Airsoft Gear – Choosing the appropriate rail accessories

You've got a new Airsoft gun. It probably came with an airsoft battery, a charger, and a removable magazine. It may even have come with open sights. For most Airsoft marksmen on the playfield, that is all you'll ever need. But, depending on the airsoft skirmish type, you may need additional AEG accessories to be more effective on the playfield. This article will break down the types of Airsoft accessories available and how they are mounted to your airsoft gun. By the end of this article you will be able to pick out the best airsoft gear for your mission.

If you are new to airsoft, or firearms in general, the term "rail" might be new to you. The word "rail" refers to a mounting system that creates a universal connection point for airsoft accessories. Often called Rail Integrations Systems (RIS), there are two types of rail systems commonly used: Weaver and Picatinny. Weaver rails, named after developer William Weaver, can be used to mount a whole host of airsoft accessories including: laser sights, telescopic sights, red dot sights, tactical flashlights, front grips, Battery boxes and Bipods.

The Picatinny rail system was designed by Picatinny Arsenal and has the same functionality as the Weaver rail system. The Picatinny rail is usually located at the top of the gun's receiver and provides a mounting point for scope and night vision devices. Picatinny rails are designed to minimize heating and cooling on real steal guns, creating a more stable platform for scopes and sighting devices. As a rule of thumb, most airsoft gear designed for weaver rails will fit on Picatinny rails, but not usually the other way around. Rail systems have become so commonplace that it is not unusual to see them on pistols and shotguns. The advantage of a Rail system is the ease of mounting and removing accessories without having to field strip the airsoft gun.

Sights and scopes

A gun sight is a device that gives the user the advantage of accurate fire through an aiming method. Sights start with basic open sights and progress up to telescopic sights (cross-hairs, red-dot, and night vision). Telescopic sights give you the advantage of being able to identify and aim at more distant targets. Open sights and telescopic sights are best used in an outdoor medium to long range shooting situation. You would probably not get much use out of a scope in close quarters battle (CQB for short), or in areas of thick vegetation. Some firearms (like the Airsoft Steyr AUG) come with a scope integrated into the upper receiver.

Laser sights

Mounted on an airsoft gun, the laser sight gives the user quick point and shoot advantage. Lasers usually come in red (great for indoors or low light situations) or Green (great for outdoors or bright light situations). A Laser sight mounted on an airsoft gun is best used for CQB, indoor, or urban combat. They provide a quick aiming point in short to medium range distances.

Tactical lights

Designed for low light situations, tactical lights provide a weapon-mounted flashlight to illuminate targets during indoor or nighttime airsoft skirmishes. This allows the user to have both hands free to operate the airsoft gun.

Stabilizing devices provide the airsoft user the ability to maneuver and/or aim the airsoft gun with ease. One type of stabilizing device is the vertical forward grip. This front mounted, or permanently attached grip gives the airsoft user better stability when moving and aiming. They are great for CQB when better maneuverability of the weapon is required in tight areas.

The other type of stabilizing device is the bipod or tripod. These allow a long range prone or sitting shooter added aiming stability and can greatly increase accuracy at longer distances. Bipods and tripods are best used by snipers and in defensive positions. A bipod or tripod is not intended for use in Airsoft CQB aiming areas as they actually decrease maneuverability of the weapon. For multi-purpose weapons, the bipod can be collapsible, getting it out of the way for better maneuverability.

Other Airsoft gear that can be mounted to your rail system includes battery boxes, Grenade launchers and Bayonets (not recommended for airsoft play). Battery boxes are usually disguised as a tactical light or some other rail accessory and houses the airsoft battery. This is popular on M4 style weapons where it is not easy to access the battery. Airsoft Grenade launchers act as an airsoft shotgun, shooting a wide pattern of airsoft BBs; great for room clearing. They also add realism to the M16 or M4 style of airsoft rifles.

Whatever your need on the airsoft field, there is a piece of cool gear to be had, and with rail systems they are easy to integrate into your airsoft system. Be sure to evaluate the gun type, the rail capacity, and skirmish types before buying and employing your airsoft gear.