Is Airsoft Better Than Paintball?
By Niall Roche, Thu Dec 8th

This question is bound to stir debate and controversy amongstthe most ardent of airsoft or paintball fans.

Both airsoft and paintball are both hobbies based on replicafirearms and wargames. Is this unhealthy? That depends moreso onthe person themselves rather than the hobby. An interest inpursuing a hobby that involves weaponry only becomes unhealthyif taken to extremes - which is true of most things in life.Paintball and airsoft are not morbid hobbies and only run therisk of being dangerous when participated in by dangerous people.

Paintball itself is a more mobile sport. It requires a certainlevel of physical fitness, mobility and skill - if you paintballthen you gotta be able to move fast. The weapons themselves arefunctional and are only designed to serve the purpose of thesport as opposed to looking good. Paintball rifles are designedto take a real beating when it comes to their use. Paintballfans fall into the 'extreme sport' category and enjoy the pureadrenaline of each paintball match and are driven by the desireto win.

Airsoft is a somewhat different sport. The guns used in airsoftare both conversation pieces and are also functional sports'weapons'. Airsoft rifles and pistols are capable of firing bothsmall plastic pellets and paint filled pellets so are usefulboth in the sport itself and also for backyard target practice.

The major difference is the power of the guns themselves.Paintball guns are driven by high powered gas cylinders whereasairsoft guns fire projectiles either through springs, electronicfiring mechanisms or with compressed

gas. The issue is that mostairsoft guns lack the range and accuracy of the larger paintballguns simply because they were never designed with long rangefire in mind.

Conversely airsoft guns are available in a huge range of stylesand models. Everything from a Glock handgun to a sniper rifle toa CAR15 assault rifle. Airsoft guns are equally at home hangingin your livingroom or at use on the airsoft playing field. Youcan even go as far as buying an airsoft minigun. Many airsoftfans simply collect the guns and never get involved in airsoftwargames at all. This is the much the same as many swordcollectors - they display the weapons at home but don't gorunning around waving them at people.

The truth is that neither airsoft nor paintball is superior.They're both a case of personal preference. If you're theextreme sports type then paintball will suit you more. If you'remore of a collector then airsoft will be more you thing.

Regardless of whether you're a paintball fan or an airsoft fanit's essential to take proper safety precautions when usingthese guns. Proper eye protection in the form of safety gogglesshould always be worn and suitable protective clothing to coveryour neck and upper torso should also be worn. Even though somepeople see these as guns as toys they are capable of causinginjury either through accident or even deliberate malice.

About the author:This article was written by Niall Roche and provided courtesy ofAirsoft-Guns-Guide.com where you can find lots of information oncheap airsoftguns.