Airsoft — A Complete Guide
History • Terms • Safety • Legal Status in the Republic of Ireland
Airsoft is a recreational sport and hobby where participants use replica firearms — called airsoft guns — that shoot small plastic BBs (typically 6 mm) at low velocities. The sport is built around tactical gameplay, teamwork, strategy, and simulation of military or law-enforcement scenarios. Players often use protective gear and realistic-looking equipment to enhance the experience.
Airsoft originated in Japan in the 1970s–1980s as a way for firearm enthusiasts to enjoy realistic shooting sports in countries where firearm ownership was restricted. From there, it spread worldwide into Asia, Europe, and beyond.
Ireland’s Airsoft scene began in the mid-2000s, and legal clarity arrived with the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which defined the 1 joule energy limit and made Airsoft lawful under specific conditions.
Today, Airsoft is played globally — from casual backyard and woodland skirmishes to organised events and MilSim (military simulation) scenarios with complex objectives, team roles, and strategy.
🔹 AEG (Automatic Electric Gun)
A gun that uses a battery-powered motor and gears to fire BBs.
🔹 GBB / Gas Gun
Powered by compressed gas (e.g., green gas, CO₂, or propane) for blowback and firing.
🔹 Spring Gun
Mechanically powered by a spring — cocked by hand before each shot.
🔹 BBs
The spherical plastic pellet used as ammunition — usually 6 mm.
🔹 Chronograph (Chrono)
A device used at fields to measure muzzle velocity/energy to ensure compliance.
🔹 Joule / Energy Limit
Airsoft guns are often regulated by kinetic energy (in joules). Ireland uses a strict limit of 1 joule maximum muzzle energy.
🔹 RIF (Realistic Imitation Firearm)
A legal category in Ireland referring to any replica firearm, including airsoft guns.
Airsoft is generally safe, but BBs can cause injury — especially to eyes and facial areas — if proper protection isn’t used.
Is Airsoft Legal in Ireland?
Yes — Airsoft is legal in the Republic of Ireland. This was clarified with changes introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which amended the Firearms Acts.
What Counts As a Firearm?
Irish law defines a firearm as any weapon able to discharge a projectile with a kinetic energy greater than 1 joule. Because airsoft guns are designed to stay at or under this limit, they are not legally classified as firearms.
Classification: Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIFs)
Airsoft guns are legally classed as RIFs (Realistic Imitation Firearms) even though they are not firearms under Irish law.
Key Legal Rules in Ireland
Penalties for Illegal Use
If you breach RIF laws — for example, by displaying the gun in public or exceeding energy limits — you could face:
Importing Airsoft Guns
Airsoft replicas imported into Ireland must comply with the 1 joule limit. Anything over this is likely to be seized by Irish Customs.
✔ Many official airsoft fields exist where you can play in a controlled, insured, and Garda-compliant setting — always following safety and legal rules (chronograph checks, protective gear, no public display).
✔ Private games are possible on private land with landowner permission and out of public view.
A
ABS / AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) — Battery-powered gun with motor and gears; can be semi-automatic or fully automatic.
AEP (Automatic Electric Pistol) — Compact electric gun, often used as a sidearm.
Assault Carbine — Shorter rifle design ideal for close-quarters combat (CQB).
B
Backup — Secondary weapon or sidearm carried for emergencies.
BB (BB Pellets) — Plastic 6 mm ammunition used in airsoft guns.
Bearing / Bushings — Internal gearbox parts that support gear rotation.
Bi-Pod — Two-legged support used for steady rifle shooting.
Blowback / Electric Blowback (EBB) — Mechanism that mimics real recoil by moving the slide or bolt.
Burst — Firing mode that releases a fixed number of shots (usually 3-round burst).
C
Chronograph (Chrono) — Device used to measure BB velocity (FPS or joules).
CO₂ / Green Gas — Propellants used in gas-powered guns.
CQB / CQC (Close Quarters Battle/Combat) — Indoor or short-range combat play.
D
Dead Rag — Bright cloth used to mark a player as “out” to avoid being shot again.
DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) — Semi-automatic rifle tuned for medium-long ranges.
Double Action / Single Action — Trigger systems determining how a weapon fires; double action both cocks and releases the hammer, single action only releases.
E
Electric Trigger Unit (ETU) — Electronic control that improves trigger response and reliability.
F
FPS (Feet Per Second) — Measurement of BB speed when leaving the barrel.
Flash Hider — Muzzle device that hides flash or allows mounting of a tracer unit.
G
GBB (Gas Blowback) — Gas-powered gun that cycles the slide or bolt like a real firearm.
Gearbox — Mechanical housing that drives the AEG’s firing system.
H
Hop-Up — Adjustable system that applies backspin to BBs to increase range and accuracy.
HPA (High Pressure Air) — System using external compressed air tank and regulator for consistent firing.
High-Cap / Mid-Cap / Low-Cap — Magazine capacity types (high = large capacity, mid = moderate, low = realistic).
I
Inner Barrel — The internal barrel that guides BBs; its quality affects accuracy.
J
Joule — Unit of kinetic energy used to measure power output (1 joule = legal Irish limit).
L
LiPo / NiMH — Types of rechargeable batteries used in AEGs
M
Magnifier / Red-Dot Sight / Optics — Aiming devices used to enhance target acquisition.
Milsim (Military Simulation) — Realism-focused gameplay simulating military scenarios.
Mosfet — Electronic component improving trigger efficiency and protecting contacts.
N
NBB (Non-Blowback) — Gas gun that doesn’t move the slide when firing.
Nozzle — Part that directs air or gas into the BB chamber.
NVG (Night Vision Gear) — Devices allowing night-time visibility in low light.
O
Outer Barrel — External barrel casing that supports the inner barrel and attachments.
P
PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) — Compact rifle for close protection or CQB use.
Piston / Piston Head — Internal gearbox components that compress air for firing.
R
Respawn Zone — Area where eliminated players return before re-entering the game.
S
Safe Zone — Area where players can remove eye protection and ensure guns are unloaded.
T
Tracer / Tracer Unit — Device and glow-in-the-dark BBs that illuminate during flight.
Z
Zoom Lens / Scope — Magnified optic used for long-range aiming.
