Airsoft guns, pellet guns, air guns, and BB guns are all similar in several ways, but they all differ in terms of ammunition, firing mechanism, shot power, accuracy, and legal regulation. Possibly the most important differences are the differences in ammunition, because it contributes to the differences in the other areas. Airsoft BBs are almost uniformly 6mm in diameter and made from a lightweight ABS plastic, rather than metal. The lightweight material affects the flight of the BB, its impact, and the construction of the gun.

The Many Airsoft Guns Available

The Airsoft phenomenon started in Japan in the 1970s and was eventually exported around the world. Outside of Asia, and particularly in the United States, Airsoft had some difficulty gaining a foothold--until the Internet allowed small communities of enthusiasts to band together. As opposed to the guns used in paintball games and for practice hunting, Airsoft guns are made to look realistic. The higher quality guns even seek to emulate the feel and action of their real counterparts.

An Airsoft gun operates by compressing the column of air behind a BB with a piston, propelling it through the barrel--and on towards the target. The least expensive, entry-level guns are called "springers" because piston actuation is achieved only with springs. These guns are usually hand-cocked, single-shot pistols or basic rifles, but there are some spring-actuated guns that use heavier springs to increase their distance, accuracy, and realism.

More Advanced Airsoft Guns

As Airsoft guns increase in power and accuracy, so do they usually increase in price and realism. Gas-powered Airsoft guns are heavier and more powerful than the simple springers, and some of them have realistic, blow-back action. AEGs, automatic electric guns, have the fastest firing rates, the most accessories, and are relatively easy to upgrade. Airsoft machine guns, like replica AK-47s, and sub-machine guns, like replica uzis, are all AEGs.

The BBs for Airsoft guns are most commonly 0.2 grams in weight and 6mm in diameter. Entry-level springer pistols sometimes use lighter-weight BBs, as light as 0.12 grams. More advanced, gas pistols and AEG guns can often use BBs that are a little heavier, usually up to 0.25 grams. The heaviest BBs are reserved for high-power, sniper rifles, where the average weight is 0.3 grams and can weigh as much as 0.43 grams. A BB's weight affects its speed, distance, and accuracy. Heavier weight equals decreased speed but increased accuracy.

Aside from standard BBs, there are plenty of other accessories for use with Airsoft guns. There are specialty BBs, speed loaders, metal magazines, and other metal replacement parts, which increase a gun's weight and realism, different gas mixtures for gas guns, different gears and motors for AEGs, and various parts to upgrade a gun's appearance and performance characteristics. There are also many tactical accessories like holsters, masks, scopes, and laser sights.

Safety, Warranty, and Legal Information Regarding Airsoft Guns

Airsoft guns are designed to be safer for recreational uses than other gas guns and pellet guns. However, safety precautions, like wearing safety goggles, should always be taken. Most new Airsoft guns carry warranties against defects that last at least a few months. However, these warranties can be voided by upgrading parts on guns--especially when installing heavier springs or more powerful motors and gearboxes. Check your warranty for upgrades that are acceptable.

Because of their hyper-realism, Airsoft guns are subject to certain legal restrictions and regulations. In fact, they are illegal in some areas--New York City being one. Airsoft guns have bright orange pieces at the ends of their barrels to mark them as replicas. Removing or covering such markings is universally illegal. Local laws may further address the accepted use of Airsoft guns, so check your local statutes before buying.