Beginners Guide

Introduction

Airsoft skirmishing, often referred to as simply ‘airsoft’, is a live combat simulation in which ...

Hop up

Any good airsoft replica is fitted with hop up. This clever mechanism is a chamber which forces a...

Magazines

Airsoft replicas can be fitted with standard or mid capacity magazines, which feed 60-150 bb’s, (...

Batteries

The stock or fore grip of an AEG usually contains the battery. The physical size of the cells in...

Ammunition

Most skirmish quality ammo (BBs) is similar but you must always use skirmish quality ammo that ca...

Upgrades

Most airsoft replicas can be fitted with internal upgrades which may enhance the durability, rate...

Your first replica

You don’t need a replica right away and won’t be able to buy one right away either. We suggest ...

Safety in the home

If you’ve bought an airsoft replica, you are going to be keen to get it out of the box and loaded...

Eye and face protection

Your primary concern, the first item you should buy, is a face mask. Mesh goggles consist of a ...

Boots

It is advisable to pick up a pair of army issue assault boots, perhaps from a surplus store. Sold...

Clothing

For you first few games a dark coloured hoodie and some old jeans will be sufficient, but the b...

Load Carrying Equipment

Probably the most complex item to select outside of which replica to choose would be your LCE, or...

Other kit

Wearing a pair of gloves is a good idea as it hurts when you get shot on the hand, cheap ones wil...

Going to a game

First, find an airsoft site to go to. There are many excellent directories out there, which can e...

Typical game day

So it’s a Sunday morning, and you are off to your first game. This is the most important step y...

Site safety

Never load your replica in the safe zone, and always wear goggles when in the playing area. Marsh...

Types of replicas

There are 4 main types of airsoft replica available, known as spring, electric, gas and high pres...

Costs

Surprisingly, airsoft is a relatively cheap hobby to get involved in, especially when compared to...

Basic rules

The core of airsoft is honesty. When you are ‘dead’ you count as having been killed or incapacita...

Does it hurt?

One of the first things people want to know about airsoft is how much it hurts. The amount of pa...

Fitness

A good standard of fitness in airsoft will certainly help you to win games. There are many people...

Scenarios

Airsoft games are limited only by the game organiser’s imagination. They can range from live ac...

Airsoft playing sites

Organised game areas are almost unlimited in their scope and terrain. Traditional ‘woodland’ site...

Airsoft shops

There are many dedicated airsoft retailers in the UK, some focus on on-line sales and others have...

Players

Players often casually affiliate themselves with their local site and also form teams who play an...

Online resources

Another important part of the UK airsoft community is the web. There are half a dozen large web f...

Global airsoft

The honour based and high tech game of airsoft unsurprisingly came from Japan. In the 70’s they s...

Buying airsoft replicas and the law

Chances are you are very keen to buy an airsoft replica (if you have not done so already).  In 20...

Power limits and the law

In England, Wales and Scotland, with the commencement of the Policing and Crime Act 2017, the Fir...

Other applicable laws

Most importantly to us skirmishers, it is an offence to brandish a replica firearm in a public pl...

Summary and credits

Congratulations on making it to the end of this guide! To take the next step into airsoft skir...