BB Gun

BB guns are a type of air gun designed to shoot projectiles called BB after the Birdshot pellet of approximately the same size. These projectiles are usually spherical but can also be pointed; those are usually used for bird hunting. Modern day BB guns usually have a smoothbore barrel, with a bore diameter and caliber of 0.177 inches (4.5 mm). BB for modern day BB guns are usually steel, plated either with zinc or copper to resist corrosion, and measure 0.171 to 0.173 inches (4.34 mm to 4.39 mm) in diameter. Some manufacturers also still make lead Ball bearings of slightly larger diameter and which are generally intended for use in rifled BB gun barrels, as were formerly used in BB guns. Some Asian companies make plastic BBs for recreation. BB gun barrels are .177 caliber.

Airsoft guns are also commonly referred to as BB guns or pellet guns, as they also shoot spherical projectiles through a smoothbore barrel. However, airsoft "BBs" are 6 mm in diameter (0.24 inches), made of plastic or other non-metallic materials, and are designed specifically to be non-lethal.

Safety

BB guns, just like any airgun, should be handled with extreme caution. Most commercial BB firing airguns guns can shoot beyond 200 ft/s (61 m/s). The popular Daisy Red Ryder fires about 280 ft/s (85 m/s); typical adult airguns are generally in the 300-450 ft/s range. Some commercial airguns (including BB and/or pellet guns) have the ability to fire considerably faster, even beyond 550 ft/s (170 m/s). Although claims are often exaggerated, a few airguns can actually fire a standard 0.177 lead pellet faster than 1000 ft/s (about 680 miles per hour), but these are generally not BB firing guns.

BB guns are not to be confused with airsoft guns, the latter of which are considerably lower energy and possess far less damage potential to humans. Note that a lead/steel .177 projectile fired above 350 ft/s (110 m/s) has skin piercing capability, and the potential can exist for delivering a fatal injury; this potential increases with velocity.

As a note, steel BBs are also very prone to ricochet, especially off of hard surfaces such as brick or concrete. Eye protection is essential when shooting BBs, more so than when shooting lead pellets, since a bouncing BB retains a very large portion of its initial energy (pellets usually flatten and absorb energy), and could easily cause serious eye damage up to and including blindness.

[edit]History

While it is often stated that "BB" stands for "ball bearing"or Bullet Ball (if its made of plastic), this is not the case.^[1] The original BB guns used the BB-sized lead shot for shotguns, midway between B and BBB size. BB shot was nominally 0.180 inches (4.57 mm), but tended to vary considerably in size due to the high allowable tolerances for shotgun shell use. Around 1900, Daisy, one of the earliest makers of BB guns, changed their BB gun bore diameter to .175 inches (4.45 mm), and began to market precision-made lead shot specifically for their BB guns. They called this "air rifle shot", but the "BB" name was already well established, and everyone continued calling the guns "BB guns" and the shot "BB shot" or just "BBs".

In the 1920s, Daisy began to receive reports of BB gun users salvaging scrap steel ball bearings for use in their guns; a number of guns came in for repair with split barrels, from oversized steel balls being forced down the barrel. The bearing manufacturer, American Ball Company, quickly seized on this as a marketing opportunity, and started to market 0.171 to 0.173-inch (4.4 mm) diameter steel air rifle shot specifically for BB guns with a bore diameter and caliber of 0.177 inches (4.5 mm). This quickly led to an exclusive marketing agreement with Daisy, as precision ground steel BBs were cheaper to make than precision lead BBs. The lighter steel BBs also provided higher velocities than lead BBs, which made new BB guns shoot flatter and more accurately at the short ranges where they were effective. By 1939, Daisy had acquired American Ball Company, which it used to produce its own steel BBs. Since Daisy was the dominant player in the BB gun market, other makers followed suit, matching Daisy's bore diameter and switching to steel BBs in 0.177 caliber (4.5 mm) measuring 0.171 to 0.173 inches (4.4 mm) in diameter.

[edit]Operation

Steel BBs coated with copper and nickel

BB guns can use any of the operating mechanisms used for air guns; see the powerplant technology section of the air gun article. However, due to the limited accuracy and range inherent in the BB gun, only the simpler and less expensive mechanisms are generally used.

Since nearly all BBs used today are steel, it is common to find BB guns that use magnets in their loading mechanisms. Since the BB is too hard to beswaged to the bore size, magnets are often used to hold the BB at the rear of the barrel--otherwise, the BB would simply roll out of the barrel if it were held at a downward angle.

The traditional, and still most common powerplant for BB guns is the spring piston type, usually patterned after a lever action rifle or a pump actionshotgun. The lever action rifle was the first type of BB gun, and still dominates the inexpensive youth BB gun market. The Daisy Model 25 BB gun, modeled after a pump action shotgun with a trombone pump action mechanism, dominated the low price, higher performance market for over 50 years. Lever action models generally have very low velocities, around 275 ft/s (84 m/s), a result of the weak springs used to keep cocking efforts low for use by youths. The Daisy Model 25 BB gun typically achieved the highest velocities of its day, ranging from 375 ft/s (114 m/s) to 450 ft/s (140 m/s). Lever action guns often have huge ammunition capacities; one of Daisy's early lever action models held 1000 BBs, in contrast to the Daisy Model 25 which held only 50 BBs. The ammunition in the lever action BB guns is gravity fed, such that the gun must be held at the proper angle when cocked to load the ammunition. The ammunition in the Daisy Model 25, on the other hand, is spring loaded, and no shift in gun angle is required to reload another BB.

Multi-pump pneumatic guns are also common--many youth oriented pneumatic pellet guns provide the ability to use BBs as a cheaper alternative to lead shot. These guns have rifled barrels, but the hard, slightly undersized BBs don't swage or obturate to fit the barrel, so the rifling may not impart a significant spin. These are the type of guns that will benefit most from using precision lead BB shot. The pneumatic BB gun attains much higher velocities than the traditional spring piston types. One interesting use of a pneumatic BB gun is in the calibrationof ballistic gelatin, which is done by measuring the penetration of a steel BB at a velocity of about 600 ft/s (180 m/s).

The last common type of power for BB guns is pre-compressed gas, most commonly the 12 gram CO₂ powerlet. The powerlet, invented by Crosman, is a disposable bottle containing 12 grams of liquid carbon dioxide, which evaporates to form a gas to propel the BB. These are primarily used in pistol BB guns, and unlike spring-piston or pneumatic types, these are capable of rapid fire. A typical CO₂ BB pistol uses a spring-loaded magazine to feed BBs, and a double action trigger mechanism to chamber a BB and cock the hammer. The hammer strikes a valve hooked to the CO₂ source, which releases a measured amount of CO₂ gas to fire the BB. Velocities of CO₂ powered BB pistols are moderate, and drop off as the temperature in the CO₂ source drops, due to changes in the vapor pressure. Many CO₂ BB guns are patterned after popular firearms, and can be used for training as well as recreation.

Some gas-powered BB guns use a larger source of gas, and provide machine gun-like fire. These types are commonly found at carnivals, and have also been used to train antiaircraftgunners. A popular commercial model was the Larc M-19, which ran off 1 pound (454 g) canisters of Freon-12 refrigerant. These types have very simple operating mechanisms, based on aventuri pump. The gas is released in a constant stream, and this is used to suck the BBs up into the barrel at a very high rate, as much as 3600 rounds per minute.^[2]

[edit]Ammunition

Close-up of a Copper plated BB

In addition to the traditional steel or lead BBs, there are a number of types of specialty ammunition that can be used. In appropriate types of BB guns, general breech loading models with tip-up barrels.

Air gun pellets of the correct diameter, .177 caliber, (4.5 mm), can be loaded into many BB guns. Since air gun pellets are often made in a fairly stable, front-heavy design, even a smoothbore barrel can fire them with a reasonable degree of accuracy for short distances.

