Using Airsoft as an Effective Training Tool

With regard to training tools and techniques, there are a plethora of options available today. From simunitions and MILES gear, to inert training guns, there exists something to fit every need. Choosing the right tool for the job can sometimes be a daunting task. Expense as well as education become a prime factor in determining what may work best for your particular situation and needs. Here we will examine some of the prime advantages that Airsoft can bring to your training.

Cost

Initial costs are fairly low in comparison to other types of training aids. Ammunition costs are a primary consideration for many individuals and this is one area where Airsoft can really outshine the competition. Most quality Airsoft ammunition can be purchased for as little as $0.003 cents per round. Quality ammo is often sold in bags of 1000 - 5000 rounds per bag, and can usually be purchased at an average price of $12 per bag. In comparison to other forms of training, such as paintball, simunitions, or live rounds, Airsoft is exceedingly cheap to invest in - especially with regard to ammunition. Moreover, it is among the safest for Force-on-Force training.

Here are a few comparison examples:

What about future costs?

Future costs for Airsoft are also very low as maintenance is minimal and resupplying your inventory of ammunition will also not cost you very much. Parts are readily available, abundant, and purchaseable from a plethora of US-based and overseas resellers. There is little need for ancillary support equipment, an on-site armorer, nor is a dedicated training facility required. In comparison to real firearms, Airsoft is the least likely of the two to face strict regulation or prohibitive use from political or legal rulings. This is also why Airsoft has seen very widespread use in countries where firearm ownership is prohibitive or banned altogether.

Safety and Realism

With regard to Airsoft, it is absolutely required that one have current ANSI rated eye protection. You can also use stamped steel mesh goggles that are explicitly designed for Airsoft use as well (woven mesh style - however, are not recommended due to their propensity for failure.) A dedicated paintball mask can also be used if you desire full face protection, but it is not wholly necessary. In contrast, paintball training aids require dedicated full face masks as the risk for eye, ear, and mouth injury is greatly amplified. If a paintball hits within 1" of your eye, you can suffer permanent blindness - this is due to the mass, velocity, and size of the paintball projectile. Simunitions also carry greater mass and velocity and user feedback is that they are by and large "painful" to be on the receiving end of. Additionally, the higher FPS simunitions, such as 5.56mm rounds, require the use of full facial protection and groin, chest, and neck protectors are advised - all of which will have a cost to be factored into your training budget. Real firearms obviously cannot be used whatsoever for Force-on-Force training as the risk of injury or death is extreme.

What about effective range?

Most Airsoft guns are highly capable of engaging targets within CQB ranges - that is to say 50 yards or less. A well tuned Airsoft gun is capable of attaining 100+ yard accuracy. Pistols typically have an effective range of 25 yards or so - although with careful tuning, one may extend that range much further. Within room-sized CQB environments, it is recommend that your Airsoft replicas shoot 350 FPS or less. Whereas in an outdoor environment you can safely shoot up to 400 FPS.

Simunition rounds from a pistol have reasonable accuracy out to 15 - 20 yards, while rifle rounds perform best within 30 - 40 yards. Beyond these ranges, accuracy tends to degrade dramatically.

Paintball guns (AKA "Markers") unfortunately suffer many long range drawbacks - due in part to ballistic limitations within the paintball projectile design itself as well as FPS safety considerations (it is generally not recommended to shoot beyond 300 FPS.) Most paintball guns are useful within 25 - 30 yards at best. Beyond that, accuracy degrades considerably and you are having to significantly "mortar" the gun to extend its range.

Compatibility

If you presently own support and tactical gear for your real firearms, then this is fully compatible with Airsoft replicas. Unlike paintball, for example, you will not have to purchase dedicated load-bearing equipment and clothing to be able to effectively use your Airsoft replica. Additionally, the 1:1 ratio and realistic controls, recoil, and handling characteristics mean you can gain increased familiarity and proficiency with your real weapon which is beneficial from a training standpoint. From a logistical standpoint, the choice is obvious.

Low maintenance

When properly configured, only minor occasional cleaning is required, as opposed to heavier cleaning needed for simunition or paintball based training aids. Overall, Airsoft is relatively maintenance free provided you don't go out of your way to abuse it and purchase quality items upfront. This goes the same for any other training tool, actually.