Fun & Training with Airsoft Guns

Since my last article, I’ve talked to different SWAT team members about using air soft guns for training. Some of the members liked the idea of having different guns to use for the variety of scenarios that SWAT teams face; especially in these uncertain times. One of the biggest issues faced by police departments today is cost. The cost of police issued weapons and ammunition is substantial. The costs are much higher when compared to the guns and ammunition used in air soft. Most police departments get some form of discount on their weapons and ammunition, but even so, they could get two air soft guns for the price of one real gun for using in training. 

Air soft guns can be used for fun and training. They make excellent training aids for the police force as well as for teaching youth and adults the importance of gun safety. It’s a great sport to try. There are many models of air soft guns out there, like the ICS m-4 M16 and the AK47. Other companies also have Benelli model shot guns and SWAT style sniper rifles, as well as pistols modeled after the Heckler and Koch USP 45 caliber, Colt’s model 1911, 45 calibers and any other Glock pistol you can think of. With the pistols price ranges between 100 to 200 dollars and rifles ranging between 200 and 400 dollars, you get what you pay for. With what I like to call, “Wal-Mart specials”, ranging between 14 to 70 dollars, and being made from ABS clear plastic they are good for beginner guns. 

ICS models and KSC pistols are made of metal and other materials. They are a better bang for your buck. A lot if not most of the pistols out there are gas blow back and use green gas. The rifles are battery operated using 8.4 or 9.6 volt power source which can be upgraded. For the higher end rifles, muzzle velocities range between 300 to 500 feet per second; the pistols, between 280 and 350 feet per second. That’s good range for guns fire 6 millimeter BB”S.