What is Airsoft skirmishing?

Airsoft skirmishing (or simply airsoft) is a combat game, in which two or more competing teams tackle military style objectives in a secure and private environment, often a complex of buildings or an area of woodland. To simulate firearms Airsoft replicas are used to hit the opposing team with small plastic pellets called BBs. These replicas can look like almost any real life firearm and load and fire in a manner which simulates the function of the original. It is safer and much cheaper than paintball, but it is a similar game. Players are not marked when hit, so skirmishing relies on the honesty of the participants. Airsoft replicas cannot be converted to fire real ammunition. The intimidating appearance of airsoft replicas means that their purchase is limited to certain legitimate users such as film makers, re-enactors and airsoft players.