From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the sport, see Airsoft.
- compressed gas
- spring-driven piston
- electrical piston
- a combination of electrical- and spring-driven piston
The Airsoft guns are designed to be non-lethal and to provide realistic replicas.
Manufacturers
Currently, a large number of airsoft weaponry manufacturers are on the market, these include AGM, ARES, A&K, APS, Army Armament, ATS, Both Elephant, Celcius Technology, Airsoft Atlanta, Classic Army, C-TAC, CYMA, D-Boys, DeepFire, Double Eagle, Echo 1,T.I.E.R.,G&G Armament, G&P, GHK, HFC, ICS, Jing Gong, Jing Peng, Galaxy, King Arms, KJ Works, KWA (which is OEM for KSC), KWC, Lucid, Mad Bull Airsoft, LCT, Marushin, Maruzen, Pro Arms, RWA, Silesia Factory, SRC, Systema Engineering, Team SD, Tokyo Marui, Umarex(elite force), VFC, WE Tech, Wei-E Tech, Well, Western Arms, Crosman, and WinGun.Companies, such as Aftermath, Crosman, Cybergun, Echo 1, and UTG, re-brand and distribute guns, sometimes with other accessories in countries where some manufacturers may not have an established distribution network.
Emerging on the international airsoft scene is the Italian brand Evolution Airsoft, they position their products on the high quality end but with an affordable price tag. The guns are faithful replicas of the real gun counterpart, all trademarks and designs are used under exclusive license from the real gun manufacturer, this is something that really takes apart their guns from the mass and is a valuable extra mostly appreciated by collectors. The quality level is very high as the guns are entirely designed and developed in house in Italy, then mass-produced in Asia under Evolution Airsoft engineers supervision, which Apple proved to be a winning strategy.
Many of the best-selling airsoft weapons are high detailed replicas of real lethal weapons, which are manufactured and designed by companies headquartered in Asian countries like Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and China, however, European and North American brands exist also. As mentioned the biggest European manufacturer is Evolution Airsoft. Beyond airsoft guns proper, those companies may produce other items like BBs, airsoft grenades and airsoft landmines (like Airsoft Innovations and S-Thunder), as well as spare parts and a varied range of accessories for the replicas, like scopes, mounts and suppressors.
Usage
There are airsoft clubs, teams and even athletic associations devoted to airsoft events around the world. Europe is home to some of the largest events, with skirmishes of over 2,000 people participating. In 2012 Fulda Gap in North Carolina had over 1,100 people and O.L.C.M.S.S. Lion Claws (John Lu) had 800 people attend at Georges Air Force Base, California. American Mil-sim, Black Sheep, and Ballahack also host large games. The attraction of the larger games is due to the intensity and variety in equipment that is used ranging from small arms to armored vehicles.
In many countries, every airsoft gun owner and active enthusiast must be affiliated with an accredited airsoft association or federation. Most airsoft players host games at a registered field where combat situations are simulated using airsoft weaponry like replicas of pistols, carbines (including submachine guns), rifles (including sniper rifles), grenades and landmines. Great variety and profusion of militaria is usually used. Historical reenactment of war situations is another favorite of many airsoft players and clubs. In addition, a number of companies such as Systema Engineering and Celcius Technology manufacture ultra-realistic high-velocity airsoft rifles designed specifically for the police and military for non-lethal training purposes. People today can also use it for film making props for shooting films.