If you're looking to get into shooting sports, you'll immediately encounter three main options: airsoft, BB guns, and paintball. While they might seem similar, they have fundamental differences in purpose, equipment, and safety. This guide will break down everything you need to know to choose the right one for you.
| Feature | Airsoft | BB Gun | Paintball |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projectile | 6mm Plastic Pellets | 4.5mm Metal BBs | .68 Caliber Gelatin Shells w/ Paint |
| Primary Use | Recreational Combat Sport | Target Practice, Pest Control | Recreational Combat Sport |
| Safe to Shoot at People? | Yes (with safety gear) | NO, NEVER | Yes (with safety gear) |
| Realism | Very High (1:1 Replicas) | Moderate to High | Low (Hoppers, Tanks) |
| Pain Level | Low to Moderate | High / Dangerous | Moderate to High |
No, not at all. A BB gun is significantly more painful and dangerous than an airsoft gun. Airsoft uses lightweight plastic pellets designed to sting but not cause serious injury. BB guns fire small metal spheres that can easily penetrate skin, break bones, and cause permanent injury. This is the most important distinction: you can play games with airsoft, but you must NEVER shoot a BB gun at a person.
A BB gun hits much, much harder. The combination of a heavier, denser metal projectile and often higher velocities gives a BB gun vastly more impact energy than an airsoft gun.
In terms of pain, most people agree that paintball hurts more than airsoft. A paintball is much larger and heavier than an airsoft BB. While both sting, a paintball hit carries more energy and leaves a more significant welt or bruise. The "splat" of a paintball can also be more jarring.
This question can be confusing. BBs and Pellets can both refer to the ammo of an airsoft gun, BB gun, or pellet gun. In any comparison, the metal projectiles from BB guns or pellet guns hurt far more and are far more dangerous than the plastic pellets used in airsoft.
A BB gun is unequivocally more powerful. They are designed for target shooting and pest control, and their power reflects that purpose. Airsoft guns are specifically designed to be less powerful to allow for a safe recreational sport.
Both are safe sports when played at regulated fields with proper safety equipment. However, airsoft is often considered a better entry point for younger or more timid players for two main reasons: