Guest post by Will: Can Training With Airsoft Guns Help You Be a Better Shooter?
As an airsoft expert and trainer, I am often asked this question by both teenagers and adults. They all want to train for using real guns, but in many cases, airsoft is the most convenient and accessible way. After all, I think it’s safe to say that there are more airsoft fields in the country than there are gun ranges.
So, if you want to be a better shooter but you don’t have access to a real gun or a safe way to practice is airsoft the answer? Well, it depends.
Can Training With Airsoft Guns Help You Be a Better Shooter?
First, it depends on the type of BB gun you’re using. A high-quality weapon that replicates the weight, sights, and feel of a real weapon will indeed be of help. Still, these are not cheap.
Second, it depends on the type of student you want to be. Airsoft is a safe shooting game, and it can convince you to cut corners or take unnecessary risks that don’t work when you’re using a real gun.
Now that you know about the risks and the increased level of responsibility, the answer to the question is yes, airsoft can make you a better shooter. Let’s see below why and how.
Law Enforcement Units use Airsoft Guns for Training
Since BB guns are almost copies of the real firearms, they can be used to train recruits and teach different tactical schemes.
Even more, gun experts and instructors encourage people to use airsoft guns for both dry fire and live fire training so they’ll get used to the idea of holding a gun.
You can learn to improve your accuracy
I have to stress the idea that you’ll need a BB gun with the same characteristics of a real gun. When it comes to accuracy, especially with handguns, you will need the rear and front sights that are placed on the top side of a gun.
If these sights are present, you can use them to work on your accuracy by making sure these are leveled when you fire your shot. Also, the front sight must be between the two rear sights, and the front sight must be in line with the center of your target.
I recommend starting with dry fire, to observe your finger placement, your stance, and your grip. All these are important when shooting any type of gun and if you don’t know what they are, I suggest asking an expert or taking a class.
You can Practice whenever you want
With a real gun, you have to go to a shooting range to practice. With a BB gun, you can practice wherever you want (as long as the law allows it): in your backyard, in the nearby forest, on the airsoft field, and so on. As long as you make sure no one is getting hurt, you’re free to practice all day long.
Even more, airsoft guns are less expensive and easier to buy than real guns, as they can be found on any specialized website like googgun.com. This gives you access to a wide range of designs and you can practice with anything from a pistol to a sniper rifle.
If you take advantage of this freedom and use the time to practice, when you get to shoot a real gun, you’ll feel the improvement.
Finally, if you are familiar with BB guns, you know that there are times when it’s difficult to tell the difference without that orange tip. This is the main factor that allows them to be so great for safe training in becoming a better shooter.
Thanks Will for your guest blog post!
Learn more about Jackson Hole Firearms Training HERE.
