Frequently Asked Questions

• Question: What is AIRSOFT?

  Answer: Airsoft is a term used interchangeably to refer to one or both of the following subjects:
  
  * A game in which players participate in the simulation of military or law enforcement combat with replica military firearms and military-style tactics
  
  * A replica firearm scaled either 1:1 (or perhaps as a "mini" or "3/4"). It may be of metal or plastic, and usually fires 6 mm (5.98 mm) or 8 mm spherical projectiles weighing 110-600 milligrams (known as "BB"s).
  
  The game is highly popular in several Asian regions, such as Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, and South Korea, and, to a certain extent, the Philippines, where firearms are difficult or impossible to obtain due to local laws. For this reason, the vast majority of airsoft guns, accessories, and aftermarket upgrade parts are made in these countries. This activity is legal on mainland China despite rumors.
  
  There is currently a growing interest in the West, especially in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany(Single-AEG only), Austria(where German players can use full auto AEG's), Switzerland, France, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Italy, Belgium (where the Dutch players also go, since in the Netherlands it is illegal), and Denmark, bolstered by an active and expanding Internet scene.
  
  The guns used in airsoft are typically replicas of real firearms. Airsoft guns can be divided into three groups by what powers them: spring powered, electric powered, and gas-powered.
  
  Spring-powered guns are cocked manually (by racking the slide with pistols, or operating the bolt with rifles), and fire based on the action of the spring, usually by way of pushing a piston to create a high-pressure area behind the pellet, projecting it down the barrel and towards the intended target. Spring guns are oftentimes the cheapest of airsoft guns, as they have a minimum of internal parts. In competition play, the most popular form of spring guns are sniper rifles, as the manual cocking of the spring simulates the action of the bolt on a real sniper rifle.
  
  Gas-powered guns operate by storing high-pressure gas in a chamber, and releasing the gas into the chamber in order to propel the pellet, and usually (but not always) some of the gas is also used in blowback operation in order to cycle the internal mechanism. Gas blowbacks are typically more expensive than non-blowback guns, due to the complexity of the blowback action. Pistols are the most common form of gas blowback guns, as the blowback creates very realistic slide action on the gun. The earlier airsoft rifles were gas powered as well, but now most rifles are of the electric type (see below).
  
  Electric airsoft guns often utilize gas pistons as spring-powered guns do, but rely on a electrical motor (similar to those found in remote control cars) to drive a gearbox assembly that is capable of full automatic fire at rates equivalent to those of real automatic weapons. They are typically powered by rechargeable battery packs. Electric guns or "AEG" are the most common type of weapon found at airsoft skirmishes. A large aftermarket of parts for the upgrade of electric guns has sprung up, and many serious players upgrade their guns for higher level of competition in play.

• Question: What are the Legal ramifications of Airsoft?

  Answer: Airsoft guns and playing airsoft is legal in many parts of the world, but not all. Some countries have specific restrictions such as maximum muzzle energy, rules against using the trademarks of real firearms, and special marking requirements (such as brightly colored barrel tips). For example, in the United States and Japan, the restrictions on airsoft guns are fairly light, while in Canada and Australia, they are much more heavily regulated, as they are firearms according to law (Actually in Canada Airsoft Guns are not classified under the Criminal Code of Canada as a Replica or a firearm, but "Imitation Firearms". However if an Airsoft gun is upgraded above a specific muzzle velocity (500FPS) and Joules on impact (5.7) then it would be classified as a Firearm under the Criminal Code of Canada.) In the United Kingdom, the purchase, sale and import of replica firearms has recently become the subject of a proposed bill which may limit the availability of new weapons essentially killing off the sport as new players will only be able to hire or borrow existing weapons. There have been cases of airsoft weapons being mistaken for their real counterparts, and even such extreme cases as armed police being called in. This is the main reason for orange tips on airsoft weapons in the US, however the effectiveness of such measures remains a matter of intense debate as those wishing to perpetrate crimes can simply repaint the coloured tips. Also, airsoft guns should never be brought out in public as the user may end up with a fine, or arrested. Perhaps the most common legal issue involving airsoft guns in the United States involves possession in schools. The punishment can depend on the intention and use, but common actions include a temporary suspension or permanent expulsion. The worst known case involved a teenager from Longwood, Florida who was shot to death by a Sheriff deputy in January 2006. Prior to the incident the student had removed the mandated orange tip.

• Question: How long does it take for Biodegradable BBs to fully degrade?

