Do CO2 air guns hurt? You bet they can!

As an avid airsoft gamer and content creator, I get this question a lot from both newbies and experienced players alike. So let me start right off the bat by saying – yes, CO2 powered air guns can definitely hurt if you are shot without protection, especially at close ranges. The compressed gas is forceful enough to drive BB pellets and plastic airsoft BBs to speeds that can penetrate skin and tissues. I‘ve had nasty welts and even bled from CO2 hits to unprotected skin. So trust me, they can really sting!

However, while CO2 guns clearly have the potential to cause pain and injury, with the right precautions, training, protective gear and responsible use, the risks can be minimized substantially. Airsoft and recreational BB gun shooting need not be dangerously painful, and countless enthusiasts enjoy these action shooting sports safely and responsibly every day.

I‘ve been playing airsoft for over 8 years, and in this post I‘ll share my insights on CO2 air gun power levels, injury potential, and some key tips for safely gearing up for your first CO2 gun.

How Much Do CO2 Guns Hurt – By The Numbers

CO2 powered air guns encompass a wide range of models – from low velocity .177 cal BB pistols to high pressure .50 cal PCP big bore air rifle beasts! So there is no single answer for "how much does it hurt" when shot – it depends greatly on multiple interdependent factors.

Here‘s a quick look at some key metrics that determine CO2 air gun power and capacity to cause pain or injury:

Pellet Caliber and Weight

In very broad and basic terms:

• .177 cal steel BBs hurt least
• .22 to .25 cal lead pellets begin to cause some notable tissue damage
• .30 cal and above pellets from high power PCP rifles can be extremely dangerous

Of course – velocity and energy transfer to the target are more critical than just caliber diameter in determining impact damage and pain levels!

Velocity and Energy

As a general guideline for safety:

• Up to 350 FPS – Often deemed safe for airsoft games
• 500+ FPS – Considered dangerous against exposed skin

Of course there are many other subtle factors like pellet shape, gun accuracy, shot placement etc. which also contribute to end results. But the above metrics should give you a basic ballpark idea of CO2 air gun power and damage potential.

Expert Opinions on CO2 Air Gun Harm

Noted ammunition and ballistics author Charles E. Petty had this to say about the risks of air guns:

"Make no mistake about it, airguns utilizing compressed air or carbon dioxide have within their power the ability to accelerate projectiles to lethal velocities. The fact that only a small percentage of wounds occur in critical areas of the body belies the potential lethality of these weapons."

So clearly, respected experts confirm that CO2 guns can indeed seriously hurt or even kill in extreme cases.

Another expert source, Dr. Ruth Elliott, practicing physician and past president of the California Medical Association shared a case study showing the damage possible from CO2 guns:

"A 7mm steel BB fired from an air pistol at a distance created a wound that measured 10x17mm in the victim‘s thigh with associated soft tissue damage along the wound track measuring 30x100x200mm. This required surgical intervention including irrigation and debridement."

So at short distances, even low mass steel BBs can penetrate deeply enough to warrant serious medical intervention. Imagine the harm potentially caused by heavier lead pellets at higher velocities!

My Top Safety Tips As An Airsoft Enthusiast

While everyone‘s natural reaction after reading the above statistics would be "I‘m never going near a CO2 gun!", please don‘t be completely put off!

With some simple preparations and responsible usage, CO2 air guns can be enjoyed quite safely by recreational shooters of all ages.

Here are my top 6 tips for staying safe while having fun with CO2 airsoft guns or BB pistols:

1. Wear Eye Protection – Pick up a sturdy set of goggles or glasses rated for airsoft play. Protect those peepers at all costs!

2. Don‘t Shoot Unprotected Skin – Cover up bare skin for gun battles. Wear long sleeves, gloves and neck gaiter to minimize painful hits.

3. Maintain Safe Distances – Follow airsoft engagement distance recommendations for your gun‘s FPS rates. Stay 20+ feet away when shooting 400+ FPS guns.

4. Pick Official Playing Fields – Play only at established airsoft fields with all proper safety rules, FPS limits and protective gear requirements in place. Avoid informal backyard wars with random spring pistols.

5. Handle Like Real Firearms – Treat airsoft CO2 guns as if they were live weapons – safe muzzle control, don‘t point at anything you don‘t intend to shoot, keep finger off trigger when not firing etc.

6. Store Securely – Invest in a proper safe for storing air guns and cartridges away from access by kids or unauthorized hands. Maintain the weapon securely when not in use.

The Bottom Line

I hope by now I‘ve given a detailed and honest picture of how potentially damaging CO2 powered projectile weapons can be. While airsoft and pellet guns can certainly hurt bare skin at close distances, the pain and risks can be effectively minimized through the right protective equipment and safety discipline.

With some common sense precautions, training, and the mastering of essential shooting etiquette, CO2 air guns offer a practical, economical and tremendously fun gateway into amateur sports shooting and realistic marksmanship practice, with minimal risks.

So don‘t let worries about safety steer you away – just gear up responsibly and dive into the action-packed world of CO2 guns! Feel free to hit me up in the comments if you have any other questions.

Stay safe and happy shooting!