About The Sport Of Airsoft

The Sport of Airsoft
Written by Admin,
AirSoft Forum Administrator
**Used with permission**
Airsoft has a relatively long history. Designed in Japan and marketed in the United States in the 1980’s by a major BB gun manufacturer. AirSoft was conceptualized as a new approach in BB gun application as opposed to common air gun that was designed for hunting, the AirSoft BB gun was created with a pure recreational application in mind. It was created for people who enjoy target practicing or indoor plinking with friends. Individuals who are not concerned about the high power hunting application of a BB or pellet gun but just wanted to have Fun.

But my opinion is that it was way ahead of it’s time, not to mention the fact that many dealers did not want to sell them for liability reasons. The Airsoft guns were thought of as too realistic and posed a great legal issue and were discontinued by some manufactures. Airsoft guns have been around for two decades in Asia and are slow in comming to the United States. They are slowly making a comeback and in some cases have become what “Paintball” once was.

The design of the AirSoft BB gun centers on a unique propulsion system utilizing a small amount of air to accurately propell a lightweight plastic BB or pellet. This design philosophy resulted in a BB gun, which generates a much less damaging projectile that is still accurate enough to be FUN. As the AirSoft product matured, manufacturers added another feature, which drew hobbyist and collectors alike to AirSoft. By modeling AirSoft BB guns after world famous pistols and rifles, an entire line of Replica AirSoft products were created.

In my opinion, the increasinly popular conflicts that the US has participated in beginning with the Gulf War in the early 1990’s has created a market for “combat games”. Paintball was and is a huge hit in this area, Military type software games are a huge success beginning in the late 1990’s and Airsoft Gaming is fast becoming a new trend.

After decades, AirSoft BB guns are now returning to the United States with newer and better designs. The highly matured plastic polymer technology industry in Asia has created a new generation of AirSoft BB guns with amazing durability and detail. Adding to its hobby collector market, the new AirSoft BB guns have created new uses in firearm safety training, movie productions, replica collecting, and recreational sport.

AirSoft guns offer a potential alternative for the hobbyist, collector, and shooter. The combination of realism, safety, flexibility, and low cost makes AirSoft more appealing to the average consumer who would like to exercise his or her steady eye/hand coordination without the inherent dangers. (Safety glasses must still be worn for protection)
The U.S. Government has approved and specified regulations applicable to AirSoft BB guns. The blaze orange marking is a federal requirement: all reputable AirSoft manufacturers and dealers must be in compliance with this ruling for legal use. All AirSoft products, foreign or domestic, must meet this regulation. (Removal of the tip will also void all Warrantys and Refunds)