Another type of ammunition used in smooth bore air guns is the dart, which consists of a small, pointed metal body with a string tassel on the end. Darts are used only in low-powered guns for indoor target practice, and can be used in place of hand-thrown darts in a game of darts. The original air gun darts were used in very accurate, handmade, target guns used in formal competition in late 19th and early 20th Century Germany. Modern darts come in an additional form, the bolt (after crossbow bolts), which uses plastic fins in place of the tassels.

Copper and/or Zinc coated steel .177 caliber BBs usually weigh between 0.33-0.45 grams (about 1/3 of a gram); this weight depends partly on type; the typical values of common varieties are 0.33g or 0.36g (nominal) for standard weight to 0.45g for heavy variants. (Note: 0.177-inch diam: 0.450 cm: (0.0151*PI) cm^3 times 7.8 g/cm^3 for steel = ~0.372 g). A lead air gun pellet weighs about 7.9 gr (about 1/2 of a gram.)

[edit]Competition use

While most BB guns are used only for informal plinking, it is possible to shoot competitively with a BB gun. The National Rifle open from ages 8 to 15, and these classes are popular with youth groups such as Boy Scouts of America and 4H.

[edit]Quick kill training

The U.S. Army trained recruits in Quick Kill techniques using Daisy Model 99 BB guns to improve soldiers using their weapons in the Vietnam War from 1967-1973.^[3] The technique was developed for the Army by Bobby Lamar "Lucky" McDaniel and Mike Jennings. The sights were removed from the BB guns for this training.

[edit]Skirmish fighting

Main article: Airsoft

Although they can be dangerous, BB and pellet guns have long been used in a way similar to airsoft or paintball weapons, particularly in rural areas.^[4] This seems to have become less prevalent with the introduction of these newer options.

[edit]Legal issues

BB guns are regulated in the same manner as air guns. In countries where there is a maximum velocity or muzzle energy at which point an air gun is treated like a firearm (such as inCanada or the United Kingdom), BB guns are often not powerful enough to be considered firearms. See the legal issues section of the air gun article for more information.

Air Gun

An air gun (air rifle or air pistol) is a rifle or pistol which fires projectiles by means of compressed air or other gas, in contrast to a firearm which uses an explosion or combustion of a propellant. Air guns are used for hunting, leisurely recreational shooting (commonly known as plinking), and precision sports, such as the Olympic 10 m Air Rifle and 10 m Air Pistol events.
Most air guns use metallic projectiles as ammunition. Air guns that only use plastic projectiles are further classified as airsoft guns.

History

Air guns represent the oldest pneumatic technology, having existed since the 15th century. At that time, they had compelling advantages over the primitive firearms of the day. For example, air guns could be fired in wet weather and rain (unlike matchlock muskets) and with greater rapidity than muzzle-loading guns. Moreover, they were quieter than a firearm of similar caliber, had no muzzle flash, and were completely smokeless, thus not disclosing the shooter's position. Black powder muskets of the 18th and 19th century produced huge volumes of dense smoke when fired, a disadvantage compared to air rifles.
At the time, airguns posed a serious alternative to powder weapons. Although much more expensive, they were generally far superior. Robust air reservoirs had evolved with increasing technology, thereby improving the charge capacity while minimizing any possibility of bursting. Similarly, improvements in valve designs began to create well-sealed chambers.
During this period, France, Austria and other nations had special sniper detachments using air rifles. The Austrian 1780 model was named Windbüchse (literally "wind rifle" in German). The gun was developed in 1778 or 1779 [1] by the Tyrolese watchmaker, mechanic and gunsmith Bartholomäus Girandoni (1744-1799) and is sometimes referred to as the Girandoni Air Rifle or Girandoni air gun in literature (the name is also spelled "Girandony"or "Giradoni")[2] or "Girardoni" [3]. The Windbüchse was about 4 ft (1.2 m) long and weighed 10 pounds (4.5 kg), which was about the same size and mass as a conventional musket. The air reservoir was a removable, club-shaped butt. The Windbüchse carried twenty .51 in (13 mm) lead balls in a tubular magazine. A skilled shooter could fire off one magazine in about thirty seconds, which was a fearsome rate of fire compared to a muzzle loader. A shot from this air gun could penetrate a one-inch wooden board at a hundred paces, an effect roughly equal to that of a modern 9 mm or .45 caliber pistol.


Air gun developed by the Japanese inventor Kunitomo, circa 1820-1830.


Kunitomo air gun trigger mechanism.
Around 1820, the Japanese inventor Kunitomo Ikkansai developed various manufacturing methods for guns, and also created an air gun based on the study of Western knowledge ("rangaku") acquired from the Dutch in Dejima.
Air guns appear throughout other periods of history. The celebrated expedition headed by Lewis and Clark (1804) reportedly carried a .42 in (10 mm) reservoir air gun, believed to be produced by Girandoni. It held 22 round balls in a tubular magazine mounted on the side of the barrel. The butt stock served as the air reservoir and had a working pressure of 800 PSI. The rifle was said to be capable of 22 aimed shots in one minute.
During the 1890s, air rifles were used in Birmingham, England, for competitive target shooting. Matches were held in public houses, which sponsored shooting teams. Prizes, such as a leg of mutton for the winning team, were paid for by the losing team. The sport became so popular that just after the turn of the 19th century, a National Air Rifle Association was created. During this time over 4000 air rifle clubs and associations existed across Britain, many of them in Birmingham. During this time, the air gun was associated with poaching because it could deliver a shot without a significant report.
Today's modern air guns are typically low-powered because of safety concerns and legal restrictions; however, high-powered designs are still used for hunting. These air rifles can propel a pellet beyond 1100 ft/s (330 m/s), approximately the speed of sound, and produce a noise similar to a .22 caliber rimfire rifle. Using lead pellets, some current spring powered .177 pellet guns can break the sound barrier. Most low-powered airguns can be safely fired in a backyard or garden, and even indoors, with the proper backstop.
In some countries, air guns are still classified as firearms, and as such it may be illegal to discharge them in residential areas. Air guns can be highly accurate and are used in target shooting events at the Olympic Games, governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).
[edit]Legal issues

The legal definition of an air gun differs from country to country. In the United Kingdom, for example, air pistols generating more than 6 ft·lbf (8.1 J) or air rifles generating more than 12 ft·lbf (16.2 J) of energy are considered firearms. [4]
Similarly, in Italy, any mechanism that produces a muzzle energy higher than 1 Joule and lower than 7,5 Joules is considered a "Low-power air gun"; the sale of such instruments is open to anyone over 18 years of age without license or registration, but it can take place only in authorized gun shops where the owner must require the purchaser to provide his ID Card as a proof of age. Any device developing a muzzle energy equal to, or higher than, 7.5 Joules is considered an "High-power air gun", requiring Police licensing and registration for purchase and detention just like any firearm. Bows, crossbows and similar are exempt from this rule. The muzzle energy of such devices is certified by a governance office called "Banco di Prova".[citation needed] Air guns developing less than 1 Joule of muzzle energy are categorized as Airsoft, which are considered by law as toys, with no restriction whatsoever to their trade, except that they can never be modified to achieve a higher muzzle energy and must be only able to shoot 6mm plastic pellets.
In Canada, air guns with a muzzle velocity of over 500 ft/s (150 m/s) and a muzzle energy in excess of 4.2 ft·lbf (5.7 J) are classified as firearms and must be registered, transported, stored, and used as such. Some air guns are prohibited in Canada, prohibited air guns owned before December 1, 1998 are grandfathered. Persons committing a crime in Canada with an air gun face the same penalties as if they had committed the crime with a regular firearm.[5]
In Japan, any air gun that fires a metallic projectile is restricted as a firearm, so only Airsoft-type guns are readily available.
Although it is illegal for U.S. cities to do so, some have attempted to restrict air gun sales and possession, usually regardless of the muzzle energy. These include: New York, New York; Camden and Newark, New Jersey; Michigan; Chicago and Morton Grove, Illinois; San Francisco, California; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[citation needed]
Australian law classifies air guns and BB guns as "Category A" firearms, placing them in the same class as break-action shotguns and rimfire rifles, requiring a licence for ownership.[citation needed] Anyone found in Australia possessing an unlicensed airsoft pistol faces the same charge as a person who unlawfully possesses a firearm. In many other areas of the world, however, air guns are not considered firearms and are not subject to regulation.
There are minimum ages for possession, usually 18 and sales of both air guns and ammunition may be restricted. Some areas may require permits and background checks similar to those required for firearms possession. In the UK, Brocock Air Cartridge System air guns, which use a pre-charged, single shot air cartridge (similar in size to a .38 Special cartridge) were banned after some pistols recovered by the police, were found to have been converted by criminals making them capable of firing rimfire ammunition or even .38 Special ammunition. [6]
Due to further legislative restrictions in the UK, the online or mail-order sales of new air guns must be finalised "face-to-face", either at the retail store of purchase or with a Registered Firearms Dealer (where an item may be shipped and the transfer completed). The sale and transfer of second-hand airguns is not affected by these new restrictions.
Finland is contemplating mandatory licensing of high powered airguns.[7]
[edit]Air gun power sources

