Spring airsoft rifles are a safe yet realistic alternative to the real rifles they are modeled after, however spring airsoft rifles look and feel like the real thing. Spring airsoft rifles shoot 6 mm plastic BBs or paintballs instead of real ammunition or metal BBs making them an excellent alternative to the real rifle for use in simulations or training and for sport and leisure gaming.
Airsoft is a generic term used to describe any weapon that shoots plastic 6 mm round pellets or BBs. This ammunition is larger than conventional steel, copper, or other metal BBs which normally have a caliber of 4.5 mm. Typically, the BBs weigh .20 grams or heavier and are normally sold based on the weight of the pellet. In addition, airsoft weapons may be constructed to use a variety of propellant methods for shooting the plastic pellet including electric gear driven power boxes, gas, and spring action.
Most high quality spring airsoft rifles are exact replicas of their real counterparts. The gun body is even constructed of full jacketed metal and weighs the same as the original. This provides the most realistic training available while maintaining a much safer disposition to the weapon. In addition, realistic rifle accessories such as magnifying and non magnifying scopes and laser sights are also available maintaining the most realistic mock-up possible.
Airsoft guns are normally categorized based on whether they are handguns or rifles. Rifles are further categorized into three basic groups based on how the projectile is propelled, gas, electric, and spring. Although every model has its own unique list of specifications, as a general rule the muzzle velocity of a spring airsoft rifle is between an electric gear box driven model and a gas model.
Typical velocities for automatic electric gear box driven rifles range from approximately 200 to 380 Feet Per Second (FPS), while gas powered rifles average approximately 450 to 500 FPS (again, this is just an average as each model is different). Spring airsoft rifles typically range from about 350 to 450 FPS. Depending on the model, the shooting range of an airsoft spring rifle ranges from 70 – 250 feet, with most shotgun models at the lower end of the range and most sniper type rifles at the top.
Gas powered airsoft rifles may use CO2, Green Gas, or even propane to propel the plastic BBs out of the rifle. Spring airsoft rifles are powered by the potential energy stored in a spring by the user “coking back” the spring for each shot. The spring is attached to an airtight piston that is housed within a cylinder. When the trigger is pressed, the spring instantly transfers all of its potential energy into kinetic energy by releasing the piston which is pushed forward at a high rate of speed inside the cylinder. This causes the air within the cylinder to become high compressed, forcing the plastic BB forward out the barrel.
Some spring airsoft rifle models offer additional spring upgrades for purchase. These spring upgrades offer a higher tension spring which can store and release more energy. This in turn creates a projectile with a faster muzzle velocity (FPS) and a potentially longer distance range.
There are basically three types of spring airsoft rifles. Single shot rifles shoot single shots of BBs and simulate many of their real counterparts. Shotguns look and feel like their real counterparts, however instead of firing a spread of small BBs or “shot” like a real shotgun, they usually are made to fire one plastic BB. Sniper rifles, as their name implies, simulate the look and feel of their real high-powered counterparts.
Spring airsoft rifles offer an economical, safe alternative to real rifles. They allow the user to become comfortable with carrying and using the rifle while offering a safe alternative for target practice, training and simulations. Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as the U.S. Department of Defense use spring airsoft rifles for training and simulations.
If you are interested in purchasing a spring airsoft rifle or have addition questions concerning airsoft rifles and accessories, contact one of Security Camera King’s security experts today.