If you’re not a member of a registered Airsoft site, club or society – and you want to play airsoft – you’ll be required to use what is known as a two-tone airsoft gun.
But what exactly is a two-tone airsoft gun? Is it just a regular airsoft gun? Well, we'll answer all your questions below.
What is a Two-Tone Airsoft Gun?
Two-tone is used to describe an airsoft gun made up of two or more colours so that it can be easily distinguished from a real firearm – hence two tone.
Two-tone airsoft guns are most commonly brightly coloured with a large percentage of orange - although this isn't always the case.
| The UK law states that an Airsoft two-tone gun must have at least 50% of its surface area brightly coloured in order to be supplied by a retailer. |
As we’ve just mentioned, this is so they can easily be distinguished from real firearms.
An airsoft gun is also known as a RIF – which is short for a Replica Imitation Firearm.
What Colours Are Used for Two-Tone Guns?
Real guns are usually black; two-tone airsoft weapons can be a range of colours, including purple, orange, blue, red and green.
The UK law states that two-tone airsoft guns must be at least 50% brightly coloured. The other 50% can be a different colour or black.
Most retailers stick to using orange and black as these are the easiest colours to see, but you may find other colour combinations (like those above) being used too.
Types of Two-Tone Airsoft Guns
Two-tone guns cover a wide range of weapons, including sniper rifles, pistols and shotguns.
Two-tone guns are available in both electric and gas varieties. Batteries power electric guns, while gas weapons use either propane or green gas to propel the BBs.
If you’re new to airsoft, we recommend starting with an electric gun, as they’re generally cheaper and easier to maintain than gas weapons
One of the most popular two-tone airsoft guns is the M4, which is a replica of the American assault rifle.
How Do I Choose a Two-Tone Airsoft Gun?
When choosing two-tone airsoft BB guns, the most important thing to consider is what you want to use them for.
Are you looking for a primary weapon to take into battle or a sidearm?
Of course, both offer advantages, so it comes down to personal preference.
Once you’ve decided on the type of gun you want, the next thing to consider is your budget. Two-tone airsoft guns are available at a wide range of price points, so it’s important to find one that fits into your budget.
Finally, think about what power source you’re looking for. Are you looking for an electric or gas-powered weapon? Again, this is a matter of personal preference, but both have their pros and cons.
As we mentioned earlier, electric guns are often cheaper and easier to maintain than gas weapons, but gas weapons tend to be more powerful.
What are Pre-Toned Airsoft Guns?
A pre-toned airsoft gun means that the weapon has been two-toned by the manufacturer – and not by another retailer or us.
This cuts down the waiting time of buying a two-tone gun you order from an airsoft retailer.
Two Tone Guns Service at Socom Tactical
At Socom Tactical, we offer a comprehensive two-tone service. Once you’ve chosen an airsoft gun, you’ll have the option (at checkout) to select either ‘RIF’ or ‘Two Tone’.
Remember – a RIF will require your date of birth and membership details, such as a valid UKARA or site membership number before we can dispatch your order.
Benefits Of Using A Two Tone Airsoft Gun
So, now you know what two-tone airsoft guns are, but what are the benefits of using one?
You Can Try Airsoft Out Without Committing to a Club
The main benefit is that it allows you to play airsoft without having to join a registered club or society.
If you’re new to airsoft and don’t want to commit to joining a club just yet, then using a two-tone airsoft gun is a great way to dip your toe in the water and see if you like the sport.
Two Tone Guns are Often Cheaper Than Regular Airsoft Guns
Another benefit of two-tone guns is that they’re often cheaper than their full black counterparts.
This is because they don’t require as much manufacturing time and materials, so retailers can pass on these savings to customers.
What Colours Are Used?
Real guns are usually black; two-tone airsoft weapons can be a range of colours, including purple, orange, blue, red and green.
As we mentioned earlier, the UK law states that two-tone airsoft guns must be at least 50% brightly coloured. The other 50% can be a different colour or black.
Most retailers stick to using orange and black as these are the easiest colours to see, but you may find other colour combinations (like those above) being used too.
Why Can't I Buy A Solid Colour Airsoft Gun?
There are strict laws around the purchase of airsoft guns.
| First, you must be 18 years old or over. |
| Secondly, you must be part of a registered club or society. |
Solid-colour airsoft guns are too closely matched to a real firearm, so they can only be sold to members of a registered organisation.
If you’re not part of a registered club or society and try to buy a solid-colour airsoft gun, the retailer will be breaking the law.
What Is UKARA?
UKARA stands for the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association. They are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to growing the sport of airsoft in the UK.
In order to buy a solid-colour airsoft gun, you must be a member of UKARA. This usually involves attending a registered site and playing there at least three times.
Once you've done this, you'll be added to the UKARA database and can then purchase any solid-colour airsoft gun you want.
It's well worth heading over to the UKARA website to learn more.
Rounding Up: What are Two-Tone Airsoft Guns?
If you're planning to try out a bit of airsoft, it's a great idea to start out by using two-tone guns.
Purchasing these guns don't require you to join a club, and they're usually cheaper than their full black counterparts.
Two-tone guns come in a range of power sources, including electric and gas varieties, so there's sure to be an airsoft gun to suit your needs.
Shop Socom Tactical for Your Top-Quality Two Tone Guns
Here at Socom, we have a superb selection of two-tone guns. All you have to do to select the 'Two Tone' option when selecting your gun, and we'll do all the work for you.
If you have any questions or need more information about our pre-toned service, feel free to get in touch with our team!
