| The guns used in airsoft and paintball are quite | | | | forests or in an open area, if the area is wooded the |
| different; Airsoft guns and rifles, whether gas, electric | | | | paintballs can have a problem reaching their target as |
| or sniper rifles or spring guns, are popular as they are | | | | the trees and bushes stop their progress and can |
| highly realistic replicas of military guns and a relatively | | | | even break them. Airsoft pellets are much smaller and |
| cheaper option. The main difference between the | | | | the likelihood of them hitting something in the way is |
| types of gun is that paintball guns have a hopper that | | | | less probable. |
| the paintballs are poured into, whereas airsoft guns use | | | | Airsoft guns are more accurate than paintballs, so |
| clips. Clips make loading and unloading a | | | | games are concluded faster as targets are hit. Players |
| straightforward process and the extra clips are light to | | | | can also easily avoid paintballs, if they see it coming in |
| carry. In paintball a belt or vest is necessary to hold the | | | | beforehand it's quite easy to move out of its way, |
| big cylinders of paintballs. | | | | whereas Airsoft pellets are too small to see when |
| Start up packages for Airsoft or Paintball are around | | | | they are traveling at a high speed and would be very |
| the same price, however, further costs are incurred | | | | difficult to avoid. |
| when purchasing ammunition and carrying out any | | | | Airsoft guns are much easier to maneuver with as |
| maintenance and repairs to the guns. Taken as a | | | | they are lightweight and easy to hold, whilst paintball |
| whole, Airsoft guns work out less expensive as | | | | guns tend to be large and unwieldy with external CO2 |
| Airsoft pellets are a lot cheaper to produce than | | | | and N2 or compressed air cylinders. Also, the hopper |
| paintballs are and the ammunition used makes the | | | | can occasionally get in the way. |
| guns less liable to 'jam.' The biggest outlay is the | | | | Paintball guns need to be oiled, regularly cleaned and |
| purchase of the Airsoft gun, after this initial cost | | | | refilled each time you want to play. If you own a gas |
| everything extra is relatively cheap. | | | | airsoft gun it will also need refilling each time you play, |
| Airsoft guns have a longer range than paintball guns | | | | but electric and spring airsoft guns require no gas at all. |
| with most shooting between 250fps to 600fps, an | | | | Both types of guns will require regular maintenance to |
| Airsoft pellet will also travel a lot further than a paintball | | | | ensure they stay in good working condition. Although a |
| pellet will. | | | | simple process, paintball guns will need the barrel |
| Ammunition used in games is paintballs and 6mm BBs | | | | cleaned on a regular basis and they do have more |
| in airsoft games. Games can be played in woods | | | | parts than airsoft guns proving more costly to fix. |