What I Need to Start Airsoft?!

[Donster]

Well im a total noob at airsoft. i saw a bunch of guys with it, and i got hooked. im an avid paintballer, but im thinking of getting into airsoft. i have a few problems though, and i would like some answers to at least some of them. so, here are my questions:

1. are all airsoft guns created equal? for example, i was thinking of my rifle coming from Tokyo Marui and a pistol from KSC. Are these good brands? i wanted to order an airsoft mauser karabringer, but since the above two brands dont make, im worried about quality and such.

2. how do i make my rifle the most accurate gun on the field? what do i need and how much will it cost?

3. what is the range and acuracy of airsoft guns? both AEG and Bolt action? i mean realistically, not those biased setups with perfect weather and gun platform and so forth.

4. how are the stock airsoft weapons? are they in need of upgrades right away?

5. i have seen the ability to get metal components to replace the plastic ones. is the plastic that bad on the guns?

6. typically, should i get a gas powered pistol, or a differen't powered one?

7. i see players wear eye goggles, but not masks. why is this?

P.S: I am 18 years of age!!

[The Saint]

1.a. Not all airsoft guns are created equal, it depends a lot on brand.
1.b. TM and KSC aren't the only good brands available. The best way to determine whether a particular gun is worth buying is by reading reviews.
2.a. Read up on how airsoft work mechanically before you jump into wanting the most accurate gun out there. No one should aim to upgrade a gun without knowing how or why.
2.b. AEGs and bolt action have different roles on the field. Most people use an AEG, bolt action is typically reserved for sniper. AEGs generally don't shoot as hard as bolt action can be upgraded to, but bolt actions are much harder to use effectively.
3. Stock guns are generally effective up to about 140', weather depending.
4. Depends on what you've got and how you play. However, most good AEGs are fine stock unless you plan on sitting in the very, very back and sniping all day.
5. Plastic parts aren't bad, they just aren't as durable, or as pretty.
6. GBB is the mainstay of pistols in terms of popularity, followed by AEP and NBB, followed by spring. It depends entirely on personal preference as to which to get.
7. Many of our longarms are nearly impossible to sight with a full mask. BBs are also not quite as dangerous to the average exposed skin as paintball can be.

My question, are you over 18?

[Donster]

yes i am 18, but not over.

[The Saint]

Read ASC's FAQ section to understand what is involved to play in Canada.

For how airsoft works mechanically, read this, it's got pictures: http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/?filnavn=...ie/basics.html

Then get age verified.

[CuppoJava]

I can reply to some of your questions:

1. Stock AEG's are very similar in terms of performance. When purchasing an aeg (especially if you're planning on upgrading the internals), just go for which ever gun you consider more comfortable and aesthetically appealing.

If you don't care about looks, for pure performance, I'd say the latest TM M14 has a slight edge in accuracy, compared to other guns.

GBB's are very different and vary greatly between even different models from the same manufacturer. I've had nothing but trouble with the older KSC glocks.

For performance and reliability, I would recommend one of the following GBB's:
TM Hi-Capa 5.1/4.3
TM P226
TM Glock 17

5. Is the plastic that bad? From performance/gaming perspective: no. Some people just like the feel of a more solid and heavier rifle. It won't make you any more effective of a player.

The only exception to that rule is the barrel wobble problem inherent to the armalite series.

6. Get an aeg. Don't get a sidearm until you've played at least two games with just an aeg. There is no practical need for a pistol sidearm.

7. Masks are uncomfy. Goggles look better. They're lighter and more comfy.

The risk is you can still get your teeth chipped, and develop nice purple welts on your face. Personal choice.

[Mongoose]

Welcome to the world of airsoft. At least with this sport, you can kiss that paint mess good-bye.

First of all, get age verified.

To answer your questions in order:

1) Not all guns are made equal. Pending which company makes them. Their are many companies that produce airsoft and have a good reputation. Tokyo Mauri is one of them. They all have their pro's and con's. But as for price, Tokyo Mauri is the way to go. You'll get an excellent gun for your money.

2) By upgrading your gun is the only way to make it more accurately. On how far you want to go to upgrade is at your descresion. Don't forget if you increase the fps, make sure it falls in the guide lines within the field you're going to play at. Most fields have a fps restriction for AEG's at 400 fps.

3) Range and accuracy for AEG's are pretty good, pending on how far you want to hit. AEG's that have longer barrels will defenately have better range. Bolt actions have excellent range as well, if you're planning to be a sniper, I would recommend playing the assualter role for abit till you get used to the game. Being a sniper can be boring to some as you do the "One Shot, One Kill" method and at times you can go through a whole game not firing a shot.

