Airsoft

Airsoft
First playedEarly 1970s in Japan
Characteristics
ContactDependent on ruleset
Mixed-sexYes
EquipmentAirsoft guns, airsoft pellets, goggles

Airsoft, also known as survival game (Japanese: サバイバルゲーム, romanizedsabaibaru gēmu) in Japan where it was popular, is a team-based shooting game in which participants eliminate opposing players out of play by shooting them with spherical plastic projectiles shot from airsoft guns.

Although similar to paintball in concept and gameplay, airsoft pellets do not leave visible markings on their target and hits are not always apparent. Though the pellet impacts can leave small bruises or welts on exposed skin (and so protective gear is still recommended), the game relies heavily on an honor system in which players who have been hit are expected to call themselves out of play in keeping with honesty and sportsmanship.[1]

The airsoft guns used are mostly magazine-fed, with some having manual/battery motor-powered spring-piston pump power plants similar to Nerf Blasters, or pneumatically powered by replaceable compressed gas (e.g. propane ("green gas"), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or CO2) canisters.[2] Many airsoft guns also have mounting platforms compatible with genuine firearm accessories, and most cosmetically resemble real firearms. This makes them popular for military simulation and historical reenactments. There are also professional gun safety and weapon manipulation training conducted with airsoft in some fields, such as law enforcement training,[3] due to better safety and lower cost. The United States Coast Guard, for instance, officially adopted airsoft for training in 2018.[4][5]

Airsoft gameplay varies in style and composition, but often ranges from action shooting to short organized live action role-playing (LARP) scenarios, close quarters battle skirmishes, military simulations (MilSim) or historical reenactments.[6] It is played in indoor courses or outdoor fields.[7] Combat situations on the field may involve the use of genuine military tactics to achieve objectives set in each game. Participants may attempt to emulate the tactical equipment and accessories used by modern military and police organizations. A game is normally kept safe by trained professionals acting as supervisors and marshals.[8]

Before gameplay, an airsoft gun's muzzle velocity is usually checked through a chronograph and usually measured in feet per second (FPS) or joules, a measurement for kinetic energy. Some countries have a set velocity or muzzle energy restriction; guns shooting over the legal muzzle velocity can be confiscated. Some playing fields further restrict minimum engagement distances,[9] requiring players to yell "Bang Bang!" or another phrase instead of actually shooting other players at close distances. This is done to prevent any potential injuries from high-energy pellets shot at short ranges.

In certain countries use of laser sights of any kind is illegal, including gun scopes with integrated lasers.[10]

  1. ^ Ryan Roger (15 September 2020). "Airsoft General Rules". Pick Airsoft. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  2. ^ "All About Airsoft Guns: All You Need To Know | Airsoft Gun Types, Styles, Facts, and Science". High Speed BBs. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  3. ^ "New Airsoft training for law enforcement". Archived from the original on 5 February 2022.
  4. ^ Matthew Cox (5 November 2018). "Coast Guard Buys Sig P229 Airsoft Clone as Its New Training Sidearm". Military.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023.
  5. ^ Matthew Moss (4 February 2019). "US Coast Guard Pick SIG P229 Airsoft Pistol for Training". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Airsoft: How to Play". airsoft-facts.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Indoor Airsoft Field". Orlando Sentinel. Jon Busdeker. 27 June 2013. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Airsoft Beginners Guide UK". BEAR Airsoft | Gameplay, Reviews, Guides & More!. 10 May 2021. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Standard Airsoft BB Weights for FPS Chronos - All About Airsoft Guns". High Speed BBs. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Tactical Airsoft Supplies – Illegal Items". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012.