Popularity of Airsoft

[zollen]

I am curious about the popularity of Airsoft as a hobby.

1. Is the popularity of Airsoft growing or diminishing in general?
2. Is it more popular than paintball at the moment? It not, will it be more popular than paintball?
3. Is the current Canadian Law & Regulation prohit the growth of Airosoft in a significant way? Would Canadian Airsoft popularity declines/contained because of the Law?
4. What's the demographic of Airsofters? Are most airsofters Asians as I was told?
5. How's Airsoft popularity in Europe compare to North America?
6. Since when Airsoft become a somewhat famous hobby?

[DanoftheDead]

1. Is the popularity of Airsoft growing or diminishing in general?
Growing slowly.
2. Is it more popular than paintball at the moment? It not, will it be more popular than paintball?
Not more popular at all right now, I have seen more and more paintballers come to airsoft due to the realism (myself included) . But I'm not saying its going to overtake paintball.

3. Is the current Canadian Law & Regulation prohit the growth of Airosoft in a significant way? Would Canadian Airsoft popularity declines/contained because of the Law?
All the laws have done is raise the price of the guns here. it hasn't really affected selection too much

4. What's the demographic of Airsofters? Are most airsofters Asians as I was told?
I'm white. There are all kinds of people playing, most over 18.

the rest I can't really answer.

[Drake]

1. Is the popularity of Airsoft growing or diminishing in general?

Growing. Increasingly rapidly, I'd say.


2. Is it more popular than paintball at the moment? It not, will it be more popular than paintball?

No, it remains obscure and unknown to the public at large. Or limited to exposure of clearcrap from Walmart and CT



3. Is the current Canadian Law & Regulation prohit the growth of Airosoft in a significant way? Would Canadian Airsoft popularity declines/contained because of the Law?

The law hasn't changed in 10+ years. Our ability to navigate it, and the arrival of Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers who were willing to work with Canadians to make lines of guns which would be legal in Canada (something that would have never previously happened with Tokyo Marui, who never really acknowledged their customer base outside of Japan), and maybe a greater awareness/understanding on CBSA's part have contributed to the growth.

Heck even the Walmart and CT clearsofts, despite us hating them, have helped put airsoft into the mainstream with the public at large by having guns firing 6mm projectiles alongside paintball and airguns.


4. What's the demographic of Airsofters? Are most airsofters Asians as I was told?

I think whites and asians still make up the bulk of airsofters in Canada, but there's increasing numbers of members from other ethnic groups. But the costs involved with the hobby, especially in Canada, generally limits it to middle-working class and up demographics -- so your average player will usually be from that demographics range.


5. How's Airsoft popularity in Europe compare to North America?

Using "North America" is a bit of a trap when addressing airsoft: in the US there's a large volume of low price, low quality airsoft used by kids, and it generally seems frowned upon by many adults (maybe because of the greater availability of real firearms and/or a degree of machismo). Elsewhere in the world, including Canada, airsoft is probably more of an adult-oriented sport (maybe moreso in Europe where they have actual laws governing airsoft).

North America was late getting aboard though, so Asia and Europe has had more time developing player bases which may account for the greater popularity there (and Canada's laws which have historically greatly hindered growth; there were only a small handful of airsofters in Canada before 1998).


6. Since when Airsoft become a somewhat famous hobby?

In Canada or elsewhere? In Japan it's been around since the 80s (paintball was [probably still is] illegal there). In Canada I don't remember much growth til maybe 2003?




So do I win something? Do I get an A for your paper? What?

[VooDooPeteK]

1. Yes, every game there are more players coming out (this is a good thing)

2. No and it will never be like paintball is/was. At one point paintball was on TSN (might still be not sure lol )

3. I think the law has effected the price and nothing else as there are tons of guns available if you have the cash. With that said I think the price has effected the growth of the hobby. If we had ok guns for say the $120-$150 range like other country's then more people would try it out.

4. Around here we have all kinds of different people that play, I think this just depends on your local area and the majority of demographic that is living there.

5. HUGE and some areas have shitty laws just like here or even worse

6. not really sure as I am new myself

[L473ncy]

1. Is the popularity of Airsoft growing or diminishing in general?

Growing slightly maybe approaching an increased growth rate, only retarded minors think it's "dying" (see minors posts in the newbie tank that are all like "why can't we play airsoft is dying and stuff"). It's not going anywhere any time soon in fact it's growing and that's that.

