Can Airsoft Guns Use Metal BBs? What You Should Know

Can Airsoft Guns Use Metal BBs? The short answer is “maybe”, but there are some very specific circumstances that might help you determine if it’s possible to use a metal bb. Long story short, if you want to use the best accuracy for your airsoft gun, you should stick with plastic bbs. But if you really need a metal bb for your airsoft gun because of a specific circumstance, then yes… it’s possible to use one in some airsoft guns.

 

What is an airsoft gun? – Can Airsoft Guns Use Metal BBs

Airsoft guns are replica firearms that shoot non-metallic pellets. Airsoft guns are used for recreational purposes, mainly as a sport. Airsoft guns are used in many different competitive events, including ones that are very similar to paintball. The rules and structure of most airsoft competitions (including paintball) are more specific to airsoft than to paintball, so some similarities between airsoft and paintball exist.

Can all airsoft guns use metal bbs?

Yes, all airsoft guns are able to use metal bb’s, but it’s very important to check with the manufacturer of your airsoft gun before using them. Some airsoft guns have a higher tolerance for metal bb’s than others, so be sure to check your gun’s manual before using them.

 

Why would I want to use metal bbs for my airsoft gun? – Can Airsoft Guns Use Metal BBs

Metal bb’s are the best option for hardcore Airsoft players; they don’t break as biodegradable bb’s do, and they don’t give you a hard time like bb’s made of low quality resin do. If you asked me at the beginning of the article, I would have said no.

Because these metal bb’s cost $20 at a dollar store and you couldn’t feasibly get a metal one ridin’ around $50 and maintain compliance with government regulations. I still stand by my stance. But I decided to change stance a little bit when I spoke with Danny Sullivan, who is the author of Wired Magazine’s earlier article on the subject of using metal bb’s in airsoft guns.

 

According to Danny Sullivan’s article: – Can Airsoft Guns Use Metal BBs

“I asked the world’s top authorities in the field of plastic versus metal a simple question: ‘What matters most in deciding whether to use metal from a compliance, cost, and time standpoint?’ Most of the experts I spoke to gave me very plausible answers, but it really came down to personal preference.”

“In about 30 minutes, six different experts weighed in, asking what traits mattered in picking metal smaller and lighter, regardless of cost. All but one of ’em said size mattered. That means getting the right size for your parcel.”

“Size did create some convergence, according to the experts I gathered; some people preferred smaller bb’s, some people preferred the gold standard of.120-inch bb”.

In response to everyone’s differing tastes; Danny Sullivan promises:

“We will start to see metal materials more and more integrated into the product line, and will measure metal features solely on functionality for a while.”

According to him, he expects that in two years, you’ll be able to buy in-pack plastic bb’s and metal bb’s the same way you buy magazines nowadays. They’ll be the same price, they’ll look the same, and very little will be different.

 

Metal bb capacity in airsoft guns – Can Airsoft Guns Use Metal BBs

The magazine or ammunition storage device of a firearm is often also called a “clip”. A magazine is usually inserted into the magazine well, which is a part of the firearm’s receiver and its primary function is to store ammunition before it is fed into the chamber by the bolt.

When the clip is not inserted into the magazine well, a metal bb can usually be inserted into the receiver. This happens in instances where you must use a certain type of tapping tool to remove dirt or debris from the gun’s bore, either before or after you take the gun apart.

Depending on the breech door being unlocked or defeated, the metal bb can be fed by either the charging handle or magazines. When using a metal bb, the competitor using it may use a jamming tool, which shoots metal shavings into the gun’s barrel.

This can make metal bb’s difficult to use if you’re using paintball guns, due to the priming. Also, metal BBs have a bad rap for airsoft games due to being more inaccurate. Due mostly to its accuracy issues, most single-shot airsoft guns do not come with metal bbs.

What to Do If You’re Over It or Want To Use a Real Power Tool

It now depends on how you’re going to use the tool. If most of your airsoft gun is just paintball markers, then a metal bb may be difficult to use.

Sure, you could hang onto some test magazines and just fire off paintballs with those, but what if, for some reason, you need to jam the marker out of the gun? A metal bb’s large primer pin will just stick out.

Once you jam a marker out, the primer will be exposed and the piece of metal will move across the bb’s primer pin. It will get stuck between the pieces of metal. Without a metal bb, you can’t fire off paintballs reliably, and you’ll probably miss (or be forced to play defense while under fire).