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Are you an enthusiastic paintball player who’s tired of renting equipment every time you want to enjoy the game? Then it’s time for an upgrade. Buying personal equipment is convenient and improves the fun of paintball.

Found the right paintball gun, check! Then it’s time to get the best paintball tank to meet your market needs. You want a tank that will maximize your performance for a thrilling experience on the battlefield.

As such, having some firsthand information about the types of paintball tanks available and what features to look out for when buying will come in handy. You’ll have to consider what each type of paintball tank has to offer. Then you have to check the general features a good tank should have. But first, how does a paintball tank work?

What is a paintball tank?

A paintball tank is a piece of equipment that propels markers from the paintball gun once you shoot. There're two types of paintball tanks; high-pressure air or compressed air and CO2.

Carbon II Oxide paintball tanks

CO2 tanks are commonly used because they were the first to be invented. As CO2 transforms from a liquid state to gas, it's molecules expand this creating an immense amount of pressure. This creates a force that launches the paintball through the barrel and to the target.

The CO2 tanks in the market are neither re-tested nor re-certified and are low maintenance. Also, refilling this tank is relatively cheap compared to the compact yield you get. With a CO2 tank, you’ll be enjoying endless shoots.

However, the rapid expansion of the CO2 also means the cooling process will be just as fast. As such, you may have inconsistent shots. This process may also lead to the formation of a snow-like substance that you may see falling out of the barrel when you shoot. This dry ice may cause mechanical problems with your paintball gun leading to unexpected jamming.

Compressed air paintball tanks

Also called High-Pressure Air (HPA) tanks, this equipment relies on pressurized air of 3000 psi or 4500 psi. You'll use a regulator to control the amount of air coming out of the tank.

Compared to CO2 tanks, professional paintball players prefer HPA tanks because of the pressure consistency that ensures continuous shooting. You can also use HPA tanks in any weather, so the spring, winter, summer, or other seasons will not hinder your thrill. What's more, you get to enjoy the highest velocity with HPA tanks, which means an increased firing rate for better shooting accuracy.

Like CO2 tanks, HPA tanks also come with their drawbacks. Unless you have a nearby pro shop, there’s no other way to refill the tank. HPA tanks are also bulkier than CO2 tanks and are a bit pricy. Further, you need to have the HPA tank hydro re-tested as well as re-certified after every five years.

Factors to consider when buying a paintball tank

Before buying a tank for your paintball gun, you have to take several factors into account depending on your playing style and type of marker. Some of the factors to look out for when shopping for the best tank include:

Type of tank

There’re two types of paintball tanks; compressed air/HPA and CO2. If you want consistent firing pressure that will see the paintballs propelled at the highest velocity, go for HPA tanks.

Although cheaper, CO2 paintball tanks are too heavy and CO2 instability will make shooting inefficient. Just decide to spend a little more to get flawless accuracy for a winning chance on the battlefield.

Make material

Paintball tanks are made from two different materials; aluminum and carbon fiber. If you’re on a budget, the aluminum tank will favor your needs. The whole tank features an aluminum body and it can only hold 3000 psi. An aluminum tank may be a bit heavy to your preference.

Although light and relatively cheap, aluminum is susceptible to dents and is also less durable.

Carbon fiber tanks are the latest innovation as they’re durable, lightweight, and allow for a higher capacity. It can carry about 4,500 psi which gives you more shots per cubic inch. This is an increase of 50% of the shots made by a 3,000 psi aluminum tank.

If you want shooting efficiency, then opt for carbon fiber tanks.

There are also steel tanks that were the earliest invention preferred for a robust and durable material. On the other hand, steel is heavy so it may not be your best option.

Weight

While on the paintball battlefield, you’ll be carrying around the paintball gun, tank, and other accessories for the game. As such, the lighter each item gets the better for the player. Heavy paintball equipment is tiresome and will drain your paintball energy.

Ultralight/superlight carbon fiber tanks are the lightest tanks you’ll find in the market. What’s fascinating with them is that, besides being lightweight, they come with a high capacity.

Tank size

When looking at the tank’s weight, consider its size too. You don’t want a large tank that’ll be too heavy to carry around on the battlefield. Also, the tank shouldn’t be too small that you’ll need a refill after a few shots.

