Glossary of Airsoft Terms

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Glossary of Airsoft Terms

Airsoft, like many other industries, has its fair share of acronyms and abbreviations. This page should help to explain what some of these mean. Some terms in the list are have bases in military or law enforcement, but as they pertain directly to airsoft, they have been included. Anything with a military relevance only and not airsoft related has been left out.

Glossary of Airsoft Terms - Š2004 - AirsoftGuide.co.uk

Term / Acronym

Description

134a	A type of airsoft gas 134a is one of the weakest gasses available for airsoft guns. This gas is safe for use in all GBB and NBB guns and often contains a lubricant. Most eastern produced guns are only guaranteed by the manufacturer if you use nothing but 134a gas.
ACP	Automatic Colt Pistol ACP is an abbreviation used to describe the real-steel .45 calibre semi-automatic pistol bullet. Invented by Colt for their 1911 range, this bullet is larger and more powerful than many, but the increased size does not allow many rounds to be stored in the gun prior to shooting. Airsoft Colt 45 replicas are often called 'Airsoft Colt 45ACP replicas', although they actually still use the same 6mm plastic BB that is used throughout airsoft.
AE	Action Express The Action Express is the name given to the new real-steel .50 calibre semi-automatic pistol bullet. This term has no relevance in airsoft except to say that the airsoft Desert Eagle GBB replicas have been tagged the 'Desert Eagle .50AE GBB'.
AEG	Automatic Electric Gun This is the most popular type of airsoft gun for skirmishing use. It is powered by battery and operates through a series of gears and a spring-powered piston.
After-market parts	Airsoft add-ons and enhancements This refers to the tougher internals, the stronger springs and all the other upgrades you can buy for your airsoft replica, after its original purchase. If it doesn't come shipped with the gun and you can buy it, install it and see the improvement, it's an after-market part.
Airsoft	The kit, the game, the whole reason this site is here! Click here to find out what it's all about...
AK (as in AK-47)	Avtomat Klashnikova or Automatic Kalashnikov The most widely used automatic rifle manufacturer in the world. Russian designed, it is widely used throughout the Soviet region and the middle-east. There are several Airsoft variants available.
AR	Automatic Rifle A rifle that reloads itself automatically after shooting. Colt added the prefix 'AR' on to the model numbers of some of their automatic rifles to indicate this ability.
AUG	Armee Universal Gewehr In English it means "Universal Army Rifle" - a modern bullpup rifle made by Steyr of Austria and used by the military forces of several countries. A few airsoft variants are available.
Barrel	The tube that the projectile travels through The barrel is the long strong tube running through all guns, whether airsoft or real-steel. It holds the projectile straight as it gains speed and ensures that it leaves the gun still travelling in the same direction. The barrel is one of the most dependant factors when improving the accuracy of a gun, although this is not particularly true with airsoft due to the inherent instability of a Ball Bearing in flight. Airsoft barrels are also smooth inside and are not rifled like most firearms.
BB	Ball Bearing The ball bearing is the ammunition used by airsoft. Usually 6mm in diameter, these small plastic balls weigh far less than half a gram each (usually 0.20g). 8mm BBs are also available for some replicas. The benefit to the BB is that as it is spherical, it can be loaded or fired any way round. Unfortunately, this shape causes inherent instability during flight (an aerodynamically unstable object) and can cause slightly more unpredictable flight paths than with a pellet or bullet.
BDU	Battle Dress Uniform The name given to the clothing worn by a protagonist during combat. The traditional BDU used in the west is the green DPM jacket, helmet, trousers and boots.
Bearings	Similar to Bushings, but with moving parts Airsoft AEGs contain Bushings that hold the axle for each gear in the gearbox. These standard nylon bushings are usually not very strong and can be replaced with Bearings that will provide less friction, less resistance and more speed in the AEG gearbox. Bearings can be quite expensive though and the 7mm bearings are more reliable then the standard 6mm bearings.
