Hidden benefits of higher fps
High FPs, one of the choice builds amongst many airsoft players. Allowing for extended range and engagement distances, many seek out upgrades and airsoft guns that give them an edge in Airsoft combat scenarios through a higher muzzle velocity. Besides the obvious advantages a high FPS build gives players there are a variety of other benefits to increasing one’s FPS, some obvious, some often over looked. In this article, Zephyr Airsoft seeks to expand the awareness regarding Airsoft guns with high velocities benefit from and include some of their weaknesses.
Penetration
A well-known aspect of airsoft AEGs to outdoor players is the penetration their guns have. It can mean the difference between safe cover, and dangerous concealment, between taking out a sniper, and falling prey to the bushes and foliage of outdoor environments. An Airsoft Gun’s penetration is the ability of the gun to shoot through obstructing obstacles such as leaves, branches, grass, and strike an enemy. A higher velocity imparts more energy toward the BB fired allowing the BB to turn cover, into concealment. It also allows greater penetration at longer ranges. Where one airsoft gun’s rounds may be deflected off of tall grass at 50 yards, a high FPS build will allow the rounds to punch through the tall grass at 50 yards.
Heavier BBs
Greater penetration can also be achieved through the use of heavier BBs. The use of a heavier BB allows the round to penetrate bushes, etc. through the use of a greater Mass and inertia. While using a higher grain of BB allows for a greater amount of joules, it also causes the round to drop faster, shortening the range that would be achieved with a lighter BB. Yet, the combination of high FPS and heavier BBs allow for a greater amount of accuracy, at a similar range to medium fps builds with a lighter grain BB. An increase of accuracy will make the best use of the range the Airsoft gun has. A player upgrading both the muzzle velocity and BB grams can gain a higher amount of accuracy and joules, making opposing players feel rounds through bushes and openings they once though were safe.

Joules
Often experienced by Airsoft Sniper victims, are the effects of a high joule count. Frequently over looked, but closely tied with FPS is an Airsoft Gun’s impartment of joules to rounds.Joules are a measure of inertia or energy that a body will have. In this case the body is the airsoft BB and the Joules are a product of its Mass (the grams) and the Velocity (FPS) of the BB.
E=½ x M x V^2 Energy = ½ x Mass x Velocity^2
Or: Joules = 1/2 x (BB weight in Kilograms) x (FPS of the BB in meters)^2
Meters = Feet x 0.3048
Kilograms = Grams/1000
A greater amount of joules will make a player feel a hit at longer ranges, or through thick gear. This means that an Airsoft gun fired at a player at a low FPS may go unnoticed at extended ranges, while a higher FPS Airsoft gun will impart more energy to the target and will be more likely to be noticed. Joules can be increased with more FPS and the same BB, or a higher FPS reduced to the same FPS by a heavier BB.

Reaction Time
Rarely taken into consideration is the reaction time an opposing player has to dodge incoming fire. If there is enough distance between you and the target, the target can actually dodge incoming fire. There is however a specific distance based upon the muzzle velocity that a target cannot dodge or react to. While an exact distance requires a hefty chunk of calculus, a more manageable equation can be used to estimate the distance needed.
V=d/t Velocity > Distance/Time
Or: Feet/second > distance in feet/time
If you input the average person’s reaction time of 200ms-300ms (.2-.3 seconds) you can find an approximated maximum range of where the average player will not be able to react to. This means that an Airsoft gun firing at 350fps has an effective no dodge range of less than 70 feet. It is under due to the deceleration of the BB as it moves through the Earth’s atmosphere. When this is applied to a higher FPS Airsoft gun of say 400fps the no dodge distance extends to almost 100 feet. The easiest way to find this effective kill range is to multiply your fps by .215 or .25. While most players will try to hit opponents well out of this distance, taking advantage of the extended range higher fps provides, the effective range or no react range should be taken advantage of to ensure hits.
Downfalls
While there are many benefits to high FPS setups, there are a few notable drawbacks. Joule, for instance, is a double edged sword. It increases the chance a BB will penetrate, and that players at longer distances will feel the round but also can be very painful at close range, limiting the usefulness of the weapon, or potentially being dangerous in addition to being unpleasant for other players.
A greater FPS also magnifies low quality ammo’s tendency to slice (drift left-right) and the hop up’s spin (up down drift) which can eliminate the gun’s long range advantage.
High FPS typically requires what is called a torque build or torque setup. The torque gears allow the motor to pull back the heavier spring required for high FPS, but sacrifice the rate of fire or ROF of the Airsoft Gun. ROF can be a critical difference when shooting moving targets or firing into areas that are slightly over the gun’s penetration. It also determines how effective ‘Spray and Pray’ tactics are.
Lastly, high FPS builds frequently require new parts and will shorten the life of an AEG. The stronger springs can easily cause a host of problems to occur over time. Often Torque builds require new pistons to replace shattered teeth, or even new gearbox shells from the force of impact. Additionally, Torque builds often experience lock back pistons, requiring resetting which can prove hazardous, in addition to taking players out of a game.
Summary
In the end a high FPS setup can give players and edge in Airsoft, and provides a variety of advantages over stock velocities. Provided that the pitfalls are addressed, increasing the fps of your Airsoft gun is more than worth it.
VN:F [1.9.12_1141]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
VN:F [1.9.12_1141]