Newbie here with some Q's!

[stealthy1]

Hey guys, just wanted to introduce myself new to the airsoft scene, I just turned 18 and I'm looking to get involved in this sport as a hobby.

I'm looking at the G&G GR16 R4 Commando as my starter gun, mainly because Mach1 offers a nice package for the price. The question I have is that I've heard that the 450R hi-cap mag is bad, but I don't see any reasons or explanations why. I'm guessing its because of the mechanism inside the mag, the more BB's you put the more chance it'll jam? That being said, roughly what capacity should I be buying my replacement-a mid-cap, say roughly 200R or so?

I'm also looking at the 4x ACOG that comes with the package. I know that Airsoft rifles aren't that effective with scopes, but will the 4x do fine or should I be looking for something with a lower magnification say a reflex sight-1.5x or in that range?

Any advice for a newbie (aside from getting age verified of course, but that'll happen once I get myself to a game)?

Thanks a lot guys!

[kalnaren]

Personally I hate highcaps.

-They rattle when you run around
-You have to wind them, sometimes excessively
-When empty, they're a pain to reload in the field
-They encourage poor trigger control, especially in new players
-Reloading non-highcaps under fire is A LOT of fun, and people who only use a highcap are really cheating themselves out of this.

Personally I use standard magazines (50r for my G36) and lowcaps (30r for my MP5). I have a couple of mid-caps but I only load them to 50 or so rounds anyway.

As for magnifacation, 4x is probably a little excessive. 1.5 or 2 would be fine for airsoft.

[Frozen Tex]

Hi-Caps rattle like... a baby's rattle!
If you're saving money. a site like ehobbyasia will sell you a pack of 10 plastic lo-caps (85rnds, for instance) for less than $30 US. Just beware their shipping rates look scary high. Hi-caps can also be distracting from the "realism" aspect of the game. On a thread concerning "Pet Preeves" (their spelling) a common peeve was players using hi-caps.

[Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw]

Wait to get AVed before you buy a gun. Browse the classifieds, check out guns from people at games and make sure you will like it before yu spend money on it. When you go to a game, dont be afraid to ask questions there too about the gear they wear, tactics they employ and guns they use.

[L473ncy]

Go to Op-For or BCAC the local airsoft forums for Lower Mainland and register for a game (get a rental first though, there are gun rentals available).

To get AV'ed go ask Optix, the local verifier for Richmond, and while you're at it buy some of his BB's (may 1 or 2 packs just to see if you like them or not).

4x is really excessive IMO. 2x should be about right for some of the more upgraded guns. If you're running stock IMO you should be running a reflex or RDS.

Hi-Caps aren't bad they just aren't very "real", you'll be fine running a hi-cap for the first few games but then after that you'll be judged and labelled as the hi-cap guy. Run with mids, and lows because they don't rattle and you don't need to wind them, also makes if more fun while you're reloading behind a bunker and people are shooting at you..

EDIT: Also since you're in Richmond you might as well go to a dealer that's closer to you. Ken at 007 or the guys at buyairsoft (after the merger is done). Alternatively you can go to the classifieds if you get AV'ed which just involves meeting up with someone prominent in the community (our "airsoft community"..... not your community) to verify your age.

[stealthy1]

Thanks for the great replies guys! Latency, I'll be sure to look Optix up, although I'm kind of hoping to be able to get verified by Crash since he AV's for BCAC as well. But that's not that important.

Thanks for the info about the Hi-Caps, I'll be sure to get a box of low-caps.
About buying guns: The package I was looking at costs about $700 give or take a few for shipping. That being said, would I be better off buying a gun from the classifieds and then spending extra on accessories? I'm not that keen on upgraded guns at the moment, but are most guns that are sold in the classifieds upgraded to some degree?

About gear: I'm thinking a standard set of BDU's with a vest rig and a boonie to start off. I have heard I should think about getting a water pack as well. Should I invest in anything else? What kind of boots should I be thinking of getting?
Should I also wear something underneath the BDU's? I've never been shot by an Airsoft BB, so I'm not sure how to layer to avoid being too badly stung by them.

About batteries: I know the G&G comes with a 1400mAh 9.6V battery, from my research it seems to be about 1mAh per round, so that roughly is 1400 rounds fired. Would I need to get an extra battery? And if so, what kind (assuming that it is a crane stock).

Thanks a lot for your patience and taking the time to answer a newbie's q's!

[T_A_N_K]

Originally Posted by stealthy1

Thanks for the great replies guys! Latency, I'll be sure to look Optix up, although I'm kind of hoping to be able to get verified by Crash since he AV's for BCAC as well. But that's not that important.

