Mar 26, 2021

What is Softgun

What is Softgun?

The Ultimate Softgun Guide 101!

What is Softgun, BB Gun and Airsoft? Dear child has many names! In this guide you will find everything you may have wondered! Here is a small Introduction to what Softgun is, rules and concepts.

What is Softgun/Airsoft?

Airsoft/Softgun – A type of gun that fires 6mm plastic pellets (BBs). Also referred to as softgun pistols. Most airsoft guns are designed to resemble real weapons and are often used for training purposes. Airsoft games are held all over the world and the sport is becoming increasingly popular.

Rules for Softgun in Norway

In Norway, you must be over 18 years of age to purchase a softgun. If someone under 18 years of age is to use the softgun replica, this must be done under the supervision of persons over 18 years of age. The weapon should only be used in suitable areas and should not be carried in public under any circumstances.

Important Concepts

If you want to become a real Airsoft expert, we recommend that you learn these terms:

AEG – Auto Electric Gun or Automatic Electric Weapon.

BBs – 6mm softgun bullets (BBs) are used as ammunition for airsoft/softgun weapons. They come in several different grades that are separated by weight. 0.12g BBs weigh 0.12 grams per bullet. 0.20g BBs weigh 0.20 grams per bullet and so on. Heavier bullets are usually only used for more powerful weapons.

Blowback – A feature on many softgun pistols (and some rifles) that causes the slide to be pushed back when a shot is fired. This is to add realism, making you feel a “kick” as if you were shooting a real weapon.

GBB/GNB – Often used on pistols. GBB stands for Gas with Blowback and GNB stands for Gas No Blowback.

High Capacity (Hi Cap) Magazine – A type of magazine for airsoft guns that holds a large number of bullets. A small wheel can be turned on the bottom of the magazine to force more BBs into the chamber of the rifle. This type of magazine allows the user to fire many shots from just one magazine. The disadvantage is that the wheel on the magazine must be turned every 30-70 shots. "Flash" magazines have a cord that you pull to spin the magazine, this is a more time-efficient variant of the Hi-Cap.

CQB – Stands for “Close Quarters Battle” and is a type of game where you play at very short distances. In airsoft, this term refers to airsoft guns that are intended for airsoft games at limited distances. Typically, these guns have a high rate of fire and are shorter to give you better maneuverability. Most CQB games have a muzzle velocity limit of around 350 FPS with a 0.20g bullet, so if you plan on playing CQB, this is an important factor to keep in mind.

Gearbox – The sequence of gears connected to the motor of an electric softgun. They take the rotational energy from the motor and transfer it to the spring mechanism that fires the bullets. This is an integral part of every AEG, the higher the quality of the gearbox, the higher the quality, and price, of the rifle.

Hop-Up – A function that exists in most airsoft guns that allows the user to adjust the backward rotation of the bullet as it exits the barrel. The rotation allows the bullets to fly straighter and farther. You can therefore influence the trajectory of the bullet by simply adjusting the Hop-Up. Hop-up can also be "fixed", which means that it is fixed in a certain position and cannot be adjusted.

FPS – Stands for “Feet per Second” and is the speed of the bullet as it leaves the barrel. FPS refers to how powerful an airsoft gun is. The higher the FPS a gun has, the more energy the bullet has when it exits the barrel. To keep it simple, FPS is usually measured with a 0.20g bullet. This makes it easier to compare FPS across different types of guns. Heavier bullets will lower FPS, but usually increase accuracy.

MPS – Same as FPS, but now stated in “Meters per second”

Pump Action – Refers to a soft gun that looks like a shotgun where the handle is pumped back and forth to charge the spring and prepare the weapon to fire. The weapon must be pumped before each shot.

R.I.S. – Rail Integration System. Airsoft rifles with R.I.S has a system of rails mounted on the front of the rifle. These rails allow for the mounting of a variety of accessories. These accessories include products such as scopes, lasers, grenade launchers, red dot sights and much more. Is normally 21mm and all accessories that have a 21mm mount can be mounted on it.

MLok, Keymod, 21mm Rail – Mounts on weapons are normal and these usually come in the form of a 21mm rail (mounting rail) but sometimes MLok and Keymod are also available. With these mounting options you can attach various equipment such as a flashlight, laser optics, grips and much more to the weapon.

What ammunition does the softgun use?

Ammunition for softguns is 6mm BB bullets. These are perfectly round bullets that come in several weight classes. Heavier BBs are often used for more powerful rifles. BIO balls are BBs that are made from environmentally friendly and naturally biodegradable material. In the Norwegian climate, it may take several years for the bullets to completely decompose, but they are not harmful to the environment. Tracer bullets are luminescent BBs. Often used with a Tracer silencer.

Accessories for Airsoft - Necessary and practical products

There are lots of accessories for airsoft, some more necessary and others for fun. This is what you MUST have: Make sure to have the right protective equipment, use safety glasses at all times when handling softguns, even outside of "active play". Softgun mask recommended and for some clubs and games required. You will find masks and goggles here. Paintball masks can be used well for airsoft. They cover the entire face and side of the head while being fog-free.Paintball masks can be found here!