I originally thought there was an airsoft thread, I searched and found a few that were related but for more specific things (like p0lar wanting to shoot his cat with an airsoft gun, wtf p0lar).
Anyways if you're a player or just vaguely interested in the sport discuss it here, post pics of your guns, gear, playing fields, etc... All I ask is that you try and refrain from flaming people based on their personal guns/gear, different Countries and locations around the world have different rules regarding airsoft. Before we start this I'd like to clear up one thing though, terminology, it's different across borders and such as I already stated so I'm going to lay down some "ground rules" so everyone knows what's up.
Firstly there are different types of airsoft guns, usually separated into three main groups.
AEG - Automatic Electric Gun
This is the most popular type of airsoft gun for skirmishing use. It is powered by battery and operates through a series of gears and a spring-powered piston.
GBB - Gas Blow-Back
The gas blow back mechanism powers many airsoft pistols. The BB is launched from the gun using an expanding gas stored in a reservoir, while the same gas reloads the gun ready for the next shot. In most semi-automatic pistols, this mechanism provides a very realistic look and feel to the gun, without being too fragile or problematic.
Springers
An airsoft gun that requires the user to manually pull back and lock the spring mechanism before every shot, also known as "cocking" the weapon.
Secondly there are different quality levels to airsoft guns, just like everything else in the world.
PTW - Personal Training Weapons and Full metal airsoft guns
These are generally the top-of-the-line airsoft guns, PTW's offer realistic features such as cycling bolts that lock back after the last shot has been fired and requiring the used to cycle the bolt after loading a new magazine. Full metal airsoft guns aren't necessarily PTW's and some full metal airsoft guns have very sub-par internal mechanics.
High quality plastic/glass fiber/etc airsoft guns
These are generally the most common airsoft guns out there, names like Tokyo Mauri and Classic Army come to mind. Decent quality externals and decent-good quality internals.
Low quality plastic airsoft guns
Generally the China clones of airsoft guns, crappy internals with plastic gears that break left-right-and-center and sometimes include clear components. Not to be confused with some high quality airsoft guns incorporating clear parts for legal reasons (for example CanSoft of "Canadian legal" airsoft guns).
Wal•Mart "SoftAir" guns
Not to be confused with real airsoft guns, these are generally not to scale, completely clear, and very bad quality in comparison.
If you want to clear up anymore terminology I'd checkout this web page.
Mainly starting this to discuss the awesome new Airsoft Innovations Impact Grenade:
So yea, discuss all things airsoft! Go!
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