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