Toy Soldiers

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I’m deep in the heart of the jungle, marching in formation with the rest of my platoon. Suddenly, I hear a cry: “Take cover!” The enemy is upon us. I stand up and open fire. There’s a sharp pain in my right thigh. I’ve been hit! Well, I guess I’m out for this round. Luckily, this isn’t Vietnam: it’s airsoft.

Airsoft is a combat sport that is quickly gaining popularity all over the world, but especially so in Hong Kong. It’s like paintball, but players create warlike scenarios using BB bullets instead of paint pellets. The trend first began in Japan in the 70s, when owning private firearms was first banned there. As a result, toy guns evolved to look and feel incredibly real. Today, enthusiasts around the world have turned the activity into a more legitimate sport, with tournaments and teams being cultivated around the world. And because of Hong Kong’s close proximity to the manufacturers—and not to mention a large population of enthusiasts—Hong Kong has become the unofficial international airsoft capital.

Who Plays?

Inevitably, running around forests and shooting at people is a boy’s game, although many women play, too. Players come from every walk of life, from father-son teams to professors and bankers. Most players get into the sport by word-of-mouth and teams are usually formed when a large enough group of friends start playing together, and they are generally enthusiastic in recruiting new members.

Combat Chic

Real Airsoft enthusiasts are very adamant about looking the part. According to Teri Mohm, a former United States police officer and founder of Tactical Airsoft Combat Club (TACC), “It’s kind of like child’s play. We dress up, bring our expensive toy guns and have fun.”At game time, many look ready to take on insurgents, not other professionals in the Sai Kung outback. Head-to-toe camouflage, Army boots and flak jackets are the norm, with some even wearing SWAT and FBI vests. Though the extra garb might seem a little excessive, for these role-playing warriors it adds to the realism. Since games often take place in open fields and woods, the camo helps gamers blend in to the surroundings, making it easier to sneak up on opponents. For those who really want to play the part, some army and navy surplus stores even carry German and American World War II uniforms.

Boys Toys

Spanning the annals of firearms manufacturers’ catalogs, virtually every real pistol, rifle, and shotgun has a safe(ish) airsoft counterpart, complete with matching engravings and identifiers. With the best guns coming out of Japan and the rest made in China, prices run the gamut from absurdly expensive to dirt-cheap. Systema guns are top of the line, and cost around $11,700. All guns are open to customizing, with hundreds of accessories available, from larger magazines to laser sights.

Safety, is of course, a concern. Even though airsoft guns are not as powerful as real firearms, they can still be dangerous. Many look so real that that they have been outlawed in Australia and New Zealand. In America, where it is legal to own personal firearms, gun tips are painted bright orange so you can tell the difference between real and fake ones. A BB shot at close-range can sting and even break the skin, causing minor bleeding, while a stray shot to the eyes can cause serious damage. Make sure you wear eye protection.

Get the Gear

Hong Kong is a hub for international online purchases of airsoft products, and as a result there are showrooms located everywhere. However, the number one place to get your toy guns has to be Yan On Building (1 Kwong Wa St., Mongkok), which is dedicated entirely to airsoft guns and accessories. Here are some of our favorite stores: