Difference between airsoft and paintball?

[lsquare]

I'm a complete noob when it comes to this particular sport that some people do for fun. What's the difference between the two? From my limited reading on Google, it seems that airsoft guns are replicas of real guns and fire pellets while paintball guns fire paintballs.

I also got the impression that it can be quite expensive to pick up this hobby. Is it true?

I've always wanted to try things out, but I'm not sure if it's expensive to get into. I honestly don't want to spend thousands of dollars getting into it. I wouldn't mind picking up something like a replica of a MP5 or a M4A1 guns with scopes and play for fun provided that it's not too expensive to get into.

Does anyone here know of some good sources to catch up in the world of airsoft and paintball guns? I'm getting pretty interested in this stuff. Also, which manufacturers makes the "best" AEG guns for airsoft? It seems like Tokyo Marui and G&G are making the good stuff.

 

[gaidensensei]

There's some sites out there.. Used to be with the airsoft world some years ago, only for a bit. I was only in it around 1999-2004ish.

Airsoft are just like you said, replicas of the real thing. Some guns have collector values and are highly sought for. Some are like, realistic replicas with the only difference being their engraving due to legal issues.

Most of the airsoft you buy from (Japan) asia will be able to get past some legal issues compared to guns made within the state/imported from China.

It is slightly expensive, not sure what is your budget and what you are looking to do. Shoot people in some tournament? Or just shoot immobile objects?

Plastic bb's can sting. A good quality MP5 will run you over a hundred, from Tokyo marui brand (they make good quality). A china version can run you under $100 and will likely break.
Some very long time ago, I made a review on a glock 26 version on airsoftcore.com. It's probably still there.

 

[lsquare]

There's some sites out there.. Used to be with the airsoft world some years ago, only for a bit. I was only in it around 1999-2004ish.

Airsoft are just like you said, replicas of the real thing. Some guns have collector values and are highly sought for. Some are like, realistic replicas with the only difference being their engraving due to legal issues.

Most of the airsoft you buy from (Japan) asia will be able to get past some legal issues compared to guns made within the state/imported from China.

It is slightly expensive, not sure what is your budget and what you are looking to do. Shoot people in some tournament? Or just shoot immobile objects?

Plastic bb's can sting. A good quality MP5 will run you over a hundred, from Tokyo marui brand (they make good quality). A china version can run you under $100 and will likely break.
Some very long time ago, I made a review on a glock 26 version on airsoftcore.com. It's probably still there.

Just spent some time Googling and I got the impression that I'll have to spend at least $400 on gun with some accessories right? It's not that big of a deal. What I meant by expensive is having not only to spend couple hundred on a gun and then hundreds more on bbs/paintballs in addition to paying to play at a place.

I just read that airsoft pellets are cheap? Can you attest to that? I need good quality pellets for cheap.

Which manufacturers should I be looking for in terms of good quality and reliable guns? I want an authentic looking H&K MP5 and M4A1 with scopes. It needs to be reliable too. I don't want my guns jamming on me.

What else would I need to invest in? Does airsoft pellets hurt really badly? I've heard paintballs can really hurt especially if you don't have alot of fat/flesh to absorb the pain.

 

[brblx]

airsoft has gotten a lot cheaper with the influx of guns from china and taiwan.

a decent chinese gun like a JG or echo1 (same thing) can be had for in the $100-200 range. add in a couple extra batteries and a spare hicap, and you can get started pretty cheaply.

TM guns are a bit of a joke, nowadays, they're good internally, but overpriced. japanese guns are generally limited to 1 joule of energy, which is <300fps with .2g BB's. by comparison, my taiwanese gun (KWA) is barely any more expensive, highly reinforced, all metal, and fires over 100fps hotter, stock. right now it's shooting about 410 with .25's, which is right almost at the local field limit.

airsoft hits can make you bleed, but they're generally not bad. the velocity drops off quick, so it really only hurts at close range, and the worst shots are of course to the face. wearing a mask (or at least a shemagh) alleviates this.

 

[lsquare]

airsoft has gotten a lot cheaper with the influx of guns from china and taiwan.

a decent chinese gun like a JG or echo1 (same thing) can be had for in the $100-200 range. add in a couple extra batteries and a spare hicap, and you can get started pretty cheaply.

TM guns are a bit of a joke, nowadays, they're good internally, but overpriced. japanese guns are generally limited to 1 joule of energy, which is <300fps with .2g BB's. by comparison, my taiwanese gun (KWA) is barely any more expensive, highly reinforced, all metal, and fires over 100fps hotter, stock. right now it's shooting about 410 with .25's, which is right almost at the local field limit.

airsoft hits can make you bleed, but they're generally not bad. the velocity drops off quick, so it really only hurts at close range, and the worst shots are of course to the face. wearing a mask (or at least a shemagh) alleviates this.

lol, that's a joke right?

Do you know the origins of G&G? I heard they're quite good as well.

Ok, let's put it like this, which manufacturer will offer me the best gun for the money for a replica of an M4A1 and MP5 with scopes? Again, I wouldn't say that I have a budget per se. I just want to get a good gun that will last.

 

[brblx]

is what a joke? not wearing a mask? i just wear glasses and a mouthguard.

G&G is good stuff, but for the best M4/dollar i would recommend a KWA. they're about 275-300 for a normal M4A1. that's what i would start with, forget an MP5.