Hi everyone! I hope someone can give me some information about airsoft guns. Everything I've read and every person I've contacted has told me that airsoft BBs cannot break a window (assuming of course a reasonable range). My neighbor has a broken window that he discovered after a recent airsoft battle that my son and his friends had in our backyard. His house is at least 30 feet from our backyard and the second story window is a good 20 feet high. The kids all have inexpensive guns and use .12g 6mm BBs. I was absolutely mortified when my neighbor showed me the window and of course agreed to accept responsibility. However, I've been doing some research. Everyone I've talked to plus everything online without exception says it is impossible because the BBs and the window must obey the laws of physics: mass/weight/velocity/etc. Can anyone explain this to me so I can go talk to my neighbor again. Or, let me know if you know differently - that these BBs can break a window because I do want to be a good neighbor and be responsible for my son. Thank you so much!
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Airsoft and a broken window
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ScottsGT
Member
Just take your sons airsoft gun and shoot another one of his windows while he stands there watching.
BTW, welcome to The High Road.
BTW, welcome to The High Road.
Cosmoline
Member
Check out the hole. How big is it?
Fosbery
Member
Absolutely not. No way. An airsoft gun cannot possibly break a window when using standard plastic BBs. I've fired my fully-upgraded, electric powered, fully automatic (very expensive) airsoft rifle at a window, emptying a full 300 round magazine into it. No breaks, no cracks, nothing.
Just to be sure though: you do mean airsoft guns right? BB guns are completely different and could indeed break a window. BB guns are CO2 powered guns that fire metal ball bearings. Airsoft guns are essentially air powered guns (using springs, various types of gas or electric motors) that shoot 6mm ball bullets (BBs). Much confusion arised from the alternate meanings of 'BB'.
Just to be sure though: you do mean airsoft guns right? BB guns are completely different and could indeed break a window. BB guns are CO2 powered guns that fire metal ball bearings. Airsoft guns are essentially air powered guns (using springs, various types of gas or electric motors) that shoot 6mm ball bullets (BBs). Much confusion arised from the alternate meanings of 'BB'.
When I shoot my airsoft at targets, I tape a paper target to a empty pop case (cardboard). From a distance of 20 feet, it will penetrate the target and first side of the box, but fails to exit the box. I would find it highly unlikely that it could break a window. Unless it was a very old single pane. Then maybe. I have broken some of those old windows out at the farm by just bumping into them with something.
Since you already offered to replace it, maybe you should consider not backing out of it. That would be the proper thing to do. If it were me, and I had told hm that, I would replace the window, then inform him that their was no way the airsof tcould have broken it. (assuming it is not an old single pane) Good luck
Since you already offered to replace it, maybe you should consider not backing out of it. That would be the proper thing to do. If it were me, and I had told hm that, I would replace the window, then inform him that their was no way the airsof tcould have broken it. (assuming it is not an old single pane) Good luck
An airsoft gun - especially a cheap spring or mini electric firing .12 gram ammunition - cannot break a window. Your neighbor is either mistaken, is trying to get you to pony up for a window that he broke, or is trying to start something with you and/or your kids because he disapproves of their hobby.
My guess would be the latter. Especially if said neighbor insists on getting more hystical when the facts are introduced into the discussion (watch for it, and I'll bet you a dollar it happens).
The best way to do that is to do exactly what was mentioned above: Take one of your kid's guns, go over to your own window, and let him watch you shoot it. Ping! The BB bounces off and nothing happens.
My guess would be the latter. Especially if said neighbor insists on getting more hystical when the facts are introduced into the discussion (watch for it, and I'll bet you a dollar it happens).
The best way to do that is to do exactly what was mentioned above: Take one of your kid's guns, go over to your own window, and let him watch you shoot it. Ping! The BB bounces off and nothing happens.
Cato the Younger
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Yes, they can break windows
Dear All,
I can confirm from personal experience that an airsoft pellet shot down a 30 Ft hallway can indeed break a window (we were using cheap, 20 dollar airsoft guns). So yes, your neighbor was probably correct.
Just my two cents.
Dear All,
I can confirm from personal experience that an airsoft pellet shot down a 30 Ft hallway can indeed break a window (we were using cheap, 20 dollar airsoft guns). So yes, your neighbor was probably correct.
Just my two cents.
Thanks jrdean. It's a new house and a very expensive window. It will be hundreds of dollars to replace. This is why I've been so upset about this. And I do want to do the proper thing and I wish money were no object. But if my son or his friends weren't responsible, well I work two jobs from home so I can be home with my kids, and money is definitely an issue. But, if the BBs could have done it, then no question, I will pay. Bev
Cosmoline
Member
A NEW window in a NEW house? NO WAY. I don't believe it. An old single pane from 75+ years ago, maybe. But not a new window. That glass is amazingly tough stuff. I strongly suspect it was pre-existing. Is there even a hole or chip from impact, or is it just a stress crack?
