You have seen the kit, heard rumours maybe, and wondered what it is all about, so what exactly is Airsoft skirmishing and how do you get into it?

The Games

In simple terms, Airsoft Skirmishing is a combat based game played using Airsoft guns. It’s similar to paintball in that players shoot projectiles at each other, but that is where the similarity ends.  Airsoft games are generally played in a manner similar to first person shooter games with 2 teams pitched against each other battling over a common or individual objective.

Game scenarios can be short, or long and complicated with multiple objectives, much of it is down to the style of play the players and marshals running the games want. Some prefer short sharp quickly finished games with lots of fast paced action while others prefer being out in the field for much longer, sneaking up to objectives, using cover and the lay of the land. Neither is better than the other, they are just different.  You also have a difference between woodland and urban or CQB (close quarters battle) sites.

Honesty Is All

With paintball it’s easy to see if somebody has been hit as they have paint all over them, Airsoft is different as the ammo (6mm plastic BB’s), don’t break on impact and leave a discernable mark. The whole Airsoft game is based on honesty and honour, you get hit and feel or hear the shot and you declare it. The system works extremely well, players soon get into the habit of playing fairly and fit right in. One reason the honour system works so well in Airsoft is the way players for the most part re-gen when hit. Just as in computer games, once hit players fall back to a re-spawn point and join back in the game as a new troop. Standing in a ‘dead zone’ and watching others have a good time isn’t what Airsoft is all about.

Anybody that has played paintball knows it hurts…a lot! Fist sized bruises are common as paintball guns run at approx 10ftlbs muzzle energy. I’m not saying Airsoft is pain free, as it isn’t, but the velocities in Airsoft are much lower, typically you won’t run up against an Airsoft gun above 1ftlb. As the velocities are much lower and the guns are deemed as non-lethal we have the advantage of being able to use full auto guns as well.

It’s All In The Game

Airsoft is all about the experience you are having; it’s not about winning (although it’s always nice to be on the winning team) it’s about the all-enveloping experience you have while playing. For some people it’s the camaraderie, for some it’s the intense combat experience and there is always the kit and equipment that enhances that. There is no right or wrong rig to wear, it’s what you are happy wearing, some mimic their favourite film, some a favourite computer game or the camo and gun of a chosen country. If there is a real steel gun out there you can pretty much guarantee there is an Airsoft copy somewhere so there is a wide variety and something for everyone.

How Do You Get Into Airsoft?

There are about 150 Airsoft sites in the UK, offering a variety of woodland and urban games. Just get yourself down to a site, rent some kit to start with and have a go. If you think it’s the hobby for you (be warned, it’s quite addictive) you need to get a site membership before you can buy a realistic imitation firearm. In Oct 2007 the powers that be banned the importation manufacture and sale of RIF’s with the Violent Crime Reduction Act, but there are several exemptions and defences against the VCR Act, one of them being Airsoft skirmishing. The Home Office approved UK standard membership criteria is that you must have played at least 3 games in a period of more than 2 months before you will be offered membership, so you need to show commitment to the sport before you can buy the kit.

Anybody over 18 could purchase a 2-tone Airsoft gun to get into skirmishing without renting equipment; they are exactly the same as the realistic counterpart but must be predominantly a bright colour. If you turn up at an Airsoft site with a 2 tone, expect to be asked to temporarily cover it during play to maintain the realism of Airsoft - and also to make you less of a target. 

How Much?

The cost of a new hobby always causes concern for many, but luckily Airsoft Skirmishing doesn’t have to be expensive, the fee for a walk on player with all their own equipment is approx £20-£25 a day and for a hire package £40-£45. With ammunition costing around £7 for 3000 you can shoot to your hearts content without the fear of a huge bill at the end of the day. Players can kit themselves up with everything they need for £200 and upwards, like any sport, you can spend as much as you have spare, but it doesn’t have to be expensive for those on a limited budget.

So there you have it, get out on the skirmish field, make some new friends and keep fit having a fantastic day without breaking the wallet.

