Are Airsoft Guns Loud? The Answer Might Surprise You!

Are Airsoft Guns Loud? If you’re into airsoft, you’ve probably wondered about noise. After all, most of us aren’t looking to alert everyone in a three-mile radius that we’re armed to the teeth. For those curious about how loud airsoft guns actually are (and whether or not it’s safe for them to be fired inside), see this article for the complete rundown!

 

What makes airsoft guns loud? – Are Airsoft Guns Loud

The sound of an airsoft gun is typically made by the release of compressed air, which is done by an airsoft gun’s gearbox. Airsoft guns are measured in muzzle energy, which is the energy delivered to the BB as it leaves the barrel. The muzzle energy of an airsoft gun is measured in joules.

 

Airsoft guns and the law – Are Airsoft Guns Loud

Airsoft guns can be divided into two groups: airsoft guns with muzzle energy below 1 joule (0.7 ft. lbs.) and guns that have muzzle energy above 1 joule (0.7 ft. lbs.). The 1 joule limit is the legal limit for an airsoft gun in the UK.

The upper limit is slightly higher in Australia. All airsoft guns are measured by “Joules per Square Inch (JPI),” which is a scientific conversion derived from kilowatt hours (kWh) that is expressed in British Thermal Units (BTUs).

For example, a 150-pound airsoft gun with a velocity of 20 m/s (67.1 mph) would have a JPI of 817, while a 300-pound airsoft gun with a velocity at 20 m/s (67.1 mph) would have a JPI of 1,019. The JPI is useful because it allows you to compare the sound level of two different airsoft guns side-by-side and hear how far away the sound was.

Different levels produce vastly different sounds when heard. Some sound levels are dangerous (e.g. 1.6 m/s or higher) and alarm the player to stop the game immediately. Conversely, other sounds are way too low (e.g. 0.3–0.5 m/s) and should be avoided whenever possible. For safety reasons, the UK government has required all new airsoft guns sold in the UK to have a JPI of at least 1,000 for noise levels greater than 1.6 m/s.

The size of the fight can vary due to player size and the terrain. As a general rule, louder sounds travel farther and the approximate size of the space they occupy. Sound levels don’t account for distance; there are no limits on the maximum distance an airsoft gun may travel before registering as 600 feet from the shooter. In comparison, other types of sports and recreational games are graded according to distance.

Because they are graded in distance, participating in them is limited by your ability to cover the distance. The indicated noise levels are based on a simple rule: The sound worse than a constant (unsuppressed) roar is dangerous, with a moderate sound either being OK or safe.

 

How loud are airsoft guns? – Are Airsoft Guns Loud

Airsoft guns are no louder than a cap guns or a firecracker. Airsoft guns are not as loud as your average paintball gun, because they are powered by gas and run at a lower pressure. There are sounds like gas, hitting the air, pops, and cracks. But people saying that these are dangerous is totally different than saying a siren is dangerous.

Do kids have a right to keep a gun in their homes? – Are Airsoft Guns Loud

Yes. In most states, yes, a child should be able to keep their parent’s gun. So is your home. If you have a gun in your home, that’s how the law reads. However, if you want to buy an airsoft gun, you cannot own one that was used by someone else for hunting or target practice.

But you may buy a real gun and take what looks like a child’s toy and turn it into a real rifle. In reality, you couldn’t purchase a replica Terminator gun or another non-replica gun.

But if you want to shoot a BB gun at a set of targets, and the entire house shakes, but you take the BB gun away from the shaking room and keep it in your hip pocket, that may be a different story.

What action should a child take when playing with an airsoft gun?

The same as you would if you were a parent. Kids should always be left alone to play with their toys.

When should kids not be playing with their toys?

If they are too young, the airsoft gun can cause permanent injury or even death. Yes, a child can hurt themselves if they play with an airsoft gun too hard or too fast.

What should a parent’s rules be with regard to his or her child’s use of an airsoft gun?

Make sure the gun is stored properly and locked up. Restrain the target or people playing with the gun.

Are airsoft guns safe to fire indoors?

Airsoft guns are air guns used for recreational purposes like hunting, target shooting, and combat simulation. Airsoft guns are not considered firearms under federal law, but they are regulated in some states, including California, New York, and New Jersey. To be safe for the average player, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that airsoft guns be shot between 68–76 decibels at most and that the noise level be limited to around 55 decibels.