Thanks for the info about the Hi-Caps, I'll be sure to get a box of low-caps.
About buying guns: The package I was looking at costs about $700 give or take a few for shipping. That being said, would I be better off buying a gun from the classifieds and then spending extra on accessories? I'm not that keen on upgraded guns at the moment, but are most guns that are sold in the classifieds upgraded to some degree?

With the ability to purchase AEG's in the classifieds the options are endless. It is possible to get a similar package you are looking to get for cheaper because it is second hand or pay the same price and get a few mags, accessories (mags/batteries/optics) as well. Most guns on the classified are upgraded to an extent. So you may still pay $700 for used, but upgraded aeg with a bunch of extra stuff, or maybe even less. This is why it is better the get AV'ed before purchasing.

About gear: I'm thinking a standard set of BDU's with a vest rig and a boonie to start off. I have heard I should think about getting a water pack as well. Should I invest in anything else? What kind of boots should I be thinking of getting?
Get what works in your environment or what is available to you locally, IE Surplus Store. I would probably get two sets if you can afford it, a "Green" (Forest) camo and a "Brown" (Desert) camo. A Hydration pack (IE Cambelbak) is an excellect choice of hydration, but you can also purchase a canteen and it usually comes with a pouch at your local surplus store for significant less. Do not cheap out on boots, get ones that have very good ankle support, and water proof if the budget allows. I like Magnums.
As for a vest you will eventually learn what works for you, so if you go to a game try asking what the cons and pros of the other type of gear people are using. Personally I like chest rigs and webbing. It is light and easy to take off, as opposed something like a CIRAS which fully encloses your body which I find constraining, but some people like it.


Should I also wear something underneath the BDU's? I've never been shot by an Airsoft BB, so I'm not sure how to layer to avoid being too badly stung by them.

I usually wear a wicking shirt underneath my BDU's IE Under Armour. With your BDU, vest, ect unless your shot within 10 feet it will all feel the same.

About batteries: I know the G&G comes with a 1400mAh 9.6V battery, from my research it seems to be about 1mAh per round, so that roughly is 1400 rounds fired. Would I need to get an extra battery? And if so, what kind (assuming that it is a crane stock).

Batteries are made for different types of stocks (IE, Crane stock, full stock, clubfoot, ect) The higher the Voltage the higher the rate of fire the AEG will be shooting. You really don't need anything above 9.6v. The higher the mah the more bb's the battery can fire. Keep in mind it will use more juice if the FPS is higher. It is better to get something like a 8.4v-9.6v 3600 MAH Battery as opposed to two 1500 Mah batteries(but you still should have a backup, if budget allows), it will be cheaper as well. Also, do not cheap out on chargers, they can destroy your batteries which cost anywhere from $50-$90each.

Thanks a lot for your patience and taking the time to answer a newbie's q's!

Hope that helps.

[L473ncy]

Daves Surplus in New West is awesome. There's also Gorilla Surplus on East Broadway in Vancouver. Whichever is closer to you although I prefer Daves because I find they have a better/wider selection. With Gorilla it has more of a "surplus/antique" feel to it (a place where collectors would shop IMO) whereas Daves, although they do sell surplus they have a more "tactical/surplus" feel to it a place where currently serving LEO and CF kind of people would shop. I don't know what it is, maybe the ambiance or something but that's just what I've felt. Neither is better or worse in terms of customer service, they both helped me out a lot and were always ready to answer questions.

Most guns in the classifieds are upgraded, some stock (maybe 70% upgraded, 30% stock). The degree's to which they're upgraded might be different, eg. to the nines with 400 FPS, reinforced gearbox, good hopup unit/rubber, tightbore etc. or it could be as simple as a few parts that broke and were replaced.

Personally I use my hiking boots but I recently found out that "combat boots" allow you to run more freely with the same amount of support. If you have hiking boots they should be fine. For reference I got mine at Coast Mountain Sports IIRC (although it could have been that "outdoors district" on Broadway though (MEC, Altus, Europe bound, Valhalla Ice, etc.). When you do purchase make sure it has good support all around, it should have a steel shank running from the heel to about 3/4 of the way to your toe, slightly less that where the balls of your feet are, and a composite toe. Doesn't need to be CSA approved but if it is then you can wear them on worksites and whatnot.

I wear a cotton t-shirt sometimes and other times I use my polypro from MEC. Depends on the weather that day, if it's going to be hot then cotton to cool you off, if it's mild then polypro to wick away your sweat and keep your body temp regulated.

If you're running a crane stock I'd go for a PEQ/LAM to store your battery wired to the front. That way you can use a large battery and should be able to run on one battery for the whole day.

Hope that helps.