FPS...Is it a big deal?

[electricblu]

the whole point of higher fps's is to cut through brush and overgrowth and to reach the target faster because i cannot tell you how many times ive heard someone shoot so i duck and there bbs arrive just after ive ducked my head down.

[ryanman]

Having used a lot of springers, I can definitely say that FPS is not everything.
My KWC P226, for instance, was wayyy more accurate and had a much greater range than my super hardball II (note: I bought the hardball when I was stupid) despite them having similar FPS ratings and the hardball having a barrel about twice as long. (same ammo, low-polish .12's)
The way the piston is built has a lot to do with how much energy is transferred to the BB, and of course weight is a huge factor too.
Basically, FPS is only about half of the battle.

[mongoman]

I was using a CA Offizier Variant of the G3 last sunday, shooting stock and a tbore, and the range on the thing is just sick. I think the gun is shooting in the 310-320 range fps, and with the 9.6v batt, the ROF is just amazing. I adjusted the hopup and really got it reaching out later that day.

M

[dtownsniper]

my agm m14 is effective for about 70 meters
which is amazing for a 150 dollar gun
its only shooting about 320 fps right now

so i agree with mongo that fps isnt everything

[mateba]

just throwing it out there
my interest in in higher FPS comes from wanting a max effective range. By effective I mean semi-reliable in outdoor conditions and a relatively flat or flatter trajectory. I found info suggesting that the heavier BBs are optimal with FPS higher than 350+. I notice an increase in range between 20. and .25 BBs w/ 350FPS. This come at a price, the heavier BB requires more energy to move the same distance. This drops your FPS. Momentum generated by the BBs mass and a well adjusted hop-up lets them sail in. If anything hop-op makes airsoft what it is besides the replicas themselves. Got of track, snipes tend to use .25 to .30 and as much as .43. they do this for accuracy and range. These two characteristics at this point start to become the same. Weight decreases environmental effects and improves grouping. FPS can give you that extra velocity to compensate for heavier BBs. Effective range is like handling on a sports-car. You are only capable of what you can control. To compare extremes a dragster vs. a miata would probably loose if the track has any turns in it. The performance is only relative to what can be used. Airsoft at higher levels might just be marginal performance considering reliability and cost. I believe velocity can make a difference but it requires heavier BBs. Even putting range aside the delay between the shooter and the target is decreased with higher FPS and we all have seen someone out their dancing in someone's spray.
mateba

[kac]

FPS is about two,one things pain factor,two scare factor. If you play with people who dont play by the rules this will help alot. Im with valack if we come get dimpled bbs that would rock.

[mongoman]

kac said:

FPS is about two,one things pain factor,two scare factor. If you play with people who dont play by the rules this will help alot. Im with valack if we come get dimpled bbs that would rock.

We have a better way Kac, we don't lower oursleves to the level of cheaters, and just ask them to leave. I am not out to hurt anyone, they just will be asked to stay away.

M

[kac]

Well we had some people who didnt go down like they should have and shot for the face, long story short they say there hit now and they dont shoot for the face any more.

[mongoman]

kac said:

Well we had some people who didnt go down like they should have and shot for the face, long story short they say there hit now and they dont shoot for the face any more.

Understood, but what if? What if the player in question got hurt? What if someone loses their temper? You get the idea. It is just easier, and less dramatic in the long run to say, "hey, we don't allow that here." and set up a review board. If you do that, you get the person out of the game, because they are not welcome.

We are getting more and more structures up at our place. If you are playing in those structures, the head and face is usually the only target you have. I have gone to a full face with a thermal lens, no fog, no worries about getting shot in the face anymore. Getting shot in the face, as long as it is not point blank, or from blind fire, is part of the game, protect yourself!!

M