Airsoft FAQ - Team FAQ - Parent's FAQ

Q: What is Airsoft?
A: Airsoft is a sport very much like paint ball but played in a quite different manner with. The weapons are accurate replicas of real military arms, however they fire 6mm plastic BBs. This makes the guns suitable for indoor and outdoor play.

Q: Is Airsoft expensive?
A: Yes. As any sport, there is proper clothing and equipment. If you buy the cheaper items, you will not be up to par with other players.

Q: Is it safe?
A: The sport is safe, when proper safety is observed. Airsoft weapons are NOT TOYS! An Airsoft BB can still cause injury, especially to the eye. Proper eye protection is required at all times! Airsoft BB's can break skin in some cases also.

Q: Doesn't it hurt more than paint ball since the pellets don't break?
A: No. While Airsoft pellets are solid, unlike a paint ball, they also have less kinetic impact. An airsoft pellet is 6mm (.25 cal) in diameter. A standard paint ball is .68 cal and much heavier weight. Generally, getting hit with an airsoft pellet feels much like getting snapped with a rubber band. Plus, getting hit with 10 airsoft pellets in a short period of time will hurt a lot less than getting it with 10 paint balls in that same period of time at the same muzzle velocity. Another bad analogy would be the difference between getting hit by an airsoft pellet versus a paint ball pellet, is like the difference between being run over by a pedal powered bicycle or getting run over by a Motorcycle. Both will hurt to a certain degree.

Q: If there's no paint to leave a mark, how do you know you've been hit?
A: Honesty. Airsoft, even more than paint ball, requires a high level of honesty in the players. If you don't call your hits, then you don't get invited back to play. The term Cheaters Never Win is very true in airsoft. If you cheat, soon you won't have anywhere, or anyone, to play with. Quite often at longer ranges you'll hear the BB hit your clothing or gear, even though you may not actually feel the impact. When in doubt, call yourself out!

Q: Is Airsoft just about shooting people?
A: Not at all! While the majority of airsoft players skirmish in a war game scenario, many people own airsoft guns just for target shooting and plinking in the backyard! But we do NOT condone this.