Blacks	Type of BDU For urban and night time skirmishing, green DPM clothing would be more noticeable than simply dressing in Black. For these operations, the airsofter is considered to be dressed in 'Blacks'. It is also worth noting that many modern sets of 'Blacks' are not actually black at all, rather a dark shade of blue-grey as this helps the wearer to blend in to a dark environment better.
Bolt	The handle that cocks / charges / reloads a gun The bolt is present on most rifles and SMGs, both real and airsoft. When manipulated, it allows the user to pull back the slide hidden inside a gun and load a fresh bullet or BB. A bolt is unnecessary on guns where the slide is readily accessible (such as semi-automatic pistols). NOTE: While AEGs have a bolt, the mechanism of the AEG at this time means that the bolt has no function. It is entirely cosmetic in all but a rare few AEGs.
Bolt Action	A type of reloading action (single shot, manual reload) A Bolt action is commonly found in accurate long-range real-steel rifles. It is desirable because the bullet is held securely inside the rifle while firing, providing a small but notable accuracy increase. To reload the bolt action rifle after a shot, the bolt must traditionally be pulled back manually by the shooter allowing the removal of the old bullet case. The shooter then pushes the bolt forwards again, loading a fresh bullet in to the breech.
Breech	The immediate housing for a bullet / BB at the point of firing The Breech is usually a solid object with a hole cut out in line with the barrel to fit a bullet or BB inside. The projectile waits in the breech until the firing pin / piston causes the shot to be fired. It is then launched out of the front of the breech, in to the barrel and out of the front through the muzzle.
Bullpup	A design methodology for rifles 'Bullpup' rifles such as the AUG and the British SA80 have the magazine and firing mechanism set behind the trigger and grip, instead of the more traditional layout where the magazine is in front of the grip (see the M16, AK47, G36, etc...). This results in a much longer barrel without increasing the length of the gun, which increases accuracy without making the gun difficult to carry.
Bump	Ambush A slang word which means to ambush or be ambushed. If you bump an enemy force, you surprise them in attack. If you get 'Bumped' by the enemy, they have ambushed you.
Bushings	Similar to Bearings, but with no moving parts Airsoft AEGs contain nylon Bushings that hold the axle for each gear in the gearbox. These bushings allow the gears to turn easily without moving out of position. For stronger powered springs, metal bushings are required. For ultimate performance, Bearings can be used instead (like Bushings, but with small ball bearings inside the unit to reduce friction).
Butt	A part of a gun The butt of a gun can be two different things depending on the gun you are using. 1. Pistol: The butt is the base of the pistol-grip, where the magazine is inserted. 2. Rifle: The butt is the rear-most point on the gun. If the rifle has a stock, the butt is the rubber piece on the back end that presses up against your shoulder. If there is no stock, the butt is simply the rear-most point on the gun.
CA	Classic Army (Web Site) An Hong-Kong based airsoft manufacturer who has specialised in the production of both AEGs and aftermarket parts.
Calibre	A measure of the diameter of a bullet, pellet or BB Airsoft replicas typically use 6mm Calibre BBs, although models are available that shoot BBs of 8mm Calibre. Calibres used by real firearms are typically larger than 6mm and air-gun ammunition is typically smaller.
Carbine	A Shortened version of a non-Carbine rifle Various different rifles are 'Carbines', meaning that they have a shorter (usually tougher) barrel than longer versions. The Carbine is useful as it weighs less and is shorter than most other rifles, making it tactically suitable for a wider range of roles.
Chronograph	A device that measures projectile speed Chronographs are used on most, if not all airsoft skirmish sites in order to check the speed at which the BB is shot from the gun. If the BB is travelling too fast, the gun will be considered unsafe for open play and its use will be disallowed. Chronographs generally work by sensing breaks in the available light as a BB passes over two in-line sensors. The time taken for the BB to pass the first sensor and reach the second sensor is used to calculate the over all speed (Muzzle Velocity) of the BB.
Clip	Another word for 'Magazine' See "Mag".
Cocking Handle	The handle that cocks / charges / reloads a gun See "Bolt".