Paintball tanks are available in a range of sizes which are 50-4500, 68-4500, 77-4500, and 90-4500. For beginners, a 50-4500 tank can hold 50 cubic inches of paintball propelling gas. Of these four sizes, the majority of the professional paintball players opt for the 68-4500. This is the standard tank size because it's medium-capacity, hence lightweight.

Pressure rating

This is where the tank’s regulator comes in. The pressure output of the tank also matters since it will determine the pressure rating. Although manufacturers make paintball guns that can perfectly handle the pressure, how the output is regulated impacts shooting quality.

While most paintball guns will operate with 450 psi, always look out for the internal regulator as a guide. If the gun doesn't have a regulator, then go for a paintball tank with 300 to 500 psi. This is unless your paintball gun requires a lower operating pressure.

In essence, the tank’s pressure rating should be higher than the gun’s operating pressure. This should keep the pressure levels constant for an awesome paintballing experience. To meet your pressure needs, most paintball tanks have adjustable regulators.

Durability

You always want to go for durable equipment when buying anything because they minimize the cost of maintenance, need for an upgrade, and inefficiency.

When buying a paintball tank, look out for the sturdiness of the model and how durable it is. This is because you'll be dealing with harsh environmental conditions and moving in tough terrains. As such, you want a tank that can withstand wear and tear.

Protection

Paintball tanks are an expensive investment, so you need to protect them properly for increased use of life. You’ll find a variety of covers as well as grips that will keep your tank from getting scratches, dents, and bumps.

Popular paintball tank brands

There’re plenty of paintball tank brands in the market and it’s your responsibility to determine which model best meets your needs. Look for a tank that will optimize the shooting ability of the paintball gun for firing efficiency. To achieve this, different manufacturers use varying features that also display uniqueness.

Some of the brands you’ll come across are:

• IORMAN
• Acecare
• HK Army
• Empire
• Ninja
• Tippmann
• First Strike Hero

Be sure to check out the user reviews of each brand to determine how efficient it is in the field. Go for brands that are reliable since they’ll improve your gameplay!

Final Verdict

How well you play in a paintball game depends on the quality of your gear and equipment. Even if you have an A-class paintball gun and your paintball tank is poor useless, then get ready for a defeat! This goes to show the significance of acquiring advanced equipment that will optimize your performance.

Get a lightweight and compact tank for ease of portability despite the roughness of the terrain. Carbon fiber-made HPA tanks are the best available option because they have modernized functionality. You’ll be getting lightness, increased air output, high holding capacity, and shooting accuracy.

Why get a cheap, low-quality paintball tank that'll limit the fun you should be having on the battlefield? Even if you're on a budget, there're plenty of affordable top-quality tanks out there. All you need is a keen eye for detail and time to conduct thorough market research!

The paintball game usually involves two teams who compete against each other by shooting at the opponent team with balls of paint that are shot from a paintball gun. Combat tactics and teamwork are great for a team to beat their opponent in a game of paintball but having the right equipment is the ultimate deciding factor that separates the winning team from the losing team.

A paintball hopper acts as the loading equipment for a paintball gun and holds the paintballs before they are loaded to the firing chamber of the gun. The type of hopper that you use on your gun determines how fast you shoot paintballs in addition to affecting the accuracy of your aim. Choosing the right sized hopper also reduces the number of times that you have to reload and reduces the distractions that you get when you are in a paintball game.

In this article, we explore the structure of a paintball hopper, review the different kinds of hoppers that are in the market, and discuss some of the features that you should look out for when purchasing a hopper.

Using a Paintball Hopper

The general structure of a paintball hopper features a large spherical loading area that holds a number of paintballs. The specific number of paintballs that can be loaded depends on the size of the hopper and could be anywhere between 45 balls for low-end hoppers to 250 balls for high-end paintball hoppers.

The bottom part of the hopper has a bottle-neck spout that fits over the paintball gun. The spout connects the loading area that holds the paintballs to the chamber of the paintball gun where the balls are fired from and allows the paintballs to drop in one ball at a time.

The spout for some paintball hoppers fits across many paintball guns while some are designed to only fit specific paintball gun models. It is important, therefore, to check out the spout's design when you are buying the hopper and see whether it fits on your paintball gun.

