Talk:Airsoft

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[edit] BB's or Pellets

In the article everywhere it says pellet it should say bb. Am I the only one that thinks this. No airsofter calls them pellets, at least not that I know of. Besides a pellet is completly differnt shaped than a bb. There are also pellet guns already.

(Sheetz 19:00, 6 June 2007 (UTC))

Hi Sheetz, I have pointed out the guidelines for Talk pages repeatedly, please start news topics at the bottom of the page. As for BB versus pellet, there is an article dedicated to the topic and it is called Airsoft pellets. If you read the introduction it explains the misnomer. A BB is in fact a metal BB from the BB gun. True the term BB is used, albeit incorrectly, so it is included in the article. --Deon Steyn 10:51, 7 June 2007 (UTC)
The correct term is Airsoft pellets. Everyone should stop using BB on all airsoft articles (not at fields!) to keep away any information that can for any reason associate BB guns to airsoft. There is lots of negative talking for terms like BB's and BB Guns, this is one thing we should avoid... As stated before BB’s are associated with metal BB’s for BB guns and those have nothing to do with airsoft. Law around the world will never refer the term BBs and since other sports like paintball use pellets term why not airsoft. (anon)
I specifically copied this article to Word and carefully replaced all instanced where "pellet" should have been used. However, either it was reverted (doubtful, but I was pretty sure I was logged in when I did it, but I can't find where I did the edit in the history) or instances of it have been added since, because a good half-dozen more instances of incorrect usage of "BB" showed up in the article, much more possible because the article has a large interest base and is rapidly updated. Just because something's used colloquially doesn't mean it's correct. Kevin 06:07, 22 July 2007 (UTC)
It looks like all references of "pellet" has been changed (again) to "BB". Seeing as how this is a common change, why don't we add a section to the article about the "Misnomer of Using 'BB'". See Bb_gun as to how 'BB' is reference to the size of a ball bearing, of which an airsoft pellet is larger (Air Rifle = 4.49mm, BB = 4.57mm, Airsoft Pellet = 6mm) and IS NOT size 'BB' according to the standard gauge charts. [1]
I would also like to emphasize that using the term "pellet" reduces the confusion when airsoft guns are compared to BB Guns (as stated before by many others).
UTF-NeonDevil (talk) 00:11, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

==Weapons & Equipment section== :D

I personaly think the section should go as follows.

2. Weapons & Equipment

2.1weapons - here we should move airsoft guns section

2.2 BB’s - here we should move airsoft projectiles section

2.3 Uniforms - here we should move clothing

2.4 Tactical Gear - and hear we should move tactical gear

Once moved we should delete the previous sections explaining this.

(Sheetz 08:00, 5 June 2007 (UTC))

Not sure about a change to the order. Many readers might be more interested airsoft guns and equipment, but Wikipedia is supposed to be encyclopaedic and the article is about the sport itself? Therefore the equipment section should probably take a backstage even though it might be of more interest to many. Also many of the equipment sub-section only contain links to other full articles. Anyone else have any thoughts on this? --Deon Steyn 05:46, 6 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Airsoft WikiProject Proposal

There is a proposal for an Airsoft WikiProject. If you would like to join, add your name to the list. The Pelican 16:03, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

The Airsoft WikiProject is now online; feel free to join. The Pelican 01:19, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

It need more articles. Master of the Oríchalcos (talk) 03:36, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

It needs a template. Master 04:09, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Change "MilSim Only" Aspect of Article

It seems like this page mainly focuses on MilSim and dedicated players. I think there should be more mention of the 10 year olds who buy cheap guns from Wal-Mart and Sports Authority, especially how their misuse of guns give opponents of airsoft evidence of why they think it should banned. 65.197.192.130 23:17, 18 March 2007 (UTC)


I agree, the aspect of little kids ruining the sport is a major issue that should be addressed. 67.49.28.78 05:12, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Backyard airsoft will never go away and it is certainly not harming the ranks of hardcore players. let them have their fun and you have yours. I play backyard airsoft and I buy only guns with 300 fps or higher, if i am paying 100 or more. backyard airsoft is not ruining airsoft, and quiet honestly outnumbers the number of "real" airsofters by an alarming ratio. go to any school. all the guys there have an airsoft gun.

