Since officially opening up our Airsoft section last year we are often asked why so many of the guns we stock are Red, Blue or Green especially by those used to Airguns. Here at Drapers Gun Centre we want to expand into all different forms of shooting while making sure our current customer base can also enjoy all that it brings along with us, to help with this we've listed a few common questions we often get asked about our Airsoft section.

How are Airsoft Guns Powered?

Unlike Airguns, Airsoft guns are powered through a few different means. While there is the standard Spring, CO2 and Compressed Air like Airguns, many Airsoft guns are powered by Green Gas, or Red Gas in the colder months, this works much like CO2 but is usually filled in the bottom of the magazine in a similar fashion to a standard butane lighter. Another common method of powering Airsoft Guns is AEG or Airsoft Electric Guns these run off of Battery Power commonly 7.4v Lipos, these batteries are fixed to the gun with either a Tamiya or Deans connection (It is important to know which batteries your rifle takes before purchasing an AEG as many higher end guns will not be supplied with their own).

Why Two-Tone?

According to the Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2006 (VCRA) any Realistic Imitation Firearm can only be sold to those with the appropriate licence such as a UKARA licence but don’t worry for those of you that are not planning on getting a UKARA or wish to buy your own airsoft guns before getting a UKARA any Imitation Firearm that has at least 51% of it coloured a “Non-Gun” colour (aka transparent, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright blue, bright green, bright pink, or bright purple). Here at Drapers Gun Centre we offer a wide range of Two Tone or Non UKARA Airsoft Guns from Pistols to Rifles, and for those of you wanting to get into skirmishing don’t be afraid Two Tone does not always mean back garden plinking with many of our offerings being available in both Two Tone and Real Steel colours.

What is a UKARA Licence?

A UKARA Licence is The United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association, it was formed in response to the 2006 Violent Crime Reduction bill to enable a safe method of selling Realistic Imitation Firearms (RiF's) to the UK Airsoft player market by confirming the eligibility of purchasers. Player registration is free, to become a registered airsoft player you are required to take part in Three games at the same UKARA registered game site over a minimum of two months, e.g. the third game being 56 days or more after the first.

You must be over 18 years of age, live within the UK and able to provide identification such as Passport, Drivers Licence or Bank Statement.

Is there a power limit?

Unlike Airguns, Airsoft guns measure their power in FPS and Joules rather than Foot Pounds. Their legality can change from skirmish site to skirmish site and while the limit for an automatic is 1.3 Joules and 2.5 for everything else each skirmish site will set their own limits. Most sites will limit AEGs to 150 FPS , DMRs to 300 FPS , Snipers to 500 FPS but this can vary.

We hope this week's post has been able to answer a few of the more common questions that we get here at Drapers Gun Centre but if you do have a question about Airsoft that wasn’t covered don’t hesitate to phone up or ask one of our friendly staff members in store.