Some hoppers also have wide-open mouths at the top that can fit speed feed paintballing accessories that help in quick loading of paintballs into the hopper. Speed feed compatible hoppers can halve the time taken to load balls into the hopper, thus facilitating a seamless firing experience. Some speed feeds also come with protective covers that prevent raindrops from getting into the hopper.

Kinds of Paintball Hoppers in the Market

You will find five kinds of hoppers in the market. Each kind uses different mechanisms to drop the balls into the chamber. They are:

• Gravity fed paintball hoppers
• Electronic hoppers
• Sound activated paintball hoppers
• Cyclone activated hoppers
• Automag paintball hoppers
  
  

Gravity fed paintball hoppers

These hoppers rely solely on the force of gravity to load the balls into the firing chamber. The balls, which are spherical in shape, roll down to the bottleneck spout at the bottom of the hopper and drop down into the chamber below. A major problem with these hoppers is experienced when two balls roll down at the same time and cannot fit in the spout, which is designed to release only one ball at a time.

This causes obstruction, and you have to shake your paintball gun to unblock it. When doing this, your shooting is interrupted because you are likely to lose your composure. This means that you have to aim again. The time you use when shaking the gun also leaves you exposed and an opponent could exploit that short window to get you.

Gravity fed hoppers have a slow feed rate. The feed rate refers to the number of paintballs that a paintball hopper can load into the chamber at a given time. The rate is measured in balls per second, and the gravity-fed hoppers can load between four and eight balls per second at best.

Due to these impediments, gravity-fed paintball guns are used by armature and beginner paintballers. They are also cheap and made of lightweight materials. Moreover, they can only be used with mechanical markers and paintball guns. Loading and firing using a gravity-fed hopper and a mechanical paintball gun is quiet since there are no mechanical parts. This allows one to creep up on opponents without detection and fire at close range.

Electronic paintball hoppers

Electronic hoppers work by using battery-powered motors to load paintballs into the firing chamber. The motor continuously rotates the paintballs putting them in the chamber and as soon as the ball is fired, the motor places the next ball in. This mechanism does not have time lags in between firing two balls, something that enables the electronic hoppers to have a fast loading rate of up to 16 balls per second. The motor is also precise when loading the balls. As such, it prevents two balls from being in the chamber at the same time, thereby avoiding any possibility of obstruction. Electronic hoppers can be used with both manual and electronic paintball guns.

The motor on an electronic hopper can be noisy depending on the make and model. The battery that powers the motor also drains quickly on low-end electronic hoppers that lack energy-saving sensors. This makes their use limited since you cannot use the gun or hopper when the battery power drains out.

Higher-end electronic paintball hoppers, on the other hand, have a sensor that only moves the motor when necessary. This makes the battery on them to last longer. What's more, you experience less noise from the motor movement.

Electronic hoppers, however, are more expensive as compared to the gravity-fed hoppers. As such, they are used mostly by paintballers with a little bit of experience. Beginners who opt for electronic hoppers mostly go for the low-end electronic hoppers.

Sound activated paintball hoppers

Sound activated hoppers are the advancement of electric hoppers. The main addition is a microphone. The microphone detects the sound made when a paintball is fired and immediately loads the next ball into the chamber. This gives the sound-activated hoppers a faster loading rate that can go up to 20 balls per second. Only intermediate and experienced paintballers go for this kind of hoppers.

Cyclone activated paintball hoppers

Cyclone activated hoppers use compressed gas to load paintballs into the chamber of the paintball gun. They have a fast loading rate that can go up to 15 balls per second. They are also very quiet since there is no mechanical motor involved when loading paintballs.

Limitation of power running out that comes with using electric hoppers is also avoided since only the gas powers the hopper's loading mechanism.

A downside to using this kind is that they experience a quick depletion of the gas. Once the gas runs out, the hopper has no more use until the gas is refilled.

Automag

Automag hoppers also use gas that blows forward unlike the cyclone hoppers, which use gas that blows backward on the spring load to fire the paintball. The benefit of forwarding blowing gas is that paintballs are continually loaded into the chamber, which means that there is no need for cocking the gun before firing. However, the gas on automating hoppers depletes faster due to the continuous use.

What to Look for When Buying a Paintball Hopper

Shopping for a hopper can be confusing, especially for beginners. Online stores have many products from which you could pick, and each product has different features and is priced differently. Essentially, your experience level and the experience level of the people you will be shooting with, either as your teammates or opponents, will determine the hopper that you buy. Below are some of the other factors that you should consider when selecting a hopper for purchase.

Size

The size of the hopper determines how many balls you can hold at a time before you have to reload. A beginner will still find small models that hold less than 100 balls ideal. One such small hopper is the spunky hopper that holds 45 balls and is perfect for beginner paintballers who are still learning. More experienced paintballers require larger hoppers like the Dye Pronto Primo that can hold 200 balls. The large hopper will give you more shooting time while your opponents have to reload.

Appearance

Some hoppers come in a wide range of colors that give you different options to pick from when shopping. Although it will not affect how you shoot, your choice of color is great because it allows you to match the hopper with the color of your gun. Opposing teams can also have different colors that help identify them easily and reduce chances of shooting your teammate by mistake. The Dye Pronto Primo comes in color choices of red, blue, green, and black.

Compatibility with your paintball gun

One important factor to consider is whether the hopper you buy will fit your paintball gun. Many hoppers are universal, which means that you can use them with multiple guns. Some specific models of paintball guns, however, require only specific hoppers.

At the same time, it is also good to find out what works best since the hopper fitting over the gun does not necessarily mean it will give a good shooting experience.

It is good practice to synchronize the shooting speed of the gun with the loading speed of the hopper. A gun that shoots faster than the hopper loads the paintballs causes chopping of the paintballs and messes up the interior parts of the gun.

Price

Hoppers are priced differently depending on the manufacturer and the features that they come loaded with. You also want a hopper that is within your price range and is easy to use. There is no point of a beginner paintballer buying an expensive hopper whose potential he will not exploit fully due to his or her lesser shooting skills.

The prices of hoppers vary, which means that you could buy a cheap hopper like the Empire Paintball Hopper or a more expensive model like the Dye LT-R Electronic Paintball Loader.

Loading rate

While at a shooting range, you want your team to beat the opponent team. The loading rate of the paintball hopper on your gun, therefore, should be higher than that of the opponent to enable you to shoot faster and with more accuracy. Note, however, that the lowly priced hoppers will have a lower loading rate while hoppers with higher loading rates are more expensive.

Summary

After reading this article, we are confident that you are now in a better position to choose a paintball hopper that is compatible with your paintballing shooting needs. Note that caring for your hopper and paintball gun requires regular cleaning, which takes care of any paint that might be smudged in the interior parts of the gun or the hopper.

Ensure that you also observe all safety requirements at the paintball shooting field to prevent accidents. Finally, be sure to clean up the paintball shooting field after use.

Airsoft masks are exciting as they not only enhance your look but also protect your face. While on the battlefield, you want to ensure your utmost safety and secure a victory.

There’re a variety of airsoft mask brands out there with varying sizes, quality, profile, and design. Whether you want a full or half-face mask, one with steel or wire mesh. As such, finding the best airsoft mask depends on the fabric and configuration you prefer.

Skull airsoft masks are a common choice for various outdoor sports including hunting, military, war games, paintball, airsoft, or Halloween. There’s the option of customizing for the mask to speak volumes about you!

For first-time buyers, finding the best skull airsoft mask can be daunting considering the many factors you have to consider. Once you find the skull airsoft mask that fits correctly, wears comfortably and protects your face, then you can begin the thrill!

What is a skull airsoft mask?

Airsoft is an outdoor game with a military theme as players use airsoft guns to shoot plastic projectiles at one another. While looking to have fun, the players are not out to be hurt or hit randomly on the battlefield. As such, any professional airsoft player knows the significance of full protective gear when playing.

Masks are part of the protective gear airsoft players wear to keep safe while on the battlefield. The eyes are a sensitive body part because you get to see around. As such, the airsoft mask should properly cover the facial area. This'll improve your gameplay, therefore, giving you a winning chance over your opponents.

As a competitive team shooting game, every player wants to look the toughest possible. There is no other accessory that’ll help you achieve this goal, but a skull airsoft mask! You’re what you wear! So, if you have a quality skull airsoft mask on, your performance will be at the top. This’s because you’ll be comfy and own the aggressiveness of the skull.

