Off Topic: The Flood
This topic has moved here: Subject: Paintball or Airsoft, Help me Decide?!
  • Subject: Paintball or Airsoft, Help me Decide?!
Subject: Paintball or Airsoft, Help me Decide?!

Hello Flood, I'd like to get into one of these two sports (or hobbies, whatever you want to classify them as). I've played airsoft once (about 7 months ago) and Paintball once (In 4th grade, about 7 years ago). I liked them both but I don't know what to choose! I know airsofters and paintballers would tear each other to shreds if they had the chance, so please keep it nice!

So anyway, I know that airsofting is cheaper, especially the BBs used to play (2000 paintballs are about 35$ bucks, while the BBs are almost 7 times cheaper). I like how the guns look more realistic (I know this isn't a big deal) and I like how when I shoot, it isn't a fat marble that to some may seem more inaccurate than a BB (not sure if this is a fact).

The main thing that bugs me is how there's an honor system in airsoft. When I played with a friend of mine for the first time, we went up against these 4 guys (among other people) wearing predator masks, using LMGs, using holsters, vests, and camo. They definitely looked like they've done this many times.

Anyway, I got the jump on them (I ambushed them from the side while waiting behind a tree) and I got 3 of them who were about 20 feet away and out in the open, I was SURE I got them. I watched helplessly as they all turned and faced me, and shot at me as I tried to hide behind this tiny tree. I was doing some trickshots which I'm sure I shot them AGAIN, and eventually I got hit once and I just got out.

The fact that no one calls their hits is aggravating, and I see this as a big defect. But I really don't want to waste too much of my parent's money and paintball does have some obvious faults that aren't apparent in Airsoft.

By the way, I live in South Florida, and there is a very good paintball place nearby, however there are 2 Airsoft fields that are about a 45 minute drive away. The Airsoft places aren't very official, and people don't really get scolded at or aren't frowned upon for not following the honor system.

All I heard in my game was "COUNT YOUR HITS" every 5 seconds.

I also don't really care about pain, so whichever hurts more or doesn't doesn't really concern me.

[Edited on 11.29.2012 6:32 PM PST]

  • 11.29.2012 6:12 PM PDT

I prefer Airsoft for the Realism factor with the Tactics and Gear, but only get into if you're serious about it.
If you're just in it for fun, then PaintBall is the way to go.

  • 11.29.2012 6:18 PM PDT

Go with whichever is more practical for you. Airsoft is cheaper and I live closer to a decent airsoft field than paintball field. The field I go to, they'll have your ass on a plate if they find out you aren't calling hits. Plus I like airsoft gear better(guns are realistic and are fun to tinker with, rigs/vests are fun to tinker with, funner to use mags than hoppers, imo). That said, even with vigilant refs, people still get away with cheating, so if you want a more competitive sport go with paintball. Being that the only Airsoft fields near you are a good drive away and suck(according to you) and you have a nice paintball field close by, I'd go with paintball despite the extra cost.

  • 11.29.2012 6:21 PM PDT

I like air soft. Cheaper.

  • 11.29.2012 6:22 PM PDT


Posted by: tntbabin
Go with whichever is more practical for you. Airsoft is cheaper and I live closer to a decent airsoft field than paintball field. The field I go to, they'll have your ass on a plate if they find out you aren't calling hits. Plus I like airsoft gear better(guns are realistic and are fun to tinker with, rigs/vests are fun to tinker with, funner to use mags than hoppers, imo). That said, even with vigilant refs, people still get away with cheating, so if you want a more competitive sport go with paintball. Being that the only Airsoft fields near you are a good drive away and suck(according to you) and you have a nice paintball field close by, I'd go with paintball despite the extra cost.


Thanks man. I was considering airsoft first, then paintball, and now I'm leaning more towards paintball. It may feel a bit sillier, but at least it is more competitive like you said.

  • 11.29.2012 6:23 PM PDT

Why no poll?

OT: Paintball is easier, because you can tell if you've been hit.

  • 11.29.2012 6:23 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Depends, which do you have more people to play with?

My Airsoft wars generally have 14-16 people, and it's a blast. Plus, none of us are dishonest about being hit, so seldom do we argue about that type of thing.

  • 11.29.2012 6:25 PM PDT
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I'm not so good with advice...Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?

Im an avid paintballer. I go every weekend with a bunch of friends. Let me start off by saying there are cheaters in both games. Its just less common in paintball but every once in a while, youll get an -blam!- who wipes hits. Really, go with whichever you think you will have more fun doing. Airsoft is cheaper, but i feel like paintball is more bang for your buck. And people who say that airsoft guns look realistic, paintball guns can look just as good. Plus, its more fun hitting and getting hit with a paintball than a tiny plastic pellet.

  • 11.29.2012 6:26 PM PDT

In memory of those fallen in the defense of Earth and her colonies.

March 3, 2553

Airsoft 120%

I bought a UMP 45 with foregrip, reddot and tactlight and it is awesome.

