Let's not skirt past the issue. Airsoft is considered more professional and "mature" than Nerf by a lot of people. Just look on literally almost any acted Nerf war film on YouTube, and you'll see "tacticool 1337" types accusing anyone who strays near Nerf of being gay, a coward, or both. In fact, check it out for yourself. I'll be here when you get back.
See what I mean? Every other comment is just "UYSE AIRSOFT GUNZ U FAGETS", made by someone with a username like "CODPWNER420XxX". There's no questioning that airsoft has a fair share of mil-sim types, so maybe it is fair that they consider Nerf to be a little less than authentic for videos with an obvious warfare theme, but still, there's no reason to insult someone like that. If anything, I've seen Nerfers as passionate about realism as their pellet brethren, spouting things like "bullpup", and painting their blasters various shades of gunmetal (which I always thought was a bad idea, but hey, do what you want.). At the basis, Nerfers and airsoft junkies are one and the same: Guys who like running around with fake guns, firing synthetic rounds at each other like there's no tomorrow. See? There's no true reason we can't get along, but we still can't. The thing is, since airsoft pellets hurt and go farther, they're marked as being for older people. Which, admittedly, isn't far from the truth.
You can't deny that Nerf is mostly marketed to the younger set, and we're just sort of peripheral to Hasbro. Keep in mind, they are a TOY company. They're not going to make something that would get them sued, or something that you'd have to have a license or be 18 to buy. That means that Nerf is going to have to keep their blasters at a safe range and power. Meanwhile, airsoft makers are more slanted toward mil-sim or target guys, who are commonly adolescent to much older, so they figure they have enough responsibility (which, for testosterone ridden 16 year olds, is debatable) to handle guns that can hurt and go way farther than darts could dream of. They can also get full rights from arms makers to make everyone's beloved .3890 Glock Twilight Sparkle Model 34564.390 Sniper Pistol Rifle 2000 Tech as a "real" gun, since they have no qualms of marketing them as pretty much made for (fake) war, unlike Hasbro, who would rather not get too close to being a promoter of ridiculous violence (maybe to avoid lawsuits? I dunno, actually..). Airsoft guys also only have to deal with easy to propel, aerodynamic pellets, while Hasbro has to do a damn-near science experiment when they want to figure out how to make a dart go more than 10 feet.
Basically, it's like comparing two similar and equally good movies made on massively different budgets. You can't expect both to have everything you want at once. Airsoft can't be played indoors or in public, or just shot at anyone not in the fray without getting in trouble or getting your ass kicked. It also can't be toted around on campus, so no Humans Vs. Zombies for you. On the other hand, Nerf has much less range, has much more expensive ammo in terms of quantity versus cost, and doesn't seem as realistic (which is fine by me, but I know some of you dislike that). I've begun getting into airsoft, and I share a fond place for it in my heart with Nerf (and ponies, admittedly). I just see the two as equal, yet differently advantageous siblings.
So stop whining about it, you babies, and just go get some darts or pellets and have fun.
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