Don’t know your AEG from your UKARA? There are several must-know terms that you’ll see cropping up in the airsoft community, but, for beginners especially, these terms, abbreviations and acronyms can be tricky to get to grips with. 

Our comprehensive airsoft glossary is a great tool in any newbie airsoft player’s arsenal, providing all you need to know about the game and its guns. Here are some of the most common airsoft jargon and the corresponding explanations to ensure you can jump into your next game with all the knowledge of a pro. 

AEG

Automatic electric guns or AEGs are one of the most popular types of airsoft guns for skirmishes. Electric airsoft guns are powered by a rechargeable battery that drives the firing mechanism. 

AEP 

Automatic electric pistols or AEPs are much the same as above but in the form of an airsoft handgun. They were made popular by the airsoft manufacturer Tokyo Marui. 

Airsoft Gun 

Airsoft guns are replica guns that shoot plastic projectiles. They are most commonly used during airsoft skirmish games where a common aim is to shoot opponents and evade getting shot yourself. 

Airsoft guns should not be confused with air guns, which tend to use metal pellets rather than plastic and are not suitable for shooting at other people. 

Backspin

Also see hop-up. Backspin is a force applied to a BB by the hop-up, which can give you better range and accuracy when shooting. 

Barrel 

No matter if it's a real or an airsoft gun, the barrel is the tube that the projectile is fired through. The inner barrel of your airsoft gun can contribute to accuracy and range. 

Many players will upgrade their airsoft gun’s barrel for a better shot. 

BB Gun

For many, BB guns are synonymous with airsoft guns and are plastic replicas that shoot plastic pellets. In some instances, however, you will see the term used to describe guns that shoot small metallic projectiles or ball bearings. 

BB Pellets 

These are the plastic projectiles used in airsoft and bb guns. Most are 6mm to ensure they are compatible with standard barrel sizes. BB ammunition is available in various weights, which will affect accuracy. 

H2: BFG 

A blank firing grenade has the purpose of causing a loud bang, adding to the realism of the game. 

Blow Back 

A feature in electric, gas and CO2 guns that imitates the recoil of a real gun when it is fired. 

Bolt 

The handle that cocks or reloads the gun. Mostly present on rifles and SMGs.

Calibre 

The diameter of the ammunition, whether it’s a bullet, BB or pellet. Most airsoft guns use 6mm calibre BBs.

Carbine 

A rifle with a shorter barrel. Its light weight makes it a good tactical option.

Chronograph 

A handheld device used to measure basic muzzle velocity, i.e. the speed and power output of your gun. 

Clip 

A word used by some to talk about the magazine for an AEG.

CQB/CQC

Close quarters battle or close quarters combat is a popular type of airsoft mode where play is fast paced and often held indoors in an environment with limited space, forcing players into close quarters. 

Dead Man Walking 

An airsoft player who has been hit and is ‘dead’ so is leaving the game.

DPM 

Disruptive pattern material is another word for the camouflage pattern used by armed forces and often adopted by airsoft players to hide them, especially when playing outdoors. 

EBB

Electric blow back simulates the blow back of a real gun on AEGs, usually with less force and more noise. 

Effective Range 

The range of the combined abilities of the shooter and the gun to make an accurate shot.

Flash Hider 

An attachment to the tip of the gun designed to hide the muzzle flash.

FPS

Feet per second is a measure of velocity, indicating the speed of ammunition and energy output of a gun. Guns are checked at skirmish sites to ensure they do not exceed legal limits. 

Gas Guns 

Gas airsoft guns are powered by green gas. You can get blow back and non-blow back gas guns. 

GBB

Gas blow back is the mechanism in gas-powered guns that propels the BBs, providing more realistic recoil. 

Gearbox 

The mechanical system in your AEG that turns electrical energy into mechanical energy to power and fire the gun. It is also known as a mechbox.

Ghillie Suit 

A camouflage suit typically worn by snipers for extra concealment. 

Hi-Cap

High capacity airsoft magazines that hold anywhere from 300 to 5,000 pellets. You can also find Lo-Cap and Mid-Cap magazines. 

Hit 

What an airsoft player must usually shout out when they have been hit by a BB. 

Hop-Up

Also see backspin. The hop-up is a small device present in most airsoft guns that will give BBs 

a backspin, ensuring it can travel farther, increasing your range. 

IF

Imitation firearms refer to replica guns like airsoft guns that look like firearms but are, in fact, imitations. These guns will usually be coloured with two tones to mark them as obviously not real guns. Also see two tone guns. 

Joule 

The unit used to measure the kinetic energy of ammo as it leaves the gun’s muzzle. 1 Joule is the maximum limit for airsoft guns in the UK. This is calculated with the weight of the BB and the muzzle velocity. 

Mag/Magazine

A magazine is a detachable component that stores ammo ready to be fired. 

H2: mAh 

This number indicates how much charge a battery will hold and for how long. The larger the number, the longer your airsoft gun’s battery will last. 

MilSim 

Military simulations are a mode of airsoft game based on military combat. 

MOSFET 

A Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor is a device used in AEGs that helps minimise damage to the trigger switch. 

Muzzle 

The tip of the gun where the barrel ends. 

NBB 

Non-blow back guns that don’t give the simulated recoil feel. 

Plinking 

Many people use this term to refer to target practice or back garden style shooting. 

Real Steel 

When used in the airsoft world, this usually refers to the real-life counterpart of an airsoft gun. 

Recoil 

The backward kick of energy when a gun is fired. BBs typically don’t fire with as much energy as real bullets, so for the same shooting experience, airsofters use blow back mechanisms that simulate recoil. 

Respawn 

Players who have been ‘killed’ can respawn and rejoin the game once they have spent a certain amount of time in the designated respawn area.

RIF 

Real imitation firearms are virtually visually indistinguishable from real firearms. You must have a UKARA membership to purchase one of these guns. 

ROF 

Rate of Fire measures how many shots can be made in a given time. The faster the ROF, the more shots you can make.

RPM

ROF is measured in rounds per minute. 

Scope 

A scope is an attachment to your gun that will increase long-range visibility and allow you to make accurate shots from further away. 

Skirmish 

An organised airsoft game or event usually held at a licensed airsoft site. 

Slide 

The moving part on top of a pistol that reloads the gun.

SMG 

A submachine gun is a magazine-fed semi or fully automatic weapon, often favoured for being lightweight. 

Speed Loader 

A device that makes loading BBs into a magazine faster and easier. 

TCU 

Tactical combat uniform, i.e. the clothes you might wear to play airsoft. 

Tracer 

BBs that glow in the dark, making aiming without sights easier. 

Trajectory

The path of the BB after it has been fired from the airsoft gun and is in flight. 

Two Tone Airsoft Guns 

A two tone airsoft gun is made up of two colours, usually with the incorporation of bright blue, yellow, green or orange to mark it as an imitation firearm rather than the real thing. 

UCP 

Like DPM, the universal camouflage pattern helps conceal you and blend you into most environments. 

UKARA 

The United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association is an organisation you must have membership to in order to purchase RIFs. 

Upgradability 

Many airsoft guns can be modified and upgraded with higher-spec components that increase performance. 

VCRA

The Violent Crimes Reduction Act is in place to put restrictions on who can buy what kind of gun. Being an airsoft player is one of the defences outlined by the act, allowing you to buy RIFs if you fit the criteria. 

Despite all these terms, airsoft is a relatively easy sport to get into, and once you get started, there are plenty of opportunities to progress and improve. 

Browse our range of guns, ammo, airsoft accessories and protective gear to stock up on everything you need for your next game!