to use a real bullet, they would have simply built a real gun from scratch. The guns used in airsoft are typically replicas of real firearms. Airsoft guns can be divided into three groups by what powers them: spring powered, electric powered, and gas-powered. AIRSOFT GUNS Spring powered Spring-powered airsoft guns (often called "springers" or "spring guns") are single-shot devices that use potential energy stored in a spring to launch an airsoft pellet down the barrel of the gun. The user must cock a spring gun prior to each shot much as you would a real Shotgun or bolt-action Rifle . This is typically achieved by pulling back the slide (pistols) or bolt (rifles), which in turn compresses the spring and makes the gun ready to fire. Because of this, these guns are incapable of automatic or semi-automatic fire. While most electric guns also use springs for this, they are not considered to be in the same category as the single-shot spring-powered guns. Low-end spring guns tend to be much cheaper than their electric-powered equivalents due to their simplicity and cost of components (spring assembly, electric motor, battery, and battery charger) and thus are widely available. These guns are less suited for competition because they are at a disadvantage against automatic guns in close combat and do not provide enough accuracy and power for long-range uses. Some exceptions: higher-end spring-powered airsoft rifles can be quite expensive; these guns are typically suited for "marksman" applications in airsoft matches and can provide competitive muzzle velocities. Additionally, pump shotguns are sometimes used, especially in CQB. In colder weather, spring pistols may actually be the best possible backup gun, as gas pistols function very poorly (see Below ), and even the batteries on AEPs won't do too well in extremely cold weather. Traditionally, spring pistols are used as low-end side arms. Gas powered Gas-powered airsoft guns use pressurized gas to propel pellets. These guns are capable of automatic and semi-automatic operation. The most common gases used are Propane (usually referred to as "green gas" by airsoft players) and HFC134a , HFC-22 and in modified guns "Red Gas" refrigerant. Less commonly used gases include CO2 and Nitrogen/high Pressure Air . Another gas said to exist for use in gas powered airsoft guns is "black gas". However, it is unknown if this gas truly exists. The first ever gas powered airsoft gun are commonly referred to as 'gas' guns, owing to their age. These guns were most commonly powered by liquid propellants such as R-12 (Which was marketed by the Japanese as FLON-12) freon feed system with a majority of the configurations containing two tanks, one containing the R-12 and one used as an expansion tank, and the gun itself. Later users modified these old guns to be powered by regulated CO2 canisters or nitrogen/high pressure air bottles to increase power and consistency. However, these guns have largely been superseded by the newer and more versatile AEGs, or automatic electric guns. One of the reasons for this is because the most commonly available propellant, R-12, is costly. Additionally, at high flow rates, liquid propellants tend to cool down, eventually freezing. As cooldown progresses, the rate of fire gradually decreases until the gun ceases operation. The user would then be forced to wait for the propellant to warm up again. CO2 is not affected as badly by this tendency, and nitrogen/high pressure air is immune to it. Furthermore, if liquid propellant is introduced into the gun's mechanism, rubber parts can freeze and eventually damage the gun. Gas power tends to be used in airsoft pistols where size constraints make electric-powered mechanisms impractical. Other instances where gas is favored are where adjustable velocities are required or where a blowback feature is desired. A blowback feature is a mechanism which cycles a slide or bolt to better simulate a real firearm's operation. Because of the mechanical complexities involved with distributing and regulating gas, these guns have largely given way to electric guns for less specialized applications, however, they still remain a favorite amongst airsofters and no competitive airsoft game is ever complete without a 'pistols-only' match. Electric powered Electric-powered airsoft guns typically use a rechargeable battery to drive an electric motor, which cycles an internal piston/spring assembly in order to launch pellets. Automatic and semi-automatic operation is possible which gives these guns the popular name "automatic electric guns" or AEGs. These guns often attain muzzle velocities of 200 to 400 feet per second (60 to 120 m/s) (ft/s measure by a chronograph) and fire rates of 300 to 1000 rounds per minute and are by far the most common and widely available airsoft guns in serious competition use today. These guns were originally developed in Japan , and the Japanese model giant Tokyo Marui dominates the market today with many quality models. In a Tokyo Marui AEG, the motor drives a series of 3 Gears mounted inside a gearbox. The gears then compress a piston assembly against a spring. Once the piston is released, the spring drives it forward through the cylinder to push a pellet into the chamber, through the barrel, and forward from the muzzle. Many manufacturers have now more or less replicated this basic model, adding reinforced parts or minor improvements. These weapons are powered primarily by two types of rechargeable