Friday, December 19, 2008

A Look Back at Airsoft Guns

By Alexander Malroy

Airsoft is a sport based on military-style combat and tactical maneuver. It is a leisure sport where players scale back enemies by targeting each other with rounded non-metallic pellets using an air gun. Air Guns or Airsoft guns are usually powered by a manual spring-load, gas or sometimes a battery-operated powered box.

Members of airsoft organizations put together events whether it's indoor or outdoors. Airsoft combat games are designed so players can play different levels of games in a variety of interim skirmishes, military recreations, battle scenes and even historical battle re-enactments such as those who partake in World War II and Civil War re-enactments.

The various military weaponry and the military gears are replicated for the gaming purpose and they are used in games. The gear worn is designed to look like the real thing including firearms and other military accessories. They are made by keeping in mind the contemporary military artifacts.

The game evolved in Japan. The game took hold to fulfill the passion of the hundreds of the Japanese who wanted to own firearms. The Japanese law is very strict about possessing a firearm and any illegal possession can lead to extreme legal actions. But the enthusiasts of the game found it a very good alternative to the real guns and ammunitions.

The game, also gaining popularity in western front as the likes of United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Lithuania, Poland, Ireland are joining the bandwagon of growing airsoft enthusiasts. Dutch players visited these counties for the playing experience as the game is banned in Netherlands.

During the 1990s, springer kits became so widely available in the hobby stores that it enabled enthusiasts to customize their airsoft guns to suit their needs. Also during that era, Japan developed airsoft guns that gradually replaced the Automatic Electric Guns (airsoft AEG) and at the same alteration on different gun models were introduced.

When the 1990s came around Springer kits became so widely available in the hobby stores that it gave Airsoft enthusiasts the freedom to customize their guns to suit their needs at all respective playing levels. Also during that era, Japan launched Airsoft guns that gradually replaced the Automatic Electric Guns and at the same time new gun models were also introduced.

Japan first introduced the semi automatic guns which were spring loaded. The pellets were fired by using the thrust of the springs. Later on in the subsequent stages of development, the cap type explosives were used in the pellets to mimic the real gun fire sounds. Later on the more advanced versions of the guns came into existence and were considered a real treat for the gaming enthusiasts. The different companies manufacturing these guns have come out with region specific guns, for instance, Daisy came up with PowerStrike brand especially for the US market. This trend of the increasing gaming enthusiasts is increasing steadily. The law may be strict by the passion cannot be suppressed. There are various ways out. The Airsoft is a small example. - 15255

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