2. Is it more popular than paintball at the moment? It not, will it be more popular than paintball?

No, in the western world it's still relatively unknown with most peoples experience with airsoft the "crapsoft" sold at target/wally world/CT. However in the US there is slightly more exposure to big name brands/good stuff as there are airsoft stores (ie. The War Store, Airsoft Extreme, Airsoft GI, etc.). Paintball is non existent in Asia, I believe there was an attempt at making a PB field in Japan or The Philippines however it went out of business pretty quick due to the popularity of airsoft and how it's already established a good foothold in Japan/Asia.

3. Is the current Canadian Law & Regulation prohit the growth of Airosoft in a significant way? Would Canadian Airsoft popularity declines/contained because of the Law?

No, in fact it should be more popular now that someone has figured out some stuff pertaining to the import laws (see post in the Restricted Age of Majority section as I see you have access to it)

4. What's the demographic of Airsofters? Are most airsofters Asians as I was told?

The biggest ethnicities are probably Caucasian and Asian. I have not really met too many Asians who play however keep in mind that I lived/go to school in Southern Alberta. There seems to be a lot of Filipinos and other SE Asians who play however (and that would make sense since it's a big thing in SE Asia)

5. How's Airsoft popularity in Europe compare to North America?

I don't know but it seems to be about 50/50 between PB and Airsoft, while in North America I would wager the demographics by number of players is probably closer to 70/30 for paintball to airsoft. I'll tell you next year when I'm in England.

6. Since when Airsoft become a somewhat famous hobby?

For North America I don't know, probably around the time Peter Kang "imported" it into North America. Before, I'm sure a lot of people were like "Lets go to that store downtown with the cool BB Guns". However with Japan it probably became popular when they had "Classic" airsoft companies like MGC (Model Gun Company) (now defunct AFAIK). Maybe even so late as when Tanio Koba/TM released their GBB and AEG line of guns (search "Marui man" if you want to see some of their early "classic airsoft" vs AEG commercials). However even before that there was a primitive "airsoft" of sorts where they were more akin to .177 pellet guns that we have, that are single shot and only collectors collected them maybe with the odd person buying one to plink in their backyard or something.

[Brayden]

I would agree on popularity coming to a rapid growth soon. This growth is going to have to include younger Canadians though for sure. Hate Walmart and CT but I think airsoft's future growth(in numbers) lies there. For example in the last 3 weeks my small group has grown by 4 members a third of what we had before and thats through the rental of our old 'Walles' (The walmart m4). Kids without jobs can buy a gun to progress into the sport and if kids can do that we see growth like this. A little publicity would also help the grown.

Its not more popular the paintball for sure but we are lucky to be able to share some of the same fields.

[zollen]

It is nice to hear the wisdom from the Airsoft community elders.

[kullwarrior]

I'll say this of the games pics I've seen and the two I attended this year so far, I'd say Asian dominate the game probably around any where from 40-70% European descendent accounts roughtly the remaining 30-60%. I haven't seen many South American or African background (it would be kinda cool to have more multicultural)

As for sub categorizing...
Chinese, Japanese, (top two) and Thai, Phili basically is all the airsofters, there might be few Koreans, Cambodian, Mongolian, or Vietnamese but largely its the big four

As for European Descendents, for most part they just refer themselves as Canadians, or they're so multiculturalize that I fell asleep as they try to name em all. (And some which I can't tell at all)

Keep in mind this is base from Canada, and I'm generalizing like crazy.

[need_a_name]

ok so airsoft is growing yes, and its big in great brittain, but even bigger in scotland.
now i know you guys absolutly hate guns that come from wally or CT but thats how i got into this sport. one day my brother bought a crosman shotgun and from there basically my hole family plays it once in aa while. while i am myself the one that is the one way more into it. now i am 14 and you guys might think that i know nothing on the sport, but i am telling you, the clear stuff is how alot of people get in the sport. i myslef have the m-4 which you have cock back everytime at the back but i still like it, i meen like aslong as it shoots. but i am waiting another year to get myslef a nice sniper rifle that comes from buy airsoft. anywas ya, its growing a bit in my school but sadly some people rather buy a xbox 360 than a gun.

[L473ncy]

Originally Posted by need_a_name

onow i am 14 and you guys might think that i know nothing on the sport, but i am telling you, the clear stuff is how alot of people get in the sport

Don't worry, if you're smart and don't act like a kid that's entitled to everything you'll fit in well. We like to see minors who's parents also participate and supervise them while playing with the guns. What we don't like is minors with a pissy attitude and think they're entitled to everything (and somehow magically have acres of land to play on yet can only afford $50 for a gun).

THAT BEING SAID. Please make an attempt to use some capitalization and proper spelling.

[need_a_name]

well its funny how my uncle now wants to buy a thew guns and asked me for his adivise, wherre going to cabelas and iam pretty sure his not going to pay over 100$, although he goes hunting alot. and about the land part, my family plays on 6 acres since it used to be my great grandfatheres land and we always go there during the summer to have fun since we have 3 cotages, actually one used to be a chiken house and the other one was biult about 5 years ago. but are land is not just to play, its to have fun doing stuff like baseball or football, we airsoft is just another one of those games we play once in a while.

oh and sorry i suck in language and i dont really double check what i spell, but i'l try and make an effort, thanks

[Exhopek]

I am curious about the popularity of Airsoft as a hobby.

1. Is the popularity of Airsoft growing or diminishing in general?

-canada painfully slow kinda like paintball. In other countries where importation is not retarded its growing at a very fast pace. Faster than paintball for sure, you have tourneys, exercises with military personnel, 500- thousands of attendees in big games, huge bivy and etc.
2. Is it more popular than paintball at the moment? It not, will it be more popular than paintball?

-In countries that its allowed yes since airsoft is insanely cheap compared to paintball. A bag of ICS/maruzen BBs are 5 bucks US thats 1kg of .02. While pb paint costs 40 US cheapest.
3. Is the current Canadian Law & Regulation prohit the growth of Airosoft in a significant way? Would Canadian Airsoft popularity declines/contained because of the Law?

-Im not aware of any new law. Airsoft wont decline but its growth is slow. It is still a game for the guys who can afford "stuff" here.

4. What's the demographic of Airsofters? Are most airsofters Asians as I was told?

-Well it started in japan. Hk is like AS heaven and toys are manufactured in either china or taiwan so go figure that out. But a lot of european guys, british, and even americans are into it. In my country the Philippines you can see young, old, rich, not so rich, middle class, cops, military, politicians, govt workers, teachers etc. Play airsoft.

5. How's Airsoft popularity in Europe compare to North America?

-Pretty popular in UK, ireland, scotland, etc. theres a lot of airsoft players in the US too.

6. Since when Airsoft become a somewhat famous hobby?

Dont really know the answer to that coz it depends on which place of the world you lived in at that time. I still remember the gas gun days, then the flon hand guns specially the shiny walther ppk, high quality japanese made springers that looked real, came the springers from china a famas from TM and the CAs and the other chinese makers then came the cheaper but nonetheless playable boyi, be, cyma, jg, src.

[Exhopek]

@La73ncy.

Paintball is also popular in asia. In fact its probably more popular in some places there than canada. Places like malaysia and thailand, even taiwan hold invitational games... Where you get free hotel stay and tons of sponsorships. Theres world cup asia in malaysia which is attended by lots of people from other countries like us, europe, iran, australia even seen some canadian teams go there. Global gutz Pb fields in the Phil., theres a good paintball team in japan (team ku). People from australia visit asian countries for major paintball tourneys.

[venture]

Here in NS (and NB as well) the turnout at games seems to have at least doubled this year. Plus there are groups outside of our ASC related communities. I believe that it is growing by leaps and bound here in the east. (Yeah, this is the East, not Ontario).

I am 47 years old and got into airsoft when I was about 40. I am not Asian. I am a professional fisherman.

[Wilson]

1. Is the popularity of Airsoft growing or diminishing in general?
Growing.

2. Is it more popular than paintball at the moment? It not, will it be more popular than paintball?
Less popular. It will never be more popular.

3. Is the current Canadian Law & Regulation prohibit the growth of Airosoft in a significant way? Would Canadian Airsoft popularity declines/contained because of the Law?
It has in the past, but the situation has been changing lately. Large stores are now carrying quality airsoft guns, thanks to the advent of clear receivers.

4. What's the demographic of Airsofters? Are most airsofters Asians as I was told?
All walks of life, but definitely a lot of Asians and single white dudes who wish they were Asian.

5. How's Airsoft popularity in Europe compare to North America?
It is more popular in Europe.

6. Since when Airsoft become a somewhat famous hobby?
?