The best skull airsoft mask should properly protect the facial area so that all your senses are intact while gaming. Even if your mouth, eyes, ears, and nose are fully covered, you should be able to speak, see, hear, and breathe well.

Like any other market, there’re numerous types of airsoft masks to choose from depending on your needs. A standard mask should sit comfortably on your face so that you’re protected all the time. This because you’ll have BBs flying all over the place as each player attempts to make it to the end.

To spot the high-quality skull airsoft masks and differentiate them from the scams, you'll need some buying tips. What material is the best? How about the profile? Of significance is to ensure the mask has a defined and reliable strapping system for fitment purposes and security. It should also have enough venting, facial protection (for eyes, cheeks, mouth, ears, and noses), and meet your aesthetics needs.

Features to lookout for in skull airsoft masks

To determine which airsoft mask to go for, you’ll need to take several factors into account. The mask has to protect your face to prevent BBs and other fragments from getting in.

Some of the features to consider when buying a skull airsoft mask are:

 

The material

The quality of material that makes the skull airsoft mask will not only impact its weight, but also sturdiness.

Nylon is a common fabric for making skull masks because it is both lightweight and strong, therefore, impact and wear-resistant. Nylon also absorbs shock perfectly and is slip-resistant so you'll not have to worry about your safety.

Plastic also makes quality skull airsoft masks since it’s lightweight. Plastic will also offer solid protection keeping your facial area safe regardless of how aggressive the game is. This is because it’ll instantly diffuse all impact.

However, plastic is poor at ventilation, so the manufacturer has to make slits for air circulation. The disadvantage with this is that slits are entry points for debris, dust, etc.

Safety and comfort

Your safety comes first while playing airsoft since a lot of BBs will be flying around the battlefield. The best skull airsoft mask should have solid PC clear lenses for guaranteed protection.

To protect your eyes and cheeks from impact pressure, skull airsoft masks should have sponge pads for added comfort. In case one of your opponents launches an airsoft grenade, you’ll be sure of your safety!

Fitment also counts when wearing a airsoft mask because it says how big, small, or well it covers your face. Most manufacturers opt for fully adjustable elastic straps since users have varying facial profiles. Also, adjustable bands are featured to help keep the mask in place as you run and shoot around.

Design

Ergonomic design works best for a skull airsoft mask because it improves the efficiency of use. If the PC lenses are clear, then you'll have an excellent vision while on the battlefield. While some manufacturers use clear material like thick plastic to make lenses, others use wire mesh.

A airsoft mask with wire mesh lenses is a risk since poor quality BBs may emit lots of fragments that may find their way all over your face.

Go for a skull airsoft mask with quality ventilation especially around the mouth and nose. This will keep your covered facial area cool as there'll be adequate airflow.

Speaking of style, airsoft masks are available in an array of colors you can choose from. Besides considering your taste and preference, go for a mask that will help your gameplay. Camouflage masks are a better choice.

Look out for the aesthetics of the skull mask you buy since although winning is your priority, you want to look cool while at it. Let’s face it, you’ll play better if you feel good about what you’re wearing!

 

Style

There’re full-face and half-face skull airsoft masks with each offering facial protection just okay.

Full profile masks are preferable for ample protection of the mouth, ears, eyes, and nose. Besides being robust and stylish, full-face airsoft masks are fog-resistant. However, a full profile airsoft mask will discourage flexibility.

Half profile airsoft masks adjust with ease, are cheaper and are versatile. They're, therefore, a good choice if you want an airsoft mask that you can use outside airsoft gaming. Although half-face airsoft masks are lightweight and you can customize them, most of your face will be exposed. Leaving your cheeks and forehead exposed will jeopardize your safety on the battlefield.

The most common skull airsoft mask brands

You’ll find a variety of skull airsoft masks in the market and each brand has its unique features.

Some of the common brands you’ll come across include:

• Outgeek
• JustBBGuns
• CAMTOA
• MOS
• VTAC
• ALEKO
• VOLING
• OLizee
• Sizet
• Flexzion
• VTAC
• Tactical Crusader
• OutdoorMaster

You can get a skull airsoft mask for under $25, but it'll not be as quality as a more expensive one. You can find options costing up to $50.

