Is airsoft legal?

Yes – just make sure you follow local laws and guidelines. If you are unsure about legislation in your area regarding airsoft, contact your local authorities. Airsoft replicas are just that – replicas of real firearms. Handling them in a responsible way is of vital importance to protect both yourself and others – and the hobby as a whole.

What can you do within airsoft?

There are several ways in which to practice airsoft. They can roughly be divided into the following categories.

Skirmish

Also known as ‘skirms’. These are organised airsoft events, in which teams take each other on. Within skirms, there are also several types, such as MilSim, TacSim and re-enactment.

• MilSim
  The term ‘MilSim’ stands for ‘Military Simulation’, or, in other words, the simulation of armed conflicts. For these simulations, events are organised at airsoft fields, for which you can apply. Depending on the event and organiser, certain rules can apply. Examples of this are specific requirements for which camouflage patterns are used, the guns themselves and the way in which the game is played.
• TacSim
  The TacSim is a tactical simulation, with a simulated and (to a certain degree) realistic experience as the main goal. For these skirms it is also necessary to register with an organiser or field.
• Re-enactment
  Primarily focused on the re-enactment of a specific battle or conflict. This revolves around the history first and foremost, as the event is intended to do the historic events justice.

Speedsoft

A competitive way of practicing airsoft. In speedsoft, matches are played at a rapid pace, as the name suggests. The teams are small and compete in rounds that are a couple of minutes long. This requires tactics, technique and certainly some athletic ability!

IAPS

This is practical shooting, also known as International Airsoft Practical Shooting, which revolves around rapidly and accurately shooting targets. It emphasises control of your body and replica, in order to perform at your highest level.

Collecting

Creating a nice collection of airsoft replicas is of course also an option! There are numerous unique, extremely realistic replicas that are interesting for collectors. Licensed replicas are especially appealing to collectors.

What gear do I need for airsoft?

To start practicing airsoft, you need a few pieces of equipment. Of course, you need a replica first and foremost, which are available in many shapes and sizes. There are multiple different mechanisms that are used to propel the BBs.

Replicas

• AEG
  Automatic Electric Guns contain a battery, motor and gearbox, which are used to power the replica. As long as the battery is charged sufficiently and BBs are loaded into the magazine, an AEG can continue firing. This allows them to have a large volume of fire, which usually surpasses that of gas replicas.
• Gas
  Gas replicas utilise pressured gas, which is used to propel BBs forward. This gas is usually contained inside the replica’s magazine. Many gas replicas also have recoil simulation, also known as blowback. These are Gas-Blowback or GBB replicas. The advantage of these replicas is mostly their realism: internally, they are very similar to their real counterparts, as opposed to an AEG replica for instance. The recoil simulation of a GBB also offers an extra realistic experience.
• CO₂
  Replicas that utilise CO2 capsules function in the same way as gas replicas. Instead of a gas reservoir, a CO2 capsule is placed in the magazine or replica, which then propels the BBs. The main advantage of CO2 is its better performance in colder weather, as the pressure in the capsules is generally higher than that of the gas used in gas replicas.
• Spring powered
  Spring-powered replicas are cocked by hand, which is used to tension the spring manually. This is a simple and relatively cheap method. Airsoft sniper rifles are often spring-powered, as this simple system simulates the operation of their real counterparts well.
• HPA
  HPA is short for High Pressure Air, which is contained in a pressured air cylinder. This cylinder is connected to the replica itself with a high-pressure air line. One of the primary advantages of HPA replicas is the large air reservoir, which is not contained in the magazine. This allows for the large AEG-magazines to be combined with the realism of a gas replica. The other primary advantage of HPA replicas is their consistency: they perform in all weather conditions, while their power is easy to adjust through a regulator. This is much more difficult to do with gas replicas, which require different gas pressures for different outside temperatures in order to maintain their firepower. There are also more factors involved in adjusting the performance of AEGs and gas replicas.

Equipment

• Protection
  Along with a replica, suitable eye protection is essential to be able to start airsofting. Eye protection is usually compulsory on airsoft fields, with good reason. Many replicas can fire BBs at high velocities, which is of course extremely cool – except for when you are the target and are not wearing eye protection. Needless to say, your eyes are invaluable – which makes it essential to wear a good, certified pair of protective glasses or a mask.

