Airsoft – The wonderful world of

Airsoft, or more appropriately Airsoft Skirmishing, is the hobby of running round some woods/buildings, shooting 6mm plastic ball bearings at each other in a safe, controlled environment. It uses Airsoft replica weapons, usually made in Japan, and (in the UK) can only fire with 1 joule of energy (0.73 ft/lbs. By comparison an airrifle fires at a max of 12 ft/lbs!)

Airsoft skirmishing has been around for about 15-20 years now but has only really taken off (in the UK) in the last 5 or 6 years. This is mostly due to the increasing availability of cheaper, reliable airsoft replicas from established companies like Tokyo Marui.

Airsoft skirmishing, when done at one of the 70 odd official UKASGB (UK Airsoft Site Governing Body) sites is safe, fun and great exercise. Sadly airsoft is let down by mindless individuals (usually kids) running round their neighbourhood brandishing realistic looking weapons. Every responsible airsofter knows that their replicas must be kept out of public view unless playing in a recognised airsoft environment (such as a UKASGB site)

In 2008 the government passed a bill making it illegal to buy, sell or import any replica firearm without being eligible for a specified defence. Thankfully airsoft was granted such a defence but is now regulated by the UKASGB and you have to be a member of a UKASGB site in order to purchase any airsoft replica. Other defences include film & theatre use, museums and re-enactment.

Many groups claim that replica weapons can also be converted to fire live ammunition. While this has been the case with one (long banned) blank firing pistol, this has never been the case with airsoft replicas. This is primarily because they are usually made from plastic and lower grade materials and are unable to withstand the forces released when firing a bullet (the replica would simply explode, causing more damage to the user than the target). Also the barrels of airsoft weapons are designed to fire 6mm ball bearings and are waaaay to tiny for any bullet. They are also not rifled (twisting grooves in a barrel that spin the bullet and make it fly straight) and are (again) made from lower quality metals.

I have actually been out of the airsoft scene for almost a year now but I’ve left these couple of pages up for reference.