Before making a purchase, be sure to check the user reviews to determine the brand of choice is worth every penny. The testimonials will tell you whether the mask stays on while playing, offers adequate protection, or fogs up quickly.

The best airsoft mask should have an effective ventilation system to keep air circulating as you play. Keep all the essential features in mind as you shop for the skull airsoft mask that meets your physical and gaming needs. Who wants to spend money on an elegant airsoft mask that doesn't allow you to enjoy the game's simulation?

While minding the mask’s aesthetics, ask yourself how functionally reliable it is!If the mask will negatively affect your performance in the battlefield, then you would rather forego it!

Summary and recommendations

The functionality of the airsoft mask you buy should be excellent in terms of protection. You don't want that pretty face filled with spots after being hurt by flying BBs. The venting system of the mask should ensure proper airflow for a cooling effect for your comfort.

While a half-face mask is okay, one with a full-face profile will offer more protection for your guaranteed safety. Your airsoft mask should be made of nylon or other solid plastic that is flexible, lightweight, and strong enough for durability.

Metal-mesh skull airsoft masks may not be a great choice since they're susceptible to damage. Also, if one of your opponents happens to use cheap BBs, then you may have some fragments getting on your face. This is an outcome you want to avoid as it jeopardizes your health and gameplay.

Paintball Masks

Paintball Mask Brands in the Market

Features to Lookout for When Buying a Paintball Mask

Comfort

UV protection

Lenses

Weight

Durability

Ear protection

Scratch resistance

Mask profile

Summary and Recommendations

The History of Airsoft

Airsoft's popularity has grown across the globe over the years as a military simulation sport where players imitate military combat with replica assault weapons and tactics. However, before we delve much deeper into the game, how did it begin? I mean, where did it originate from and probably who started it?

Airsoft gained its popularity in the early 1980s in Japan after World War II. This was after the Japanese government introduced tight gun-laws, making it illegal to own a gun in the country. As a result, the demand for replica firearms increased, so did airsoft emerge. The name 'airsoft' or 'soft-air' came from what the Japanese called the green-gas that is used to propel the gun.

Due to the popularity of airsoft guns, major Japanese companies began manufacturing them on a large scale and began exporting them to neighboring countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, and the Philippines, which equally had stringent gun laws. Later on, the 'airsoft theory' reached Europe and America in the early 1980s and eventually spreading to other parts of the world. During those early days, players required to assemble the guns personally as they arrived in different pieces, unlike the modern times where such trouble has been eliminated.

So far, no one has been able to establish the creator of the first air-gun though some people have credited this to Daisy, an American gun manufacturer. She first began producing the air-guns as a marketing tool for her windmill manufacturing firm, where she issued the gun as a bonus to clients who purchased a new windmill.

However, Daisy's airsoft gun had one significant disadvantage. After every trigger pull, one had to pull back the cocking lever, which eradicated the practicality of a real firearm. Additionally, there was the use of metal or lead ball bullets (which players refer to as BB's) which were considered harmful to people. Concerning this, a Japanese company, Mazuren, reproduced the air-guns to fire plastic BB's and made an effort to duplicate a real-life firearm, thus obtaining the 'Soft-air' trademark.

Today, airsoft can be in most countries all over the world, each with their specific laws around the sport. Although some places such as Russia, Kuwait, and Mexico have no laws around the sport, others have laws in place to govern how and who can play the sport. In some, players have to be part of a shooting club to even own an airsoft gun while in most parts of the world, the 'orange' tip on the gun is mandatory to distinguish it from real steel. 

Unfortunately, airsoft is illegal in some parts of the world, such as Singapore and Australia, whereas, in India, there are no guidelines or official groups concerning the sport, which continues to grow tremendously.

Actual Rules and Playstyles 

Like any other sport, some rules and regulations govern airsoft as well. Whether you are playing on an indoor course or an out-door field course, these basic rules are essential for the safety of all players involved in the game. However, the rules range from the different arena where these games are hosted especially when it comes to the age of the players.

Safety first

It is mandatory for players always to have eye protection such as safety goggles and face masks, which must never be removed during the game. The glasses are required to meet the ANSI-Z87.1 standards, which state that the lenses must cover the face, and therefore prescription glasses are not considered safe.

This rule does not apply to players only but also to visitors area the vicinity to avoid being hit by stray BBs, which might cause damage.