Covert	Action performed secretively Covert action is action taken with the intent of not being spotted. Military manoeuvres behind enemy lines are often performed in a covert manner, so that the enemy will not detect any forces in the area. There are very few good examples of covert action as its very nature usually means that we never even know anything has happened.
CQB	Close Quarters Battle (aka Close Quarters Combat) As the name suggests, CQB is the name given to the tactics and methodologies used while fighting at close range. The tactics used are very different to those employed on open ground, and rely more on speed and aggression to be successful. This is still very safe with airsoft guns as the power output is so low.
Double-Action	A type of reloading action (single shot, integrated manual reload) Double-Action is normally reserved for revolvers these days, although several airsoft NBB replicas use a double-action to reload their shots after reloading. To reload a double-action gun, you simply pull the trigger. The trigger is linked to the reloading mechanism which loads the BB in to position before the trigger has been pulled all the way back. When the trigger reaches its rear-most point, the shot is fired. This reloading action can make the trigger more difficult to pull and can lead to lower effective accuracy.
DPM	Disruptive Pattern Material DPM is the official name given to the camoflague pattern used on British Army uniforms. Its purpose is to break up the shape of the human body, making the wearer less visible in wooded areas. DPM is also available in Desert (cream-yellow colour) and urban (dark-blue - grey colour).
EBB	Electric Blow-Back Electric blow-back is a type of Airsoft blow-back reloading mechanism. Known for its low powered shots and the rather clackety noise they tend to make while shooting, these type of guns are cheap and intended for a younger market. They are powered by standardised battery cells (4 x AA battery usually) and their entire reloading mechanism is powered by motor and gears. While the slide on an EBB usually will move forwards and backwards during shooting, this effect is not as realistic as the GBB mechanism.
Ejection Port	A port that opens to allow used casings to be ejected Present only in semi-automatic and fully-automatic guns, the ejection port allows real-steel guns to easily eject bullet casings once they have been used.
Field-Strippable (to Field-Strip)	Able to take-down or take apart a gun without tools With real firearms, there is a need to take them apart to their component pieces in order to perform routine maintenance and repair faults. In airsoft too, field-strippable models are appearing. It is usually GBBs that have this feature, making care and maintenance easy. The term 'Field-Strippable' refers to a gun that can be taken apart without tools at any time, and comes from the requirement that soldiers be able to strip their weapons down in the field.
Fire Selector Switch	A switch that allows the shooter to change between modes of fire The fire selector switch is only present on guns that allow multiple modes of fire. For example, on the H&K MP5, the selector switch provides a choice between Safe, Semi-Auto and Full-Auto fire.
FN	Fabrique Nationale (aka FN Herstal) (Web Site) A real-steel arms manufacturer based in Ličge, Belgium. Owned by the Herstal Group and incorporating Browning and Winchester, they produce some of the best weapons ever made, such as the Browning Hi-Power and the FN P-90, both of which have been made in to airsoft replicas.
FPS	Feet Per Second (a measure of velocity) The speed of BBs during flight is often measured in feet per second. This speed is measured to obtain the energy output of the gun before most skirmishes. In the UK, you cannot generally skirmish with an airsoft gun that exceeds 328fps with 0.20g BBs (1 Joule of energy).
Franchi	Franchi (Web Site) A real-steel manufacturer specialising in shotguns. Franchi is owned and run by the Beretta Group and produces good quality shotguns, specifically the SPAS-12.
GBB	Gas Blow-Back The gas blow back mechanism powers many airsoft pistols. The BB is launched from the gun using an expanding gas stored in a reservoir, while the same gas reloads the gun ready for the next shot. In most semi-automatic pistols, this mechanism provides a very realistic look and feel to the gun, without being too fragile or problematic.
Gearbox	Gearbox See "Mechbox".
Ghille / Ghille Suit	Camouflage worn by snipers The ghille suit is a highly camouflaged suit worn by snipers for maximum concealment. The suit is made from a central binding layer and loose strips of material designed to break up the shape of the human body. Snipers typically customise their suits by adding plant-matter from the field of combat or rolling around in the mud to deaden colour differences and contrast.