There are different methods of powering an air gun. These methods can be broadly divided into 3 groups: spring-piston, pneumatic, and CO2. These methods are used in both air rifles and air pistols.[8]
[edit]Spring-piston


An older, single shot, break barrel, spring-piston air rifle
Spring-piston air guns are able to achieve muzzle velocities near the speed of sound from a single stroke of a cocking lever or the barrel itself. The difficulty of the cocking stroke is usually related to the power of the gun, with higher muzzle velocities requiring greater effort.
Spring-piston guns operate by means of a coiled steel spring-loaded piston contained within a compression chamber, and separate from the barrel. Cocking the gun causes the piston assembly to compress the spring until a small hook on the rear of the piston engages the sear; pulling the trigger releases the sear and allows the spring to decompress, pushing the piston forward, thereby compressing the air in the chamber directly behind the pellet. Once the air pressure has risen enough to overcome any static friction and/or barrel restriction holding the pellet, the pellet moves forward, propelled by an expanding column of air. All this takes place in a fraction of a second, during which the air undergoes adiabatic heating to several hundred degrees and then cools as the air expands.
Spring-piston guns have a practical upper limit of 1200 ft/s (370 m/s) for .177 cal (4.5 mm) pellets. Higher velocities cause unstable pellet flight and loss of accuracy.[citation needed] Drag increases rapidly as pellets are pushed past the speed of sound, so it is generally better to increase pellet weight to keep velocities subsonic in high-powered guns. Many shooters have found that velocities in the 800 - 900 ft/s (270 m/s) range offer an ideal balance between power and pellet stability.
Most spring piston guns are single-shot breech-loaders by nature, but multiple-shot guns have become more common in recent years. Spring guns are typically cocked by a mechanism requiring the gun to be hinged at the mid-point (called a break barrel), with the barrel serving as a cocking lever. Other systems that are used include side levers, under-barrel levers, and motorized cocking, powered by a rechargeable battery.
Spring guns, especially high-powered ones, have significant recoil resulting from the forward motion of the piston. Although this recoil is less than that of a cartridge firearm, it can make the gun difficult to shoot accurately as the recoil forces are well under way while the pellet is still traveling down the barrel. Most guns seem to respond well to a light, repeatable grip that allows the gun to vibrate the same way from shot to shot. Spring gun recoil also has a sharp forward component, caused by the piston as it hits the forward end of the chamber when the spring behind it reaches full expansion. This sudden forward acceleration helps to counteract the recoil, since the recoil and "forward recoil" forces happen within milliseconds of each other, but it is infamous for the loosening or breaking of lenses and reticles found in low- and medium-priced telescopic sights. All mounted telescopic sights for air guns should be rated as such.
Spring guns can also suffer from spring vibrations that reduce accuracy. These vibrations can be controlled by adding features like close-fitting spring guides or by aftermarket tuning done by "airgunsmiths" who specialize in air gun modifications. A common modification is the addition of viscous silicone grease to the spring, which both lubricates it and dampens vibration.
The better quality spring air guns can have very long service lives, being simple to maintain and repair. Because they deliver the same energy on each shot, their trajectory is consistent. Most Olympic air gun matches through the 1970s and into the 1980s being shot with spring-piston guns, often of the opposing-piston recoil-eliminating type. Beginning in the 1980s, guns powered by compressed, liquefied carbon dioxide began to dominate competition. Today, the guns used at the highest levels of competition are powered by compressed air stored at very high pressures of 2000 to 3000 lb/in² (14 to 21 MPa).[citation needed]
[edit]Gas Spring
Some makes of air rifle (e.g. Weihrauch, Theoben) incorporate a gas spring instead of a mechanical spring. Pressurized air or nitrogen is held in a special chamber built into the piston, and this air is further pressurized when the gun is cocked. It is, in effect, a gas spring commonly referred to as a "gas ram" or "gas strut". Gas spring rifles require higher precision to build, since they require a low friction sliding seal that can withstand the high pressures when cocked. The advantages of the gas spring include the facility to keep the rifle cocked and ready to fire for long periods of time without harming the mechanism. Also, since there is no spring (and therefore a reduction in moving mass during firing) there is less (although some say slightly sharper), recoil. There is also an elimination of the associated problems of long-term spring fatigue and a faster "lock time" (the time between pulling the trigger and the pellet being discharged). The improvement in lock time makes for better accuracy since there is less time for the gun to move off target.
[edit]Pneumatic
Pneumatic airguns utilize pre-compressed air as the source of energy to propel the projectile. Single-stroke and multi-stroke guns utilize an on board pump to pressurize the air in their reservoir, Pre-charged Pneumatic guns' reservoirs are filled using either a high-pressure hand pump (often capable of attaining pressures of 30 MPa) or by decanting the necessary volume/pressure of air from a diving cylinder. Because of this design, having no significant movement of heavy mechanical parts during the firing cycle, the recoil produced is only the "true" recoil, equivalent to the equal and opposite reaction to the pellet and air volume's acceleration up the bore.
[edit]Multi-stroke
Multi-Stroke pneumatic air guns require 2-10 pumps of an on-board lever to store compressed air within the air gun. Variable power can be achieved through this process, as the user can adapt the power level for long, or short-range shooting. The design of higher quality and match-grade multi-stroke air rifles can propel a pellet to speeds in excess of 1,000 feet per second (300 m/s).
For beginners and intermediates, multi-stroke air rifles have been a cost-effective choice as they are generally the cheapest form of air gun available. Several manufacturers make multi-stroke air guns including, to name a few, Sheridan, Benjamin, Daisy, and Crosman. Modified multi-pump guns, with stronger pump linkages and improved valves, can produce muzzle energies in excess of 30 foot-pounds force (41 J) (from inexpensive guns. Modification kits for Sheridan and Benjamin rifles are available from commercial suppliers.
[edit]Single-stroke
As the name implies, one motion of the cocking lever is all that is needed to compress the air for propulsion. The single-pump system is usually found in target rifles and pistols, where the higher muzzle energy of a multi-stroke pumping system is not required.
[edit]Pre-charged pneumatic


