Home

Airsoft Guns History

July 09, 2010 04:44pm EST 
Airsoft guns were first created in the mid 1970s as an alternative means for handguns and other dangerous firearms.  The airsoft gun was invented in Japan shortly after the country made it illegal to own or carry a handgun.  As oppose to a lead based bullet, airsoft guns fire plastic or rubber BB pellets at an average of 400 feet per second.  When Japan outlawed firearms, a safer substitute to protect oneself was highly demanded. Manufacturers began to produce an assortment of spring based non-lethal replicas of handguns, rifles, shotguns, and semi-automatic weapons. Through innovation these replicas then were produced in smaller sizes of 6 and 8 millimeter calibers. The invention then morphed several times over, gaining popularity with each innovation. Airsoft guns eventually hit the United States market in the early 90's for recreational activities, military training, and as a self-defense substitute. 
   
The first manufacturers of airsoft guns in Japan were popular toy companies Masudaya, Fujimi, and Matsushiro.  These companies marketed the replica guns as a safer BB gun-one which you can shoot your friends with, similar to the manner of paintball guns.  Each gun carried a specific pellet that was launched through a spring based mechanism. To reduce costs, a universal pellet was instituted that could be used for all airsoft guns.  With a standardized ammunition produced by each company, the costs were so low that every consumer could easily afford an airsoft gun and a substantial amount of ammunition.  The popularity of the gun soared in Japan.  Kids were competing in airsoft gun leagues, women bought them as a means to protect themselves, men loved firing them, it was a product that had a diverse and enormous demand.  Although still isolated solely in Japan, airsoft guns hit America due to the intervention of a well known company.      
   
The Daisy company had been widely recognized as the premiere producer of BB guns in the United States.  With the growing popularity overseas, the company decided to begin marketing the airsoft gun in the mid 1980s.  The Daisy company through the manufacturing of the Maruzen company of Japan, began to repackage airsoft guns and ship them to the United States for sale.  The first line to hit the United States included pistols, shotguns, rifles, and various sub-machine guns.  Shortly after their introduction into the United States, the economy in Japan went through a devastating recession.  The toy companies that produced the airsoft gun went under and the market for the airsoft gun eventually crumbled overseas.  Although manufacturers folded in Japan, the airsoft gun made a strong impact in the United States through improvements on use, style, and variation.
  
Airsoft guns have been adopted in American society for competitive and recreational purposes.  Like paintball, airsoft guns have their own comprehensive leagues and competitions.  Americans use the replica guns as a means to recreate famous wars, compete in airsoft gun competitions, and as training methods for law enforcement and military personnel.  The industry has gone through numerous face lifts, as innovations such as grenade launchers, grenades, mines, claymores, and an assortment of new guns hit the market annually.  With an assortment of uses and creations, the airsoft gun market appears to be gaining strength each year.

BREAKING NEWS

FEATURED VIDEO

Airsoft Guns History

Recent Post

Operation Confirm
Are you sure you want to delete it?