Airsoft - adaptability for indoor range??

[A.Roads]

I've just heard of airsoft today, I have only a vague idea of what it is & how it works.

I'm involved in a muesum fit out & we are providing an indoor range. We will adapt a range of antique long arms to fire a laser beam at a target that registers a hit electronically. They don't want any projectiles flying around.

The catch is that we also want simulated recoil & a firing noise.

Do airsoft firearms have recoil?

Do get get damaged by "dry' firing? (no projectile)

Any idea how adaptable the components are to being fitted into an existing, original or reproduction, firearm eg. a flintlock, a percussion lock a martini, a snider a bolt action?

Thanks in advance, Adrian.

[Black_Wolf]

I will try to answer your questions as best as i can.      
 
Airsoft guns are like bb guns except they fire a plastic bb, some of different larger sizes.
 
There are different systems for airsoft. Electric and green gas are a couple. The electric is simply a small motor that spits the plastic bb's out of the muzzle. Green gas is like a Co2 bb gun and use compressed gas to propel the bb.
 
Though airsoft guns dont have the velocity (at least the ones i have experience with) of say a bb or pellet air gun they are not toys, and have the ability to hurt someone (yes they can sting) and probably would not suit your intentions.  
 
The electrics have no recoil and i doubt the green gas ones have much, if any.
 
 Dry firing damage? Electrics, no wont hurt it. Green Gas, possibly because of the seals they utilize being its compressed gas.
 

Adapting to another firearm? I suppose it might be possible but might not be worth your time, expense and effort if in fact it can be done?

Hope this helps. Good luck