by Stacey Case

Created on: November 15, 2009

Airsoft is better than paintball in many ways. There is the set up and up keep costs. Basic guns for airsoft start at a relatively cheap price compared to paintball guns. For almost anybody airsoft is more affordable than paintball. Guns for airsoft can be as cheap as $10 where as paintball starts at $25. The more fancier a gun the higher the price gets for them with both airsoft and paintball. Most airsoft guns tend to run around or below $40 and paintball guns can run up to $200 or even more.The safety gear needed for paintball is more expensive and extensive than it is for airsoft. For airsoft there are no set safety gear but if you prefer to you can get a cheap pair of safety goggles for as little as a dollar or two and for paintball there is the face mask that usually sells for around $15-$20. For paintball markers they are more expensive and take up more space than airsoft bb's. For ammo in airsoft you can get 20,000 rounds for about $30 and for paintball you can get around 2,000 rounds for about $30.

For some gun enthusiasts and collectors, airsoft guns have been a great joy as they are exact replicas of many different guns that they may not have otherwise been allowed to own due to laws. Airsoft guns being as close as you can get to the real things make them better for tactical and logistical training than paintball guns. You can also choose from using gas guns and battery operated. There is far less gear that needs to be carried and it is more realistic during each game or training session. The cost being so much cheaper than paintball means players can go out and play for longer periods of time and more often. There is the added bonus that airsoft guns are less tempermental than paintball guns so that means you can also go during the colder months giving a longer outdoor playing season. Many different agencies from the military to police have been using the airsoft guns as good realistic training tools and can simulate many different scenerios with them. Leagues for airsofters are growing alot faster than those for paintballers. I think this is due to the cost and being able to due more with airsoft than you can with paintball. With staying out for longer periods and going more times you'll get the unforseen benefit of extra exercise that doesn't feel like the typical gym workout or to some doesn't seem like a workout at all.

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