The Honour System

When an airsoft BB hits any part of a player's body, this is referred to as a hit. Therefore, the airsoft game uses the honor system to depend on a player's honesty to acknowledge being hit. Unlike paintballs, airsoft BBs do not leave any visible mark on a player's body, which calls for integrity on the part of the player whether to call the hit or not.

In this case, if a player has been hit, he or she must shout 'hit' while raising their weapon above their head. This makes the opposing player aware of the situation and will let the eliminated player walk to the safe zone, still with their gun raised above their head.

Referee or game moderator

This is an individual tasked with resolving any conflicts or issues in the game, calling of games, and being responsible for every safety-related item or event in the field of play. Since his word of approval is final, players are not supposed to argue with him; otherwise, you risk being ejected from the field of play.

The 'Medic' Rule

If a player has been hit is required to sit or fall and shout hit. Once on the ground, he is expected to put a red rag on his head to receive first aid and later resume fighting. However, before returning into the battlefield, another player, who is not wounded, must take off the rag from his head, and a knot must be tied onto the rag to signify he was previously hit. A second hit to the player is termed as 'KIA' Killed in action, which means he cannot resume the game but has to return to the safe zone or safe area.

Blind Firing

This is basically firing an airsoft gun while behind a barrier such as a wall or a tree. Depending on different arena, the blind firing is allowed if a player is between 25ft-30ft from the attacker. A player must verify the distance of the attacker before blind firing; otherwise, they might be eliminated from the game for a violation of the rule.

Safety Kill

This refers to the minimum surrender rule distance, which also ranges with different playing fields from 10ft-15ft. If an attacker pulls on you and they are within the minimum engagement rule, you are required to surrender by yelling 'hit' while the attacker is not allowed to shoot but to shout 'safety kill'.

A player cannot safety kill an opponent from 50ft away regardless of the weapon, such as a DMR or a sniper, but if they are within the 10ft-15ft distance you still cannot safety kill; however, you can withdraw and engage or pull out your secondary weapon such as a pistol. These are minimum engagement distances based on FPS: 400 - 0.2g, and under the minimum engagement distance (M.E.D) is 15. Over 400 FPS, the M.E.D is 50 feet, meaning you additionally need to carry a backup firearm such as a pistol.

Additionally, a player cannot safety kill an opponent who is behind a barrier, such as a wall no matter how close you are. In this case, you will be endangering your life as you risk being hit by the opponent who has the advantage of being behind a barrier. Similarly, you cannot safety kill while blind firing.

This mandatory surrender rule was put in place to avoid players shooting BB's from close range, which could end up lodged in an opponent's eye or any other part of the body.

Game-Play Boundaries

Usually, in any field where airsoft is played, there are set boundaries that are marked mostly with orange ribbons. Players are required to stay within the set boundaries. Any violation will result in ejection from the game. This is to avoid being mistaken by outsiders as a person with other motives and choose to draw out a real-life weapon for self-defense.

Knife Kill

'Knife kills' are allowed when a player crawls up to an unsuspecting opponent and taps him with the knife to execute a hit but only at the venue's discretion. The eliminated player should leave the field of play after being released by the attacking player by silently raising his red rag. In this case, the eliminated player cannot shout 'hit' to allow the stealth 'ninja' to move to his next attack.

Physical contact

Holding or man-handling other players on the field of play is prohibited. One is not supposed to either grab them by their gear or equipment, such as guns. This also includes the excessive shooting of other players or the use of foul language. Show respect to other players and their property.

Play-styles

Team Death-Match (TDM)

Arguably one of the most common airsoft playstyle which involves two teams competing to acquire the most kills on their opponents. Before starting the game, the teams must ensure they both have equal numbers. Secondly, the teams should be on the opposite ends of the field, all working towards eliminating most of the opposing team before being hit.

Individual Death-Match or Free For All

Contrary to the TDM playstyle, Individual Death-Match has no teams. Here, every man is on his own eliminating any player that comes in sight intending to become the last man standing. Most players prefer the TDM because of it lasts longer and the idea comradeship rather than free for all, which is usually short and fast-paced.

