1/29/2010

Airsoft Guns: Identical Firearm Replicas Are Far From Kids Toys.

By Anthony Carter

Airsoft guns are air powered replicas of real guns. These guns were originally created in China, were the government had made fire-arms illegal and citizens still wanted to collect them. Manufacturers stepped forward and provided the first airsoft guns to these Chinese citizens who desired guns but could not get their hands on the real things. These first guns worked similar to American made BB guns in that they used pellets (plastic BB's). In time all of these guns were standardized to carry a particular millimeter pellet.

Airsoft guns can be powered by battery, pump action or gas. After getting their start in China these reproduction firearms got popular in Japan and other parts of the orient and Europe and then eventually found their way to the United States. Although they were originaly intended to satisfy collectors they have since become an important part of a worldwide craze.

Airsoft guns are manufactured in China, Japan and other oriental countries. Air soft gun manufacturers have become more popular in an attempt to supply the ever growing desire for these replicas. Guns that are sold to the United States are required to have distinctive orange markings.

Police department and military training units have started to recognize the feasibility of airsoft guns as usable for training exercises. Manufactured in identical size and weight these weapons provide a relatively inexpensive alternative to using authentic firearms.

While they are a variety of methods of play with air soft guns, the one method of play that seems to have gained the most attention is known as MilSim, or military simulation play. This game is much as it sounds an elaborate reproduction of military war games, complete with radios, explosives and even rations. These well planned out scenarios can take several days to play out and require all players to be in exact uniforms.

Replicating reality as close as possible the players on each team carry M16's and other military style weapons and fight out elaborate military exercises, that in many cases are reproductions of historic battles. Players of these battles typically stay involved up to the end of the game, many times for several days.

Players have to be honest when it comes to whether they have been hit since airsoft pellets are small rubber balls and not paint packed balls, as is used in paint ball guns. Paint ball is another popular war like game played with authentic looking guns that fire paint balls that leave marks on their targets and victims. Since Airsoft ammunition does not leave these marks often it is up to the player to admit that they have been hit.

Some states and cities have started to implement regulations about the possession of these toys, including Newark New Jersey and Chicago Illinois. Since they are often almost totally unidentifiable from the authentic weapon ordinances have had to be put in place to control the use of these replicas in urban areas.

These mock-up semi-automatics can be found at many retail outlets and can be commonly found at flea markets and swap meets. Another popular way to locate these weapons is at kiosks in malls and even at some sporting goods retailers. Airsoft guns can also be found via the internet at a variety of retailers that over large selections of guns and other associated items.

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