An Introduction to Airsoft Terminology...

by SiteInsights Airsoft Staff

Every hobby/sport has it's own lingo - words and acronyms specific to itself which participants and insiders are well versed in but which newcomers or the general public may not be. Airsoft is no different and has more than it's fair share of TLA's (Three Letter Acronyms) and Airsoft specific words which can be overwhelming, if not downright intimidating to a "newbie".

Trying Airsoft for the first time is challenging enough without the added anxiety of not being able to understand what you're team mates are saying to you! No one wants to look like an idiot on the field or off, so a quick primer on essential Airsoft terminology is probably a good idea before you attend your first skirmish.

With that in mind below you will find an alphabetical list of some of the more common Airsoft terms along with a short definition of their meanings.

• Airsoft - A game in which players participate in the simulation of military or law enforcement combat with replica military firearms and military-style tactics, or a replica firearm of metal or plastic.
• AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) - Auto Electric Guns are battery-operated airsoft guns that allows for both fully automatic firing and semi-automatic firing. The user can select between the two functions by a switch. Within every Auto Electric Gun is a high-powered motor which allows for instantaneous firing as soon as the trigger is pulled.
• Barrel - The tube that the BB travels through. It holds the BB straight as it gains speed and ensures that it leaves the gun still travelling in the same direction. Airsoft barrels are also smooth inside and are not rifled like most firearms.
• BB (Ball Bearing) - Usually 6mm in diameter, these small plastic balls weighing less than half a gram each are the ammunition used by Airsoft guns.
• BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) - The name given to the clothing worn by a participant during combat. The traditional BDU used in the west is the green DPM jacket, helmet, trousers and boots.
• Caliber - A measure of the diameter of a bullet, pellet or BB. Airsoft replicas typically use 6mm caliber BBs.
• Carbine - A rifle with a Shortened (usually tougher) barrel than longer versions of the same rifle. The Carbine is useful as it weighs less and is shorter than most other rifles, making it tactically suitable for a wider range of roles.
• Covert Action - Performed secretively. Military maneuvers behind enemy lines are often covert actions, so that the enemy will not detect any forces in the area.
• CQC (Close Quarters Combat) - As the name suggests, CQC is the name given to the tactics and methodologies used while fighting at close range. The tactics used are very different to those employed on open ground, and rely more on speed and aggression to be successful.
• Fire Selector Switch - A switch that allows the shooter to change between modes of fire. The fire selector switch is only present on guns that allow multiple modes of fire.
• FPS (Feet Per Second) - The speed of BBs during flight is often measured in feet per second.
• HOP-UP - A device installed in most airsoft guns to increase range. A small piece of rubber is pushed inside the back end of the barrel through a hole in the top. When the gun is fired, the rubber grips the top surface of the BB, putting back-spin on it. As the BB leaves the barrel. The top surface has less drag, but the lower surface has greater drag, causing the BB to stay in the air longer and travel a noticeably farther distance.
• LARP (Live Action Role Play) - A type of game where players really immerse themselves in the game and the story behind it. Role play games often last for a long time and the focus is more on authenticity of the genre, than accuracy of your shooting.
• Magazine - The magazine is a detachable part of the gun that holds the ammunition ready for shooting.
• Muzzle - The muzzle is the very front of the gun, the tip of the barrel.
• Muzzle Velocity - Speed of a BB as it leaves the muzzle of the weapon.
• Newbie - A person new to the sport of Airsoft
• RIS (Rail Interface System) - A RIS rail is a flat hexagonal slatted rail that is attached to a strong-point on some Airsoft guns. There are many accessories available that attach directly to this rail in seconds, making a set of RIS rails an almost essential add-on.
• ROF (Rate of Fire) - The rate of fire is measured for each gun by counting how many shots can be fired in 1 minute in fully automatic mode or in RPM.
• Round - Another name for a bullet or BB.
• RPM (Rounds Per Minute) - The number of shots which can be fired in 1 minute in fully automatic mode.
• SF (Sustained Fire) - Another name for fully-automatic fire.
• Skirmishing - Playing wargames with Airsoft or Paintball guns.
• Springer - A gun powered by a manually cocked spring.

The list of terms and acronyms above is by no means complete, but should be enough to get you by until you have mastered the terminology as well as the tactics of this wonderful hobby/sport!

Thanks for reading...
SiteInsights Airsoft

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