[edit] Merge with Airsplat

The article for "Airsplat" (which I personally have never heard of) seems like it should be merged into the Airsoft article; it seems to be little more than people playing airsoft, occasionally using 6mm paintballs, which are bad for your gun.
I can understand where you are coming from for combingin the 2 articles. But isn't milsim and airsplat 2 opposite ways of playing. I would alsot tend to say that MilSim shoudl be combined with airsoft. Because MilSim is almost a regular or standard playing method. Where as, AirSplat (paintsoft) seems to be a sub-culture or different movement of playing airsoft.[[[User:Ganninia|Ganninia]] 07:00, 18 March 2007 (UTC)]
I would usually describe airsoft as "playing a game with airsoft guns." MilSim is an aspect of airsoft, usually played by more dedicated players. Most people who buy cheap guns tend to play backyard games. I have never heard the terms "paintsoft" or "airsplat" (except the online store Airsplat.com) outside of Wikipedia. Even if they a source is found for them, the most mention they should get on Wikipedia is a section of this page. 65.197.192.130 23:17, 18 March 2007 (UTC)
Airsoft is a game based upon trust in your team and opponents. There is no difference between the multiple styles of airsoft except for the basis of trust. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 207.69.139.145 (talk) 01:10, 19 March 2007 (UTC).
I'm not really sure about all that "trust is the most important aspect" crap, but there is no need for a separate page about airsplat, especially since its unsourced, repeats a lot of stuff (safety, etc.), and promotes bad airsoft gun care (using paintballs in an airsoft gun). 65.197.192.130 11:06, 19 March 2007 (UTC)
Good points, actually someone added in the paintball usage at a later point in time. I went back and removed that part becuase I didn't know it. But I'm surprised to see some of you have not heard of airsplat or paintsoft. Do a search on google for paintsoft. AirSplat doesn't come up with as much right now becuase of the website airsplat. Until someone starts a website called paintsoft, those results are still obtainable. You'll there is standard nomenclature within the players. Milsim and paintsoft are actualy opposite ends of the playing spectrum. One is highly strategic simulating military tactics while one is a shoot them up, metal to the pedal playing method (similar to paint ball competitions, hence the "paint"). [[[User:Ganninia|Ganninia]] 10:27, 22 March 2007 (UTC)]
Of course, those types of games are played in airsoft. However, in my six years of playing, I have *never* heard those game types being referred to as "airsplat" or "paintsoft". To be honest, all I think is needed here is a revision of airsoft game types to include the more "balls to the walls" types so indicated in the airsplat article. Other than that, the airsplat article is not cited, promotes bad gun care and repeats what's said on THIS article (as has been said). The best thing for it is deletion, imo. -Madbrood 12:28, 29 March 2007 (UTC)
The merger with airsplat should not happen. Airsplat is an online retailer of airsoft replicas. Also, 6mm paint-bb's are very harmful to most airsoft guns, and should never be used under any circumstances. I have never heard of anything besides www.airsplat.com referred to as "airsplat"
I agree that "airsplat" is a pointless article, and the its concept can be harmful to airsoft guns. I think it should be replace with a redirect to airsoft, especially since nothing is sourced and a large amount of the material is on both pages. 72.196.213.82 02:33, 8 April 2007 (UTC)
Airsplat is now a redirect to arisoft. 65.197.192.130 14:58, 20 May 2007 (UTC)


Merge with Airsplat, my opinion

I do not think that this should happen. As some one who actually plays airsoft and has bought products from Airsplat.com, this is not logical.

Airsplat.com is simply a website in which people can buy airsoft guns and accessories. Having said this, I do think that references to Airslpat.com should be on the "Airsoft" page, but by no means should the two be merged.Drogdar 21:49, 19 May 2007 (UTC)


THEY ARE REFERING TO THE PRACTICE OF USING 6MM PAINTBALLS IN AN AIRSOFT GUN NOT THE STORE —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.84.203.171 (talk) 05:00, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Major clean up