H&K	Heckler & Koch A German real-steel gun manufacturer, makers of some of the world's most famous firearms, such as the MP5 SMG, the P7 pistol and the G36 assault rifle. Their quality control is among the highest in the industry and they have a well earned reputation for building the best.
Hi-Cap / High-Cap	High Capacity (usually refers to airsoft magazines) An ingenious mechanism powers hi-cap magazines. This mechanism allows a magazine that normally holds 50 shots to hold several hundred. There is usually a wheel that needs to be wound tight in order to keep upward feeding pressure on the BBs. Hi-Cap mags do allow you to load hundreds of shots in to your replica, but they can be problematic if not properly taken care of. See also "Lo-Cap" and "Mid-Cap".
HMG	Heavy Machine Gun A Real-Steel term that describes a large fully-automatic gun with high powered bullets, high capacity ammunition feeds and resistance to overheating. Designed to put a lot of bullets a very long way away without continuously changing magazines, the HMG fulfils its role well and several variants have become Airsoft models.
HOP-UP (HOP)	A device installed in most airsoft guns to increase range The HOP unit is present in most airsoft replicas. A small piece of rubber is pushed inside the back end of the barrel through a hole in the top. When the gun is fired, the rubber grips the top surface of the BB, putting back-spin on it. As the BB leaves the barrel, the spin creates an imbalance in the aerodynamics of the projectile. The top surface has less drag, but the lower surface has greater drag, causing the BB to stay in the air longer and travel a noticeably farther distance. In real terms, this device can more than double the effective range of a gun, even though the projectile is actually moving more slowly through the air.
ICS	I Chih Shivan Enterprise Co. (Web Site) An airsoft manufacturer founded in Taiwan in 1983, who has specialised in the production of both AEGs and aftermarket parts. Their replicas are about the best AEG replicas available today and their line of parts is very popular.
IMI	Israel Military Industries (Web Site) A Real-Steel manufacturer that has produced famous firearms such as the Uzi and the Galil.
Joule	A measure of energy A Joule is simply a measurement of energy in all its forms (kinetic, magnetic, inertial, etc...). With relation to Airsoft, it is used as a measure of the kinetic energy of BBs as they leave the muzzle. This muzzle velocity and the weight of the travelling BB give us the means to calculate the energy of the BB in Joules. In the UK, 1 Joule is the recommended maximum limit for airsoft guns. This equates to 328feet per second with 0.20 gram BBs.
Kick	A gun's reaction to a bullet being fired See "Recoil".
Kurz	German language for "Short" Heckler and Koch designate some of their more compact weapons as 'Kurz' (e.g. H&K MP5-k = ultra-short MP5 variant).
KSC / KWA	Airsoft Manufacturer (Web Site) KSC and KWA are both manufacturers of airsoft replicas. The two companies have supposed links and their products are made to identical specifications, but little proof of their relationship exists. This represents the most commonly held view... KSC and KWA are actually the same eastern manufacturer of airsoft guns. The reason behind having two names lies with the import/export difficulties between Taiwan and Japan. The overall company is based in Taiwan and produces all its replicas there, but sells only the KSC version of its guns to Japan. The KWA replicas are reserved for domestic sale and export to other countries. Most people assume that KSC guns are better because they cost more, but this cost increase is largely due to the fact it has been shipped to Japan before shipping out to the rest of the world. KSC have a Japanese base, but it is not the main production line. If anyone has any information to support or decry this, please let me know. I would love to find out what's really going on here.
KWC	Kine Well Company, Ltd (Web Site) Manufacturer of airsoft guns, specialising mainly in gas powered models.
LARP	Live Action Role Play A type of game where players really immerse themselves in the game and the story behind it. Role play games often last for a long time and the focus is more on authenticity of the genre, than accuracy of your shooting.
