Basics of Airsoft
Airsoft is the large category containing replica guns that fire 6mm plastic and metal coated BB's. They are incredibly popular in Japan, often compared to the popularity of paintball in the U.S. They are also popular with paintball fans who want to play with something a little more real looking than paintball guns. Now, contrary to popular belief, Airsoft is American. It was invented by Daisy Air Guns, when they chambered a model of a pelet gun that was modeled loosely after a Beretta 92 in 6mm and called it a Soft Air gun, a term sometimes used today. But, it truely took off in Japan, and U.S. companies followed after it's boom.
Why go with Airsoft?
To put it bluntly, most people will go with one reason: authenticity. Paintball guns were made for playing. Nothing more. You can tell by the alien look of the guns. But Airsoft is more realistically modeled. Some guns even use the same molds as the real steel (the real gun) models. Also, unlike paintball, Airsoft will not leave huge bruises where you are hit, although this is a trade-off: Airsoft hits are much more sharp in pain than Paintball. But, they do not hurt much unless you get hit on bare skin or close with a pwoerful gun (400 FPS or higher, usually).
Ok. I'm convinced. Now, what do I need to know to start?
Well, it depends. But generally, here is what you need to start playing competition airsoft, called skirmishing:
Spring Starter:
A Spring Pistol or Rifle (the UHC Beretta 92 or the UHC MP-5 SD3 are great starter guns, especially for skirmishes.)
Ammo for your gun. Usually you'll want .12g BB's, one of the lighest and cheapest. But some guns, including the UHC Beretta 92 and MP-5 SD3 will use .2g BB's. Buy accordingly.
Eye Protection. Paintball masks will do well, but it is easier to use rifles with safety goggles, which are harder to find. Look around for cheaper goggles, or if you can get ballistic goggles (the ones SF teams use), those will do, too.
Gas Weapons:
A Gas Weapon. A pistol is a better secondary, since it usually gets the same performance of a spring rifle. But the gas rifles are very good primaries, since they are semi (sometime full) auto and more accurate since they are rifles.
Ammo for your Gun. Get .2g or .25g BB's.
Gas for your gun. Get the right power: too powerful of a gas will destroy your gun. All guns will take HFC-134, or Green Gas, but only select guns will take HFC-22, or Top Gas. Check with your retailer to find out your gun's max gas.
Eye Protection: Refer to Spring Weapon Section
Automatic Electric Guns (Starting Cost about $300-$400):
An AEG. There is a wide selection. Pick the model you like most, as most models differ only by cost and appearance. Some are naturally better at things than others. Online and magazine reviews will help you find out about natural talents AEG's have.
Charger. There are basic chargers that work almost like a RC car charger. They plug into an outlet and take about one night to charge. More expensive chargers will charge in about 10-15 minutes safely, and will usually have a discharger to keep your battery's max charge high. You need to buy a discharger if you buy the basic charger, since AEG batteries are memory batteries.
Ammo for your gun: Again, .2g or .25g. is preferable.
Eye Protection. Refer to Spring Weapons for more info.