| Airsoft and paintball are pretty similar sports, and they | | | | ｭﾃつｭﾃつｭﾃつｭﾃつｭﾃつｭ2 and N2 (or |
| can be played exactly the same way. There are a | | | | compressed air) containers. Also, the hopper can |
| few key differences, such as that airsoft is used more | | | | sometimes get in the way. One gets used to how |
| in military and law enforcement reenactments than | | | | paintball guns are made, but shooting an airsoft gun is, |
| paintball. In this sense, gameplay can differ, but people | | | | well, somewhat of a relief. Some people have made |
| use paintball guns for reenactments as well (just not | | | | advanced apparatuses where COﾃつｭ2 is on their |
| as often). If you look at the big picture, the games | | | | backs, and a tube from the paintball gun coils around |
| aren't that different, but sometimes strategy and | | | | into the tank on their back. I personally saw a man with |
| tactics must be changed depending on the specs of | | | | two paintball guns, each with two tubes extending |
| your and your opponent's gun. | | | | from the guns to the back-CO2 tanks. It was pretty |
| The guns used in airsoft and paintball differ greatly. | | | | cool. Anyways, it is clear that airsoft beats paintball in |
| Paintball guns have a hopper that you pour paintballs | | | | maneuverability. |
| into, while airsoft guns use clips. Therefore, loading and | | | | Another important thing is maintenance. Paintball guns |
| unloading is usually easier in airsoft, as is carrying | | | | you do need to oil, clean, and of course refill CO2ﾃつｭ |
| around extra clips. In paintball, you need to have a vest | | | | (depending on how much you play, frequently). If you |
| or belt to put large cylinders of paintballs into. That | | | | have a gas airsoft gun, that will also needed to be |
| doesn't mean that airsoft has paintball trumped in this | | | | refilled, but electric and spring airsoft guns require no |
| category. Paintball guns can usually carry more ammo | | | | gas at all. Both kinds of guns can break if not properly |
| than an airsoft gun, and you can still reload relatively | | | | maintained. Paintball guns need the barrel regularly |
| quickly. | | | | cleaned, although that is relatively simple. Most of the |
| Ammunition; paintballs in paintball, 6mm BBs in airsoft. | | | | time, paintball guns have more parts than airsoft guns, |
| This is an important thing to consider. In a forest, there | | | | and they may be more costly to repair, but crucial |
| are many tiny branches that can break paintballs, thus | | | | problems rarely occur in either gun type. |
| stopping them from reaching their target. You have to | | | | The thing about airsoft is people can cheat very easily. |
| find a very open area without any obstructions. Airsoft | | | | In paintball, the ball explodes and the paint is very visible |
| pellets are very small and the likelihood of them hitting | | | | on the person. Sure, one could wipe off the paint, but |
| tiny obstacles is miniscule. Also, in many cases they | | | | people rarely risk it because if they are caught, well, |
| can be more accurate than paintballs, so it may not | | | | they are in trouble. However, somebody can get hit in |
| take as much time for a game to end as it might with | | | | airsoft and just shake it off. If there are two very |
| paintball. The speed, in FPS, of airsoft is also usually | | | | competitive people playing, and they keep getting hit, |
| higher (between 300fps and 400fps). It can be as low | | | | one or the other can't really prove it, unless they are |
| as 120fps, but that isn't very efficient in an airsoft | | | | close enough up to see the pellet hit the person. |
| game. Paintballs can also be dodged; it doesn't happen | | | | Airsoft relies on the honesty system, and sometimes |
| often, but if you see one coming toward you in | | | | that isn't enough. 6mm paintballs are always an option, |
| advance it is easy to move out of the way. Airsoft | | | | but they can break in the barrel, and that causes |
| pellets are too small to see at a high-speed, and | | | | problems. |
| dodging is basically out of the question. Therefore, | | | | The superior product really is a matter of opinion, as |
| overall, in the case of ammunition, airsoft has the | | | | there is no clear-cut winner. Each type of gun has its |
| advantage. | | | | own advantages and disadvantages. Usually, if you |
| The next item on the list is maneuverability. Airsoft | | | | start with paintball, you'll stick with paintball, and likewise |
| guns are definitely easy to hold and run with, while with | | | | with airsoft. |
| paintball there are big and bulky external | | | | |