LAW / LAWS	Light Anti-tank Weapon / Light Anti-tank Weapon System This is a real-steel shoulder mounted rocket launcher, designed to disable or destroy tanks and other armoured vehicles. LAW units are lightweight (especially after the rocket has been fired) and disposable and usually only require 1 soldier to use the weapon. LAWS are available in different calibres and used throughout the world due to their versatility and relatively low production cost.
LMG	Light Machine Gun The light machine gun is a support weapon. It is designed to be able to release sustained fire for long periods, but it has neither the range, nor the power of the HMG. Airsoft replicas do exist, but they are rare.
Lo-Cap / Low-Cap	Low Capacity Lo-Cap magazines are the ones that are usually supplied free with AEGs. These magazines typically hold between 50 and 100 shots in a vertical stacked, spring loaded magazine. There is no winding involved and these magazines tend to feed more reliably, but they hold less ammunition per mag than other types. See also "Mid-Cap" and "Hi-Cap".
LSW	Light Support Weapon The LSW is a reasonably new phenomenon within the armed forces. A gun that takes the same ammunition as the standard soldier's weapon, but with a few extras. Additional grips, bipod, scope and belt-feed ammunition are all extra features that an LSW often has to fulfil its role. Airsoft models of LSWs are available, but are expensive and often difficult to get hold of.
Mag	Magazine (abbreviation) The magazine is a detachable part of the gun that holds the ammunition ready for shooting. In some airsoft guns (usually GBB models), this can hold the propellant gas as well.
Mechbox	The central mechanism of an Airsoft AEG Every AEG has some form of Mechbox inside. It translates the rotational movement of an electrical motor in to a reciprocating motion for the piston, using a set of gears. The mechbox also loads BBs in to the breech, powers each shot and provides the Safe, Semi and Full automatic functionality. The mechbox is also known as a Gearbox by some users, although as the gears make up so little of this device, Mechbox is the more commonly used alternative.
Mid-Cap	Medium Capacity (usually refers to airsoft magazines) Mid-Cap magazines usually work the same way as Lo-Cap magazines (vertical stacked BBs, no winding mechanism, but hold roughly double the ammunition of a Lo-Cap mag. The track that the BBs follow inside the mag is longer and contains a longer spring to push the BBs in to the AEG. Several of these mags hold enough ammunition for skirmishing, and the Mid-Caps are very reliable. See also "Lo-Cap" and "Hi-Cap".
MRE	Meal - Ready to Eat Food that is found as part of military Ration Packs or taken along to airsoft skirmishes, and does not require the usual levels of preparation. While some MRE food is simply taken out of its package and eaten cold, there are other types of MRE (found now within the civilian market) that will cook / heat themselves before hand. Army MRE packs in the UK consist of mince meat, milk powder, tea bags, oats, chocolate powder, diuretic biscuits, and many other components. Most military MREs are very high in energy, so for long term use, it is recommended you stick to civilian MREs if you're not going to burn the calories.
Muzzle	Muzzle The muzzle is the very front of the gun, the tip of the barrel. With assault rifles, this area is covered by a flash-suppressor and on pistols, it is more usually just where the barrel ends.
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Web Site) A treaty signed by 26 different countries across the world including the UK, USA, Canada and most of Europe. The purpose of this organisation is to safeguard the security and sovereignty of its member states. NATO is run by committee. This means that every member gets a vote, but decisions can take years to be made.
NV / NVG	Night Vision / Night Vision Goggles Night vision is everywhere nowadays. The basic system operates by magnifying available light many times so that night becomes day for the NV user. Most night vision systems output a green picture and are available in the forms of monocular, rifle mounted scope, helmet-mounted goggles and as a feature in many video cameras.
Overt	Action performed openly (high visibility action) Overt action is not secretive and no effort is made to hide what is being done. A good example of overt action is the high visibility policing performed by the British Army in Northern Ireland, or the troops openly patrolling the streets of Baghdad during Gulf War II.
