| Airsoft is, by definition, a sport simulating which real | | | | cartoons. In addition, since their appearance is so |
| life combat, with copies of real life firearms - airsoft | | | | accurately similar to that of a real fire weapon, |
| guns. Several individuals take part in the game, using | | | | people use them quite often for movies as props. |
| smoothbore weapons. The game has its origins in | | | | Regardless of their way of powering, airsoft guns |
| Japan, in the late '80s, when real weapons were | | | | function on the same principle - compressed gas |
| extremely difficult to purchase, because of the local | | | | expands and pushes a BB down the barrel of the gun |
| legislation. | | | | - but each type of gun has its own downsides and |
| Fans of the idea had to look for a different way to | | | | advantages. A distinctive sign all such guns should |
| fuel their interest. To this day, this type of game is | | | | have is a transparent barrel or an orange tip. |
| extremely popular in all of Asia, and they | | | | BB guns may seem similar in appearance to airsoft |
| manufacture here most guns and accessories. Still, | | | | guns, but people never use them as part of combat |
| the game is also gaining in popularity within North | | | | simulation. They fire at a better range and at a higher |
| America, South America and Europe, with the | | | | velocity. Furthermore, bb guns use steel pellets that |
| Internet as a great help. It is illegal in the Netherlands | | | | can cause serious injuries. Their main use is target |
| - players from this country frequently visit Belgium in | | | | shooting or plinking (plinking is also, in a way, target |
| order to play. | | | | shooting, but it refers to a more unprofessional |
| There are really no preset rules for this game. A few | | | | context - the kind of thing you would see in a |
| general guidelines are the base, but mostly, players | | | | carnival, for example), but they are known to be able |
| decide on the rules on the spot. What a player does | | | | to cause injuries and even kill people or pets, |
| when he hit, as well as other game details depend on | | | | although cases are very rare. |
| whom, how and where is playing the game. | | | | Eye protection when firing bb guns is essential. Some |
| MilSim is practically a rather more elaborate version of | | | | pellets (this depends on the metal they are made of) |
| airsoft. It does not simply simulate combat, but it also | | | | bounce off hard surfaces (brick, concrete, etc.) quite |
| includes a series of more complicated combat | | | | easily and may cause serious eye damage, especially |
| situations. Players receive certain missions to | | | | since they have the tendency of keeping a large |
| accomplish, they form teams, they may have to | | | | amount of their original energy. |
| guard a certain perimeter and they gain experience. | | | | Nowadays, the most common use of bb guns is |
| Electricity, gas or spring powers airsoft guns. | | | | plinking. However, there have been cases of their use |
| Frequently, people use small, cheap ones as toys, | | | | in a more formal, competitive context. The National |
| while the most elaborate ones will fit the rules of the | | | | Rifle Association holds competitions for children aged |
| game. They fire small plastic pellets, which are | | | | 8 to 15, and these contests are quite popular among |
| essentially not harmful. In addition, they look like real | | | | several different youth groups. The regular shooting |
| firearms. Some of the most popular models are | | | | distance if five meters: the 10-point circle in the |
| those that copy existing weapons from movies and | | | | middle of the target is just about the size of a BB. |