Italy's 1 joule airsoft limit: what the law says and how many FPS you can have
In Italy an airsoft replica may not exceed 1 joule. Here are the legal references, how many FPS equal 1 J for each BB weight, and how to read the data for the 2896 replicas in the database.
In short
- Maximum 1 joule per BB, measured one metre from the muzzle. This is set by art. 5(4) of Law 110/1975, as amended by Legislative Decree 204/2010.
- Sale only to people over 16. The law calls replicas "instruments known as softair".
- Brightly coloured plastic BBs, fired by compressed air or gas.
- Barrel painted red for at least 3 cm. If the barrel does not protrude, the front of the replica must be painted for the same length.
- Conformity check by the Banco Nazionale di Prova (national proof house), recognised by the Ministry of the Interior.
- Carry only with a justified reason (art. 4(2), Law 110/1975). Going to the field for a game or taking the replica for repair count as justified reasons. Keep it in a closed case.
- Above 1 J and up to 7.5 J it is no longer a "softair instrument" but an air gun "with modest offensive capacity" (Ministerial Decree 362 of 9 August 2001): semi-auto or repeater only, meant for target shooting, not for games.
- Above 7.5 J it falls under the rules for ordinary firearms.
General information, not legal advice. The current text of the laws is on Normattiva; for specific cases ask your club or the local police headquarters (Questura).
How many FPS is 1 joule?
Energy depends on speed and BB weight: E = ½ · m · v². At the same energy, a heavier BB leaves the barrel slower. Maximum speed to stay at 1 J:
| BB weight | FPS at 1 J | m/s at 1 J |
|---|---|---|
| 0.12 g | 424 | 129.1 |
| 0.20 g | 328 | 100.0 |
| 0.23 g | 306 | 93.3 |
| 0.25 g | 293 | 89.4 |
| 0.28 g | 277 | 84.5 |
| 0.30 g | 268 | 81.6 |
| 0.32 g | 259 | 79.1 |
| 0.36 g | 245 | 74.5 |
| 0.40 g | 232 | 70.7 |
| 0.43 g | 224 | 68.2 |
| 0.45 g | 219 | 66.7 |
For example, a replica shooting 328 FPS with 0.20 g BBs is exactly at 1 J. At 350 FPS with the same BBs it is about 1.14 J: over the limit.
Muzzle or one metre? How it is measured
The law refers to energy measured one metre from the muzzle. On the field, the chronograph is almost always placed right at the muzzle: it is more practical and gives a slightly higher, so more cautious, reading. The Italian federation FIGT, for example, checks the limit at the muzzle.
Values declared by manufacturers and shops are indicative: each unit can vary by a few FPS, and gas replicas change a lot with temperature. Always chrono your replica with the BBs you will use before playing.
How to read AirsoftDex data
When the source declares joules we report them as given. Otherwise we compute them from FPS: with the BB weight stated by the source or, if missing, with 0.20 g, the standard weight manufacturers and shops use to measure velocity. In that case the page says "estimated". If the source gives no FPS either, we make no call on the limit.
Some replicas under 1 J
- Tokyo Marui CQBR Block 1 GBB 0.95 J
- Tokyo Marui M4A1 MWS 0.95 J
- Tokyo Marui P320 Full Size 0.95 J
- ARES VZ58 SHORT 0.95 J
- Novritsch SSP18 Gas Blowback Pistol 0.95 J
- Novritsch SSP28 Split-Slide GBB 0.95 J
- Novritsch SSX303 Stealth Gas 0.95 J
- ASG Hybrid Series H-15 B.E.T. AEG 0.94 J
- ASG Hybrid Series H-15 Carbine AEG 0.94 J
- ASG Hybrid Series H-15 CQB AEG 0.94 J
- LCT PTK-1 Hi-CAPA GBB 0.91 J
- Umarex Walther PPQ Spring 0.84 J
FAQ
How many FPS is 1 joule with 0.20 g BBs?
About 328 FPS (100 m/s). With 0.25 g BBs the limit drops to about 293 FPS, with 0.28 g to about 277 FPS.
Can I use a replica above 1 joule in games in Italy?
No. Above 1 J it is no longer a 'softair instrument' under art. 5 of Law 110/1975: up to 7.5 J it is an air gun with modest offensive capacity (Ministerial Decree 362/2001), meant for target shooting.
How old do you have to be to buy an airsoft replica in Italy?
Law 110/1975, art. 5(4), says softair replicas may be sold only to people over 16. Many fields and clubs set their own minimum playing age.
Can I remove the red tip?
The current law requires the barrel to be painted red for at least 3 cm. Sources disagree on the consequences of removing it: the safest choice is to keep it and always carry the replica in a closed case.
How does AirsoftDex calculate joules?
If the source declares joules we use that value. Otherwise we compute them from FPS with 0.20 g BBs, the standard weight manufacturers and shops use to measure velocity (or with the weight the source gives, if any). With heavier BBs the real energy can be slightly higher: always check with a chronograph.
Sources
- Law 110 of 18 April 1975, arts. 4 and 5, as amended by Legislative Decree 204 of 26 October 2010 (Official Gazette 10/12/2010 no. 288).
- Ministerial Decree 362 of 9 August 2001, air and gas guns up to 7.5 J.
- FIGT, "Aspetti normativi. La legge e i giochi tattici" (quotes the text of the articles, Italian).
- all4shooters, "Le softair: definizione giuridica e leggi" (Italian).