If you’re a parent concerned about getting your child an airsoft gun, a large part of it has to be how real the gun looks. Airsoft pellets are made from plastic and can’t kill anyone, but what if one uses a real bullet in an airsoft gun? Well, that’s a scenario you don’t have to worry about.
You cannot use (or fit) a real bullet in an airsoft gun, but you can fire a metal BB from it, albeit at a low speed. Because airsoft guns are meant to shoot plastic BBs, they’re not very effective at shooting metal pellets.
In this article, you will find out how concerned you should be about an airsoft gun being used with malicious intent. Towards the end, you will also learn a few best practices to stay safe when playing airsoft. But first, let’s address the main question in detail.
Can Real Bullets Fit In An Airsoft Gun?
Real bullets cannot fit in airsoft guns. Even when you remove the casing of a real bullet, it will be too large for an airsoft gun. Airsoft guns are not weapons that can kill people, and while they look like real guns, they cannot generate enough impact to fire a deadly projectile.
If you’re wondering about the possibility of fitting real bullets in airsoft, you fall into one of two categories. Either you want to do it, or you’re afraid someone else might do it. In case you want to use airsoft for self-defense, you should back off from the idea. Airsoft guns are not meant for self-defense.
And if you’re worried your kid or friend might use a real bullet in an airsoft gun, you should not stress about it. It is quite literally impossible to even chamber a real bullet, let alone load and fire it. That said, you must be careful about real BBs. Because they are much smaller than real bullets, they can fit in an airsoft gun.
Can Airsoft Gun Fire Metal BBs?
An airsoft gun can fire a metal BB that fits in its magazine/chamber. However, the speed of the projectile is three to four times lower, which can make the fire ineffective.
Moreover, firing metal BBs with a gun that is meant to fire soft bullets is the quickest way to ruin the gun’s firing mechanism. It takes a toll on the gun and renders an airsoft gun dysfunctional in the first six attempts at firing metal BBs.
So, should you use an airsoft gun as a makeshift BB gun? No. Can you, though? Yes. The limitation of firing metal BBs with airsoft guns is that the target should be three to four times closer to the gun’s barrel.
Remember that metal BBs shouldn’t be shot at other humans. They are strictly for target practice and target shooting games. It is a bad idea to take an airsoft gun to a target-shooting game that involves metal BBs.
While shooting metal BBs competitively with an airsoft gun puts you at a disadvantage, it is not the only context where someone might think of using metal BBs in an airsoft gun. A malicious actor might try to load metal BBs in his airsoft gun to harm another person. How concerned should you be about it?
Are Airsoft Guns Dangerous?
Airsoft guns are not dangerous if handled properly. However, malicious use of airsoft can injure people, especially if the gun is aimed at one’s throat or eyes. Airsoft guns can’t kill people, as far as their history shows.
There have been zero documented deaths as a result of airsoft gunfire. Still, there are scenarios where an airsoft gun might take a life, though not in the regular use context.
Here are situations where an airsoft gun can be dangerous to one’s life:
- Pulling it out or brandishing it in front of armed policemen – If an airsoft gun is mistaken for a real gun, it can lead to being fired at with real bullets.
- Shooting someone that is armed with a real gun – an Airsoft gun cannot stop an assailant. It can anger them further, making them want to harm you.
- Firing at a close distance with a metal BB – A metal BB hitting soft and vital tissue even at a low speed can be deadly.
Is An Airsoft Gun Safe For Kids?
Airsoft guns aren’t safe for kids who don’t have enough guidance, protective gear, and supervision. A child bringing an airsoft gun to school endangers everyone around him. Parents should make sure their children use airsoft guns after sufficient education regarding their dangers and the best practices for using them.
Can You Make A Real Gun Out Of An Airsoft Gun?
You cannot convert an airsoft gun into a real gun. The firing mechanisms of actual guns and airsoft guns are different. That doesn’t mean airsoft guns are safe for everyone. They have the potential to harm people if used maliciously.
Airsoft gun safety tips:
- Use the airsoft gun only on the airsoft field – The less you use an airsoft gun outside of an airsoft match, the fewer chances of accidents. Airsoft fields are managed and regulated to minimize the chances of accidents.
- Make sure that you have goggles on – Everyone in an airsoft game should have goggles on.
- Fire to tag, not to hurt – Try to shoot the torso as it is easier to hit and doesn’t harm the other player.
- Play with people your age – Don’t play with people who are much older or younger than you, lest you accidentally hurt them or get hurt by them. Players with equal maturity levels play well together.
Final Thoughts
Airsoft guns can be dangerous if mishandled, but they’re not the same as real guns. You cannot use real bullets in them, though you can fire metal BBs with them. However, they don’t shoot metal BBs at high speed. Overall, these guns remain non-lethal and have a record of causing zero deaths by airsoft fire.