PDW	Personal Defence Weapon Some airsoft guns have the letters 'PDW' stamped after their name. This is an affectation most commonly used by the military to describe weapons that are ideally suited to personal defence in enclosed environments. The airsoft MP5-PDW is a compact variation of the popular MP5 series, and the H&K PDW (also known as the MP7 - a new concept, designed from the ground up to be a PDW).
Plinking (to plink)	Shooting (to shoot) with a low powered airsoft gun Plinking often refers to the unofficial back-garden style of shooting, where targets are randomly collected and arranged in order to be shot down by a low powered airsoft or air gun. (For example, one could not be considered to be 'plinking' with a high-powered rifle). [The word 'plink' comes from the noise made by a pellet hitting a tin can]
R22	A type of airsoft gas (also known as Green Gas or Winter Gas) R22 is a refrigerant gas used to power airsoft gas guns, both GBB and NBB. R22 is most commonly used in the winter, or when the temperature drops to just above freezing. It is a strong gas and can actually break the internals of some airsoft replicas, so it is important to check with your airsoft supplier whether it is safe to use with your gun.
RAS	A type of accessory interface See "RIS".
Real-Steel	A Real-World firearm or accessory (i.e. non-airsoft) 'Real-Steel' is a widely used term within the airsoft community that refers to an airsoft gun's real-world counterpart. For example, the replica MP5 made by Tokyo Marui is referred to as an 'Airsoft MP5', whereas the real MP5 made by H&K is known as the 'Real-Steel MP5'. Accessories are also divided in to 'airsoft' and 'real-steel' accessories. Many real-steel accessories such as scopes, sights and grips, can be attached to airsoft replicas, provided that there is a suitable interface present. Airsoft accessories are generally not suitable for real-steel use as the build strength of airsoft kit is lower.
Recoil	A gun's reaction to a bullet being fired "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction" - Newton's third law. I'm sure he wasn't on about airsoft when he said this, but it still holds true. When a gun is fired, a bullet is launched forward at high speed. The energy put behind that bullet is effectively split in half. Half would go toward pushing the bullet forward and the other half would be pushing the gun backward. The sharp 'kick' that you feel as the gun bounces backward after a shot, is the recoil. Airsoft guns don't have a recoil as such, as the energy behind the BB is very low. Some airsoft guns however, can simulate a recoil. Most notably, Gas Blow-Back models can simulate recoil as the mechanism moves forward and backward on top of, or inside the gun.
Regen	A Regenerative Game One of the down-sides of airsoft skirmishing is also one of its good points. Airsoft BBs do not leave an easily identifiable 'paint-splat' on your clothes as Paintball does, which means that a player does not necessarily have to consider him/herself 'out' when hit. During a regen game, the player would drop back to the next available position, or sit out for a minute or two when 'hit'. They would then rejoin the game.
RIS	Rail Interface System (also known as RAS or 'a Weaver Rail') A 'RIS/RAS' rail is a flat hexagonal slatted rail that is attached to a strong-point on some military and airsoft guns. There are many accessories available that attach directly to this rail in seconds, making a set of RIS rails an almost essential add-on.
ROF	Rate of Fire See also "RPM". The rate of fire is measured for each gun by counting how many shots can be fired in 1 second or 1 minute in fully automatic mode. For example, most airsoft AEGs have a ROF of about 700rpm while some GBBs can shoot at over 1,000rpm. The faster the ROF the more shots you can fire, but a high ROF will also drain your ammunition quickly. ROF can also refer to shooting in Semi-Automatic mode, but this refers to the shooter's ability to shoot quickly and is widely variable.
Round	Another name for a bullet or BB This name was derived from real-steel ammunition's shape - round! For example, a magazine with capacity for 30 bullets is commonly called a '30 round mag'.
RPM	Rounds Per Minute See also "ROF". The rate of fire is measured in rounds per minute.
SAS	Special Air Service The SAS are arguably the best trained unit of soldiers in the western world. Part of the British Army and few in number, this force undertakes secret and vital tactical work around the world. Formed by David Stirling, and performing their first missions in 1941, the SAS is famed for its work behind enemy lines (Click here for more information on David Stirling). Several airsoft models have had the term 'SAS' attached to them in order to try to increase sales off the back of this elite unit's reputation.
