Airsoft Guns for Police Training

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Airsoft guns serve as an alternative to firing actual guns during police and military training because they are safer and pose little danger to the safety of trainees. This lets trainees take as many shots as needed while minimizing the chance of serious injury. Individuals going through police training can practice with airsoft guns to develop confidence and expertise.

Airsoft Guns

An airsoft gun is a weapon that fires specific round pellets. While these pellets are less likely to cause serious damage, they can still hurt. Some people may perceive these weapons as toy guns; however, they look and feel like real gun and can do some damage if not treated with respect.

Do Airsoft Guns Look Like Real Guns?

Many airsoft guns look exactly like real guns. Airsoft gun manufacturers focus on making these guns look and feel as real as possible so those going through police training will get a sense of how a particular gun model will feel and handle. There are several places in Asia, the US, and Europe that use these guns as an alternative to paintball competition, as well. 

Types of Airsoft Guns

Airsoft guns are in high demand not only for civilian use but also for military and police training. Airsoft gun manufacturers support the increasing demand for airsoft guns by offering a wide array of weapons and accessories. While there are countless variations of airsoft guns to choose from; the following are the three basic types available:

• Battery Powered Guns

The battery-powered or Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) is a popular weapon. The battery is nickel-cadmium, and powers 3 gears to build pressure before shooting. The gears inside of the gun compress and release the piston, which produces pressure inside the gun. The pellet then shoots out of the gun’s barrel powered by a pressurize wave of air. AEG’s are generally top of the line.

A great place to begin with battery-powered guns is the H&K P30, which offers users options for semi-auto and fully automatic shooting. It also comes with a 16-round magazine, making it ideal for police training. What’s more, it allows you to choose your preferred setting, each time.

• Spring Powered Guns

While spring-powered airsoft guns work great, users need to cock their weapons each time they fire. They are still a reliable and practical option for training. They allow new users to have more control over their guns. The spring-powered weapons work best in close-quartered combat with targets. 

There’s a spring-powered gun to fit almost any budget. You can start with a low-cost model, then upgrade to a gun of higher quality, later. Check out the Walther Spring PPK which offers great performance at a modest price point.

• Gas-Powered Guns

Gas-powered airsoft guns are a less popular choice but still work as functional sidearms. Gas-powered guns have high power but expect a compromise on accuracy. It can be difficult to get a good shot with these guns since the recoil and ammunition deviation is high. 

It is also important to note that CO2 has a limited shelf life. It’s not unusual to pair gas-powered airsoft guns with another type of primary gun for practice during police training. 

A great choice for an entry-level gas-powered gun is the G&G GPM1911 a clone of the classic colt 1911. It offers reliable performance, which is somewhat remarkable for a design that hasn’t changed much in the last century. This gun uses green gas to produce a velocity range between 301 to 350 FPS, providing powerful sidearm shooting.

• Training Guns

Training guns are a bit different than standard airsoft guns as they combine a mix of aluminum and stainless-steel parts, to provide strength and stability. Training weapons are easy to maintain, so one can focus more time on shooting skills and less time on weapon maintenance. Airsoft specialists like Airsoft Station have been supplying training guns to police departments and other users for the past decade and a half, making them a great choice for a worry-free buying experience.

Understanding Airsoft Guns

Each of the types of airsoft gun shares many basic mechanisms. Following is a discussion of the basic anatomy and workings of an airsoft gun.

Parts of an Airsoft Spring Powered Gun

• Piston Head

The piston pulls the spring that pushes it forward when you want to fire a pellet. The piston head collects the air into the cylinder, building the air pressure inside before shooting. Most of the piston heads you find have a polycarbonate material with a metal steel tooth on the front. 

You should check out the SHS Nylon Piston if you are looking for a lightweight, functional and durable piston head option for your weapon.

• Spring

The spring is the most fundamental element. It moves the cylinder at a high speed by pushing it, ultimately firing the pellet out of the gun at a high velocity. The general velocity ranges between 200-400 feet/sec. The AMP Tactical M140 AEG Spring is an amazing spring option for shooters of all levels. 

• Spring Guide

A spring guide is the next most important component of the gun as the spring would bend after firing without the guide. Without it you would also risk jamming the end of the gearbox, making your airsoft gun useless. Don’t compromise on quality here.

Most high-quality spring guides have metal, so they last longer and do not require frequent replacement. The Maxx Airsoft CNC is a popular spring guide choice for many airsoft enthusiasts.

• Cylinder and Cylinder Head

The cylinder head is what stores air before you shoot the weapon. Keep in mind that your cylinders need to fit perfectly if you want them to move quickly inside the gun. The best way to choose a cylinder head is to select one that has an optimal Cylinder to barrel ratio.

• Air Nozzle

The air nozzle loads pellets into the hop up and barrel. This part also transfers air from the cylinder/cylinder head to the hop-up/barrel.

Battery Powered Guns

Battery-powered guns work much like spring-powered guns, but they use a built-in battery to power an electric motor. This motor compresses the spring through the gear, propelling pellets with air compression to load the pellets in a cycle. You can choose between different firing modes including semi-automatic and automatic in these guns, making them ideal for faster combat during training.

Gas Powered Airsoft Guns

The CO2 gas-powered guns use a canister that ends up in the magazine. The gas in the gun releases when a shooter presses the trigger and travels to the gun nozzle. This air travels through a valve that propels the BB gun and the gas travels back to close the valve, which gives a slight recoil right after firing the weapon.

Attachments

Airsoft guns provide police trainees with a lot of versatility as shooters can choose among several detachable components. For instance, extra clips are a great way to upgrade your weapon. One can also add scopes, lasers, and grips to make a weapon look, function, and feel better.

Safety Tips

An important aspect of your police training is firearm safety which applies to airsoft guns as well. While these weapons aren’t lethal, it is still important to proceed with caution. Your police training instructors will train you on safety measures, but expect the following:

Point Only when you want to Shoot

The most common injury while shooting is attributable to an accidental fire. It is essential to always point your gun AWAY from non-targets. This holds true even when the gun is not loaded. Always ensure that a weapon’s muzzle points in a safe direction. 

Do not Rely on Safety Mechanisms

While safety locks provide great protection against accidents, it is best not to rely on them. It is crucial to handle your weapons with care, even when you have the safety on. Do not handle your weapon carelessly, just because the safety is on. It is far from infallible.

Always Wear Protection

Protective gear is an absolute must while using an airsoft gun. This goes for eyes, ears, and face. Protect yourself with the necessary gear every time that you enter the practice field. You can check out the latest in protective gear online and choose what best fits your needs. 

Unload Your Weapon when Holstered

There is no need to keep pellets inside the gun if you do not intend to use it. A loaded gun has the potential to fire accidentally. Empty your gun before and after a training session.

Bottom Line

Airsoft guns are an essential part of military and police training. They allow individuals to perfect their aim and become accustomed to a firearm that feels nearly identical to their service weapon. They pose a minimal threat to users and those around them.