  The same can be the case for your teeth. This is why many airsofters wear a (steel) mesh facemask, which at the very least protects their mouth. This not only prevents painful experiences, but also prevents terrifying dentist bills in the worst case. Further protection of your head can be facilitated by simply wearing a cap for instance, which simultaneously also protects your eyes from the sun.

  Other protective equipment is less essential, but can certainly make a big difference. Think of gloves, with which you have better grip on your replica or magazines, while also protecting your hands against sharp branches, rocks or sharp edges on your replica. Knee pads and elbow pads are also worth considering.

  Your loadout is of course entirely up to you, with exceptions for eye protection and possible requirements that are made at the skirmish or field you are visiting. You should therefore always check the rules, to ensure that you do not arrive unprepared with equipment you are not even allowed to use.

• Clothing and footwear
  Many airsofters wear camouflage clothing, often full uniforms with matching boots and sometimes also a helmet, headset and radios. This is of course not required, but sturdy clothing in neutral colours is certainly recommended. Not only does it make you less visible, it also prevents damage to unsuitable clothing. You also likely to remain cooler in purpose-made clothing.

  High-quality footwear may be one of the most important factors in your entire kit. Shoes that are uncomfortable to wear or lack support will inevitably end up biting you, with a high chance of blisters and perhaps even a sprained ankle. Combat boots, sturdy hiking boots or simply shoes with a sturdy sole and support on the sides make for good choices.

• Tactical gear
  Using an airsoft replica is fun, of course – until your magazine is suddenly empty. A quick reload is necessary in a moment like that, but where do you put all those magazines? A plate carrier, tactical vest or a chest rig offer a solution to the problem. These pieces of equipment sometimes come with pouches pre-installed, or you can attach them yourself using MOLLE loops. This way, you can determine your own layout, ensuring that you can always quickly reach your magazines or water bottle.

  A battle belt can serve as a further extension, to which even more pouches and other necessities can be attached. A helmet completes the look, but also protects you from bumping your head in a hectic situation.

Accessories for your replica

Whether they serve to make your replica more comfortable to use, or to make it look cooler – accessories are extremely popular among airsofters. All those mounting rails on your replica are not for show, but what accessories can you mount on them? And what purpose do they serve? We provide a quick overview below.

• Optics
  These make aiming easier and more natural than traditional iron sights. They are part of roughly two categories.

  Red dots: a red dot is an aiming device without magnification, which is extremely intuitive to use. By using it with both eyes open, the housing around the red dot visually disappears. You see a ‘floating’ dot, essentially, which is easy to find. You then simply aim the dot at the target and pull the trigger.

  Rifle scopes: scopes are magnified, with some models even offering adjustable magnification. The magnification aids with reconnaissance of the terrain ahead, while also aiding with shooting at longer distances. Additionally, it can make the arc of the BBs easier to see, allowing for quick adjustment of your point of aim.

• Grips, slings, stocks
  These accessories aid with handling your replica – they make it more comfortable, make the replica easier to carry and provide extra grip.
• Lasers en light
  Weapon lights blind opponents and illuminate dark environments. Lasers assist with aiming, allowing for the aiming of the replica without requiring an optic to be used.
• Consumables
  When airsofting, you will likely use your ammunition in large quantities. The same can be said for your gas, CO2 capsules or the battery of your replica – all of them need to be resupplied, if you want to continue using them. Gas is available in bottles with different pressure levels, with or without lubrication for your replica. Capsules are of course also available in our store, just like batteries and their respective chargers. Speedloaders are also worth the investment – loading BBs into your magazine one by one is not something you do for fun.
• Other
  Practical but certainly not necessary is a chronometer, which measures the muzzle velocity and muzzle energy of BBs. These are not only relevant when upgrading or adjusting your replica, but also in order to check whether you meet the requirements set by the field you want to visit. Once on the field, your replica will need to be checked with a chronometer and BBs of a specific weight, which is used by the respective field for this express purpose. It can, therefore, be useful to check these characteristics before going to a skirmish, to ensure that you do not exceed the limit.

  Shooting targets can be practical, in order to check the accuracy of your replica for example. They are also simply fun to shoot.

  Spare parts for a multitude of replicas are of course also available in our store. When in doubt, ask the staff what is suitable for your replica. They are happy to share their expertise with you, in order to ensure that you can get back on the field as soon as possible!