My 7-year old son wants to buy an airsoft pistol. He has a BB gun which we use for targets. I've never used airsoft, but my knowledge about them is people shooting each other for fun with them.

Thoughts on airsoft? I'm not cool with airsoft battles, so that will not be occurring. With that, is the airsoft any different than just a bb gun?

The entire point of airsoft is to shoot people with it. Otherwise, an air rifle would be a better choice.

EDIT FOR MY READING FAIL.
Just re-read your post - If you don't want airsoft battles, there's no need for airsoft. BB gun, pellet gun, targets, and GO. I was in EXACTLY your position once. I ended up giving in bc friends had them and I wanted him to play with them… they're 13 now, read rest below-


I have purchased airsoft guns for my son and I've watched him and his buddies shoot each other until they have whelps on each other. They're boys, and that's what they do. I've shouted form the rooftops about eye protection and to my knowledge my boy's always worn it - but in the last 3 months I've known 2 young men (13yo) who have taken DIRECT hits in the eye. One was very lucky to regain his sight, and it's still not 100%. The other was okay after a couple days and a LOT of heartache on his parents part, not to mention some hefty medial attention ($).

I think airsoft has run it's course at our place. I've flatly stated we will not buy any more airsoft merchandise - and to be honest, he has seemed to lose his appetite for it (he was there for one of the eye incidents). We are fortunate, we live way out in the country and I told him when he wanted to shoot - let me know and we'd get something out that goes BOOM. I know that's not an alternative for everyone.


[This message has been edited by Centerpole90 (edited 8/24/2014 8:38p).]

You can go cheap to expensive with Airsoft. I have a gas blowback M&P that was over a $100. You can also get a good non gas blowback pistol for $25-50. You can also get spring loaded Airsoft. Gas pistol are more fun. Use green gas or you can use propane. But if you use propane prepare for your house or garage to smell like farts.

Google Redwolf Airsoft. A dealer out of the UK that sells good stuff. I would call most of their stuff training tools and replicas of real steel firearms.

Airsoft is a good supplement for training. I shoot in my garage when the weather is not conducive to go to range.





- Top is M&P 9mm
- Right is gas blow back airsoft M&P 9mm (pink grip because when loaded with magazine it weighs and feels almost like the real thing)
- Bottom is a cheap non-gas blawback airsoft pistol

I side with the other comments if you are worried or will not allow airsoft to be shot at one another. It is what kids will do.

[This message has been edited by atmhockey (edited 8/24/2014 9:08p).]

Btw there are training uses for air soft but kids only want it for air soft battles

Pretty much what's already been said: if you won't allow him to have airsoft battles then go with a pellet or BB gun. They don't offer any benefit other than being design to shoot people with (at least the low end ones don't).

Thanks. Appreciate yalls thoughts. My son will not.

That being said, I have gotten to play with some of the airsoft that umarex puts out. They are freaking awesome.

I was very much against air soft but finally gave in. The proviso was that if I ever caught my son or his friends playing it without eye protection, I would take their guns away and not return them.

I still don't think it is very smart shooting at each other for fun but you need to impress upon your son the importance of protecting his eyes.

PS: Paintball will be right around the corner.

Anyone got $4K?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmHENtHW9O0#t=186

http://www.airsplat.com/items/ER-E1-134-MINI.htm?gclid=CjsKDwjwmuafBRCQ7ef6zJXhdRIkAFH2mef99KVOwmu4E9yrBqOH_QacW6XIDYh8E-0l3Sk3BWhbGgIuj_D_BwE

check out the video.

[This message has been edited by atmhockey (edited 8/24/2014 11:04p).]

If you want to run the risk of a kid getting hurt, injuring an eye, go for it. I think they are stupid buy for a 7 year old. Take him to a range and start teaching him about shooting and real gun safety, the latter of which is completely contrary to air soft gun usage by kids.

[This message has been edited by 1989 (edited 8/25/2014 10:34a).]

I got pretty big into airsoft (in leiu of paintball) in middle school, and played throughout high school.

As long as full sealing eye protection is worn, it's safe. For higher powered replicas, mouth protection is also advised.

It's fun.

My 14 year old son and 8 friends shot the sh** out of each other for 2 solid days at our ranch for his b-day. They all looked like they had chicken pox on Sunday.

disclaimer: we informed them all that if they were caught without eye protection we had persmission from their parents to whip their a** - and we werent joking around.