| | | Airsoft Grenades | Some airsoft games involve the use of pyrotechnics,
which are small explosive grenades of several types.
There are grenades which fire out plastic pellets to
replicate the shrapnel of a grenade, smoke grenades
which provide cover to move and fire from behind, and
flashbangs which let out a very bright light,
accompanied by loud bang, for the purpose of
distracting and confusing the opposite team. Several
companies make airsoft grenades and sell them on the
internet or at hobby shops where airsoft guns and
accessories are sold. There are also instructions on
the internet showing willing players how to make their
own from common household items and chemicals.
Smoke grenades have been in play in airsoft longer
than pellet type grenades, due to the fact that smoke
grenades existed for military use long before airsoft.
In it's inception, airsoft players sometimes used old
Naval rescue smoke flares, but this has since been
banned in airsoft play, due to the toxicity of the
smoke. Since then, nontoxic smoke grenades have been
introduced.
Another popular type of grenade with airsoft
enthusiasts is the flashbang pyrotechnic. As the name
implies, this grenade makes a loud noise and a bright
light. These are useful to disorient the enemy, or to
make him confused regarding the location of enemy
players. Flashbang grenades are rather dangerous, as
they can cause hearing loss and temporary blindness in
some cases. It is ill advised to throw one too close
to enemy positions.
Airsoft grenades that throw pellets have been
described in the past as unreliable at best and
worthless at worst. There have been complaints that
airsoft fragmentation grenades did not consistently
explode on impact, and when they did, results were
considerably less than impressive. However, current
models seem to be improving on areas where previous
model fell short. It only stands to reason that, with
the growing popularity of the game, as well as it's
ever increasing western market, that designs for
airsoft grenades will keep improving.
|
|
