This Instructable will tell you about different kinds of airsoft guns, what they are good for, and what to buy. It will also teach you multiple games. Enjoy!

Step 1: Selecting Your Weapon

There are 7 different types of airsoft guns

--Electric assault rifles (M16, M4, STG) Usually around 300-400 fps (feet per second)
--Electric sub-machine guns (Thompson, Mp5, MP40) Usually around 300-350 fps
-- Spring rifles (M14, M4, Dragunov) Usually around 330-450 fps
-- Shotguns (single-shot, multi-shot) usually around 300-350 fps
-- Spring pistols (Desert Eagle, Colt, Revolver) Usually around 250-310 fps
-- Electric pistols (Colt, Desert Eagle, Crosman) Usually 200-275 fps
-- Gas guns, I don't own any and have never used one. The only downside is buying gas. Otherwise, they are powerful guns.

For beginners, I recommend a spring rifle. It is easy to maintain, and easy to figure out. I also recommend having a spring pistol. This is handy for when your run out with your main gun. Another good entry gun, is a shotgun, either multi-shot or single. These are good guns that almost never break.

If you really want to, you can buy an electric gun. These are expensive though, and have more breakable parts. That is why I prefer the spring gun. It is cheap and reliable. But if you do buy an electric gun, I would recommend buying a universal smart charger as well. This way, you can't overcharge the battery and ruin your gun (like I did with my first one).

And please, don't buy a gun case. They are more expensive than the guns below.

The pictures are of some recommended starter weapons. All except the M16. That is my electric gun.

Step 2: Gear

A lot of people say that you need all kinds of fancy equipment to play airsoft, and I think that turns some people away. They say you need water, camouflage suits, helmets, and all kinds of other things. I say, get what you need. Here is what I recommend you bring to the battlefield.

-Your main gun, with either a high-capacity magazine, or a couple extra low capacity magazines.
-Your pistol, with at least two magazines.
-And a few friends

That's all you need to have fun playing airsoft. And trust me. Even if you are a sniper, you don't need a ghillie suit. I promise.

Clothes
- A grey, dark green or brownish shirt.
-Jeans or long pants.
-A hat (If it is sunny)
- Safety glasses (not pictured)

Step 3: During Battle

During a battle, it is best to stick to cover, but move closer to the enemy. This could cause them to run, giving you a clear shot at them. You might even want to try, sending 1 or 2 guys behind the enemy and then do this from either side. If you surround them, you basically have them beat.

Try not to reload while there are enemies that can see you are reloading. This will give them an opportunity to strike at you. In return, try to attack the enemies while they reload. That way, they are unarmed while you aren't.

Also, be creative, and come up with your own tactics.

Step 4: Airsoft Grenades

Airsoft grenades, in my opinion aren't worth the money. But for some they are. So I will put them in here. Airsoft grenades send a spray of bb's in all directions. They range from cheap 1 time grenades, to expensive reusable grenades. There are also claymores, landmines, and other "explosives", but I wouldn't recommend them to a new airsofter.

Step 5: Team Deathmatch (TDM)

Team Deathmatch simply means that two teams go against each other, and each man gets 1-3 hits, depending on your rules. Once you are hit that many times, you are out of the battle. To signal that you are out, raise your gun and take out the magazine and yell "I'm Out!". There are other signals, but I like that one the best.

Tip- If you get stuck in between a lot of enemies, yell for help. Your comrades can get them from behind. Also, try shouting, "Charge now!!" This will distract them while you make a getaway.
Tactic- Surround 'em and shoot 'em. Works every time.

Step 6: Capture the Flag (CTF)

This game is pretty easy to get. There are two teams, each with a flag to guard. The object of the game, is to capture the other team's flag. Here are the rules. If you get hit, you have to go back to your flag, and try again. To capture the enemy flag, you must bring it back to your flag. Then you win the round. Usually you play best 2/3.

Tip- Leave a guard close to the flag. He should always stay close, no matter what.
Tactic- Come in on their flag on both sides. This will confuse them and scare them.

Step 7: Assassination

In this game, there is one president. He gets half of the players to protect him. The other half, are the assassins. They try to kill the president, while trying not to get shot by the guards. If the president gets shot, the game is over. To set up, you send the president and his guards to go hide. Give them a good minute or two. Then, the assassination begins. One hit, and your out.

Tip- If you are the president, you must stay protected. Stay hidden, and shoot only when you have to.
Tactic- You might want to consider this as well. Have almost all the guards sit sort of out in the open, pretending to protect the president. But have the president go hide somewhere else with one guard. This will distract them. The president should keep moving so as not to be found like the guy in the scope below.

Step 8: Cops and Robbers.

This is kind of like Assassination. Except the cops try to kill all the robbers, while the robbers try to get to an objective, such as, ringing a bell, getting into a building, on a porch or something along those lines. The cops try to stop them from getting there. One hit, and your out.

Tip- If you are the cops, leave a guard at the objective.
Tactic- Divide and conquer. If you are the robbers, you won't get surrounded by two guys. spread out on the battlefield and make them split up.

Step 9: Search and Destroy

Search and Destroy is an objective game. One team has a bomb. The other team defends 2 positions where the bomb can be planted. Once the bomb is "planted" (set on the objective) a watch should be set for either 1 minute, or 30 seconds. To "defuse" the bomb, the enemy must pick up the bomb and move it away from the objective before time runs out. There are two ways to win. Elimination, and Detonation or Defusing. One hit and your out, so if your team is all out, you lose. Or, if you plant the bomb, and the timer goes off, you win. You also win if you defuse the bomb before time runs out.

Step 10: Individuality

It is always fun to custom paint your gun. So if that might be something you want to do, check out my tutorial on how to paint camo on an airsoft gun. This will make your gun really yours.