History of Airsoft

In the 1980s, Japan made it illegal to own a firearm, though there was a large interest in them. Because of this interest, manufacturers started to produce spring-powered replicas of real guns. These guns fired several calibers of plastic or rubber BBs, but were eventually standardized into 6mm and 8mm sizes. The early spring powered weapons then morphed into gas and battery powered ones, using a variety of systems. The hobby then migrated to North America in the mid 1990s. This is due in large part to the addition of many new AEG (Airsoft Electric Gun) manufacturers in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, as well as many others. Airsoft has also been adopted for training purposes for both military and police units.

Methods of play

Military Simulation

"MilSim", short for Military Simulation, generally combines airsoft play with some military live-action role-playing elements. This type of play may be considered "hardcore" by many players because of the amount of role playing required. Several goals or missions may be assigned to each team, along with a basic load-out (i.e. supply) of ammunition, rations and radios. A key element is that you cannot shoot as fast as you may want to in Military Simulation games and you must use low-capacity magazines, replicating the actual magazine capacity of the authentic firearm the airsoft gun is replicating. Examples of these include the 30 round STANAG magazines of the M4, M16, Type 89, SCAR-L, and several others. Teams will remain in the field for the duration of play, only returning to a staging area or "safe zone" for medical emergencies and for other special circumstances.

Open Days

Also known as pickup games or skirmishes, among other names. This is the more common form of airsoft.
These games are considerably less strict with their rules and restrictions and therefore is the style of play for
most players and a common event even for MilSim players. Realism may be broken in this style of play with things like high-capacity magazines, clothing that doesn't match with any nation's (or non-military style dress), and lax rules to name a few examples. Occasionally, teams may use specific uniforms on either side, but usually players dress in a variety of military or paramilitary clothing to their liking. Skirmishes are often structured as multiple short to mid length games containing various different scenarios, including capture the flag and attrition style games, death matches or simplified CQB games and many others. Other skirmishes can run for the entirety of the game day, playing out like a much shorter MilSim Event, including full game plans with objectives, from anything as simple as capturing a certain location, to something as complex as collecting parts of a bomb from around the Skirmish Site, assembling them, and then planting the assembled bomb in the enemy forces base.

Play with honesty

Airsoft employs an honor system whereby the players rely on each others' honesty to admit to being hit, because unlike paintballs, airsoft pellets do not leave visible marks on clothing. Players are discouraged from calling out hits on an opponent - instead players are expected to signal a marshal to judge how effectively they have hit their opponent. Simulated 'knife kills' can, at the venue's discretion, be recognized when a player touches or taps an unaware opponent. This prevents the player being forced to shoot him or her at point-blank range.

Players are usually prohibited from blind firing when not able to see their target, especially around corners.
Players are expected to resolve disputes politely. All airsoft players are expected to acknowledge being hit, even if they are in doubt, by shouting "HIT!" loudly, and raising their hand or gun high and/or displaying a 'hit indicator' or dead rag while walking back to the safe zone.

Legal Issues

In the United Kingdom, airsoft replicas are classified as realistic imitation firearms or RIFs. The sale, manufacture or importation of RIFs are restricted to activities that are exempted or have been granted a defense by the Home Office under the Violent Criminal Reduction Act. Airsoft skirmishing has been granted a specific defense against the requirements of the act, and a skirmisher as defined under British law is allowed to purchase, manufacture and import airsoft replicas. The accepted method of proving entitlement to the defense is to be a member of a site that holds public liability insurance.

An association set up by UK retailers, called the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association (UKARA), recommends that an airsoft site only give membership to a player who has played at least three games over
a period of no less than two months. The right to buy a RIF is still reserved for individuals age 18 and over.