New to Airsoft- The Right Way to Operate Airsoft Guns?

Getting the most out of a day involves more than just squeezing in those eight hours of work. It's about finding new passions, and taking time to unwind after a long week. That's why we're so excited to trend this new sport that’s sweeping the country: airsoft!

Airsoft is recreational, uniformly safe (check for recalls!), and perfect for all ages, with some games geared toward kids as young as six years old. Airsoft guns look like real guns, but are made of durable plastic or metal that only fires non-metallic 6mm pellets at speeds around 250 fps (a tenth the speed of a paintball).

Introduction to Airsoft Firearms

These guns are replica firearms that fire 6mm plastic BBs. They have a muzzle velocity of between 350 and 400 feet per second, with most averaging the lower end of that spectrum.

Different Types: These guns come in many different styles and models, but there are a few main categories. There's spring powered, gas powered, electric powered, gas/spring hybrid (hybrid), and battery powered(AEP). The gas types are obviously the most powerful of these options. The more realistic features an airsoft firearm has (metal outer barrel,) the higher the price will be.

Operating an Airsoft Firearm

Operating an airsoft firearm is different from handling a real firearm. Cheap airsoft guns are replicas of real firearms and often used for recreational purposes such as war games. Operating a gun requires some familiarity with its operation, how to take care of it, including the basics on loading, firing, and safety. 

 

If you are unfamiliar with these things or not sure about them this article will give you the basic information either way.

·        Understand Trigger Pull

The first thing that you need to get used to is the trigger pull. A gun requires a trigger pull of at least two pounds to be considered "capable" by the ATF. Smaller trigger pulls can be made reliable with practice, but if you are shooting for competition or for fun, you will want your airsoft gun to have a pull of three pounds or more. 

On guns that shoot .68 BBs this is equivalent to firing standard .177 caliber pellets. If your gun shoots 0.20-0.25 gram BBs and has a hammer, make sure it has a pull so that when it's cocked, the hammer is back enough that you would not be able to cock it again before feeling resistance.

This is important because if you accidentally cock the gun again, it would be impossible to tell. If you are shooting a springer or a gas-powered gun, a trigger pull of three pounds or more will keep you safe.

·        Hop-up Adjustment

Next is the hop-up adjustment. This is where you usually find the velocity adjustment for airsoft guns. The hop up should be sealed, and the barrel should either be covered by bolts or rivets from the inside of it to keep dirt out. A good rule of thumb is to clean your gun after every time that you fire it if you are using 0.20 gram BBs or anything less than that. If your BBs weigh 0.

·        Battery Updation

The battery update is the final thing that you need to get used to if you are using a gas-powered gun. Gas powered airsoft guns have either a removable magazine, or they have to be pumped after every shot. The weight of the inserted BBs affects how quickly it sucks in the BBs and how fast it shoots. 

A heavier BB will launch straighter, but it will also increase the wear on your piston and spring, which can cause your gun to not shoot reliably anymore. A heavier BB also needs more air than lighter ones before it starts to accelerate through the barrel, so be very careful with your gas usage in regards to your weight of BBs.

Safety is Essential!

Safety is essential in this case. You should never point the gun at anything living or even the ground, in case something unexpected happens it could result in a serious injury. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Ammo should be stored in a secure place, if a young child or pet is in the home then ammo should not be stored in a readily accessible area as this could result in an accidental shooting. After having finished shooting your gun you should always disassemble it and clean it with hot water and dish soap and dry it with a rag before putting everything back together and storing it somewhere safe.