| Airsoft fans and paintballers are | | | | driven by high powered gas cylinders |
| devoted fans of their sports. Is one | | | | whereas airsoft guns fire projectiles |
| really better than the other? | | | | either through springs, electronic |
| This question is bound to stir debate | | | | firing mechanisms or with compressed |
| and controversy amongst the most ardent | | | | gas. The issue is that most airsoft guns |
| of airsoft or paintball fans. | | | | lack the range and accuracy of the |
| Both airsoft and paintball are both | | | | larger paintball guns simply because |
| hobbies based on replica firearms and | | | | they were never designed with long range |
| wargames. Is this unhealthy? That | | | | fire in mind. |
| depends moreso on the person themselves | | | | Conversely airsoft guns are available in |
| rather than the hobby. An interest in | | | | a huge range of styles and models. |
| pursuing a hobby that involves weaponry | | | | Everything from a Glock handgun to a |
| only becomes unhealthy if taken to | | | | sniper rifle to a CAR15 assault rifle. |
| extremes - which is true of most things | | | | Airsoft guns are equally at home hanging |
| in life. Paintball and airsoft are not | | | | in your livingroom or at use on the |
| morbid hobbies and only run the risk of | | | | airsoft playing field. You can even go |
| being dangerous when participated in by | | | | as far as buying an airsoft minigun. |
| dangerous people. | | | | Many airsoft fans simply collect the |
| Paintball itself is a more mobile sport. | | | | guns and never get involved in airsoft |
| It requires a certain level of physical | | | | wargames at all. This is the much the |
| fitness, mobility and skill - if you | | | | same as many sword collectors - they |
| paintball then you gotta be able to move | | | | display the weapons at home but don't go |
| fast. The weapons themselves are | | | | running around waving them at people. |
| functional and are only designed to | | | | The truth is that neither airsoft nor |
| serve the purpose of the sport as | | | | paintball is superior. They're both a |
| opposed to looking good. Paintball | | | | case of personal preference. If you're |
| rifles are designed to take a real | | | | the extreme sports type then paintball |
| beating when it comes to their use. | | | | will suit you more. If you're more of a |
| Paintball fans fall into the 'extreme | | | | collector then airsoft will be more you |
| sport' category and enjoy the pure | | | | thing. |
| adrenaline of each paintball match and | | | | Regardless of whether you're a paintball |
| are driven by the desire to win. | | | | fan or an airsoft fan it's essential to |
| Airsoft is a somewhat different sport. | | | | take proper safety precautions when |
| The guns used in airsoft are both | | | | using these guns. Proper eye protection |
| conversation pieces and are also | | | | in the form of safety goggles should |
| functional sports 'weapons'. Airsoft | | | | always be worn and suitable protective |
| rifles and pistols are capable of firing | | | | clothing to cover your neck and upper |
| both small plastic pellets and paint | | | | torso should also be worn. Even though |
| filled pellets so are useful both in the | | | | some people see these as guns as toys |
| sport itself and also for backyard | | | | they are capable of causing injury |
| target practice. | | | | either through accident or even |
| The major difference is the power of the | | | | deliberate malice. |
| guns themselves. Paintball guns are | | | | |