An example of a pre-charged pneumatic air pistol, as used in 10 metre air pistol ISSF shooting events.
Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) airguns are usually filled by decanting from an air reservoir, such as a diving cylinder or by charging directly with a hand pump. Because of the need for cylinders or charging systems, PCP guns have higher initial costs but very low operating costs compared to CO2 guns. These guns are often used for hunting purposes in countries with restrictive firearms laws.
PCP guns have very low recoil and can fire as many as 500 shots per charge. The ready supply of gas, has allowed the development of semi-automatic PCP air guns. PCP guns are very popular in the UK and Europe because of their accuracy and ease of shooting. They are widely utilized in the sport of Field Target shooting,[9] and fitted with telescopic sights.
Earlier hand pumps for charging carried with them problems of fatigue (both human and mechanical), temperature warping, and condensation. None of those is beneficial to good shooting or the longevity of the rifle. Modern hand pumps have built-in air filtration systems and have overcome many of these problems. Using scuba-quality air decanted from a scuba cylinder also provides a clean, dry, high-pressure air supply that is consistent and available at low cost.
During the discharge cycle, the hammer of the rifle is released by the sear to strike the valve. The hammer may move rearwards or forwards, unlike firearms where the hammer almost always moves forward. Prior to being struck by the hammer, the valve is held closed by a spring and the pressure of the air in the air gun's tank. The pressure of the spring is constant, and the pressure of the air changes with each successive shot. As a result, when the tank pressure is at its peak, the valve permits passage of less total volume of air than when the tank pressure has been reduced by a series of shots. This results in a somewhat greater consistency of velocity from shot to shot than would otherwise be expected, and accuracy with a rifle is mainly dependent on consistency.
Better PCP rifles and pistols are often regulated, i.e. the valve operates within a secondary chamber within which the air pressure is kept constant for a set number of shots, rather than directly within the main reservoir. The pressure within this secondary chamber is maintained at a lower pressure than the pressure in the main reservoir by means of a regulator. Thus shot to shot consistency is far greater than in an unregulated rifle, at least as long as the pressure in the main reservoir is higher or equal to the regulated pressure in the secondary chamber. Beyond this point, the rifle or pistol will operate as any unregulated gun, and velocities drop rapidly.
[edit]CO2


BB Pistol with CO2 cartridges and BBs. This pistol can shoot at up to 480 ft/s (150 m/s).
Most CO2 guns use a disposable cylinder, a powerlet, that is purchased pre-filled with 12 grams of liquefied carbon dioxide, although some, usually more expensive models, use larger refillable CO2 reservoirs like those typically used with paintball markers.
Carbon dioxide-powered guns have two significant advantages over pre-charged pneumatic air guns: (1.) A simpler system for compact storage of energy—a small volume of liquid converts to a large volume of pressurized gas. (2.) No pressure regulator. Within a temperature range tolerable to humans there is little need to regulate the inherently suitable pressure for low-to-moderate-power air guns. The vapor pressure is dependent only on temperature, not tank size, as long as some liquid CO2 remains in the reservoir.
These two advantages allow CO2 guns to be constructed more simply than guns using a pressurized air reservoir. Some CO2-powered guns have detachable or fixed reservoirs that are loaded with pressurized gas from a larger cylinder. Most CO2 powered guns use the standard 12 gram Powerlet disposable cylinder invented by Crosman. Recently, the same company introduced a new 88 gram disposable AirSource cylinder that is used in some of their guns.
On the other hand, liquefied CO2 must be purchased, which introduces an element of cost that does not factor with a PCP gun/hand pump combination using "free" air, or is at least considerably lower when refilling from a diver's tank.
Furthermore, the pressure of gaseous CO2 at ordinary ambient temperatures is only around 850–1000 psi (6 to 7 MPa), which is only a third of the safe working pressure of a typical full PCP reservoir (20 MPa or 2900 psi or more). The effect of this is that generally speaking CO2 guns are lower powered and less efficient than PCP guns, which is why CO2 guns are usually pistols or semi-target type rifles, with few guns (none of commercial note) reaching even the 12 ft (3.7 m)·lbf (16.2 joules) licence-free energy limit for air rifles imposed in the UK.
CO2 guns, like compressed air guns, offer power for repeated shots in a compact package without the need for complex cocking or filling mechanisms. The ability to store power for repeated shots also means that repeating arms are possible. There are many replica revolvers and semi-automatic pistols on the market that use CO2 power. These guns are popular for training, as the guns and ammunition are inexpensive, safe to use, and no specialized facilities are needed for safety. In addition, they can be purchased and owned in areas where firearms possession is either strictly controlled, or banned outright.
Most CO2 powered guns are relatively inexpensive, although there are still a few precision target guns on the market that use CO2.
The CO2 system has been used in experimental non-lethal law enforcement weapons, where high power delivery systems launch rubber batons or bean bags out of a gas-powered launcher, much like a non-lethal shotgun system (but at lower velocities, thus being safer).
[edit]Safety
For safety, CO2 containers must be kept at temperatures below 120 °F (49 °C) ; at temperatures above this level, the pressure begins to increase very rapidly, and can cause the container to fail. CO2 containers with diameters at or above two inches (50 mm) have a pressure release "rupture" mechanism to release the contents over a certain pressure level and avoid explosion because of high temperature. These disks are generally calibrated to a minimum pressure corresponding to the 120 °F (49 °C) level at 100% of the rated CO2 capacity. Elevated temperatures, even those below the critical temperature, can cause increased leaking through seals.
[edit]Operating considerations
Re-filling Forcing more carbon dioxide gas into a reservoir of liquid and gas CO2 while maintaining a constant temperature would not raise the pressure but merely convert the additional gas into liquid. By chilling the vessel to be filled, the lower vapor pressure will pull CO2 from the source container. While the pressure in the reservoir is generally dependent only on the temperature, if the bottle is too full, that changes. The expansion of the liquid CO2 will take up all the space in the bottle, preventing evaporation. At this point, the pressure increase with temperature becomes dangerously high. [10]
Cooling Each time the gun is fired there is some evaporation of liquid to gas which is an endothermic process in which the pressure drops until enough ambient heat is absorbed to restore the pressure. When shooting at a rate faster than the cylinder can absorb heat from the environment to counter the cooling of the evaporating liquid, the pressure will drop, and the velocity is likely to drop as well in a non-regulated gun.
[edit]Calibers

The most common Air gun calibers are:
.177" (4.5 mm) - the most common caliber, also used in ISSF shooting events at the Olympic Games, it has the flattest trajectory of all the calibers for a given energy level, making accuracy simpler.
.20" (5.0 mm) - found in some European air guns and those manufactured by US air gun manufacturer, Sheridan. This is generally considered to be a 'compromise calibre', having a flatter trajectory similar to the .177 but more energy retention. .20" pellets tend to be of a similar weight to .22" pellets, but with an elongated profile, resulting in a higher Ballistic Coefficient (BC) than either .177" or .22" pellets.
.22" (5.5 mm & 5.6 mm) - the most common caliber for hunting small game, as it delivers large amounts of energy on impact (more so than the smaller calibers).
.25" (6.35 mm) - the largest commonly available caliber. This caliber is renowned for its impact, having the most energy retention of all calibers. However, it does have a highly parabolic trajectory at low energy levels and is thus more suited for higher powered rifles.
Custom airgun manufacturers regularly produce air rifles in common muzzleloading rifle calibers too, such as .45" (11.25 mm), .50" (12.5 mm), .58" (14.5 mm) and larger.
[edit]Ammunition



A .177 caliber "Wadcutter" pellet next to a stick of gum.
[edit]Pellet
Main article: Pellet (air gun)
The most popular ammunition used in rifled air guns is the lead diabolo pellet. This waisted projectile is hollowed at the base and available in a variety of head styles. The diabolo pellet is designed to be drag stabilized, though is not as stable as some other shapes in the transonic region. Pellets are also manufactured from tin, or a combination of materials such as steel-tipped plastic.
While some high-power Spring-piston air rifles can propel lightweight pellets at, or beyond, the speed of sound, accuracy may suffer and there may be a decrease in the working-life of the rifle's spring and piston seals. This is due to the pellet exiting the barrel before maximum (barrel) pressure has been reached, resulting in a high speed collision between the piston and the end of the air chamber.
Most air guns are .177 (4.5 mm) or .22 (5.5 mm / 5.6 mm), and are designed for target practice, small game hunting and field target shooting. Cost per round is less than $0.02 (US) for Olympic-quality ammunition, and far less for cheaper grades. Though less common, .20 and .25 caliber (5.0 mm and 6.4 mm) guns also exist and are used predominantly for hunting.
[edit]BB