I have done a major overhaul of the article (as well as archiving old talk page topics) that has grown almost completely out of hand since I last had a look at it. The biggest problem is large sections duplicating articles that have been split out, most notably Airsoft guns, Airsoft pellets and Airsoft game type variations (might need more clean up). Please see Wikipedia:Content forking and Wikipedia:Article size. These sections could in fact be a link to the main article only which is something we should consider as it would discourage it from growing out of control again. Other than that we need more references and possibly to clean up the existing one (see Wikipedia:Footnotes and Wikipedia:Citation templates). --Deon Steyn 12:30, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Vehicles and uniforms

Please refrain from restoring this section, it was removed with an appropriate explanation, which is that we can't add everything to the article that vaguely relates to the sport. If some team somewhere in the world moves a tree around to recreate some specific battle scene, that would not become an "airsoft tree". There is no such thing as an airsoft vehicle and the use of vehicles in some extreme or rare instances is completely unrelated to the article.

The section for "clothing" is also being repeatedly changed to "uniform". Clothing is a more inclusive term, because not everyone wears clothing that looks like military uniforms. A uniform also implies that you are actually a member of an organization represented by that uniform. If someone not in the US Army wears and ACU outfit, then it is simple a piece of clothing and no longer a uniform (which comes with a set of responsibilities etc.)! --Deon Steyn 10:56, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pain?

The article states that airsoft hurts worse than paintball, regularly causes bleeding. That just is'nt true I know, I've been shot several times from airsoft. we should try to fix this. 68.89.165.158 17:14, 21 July 2007 (UTC)iron maiden

I think it depends on the gun, meaning its FPS and pellet size. Obviously a 150 FPS gun firing .12 gram pellets isn't going to cause lasting pain even if you put it right up to the skin. But take something like this, an expensive gun with a FPS of 320 fps w/ .2g, and maybe that could cause lasting pain at close range. Though I mostly agree, and in my experience, the pain usually goes away in under a minute, and the welt goes away in a few days. Kevin 06:14, 22 July 2007 (UTC)
P.S. If you see anywhere with an unreferenced claim that airsoft pellets can kill people, delete it. Unless they've got definative proof that someone died because of airsoft pellets, that claim's absurd, no matter how powerful the gun.
Exactly, I was deleting stuff and adding citations68.89.165.158 00:00, 23 July 2007 (UTC)ironmaiden
I've found only one reference to an airsoft-related death. It was in Japan, the victim was a woman in her 70's, and apparently, the airsoft gun was highly modified (and was well over Japan's legal power limit of (0.89?) joules. Unfortunately, it's not a 'citeable' source. Jonathon Barton 23:25, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

i agree, airsoft couldnt kill but it could cause severe pain depending on the modification of the gun. FPS in the Philippines is not that strict, we do have rifles exceeding 750 to 800... no joke. And it has been known to go thru BDU's... just imagine the effect on the flesh... --obakpogi—Preceding unsigned comment added by Obakpogi (talk • contribs) 04:48, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

I have a 400 fps pistol, and it drew blood at ten feet or so when I shot my friend. We consider that to be godly. -TDK

[edit] Non-Sport Uses

Airsoft has been making inroads into replacing the less-accurate paintball and the more accurate, but prohibitively expensive, Simunition technologies for training among security contractors, law enforcement agencies, and even the military (in unofficial training). We use airsoft for some tactics and movement training due to the realism and accuracy of the weapons in weight and style (we can attach our illuminators, designators, red-dot scopes, etc. from our service M-4s to the airsoft versions, allowing us to use the same accessories we use in the field), and because they cost a lot less and require less safety precautions than simunitions. It might be worth researching who all uses it and how much growth it has seen and adding some mention of this into the article.--Breandán 01:53, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Someone who reads Japanese may want to follow up on the information I've read recently that the Japanese Self Defense Forces purchased some 600 Tokyo Marui replicas specifically for troop training. Jonathon Barton 23:27, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Kinetic energy 11.8 joules

The formula .5 * mass * velocity2 ( see Kinetic_energy#Kinetic_energy_of_rigid_bodies and Conversion_of_units#Length ) yields a value for a paint ball of of:

.5 × .00284 × ( 300 × .3048 ) × ( 300 × .3048 ) = .00142 × 91.44 × 91.44 = 11.873 joules

compared to an airsoft pellet:

.5 × .0002 × 91.44 × 91.44 = .836 joules

or a sniper pellet:

.5 × .0003 × ( 550 × .3048 ) × ( 550 × .3048 ) = 4.215 joules

jmcw 11:36, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] What's with all the cite tags?

