Airsoft weapons ?

[projectPONY]

What are these things used for? are they training tools? my son is infatuated with these things. every time we walk into a sporting goods store I have to pry him out of the store. with me being a former Marine, I have a lot of respect for weapons, and I've shot my fair share of them while I was in but I have no idea if these things are even appropriate for him since he is only going on 8yrs old. I did notice on some of them the round/pellet travels at 330fps, and that to me would leave a real nice mark if not draw some blood at close range. what do you guys think?

[BradM]

I'd stick to nerf unless you plan on him only being able to use it in your presence.

[Brandon-k]

What are these things used for? are they training tools? my son is infatuated with these things. every time we walk into a sporting goods store I have to pry him out of the store. with me being a former Marine, I have a lot of respect for weapons, and I've shot my fair share of them while I was in but I have no idea if these things are even appropriate for him since he is only going on 9yrs old. I did notice on some of them the round/pellet travels at 330fps, and that to me would leave a real nice mark if not draw some blood at close range. what do you guys think?

They are toys, that hurt a lot unless you're wearing a couple of layers. Really popular in GB and Japan.

[GhostTX]

...Really popular in GB and Japan.

About a close as they'll ever get to a home gun ownership...

[John -- '02 HAWK]

It a non messy version of paintball and much more war oriented. I thinks it healthy hes 9, and interested in guns and not barbie. Its the adult airsofters that weird me out.

Have you done any gun education with him?

[LANTIRN]

Honestly in my opinion you are better off starting him off with BB / Pellet guns and moving up to a .22 and then on from there. Airsoft just seems pointless and a waste of money. Paintball is fun and that might be something to get into, but little plastic BBs just seem pointless to me.

[whitetrash]

airsoft is just a good drunken war game

[pHILSANITY07]

lol my dad uses an airsoft gun to shoot at squirrels that keep messing with his tomato plants, also gives him something to do at nights lol

[pHILSANITY07]

airsoft is just a good drunken war game

x2

[Cobraman]

Airsoft is great. I got my first bb gun and soon realized Airsoft was the way to go. 330fps won't draw blood, but you will sure know you've been hit. My buddies and I got hours of fun out of battles in the backyard. Even for close range target shooting Airsoft guns are much easier to shoot ( all spring operated, handguns only need the slide cocked to fire vs. Pumping a bb gun) and you don't have to worry about plastic bb's going through a fence. I bought an electric Airsoft m16 for $50 that could fire all 30 rounds in a matter of seconds. That was an awesome thing as a kid.

[BradM]

I took an assault report with a 10 year old who shot a 7 year old with an airsoft gun. My Sgt made me up it to Aggravated Assault because they can put an eye out. Also, 330 fps is as much or more than a cheap daisy air rifle. Be prepared to pay for a lot of broken shit if he is careless.

[Cobraman]

I took an assault report with a 10 year old who shot a 7 year old with an airsoft gun. My Sgt made me up it to Aggravated Assault because they can put an eye out. Also, 330 fps is as much or more than a cheap daisy air rifle. Be prepared to pay for a lot of broken shit if he is careless.

330fps with a .17 caliber lead bb is MUCH different that with a 1gram plastic bb. My co2 powered Airsoft handgun ( 400fps) couldn't even put a hole in a coke can from 5yrds. The bb's will just break. He won't shoot anything he can hurt/break.

[Cobraman]

Buy him one. It's a good tool to teach resposibility and gun safety without being able to harm/damage anyone/thing. Walmart sells 2-3 that shoot 250fps and electric ones that are less than that.

[projectPONY]

all very good points and great things to consider. what about paintball guns? most of the ones I see in the stores look to be pretty serious weapons that probably will hurt if not wearing the proper gear. is there anything out there geared more for younger kids?

on a side note, he's already mentioned that for his bday, in Nov., he wants a paintball party. hell, he was glued to the TV the other day watching that new show Gunsmoke on Discovery.

[projectPONY]

330fps with a .17 caliber lead bb is MUCH different that with a 1gram plastic bb. My co2 powered Airsoft handgun ( 400fps) couldn't even put a hole in a coke can from 5yrds. The bb's will just break. He won't shoot anything he can hurt/break.

so let me see if I get this right. an Airsoft is capable of firing a lead bb or a plastic bb??