Over the last 20 years, Air Soft-based sport games have found a strong foothold in the United States. In every state, there are now a growing number of fields that cater specifically to players who enjoy organized skirmishes. From capture the flag to large-scale military tactical re-enactments, Air Soft is truly the technology of choice for those who value realism in addition to a good time.

Why play Air Soft games over paintball? A simple look at the weapons answers that question. Air Soft guns are about realism. The leading manufacturers spend countless hours designing their guns to look as much like existing models as possible. Even the internal mechanics used to propel the BBs do not take away from the weapons' aesthetic. Whether it's electrical, gas or spring-action, Air Soft Guns look, feel and often shoot the same way their real counterparts do.

In addition to the realism of the guns, Air Soft weapons offer extensive customization options. Players can change barrels or add scopes, mounts or slings. Even the internal parts of the guns can be modified. New springs or motors can increase a gun's range, speed and even accuracy. In fact, many of the guns are so well designed that numerous accessories used on an Air Soft gun could be used on the actual firearm.

A common upgrade involves adding a quality scope to the gun. The mini-size AR-15 scope, which comes with an integrated rail system for easy mounting, has excellent optics, creating a magnification of up to 9x. This allows players to see their targets before they see them--an essential addition for aspiring snipers.