  • 11.29.2012 6:28 PM PDT


Posted by: Dozen Plague

Posted by: tntbabin
Go with whichever is more practical for you. Airsoft is cheaper and I live closer to a decent airsoft field than paintball field. The field I go to, they'll have your ass on a plate if they find out you aren't calling hits. Plus I like airsoft gear better(guns are realistic and are fun to tinker with, rigs/vests are fun to tinker with, funner to use mags than hoppers, imo). That said, even with vigilant refs, people still get away with cheating, so if you want a more competitive sport go with paintball. Being that the only Airsoft fields near you are a good drive away and suck(according to you) and you have a nice paintball field close by, I'd go with paintball despite the extra cost.


Thanks man. I was considering airsoft first, then paintball, and now I'm leaning more towards paintball. It may feel a bit sillier, but at least it is more competitive like you said.


Honestly, I felt a little silly when I first started playing airsoft, then I got hit with bbs from a high fps gun and things felt considerably less silly XD . Whether paintball or airsoft, you'll lose yourself in the fun and attempting to avoid getting shot that you won't care about how silly you may look playing.

  • 11.29.2012 6:30 PM PDT


Posted by: WinyPit82
Depends, which do you have more people to play with?

My Airsoft wars generally have 14-16 people, and it's a blast. Plus, none of us are dishonest about being hit, so seldom do we argue about that type of thing.


None, actually. I'm trying to get my best friend, interested, and he is, but it's costly for both of us with this economy and all. I have one friend who has a lot of gear to play, as he used to play, and I know that the 3 of us will play if we go through with this.

As for paintball, there's really no one that I know of that plays. My friends are all somewhat interested, but I don't think any of them would actually pay so much for all the gear and stuff.

  • 11.29.2012 6:31 PM PDT


Posted by: mr pie123
Why no poll?

OT: Paintball is easier, because you can tell if you've been hit.


I forgot to add one! This thread would have been so much better with a poll.

  • 11.29.2012 6:32 PM PDT

Is the place you're talking about called Hotshots by chance? I go there almost every weekend. ;)

Anyway, I like airsoft much more than paintball, mainly because it's cheaper. The honor system can sometimes be a problem, but you can usually tell when you hit someone and just yelling at them is usually enough to make them go out.

  • 11.29.2012 6:40 PM PDT


Posted by: RC5908
Is the place you're talking about called Hotshots by chance? I go there almost every weekend. ;)

Anyway, I like airsoft much more than paintball, mainly because it's cheaper. The honor system can sometimes be a problem, but you can usually tell when you hit someone and just yelling at them is usually enough to make them go out.


No, it isn't. It's in Kendall. I just saw that they're opening a new Airsoft field here in Miami, I'm pretty excited.

  • 11.29.2012 6:55 PM PDT

I prefer paintball just because I find it more satisfying to see paint splatter everywhere.

And you can still do the same tactics/realism stuff people do in Airsoft, it's just more colorful.

  • 11.29.2012 7:04 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Posted by: cameo_cream
Airsoft 120%

I bought a UMP 45 with foregrip, reddot and tactlight and it is awesome.

From...?

(All of my weapons are Echo 1)

  • 11.29.2012 7:06 PM PDT

Alt account #4 because i can!

I actually have an airsoft team i play with. all together we've spent about 1000 dollars for gear for all 5 of us, and its more realistic in my opinion. i cant stand playing with a giant hopper sticking out of the gun like that. if you get into airsoft its one of the coolest things you can experience. and as for the argument "airsoft is a -blam!- game. it doesnt hurt" you can tell that to the welts and scars i have from actual games, to just playing in the back yard with my mates. thats another bonus about airsoft. you can play almost any where that isnt completely in public! sure you can with paintball, but who wants their yard covered in paint?

all you need is a good M4/M16 base to work with and you can customize almost anything you want about it from the gearbox alone.

[Edited on 11.29.2012 7:24 PM PST]

  • 11.29.2012 7:19 PM PDT


Posted by: SawzeBawse
I actually have an airsoft team i play with. all together we've spent about 1000 dollars for gear for all 5 of us, and its more realistic in my opinion. i cant stand playing with a giant hopper sticking out of the gun like that. if you get into airsoft its one of the coolest things you can experience. and as for the argument "airsoft is a -blam!- game. it doesnt hurt" you can tell that to the welts and scars i have from actual games, to just playing in the back yard with my mates. thats another bonus about airsoft. you can play almost any where that isnt completely in public! sure you can with paintball, but who wants their yard covered in paint?

all you need is a good M4/M16 base to work with and you can customize almost anything you want about it from the gearbox alone.


Thanks. My best friend said he is more interested in airsoft, and a field is opening nearby so I think we're leaning more towards airsoft!

  • 11.29.2012 7:28 PM PDT

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Seriously, check this out.

I play airsoft with a group of friends at mine at non-official fields (a state park wooded area, abandoned factory etc.) and it's awesome fun. If you like the mil-sim aspect of actual weapons and attachments then it's worth it, plus a lot cheaper than paintball.

  • 11.29.2012 7:30 PM PDT