Airsoft is a modern combat sport and recreational activity where players eliminate opponents by shooting them with round plastic pellets launched from a compressed-air gun powered by gas, manual spring-cocking, or an electrically powered gearbox. Airsoft clubs and teams organise game days, either indoors or outdoors, at dedicated airsoft fields to play a variety of games ranging from short-term skirmishes to organised military simulation scenarios.
Combat situations on the battlefield often involve the use of common military tactics to achieve objectives set in each game. Players use varying types of weaponry designed as replicas of real firearms, tactical gear, and accessories used by modern military and police organizations.
Game Styles
“Skirmishing”, also known as Close Quarters Battle (CQB), is the most common game style in Airsoft. The area of gameplay is less than 100 metres in length and games usually last no longer than 30 minutes. Players are not restricted to using particular uniforms and equipment.
Military Simulation, also known as “MilSim”, combines airsoft game play with military live-action role-playing elements. The area of gameplay is often quite large, 1 or 2 kms in length, requiring a moderate level of fitness to carry all necessary gear. Several goals or missions are assigned to each team along with weapons and equipment restrictions. Common restrictions include limiting players to using 30 round magazines and mandatory use of headset radios. Teams are expected to remain in the field for the duration of play, only returning to a staging area or “safe zone” for medical emergencies or other special circumstances. MilSim games in New Zealand last between 24 to 48 hours but overseas events can often last several days. For example, the annual Berget airsoft event in Sweden lasts for six days with no breaks.
Airsoft games are not limited to MilSim or CQB but they are simply used as starting points for creating unique game scenarios.
The Honour System
Airsoft play employs an honour system whereby the players rely on each others’ honesty to admit to being hit, because unlike paintballs, plastic pellets do not leave a surface mark distinguishable at a distance. While airsoft pellets that contain paint do exist, they are rarely used by experienced players due to their ineffectiveness and tendency to damage airsoft equipment.
Depending on the muzzle velocity of the gun and distance from the shooter, the person on the receiving end of a shot will usually feel the impact, but the pellets may sometimes not be felt by a player at very long ranges, when distracted, or when running strenuously.
Types of Airsoft Weapons
Information about the various types of airsoft weapons can be found at the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft_gun
Note: All airsoft weapons in New Zealand are semi-automatic only and incapable of firing fully automatic. Fully automatic airsoft weapons are illegal in New Zealand and will be immediately confiscated by Police.