BB gun

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A BB gun is a type of air gun that fires metallic spherical projectiles called BBs (not to be confused with similar-looking bearing balls), which are approximately the same size as BB-size lead birdshot used in shotguns (0.180 in or 4.6 mm in diameter). Modern BB guns usually have a smoothbore barrel of 4.5 mm (0.177 in) caliber, and use steel balls that measure 4.3–4.4 mm (0.171–0.173 in) in diameter and 0.33–0.35 g (5.1–5.4 gr) in weight, usually zinc- or copper-plated for corrosion resistance. Some manufacturers still make the slightly larger traditional lead BBs that weigh around 0.48–0.50 g (7.4–7.7 gr), which are generally intended for use in rifled barrels (because lead is more malleable and exerts less wear on the rifling). The term "BB gun" is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to airsoft guns, which shoot plastic pellets (also often referred to as "BBs") that are larger (usually 6 mm or 0.24 in in diameter) but much less dense than metal BBs, and have significantly lower ballistic performance. The term is sometimes mistakenly used to describe a pellet gun, which shoots diabolo-shaped (not spherical) lead projectiles at higher power and velocity. Although some BB guns can also shoot pellets, the reverse situation is not true: steel BB balls have greater stiffness and are not meant to be shot from pellet guns, whose barrels are typically rifled, where they can become lodged in the barrel, potentially damaging the rifling or causing mechanical failure and leading to damage or mechanical failure within the pellet gun.