Q: How powerful are airsoft guns?

The legal limit for airsoft gun muzzle energy is defined by the home office as 1 Joule (330 feet per second with a 0.2g ball bullet). This is enough to leave a stinging welt at close range, but nothing more. For comparison, paintball guns typically fire at around 18 Joules. The law is slightly fuzzy and it is accepted that bolt action style sniper airsoft guns are allowed to fire at 500fps with a 0.2g ball bullet. However not all sites allow this and retailers are not allowed to sell guns at this power level.

Q: Does it hurt?

Try it and find out! Airsoft is nowhere near as painful as paintball. We’re not masochists or anything.

Q: How much does it cost?

Typically £15-£20 for a day (unless you are in central London), for walk on and play with your own equipment – sometimes includes lunch. Expect £35 for the day if you hire equipment. HOWEVER, we have a fleet of rental equipment for new players at bargain rental prices to save new players money. Check out the equipment section. If you are going in a University minibus expect a charge of £3-7 depending on distance. Ammo is about £8 per 3000 rounds.

Q: So these are just “BB guns” then?

A: Well, yes and no. BB gun, or ball bearing gun, is an American term for an Air Rifle that fires metal ball bearings at a power that can kill birds and small game. We’ve all seen the Simpsons episode where Bart kills the pigeon. In the UK, BB gun has come to mean cheap, nasty airsoft guns from market stalls (now illegal) which are not suitable for anything but annoying the police or putting someone’s eye out. Real airsoft guns are far superior and available from only registered airsoft retailers. The matter has been further confused by the fact that airsoft ammo are also called “BB’s” but in this case the acronym is for “ball bullets”. Air rifles are vastly more powerful than airsoft guns and are used for target shooting or hunting. NEVER shoot at someone with an air rifle, they are not toys and the unlucky target will end up in hospital or even dead.

Q: What is the VCRA and why can’t I buy an airsoft gun?

Airsoft guns fall under the category of Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIFs) and as such are strictly controlled by the government. As the Violent Crime Reduction Act (VCRA) is now law, since 1st October 2007 it has been an offence to buy, sell or manufacture airsoft guns (or any other type of replica firearm) in the UK without a specific exemption. Due to There are exemptions to the VCRA for Re-enactors, the Film Industry, and Airsofters. You must be able to prove you have the exemption.

Q: How do I become a registered airsofter then?

To prove you are an airsofter you must have signed record of having been airsoft skirmishing at the same site 3 times or more over a period of not less than 2 months. This is normally achieved by getting yourself a United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association (UKARA) database recognised site membership from an airsoft site or your choice. Just ask about site membership next time you are out and the site staff will be happy to explain their own membership scheme.

Q: Can my exemption expire?

Yep. If your UKARA database file is not queried (ie a purchase made, or shop visited) for 1 year, your exemption will be revoked.

Q: Is there anything I can buy without an exemption?

Yes. You are able to buy airsoft guns painted at least 50% in a bright colour as they no longer qualify as Realistic Imitation Firearms, but Imitation Firearms. HOWEVER, spray painting the gun a realistic colour is 'manufacturing a RIF' and is highly illegal without a VCRA exemption.

Q: My dad has a deactivated Sten gun at home that I think I can fit an AEG gearbox inside…

No! Modifying any deactivated firearm to fire airsoft ball bullets is classified as reactivating the firearm and is illegal even with a VCRA exemption

Q: Let’s make a mortar/ grenade launcher with pyros!

No! It is illegal to make any device that hurls an explosive device, or a device which utilises an explosive charge to hurl a projectile. Home-made mortars etc are strictly prohibited. Get a shower shell grenade launcher instead!

Q: I own a shotgun/rifle, can I buy an airsoft gun?

Against all reason having a valid UK Firearms Certificate or Shotgun Certificate does NOT qualify as an exemption to the VCRA, and airsoft guns cannot be registered on an FAC.

Where does Warwick AirSoc play?

There are a few local sites. Phoenix Urban, Phoenix Woodland and Close Action are all an hour’s drive away. Our closest, home site is Gunman Midlands, aka The Grange, just 10 mins from Uni (North of Kenilworth).

Q: What is hop up?

A rubber dimple on upper inside of the barrel which give the BB backspin. This gives it long range and a flat trajectory. Why airsoft guns have 3-4 time the range of paintball gun with a fraction of the power.

Q: Can I buy from overseas?

Yes but the VCRA complicates things – you must make very clear on the package that the contents is a RIF (not “toy”) and give all your contact and registration details (photocopied membership cards advised). Seek advice on one of the many internet forums or contact our Quartermaster. Expect to pay 50% on top of what you order for customs and duty, so you might not save money.

Q: Can you tell me something cool?

Ask Greg, he’ll know.