So you've decided to invest in an airsoft gun. That's a smart move. It's something that will bring you endless pleasure and satisfaction over the years. Whether you can just use it for recreational shooting, target practice, competitions or you join in one of the many popular airsoft games, your airsoft guns will bring challenge and fascination to your everyday life. Here's how to get the best out of your airsoft gun.

First, let's look at the buying of an airsoft gun. You can choose from a whole range of models from simple spring airsoft guns up to repeating airsoft rifles. Which model you choose, depends on your needs and preferences and of course your budget. The best thing to do is to visit the web site of an online vendor and browse the illustrated catalogues for something that appeals. Or you could ask a friend already involved with airsoft guns. Remember, you must be at least 18 years old to legally buy an airsoft gun. Having bought your airsoft gun, you'll need to become familiar with it. The best way to get to know your gun is on a firing range.

Now, here are some tips on using and taking care of your new weapon.

Firstly, never take your gun out into a public place. Though airsoft guns have special markings on the end of the barrel to identify them, sometimes even law enforcement officers cannot distinguish them from the real thing. This can cause serious problems, so when transporting your gun, make sure it's out of sight.

Taking care of your airsoft gun is quite straightforward. When it comes to cleaning and maintaining, a simple oiling and cleaning is enough. Just be sure the safety is on and the gun is free of any ammunition. Just put a few drops of silicon oil onto the moving parts and then fire the gun in the muzzle up position a couple of times to spread the oil around. Never use petroleum lubricants. Other than that, just wipe you weapon with a clean cloth after use and use a cotton bud to clear out dirt, grit or excess oil.

To keep you airsoft gun in top condition you need to use only quality plastic pellets. Stick to 6 mm quality BBs and never use pellets made of lead or any other metal.

When it comes to storing your airsoft gun, you'll need to make sure it's in a safe place away from children. Also be sure to store the ammunition separate from the gun itself. If you're not planning to use your gun for a while, you need to clean, dry, empty and uncock it before storage.

For owners of electric airsoft guns, there are a few more things you need to take care of. When storing, you should unplug the battery. One essential rule is to always make sure you're using the right battery. A wrong power source could seriously damage the mechanical parts of the gun such as motor, piston, and gears. Finally, electric guns use fuses. If for some reason your gun is not functioning, this is the first thing you should check after the battery.

If your gun jams, stop using it immediately. Check the barrel for any obstruction. Use a cleaning rod to make sure there's nothing blocking the barrel. Then fire the gun with no pellet in it. If it fires, you can try putting in a pellet and firing it. The main causes of a jammed airsoft gun are a dirty barrel or dirty or misshapen pellets. Choosing quality ammo and regularly cleaning your weapon pays dividends.

If you're participating in airsoft games, there are some things you need to consider. Firstly, never play airsoft games in a public place such as a park. Next, be sure to adequately protect yourself. In particular, full face protection is essential as your eyes and teeth are vulnerable. Use goggles that can withstand the impact of a high speed plastic pellet. Masks are even better. And never remove your eye protection while in the field. Neck, elbow and knee protection is also recommended. Always keep your safety catch on while in the safe zone.

In actual fact, using airsoft guns is a very safe activity provided you take a few simple precautions. It's mostly a matter of common sense. So whether you want a simple spring airsoft gun or your taste tends towards sophisticated airsoft rifles, start getting the most out of your weapon today.