Alternative Airsoft device terms

N.O.I.P.

There have been quite a few discussion in multiple threads as to what term we should use to refer to airsoft devices. We all agreed that we didn't like the term "gun" because we are not using guns and I think we can all agree that the term "Airsoft device" is just never going to work. Anyway somebody emailed this beautiful little description to me and I thought I'd share it with you.

Airsoft:

A target sports device that simulates the workings and appearance of a firearm by expelling a lightweight plastic ball (usually 6mm) by means of gas, battery or a spring piston at an insignificant velocity and energy so as to be safe to use by persons in specific sports or environments that require minimum risk of injury by direct or indirect hit.


It also got me wondering what would people think of the term "Airsoft Sports Device" or ASD for short. eg "Sweet I just ordered a couple of ASDs can't wait for them to arrive"

kdouglas

very nice description

ASD sounds ok, but you've also got AEG/AEP/GBB/EBB... too many TLAs make baby jesus cry...

suppose people could say i just ordered an AEG and a GBB, but if you want to summarise you could say i bought two ASDs

Jim: hey man, just bought a couple of ASDs

Joe: Oh yea, sweet, what you get?

Jim: an AEG and a GBB, couple of accesories too ya know

Joe: what AEG you get..... etc...

N.O.I.P.

Yup exactly, anything to stop people saying the dreaded "G" word

You know Jim and Joe too, Damn those guys are popular

nonex

It also got me wondering, but there are
nail guns
staple guns
blow guns
zip guns
solvent guns
sealant guns
price guns

and lot more?

Fiach Dubh

Nonex makes a good point, it's not so much guns but firearms we don't want AEG linked with. Unfortunately to Mr/Ms. John Q Average they are one and the same. I'm not convinced this is much of an issue though. Take paintball, the equipment used are usually called markers by regular players but I hear them called guns all the time by many people.

CrazyRabbit

ATD : Airsoft Tagging Device.
ATE : Airsoft Tagging Equipment.
AM's : Airsoft Markers.
APA : Airsoft Projectile Accelerator.
ACU : Airsoft Compressor Unit.
APCU : Airsoft Projectile Compressor Unit.

DFSHL : Device for scaring Helen Lovejoys.
NASETLLARG : Non-lethal Airsoft Sports Equipment That Looks Like A Real Gun.

(OK, I'm joking with the last few.)

Seriously though, although the term 'gun' is not ideal, the problem right now is more to do with how they are used/sold, and to a lesser extent how realistic looking they are.

I told my new landlord about my airsoft AEG & AEP and the only thing he asked was were they legal. However, when I showed him, he just about freaked out. As I explained the sport to him, he relaxed a bit until I told him that we have some young teenagers that play on occasion. He was very adamant that children should not be allowed to use AEG's & AEP's. I think his reaction was typical, normal and reasonable.

Our biggest threat at the moment is children getting hold of these guns and injuring themselves or others. Unfortunately, I think that only a change in law preventing sale to children is the only way to combat this. Even then, we'll have the same situation we do with alcohol/cigarettes....there is always some muppet willing to buy them on behalf of the child.

For now, I would be happy to use the terms Airsoft Device or Airsoft Sports Device as suggested when in public or when posting here. But I think when speaking directly to other airsofters, I will probably still use the term 'gun' because technically I still see them as such.

Spitfire666

I have to go back to Fiach and NONEX's points, we can call them what we like but just as paintballers refer to their equipment as markers, anyone thats not regularly involved in the whole seen call them paintball guns and it will be the same with airsoft.

Nail Guns Paint Guns etc are all called guns and theres no problem because people know what they are and what they are used for. the problem is not the name as "Airsoft Gun" is fine when used as "Airsoft Gun" and not just "Gun", the problem is that people need to be informed of what they are.

kdouglas

Airsoft Tagging Device (Airsoft Tagger maybe?) sounds good, also like the sound of Airsoft Marker

Was just up at bfsl getting some gas and was talking to derek about the current situation etc.. his view was, let's face it, they look like guns and they fire a projectile, it's an airsoft gun..

although this term might not be ideal when it comes to the Helen Lovejoys of the world, maybe instead of trying to call them something else, we should be focusing on educating people that they are not real guns and are no more lethal than a potato gun (see there's that word again), although in the meantime perhaps a different term is a good idea... im mixed on this one

he also suggested getting affiliated with the SSAI as this would provide alot of protection should there be any attempt at banning airsoft?

and lastly, we talked about practical shooting.. this actually sounds like a good idea and would expand airsoft from just being about skirmish'ing... not sure if nonex has any plans for this, but hrta would be a great place for it IMO.

Dave!

A few issues with the description you posted, if you don't mind!

N.O.I.P. wrote:

Airsoft:

A (a)target sports device that simulates the workings and appearance of a firearm by expelling a lightweight plastic ball (usually 6mm) by means of gas, (b)battery or a spring piston at an insignificant velocity and energy so as to be safe to use by persons in specific sports or environments that require minimum risk of injury by direct or indirect hit.

(a) I'm not sure the term 'target sport' really encapsulates what airsoft is... I mean, that's an aspect of it, sure, but airsoft in its usual manner isn't a solitary thing involving you shooting cans all day (nor I think are we trying to promote it as such). I think 'combat simulation' is a better description. The word 'combat' is probably the softest word we could use (as opposed to 'war' or 'battle' or somethin) whilst not being coy or disingenuous.

(b) It's a bit redundant to say a battery or a spring expels/propells the BB, since the battery is used (in all cases AFAIK) to compress a spring, which pushes the piston. The battery itself isn't really propelling anything is it?

That's all! And I agree with you in priniciple about picking a name like ASD's (although it should be discussed more as to which specific names we should use).

N.O.I.P.

DaveMcG wrote:

A few issues with the description you posted, if you don't mind!

Of course I mind How dare you question me, Get off my Island

DaveMcG wrote:

(a) I'm not sure the term 'target sport' really encapsulates what airsoft is... I mean, that's an aspect of it, sure, but airsoft in its usual manner isn't a solitary thing involving you shooting cans all day (nor I think are we trying to promote it as such). I think 'combat simulation' is a better description. The word 'combat' is probably the softest word we could use (as opposed to 'war' or 'battle' or somethin) whilst not being coy or disingenuous.

Well a target is for all intents and purposes anything (paper, can or person) you aim at and intend to hit which is a very large part of what airsoft is. So yes I think we can clasify Airsoft as a target sport.

(b) It's a bit redundant to say a battery or a spring expels/propells the BB, since the battery is used (in all cases AFAIK) to compress a spring, which pushes the piston. The battery itself isn't really propelling anything is it?

Well now your just being picky

That's all! And I agree with you in priniciple about picking a name like ASD's (although it should be discussed more as to which specific names we should use).

Agreed ASD was merely a suggestion, maybe something catchy like WMDs

Hivemind187

DaveMcG wrote:

mind!

I think 'combat simulation' is a better description. The word 'combat' is probably the softest word we could use (as opposed to 'war' or 'battle' or somethin) whilst not being coy or disingenuous.

Its amazing but this is probably the first time I am not going to argue with Dave.

As for "combat sport" that is not a problem. Its widely used in the martial arts community and even by some fencers, shooters and wrestlers.

Actually, I kind of like "combat sports" ... its sounds far more macho