battery packs. These are Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and come in ranging voltages and milliampere hours. The most common battery is an 8.4 V large battery (usually about 2400 mA•h.) Also available are 8.4 V "mini" batteries, which generally have 600 mA•h capacities. Voltages for large batteries range from 7.2 V, all the way up to 12 V. The rule of thumb usually is the higher the mAh, the longer the battery lasts while the higher voltage, the higher rate of fire (RoF). External modifications, such as metal bodies and reinforced plastics that make AEGs look and feel even more realistic, have become very popular. AEG manufacturers such as Classic Army (Yick Fung) produce replicas that are nearly identical to their real counterparts. Most AEGs produced as of late are designed to be as realistic as possible. The two most common AEG fielded by players everywhere are the AR-15 series ( M16 Rifle , M4 Carbine , etc.; sometimes referred to as the Armalite or Colt series) and the AK or Kalashnikov series ( AK-47 , AK-74 , etc.) as parts for repairs or modifications/customization options for these two types of AEGs are commonly available. The third most common AEG is the Heckler & Koch MP5 series for the same reason. AEP New to the world of Airsoft is the AEP—for Automatic Electric Pistol, first introduced by Tokyo Marui with their Glock-18C. The second AEP in the series, the Beretta M93R is very similar in function to the Glock. The AEP is the first handgun to incorporate an electric powered system, capable of full-automatic operation. The latest AEP style gun is the Marui MP-7, which is a replica of the Heckler and Koch gun of the same name. It is considerably larger than either of the other guns, but runs on the same system. It has slightly more power the others and is a suitable choice for CQB (Close Quarter Battle) games due to its small size and decent barrel length compared to its size. AEPs are also considered good sidearms for use in cold weather, since gases like CO2 and green gas are stored in liquid form, and require heat in order to turn into a gaseous form. A gas pistol in 10°F will usually only get one to two usable shots from a full magazine. Batteries do run out faster in cold weather, but they are not affected nearly as much as these gases. Because the AEP technology is relatively new, the velocity of the pellets is considered slow for airsoft play. The velocity of the AEP is usually between 200 to 225 feet per second. However, the advanced hop up units on these new guns tend to compensate for the low power and can produce an effective range comparable to those of an AEG. It should be noted that an AEP differs from what is commonly known as an "Electric Blow Back" or "EBB" in that the mechanical operation of an EBB attempts to simulate of the "blow back" in the slide experienced in a real pistol or Gas Blow Back (GBB). An AEP, however, has a fixed slide where there is no external movement by the slide during operation. At present, Marui Glock 18C is the only EBB pistol which provides full-auto fire power. Like all other Marui EBBs, it is marketed towards beginners and thus has a lower power, using four AAA batteries. LPEG Low-Power Electric Guns are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to the Japanese Tokyo Marui guns, despite the significant power gap between these guns and true AEGs. Also, they are generally made entirely of plastic (including their gearboxes) and break relatively easily. While these are much less expensive than the high-end Tokyo Marui guns and come with all sorts of accessories (laser sights, silencers, etc.), they are of much lower quality and are not well suited for competitive use like their Japanese counterparts. They are, however, often an attractive option for newcomers looking for a fully automatic rifle but not wanting to pay higher prices for top quality models. Since spring action guns that can notably outperform LPEGs can be found at comparable prices, it is generally accepted that spring guns are a better choice. Many of these guns do not last very long, and break under low stress, while others can hold up under somewhat stressful conditions. Remember not to confuse these guns with Mini Electrics, as described below. Mini Electrics Recently, the company UHC, well known for its spring guns, began manufacturing a very nice range of Electric guns firing only full auto in miniature size. Although at first glance they appear to be like the low end Chinese made Airsoft guns, they are quality weapons. They are made in both realistic versions and clear versions that are great for playing small games inside or in a neighborhood where a real looking gun is unacceptable. Also, although they have a small ammo capacity (50 or so shots), they have good range and functional Hop-up . Even among experienced airsofters, they are great for impromptu games and for kids. They have become very popular in recent years, and are now being imitated by the Taiwanese company HFC, which are still functional but less sturdy. These “minis” as they are referred to, are not a viable option in a game against AEGs since their small ammo capability and short range would be a huge disadvantage. Components The various internal components of airsoft guns can usually be replaced or upgraded. The following is a short list of commonly referred to parts. Not all of these parts apply to all airsoft types (spring and gas-powered guns don't use batteries, for example).
