What is AirSoft?
AirSoft has a relatively long history. It was first designed and marketed in the United States about 30 years ago by a major gun company. AirSoft was conceptualized as a new approach in BB gun applications. In place of the utilitarian air gun designed for hunting, AirSoft was created with a purely recreational application in mind; for people who enjoy target practice or indoor plinking with friends who are not concerned about the high power hunting application of a BB or pellet gun, and just want to have fun. This is exactly where AirSoft fits in. The design of AirSoft centers on a unique propulsion system utilizing a small amount of air to accurately shoot a lightweight BB. It produces a lower impact energy with a less damaging projectile that is accurate enough to be FUN, but without the in inherent lethal capabilities of traditional BB Guns! As AirSoft has evolved, manufacturers added another important feature which drew hobbyists and collectors alike, to the sport. By modeling AirSoft after world famous pistols and rifles, an entire line of replicas were created. With further development, major Asian AirSoft manufacturers such as Tokyo Marui, ICS, KWC, KWA, KSC, HFC, WE, Western Arms, UHC and CYMA (among others), and with Outdoor/Indoor pursuit games similar to Paintball games, have experienced phenomenal growth in Europe, Japan, and other countries worldwide.

How realistic are AirSoft guns?
Highly realistic! Even law enforcement officers are unable to distinguish AirSoft from the real thing, and use it themselves for training. IMPORTANT! Always transport AirSoft guns in enclosed containers such as gun cases. Never take an AirSoft gun out in public! Mistaken identification of an AirSoft gun may result in accidental death or injury. Be mature! Be careful! Be safe!

What is the difference between Spring, Gas and Electric AirSoft guns?
Spring guns are the perfect entry level gun. The slide must be cocked for each shot. This increases firing time, but significantly lowers the cost of the gun, as well as maintenance. Cocking the gun compresses a spring attached to a piston. When the trigger is pulled, the piston flies forward, compressing the air in the cylinder and firing the BB. These are the most durable of all airsoft guns because they have the least number of parts that can break.

Gas guns use a gaseous propellant as power, loaded into the bottom of the magazine. Upon pulling the trigger, gas is released, propelling the BB. Most gas guns have a function called "Blowback". What blowback does is it adds another level of realism to the gun by simulating the actual fire (kick) of a real gun (i.e. a gas blowback gun's slide will actually fly backwards and load another BB, just like the real deal).

Electric guns use batteries as their power source. A motor runs a gear that compresses a cylinder compressing air. Most electric guns are fully automatic, and are referred to as AEG's. AEG's are very popular because of their power, they're low maintenance and are easy to upgrade, the choice among Airsoft Gamers and Afficianados.

Q: What are the differences between Entry Level, High Grade Entry Level and High Grade AEG's?

- Entry Level AEG's: These are generally the lower end AEG's. The advantages are, they are very inexpensive, come with many cool accessories and customers get a "feel" for what it's like to own and operate a full-sized automatic airsoft rifle. The disadvantages are, they usually will only work well with .12g BB's, and don't look for super accuracy. The plastics used in construction are usually a lower grade and they usually have enclosed bodies and gearboxes, that make upgrading difficult and not feesible. For the price, though, and for beginners, these are a bargain!

- High Grade Entry Level AEG's: These are generally a Mid-Grade AEG. The advantages are, they are still inexpensive, some still come with cool accessories and customers also get a "feel" for what it's like to own and operate a full-sized automatic airsoft rifle. The big advantages are that these AEG's are, for the most part, upgradeable. Internal gearboxes are usually metal, and the construction and plastics used are similar, or the same, as in the high end rifles. Many are "interchangeable" in parts, with the higher grade AEG's. And, these usually are geared towards use with .20g BB's (which is the common BB's for high end users). The only disadvantages may be that some parts that are metal in the highere end versions, may be plastic on these (ie: barrels). And some parts are not interchangeable or upgradeable. But, these can be used, as is, in head-to-head confrontations with the high end guns, or, for a little more, can be upgraded at a fraction of the high end gun's costs!

- High Grade AEG's: These are generally the Top of The Line AEG's. The advantages are reliability, upgradeability, availability of parts and for most, some sort of Manufacturer's Warranty. Internal gearboxes are always metal, and the construction and plastics used are the best. Many come already "upgraded" with Full Metal Bodies. Many are "interchangeable" in parts, with the other high grade AEG's and in some cases, real steel parts. As far as upgrading and accessorizing, the sky's the limit. And, these usually are geared towards use with .20g -.25g BB's (which is the common BB's for high end users).

What is Hop-Up?
The basic theory of Hop-Up is a spin theory. When the BB bullet is shot, there is a friction put on the upper side of the BB bullet. The BB bullet spins upwards. The power of the spin can offset the effects of gravity, wind, and air friction, thereby pushing the BB bullet to go a further distance.