SD	Schall Daempfer (German language for 'Sound Suppressor'). H&K make several variations of their MP5 series with integrated suppressors (silencers). These models are known as the MP5-SD series
SEAL	Sea, Air and Land The acronym used to describe the US special operations program. SEAL Teams are all part of this program, but different teams specialise in different arenas of combat (e.g. jungle, desert, arctic, etc...). As with the SAS, much airsoft equipment has its sales boosted by association with the popularity of this elite unit.
SF	Sustained Fire Another name for fully-automatic fire.
Sig	Schweitzerische Industrie Gesellschaft (Web Site) (German language for 'Swiss Industrial Corporation'). Sig are a real-steel manufacturer based in Eckernforde, Germany and across Switzerland. They make all manner of firearm, many of which have become airsoft replicas.
Skirmishing (to Skirmish)	To use airsoft replicas in a mock battle, also known as Wargaming This is the sport that has grown around airsoft. Teams of willing players don DPMs and airsoft AEGs, go out in to a large field and try to shoot your opponents before they shoot you. Tactics, cunning and speed all play their role in a game similar in essence to Paintball, but with more functionality.
Slide	The primary moving section of any automatic gun Most people think of the 'slide' as the top half of a semi-automatic pistol like the Glock. This is correct, but the slide can also be hidden inside a gun, seen most often with assault rifles and SMGs. These slides are inaccessible to the shooter, so a bolt is connected from the slide to the outside of the weapon's body to allow the marksman to manipulate the slide. The slide typically scoops a bullet / BB from the magazine, pushes it in to the breech and launches it.
SLR	Self Loading Rifle Any rifle that reloads itself after each shot can be called an SLR. The British Army also used to use a rifle called the SLR - a 7.62mm semi-automatic long rifle with a mean kick and good reliability. These were taken away in the early 1980's and replaced with the SA80, a notoriously unreliable 5.56mm assault rifle. I bet they were pleased.
SMG	Sub Machine Gun A type of weapon. Real-steel SMGs usually have lower overall power behind each shot, but can fire shots more rapidly than assault rifles in fully automatic mode. They are designed to be used at close quarters and where high power levels are not desirable. Of course as airsoft guns are usually replicas, a real-steel SMG becomes an airsoft SMG, although rarely are the power-levels and rate of fire tuned in the same way as their real-steel counterparts.
SOCOM	Special Operation Command This is the name of the US elite forces command unit. There are also airsoft replicas of the H&K USP pistol with accessories that are tagged 'the USP-SOCOM'.
SPAS	Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun This is an abbreviation given to a particular type of shotgun. The SPAS is in use with military and police services throughout the West - the most famous variant being the SPAS-12, a 12-guage shotgun available with or without stock.
Spetznaz	Russian Special Forces The Spetznaz are known world wide and are the elite special forces unit of Russia. Tokyo-Marui have made an airsoft AK47 variant called the 'AK47 Spetznaz' as an AEG. This is short, black in colour and looks more modern than the traditional AK47 layout.
Steyr	Steyr Mannlicher (Web Site) Real-Steel manufacturer founded in 1864 and based in Austria. They build weapons mainly for military use, including the AUG.
Stock ^{1 (Noun)}	The rear of the gun Rifles and some SMGs have stocks. This is the large solid piece of the gun that you press up against your shoulder and cheek while firing. Some stocks fold or slide away for use in close quarters, but when extended, a stock can increase the accuracy of the shooter dramatically.
Stock ^{2 (Adjective)}	An unmodified gun As many airsoft guns are customised and upgraded, it is getting more important to identify the ones that have had nothing done to them since they were originally manufactured. These untouched replicas are known as 'Stock replicas'.
STI	Strayer Tripp Inc. Real-Steel manufacturer. KSC have made airsoft replicas of STI's 1911 style models.
