| This question is bound to stir debate and | | | | compressed gas. The issue is that most |
| controversy amongst the most ardent of | | | | airsoft guns lack the range and accuracy of |
| airsoft or paintball fans. | | | | the larger paintball guns simply because they |
| | | | were never designed with long range fire in |
| Both airsoft and paintball are both hobbies | | | | mind. |
| based on replica firearms and wargames. Is | | | | |
| this unhealthy? That depends moreso on the | | | | Conversely airsoft guns are available in a |
| person themselves rather than the hobby. An | | | | huge range of styles and models. Everything |
| interest in pursuing a hobby that involves | | | | from a Glock handgun to a sniper rifle to a |
| weaponry only becomes unhealthy if taken to | | | | CAR15 assault rifle. Airsoft guns are equally |
| extremes - which is true of most things in | | | | at home hanging in your livingroom or at use |
| life. Paintball and airsoft are not morbid | | | | on the airsoft playing field. You can even go |
| hobbies and only run the risk of being | | | | as far as buying an airsoft minigun. Many |
| dangerous when participated in by dangerous | | | | airsoft fans simply collect the guns and |
| people. | | | | never get involved in airsoft wargames at |
| | | | all. This is the much the same as many sword |
| Paintball itself is a more mobile sport. It | | | | collectors - they display the weapons at home |
| requires a certain level of physical fitness, | | | | but don't go running around waving them at |
| mobility and skill - if you paintball then | | | | people. |
| you gotta be able to move fast. The weapons | | | | |
| themselves are functional and are only | | | | The truth is that neither airsoft nor |
| designed to serve the purpose of the sport as | | | | paintball is superior. They're both a case of |
| opposed to looking good. Paintball rifles are | | | | personal preference. If you're the extreme |
| designed to take a real beating when it comes | | | | sports type then paintball will suit you |
| to their use. Paintball fans fall into the | | | | more. If you're more of a collector then |
| 'extreme sport' category and enjoy the pure | | | | airsoft will be more you thing. |
| adrenaline of each paintball match and are | | | | |
| driven by the desire to win. | | | | Regardless of whether you're a paintball fan |
| | | | or an airsoft fan it's essential to take |
| Airsoft is a somewhat different sport. The | | | | proper safety precautions when using these |
| guns used in airsoft are both conversation | | | | guns. Proper eye protection in the form of |
| pieces and are also functional sports | | | | safety goggles should always be worn and |
| 'weapons'. Airsoft rifles and pistols are | | | | suitable protective clothing to cover your |
| capable of firing both small plastic pellets | | | | neck and upper torso should also be worn. |
| and paint filled pellets so are useful both | | | | Even though some people see these as guns as |
| in the sport itself and also for backyard | | | | toys they are capable of causing injury |
| target practice. | | | | either through accident or even deliberate |
| | | | malice. |
| The major difference is the power of the guns | | | | |
| themselves. Paintball guns are driven by high | | | | This article was written by Niall Roche and |
| powered gas cylinders whereas airsoft guns | | | | provided courtesy of where you can find lots |
| fire projectiles either through springs, | | | | of information on air soft guns. |
| electronic firing mechanisms or with | | | | |