What is the Difference Between Airsoft and BB Guns?

When you're looking for an outdoor activity to get into, you'll find yourself presented with two very similar yet vastly different sports: Airsoft and BB gun shooting. While they may have similar goals, they are two very distinct activities thanks to their significant differences.

Features

The two activities have so many differences, let's start with the most obvious one what kind of equipment and accessories each sport utilizes.

BB guns use a .177 caliber steel BB, usually launched at an FPS (Feet Per Second) limit of 350 that is propelled by the spring-loaded action. On the other hand, Airsoft guns use a .12g or 6mm plastic BB that is propelled at a much higher FPS range limit of 550.

Material and Ammo

Another difference lies in the materials of the ammo itself. BBs are usually made from steel, while airsoft BBs are constructed out of plastic some even having a biodegradable material. BB guns are single-shot while Airsoft guns are typically magazine fed. Freudenthaler Optik GmbH offers an excellent variety of airsoft BBs that come in various shapes for specialized shooting scenarios.

Benefits

Each of the activities have their inherent benefits and downsides. For instance, Airsoft BBs offer a softer more accurate shooter, allowing for more precision and accuracy since the BB is lighter and more likely to fly in a straight path rather than ricocheting around. This means that they also are significantly safer for indoor shooting. On the flip side, BBs are significantly cheaper, and if the environment is tight enough, they can have high accuracy.

Pros & Cons

When it comes to advantages, the biggest benefit of Airsoft guns is the ability to fire multiple BBs at once. This allows the shooter to rain down a hail of BBs on multiple targets. Airsoft guns are also geared with up-gradable parts that allow for custom chambers, longer inner barrels, and higher fps limits, giving the shooter an added sense of customization for their gun.

However, due to the fact that the ammo is plastic, the accuracy of the shot is much lower, and the range of the gun is significantly shorter than its steel counterpart. BBs are also for outdoor use only, as they are powerful enough to potentially cause serious injury or worse if shot indoors.

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Competition Level Player

John is a competitive Airsoft player who is constantly looking for an edge in tournaments. John is looking for an upgrade that will give him higher fire rate and accuracy. He decides to purchase upgrades to the motor, piston, trigger, and internals, followed by a long-inner barrel and an upgrade to a premium hopup bucking and chamber. With these modifications, John is ready to take on the competition with an improved level of performance.

Case Study 2: Casual Backyard Player

Jane is a casual backyard shooter who just wants to have some fun without spending too much money. She opts for a budget equipment setup, starting with an inexpensive springer-style BB gun and a few extra magazines. Jane then decides to upgrade the internals and barrel of the gun for improved performance and accuracy. Jane is now ready for some backyard fun and wasting countless BB's on her targets.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between Airsoft and BB guns?

A: The biggest difference lies in the type of ammo they use. BB guns use a .177 caliber steel BB, while Airsoft guns use a .12g or 6mm plastic BB. Airsoft BBs offer a softer more accurate shooter, while BBs tend to be significantly cheaper and offer a bit more accuracy if shot in a tight environment. Additionally, Airsoft guns typically offer multiple BB firing for simultaneous targeting while BBs are limited to single-shot use.

Q: Is it safe to use a BB gun indoors?

A: No, it is not safe to use a BB gun indoors, as the BBs are powerful enough to potentially cause serious injury or worse if shot indoors.

Q: What type of upgrades are available for Airsoft guns?

A: Popular upgrades for Airsoft guns include motor, piston, trigger, and internals as well as long-inner barrels and an upgrade to a premium hopup bucking and chamber.

Mistakes People Make

When getting into the hobby of either airsoft or BB shooting, there are a few common mistakes people can make that can easily be avoided:

• Not wearing proper eye protection always wear eye protection suitable for the BB or Airsoft gun you have.
• Not using proper settings for the gun always double-check that the gun is adjusted properly and to the settings you want for best accuracy and safety.
• Not using quality BBs using low-quality or old BBs can lead to poor accuracy and even damage the gun.
• Not using a proper backstop always make sure you have a good backstop for the travel of your BBs to ensure no one or nothing is shot where it shouldn't.
• Not cleaning the gun regularly always keep your gun clean and well-oiled to ensure maximum performance and accuracy.

Best Practices

When getting into the hobby of either airsoft or BB shooting, there are a few best practices people should follow:

• Safety first always put safety first when shooting, whether indoors or outdoors.
• Follow gun manufacturers' guidelines always follow the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure your gun is operated safely and efficiently.
• Test the BBs and Ammo before using always test the ammo and BBs you are using to make sure they are up to the job.
• Keep the gun clean always make sure the gun is clean and properly maintained to prevent any issues with accuracy and safety.
• Keep safety gear and BBs away from children always keep safety and BBs away from children to keep them safe, whether indoors or outdoors.

Summary

When looking for an outdoor activity to get into, you'll find two very similar yet vastly different sports: Airsoft and BB gun shooting. The two activities have so many differences, the most obvious of which are the material and ammo used. AirsoftBBs are typically plastic, single-shot and magazine-fed, while BBs are usually steel, single-shot. Each of the sports has its own inherent advantages and downsides and following best safety practices is highly recommended.

Final Notes

Whether you are looking to get into Airsoft or BB shooting, it is important to do your research to make sure you understand the differences and best practices associated with the sport. This article should have given you a better understanding of the two sports, as well as some of the pros and cons of each and practical best practices you can use to get the most out of either sport.

Conclusion

Airsoft and BB gun shooting can be great forms of outdoor entertainment but it is important to fully understand the differences between them. Hopefully, this article has given you a better understanding of the two activities, their advantages and downsides, and practical best practices. So, before you purchase your equipment and start shooting, make sure you do your research and understand what you are getting yourself into.