Steel BBs coated with copper and nickel
Main article: BB gun
The BB was once the most common air gun ammunition in the USA. A BB is a small ball, typically made of steel with a copper or zinc plating, of 4.5 mm/.177" diameter. Lead "Round Balls" are manufactured in numerous calibers too, however these are often 4.5 mm/.177" diameter and designed for use in .177 caliber rifled guns normally used for shooting pellets. Steel BBs can be acceptably accurate at short distances when fired from properly designed BB guns with smoothbore barrels.
Due to the hardness of the steel, they can not "take" to rifled barrels, which is why they are undersized (4.4 against 4.5 mm) to allow them to be used in .177" rifled barrels which when used in this configuration can in effect be considered smoothbore, but with a poorer gas-seal. Were they 4.5 mm diameter, they would jam in the bore. Therefore BB's lack the spin stabilization required for long-range accuracy, and usage in any but the cheapest rifled guns is discouraged not least because the steel-to-steel contact may cause accelerated wear to the rifling's lands.
Typically BBs are used for indoor practice, casual outdoor plinking, training children, or for air gun enthusiasts who like to practice, but cannot afford high-powered air gun systems that use pellets. Some shotgunners use sightless BB rifles to train in instinctive shooting. Similar guns were also used briefly by the United States Army in a Vietnam-era instinctive shooting program called "Quick Kill" (Time magazine, Friday, July 14, 1967).
[edit]Choosing an air gun

The following table provides general guidelines for choosing an air gun for a desired feature.
Feature Airgun Types Comments
Self-Containment spring-piston, multi-stroke pneumatic, single-stroke pneumatic These guns require no additional CO2 cylinders or external pumps, and are thus cheaper to operate.
Low Noise spring-piston Absence of loud gas discharges makes these guns quieter to operate. Consider when practicing in cramped urban areas. Where legal, a good quality suppressor (commonly referred to as a silencer or moderator) can make other types as quiet as a piston rifle.
Accuracy pre-charged, single-stroke pneumatic, recoilless piston Without the variable factor introduced by CO2 vapor pressure or the recoil introduced by the spring, the mechanisms in these guns have more repeatable shots.
Convenience pre-charged or CO2 powered These guns don't require constant cocking, and are hence more popular with recreational shooters. They are generally more expensive to operate.
While the above generalizations are helpful, the performance of an air gun will also depend on its quality. For example, a match-grade CO2 rifle will have better accuracy than a cheaper spring-piston gun. The extra costs of a more expensive gun may translate into higher quality, tighter tolerances, and better accuracy.
It is also important to consider where (e.g. club range, backyard, farm) and how (e.g. competition, target practice, plinking, pest-control) an air gun will be used.

Airsoft Manucfaturers

There is a great divide between airsoft companies. The majority of high quality manufacturers can be found on the internet, but have little or no street presence, except at specialty shops. Airsoft guns can easily be found at flea markets and swap meets, usually carrying Chinese-made non-branded or low-end airsoft guns.

