What is a Good FPS for Airsoft?

Historical Context

The game of airsoft has been around for centuries and originated in Japanese culture during the 1970s, soon becoming a feature of leisure gaming in North America and Europe. During that time, airsoft guns were made to fire 6mm plastic pellets at speeds of around 100 feet per second (FPS). As the sport gained in popularity however, models with more power hit the shelves - much higher than the original 100fps - up to 400 fps.

Key Milestones

One of the most crucial milestones in the development of an appropriate FPS for airsoft was the introduction of the two-meter safety distance rule by the United Kingdom law. This mandates that airsoft players should abide by a two-meter distance when discharging firearms, to avoid injury. As such, some manufacturers now recommend limiting airsoft guns to a maximum of 350 fps.

In addition, the US and Canada recently introduced power limits on airsoft firearms. Hence, the typical recommendation for a US airsoft game is not to exceed 350-400 fps. Nonetheless, it must be noted that this limit will differ from one game to another, depending on the safety rules of the arena.

Popular Trends

Currently, a good FPS for airsoft games range from 250-400 fps, but your FPS should depend on the type of game you're playing. For instance, while 350-400 fps is common for outdoor airsoft games, 400 fps is considered too high for MilSim and role-playing game. As such, a lower FPS range of 250-300 fps is recommended for more realistic, close-quarter Caucasian operations.

Potential Pitfalls

Using an airsoft gun with an inappropriate FPS range can often lead to severe injury. Although FPS doesn't translate directly to injury, a powerful gun with more pounds per square inch (PSI) and a higher power rating increases the risk for injury. Furthermore, FPS that is too low poses no threat to your opponent, but can affect performance, as long-distance accuracy and powerful shots are more difficult to achieve.

Insights

In conclusion, choosing the right FPS for airsoft is crucial for the safety of all players. A good FPS for airsoft will depend on the game arenas and game types, so you should always do your research before using an airsoft gun. With that being said, a good FPS range for typical airsoft skirmishes is 250-400 FPS, although 350-400 FPS may be appropriate for outdoor scenarios.