Eye protection is mandatory at any event for both players and spectators. The eye protection must be high impact rated, well fitted and and offer a good area of eye coverage – no gaps for stray BB’s to get through.

AWI promotes the mandatory wearing of full face masks for any player under the age of 18 or for any player attending a Close Quarters Battle (CQB) event.

If you are hiring gear you will be furnished with a safety mask. We recommend wearing a beanie, hat or hoody if you are concerned about head shots.

Generally you will feel and/or hear the BB hit you. If it is on bare skin you will feel a quick sting. This is lessened by clothing or tactical gear. The sound of a BB hitting tactical gear is quite distinctive. In some cases, if the BB were to hit a well padded area in the thick of a noisy firefight it may not be heard or felt. this is where it is up to the players to be extra honest or vigilant. If you think you may have been hit, call it. If you see another player clearly hit, call it out.

Airsoft is very similar to Paintball in that both sports use guns that fire projectiles to score a point by hitting an opposing player. Unlike Paintball, Airsoft guns fire smaller BB’s which do not contain paint and hit with a lot less force than a paintball.

It can do in some cases depending on where you are hit and the power and proximity of the gun. Generally, it you are hit on the bare skin you will feel a sting. This is more noticeable on skin over bone and less so on fleshy areas.

NOTE: If you have played paintball, a comparison would be that the BB’s hit with approximately 10-20% of the force of a paintball pellet.

BB’s will leave a mark like an itchy-bite which fades after a few days. We advise players to cover up when they first start playing Airsoft until they are use to being hit. Many veterans will play open field events in short, tee’s and safety specs as they are use to the hits or don’t get hit very often. If you don’t want to look like your had a wrestle with a hornets nest, cover up and wear full face protection!

Clubs limit the power and engagement distances of guns on the field to try to minimise discomfort.

Certainly! While Airsoft seems to attract more guys than gals, we find girls to be very good Airsoft players. Girls have a tendency to pay more attention to training and game rules which gives them a tactical advantage over their male opponents.

Many girls also feel a much greater need to prove themselves in a male dominated sport which gives them a fighting edge on the field.

Airsoft is also great for couples and families to play as it is a fun way to sort out any minor disputes or to gamble household chores on.

Yes, providing you are either:

• Over the age of 18, or
• Either 16 or 17 with a Firearms license

Yes they are. Many people do not realise that both Airsoft Guns and Paintball Markers are classified as firearms by NZ Firearms Law.  This means:

• they must be transported safely and out of site
• they cannot be displayed in public
• you have to be 18 or older (of 16-17 with a firearms license) to be allowed to own, transport or sell them

While the law does not currently require Airsoft and Paintball guns to be stored in a firearms safe, reasonable security precautions are expected.

Please note that these requirements also relate to the budget Airsoft guns sold at discount stores which are often marketed as though they are “toys”. The law make no allowance for the quality or cost of an Airsoft gun – all Airsoft guns are firearms.

Yes they are. Many people do not realise that both Airsoft Guns and Paintball Markers are classified as firearms by NZ Firearms Law. This means:

 

• they must be transported safely and out of site
• they cannot be displayed in public
• you have to be 18 or older (of 16-17 with a firearms license) to be allowed to own, transport or sell them

While the law does not currently require Airsoft and Paintball guns to be stored in a firearms safe, reasonable security precautions are expected. Please do not purchase discount store guns as toys for your children. They are firearms and must be treated as such unless you want the Police paying you a visit.

Some BB’s are and some aren’t. Non-Bio BB’s are a plastic like compound. Bio BB’s are made of either PLA, a corn based material the same as the new shopping bags, or other materials that are closely guarded secrets of the manufacturers.
No all field owners are fussed on whether players use Bio BB’s. We encourage players to opt for Bio BB’s when available.

MED stands for “Minimum Engagement Distance”. This is the closest you are permitted to be to another player and still be allowed to pull the trigger. As the BB’s are quite light weight the decelerate quickly. By allowing a certain distance between the shooter and the target we allow time for the BB to lose energy so it hits the target with less force. The more powerful the gun, the greater the MED. This works well with gaming as high powered guns are favoured by snipers who are trying to hit targets further away anyway.