Performance Airsoft guns shoot 0.2 g BBs at velocities from 100 ft/s (30 m/s) for a low-end spring pistol, to 550 ft/s (170 m/s) and beyond for heavily-upgraded customized sniper rifles. Most non-upgraded AEG's using the Tokyo Marui system are in the middle, producing velocities from 270 to 300 ft/s (80 to 90 m/s), but upgrades to the internal components can increase the pellet velocity significantly. Internal modifications revolve around increasing the rate of fire and the velocity of the pellets. The rate of fire is increased by using a battery with a voltage of 9.6 volts or higher. In Tokyo Marui AEGs, the stock gears would have to be replaced with stonger gears since the higher rate of fire could strip the OEM types. The velocity of the pellets is increased by installing a stronger spring. As with any modification, an upgrade on one internal part means the other internal components might have to be upgraded as well. Airsoft guns commonly come with mounts on which you can add external accessories. Some common upgrades added are flashlights, scopes, laserpointers etc. Since airsoft guns have the exact external frame as real guns you can use these external upgrades meant for real guns. This is not the case going the other way. In no way can an airsoft rifle be modified to shoot real ammunition. Airsoft gun care Barrels should be cleaned after every extended use especially in sandy environments. After playing airsoft, you should fire two to three shots in semi-automatic mode to decompress the gearbox spring. Empty the magazine in order to preserve the strength of the magazine spring. For guns with Hop-Up , you should turn off your Hop-Up if you are not planning to use your gun within two to three days so that it will not expand your O-Ring to make the Hop-Up not work as well and eventually snap. Magazines for gas guns should be left pressurized so that all of the internals stay functional. If the gas used has silicon lubricant in it, then further lubrication usually isn't necessary; if not, a drop or two on the internals will do. BB Guns This Pneumatic Gun is usually powered by a compressed Gas , an electric revolution, or a Spring . Most BB guns are shaped like normal guns but can look like Toy s. BB guns are never used in airsoft skirmishes, because they fire at an unsafe velocity, despite sharing a similar design to some airsoft pistols. Some BB guns have reservoirs to store Ammunition , some are Breechloaders , and still others are Muzzleloader s. The name of the gun is due to the original ammunition it used, which came from the Lead Shot used in a Shotgun Shell . "BB" (0.18 inch) was the size between "B" and "BBB"; modern rounds are made of non-toxic Steel , Plastic or Copper , and are usually .177 Caliber (4.5 mm). Some also use shaped pieces of Lead called Pellet s. These vary widely in shape, but generally have a flared back end for stability in flight and either a sharp point or blunt tip. Two well-known American manufacturers of BB guns are Crosman and Daisy Outdoor Products . OTHER EQUIPMENT Airsoft players usually buy other types of equipment that help them play more effectively, including clothing, tactical gear, gun accessories, and even items like night-vision goggles. Clothing Most players typically wear in New England , where the Deciduous foliage turns shades of brown and red). Sights Sights are fairly common for use on rifles; mostly Red Dot Sight s for short-range use, and Telescopic Sight s for longer-range use. These range from inexpensive sights designed for use on BB guns and .22 rifles, to mid-range sights, usually inexpensive replicas of actual rifle sights (such as replicas of the famous M68 Aimpoint ), to actual sights designed for use on rifles, including the EOTech Sights, and the Trijicon ACOG TA01NSN. Most of these sights are mounted on a MIL-STD-1913 Rail. |
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