Airsoft is immensely popular with combat-sports enthusiasts who want to emulate real-life military scenarios as closely equally possible.

From the guns to the gear, the tactics to the tactical pants, everything has to exist accurate – especially when playing a MilSim (Armed forces Simulation) game.

But in that location's simply one footling thing that bugs many players – particularly beginners.

That brightly-colored flake of plastic at the end of the gun barrel.

What is it? Why is it there? Can you paint over it? Or perhaps most chiefly – are y'all allowed to remove the orange tip from an airsoft gun?

Let's find out.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, nosotros earn from qualifying purchases if you shop through the links on RiflePal. For more than information, read full disclosure here.

The Orange Airsoft Gun Tip – Too Long, Didn't Read

Y'all'll be pleased to hear this isn't going to accept a lot of caption.

It is non illegal to remove an orange airsoft tip – with a series of caveats.

Information technology depends on federal, state, and local laws, and is likely to be dissimilar in Europe and other parts of the earth than it is in the US. Cheque with regional ordinance where you are to detect out your obligations.

Some states will have stricter laws than others.

Merely if you are playing on a dedicated airsoft field, or you're on private property, should you remove the orange tip.

And use common sense. By "private property" I generally mean a larger 1000, garden, or farmland, not a small, inner-city block where plenty of neighbors tin see y'all waving a gun around.

The tip must be replaced when in public, and when selling, transporting, or aircraft the weapon.

If you decide not to supersede the tip when you're not actively playing an airsoft game, and then it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED you put the gun in a sealed, opaque example where it is not visible.

At the cease of the twenty-four hour period, so long equally you're non running effectually the streets/walking into a mall/hanging out a vehicle window with an airsoft rifle that'south missing the orange cage – y'all should exist fine.

airsoft player aiming with airsoft rifle

Why Practise Airsoft Guns Have an Orange Tip?

By police force, all airsoft, replica, or toy guns need to have an orangish tip affixed to the butt before they are sold and/or transported.

Every replica weapon you purchase will take one, just check out this review of the best airsoft rifles on the market.

No matter the blazon of airsoft gun, fifty-fifty if not displayed in the promotional photo, when it turns upward at your door, it'south going to have an orange tip at the end of the butt in some form or another.

The reasons for this aren't rocket science – information technology's to show that the production is a fake and isn't real steel.

In that location's plenty nervous cops out there as it is without giving them more to think virtually, and there have been shooting fatalities for much less.

Is information technology Illegal to Remove the Orange Tip?

No, providing yous practise it within the confines of private belongings, or at a dedicated airsoft field issue.

Over again – and I'm covering my own butt here with a disclaimer – check your local ordinances for your region before going ahead. I am non responsible for your decision in this regard.

If you don't want to do that, try asking at your local airsoft field or trade shop, or talk to an experienced player who should know what's expected in your surface area.

It'due south up to you to stay within the law – for your own prophylactic, the rubber of the public, and the safety of police force enforcement officers.

Reasons to Remove an Airsoft Gun's Orange Tip

There are many reasons why airsoft players want to remove this cruddy glow at the finish of their prized weapon.

MilSim players in particular like to remove it for improving realism. Unless they're firing blanks, the military certainly doesn't become around with a brightly-colored tip on the end of their rifles.

It'southward too a certain-burn down way of giving away your position on the field, and removing or disguising the orangish tip tin seriously meliorate your camouflage ability.

Finally, yous're going to be limited with the attachments and customizations y'all tin enjoy with an orangish tip on the terminate of the barrel. Removing it volition help you add suppressors, tracers units, and more.

Take a look at these awesome airsoft sniper rifles, for example, and tell me they're not going to look totally badass with the tip removed.

airsoft gas pistol with orange tip

Why Yous SHOULD NOT Remove the Orangish Tip

As with anything that has pros, it'due south as well going to take cons. And non to pee on anyone's burn down, it'south important you understand what they are before proceeding, so you tin can make an informed decision.

The most definitive reason for not removing the safety tip, is that your airsoft gun volition look similar a real firearm.

If you lot don't believe me, but bank check out this review of the best airsoft pistols currently on the market, and imagine one of them on the street, without the orange tip.

Would you be able to tell the difference in the heat of the moment?

Bated from the almost important attribute – which is your safe – removing the orange tip will likely void the gun's warranty, and the manufacturer will be reluctant (or directly-up pass up) to fix or replace it, should the need ascend.

Finally, from a purely aesthetic signal of view, y'all can hands impairment the weapon if you lot mess upwardly while removing the tip. Some guns are meliorate quality than others, and this can exist very easy to practise, especially if y'all are inexperienced.

And then, the question is not and so much – "can I take the tip off?" only rather – "SHOULD I accept the tip off?" Now you know the pros and cons, information technology's entirely up to you lot.

To be honest, in that location's a lot to be thankful for. If information technology wasn't for that minor, but relatively subtle legality, the entire weapon would accept to be a hi-vis color, or completely transparent, or worse – totally banned.

man wearing tactical camouflage and pointing his airsoft pistol

How to Remove the Orange Tip from an Airsoft Gun

If you've taken the decision to remove the orange tip from your airsoft gun, and its use will continue to exist legal as a result, then there are a number of ways y'all tin can achieve this.

I ingenious method is to not remove it at all, simply rather paint over it with a water-based acrylic, spray paint, or permanent marker.

When required, you lot can ever utilize rubbing alcohol to bring the orangish back, then you don't risk dissentious the gun, voiding the warranty, or getting in problem with the police.

If, nonetheless, you desire to follow the vast majority of airsofters and remove the tip entirely, so the method depends on the gun.

Some tips are glued in place for a permanent fix, which may or may non be in a more than budget-friendly airsoft gun, like the ones found at that link.

Others will exist attached with a threaded spiral, or held in identify with some small hardware, such as pins or screws.

I recommend putting together a gear up of tools that might help y'all with the chore, including hex keys, pliers, and precision screwdrivers. A multi-tool is also useful, as is an armorer'due south wrench for added leverage.

Examine the barrel of the gun closely to find out how information technology'southward all put together. In most cases, you should be able to figure out how to remove the tip yourself.

Some other method is to use heat to cook the glue, and and so twist the cap off. Just be careful when y'all're doing this, so as not to ruin any other plastic parts.

Dipping information technology in hot water might work, or a brief use of a hair-dryer.

Covering the tip with a cloth and using a pair of pliers to unscrew it should too yield good results. Again, have your time, and don't force anything. If information technology's not coming off, you need to rethink your strategy.

Information technology's as well worth noting that you can purchase an orange safety cap for the gun butt, so fifty-fifty if you lot mangle the plastic tip during removal, you lot can replace information technology if you're ever in public with the gun.

Alternatively, if yous're not comfy either removing or reapplying the orange tip by yourself, you can e'er take it into your local airsoft store or tech guys, and they will service the weapon for you.

Finally, in that location are enough of videos out there covering this verbal topic, and with a chip of enquiry, you'll probably detect one that covers the very weapon you ain. Check out the guide below for starters.

Summary

Yous now know how to remove the orange tip from an airsoft gun – and if you're allowed to in the commencement place.

And so long as you're careful, and you apply a little common sense (particularly in public) then yous can continue to achieve a realistic look and feel to your battles when in the field.

Let me know if you lot accept any clever ways to get around this issue, or whatsoever relevant airsoft feel you'd like to share with the community in general.

Stay safe and play safety – and happy airsofting!