Close-Quarter Battle (C.Q.B)

The C.Q.B style of play is also known as close-quarter combat, which is also a standard game among airsoft players. Just as the name applies, close quarters, CQB is played in a very tight environment such as a warehouse with sharp turns or blind corners. It is majorly played in an indoor arena. CQB involves extreme fast-paced movements, and due to this, the game lasts on for about 5 to 30 minutes. Therefore, a player not used to the indoor course might need to change his or her tactics and movements to accommodate the style of play.

The main aim of CQB is to be fast and increase efficiency; therefore, players need to offload the unnecessary weight such as large load-outs, helmets, and pads. Although such gear is useful as a safety precaution, the short lifespan of the game makes it needless.

Military Simulations (Milsims)

Imagine this, it's in the middle of the night so dark you can hardly see a thing located in some army base where some of the best soldiers are made. The entire day you have been firing magazine into enemy territory, you are tired, hungry and most likely shivering due to the cold of the night. You manage to crawl back to the safe zone to get some sleep, and as soon as you decide to doze off, then you hear the sound of BB's cracking through objects and blank grenades exploding. Take cover! Take cover! That's Milsim for you.

Milsim is intended to provide airsoft enthusiasts with the ultimate military experience while using airsoft guns. Unlike other forms of airsoft skirmishes that heavily rely on tactics, skill, and patience, Milsim integrates real military battlefields and authentic combat-specific intentions.

Capture the Flag (C.T.F)

Also referred to as capture the intelligence, CTF is another favorite game among airsoft players. In this style of play, players can either provide an actual flag or a symbolic flag as long as it is physical and can be captured. To start with, players have to divide themselves into teams, with each side having its home base where the flag will be positioned for all to see and reach.

The goal of this game is for the team to capture the opponent's flag first before the capture yours or when a member of the team brings back their flag to the home base. While sending players to capture the opponent's flag, a team must ensure others are left behind to protect their flag.

Typically Needed Equipment

For you to take part in airsoft you will need the necessary equipment to take part in the sport. Besides the tactical weapons that we see first when watching airsoft skirmishes, there is the protective gear that most barely notice until you enter the field of play. Therefore, there are two categories of equipment that we will talk about in detail to ensure you are well prepared before you start firing those BBs.

Protective Equipment

Airsoft is a full adrenaline sport that involves running, falling on the ground, or crawling. Such engagements demand players to mind their safety first before enjoying the sport. Eye protection comes as one of the most essential precautions before participating in any airsoft skirmish to avoid getting your eyes damaged by fast traveling BBs. Get yourself some glasses or goggles or better still the full face mask. If you cannot afford the full face mask, acquire a half-face mask, which usually has a metal mesh. This also protects your teeth and the entire mouth area.

Other forms of protective gear include helmets, to avoid any head injuries; boots, advisably those with huge ankle support to protect you from ankle injuries with a common in airsoft; gloves, besides keeping you warm in cold conditions, they will protect you from abrasive surfaces such as thorny trees.

Tactical Equipment

It obviously goes without saying that you need an airsoft gun, which usually depends on a player's budget, playstyle, or environment. Airsoft guns come in three forms: the spring-powered gun, gas-powered and Automatic Electric Gas (AEGs). 

Secondly, you will need ammo, which comes in the form of ball bullets (BBs), which are small plastic pellets. They come in different weights. Therefore the more powerful your weapon, the heavier the BBs you will need.

Body armor and ammo storage is another tactical apparatus a player might require to increase the amount of weaponry you can carry at one time. These come in the form of vests, plate carriers, and chest rigs. Vests have several pockets and pouches which carry magazines, grenades, or pistols for convenience and easy access. 

To improve your general performance in airsoft, it essential for a player to ascertain what his or her requirements are to make it easier to select your weapon and other equipment and also boost logical thinking in decision-making.

Conclusion

Do you fancy a sport that involves simulated gun combat while using Realistic Imitation Fire (RIF)? Look no further, airsoft is just the game for you. Although similar to paintball in terms of organized teams which group themselves and fire at each other just for fun. However, airsoft slightly differs from paintball in that airsoft mainly focuses on military simulation and the use of RIFs, which look close to real guns, unlike paintball markers, which seem less real. Besides, airsoft players are more dedicated in terms of military apparel such as helmets, tactical vests, and belts to look more practical.

Where to get all the needed stuff: