Airsoft glossary: key terms explained A-Z
2026-10-12
Ook in het Nederlands: NL
New to airsoft? Then all the abbreviations and jargon probably make your head spin: AEG, FPS, MED, CQB. In this glossary we briefly explain the most common airsoft terms, so you can read a field rulebook, product page or forum post more easily. We give one or two sentences per term. For topics that deserve more detail, we link to a full guide. We are an independent price comparison site and field guide; for exact rules and limits, your field's rulebook and local law always apply.
Replicas and drive systems
- AEG — Automatic Electric Gun: an electrically driven replica with a battery and gearbox. The most common choice for beginners thanks to price, reliability and high shot capacity.
- GBB — Gas Blowback: a gas-powered replica with a recoil effect, often a pistol or realistic rifle. Nice and realistic, but more sensitive to cold and pricier to run.
- HPA — High Pressure Air: a system running on compressed air from an external tank, popular with advanced players for its fine tuning.
- Spring — a spring-powered replica that you cock by hand for each shot. Cheap and simple; many sniper replicas work this way.
- Hop-up — a setting that puts backspin on the BB so it flies further and straighter. Tuning it well makes a big difference; read adjusting your hop-up.
- DMR — Designated Marksman Rifle: a semi-automatic replica tuned for precision and range, sitting between a regular rifle and a sniper.
Not sure which type suits you? Compare the options in AEG vs GBB vs spring.
Speed, power and safety
- FPS — Feet Per Second: the speed of the BB as it leaves the barrel. Fields set FPS limits, but the actual power also depends on the BB weight.
- Joule — the energy of the BB; a fairer measure of power than FPS alone. Many fields now measure in joules. See FPS and joules explained.
- MED — Minimum Engagement Distance: the minimum range at which you may hit someone, especially relevant for more powerful replicas like a DMR or sniper. Within that distance you switch to a lighter weapon or call a hit.
- BB — the pellet (usually 6 mm) you fire. Quality and weight affect accuracy; which BBs to buy explains what you need.
- Eye-pro — eye protection, mandatory at virtually every field and crucial. Read why in airsoft eye protection.
Game modes and play styles
- Skirmish — a regular play day with short rounds and rotating teams; the standard format most players start with.
- Milsim — Military Simulation: longer, scenario-driven games with missions, limited ammo and more realism than a regular skirmish.
- CQB — Close Quarters Battle: play at short range, often indoors in buildings. Lower FPS limits and stricter MED attention usually apply here.
- Loadout — your complete kit for a play day: replica, magazines, clothing, vest and accessories, often built around a role or style.
- Ghillie — a camouflage suit made of loose strands imitating foliage, mainly used by snipers to blend into the surroundings.
Find more game modes and how they work in airsoft game modes explained.
Magazines, people and places
- Mid-cap — a magazine with limited, realistic capacity (often a few dozen BBs) that doesn't rattle and makes you shoot more deliberately.
- Hi-cap — a high-capacity magazine (hundreds of BBs) that you wind up; handy but less realistic and it can rattle.
- Marshal — a referee or steward on the field who watches over safety, rules and fair play. Always listen to the marshal.
- Safe zone — the safe area where no replicas are fired and you may remove your eye protection. Here you reload, eat and repair gear.
- NABV — the Dutch airsoft association; in practice you need membership to play and own legally. See NABV membership.
Getting started
Once you know the terms, you'll get far more out of rulebooks and product pages. Ready to really begin? Compare replicas and gear in our catalogue and find a play day nearby via the field guide. The best way to learn this jargon is simply to join a game: on the field the abbreviations fall into place by themselves.