Manufacturers

ICS (I Chih Shivan)] – ICS is considered one of the "Big 3" manufacturers of airsoft guns (the others being Tokyo Marui, and Classic Army, respectively). Manufactures M4 Carbines, MP5s, and an AK-74M replica. In addition, they have also come out with the split gearbox design for their M4 series, in which the upper gearbox (which includes the cylinder and spring assembly) disconnects from the lower gearbox (which houses the gear assembly) for easier repair and upgrades. ICS Website
Hudson - produces high-end theater-quality gas-operated airsoft guns; mostly WWII replicas.
Sheriff – Full Metal custom pistols using Western Arms based components, as well as Maruzen-based bolt action rifles. Manufacturer of the discontinued Highlander Magnum.
Sunproject – Known for their M203s and gas blow-back M-16s.
Supercell Development, Inc. - creators of the spring-powered airsoft claymore.
G&G (Guay Guay Gunshop)] – specializes in internal and external upgrades and accessories. G&G manufactures higher end guns as well as a mid-range "sportline". G&G is also the first high-end AEG manufacturer that created a line of airsoft guns for the Canadian airsoft market, these AEG have a transparent lower receiver made of polycarbonate which able them to be legaly selled in Canada.
Top Tech - Works very close with the G&G company producing rifles that are fitted with a blowback system that is not operated by gas, they are in fact guns operated by electricity and are modified to have the bolt and piston attached together so they move when the gun is being fired. Not available in many places since they have just started production. Prototypes have been made and will be released soon.
G&P, A Hong Kong based company that specializes in aftermarket upgrades and external accessories, also make a variety of high quality AR-15 series AEGs along with an M249 SAW Heavy Machine Gun. G&P Website
Escort - Highly realistic gas blowback rifles such as their M4 and MP5 series, usually hard to find and available mostly in Asia.
Tanio Koba - High end gas powered pistols that are made in Japan
Inokatsu – High-end manufacturer known for Full Metal M60 machine guns and AK series guns.
Deep Fire –known for their Titanium pistons for AEG rifles, grenade launcher (M72A2 LAW), and distraction devices.
KSC – Located in Japan; specializing in handguns. Their gas blow back pistols are of high reliability and accuracy, having gained themselves a reputation for 'practical' skirmishing sidearms. KSC manufactures an HK33 AEG line that features manual cocking in the event of a dead battery however is quite hard to find and usually is only available in Asia and upgrade parts for it is very uncommon. They're popular Glock gas pistol series has recently been discontinued because of legal troubles from Glock.
KWA – one of the OEM manufacturers for KSC's Gas Blowback pistols. KWA AEGs are widely regarded as some of the best "stock" AEG's available in America capable of 400 ft/s (120 m/s) out of the box. KWA's list of high quality AEGs include: G36C, M4A1 Carbine, M4A1 CQB, M4A1 S-System, and an M16. Their AEGs are becoming popular for their strong internals and Li-Poly ready capabilities.
Mad Bull Airsoft – makers of many types of Airsoft grenades, grenade launchers, tight-bore barrels, triggers, mines, and various other parts.
Marushin –Known for their 8 mm BB firing guns as well as their ultra-realistic M1 Garand.
Maruzen – One of the very first airsoft companies, Maruzen is well known for its APS series of sniper rifles. The APS-2 and APS-2 Type 96 are among the most popular and best-selling airsoft sniper rifles on the market.
Olympic Arms – Manufactures ICS replicas with trademarks
STAR – Specializes in more expensive, highly realistic, easy-to-disassemble airsoft guns, but they discourage beginners because of their complex internals.
Systema Engineering – which specializes in high-end professional training weapons (PTWs) that are very close to the real steel, nearly indistinguishable between real or fake, as well as internal and external upgrades that are known for their high quality and durability. Systema makes six different PTWs the M4, M4A1, the M4A1 CQB, the M16A2, the M16A3 and the Mp5. Their PTWs use color coded cylinders that can be swaped quickly for ft/s change, the red cylinder which is the strongest can make the gun shoot around 500 ft/s (150 m/s), and the black cylinder which is the weakest shoots at around 270 ft/s (82 m/s).
Tanaka Works – specializes in high-powered gas gun revolvers and rifles. Known for having high end gas shotguns and revolvers.
Tokyo Marui – Most commonly renowned as the very pinnacle of airsoft technology, reliability, and durability. Created the first automatic electric gun (AEG) - the FAMAS F1 - and was responsible for the invention of the 'Hop Up' System (which, by means of an adjustable rubber pad in the barrel, creates a spin on the fired BB, greatly increasing range). Marui has manufactured a wide variety of AEGs, smaller AEPs (Automatic Electric Pistols), along with gas and spring powered weapons. They have also been responsible for other great advancements in airsoft. Tokyo Marui is the largest airsoft manufacturer worldwide, and is seen as the Airsoft "standard" for which nearly all after market products are tailored.
Classic Army - A Hong Kong company that is often seen to rival Tokyo Marui. Manufactures high-end AEGs featuring all metal bodies, which Tokyo Marui do not have.
RealSword - a Hong Kong-based company manufacturing replicas of Chinese assault rifles, their guns are highly realistic and very close to the real steel, however their guns are usually turned off by beginners because they require constant maintenance of their gearboxes and the gearbox is usually hard to get to and takes an amount of time.
TOP - specializes with manufacturing light and heavy machine gun airsoft replicas.
Western Arms - largely specializing on the 1911 .45 and its derivatives as well as Beretta, S&W and SV. High end pistols without customization. They have also released a M4A1 that is gas powered with a blowback function.
VFC/GB TECH (Vega Force Company) - Recently began production of unique AEGs. Highly realistic replica but have reputations for breaking down and they will require constant maintenance and repair to keep them in fully working condition. Not commonly used by beginners because of their unique internals and they are usually hard to get to. The guns also have realistic field stripping that takes a while to get used to. Some parts are usually harder to find so when problems exists it may take a while to get it repaired. Their first batch of AEGs, the HK416 is the one with the most problems and many people avoid buying them, but their second version of the HK416 is said to be improved. So far the only guns that this company manufacturers are the HK416 series, the AK series, BARs, Squad automatic weapons (SAWs), SCAR series, and a few sniper rifles including the Barret M82.
King Arms - known for their variety of optics and scopes.
Airsoft Surgeon-Sells external and internal modifications for airsoft sniper rifles.
[edit]China
Gamma – Known for their clone of the Supercell Dev. airsoft claymore mine.
Unicorn - Chinese maker, primary products the AK-74 series, full steel and wood AEGs and conversion kits.(http://www.unicorn-industry.com/)
CYMA - Earlier models include the CM027 MP5J and CM028 AK47. Their release for 2006 includes the CM031 which is externally a CA SLR-105 clone but internally similar to its version of the AK47 with a different hop up chamber and inner barrel. Until the CM027, CYMA were known for making inexpensive and relatively low durability airsoft guns. Their latest model is the CM0121 which is a full auto Desert Eagle AEP.In 2008 Cyma have launched new range of full metal and wood AEGs and have improved their overall quality ,reliability and performance. Some Cyma models are nearly equal manufactures of high-end AEGs. New models include the CM031, CM031b, CM031c, CM031c, CM035, CM036, CM037, CM039, and the CM042. Oddly enough, CYMA does not produce any AR variant clones.
WELL/WELLFIRE - A low-end airsoft manufacturer. It's gearbox and motor proved to be surprisingly durable although both guns suffer from air compression problems. They later released the R7 or M4A1 with full stock and R8 G3SAS which surprised many with its robustness and accuracy. WELL is the first company to release the TM clone of MP7 or R-4 as well as releasing the first low-power clone of Tokyo Marui's P90, which is the D90 and the R9.
Double Eagle (DE) - The company that revolutionized LPEGs with its famous M83. Double Eagle has been proven to make exact copies of Tokyo Marui's weapons. Their version of the AK47 and Spetsnaz were met with lukewarm enthusiasm as most other Chinese companies were able to produce better performing AEGs. Their M50 springer rifle was quite popular and easily "upgradeable" to 400 ft/s (120 m/s) by simply wrapping the inner barrel and hop up chamber area with teflon tape to seal air leaks. In early 2007, Double Eagle released a version of M4 S-System (the M88) and G&G-based UMP (the M89).They have been notably making the highest quality LPEGs compared to Well and CYMA
Both Elephant (BE) - Manufactures copies of the MP7, G3SG1, XM8, Steyr Aug, G36K, and the SL8. Most of their AEGs are offered with either a plastic or metal gearbox, the latter being more reliable. However, even the metal gearbox versions are inferior in quality to similar models produced by other Chinese clone manufacturers. They are often light weight and lack the same quality of finish and trademarks. Currently their plastic gearbox and metal gearbox variants have dropped drastically in price because of their quality, but they have still been making some of the strongest LPEGs and they were leading some of the strongest MGB Guns until JG came back in the production.
Jing Gong (JG, also known as Golden Bow) - Manufacturer high quality low to mid priced airsoft guns. They usually have ABS bodies, but some are now made with metal. The prime choice for players with more experience because they require medium amounts of maintenance, they last long, and shoot a decent ft/s. In 2008 JG have a new and improved AEGs, most of the new 2008 upgrade version shoot well over 350 ft/s (110 m/s) with improved interals current new models are a full metal SVD,Full metal and wood AK47, AK47s,the HK416 in 3 variants,JG models nearly equal manufactures of high-end AEG. In addition of making AEG guns, JG released a full metal Gas Blowback Glock 18c, which is an exact clone of the KSC Glock 18c.
A&K - It's M4 S-System with metal RIS (rail interface) has become a big winner in a market saturated with Armalites. The S-System was followed by other rifles from the M16 family: M16A4, M4, M733 and M4 CQB, and an M249 clone was released in mid August 2007. The A&K M249 clone is far cheaper than the original CA Version; It retails in the United States for $300-400USD and retains nearly all of the high quality and features offered by the CA version, including the PGC 8 mm bearing gearbox capable of quick swap springs. Their new releases for 2008 includes the M16A4, SPR MOD 1, SPR MOD 0, SR25K and the SR25, all of whom retails up to and over $200.
Kart/New Star - this low-end/economy-priced company, commonly linked to A&K, has débuted with releasing an M14 copy soon after the Tokyo Marui model appeared. Other models include M14 SOCOM rifle, M40 and Steyr AUG (although the last one was discontinued due to poor build).
AGM - Entered the market with its surprising accurate and powerful springer rifle, the MP001 aka VSR (since it is a visual replica of the TM VSR10). Their MP007 (MP40) was an instant hit as an alternative to other expensive and fault-prone rifles; featured a version 3 all metal gearbox and reinforced gears and piston.
BOYI - They gained their fame when they manufactured the AR-15 lines (BIM4) Their latest line is branded as KALASH, manufacturing AK-74s and AKS-74Us. Many of their MPEGs consist of many metal parts, and metal bodies most MPEGs do not have. Also, majority of their internals are metal.
Galaxy - known for their PDWs (MP5K, MP5 PDW and MP7A1), Galaxy produces good-quality compact AEGs. They are rumored to be working on a P90 replica with a metal gearbox.
JLS - producer of the airsoft SCAR, two full metal HK33 variants (copied from relatively obscure KSC hybrid AEG/springer design) and the first FN F2000 replica. Also the biggest producer of the "cheap" EBB's (Electric Blow Back) pistols which have a high failure rate but one of best sellers for their fun.
BELL - Released a G3SG1 replica, which was unsuccessful for its low velocity and quality. Also the first Chinese manufacturer to release a quite good quality gas pistol replicas: a full-metal Beretta M9 model based on the semi-only version of HFC's M190 pistol, a M10 shell-loaded revolver and a Colt M1911 replica based on Tokyo Marui design, with fully-trademarked plastic body (there is also version with metal body).
AGM - The newer division of Double Eagle manufacturing MPEGs like their full metal HK416 and their XM8.
YLE - Armenian producer of AEGs
[edit]Taiwan
KWC (Kien Well Corporation) -known for its CO2 powered Mini UZI, M16 gas rifles and spring-powered guns retaining fully licensed trademarks.
KJW (Kuan Ju Works) - (also known as Y&P)manufacturer of high powered metal-constructed replicas. Their most popular model is the replica Beretta 92FS pistol.
HFC (Ho Feng Corporation) - manufacturer of spring- and gas-powered guns; made famous for their semi-automatic HFC M190 gas blowback model, a replica of the Beretta 92FS with the addition of an RIS system.
WE Taiwan (Wei-E Tech) - known for their range of fullsize metal-bodied Colt M1911; Luger, Beretta and Hi-Cap pistols
AIM - Manufactures ICS AEGs without the metal bodies.
Modify - specializes in designing and manufacturing internal airsoft upgrade parts.
TECHPRO - specializes in manufacturing innovative parts to give your AEGs more power.
SRC (Star Rainbow Company) - manufactures M-Series and AK-47 replicas including full metal versions that shoot over 400 feet per second (120 m/s)
[edit]United States
GTI (Grudge Tactical Inc.) - Located in Kansas and just starting out in the field of airsoft, designing and manufacturing entirely within the United States. Their first product launch is scheduled the first week of November 2008 with Blammo Kill-Marker. A first in airsoft, Blammos are a marker bb designed exclusively for airsoft and featuring a unique "coating" of pigment mixed with a system for dry lubrication. Beta testing ran from mid April to August and showed the product to be quite promising in the field of airsoft. Future products include further expansion of the Blammo market with higher weights and biodegradables, an upgrade kit called assembly H and a rumored gear box set for 2009 that will will be a clean break from the current engineering designs on the market.
[edit]OTHERS

Unicorn Hobby Company (UHC) - Offering very reliable, yet economical alternatives to higher-end companies including the MP5 SD3, the M1911A1, M92FS, as well as the Super 9.
KHC - Famous for their Maverick Bullpup and spring pistols.
Omega - Famous for their Beretta 93R.
Academy - South Korean company best known for their DPMS Kittycat, L85, and A-15 rifles.
AZR Machine & Tool Co. -.[1]
Customized builders of airsoft accessories, replica wood rifle stocks for the M1 Garand, Thompson, Mauser98k, FAL, and AKM. Also manufactures drop-in gearboxes for AEGs and conversion kits for Rifles. This company offers a wide range of customized services for their clients that wish to have their own designs to their replica rifles.
UTG(Under The Gun) - UTG is a brand by Leapers Inc which manufactures scopes and red dots.
Aftermath - This airsoft company is located in Miami, Florida, in the United States. Rebrander of Chinese-produced replicas.
Echo 1 - Airsoft company based in the US, also a rebrander of Chinese-produced replicas.
[edit]Distributors

These companies purchase product directly from the factories for distribution to retailers or resellers.
007 Airsoft,One of the few Canadian dealers that do not use the Airsoft Canada website for selling. Its the only dealer from which you can get G&G AEGs with transparent reiceivers which are totally legal.(http://www.007airsoft.com)
Asian Treasures,an importer and wholesale distributor of airsoft guns, tactical gear and accessories.(http://www.asiantreasuresusa.com)
3L International LLC, an importer and wholesale distributor of airsoft guns, tactical gear and accessories. (http://www.3L-INTL.com)
Airsoft Assist, Founded in 2006, this company is a new distributor in Europe. With over 161 dealers in 24 European countries. They mainly focus on the European continent. They provide high end products like VFC, MODIFY, MAGPUL PTS, BIOVAL BBB's etc. Their head office is near Antwerp Belgium. [2]
Airsoft Elite - Smaller importer and distributor of ICS and VFC products.
Airsoft Extreme - A popular California-based distributor of high-end airsoft guns, accessories, parts, and airsoft-related tactical gear. Airsoft Extreme has retail locations in southern California, Oakland, Sacramento, as well as an online store.(http://www.airsoftextreme.com)
Airsoft GI - A southern California-based retailer of Airsoft guns and related accessories and gear. It's online store (http://www.airsoftgi.com) is steadily gaining a reputation as one of the most reliable US-based online retailers today, carrying a wide selection of affordable mid-range to high-range guns. Very notable for their customer service and warranties.
AirsoftGunny US based airsoft armory which sells airsoft guns & MILSIM gear. Specializes in G&G, JG and most mid level AEGs. Rebrands Chinese made MILSIM equipment under the Airsoft Gunny brand. Founded Early- 2005 (http://www.airsoftgunny.com)
Airsoft World - UK based importer and distributor of mostly Chinese AEGs. Exclusive European distributor of '2-Tone' AEGs, Maxenon and other products. Airsoftworld.Net
AirSplat - A southern California-based retailer / distributor of Airsoft guns and related accessories and gear. It's online store (http://www.airsplat.com) is one of the largest airsoft online retailers, carrying a wide selection of affordable low-range to high-range guns.
Airsoft Megastore - An airsoft online retailer specializing in mid to low range quality guns. They are numerous among younger players, who have tight budgets.
Socom Tactical Airsoft - UK online based importer and distributor of Airsoft Tactical gear including Scopes, sights and torches and assault vests and rigs Socomtactical.Net
AIRSOFT ZONE CORPORATION - An American-based direct importer and distributor of a wide barrage of airsoft weapons and accessories.
Aliz.fr – A French company offers selection of GBB and AEG ; importing and selling replicas - produced by WE (wei e tech) and AIM Top aliz.fr french website
ECHO 1 – An American company, spun off from JAG Precision, that rebrands AEGs. They test, repackage and rebrand many high quality Chinese clones, mainly from Jing Gong. They are known for their M4 line and the G36c. Their products come from China, which have been rebranded with, sometimes, few added accessories. They are one of the best choices for beginners for their selection of high performance and high quality AEGs or anyone on a tight budget. They also have a warranty for their guns and a guarantee that their AEGs are packaged with metal bushings and spring guides, which Jin Gong, unfortunately does not have. Some companies who are carrying JG’s products said that ECHO 1 USA is exactly the same as JG. This is totally incorrect. ECHO1’s products have been carefully selected before they ship to the US and even the internal parts are different.
Crosman, offering mainly low-quality Chinese entry-level electric rifles, spring, and CO2 powered pistols.
Europe Accessoires, (French) an importer and wholesale distributor of airsoft guns, tactical gear and accessories. (http://www.europe-accessoires.com)
Evike, A BBB certified retailier based out of San Gabriel, California; offers a large selection of AEGs and Gas powered guns. Also specializes in custom-made airsoft guns. Notorious for their product mix ups.
FIREPOWER (Palco Sports) - The company offers a warranty on their products and often sells low quality products.
JAG Precision, One of the most reputable and oldest distributor in USA. The owner has real solid background and also work with Hollywood movie industry. They are also the exclusive distributor for Japan CAW, MadBull, Modify, Echo1USA, and more... [3]
Leapers, one of the oldest Airsoft importer in the US. They offer weapons and accessories they outsource to manufacturer or manufacturer themselves. Their origins are from real fire arm's accessories and add on's. Their recent endeaver into airsoft is under UTG and NeonFire. Leapers Website
MrAirsoft a distributor of Airsoft Guns & Accessories in North America. (http://www.mrairsoft.com)[4]
Redwolf Airsoft, Founded in the 90's, this company wholesales to retailers across the globe. This company has offices in multiple cities, and focuses on mid to high end airsoft products. The company also has a retail unit. they also have the airsoft surgeon Clarence Lai, who modifies guns to make them extremely high end. known for his modified tanaka shot guns which feature unique airsoft shells. [5]
Spartan Imports, Spartan Imports is the exclusive US distributor of products by Classic Army, Inokatsu, KWA, Tokyo Marui, Maruzen, Marushin, and G&G Armament. They are based in Northern California. They also carry high quality parts and accessories from AMP Tactical, Madbull, MAG, DevGru, Private Parts Airsoft, KM Head, Leapers, Beamshot, and more.
STTI (SpringTime Taiwan Inc.) - Distributor of KJW and SRC
Team SD, one of the oldest Airsoft importer in the US. They offer weapons and accessories from many of the leading manufacturers, including ICS, SRC, HFC, and WE. They admit to simply re-branding some products, but claim to offer feedback to manufacturers to improve product quality on most. Warranty is offered on most products.Team SD Website
The Sports Oddity Up and coming Airsoft Retailer in North America. (http://www.thesportsoddity.com)[6]
Shorty USA retailer, they sell all kinds of AEG, Gas, and spring guns. Most guns are covered by a Shorty USA warranty. There are guns for all levels of airsoft, ranging from beginner, to expert guns. There is an online store at shortyusa.com. They are regard among more serious and older players as "Nooby USA" -- a nickname earned by their average to low quality customer service and frequent product mix-ups.
Tippmann (Spring, CUCOK, and electric guns)
Toko Airsoft, (Indonesia) distributor of airsoft guns, tactical gear and accessories. [7], In Indonesian "Toko" = Shop, so it means Airsoft Shop located in Jakarta - Indonesia.
UK ARMS, imports mostly Chinese airsoft products.
Umarex, operating mainly in Germany and selling various replicas of Walther, Beretta, Desert Eagle, Smith and Wesson, and Heckler and Koch guns - produced by KJW, KWC, HFC and WELL.
Umarex USA, offers entry-level spring and electric pistols in Walther shapes and mid-upper level electric and CO2 models with metal gears under the Tactical Force (WELL) brand. Umarex USA Website
UTG / Neonfire - Two subdivisions of Leapers that re brand lower-end Chinese-made guns from WELL, CYMA, and Double Eagle. Usually packs them with extra accessories like an extra battery, magazine, or sling.
Westside Outlet - US-California based direct importer and distributor which carries all China brands Airsoft guns, AEG and accessories, tactical gears. Westside Outlet Website
War Gamers Shop - Hong-Kong based direct importer and distributor which carries nearly all brands of Airsoft guns, AEG and accessories, tactical gears. War Gamers Shop Website
airSOCOM - Boise, Idaho based airsoft retailer which sells airsoft guns and accessories. (http://www.airsocom.com) specializes in spring, AEG and gas powered airsoft guns from Echo 1, ICS, Classic Army, Cybergun and JG. airSOCOM also offers a free online community for airsoft teams (http://team.airsocom.com).
Aliz.fr - Wei e Tech french importater and distributor, beretta, luger, hi-capa, colt 1911 , full metal GBB(http://www;aliz.fr).
[edit]Airsoft pellet (BB) manufacturers

