The guns used in airsoft are typically imitation firearms. They have a mechanism for pushing out projectiles 6 mm or 8 mm in diameter.

Airsoft guns are classified according to their operating principle, which can be spring, electric, or gas-powered. Some companies produce full replicas of counterpart grenade launchers which fire a projectile spray of 6mm pellets by use of a high-powered spring mechanism. These grenade launchers can be mounted onto specific types of airsoft guns or used by themselves. Most early airsoft guns were made entirely out ofABS plastic except for some internal moving parts. Newer guns, especially those made in Taiwan and China, have metalinternal and external parts. Japan has specific rules about producing airsoft with metal parts. A typical airsoft gun is noticeably lighter than its “real steel” counterpart due to the use of aluminum, alloy, and plastic, though some have weights in them for a more realistic feel. Smoke caps are available for certain airsoft guns to add realism.

Gas hand gun magazines usually contain 10 to 20 BB’s in a standard capacity magazine; however, some are high capacity magazines which have a winder and can hold 50 rounds or more. In the case of AEG rifles, magazines come in either real-capacity (equivalent to the capacity of its real steel counterpart), low-capacity (low caps: 30-80 BB’s), mid-capacity (mid caps: 80-150 BB’s), or high-capacity (high caps: 200+ BB’s). These magazines are spring loaded. The high-cap magazines often have a ratchet wheel that can be wound up periodically to force BB’s up from the holding chamber of the magazine to the feed chute. Due to loose BB’s in the reservoir, they often make a rattling noise when running or walking. Some airsoft guns have an electric-powered box or drum magazine that holds thousands of BB’s.

Hop-Up

The “Hop-Up” system, which is installed in most stock airsoft rifles and pistols, is used to add extra range to the pellets by putting a backspin on each as it is fired. A small rubber nub protrudes into the top of the barrel through a small hole, and it catches the top of the BB as it flies past. Adjusting the Hop-Up makes the nub protrude lower or higher into the barrel, so that backspin is increased or reduced. Ideally, the Hop-Up should be adjusted so that the pellets fly as far as possible in a straight line. The Hop-Up adjustment is usually relatively easy to access so that players can adjust it during play. On the majority of airsoft guns, it is located underneath the in-built bolt cover, but sometimes it is only accessible by using an Allen key.

Airsoft projectiles

Most airsoft guns fire spherical plastic pellets ranging from 0.12 to 0.88 grams in weight. However, the most popular weights for AEG’s are between .20 and .28 grams. Heavier rounds (.30-.48 grams) are typically used for long range and sniper use since they are more stable in flight and less easily deflected by wind. They are usually bought in bags or bottles of 2,000 to 5,000, but other sizes are available. Pellets are typically 6 mm in diameter, though 8 mm pellets do exist. These pellets are available in the .27 to .45 gram range.

Clothing

Most players, especially those participating in MilSims, wear military clothing consisting of various forms of camouflage. Some players, usually snipers or marksmen, will even weara ghillie suit to break up the human outline by having sticks, leaves, and similar items in the fabric or netting as well as its own camouflage leafing material all over it. Aside from the advantage of camouflage, some participants aim to faithfully replicate a specific combat unit such as the SAS, Spetsnaz, or police.

In some countries, such as the Philippines, airsoft players are not legally allowed to wear official uniforms. In Sweden, for example, it is illegal to wear both rank insignia and Swedish flags on civilian uniforms. It has become popular among Swedish civilians and airsoft players to wear only the upper garment or the pants, but not both.

When not wearing full paintball-type face masks, many players wear protective clothing around their head such as a balaclava, scarves or Shemaghs, or military-style helmets. Other players will cut off half of their face masks to allow them to aim down the sights of their weapons more easily because the mask gets in the way. Players generally wear combat or hiking boots (not just ordinary athletic shoes) for safety in harsh terrain. They also wear padded gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and tactical vests for additional protection and realism, in addition to practical reasons such as carrying equipment and ammunition. Airsoft teams will often use custom patches or hats to identify members of the team that they are on.

Tactical Equipment

Players wear tactical clothing and accessories for added realism and practical needs similar to those of a real soldier. The most common are holsters for side arms, load bearing vests,and modular rigs. Many players also use a hydration system. Equipment for real world soldiers is also often used in airsoft games, such as reflex sights, red-dot scopes, flashlights, Pica-tinny rails, Weaver rails, and mock sound suppressors. Many Mil-Sim players choose to wear real equipment, and, in some cases, real ballistic protective armor. This can raise the price of the game considerably.

Camouflage is an integral part of airsoft. Ghillie suits and face paint are sometimes worn. Many games are also organized or limited by a camouflage type.