The Sport of Airsoft vs. The Sport of Paintball Part I

As the Sport of Airsoft grows in popularity today,to most, and trust me I am all about getting the best
many enthusiasts of both the Sport of Airsoft and thefor my money) what are the differences between the
Sport of Paintball have debated over the differencessports that one can draw a clear contrast about?
and similarities, in the comparisons of both sports.What makes one sport different from the other? One
Questions eventually come to the following: Whichof the major differences are the guns for each sport.
sport is better? What sport is more cost effective?All Paintball guns, also known as Markers, have a
What is the difference between Airsoft guns andsimilar style and look, only varying in specifications
Paintball guns? Finally, which sport is geared toward arather than in styles. Theres not much more to the
larger demographic of people? I will briefly examinevariations except the quality and effectiveness of the
both sides of the Airsoft and Paintball argument andPaintball guns. There is hardly any diversity or
hopefully come to an opinion on which sport ischaracter when it comes to each gun simply because
emerging and which sport is fading out.they are made to specifications.
The initial argument between the Sport of Airsoft andAirsoft guns have 1:1 scale replicas. This means they
the Sport of Paintball has been the cost differencesactually look like the real thing, so much so that all the
between each sport. However, if you take a closerguns come with a federally mandated orange tip. It is
look at the costs for each sport you will find that bothinteresting to note that these guns also come with
sports have an initial investment. For both sports, if youmetal components making even the weight of the
want to get completely decked out in every form ofreplica guns very similar to the actual gun. Plus, you
equipment available you are looking to spend up intocan find many of the guns that you would have some
the hundreds of dollars and sometimes into theinterest in using, like an M16, Sniper Rifle, or an AK47.
thousands. There are variations in the pricing, but letsSome would say this is scary, but others (including the
say you use tons of ammo in Airsoft and not so muchAirsoft enthusiast) would consider this a great way to
(which I think is unlikely) in Paintball then you will spendown an arsenal that is not lethal, nor illegal for that
more on ammo for Airsoft (again this is very unlikely).matter.
This money can be spent over a period of time if youI know the reader might be saying that as far as costs
are not seriously trying to compete in the sports.are concerned, one cannot draw a conclusion on
Most people continue to talk about the costs and howwhich sport out does the other, but as we have
one sport is cheaper than the other but it depends onlooked into the matter deeper we have found that
what you want and what you are looking for in eachrealistic attributes can make a big difference in what
sport that will actually determine what you will spend.you would want to participate in. In fact it makes all the
This includes everything from the gun, equipment anddifference for me!
ammo, to the upgrades. In other words, either sportIn this part one of The Sport of Airsoft vs. The Sport
can be relatively cheap or relatively expensive, it allof Paintball we have concluded that that money or
depends on you.cost has no bearing on whether the Sport of Airsoft is
So if the money is not so important (well its importantbetter than the Sport of Paintball.