Airsoft is the generic name given to the industry that produces air-powered toy guns specifically for the purpose of shooting small, spherical, plastic balls or ‘bbs’.
These plastic bbs are 6mm in diameter, and typically (for indoor arenas) weight 0.2 grams. Their small size allows them to travel quite fast, but their minimal mass creates little-to-no damage on impact.
The propulsion (air) is provided by a compressed spring. The spring’s compression is primarily produced in 3 different ways:
- Gas – either propane or green gas, or CO2
- Spring – Bolt action, slide or grip
- Electric – motor driven by battery (AEG – automatic electric guns)
At Peak Airsoft, we use AEGs for the best game play experience, although some people will use their own airsoft guns which can be electric, spring, or gas.