Milsim & Airsoft

MilSim is an abbreviation of Military Simulation, and refers to military simulations conducted by civilians for entertainment purposes. There are several forms of MilSim: airsoft games, paintball games, and video games simulating military scenarios and tactics.

Weapons used in MilSim are commonly airsoft or paintball guns. Airsoft guns are used more often in MilSim than paintball guns due to their availability as replica weapons without any modification.

Also, in real-world military and law enforcement training environments, airsoft equipment is favored almost exclusively over paintball counterparts. Primary factors for the use of airsoft equipment includes the realistic audible report, the ease of use and reliability of airsoft guns and realistic magazine sizes and more realistic gun models. Modern airsoft guns, especially those designed with milsim in mind, can support the full range of tactical upgrades using standard weaver sight rails and RIS rails, which accommodate everything from Red Dot Sights, Lasers, foregrips to pressure activated tactical flashlights.

MilSim most often falls into two different categories: reenactment and simulation. Reenactments focus on a particular event in history and aim to provide the most accurate representation of the time period, events, and outcomes of the historical event. Simulation, however, may only focus on a particular time period and representation of which course a particular situation may have taken in history. In most cases a simulation event includes fictitious characters, groups, and political situations.

Airsoft is a sport in which individuals participate in the simulation of military combat also called MilSim or law enforcement-style combat.

Some Airsoft Teams specialize in Milsim and historical reenactment intended to get the participant "inside the head" of the characters from history. This is an immersive experience and gives participants a chance to live recent history. Many airsoft groups have ex-military members seeking the camaraderie of their old units without the commitment. Some groups support military charities as part of their mission.

Airsoft has its roots in late-1980s East Asia, specifically Japan where firearms were difficult or impossible to obtain due to local laws, so people sought a legal alternative for enjoying their passion. Airsoft is still today most popular in several Asian regions, such as Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and to a certain extent, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The vast majority of airsoft guns, accessories and after market upgrade parts are also manufactured in these countries.

There is also a growing interest in North America and Europe, especially in the United States (with the largest groups in California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida), Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, Russia, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, Greece, Finland, Norway, Italy, Belgium (which is also visited by Dutch players, the game resently has it's launch in april 2013. Fields are coming soon), Denmark, Ireland, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and South Africa, bolstered by an active and expanding Internet scene.

The United Kingdom's MilSim scene includes a number of airsoft event organizers who specialize in MilSim events run in conjunction with Live Action Role-Players (see LARP) at British Army training facilities such as Copehill Down and Catterick Garrison.