You have seen the kit, heard rumours maybe, and wondered what it is all about, so what exactly is Airsoft skirmishing and how do you get into it?

The Games

In simple terms, Airsoft Skirmishing is a combat based game played using Airsoft guns. It’s similar to paintball in that players shoot projectiles at each other, but that is where the similarity ends.  Airsoft games are generally played in a manner similar to first person shooter games with 2 teams pitched against each other battling over a common or individual objective.

Game scenarios can be short, or long and complicated with multiple objectives, much of it is down to the style of play the players and marshals running the games want. Some prefer short sharp quickly finished games with lots of fast paced action while others prefer being out in the field for much longer, sneaking up to objectives, using cover and the lay of the land. Neither is better than the other, they are just different.  You also have a difference between woodland and urban or CQB (close quarters battle) sites.

Honesty Is All

With paintball it’s easy to see if somebody has been hit as they have paint all over them, Airsoft is different as the ammo (6mm plastic BB’s), don’t break on impact and leave a discernable mark. The whole Airsoft game is based on honesty and honour, you get hit and feel or hear the shot and you declare it. The system works extremely well, players soon get into the habit of playing fairly and fit right in. One reason the honour system works so well in Airsoft is the way players for the most part re-gen when hit. Just as in computer games, once hit players fall back to a re-spawn point and join back in the game as a new troop. Standing in a ‘dead zone’ and watching others have a good time isn’t what Airsoft is all about.

Anybody that has played paintball knows it hurts…a lot! Fist sized bruises are common as paintball guns run at approx 10ftlbs muzzle energy. I’m not saying Airsoft is pain free, as it isn’t, but the velocities in Airsoft are much lower, typically you won’t run up against an Airsoft gun above 1ftlb. As the velocities are much lower and the guns are deemed as non-lethal we have the advantage of being able to use full auto guns as well.

It’s All In The Game

Airsoft is all about the experience you are having; it’s not about winning (although it’s always nice to be on the winning team) it’s about the all-enveloping experience you have while playing. For some people it’s the camaraderie, for some it’s the intense combat experience and there is always the kit and equipment that enhances that. There is no right or wrong rig to wear, it’s what you are happy wearing, some mimic their favourite film, some a favourite computer game or the camo and gun of a chosen country. If there is a real steel gun out there you can pretty much guarantee there is an Airsoft copy somewhere so there is a wide variety and something for everyone.

How Do You Get Into Airsoft?

There are about 150 Airsoft sites in the UK, offering a variety of woodland and urban games. Just get yourself down to a site, rent some kit to start with and have a go. If you think it’s the hobby for you (be warned, it’s quite addictive) you need to get a site membership before you can buy a realistic imitation firearm. In Oct 2007 the powers that be banned the importation manufacture and sale of RIF’s with the Violent Crime Reduction Act, but there are several exemptions and defences against the VCR Act, one of them being Airsoft skirmishing. The Home Office approved UK standard membership criteria is that you must have played at least 3 games in a period of more than 2 months before you will be offered membership, so you need to show commitment to the sport before you can buy the kit.

Anybody over 18 could purchase a 2-tone Airsoft gun to get into skirmishing without renting equipment; they are exactly the same as the realistic counterpart but must be predominantly a bright colour. If you turn up at an Airsoft site with a 2 tone, expect to be asked to temporarily cover it during play to maintain the realism of Airsoft - and also to make you less of a target. 

How Much?

The cost of a new hobby always causes concern for many, but luckily Airsoft Skirmishing doesn’t have to be expensive, the fee for a walk on player with all their own equipment is approx £20-£25 a day and for a hire package £40-£45. With ammunition costing around £7 for 3000 you can shoot to your hearts content without the fear of a huge bill at the end of the day. Players can kit themselves up with everything they need for £200 and upwards, like any sport, you can spend as much as you have spare, but it doesn’t have to be expensive for those on a limited budget.

So there you have it, get out on the skirmish field, make some new friends and keep fit having a fantastic day without breaking the wallet.