Airsoft others refers to the wide range of equipment, gear, and accessories used in airsoft that go beyond the basic airsoft guns. These items are essential for enhancing gameplay, improving player performance, and ensuring safety during airsoft battles. Here’s a breakdown of common categories:
1. Airsoft Protective Gear
- Eye and Face Protection: Safety is the top priority in airsoft. Eye protection, such as goggles or full-face masks, is mandatory to protect against BBs, which can cause serious injuries to the eyes. Face masks often cover the mouth and nose, providing additional protection.
- Helmets: Used both for protection and realism, airsoft helmets can prevent head injuries during tactical movements and add to the overall military aesthetic.
- Tactical Gloves: Gloves help protect hands from impacts and provide better grip on airsoft guns, improving handling during intense skirmishes.
- Body Armor and Vests: Although not necessary for protection against airsoft BBs, tactical vests and plate carriers are often worn to hold magazines, radios, and other gear. Some vests may also have light padding for additional comfort.
- 2. Airsoft Accessories
- Magazines: Airsoft guns require magazines to load the BBs. They come in various capacities, including mid-cap and high-cap mags, which can hold anywhere from 30 to over 500 BBs.
- Scopes and Sights: To improve accuracy, players can attach optical sights, such as red dot sights or scopes, to their airsoft guns. These help with aiming at long distances and target acquisition.
- Silencers and Suppressors: Though purely for aesthetic and tactical effect (since airsoft guns don’t produce the same loud noise as real firearms), mock suppressors are a popular addition for stealth-themed play.
- Lights and Lasers: Tactical flashlights and laser sights can be mounted on airsoft guns for improved visibility in low-light environments or for precise aiming during night games.
- 3. Tactical Clothing
- Camouflage Uniforms: Players often wear camouflage clothing to blend into their surroundings, especially in outdoor environments. Military-style uniforms are popular and provide pockets for extra gear.
- Combat Boots: Footwear is important in airsoft, as players need comfortable, sturdy boots that offer good ankle support and grip for rough terrain.
- Ghillie Suits: For snipers or players who prefer stealth, ghillie suits are a type of camouflage that helps blend into forests, grasslands, or other natural environments.
4. Airsoft Ammunition
- BBs: Airsoft BBs are plastic pellets, typically 6mm in diameter, though some larger airsoft guns may use 8mm BBs. BBs come in different weights, from 0.12g to 0.40g or more, affecting range and accuracy. Heavier BBs are generally more accurate but have shorter range.
- Bio BBs: Biodegradable BBs are increasingly popular as they decompose over time, making them an eco-friendly option for outdoor play.
5. Grenades and Launchers
- Airsoft Grenades: These are non-lethal grenades designed to release a spray of BBs or create a loud bang when detonated. They can be gas-powered or spring-loaded and are often used in close-quarter battles or MilSim games.
- Grenade Launchers: Some airsoft rifles come equipped with grenade launchers, or standalone launchers can be used. These launch BB-filled grenades or foam projectiles for wide-area damage in-game.
6. Airsoft Tactical Gear
- Slings: Gun slings are straps used to carry airsoft rifles or shotguns, making it easier to switch to secondary weapons (like pistols) or go hands-free when needed.
- Holsters: Players who carry pistols or sidearms use holsters to keep their secondary weapons within easy reach. Holsters can be attached to the belt, thigh, or chest.
- Radio Communication: In team-based airsoft games, players often use two-way radios or headsets for real-time communication, allowing for better coordination and tactics.
- 7. Airsoft Batteries and Gas
- Batteries: Electric airsoft guns (AEGs) run on rechargeable batteries, typically NiMH or LiPo batteries. Players often carry spare batteries for longer games to ensure their weapons remain powered.
- Gas and CO2 Canisters: Gas-powered airsoft guns use green gas, propane, or CO2. Players need to carry extra gas canisters or CO2 cartridges to keep their weapons functioning during the game.
8. Other Airsoft Equipment
- Speedloaders: These devices help quickly reload BBs into magazines, ensuring players can stay in the action without long pauses to manually reload.
- Chronographs: Used to measure the velocity of airsoft BBs, chronographs help ensure that airsoft guns meet the field’s FPS (feet per second) limits, keeping the game safe for all players.
- Repair Kits and Tools: Airsoft guns occasionally need maintenance or repairs during a game. Players often carry toolkits and spare parts to fix any issues on the field.
9. Airsoft Props and Objectives
In MilSim (Military Simulation) games, teams use various props like flags, bombs, or intel briefcases to create mission-based objectives that add a layer of strategy to the gameplay.
- Airsoft “others” encompasses all the supplementary gear that enriches the airsoft experience. From safety equipment to tactical accessories and mission objectives, these elements are essential to fully engaging in and enjoying airsoft as a sport or hobby.