I'd have to say about 85% of these "unsourced statments" are true. Cheers, JetLover (talk) 18:26, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

Doesn't matter if it's true - if there's no reference, then it can't be proved to be true or false. It's going to be hard to cite a reference for lots of airsoft stuff though because there are few places where it is really written down - excepting internet forums. Maybe airsoft skimish-site websites will list some of the safety stuff, but otherwise it's mostly word of mouth and mental acknowledgement for airsoft. 82.27.234.112 (talk) 14:26, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Backyard Airsoft

Backyard airsoft is not that dangerous. If you are careful about it, there is almost no chance of the police being called. There are almost no set rules for every game. I have no idea where they are getting all of these rules and regulations. There are very, VERY few regulated "professional" airsoft games. Backyard is the norm for airsoft. And we consider anyone who even wears a heavy jacket to be a pussy, let alone wearing full military suits and stuff. There is no way you would feel anything through that. We don't count the shots unless you can feel it. -TDK

Backyard airsoft will never go away and it is certainly not harming the ranks of hardcore players. let them have their fun and you have yours. I play backyard airsoft and I buy only guns with 300 fps or higher, if i am paying 100 or more. backyard airsoft is not ruining airsoft, and quiet honestly outnumbers the number of "real" airsofters by an alarming ratio. go to any school. all the guys there have an airsoft gun.

The section on "Backyard Airsoft" should be changed to remove any type of encouragement for this type of game. "Backyard" games are extremely dangerous to both the players involved, neighbors, and the sport itself. Whenever we hear about police mistaking airsoft guns for real guns it almost always involves these backyard games. Playing in a public area where most of these games take place is a danger to neighbors who could be hit by a stray BB, and someone who sees people with what look like real guns will almost certainly call the police. Not to mention that these types of games are illegal in some states. Incidents stemming from backyard games are the main fuel for lawmakers to ban airsoft in their area.Cmsr. Jackdaw 23:57, 28 August 2007 (UTC)

I have put my mention of backyard airsoft dangers, now with citations of incidents involving police. If someone can give a good argument as to why we shouldn't mention the dangers of backyard games in the section on it, I will remove it. Until then, however, I will continue to replace it whenever it's removed.Cmsr. Jackdaw 23:57, 30 August 2007 (UTC)

You guys have never actually done an airsoft game for the heck of it before in your life have you? I am always doing backyard airsoft at my place and at friends. Also on equipment, you do not need to buy $120 worth of equipment. All I did was buy a $10 dollar sunglasses and my gun and had an airsoft war with some af my friends. "Backyard Airsoft" as you call it, is not that dangerous. I have always done it, and always will. It is not that dangerous. You guys are probably afraid of getting a welt or bruise or even a mark on your body or face. You do not need to be such wimps or make people think they should be. Rembrant12 16:22, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

My first experience of airsoft was at the Elektrowerkz arena in London. During that skirmish I was involved in an assault up one of the stairwells. There were five guys with fully-upgraded AEGs (just below the UK legal limit) standing just around a 180 degree corner from my position, and I had to go around that corner armed with a pistol. I was absolutely delighted when I got two of them before they reacted- and believe me, they ALL reacted. Five guys with 9.6V upgraded gearboxes at point blank range say I'm anything but a wimp. I still think you're wrong. "Backyard airsoft" typically has no health and safety provision- for example, do you know what ballistic protection your sunglasses offer? Do they have an ANSI standard mark on them? What would you do if a BB got behind them- do you have a qualified first aider onsite when you play your games? Do you have public liability insurance so that if you accidentally shoot someone not involved in the game you can afford to pay them any damages they might sue for, or for any medical procedures they might require? Do people in the area know you're using airsoft guns? Do the Police?
Honestly, one of the most important considerations in my mind is the anger to the sport. Getting caught by the Police having an unauthorised skirmish and arrested on firearms offences (because- in the UK at least- brandishing replica firearms in public is actually completely illegal) can only ever generate bad publicity for the sport in an environment where the PC brigade is already getting heavily down on guns and anything that looks like them. Of course the press doesn't cover the many thousands of airsoft skirmishes which go off without incident the world over every week, but the one backyard skirmish they do clamp down on can do nigh-irreparable damage to the sport's image and may lead to its being legislated against more and more in the future.
Seriously, if you're careful or if you do it indoors I can understand that you might see no problem and have no problem with it, but personally I would consider the risk, to potential bystanders and to the sport itself, to be too great. Especially when we're talking about the discussion of the phenomenon on a major website such as Wikipedia. Painting backyard airsoft in an encouraging light on here has the potential to convince all kinds of people to try it- Including the kind of people who are anything but careful or sensible. For that reason I'd be a little wary of mentioning it at all, but if it is to be mentioned for Goodness' sake don't encourage people to do it! People airsofting without due care and attention has the potential to kill the sport in the UK completely, and I would imagine the same is true in a large portion of the US. -Captain Hat 89.213.71.84 11:07, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Also I might add that it looks like that this is for only people 18 up but I know of people who have been younger, approximetley 13-14 and have had more fun than a bunch of army wannabes who think they are actually fighting and "enemy army" Rembrant12 16:27, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

