Airsoft aficionados have been with us for a long time its nothing new.
What is new is how mainstream Airsoft is becoming.
New guns are hitting the market that are spitting images of their centerfire inspirations.
You can get your own Airsoft Springfield Armory pistol or rifle that looks and handles like its centerfire sibling. Images: Pyramid Air
Imagine a handgun that looks the same as your carry gun.
It feels the same.
It operates in the same way.
Airsoft pistols like this Springfield Armory XD-M 4.5″ from Pyramid Air operate similarly to their centerfire counterparts.
It fits your existing real gun holsters and accessories.
Now imagine that you and your friends can use them for force on force training.
Thats the beauty of modern Airsoft.
You can buy Green Gas in ready-to-go bottles like these.
Keep these away from your real guns; do not get them mixed up.
Also, use safety precautions like heavy clothing and especially protective eyewear.
After all, an Airsoft projectile can put your eye out.
Green Gas bottles have built-in fill nozzles that interface directly with your Airsoft gun’s supply.
I suppose they could even be lethal in certain situations.
Ammo Options
Most Airsoft guns use 6mm plastic BBs.
Anyway, they are light.
This Airsoft M1 Carbine looks real, feels real, operates as a semi-automatic, and fires lightweight plastic BBs.
To put that in firearm-world perspective, .20 grams equates to 3.08 grains.
So, theyre light.
If you convert that to energy like we do with centerfire bullets, that works out to 0.8 foot-pounds.
Yes, less than a single foot-pound of kinetic energy.
Thats why these are ideal for force-on-force training or just plain fun.
Airsoft Power
So how do these Airsoft guns run?
There are a few different options.
Some are battery powered, some use simple spring power and others use compressed gas.
In the compressed air realm, youll find two types of power sources.
The advantage of CO2 is raw power.
The CO2 operates at higher pressure and therefore will yield higher velocity, all else being equal.
Of course, that can be harder on both your battlefield opponents and your gun.
The faster and more violent reciprocating action can wear out parts faster.
You also might find that CO2 ends up costing a bit more per shot.
Who said all-out war was cheap?
Green Gas is more of a bulk fill solution.
Its a mixture of propane and silicone lubricant that helps things run smoothly.
Green Gas operates as lower pressure, so youll get less velocity.
For force-on-force training that may be a benefit, at least for your targets.
The Springfield Armory XD-M pistols shown here are powered by Green Gas.
One thats too much fun to be legal is the M1 Carbine.
This Airsoft replica looks and feels like the real deal.
This one even feels real, weighing about 512 lbs.
Its a true semi-automatic with a removable 15-round magazine, just like the first M1 Carbines.
That cylinder will get you about 60 shots before you have to change it out.
Oh, and youll get about 470 feet per second of plastic BB happiness.
For a more modern twist, you might check out the XD-M family of Airsoft pistols.
you’re able to order either a 4.5 barrel full-size model or the 3.8 barrel compact version.
Both are available in black or bi-tone finish.
Like the centerfire versions, youll be right at home with the controls.
The pistols are semi-automatic and feature operating grip and trigger safeties.
The magazine release works as expected and is ambidextrous.
There are even interchangeable backstraps to adjust grip circumference.
Conclusion
Heres the bottom line.
Airsoft isnt just a kids game anymore.
The guns and gear are getting serious.
Whether you want to explore it for fun or realistic training, its worth checking out.