AS-24 (0.15g, 0.20g, 0.23g, 0.25g, 0.28g Bio Pellets) and (0.20g, 0.25g, 0.30g) non Bio Pellets - High quality 6mm BB
Airsoft Elite Taiwan (0.2g, 0.23g, 0.25g BB Pellets) - Good quality white and black BB Pellets
Bioval BBB's (0.20, 0.23, 0.25, 0.30 Biodegradable Bionelle) - The all new BioBB's from BIOVAL. Very good and high grade Bio pellet. The only BioBb's with a true bio friendly resin. Distributed by Airsoft Assist in Europe.
Excel Japan (0.2g, 0.23g, 0.25g Biodegradable BB Pellets) A high quality Bio-Degradable BB Pellet's Manufactured in Japan
Goldfire Taiwan (0.2g, 0.25g BB Pellets) - Taiwanese BB pellets.
[GTI] United States. Blammo Kill-Marker, (airsoft marker BB) regular 6mm, plastic pellet coated on the outside.
Systema Japan (0.2g Pellets) - High quality 0.2g 6mm BBs
ICS Taiwan (0.2g, 0.25g BB Pellets) - BB Pellets by I Chih Shivan Enterprise
Maruzen Japan (0.2g, 0.29g BB Pellets) - High precision BB Pellets, claimed to be within +/- 0.01 mm. Rate 4.5/5 on the universal BB grading system.
PHX (0.2g, 0.23g, 0.25g, 0.28g, 0.3g, 0.33g BB Pellets) - High Quality, High priced BBs made for use in Sniper Rifles and other replicas with tight-bore barrles.
KSC Taiwan (0.2g, 0.25g, 0.3g BB Pellets) - Good quality BB Pellets for OEM in Japan. Rate 4/5 on the universal BB grading system.
Ts. These BB's dissolve in hours when submersed in water. Rate 3/5 on the universal BB grading system.
Flying Colors (0.12g, 0.2g, 0.25g) - Medium grade 6 mm BBs for all-around use. They have the widest variety of colors available. Rate 2.5/5 on the universal BB grading system.
[Killer Beez] (0.20g, 0.25g, 0.28g BB Pellets) High quality BBs, comes in select grade and precision grade. They have "Earth Friendly" BBs, which are not biodegradable but have inert qualities and are a blend of 3 colors that match the ground.
6MMZ (0.20g BB Pellets) High quality Black BB Pellets
1st Target (0.12g,0.18g,0.20g,0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g,0.33g Non Bio - 0.20g,0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g) available in rough finish ( suitable for not double stacking mags ) and smooth finish High quality 6 mm BBs.
Matrix The manufacture of many Japanese brand bb going direct to USA market. www.matrixtacticalsystems.com and www.evike.com is the distributor
CYMA (0.12g, 0.20g) Generally poor quality despite advertising as High grade pellets, to be avoided in most cases.
Xtreme Precision Italy (0.12g, 0.20g, 0.23g, 0.25g, 0.28g 0.30g) - High quality BB's, The company does not primarily deal in airsoft BB's but rather professionally makes ball bearings.
King Airsoft regular and Bio BBs Fotodegradable Italian BB makers various colours and weights.
BB King China (0.12g,0.20g, 0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g 0.32g. 0.20g and 0.25g have
Biodegradable BB pellets.Good quality 6 mm white,black and blue BB Pellets.(http://www.bbkingball.com/)
GoldenBall China (0.12g,0.15g,0.20g,0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g,0.32g Non Biodegradable BB pellets & 0.20g,0.25g Biodegradable BB pellets) High quality 6 mm white, green and black BBs.
Speedballs Korea (0,12g, 0,14g, 0,16g, 0,18g, 0,20g, 0,23g, 0,25g, 0,30g, 0,36g) - Japan quality BB's made in Korea
StraightJapan(0.30+) very high quality for high powered sniper rifles (6mm & 8MM), their BBs are sometimes graphite coated of full metal. The graphite coated BB's are sometimes avoided because they are known to disrupt the function of "hop up" units and tightbore inner barrels.
Tokyo Marui Japan (0.12g,0.15g,0.20g,0.25g,0.30g)Superior quality BBs for good price, suitable for all guns of all manufacturers
Tsunami Airsoft Taiwan (0.2g,0.23g,0.25g,0.30g) High quality, double polished BBs. Excellent performance with tightbore barrels.[citation needed]
TAIGEAR (0.12g, 0.15g, 0.20g, 0.23g, 0.25g, 0.28g, 0.30g, 0.32g) 6 mm seamless high quality extra polished airsoft pellets. http://www.taigear.com
Kyou BBS French (0.20g,0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g,0.32g (5.96 +-0.01) Non Biodegradable BB pellets, 0.20g,0.25g (5.94 +-0.015) Biodegradable BB pellets, Tracer Pellets 0.20g,0.25g (5.95 +-0.015) & 8 mm Non Biodegradable BB pellets. http://www.kyouairsoft.com/
[edit]Former Airsoft Factories/manufacturers

Along with the named companies, a few companies who were prominent in the earlier history of airsoft, but have since gone out of business, include:
Falcon Toy Corp
JAC
Kokusai
LS
Marukoshin (1986)
MGC Bondshop of Japan
Yonezawa
YE- Youth Engineering
Some guns from these manufactures can be found on eBay or Endoshoji.com