What is the range of AirSoft guns?
AirSoft guns are very accurate and have a maximum-effective range of about 70 yards. Spring airsoft guns (approx. depending on FPS) shoot accurately up to 40 yards, Gas airsoft guns up to 60 yards and full-size electric rifles up to 70 yards.

What do the numbers mean on the BB's?
The numbers refer to the weight of the BB in grams. Every gun is designed around a specific weight of BB. Refer to this recommended BB weight for your specified gun when loading, or purchasing replacement BB's. (.12g is the lightest weight, and most often recommended for spring pistols and rifles and entry level electric rifles). .20g is a medium weight BB and is most often recommended for Gas Pistols and Electric AEG Rifles. .25g is the heavy weight and is most often recommended for high grade Gas guns and Electric AEG rifles).

Can I use standard .177 pellets or 4.5mm copper BB's?
Absolutely not! This type of ammo will not work with Airsoft guns and may cause damage to the gun itself and may void the warranty.

What gun(s) should I purchase first?
Many people purchase spring guns first because they are very affordable, and then upgrade (move up) to electrics and gas later. Currently, the costs have gone done so much on entry level electric rifles and some gas pistols, that any choice is very affordable. Most Airsoft guns are made of durable ABS plastic (similar to motorcycle helmets, etc...) so they tend to be lighter than real guns. China made guns tend to use less expensive plastics. HEAVY WEIGHT guns are either weighted or made with heavier materials to simulate the feel of a real gun. If you're looking for a highly realistic feel to your AirSoft experience, then either a Heavy Weight spring or more likely, gas gun is the way to go. If you're looking for rapid fire, try the electrics. Whichever way you go, you can't go wrong!

What kind of protection do I need to play Airsoft?
In All Airsoft sporting activities, full face protection is required. All players should be equipped with eye protection when playing Airsoft at all times. Even if just target shooting or plinking, safety glasses should be worn by the user and anyone in the area where Airsoft guns are being used, because serious eye damage may occur from flying BB's.

What is the law?
The United States Federal Government has specified regulations applicable to Airsoft products. Airsoft is a category of air guns subject to all distribution and usage restrictions. Consumers must be at least 18 years of age to purchase an Airsoft gun and full-time parental supervision is required when used by younger persons. A permanent blaze orange marking at the front end of all Airsoft products is a federal requirement for product distinction. All consumer applications MUST have and retain this specified marking with the exception of movie and theatrical applications. Distribution and marketing of Airsoft products are to follow these consumer applications with age restrictions, federal and local air gun regulations:

1. Airsoft Sport Games - Promoting well regulated sporting events and competitions. Provide up to date information to consumers.
2. Movies and Theatricals - Props sold to certified movie studios or stage productions.
3. Firearms Training - Provided to consumer, firearm training facilities, law enforcement officers, and agencies for firearm safety and handling training.
4. Collectors/Displays - Non firing, framed display of historical or collectable imitation firearms.

The blaze orange marking is a federal requirement; all reputable Airsoft manufacturers and dealers must be in compliance with this ruling for legal use. All Airsoft products, foreign and domestic, must meet this safety regulation. DO NOT REMOVE THE ORANGE MARKING AT THE TIP OF THE BARREL! This is violation of Federal Law and will void the warranty!

Are AirSoft guns legal to own and operate?
Airsoft guns are legal to own in most of the United States, with the exception of New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Detroit and possible new legislation in New Jersey. We do not ship to these cities/states (currently NJ is O.K., but subject to change). This is not a complete list - you should always review all local and state laws/ordinances regarding BB, replica and paintball guns before purchasing. It is the buyer's responsibility to be aware of their own local laws and ordinances.

What is the minimum age?
According to the United States federal government regulations, ALL Airsoft Buyers must be at least 18 years of age. We do not sell to anyone under 18 years of age! Purchasing from this site declares that you are stating you are 18 years of age, or older!

How long do I charge by AEG batteries?
You should follow the charging instructions in the user manuals that come with the guns. For those AEG's that do not have battery charging instructions, these are GENERAL charging instructions:

For the Nimh (Nickel Metal) batteries, generally they don't need decharging, BUT, it's a good idea, after the 1st initial charge and use, to fully run them down (or decharge them), before recharging again, to prolong the life of the battery.

The batteries do have a "memory", meaning if you only run the battery down half way, then you only need to recharge half way. But, since it is NOT GOOD to overcharge batteries, knowing how much to recharge, on a partially spent battery, is difficult to tell, with a standard Wall Charger. That's why it is best to use up a battery as much, to low, as possible, then you know how long to recharge it. With charging units that have a meter telling you how much battery life is left, you do not need to adhere to this.

Now, there is a formula used to tell you how long to charge a particular battery, based on milliamp of the battery divided by the charge/output rate of the charger. For example, a 9.6v 1200 battery using an 500mA Charger, the full charge time would be 2.4 hours. (1200 divided by 500). The ICS Chargers are 500mA Output.