Airsoft and paintball are similar sports, both underpinned by the same basic concept – to shoot other players with a kind of gun and not get shot yourself. While there are plenty of similarities between the two, there are also some key differences that may make one or the other preferable to you.
When you start getting serious about these sports, they can become a big investment, so it’s a good idea to understand what you can get out of each before you commit and fork out any cash on paintball or airsoft gear.
What is Airsoft?
Airsoft is a combat simulation game played in teams. There are several different ways to play airsoft, with different game modes and roles (e.g. skirmish, capture the flag or zombie). The central aim of most game styles is to shoot opponents with replica firearms that fire plastic BBs.
Airsoft relies on an honour system where those who have been shot must be honest about being shot and retreat to the designated respawn points.
What is Paintball?
Paintball is a sport that can be played alone or in a team. You attempt to hit all opposing team members with paint or dye-filled capsules fired from a low-powered paintball gun. You can easily tell who is out of the game as they will have been tagged by a colourful dye.
The Similarities of Airsoft & Paintball
As you can see, both games emulate combat situations and use guns that are not real steel but can look pretty realistic. When playing either, you will need to wear some form of protective gear, as getting hit by paintballs or BBs is not completely painless or without risk if you do not play sensibly.
While on a basic level, the sports may look the same, there are several things that set them apart beyond the obvious – including cost, accuracy, level of impact and pain.
The Difference Between Airsoft & Paintball
Airsoft is usually a more accurate military/combat simulation, primarily due to airsoft guns tending to look and feel more realistic than paintball guns. Because guns are different, you will require different accessories and equipment for each sport.
Ultimately, key differences include:
- Guns and equipment
- Ammunition
- Rules and gameplay
- Accuracy
- Level of impact
- Cost
Airsoft Guns
Some airsoft guns are two-toned to show they are not real firearms, while others may be real imitation firearms (you must have a UKARA membership to buy RIFs). In either case, airsoft guns usually closely resemble particular gun models to provide a more accurate shooting experience.
There are several types of airsoft guns powered in different ways, including AEGs, GBBs and spring guns. Most airsoft players will use an airsoft rifle as their primary weapon and will perhaps carry an airsoft pistol as a secondary weapon.
In some cases, airsoft guns can be harder to load but are usually more lightweight and easier to manoeuvre than paintball markers. Most airsoft guns fire 6mm plastic BBs pellets which are cheaper than paintballs.
Paintball Guns
Also referred to as paintball markers, paintball guns are powered by CO2 or compressed air, which propels a gelatin capsule filled with dye (known as a paintball) rather than a plastic BB pellet.
Paintball markers are made up of a barrel, hopper and air tank, making them less intricate and prone to things going wrong than airsoft guns. However, they do have larger gas containers than gas airsoft guns, offering less manoeuvrability.
Paintball guns also usually look far different from real firearms and RIFs due to the larger hopper/feeder on top of the marker. Paintball ammo is larger than airsoft ammunition, with paintballs measuring 8.2mm.
Airsoft Vs Paintball Gun Power
Each game will have a muzzle velocity limit to reduce the risk of injury from overpowered guns. The limit for paintball guns tends to be 280 FPS as the ammo is heavier. Airsoft guns are limited to 350-500 FPS, depending on the kind of gun.
Which Hurts More: Airsoft or Paintball?
The different guns and ammo mean that you will experience varying levels of impact when playing each sport. Paintball guns transfer more energy in joules, so paintballs tend to have a more noticeable impact when they strike you.
Most players agree that being hit by a paintball is more painful than being hit by a BB. Despite being less solid than plastic BBs, paintball capsules are larger and heavier. Both can cause bruises and welts, but these can be mitigated by the right protective gear.
Protective Equipment
The most important piece of protection in paintball is a full-coverage head and face mask. This greatly reduces the chance of serious injury from high-impact projectiles. It is also a good idea to cover up with thick layers, so you don’t have any skin exposed to being hit – body armour can offer additional protection. Overalls will also protect you against paint splatters.
Goggles or some form of eye protection are also essential when playing airsoft, as BBs can easily cause damage to your eyes. BBs are less likely to damage your face, so a full coverage mask may not always be essential here, like in paintball, but it may be preferable if you want to further reduce the risk of injury.
Your airsoft loadout (i.e. what you wear during a skirmish) can be a big part of the game itself, contributing to the realism or enjoyment of the experience as well as ensuring you’re protected.
Airsoft Vs Paintball Cost
Costs will come down to various things, fluctuating depending on where you play and what gear you buy. However, on the whole, airsoft is the cheaper option.
This is because ammo for airsoft is far cheaper, and entry-level guns won’t cost as much as with paintball. Entry to airsoft skirmish sites is also often less expensive than paintball games.
Which sport is right for you ultimately comes down to which you have the most fun with. A lot of the points here lean in favour of airsoft, but that doesn’t mean paintball doesn’t have its merits!
If you’re making the switch from paintball to airsoft or are just looking to get into a totally new hobby, you’re in the right place. Here at Surplus Store, we stock a range of airsoft gear in the UK, including budget guns and more advanced kit for when you progress. Explore our airsoft range for everything you need to get started.
If you decide that paintball is the one for you, we also stock a variety of paintball guns and ammo.
