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