DoubleTapDrew
Member
I'd highly doubt it. If it's a new house it's probably got tough vinyl windows.
Maybe the neighbor had a negligent discharge and wants someone else to pay for it, haha.
I wouldn't be happy if some kids were hitting my house with stray airsoft pellets though, especially if they don't pick them up. Maybe this is his way of getting them to stop or be more careful to avoid his house.
Maybe the neighbor had a negligent discharge and wants someone else to pay for it, haha.
I wouldn't be happy if some kids were hitting my house with stray airsoft pellets though, especially if they don't pick them up. Maybe this is his way of getting them to stop or be more careful to avoid his house.
ready4shtf
Member
YES. They can. But not really thick glass. I have a broken picture frame glass in my house because I was playing with a spring powered cheapo airsoft. Was one of my favorite pictures too.
auschip
Member
I have a heavily upgraded TM rifle and a WA gas pistol. Neither of those will cause the damage you are describing. However, a rock thrown from a lawnmower will. The easy thing to do, is take the airsoft gun and while he is there shoot the window. If it breaks the window then get out the checkbook. If it doesn't explain that you will make sure that the kids are more careful, but tell him you will not be paying.
Your agreeing to replace the window relies implicitly on your trusting the neighbor's conclusion that your kid was responsible. If you later learn that's physically impossible or highly improbable you have no obligation to pay.
If it's a new house you might consider checking on the local building codes or any building covenants or the like. I'd wager that a window that can be broken by a plastic BB from 20 feet or more isn't in spec.
Now based on that I'd say you shouldn't pay, but you should consider the issue of good-will. If your neighbor genuinely believes the BBs broke his window he's not going to be happy and you can pretty much rule out any more "battles" in your yard if there's a good chance BBs will end up on his property -- though that may be the case already.
There's also the chance that your kid or one of his friends broke the window deliberately or accidently. Look at where it is and try to make a guess as to what else could have broken it. If you figure it's more likely than not that your kid is responsible you might as well just pay and save yourself some trouble. Kids do some stupid stuff.
I can't see him making you pay, though, so it's pretty much up to you. Do the right thing.
If it's a new house you might consider checking on the local building codes or any building covenants or the like. I'd wager that a window that can be broken by a plastic BB from 20 feet or more isn't in spec.
Now based on that I'd say you shouldn't pay, but you should consider the issue of good-will. If your neighbor genuinely believes the BBs broke his window he's not going to be happy and you can pretty much rule out any more "battles" in your yard if there's a good chance BBs will end up on his property -- though that may be the case already.
There's also the chance that your kid or one of his friends broke the window deliberately or accidently. Look at where it is and try to make a guess as to what else could have broken it. If you figure it's more likely than not that your kid is responsible you might as well just pay and save yourself some trouble. Kids do some stupid stuff.
I can't see him making you pay, though, so it's pretty much up to you. Do the right thing.
ready4shtf
Member
I would just man up and replace it. It will keep the neighbors happy. Having a-hole neighbors suck. Especially if you will be there for more than a few years. Just next time check his windows before and after. If he has one broken already, be sure to let him know BEFORE you play airsoft.
Q-Lock
Member
As others have noted, if you feel that a demonstration would help you(and your neighbor) decide whether or not your son or one of his friends is responsible for the damage...take your sons airsoft gun out to the back yard and, with the neighbor standing next to you, shoot the same damaged window and see what happens.
I don't really like the idea I just mentioned above...but you're kind of in a hard situation. Like most have said, the airsoft game was probably not the cause of the damage...but how can you prove it. You can print this thread and show it to your neighbor (although I don't know that it would help much).
I don't think you're going to be able to prove to your neighbor that this couldn't have happened...but I'm not sure how you can prove it to yourself(because that's all that matters). If you don't pay for the window, I'm sure your neighbor will be upset...but that's life. Most likely, he didn't see the damage happen so he doesn't even know for sure.
Best bet, figure out for yourself whether or not you think it happened the way your neighbor is saying it did. If you don't think it did, then don't pay for it. There's no good reason to pay for it just because you want to be nice. As you said, with money being an issue...it needs to be reasonably proven that your son is to blame before you pay for the damage.
I just typed a lot more than necessary...hope some of it made sense.
Good luck with your situation!
Regards,
I don't really like the idea I just mentioned above...but you're kind of in a hard situation. Like most have said, the airsoft game was probably not the cause of the damage...but how can you prove it. You can print this thread and show it to your neighbor (although I don't know that it would help much).
I don't think you're going to be able to prove to your neighbor that this couldn't have happened...but I'm not sure how you can prove it to yourself(because that's all that matters). If you don't pay for the window, I'm sure your neighbor will be upset...but that's life. Most likely, he didn't see the damage happen so he doesn't even know for sure.