4) I would rcommend playing with a stock gun for a year or so. You may feel your stock gun is efficient enough to do the job. You may only want to cosmetically upgrade your gun with scopes and such.

5) Again this falls into cosmetic upgrades of which I discussed in #4.

6) For an sidearm, gas blow backs (also known as GBB's) would be a good choice. Again there are plenty of companies that make them like KSC, Western Arms, etc.

7) Most players use different models of ballistic glasses and goggles. It's their choice. There are some that still prefer to use a full paintball mask. The choice is yours.

Hope this helps. Don't hesitate to ask questions. There is a FAQ section and I suggest that you take the time to read it as it may answer some unanswered questions that you may still have.

[Jayhad]

1 no, read the reviews sections. The 2 brands you selected are of great quality. Google is an amazing tool

2, you don't. there will always be some one on the field with more money, more experience, add a bit of minor upgrades and you can be more accurate, IE a tightbore barrel

3 effect range of AEGs that is a real subjective question, do you want to hit a body target or something smaller. I figure with my AUG I can be very confident with hitting body targets at 40-50 metres but there are other users here who have done real good tests on this.

4. Stock weapons are great, you need to decide if most of your play will be indoor or outdoor, many indoor arenas have FPS limits of 300+/- no point in upgrading your gun if you just want to play inside.
When I started some wise Vets told me don't upgrade your gun yet get a season under your belt first, you may very well not want to use the weapon you first purchased

5. Yes you can get metal kits for a wide range of guns, no the plastic isn't bad but the metal feels so much more 1337.

6. get gas you will disappointed with and electic or spring pistol.

7. Masks are for paintballers, which is GHEY. unlike your markers you can't rest a butt stock against your cheek with a bright yellow plastic mask on.
Some fields require masks/ goggles. you will also start to notice that many of us just wear tactical shooting glasses (aslong as they are ballistic rated like ESS's)

No a question for you are you over 18? if not you are swimming in a shark infested shit canal and you just cut yourself.... good luck

[Donster]

ok. i just want to make this clear. i am 18. thanks!

[The Saint]

You should also fill in your location with your city or province. It matters in some of the answers we give.

[Jayhad]

i have to say BRAVO to all that responded there was a time not to long ago here at ASC where this guy would have been told.

Look at the FAQs, read the reviews and get age verified until then fuck off... good work guys my post was the only one with a hint of sarcasm, but just for jokes sakes

[Donster]

how do i become age verified? why is it important? what do i have to do for it?

[deep in the bush]

The best thing is to come to a game and hang out. There used to be a good rule that was let the guy trying out for the first time at the game take pics. that way they get a feel and still perform a useful fuction. If you attend a game odds are you can get age verified. check out the events section and attend a game if you can. If not look for the guy who can AV you in your region. This is important as it gives you access to buy and sell ads etc.

Its is important to have a gov't issed piece of photo id.

I would reccomend getting this done. You can find some good deals.

Deep

[The Saint]

Age verification is the process by which you prove in person that you're 18 or over to a representative of ASC, which allows you access to the classified sections of the forums in which airsoft guns are sold. It's one of only two really consistent sources for airsoft guns in Canada at the moment.

I suggest you read through the FAQ and browse the forum for a bit, to see what information are already written in various threads.

[amano999]

Age verified is so you get access to the For Sale forums. Which is a good place to find used airsoft. It also helps when asking questions online. Shows that you are not underage and most likely done some reading.

There are a fair amount of players in Markham and Scarborough near you as well so I you will start to see the same ppl at games if you make it out.

Originally Posted by DONSTER 125

how do i become age verified? why is it important? what do i have to do for it?

[ThunderCactus]

your gun alone will typically cost 600-800 new, about 200$ for mags and battery, upgrading a gun to be the most accurate thing on the field usually costs an extra $300-$400 (depending on what brand you buy to begin with) and quite a bit of maintenance and possibly the sacrifice of your full auto. and a whole new gun (600-800$) worth of metal parts if you bought a plastic gun to begin with.

tokyo marui guns are the best stock guns, amazing for the first season, but later on you need to buy a metal body, more metal parts, all new internals if you want to get more range, grouping and power out of it.
classic army is good, but theres some internal parts that are hit and miss lately (a few guns i know of broke their tappet plates after about 2 magazines in the field), good gun to buy if you plan to upgrade internally and leave the outside alone.
G&P is a veteran's gun, you buy it for the body and replace all the internals as soon as you get the gun, but they have awesome metal bodies.