SUSAT	Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux A telescopic scope designed for the SA80, in use by the British Army. The scope is very tough, very accurate and has been labelled the best part of the SA80. The illuminated reticule inside is shaped like an upturned nail point and is easy to use effectively. The SUSAT can be used on rifles other than the SA80, but its size and weight usually mean that a smaller scope will be chosen. The SUSAT also has Iron-Sights on the top surface, although these are small and rather difficult to use, especially in low light conditions.
SVI	Strayer Voight Incorporated (Web Site) A Real-Steel manufacturer based in Texas, USA. Airsoft GBB models are now available replicating the look and feel of a few of SVI's pistols. These replicas are of good quality, but can be expensive when compared to similar GBB pistols.
TM	Tokyo Marui (Web Site) Airsoft manufacturer. TM have been making AEGs since 1992 and have recently moved in to making GBB models. Their line is well made with good build quality, although they rely on plastic as a build material far more than most of their competitors. This can leave TM replicas looking reasonably good, but feeling too light and and flexible. Their internal mechanisms seem to be of good quality, although may need to be replaced with stronger components in upgraded guns. Reliability of TM guns is above average. TM are regarded to be the mother of modern day airsoft and provide the mechanical operating standard to which all other manufacturers adhere.
TMP	Tactical Machine Pistol The name given to an SMG made by Steyr of Austria.
Tracer	A type of BB / bullet that glows in the dark. Tracers are fired in the same way as any normal shot, but the projectile that leaves the barrel glows. This illuminates a clear line between your muzzle and your target and can make aiming without using sights much easier. Airsoft BBs typically glow green and are powered by a Tracer Unit attached to the barrel of the gun. The Airsoft Tracer Unit is manufactured by Tokyo-Marui and contains batteries, a switch and a bright light source. The unit is attached to the barrel of a gun in the same way as a silencer would. As a Tracer BB is shot, it travels down the barrel and in to the Tracer Unit where the BB triggers the switch inside. This causes a bight flash to go off inside the tracer unit, irradiating the BB with visible light and making it glow for a few seconds after it leaves the barrel. The effect is amazing and has to be seen, but Tracer BBs can be expensive as they are made from special glow-in-the-dark material. Tracer BBs usually glow bright green in colour.
Trigger	The part of the gun that is manipulated in order to fire a shot The trigger is present on all guns, no matter what type. It is the actuator that the shooter uses in order to fire off one or more shots from his/her gun. Airsoft AEG triggers look the same as real-steel triggers on the outside, but on the inside they are very different. Real-steel triggers usually pull a latch, lever or block inside the gun to cause the shot to be fired. Airsoft AEG triggers are simply elaborate light-switches, designed to connect or cut electricity from the circuit. Other types of airsoft trigger vary according to the type of mechanism used.
Trigger Guard	A solid bar / obstruction that covers and protects the trigger The trigger guard is used to stop accidental activation of the trigger on any particular gun. Most trigger-guards are fixed, but some are removable for use when the shooter is wearing thick gloves.
UHC	Unicorn Hobby Company A Hong-Kong based airsoft manufacturer of low-end airsoft replicas. They reportedly manufacture airsoft 'springer' replicas by contract to Tokyo Marui.
USMC	United States Marine Corps Better trained than the average US trooper, the marines have made their mark in US involved conflicts everywhere.
WA	Western Arms An eastern airsoft manufacturer of high-end airsoft pistol replicas. They produce some of the most expensive (and some arguably say the best) gas blowback pistols on the market.
Weaver Rail	Similar to RIS / RAS The Weaver Rail is an original design of the rails you see on Airsoft and Real-Steel guns today. The dimensions are slightly different, but many RIS/RAS accessories can be fitted to a Weaver Rail quite happily. Weaver rails are getting harder to find now, although there are Soviet countries still developing integrated rails based on the Weaver Rail's dimensions.
Zero	To align the trajectory of shots fired with the visual line of the sights Zeroing is the act of making sure that your BBs hit the point that your sights are aiming at. The better the Zero achieved, the more accurate the shooter can be.