Editing Airsoft (section)

== Equipment ==
{{Main|Airsoft gun}}

[[File:ca m15a4.jpg|thumb|Classic Army [[M4A1 Carbine]] AEG with Aimpoint Comp M2 Replica Red dot sight]]
The guns used in airsoft are typically classified as imitation firearms. They have a mechanism for shooting [[Airsoft pellets|projectiles 6&nbsp;mm or 8&nbsp;mm]] in diameter.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Airsoft BBs: All You Need To Know {{!}} Sizes, Weights, Types, Colors, and Information|url=https://highspeedbbs.com/about-airsoft-bb-ammo-sizes-weights-types-colors/|access-date=2020-10-15|website=High Speed BBs|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330032912/https://highspeedbbs.com/about-airsoft-bb-ammo-sizes-weights-types-colors/|archive-date=March 30, 2023}}</ref>

Airsoft guns are classified according to their operating principle, which can be spring-loaded, electric (battery-powered Automatic Electric Guns, Airsoft Electric Guns or "AEGs"), or gas-powered (if these have a blowback feature they are known as "GBBs").<ref>{{Cite web|title=Types of Airsoft Guns - All About Airsoft Guns|url=https://highspeedbbs.com/all-about-airsoft-guns-types-styles-facts-science/#___Types_of_Airsoft_Guns__|access-date=2020-10-15|website=High Speed BBs|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230426221932/https://highspeedbbs.com/all-about-airsoft-guns-types-styles-facts-science/%23___Types_of_Airsoft_Guns__|archive-date= April 26, 2023}}</ref> Some companies produce full replicas of counterpart [[grenade launcher]]s which fire a projectile spray of {{convert|6|mm}} pellets by use of a high-powered spring mechanism or a compressed gas propellant (i.e. green gas, propane, compressed air, or CO<sub>2</sub>). There is also a type of airsoft gun that is powered by a single (HPA) high-pressure [[Paintball equipment#High-pressure air or N2|air tank]] and a battery pack to power the internal FCU "Fire Control Unit" computer board. These guns are often known for their high and adjustable RPS or "Rounds Per Second" and durability.<ref>{{cite web |title=Polarstar RPS |url=http://miairsoft.proboards.com/thread/42566 |website=MIA-Michigan Airsoft |access-date=20 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928084509/http://miairsoft.proboards.com/thread/42566 |archive-date=28 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> These HPA replicas are most often referred to as "PolarStars", although this refers to a popular brand of HPA engines and accessories.

A typical airsoft gun is noticeably lighter than its "real steel" counterpart due to the use of [[aluminum alloy]] and plastic materials, though some have added weights in them for a more realistic feel. Japan has specific rules about producing airsoft guns with metal parts, while newer guns, especially those made in [[Taiwan]] and [[Mainland China]], have both internal and external parts that are metallic. Smoke caps, as well as noise amplifiers, are available for certain airsoft guns to add realism.

Gas handgun [[magazine (firearms)|magazine]]s usually contain 10 to 30 pellets in a standard-capacity magazine; however, some are high-capacity magazines and can hold 50 rounds or more. In the case of AEG rifles, magazines come in either real-capacity (equivalent to the 30-round capacity of its real steel counterpart), low-capacity (10-50 rounds), mid-capacity (75-160 rounds), or high-capacity (190+ rounds). These magazines have spring followers like in [[BB gun]]s. The high-cap magazines often have a ratchet wheel that can be wound up periodically to force pellets up from the holding chamber of the magazine to the feeding chute. Due to loose pellets in the reservoir, they often make a rattling noise when running or walking. Some airsoft guns have a battery-powered [[box magazine|box]] or [[drum magazine]] that holds thousands of pellets, but these are usually only used and allowed on LMGs (light machine gun) type replicas.

It is common for owners to "tech" (modify) their guns. The majority of [[gearbox]]es are made to [[Tokyo Marui]] specifications and have [[aftermarket (merchandise)|aftermarket]] upgrade parts available commercially. Some gearboxes are proprietary in design. It is also possible to perform [[DIY]] modifications.

=== Hop-up ===
{{Main|Hop-up (airsoft)}}
The "hop-up" system, which is installed in most stock airsoft rifles and pistols, is used to increase [[effective range]]s by putting [[backspin]] on the pellets. The [[Magnus effect]] causes the pellets to experience more [[lift (force)|lift]] as they are shot, counteracting against gravity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abbeysupply.com/blog/The_Science_Behind_How_An_Airsoft_Hop-Up_Works.html|title=The Science Behind How An Airsoft Hop-Up Works|date=12 October 2018|publisher=Abbey Supply|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112153255/https://www.abbeysupply.com/blog/The_Science_Behind_How_An_Airsoft_Hop-Up_Works.html|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A small rubber nub protrudes into the top of the barrel through a small hole, and it catches the top of the pellet as it moves past. Adjusting the hop-up makes the nub more or less protrude 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 without curving upward too far or dropping too quickly. Hop-Up does decrease the [[muzzle velocity]] (a gun firing {{convert|340|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} with the hop fully unwound can drop to as low as {{convert|300|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}). Ease and location of adjustment vary by gun design; some equipment provides a control that can be adjusted quickly during gameplay, while others may require partial disassembly. For example, a common location for Hop-Up adjustment is where the ejection port would be on a real firearm, which allows the machine to be covered while still allowing quick access to adjust the Hop-Up.

=== Customization ===
Some players customize their airsoft guns, either to improve performance or for purely aesthetic reasons. Additions include scopes, fore-grips, and flashlights, [[red dot sights]] being the most commonly used. Red dot sights are used to help aim, fore-grips are used to get a better grip on the airsoft gun, and flashlights (whether mounted or held in another hand) are used to illuminate dark areas and/or to blind opponents.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://airsoft-facts.com/airsoft-equipment-1 |title=Airsoft Equipment |website=airsoft-facts.com |access-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182608/http://airsoft-facts.com/airsoft-equipment-1 |archive-date=7 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Even though in certain countries lasers are illegal, they are popular attachments in the U.S. and Europe. [[List of laser applications#Laser sight|Laser sights]] are more for their appearance than any practical effect, largely because they must be weak enough not to carry a risk of damaging another player's eyesight, which rules out using any laser powerful enough to produce a visible dot on the target in sunlight (although lasers can be useful for night games).

Also available are "mock [[silencer (firearms)|suppressors/silencers]]". These resemble the actual firearm accessory that dampens sound. Since Airsoft does not use [[Gunpowder|combustibles]] for propulsion these usually serve no function. Although there are models that function to "light up" a glow-in-the-dark BB using UV light similar to a [[tracer round]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airsoftranch.com/how-does-an-airsoft-tracer-unit-work-helpful-guide/|title = How does an Airsoft Tracer Unit work? &#91;Helpful Guide&#93;|date = 24 July 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927152031/https://airsoftranch.com/how-does-an-airsoft-tracer-unit-work-helpful-guide/|archive-date= September 27, 2019}}</ref>