Airsoft

Airsoft weapons are 1:1 (or sometimes 'minis' or 3/4) scale models of real firearms, with a typical example firing 6mm or 8mm spherical, solid plastic BBs of usually .12, .20, or .25 grams, with propulsion for the projectile provided by manually compressed springs, electric motors, or compressed gas.

The sport is extremely popular in eastern Asia, in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where real arms are difficult or impossible to obtain because of local laws. For this reason the vast majority of airsoft guns, accessories, and aftermarket upgrade parts are made in Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea.

There is currently a growing interest in the West, especially in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Finland, Italy, Belgium and Denmark, bolstered by an active and expanding Internet scene.