  Answer: Unfortunately we can't give you a specific answer because the environment differs from location to location. However, we estimate that on average, BBs will degrade in about 2 or 3 years but can take longer. In one case, we found that Bio-degradable BBs used in the Nevada desert north of Reno were discovered to have degraded in only one-year time. This is probably the fastest rate at which Excel Bio-degradable BBs will dissolve.

• Question: If my Excel BBs get wet or are exposed to high humidity will it ruin the BBs?

  Answer: NO, Excel BBs are designed to withstand short exposure without causing any damage. In fact you can drop a bag of Excel BBs in a bowl of water take it out the next day, dry them off and they'll be perfectly fine to use. Excel BBs only begins to dissolve when exposed to a combination of bacteria, water and sun.

• Question: I heard that the BBs will begin to swell and cause guns to jam if they've been exposed to moisture for a long period of time?

  Answer: This is not true with Excel Bio-degradable BBs. In the past, some Biodegradable BBs made by Marui were made from corn. These BBs degraded in only in one month time. The only drawback was that it was sensitive to moisture. When exposed, it would swell and cause airguns to jam. Excel will not expand when they start their degrading process. They just dissolve.

• Question: Why does Excel use a Bio-plastic instead of more natural materials?

  Answer: The main problem with natural material is that they are generally unstable for use in BBs. This instability is useful in the fact that the BBs can degrade in a much faster time but this also causes the BBs to have a very short useful life. In many cases, other bio BBs once taken out of the bag usually have to be thrown out by the end of the day because they already started to degrade. Excel chose this material because is had a long shelf life and the BBs would not start breaking down right away even when exposed. The trade off is that it take a longer period of time to degrade. Another reason is that this material allows Excel to make the best quality airsoft BBs that players have come to expect from Excel.

• Question: Why doesn't Excel make heavier BBs?

  Answer: The main reason is that heavier BBs would require a large percentage of the BB material to be Barium sulfate. It has been determine that such a high proportion of this material would make the BB too brittle. Currently Excel is experimenting with other heavier but environmentally friendly materials that will allow them to make heavier BBs such as a 0.30g.

• Question: Is Airsoft expensive?

  Answer: Upfront startup costs can be, but long term costs compared to similar sports (paintball) are less expensive. Gear can also be expensive depending on how realitic you want to go.
  
  The stock airsoft weapon are durable, but it is no where near as durable as a real weapon. The guns are made mostly of plastic. Some weapon upgrades are specifically designed to enhance durability and are probably well worth the additional costs.
  
  Ammunition is relatively inexpensive compared to similar sports! Batteries are a one time upfront cost, but are rechargable. If you use a gas operated airsoft gun, you will need to keep a supply of gas on hand.

• Question: How much might it cost to get started?

  Answer: Generally expect to pay around $300 to $1200 for an Airsoft Electric Gun (AEG). You can play with pistols, but unless this is a pistols-only game, you will be dramatically outgunned. You will mostl likely spend more on gear than the weapons, there is flexibility here. FRS radios make a huge difference and are highly recommended but expect another $20-100 there. You'll need ammo and extra magazines.

• Question: What sort of gear is needed?

  Answer:
  1) GOOD EYE PROTECTION! - This is the most important investment in airsoft! There are many options to choose from - ranging from basic safety goggles to elaborate face masks. What to look for: It is impact resistant! Polycarbonate plastic, for instance. If a BB hits at close range it can shatter glass. Anti-fog. Comfortable.
  2) BDU (Battle Dress Uniforms).
  3) Webbing. This is generally a tactical vest or load-bearing vest. These hold your gear.
  4) Boots.
  5) Radios. You don't need these, but many vetreran players are all in radio contact. Get one of those "family band" radios like the ones from Motorola. And get the headset which plugs into it.
  6) Gun/Rifle Case. Get one. Never, ever walk around with your weapon visible in the general public.
  7) Gloves.
  8) Knee pads reccomended.

• Question: What is Hop Up?

  Answer: Hop Up is what makes airsoft possible. Hop Up is a term for the technology that makes the airsoft bb's fly so far and straight. If an airsoft gun has Hop Up, it means that there is a device somewhere in the gun that causes the bb to have a backspin as it leaves the barrel. The back spin creates lift which counters gravity. This idea is explained by "Bernoulli's principle".
  
  The device that causes the Hop Up is commonly known as a "hop up". The hop up is usually a chamber between the barrel and the device that is producing the air pressure. It is common that there is a piece of rubber that puts pressure on the top of the bb as it leaves the chamber, which spins the bb backwards.