Want To Know About Airsoft Guns

By Anthony Carter

When thinking of airsoft guns as a hobby, it is important to understand a few things before just rushing out and picking up one of these extremely realistic looking toy guns. For one, these weapons are made to shoot those soft rubber or plastic BBs. These replica guns are very popular among many role-playing, shooter type enthusiasts.

The first thing to know about airsoft guns is that they are usually made to look exactly like some of the most popular handguns, rifles (including of the military variety) and shotguns in the world today. The only difference and looks will be that most of the military versions of rifles will have a brightly colored orange or other color tip at the muzzle.

Some of the most popular replica toy gun versions in this brand of hobby or enthusiast market are the M4 carbine, the MP5 and the AK-47. There are also numerous replica versions of handguns and some of the most popular tactical shotguns, though most enthusiasts normally start out -- for some reason -- using one of the military rifle replicas.

The manner in which these airsoft guns are used is usually similar to how paintball enthusiasts use their kinds of hobby paint ball shooting guns. Role-playing or team against team competitions with airsoft replica guns is quite common, and with a muzzle velocity of over 300 feet per second the BBs can really get out there and fly around.

Anybody plunking down the money for one of the nicer replica gun setups can also expect to get a number of accessories along with it. Tactical harnesses are a popular accessory, and are used to store extra magazines and BBs along with a spare battery or two. The M4 carbine often comes matched up with and under barrel grenade launcher, by the way. That grenade launcher is quite impressive looking.

Most of the better airsoft guns in this sort of hobby are electric powered by means of a rechargeable battery that is embedded within the weapon. The initial charge for such a battery should be at around four hours. Like many sorts of rechargeable batteries, always make sure to charge it only for as long as is needed and then generally let it run down.

Batteries can develop what experts call a memory, and it would be a shame to be in the middle of a mock firefight with a battery that suddenly shut the weapon down. Usually, though, a good air softgun package will include at least one rechargeable battery. Smart enthusiasts carry at least one spare battery in their tactical harnesses. Also, carrying a few spare parts is a good idea.

When it comes to price, a complete set up -- including harness, spare magazines which hold the BBs and spare batteries -- can run from under $100 to over $300 for a really, really nice rig. Keep in mind that additional stocks of BBs will be required, though they aren't really very expensive when looked at in a relative matter. Actually, for as much fun as these toy guns can bring, they are very inexpensive and definitely safer than using old-style BB guns. - 29951

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