Best bet, figure out for yourself whether or not you think it happened the way your neighbor is saying it did. If you don't think it did, then don't pay for it. There's no good reason to pay for it just because you want to be nice. As you said, with money being an issue...it needs to be reasonably proven that your son is to blame before you pay for the damage.
I just typed a lot more than necessary...hope some of it made sense.
Good luck with your situation!
Regards,
Thanks bouis - The part I struggle with is another explanation for the broken window. The broken window was discovered Wednesday, 5 days after the battle. On either Monday or Tuesday this week, I was home alone, upstairs when I heard an almighty thwack to my house. I have no idea what it was, couldn't see anything, but I even checked for broken windows. I can only think it was a bird or a rock and is the only glimmer of an explanation I can come up for my neighbor's borken window - maybe same thing happened to them. Who knows? But, yes, no more airsoft battles. Learned my lesson - I don't want to be a bad neighbor ever. I just wasn't thinking about those BBs going in their yard.
I like the idea of shooting at a good section of the already broken window. If you're already going to be paying for it ...
If you can't replicate the damage, you have the option of telling him that you don't think you or your family are responsible. If the airsoft does damage the window, make sure you're replacing it as exactly as possible - a cheap window such as that shouldn't be nearly as expensive to replace as your average modern window which wouldn't be affected by airsoft fire. Years ago I knew some folks who looked at kids as an excuse to have others pay for upgrades.
Of course, it is also possible that during the airsoft battle, someone decided what was needed was some "grenade" action and lofted a rock, chunk of wood, etc. which caused the damage.
If you can't replicate the damage, you have the option of telling him that you don't think you or your family are responsible. If the airsoft does damage the window, make sure you're replacing it as exactly as possible - a cheap window such as that shouldn't be nearly as expensive to replace as your average modern window which wouldn't be affected by airsoft fire. Years ago I knew some folks who looked at kids as an excuse to have others pay for upgrades.
Of course, it is also possible that during the airsoft battle, someone decided what was needed was some "grenade" action and lofted a rock, chunk of wood, etc. which caused the damage.
On a new window, their is a 0.0000001% chance that the airsoft broke it. And, if it was that long from the time the kids played till the time he discovered the broken window, their is no way he can say your kids broke my window. If he didn't see it happen, and their is no evidence of what happened, their is no judge that would award him any money. I'd tell him to pay for the window himself. If he contests, tell him, prove to me that a 6mm plastic bb from 30 feet away broke your window. Obviously he would not be able to do that. Good luck
Okay, this forum is awesome. I may come to you with all my problems from now on! You have given me lots of good advice. The main point I would like to make to my neighbor is that these BBs are goverened by the laws of physics. Does anyone know how to explain that? Bev
mindwip
Member
I too find it hard for a plastic bb to break a window. BUT i would more willingly belive that your son/friend, broke the window some how. And the neighbor thinks it was the bb becuase he knew they were playing.
I could see kids saying it was the bb, because it SOUNDS better, then "i throw a rock at jimmy, and the window broke" vs "we did not mean to, a stray BB must of done it"
What did your kids say, you left that part out?
comeing from someone whos broken his share of windows- with ops, i did not mean too mom
what did the kids say, and how they say it, thats what you need to know-how old
PS what side is the glass on, the broken pieces, is it on the inside or out side, this will tell you if your nieghbor did it from his inside his house or if it was from the outside
I could see kids saying it was the bb, because it SOUNDS better, then "i throw a rock at jimmy, and the window broke" vs "we did not mean to, a stray BB must of done it"
What did your kids say, you left that part out?
comeing from someone whos broken his share of windows- with ops, i did not mean too mom
what did the kids say, and how they say it, thats what you need to know-how old
PS what side is the glass on, the broken pieces, is it on the inside or out side, this will tell you if your nieghbor did it from his inside his house or if it was from the outside
pdowg881
Member
I agree. There is absolutely no way an airsoft bb will break a window.
another okie
Member
Once you have agreed to replace the window you should do it. To go back on your word makes you look bad, even if your kids are not really at fault. Chalk it up to experience and next time investigate before promising to do something.
Just consider the various ways in which your neighbor might make your life miserable at this point - small claims court, calling the sheriff or child services to report "kids playing with firearms," fences, boundaries, easements, noise at late hours... Better to cut your losses now.
And if the kids are sending the BBs into his yard, you need to do something about that anyway. Perhaps the kids should play Airsoft somewhere else.
Just consider the various ways in which your neighbor might make your life miserable at this point - small claims court, calling the sheriff or child services to report "kids playing with firearms," fences, boundaries, easements, noise at late hours... Better to cut your losses now.
And if the kids are sending the BBs into his yard, you need to do something about that anyway. Perhaps the kids should play Airsoft somewhere else.
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