I understand that viewpoint, and personally I've always had much more of an aggressive attitude towards tactics in airsoft than most people who try to be all military and tactical. At my local site we get regular players as young as 14, though under-18s are obliged to wear full face protection (over 18s can choose anything down to the minimum standard for eye protection) and should be accompanied to the site by an adult. I don't think there's actually much bias against younger players in airsoft, though the law in the UK has recently gone that way in that under-18s cannot buy airsoft guns any more. I don't see there being much bias in the article either, to be honest, though a more direct mention could be made of younger players. -Captain Hat 89.213.71.84 11:07, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Given personal experiences with what can happen when a large number of immature and irresponsible individuals -- regardless of age -- decide to have an impromptu "war," I too would highly recommend information the potential dangers of these devices, the need to use appropriate safety equipment, and the potential legal consequences in various, significant areas such as the UK and parts of the US with relevant legislation or previously recorded incidents. I respect that some people enjoy being fired upon with mock weapons even though I do not. As such, there have been times when in the dormitories of my university or at a friend's house I have been caught in the crossfire, both unwilling and unprepared -- with regards to safety -- to participate, and I have come very close to eye injuries -- one time ending with a severe, suborbital bruise on my cheek and a rather nasty welt on the bridge of my nose! Had I been a more litigious individual, I most likely could have succeeded in court. This would have been yet another strike against the public perception of this hobby. In that light, people should be encouraged to play responsibly in places that provide the appropriate level of safety and support needed to insure that legislators will never find enough reason to ban the practice altogether. Smartyhall (talk) 01:33, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Shape of projectiles

Article says: "small, perfectly cylindrical balls" but all the pictures on Google Images show spheres.

above by me. Boris B (talk) 04:00, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

the are the same thing. no one except you cares about the different wording between ball and sphere. they are perfectly exactly and absolutely the same thing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.84.203.171 (talk) 05:06, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

He was referring to the word 'cylindrical', lol. Pay more attention next time :-p! 86.144.69.203 (talk) 12:11, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

"Cylindrical ball"? That doesn't even make sense.ZappyGun (talk) 15:05, 8 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Distance?

Most airsoft guns won't even go 100 feet. They say there are restrictions something like no guns over 450 fps at a range of 100 yards or less? No airsoft gun will ever got 100 yards. Ever. I have a 400 fps pistol (And I played airsoft literally today, like all day, in close quarters of ten feet or less, inside a house. The best gun we had was about 450 fps, and I have nothing more than some welts. And I got shot a lot.) and it can shoot across my yard, maybe sixty feet or so, but it falls at about sixty feet. -TDK —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.33.49.185 (talk) 04:11, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

That's because your gun sucks. Now, get lost and stop runing the airsoft article. 96.226.7.12 (talk) 11:44, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

You must use a WalMart or sporting good store guns. My weapon, a D-boy shoots that range. Also, assuming from where you play, (your back yard), you don't seem too knowledgeable about the subject or informed as to the capabilites of them. Velcrochicken17 (talk) 19:13, 16 May 2008 (UTC)