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Well I decided to take part in another expensive hobby. Yesterday I got myself a Aftermath "kraken" AK 47, which to me I guess is good. I also have a Smith and Wesson spring shotgun and a crappy spring pistol.

I really want to get in to Airsoft but after seeing some videos made me think twice. These guys are really good and have some of the best guns and such that there's no way I can compete. I am also afraid of doing things that might be considered "noobish" and being laughed at.

So can some of you give me some good advice so I don't look a fool. And feel free to tell me what kind of guns you use and such.

Im curious, how much did you spend on the Ak?

Ok first of all, as a long time paintball and airsoft player(since 1999), good dunz, and high tech or expensive gear dont mean gak. Its all the user. I have had the same paintball gun since 2000, and I still out shoot people with guns 10 times the worth of mine. So nvm that. Get used to your gun, know its ins and outs, and thats all there is to it.

Dont be afraid to play, its not like people are going to badger you for not having the exp they have(well, some might but ignore them). Most of the time, people look forward to fresh meat, because as long as they are willing to learn, then that means your part of the team. (as apposed to the opposite which would be some fool thinking he knows everything on his first try and either getting his team or himself killed in a foolish manner.) Be a team player.

Other than that, all I can tell you is muster the courage and have fun, and as I said before, airsoft wont be expensive if your a smart player. Research equipment before you by it, talk to players, and know how best to spend your money !

If you dont want to look like a fool, one piece of advice I would give is to forget anything call of duty ever taught you.

Also, if you manage to get the drop on someone, and you get within 10 feet, for the love of god, don't shoot them. Call "cold kill!" or "bang bang!" instead. This is a game, the objective is not to actually hurt anyone. Blasting someone from 10 feet or closer is asking for a fist fight.

Lastly, don't be afraid to advance or take risks. I see a lot of newer guys being overly cautious and not advancing when they have the chance.. If you or a team mate bag a couple kills, take the opportunity to advance closer to your objective while the opposition is weakened. Sitting in hiding and waiting for them to reinforce and come back isn't going to win. If you advance and get shot, no big deal... its a game. Run back to reinforce, and then push them back again!

Just play it Rainbow 6 and not Call of Duty.

The best thing you can do is find a team of veteran players that will let you run with them. Airsoft is a team game, and the best tactics can be pulled off by a team that knows each other well, and practices regularly. It's not a videogame where you're alone most of the time. Like real combat, coordination and team tactics will take the day.

Don't worry about trying to impress other airsoft players - it's a game, have fun! Anyone who loses sight of that is not worth worrying about.

Blasting someone from 10 feet or closer is asking for a fist fight.

Really? It doesn't hurt THAT much... I find FIBUA style airsoft games to be the most fun, and close-quarters fighting is what makes it so exciting, but YMMV.

From what I understand you guys in the UK have lower FPS ratings on your outdoor fields. Standard ratings here are from 400-450 for outdoor. 300-350 is still the norm for indoor CQB.

I dunno man, that sounds about right to me - not that I'm claiming to be any sort of expert, so don't quote me!

My point was that, yes, it stings when you are hit at close range - but that's no reason to punch someone. Unless they keep firing after you call 'hit'.

Or when you trod past some sniper's nest and he implants a BB going 500-700 FPS into your leg at a minus 10 foot range.

THAT was a fun trip to the medic station.

Thanks for the advice guys, now next off, which area should I start off, outdoor airsoft field or an a cqb arena? Which one do you prefer A beginner to go to. And what should I bring and expect?

@jp400, the Ak cost me about $119, which to me was awesome because most metal gear AEG's were about $200-$300 and I just don't have that much to spend.

I like a mix of the two - a site I've been to here in the UK has woodland plus several buildings. It's a disused army barracks. Loads of fun. You will probably get shot at more in CQB, but on the plus side it is more exciting IMO.

So what, are airsoft players that big a pussies? Seriously, take a hit from a .68 cal paintball moving at 285fps some time girly boy.

Tyyr wrote:So what, are airsoft players that big a pussies? Seriously, take a hit from a .68 cal paintball moving at 285fps some time girly boy.

Note: They're talking about taking hits at 400-700 FPS...at under 10 feet.

Y'know, where even a .25 BB will penetrate skin if it hits a soft enough spot?

Yes, I am aware. I've also been shot with a paintball gun at about 5 feet and never did I think to beat the other guy for it.

But again, you've got something moving 285 FPS that then shatters on impact.

Versus something moving 400 fps(minimum for most AEGs) that doesn't shatter/deform at that same distance.

I've been shot by both at around that distance, and the Airsoft BB was the only one that actually left a scar rather than a bruise.

Tyyr wrote:So what, are airsoft players that big a pussies? Seriously, take a hit from a .68 cal paintball moving at 285fps some time girly boy.

Go put on a jersey and hide behind an inflatable wall.

Commander Endova wrote:

Tyyr wrote:Yes, I am aware. I've also been shot with a paintball gun at about 5 feet and never did I think to beat the other guy for it.

Go put on a jersey and hide behind an inflatable wall.

How about no?

I'm not saying it's not going to hurt to get shot that close but if your immediate reaction is to jump up and punch the other guy for it then you need to go play on the playground with the other 4 year olds.

Ultrafool wrote:Thanks for the advice guys, now next off, which area should I start off, outdoor airsoft field or an a cqb arena? Which one do you prefer A beginner to go to. And what should I bring and expect?

@jp400, the Ak cost me about $119, which to me was awesome because most metal gear AEG's were about $200-$300 and I just don't have that much to spend.

Ok, just had to ask cause I paid $150 for a real Ak47.. granted that was pre-Obamanation scare, but still.

Now, haveing said that... Im am a very active paintball player, and have been since I played by first game with a pump in 95 or 96. At one point in time I was even part of a semi-pro team playing in Seattle. (Comp Pump Play... Team name: "One Pump Chumps")

Now, I can first hand agree that it isnt about the gun, its about the player and his skills. Ive faced down Angles and Evo's with my Phantom Pump and come out the victor. In fact I was known by some at my old field as "The Phantom Menace" due to the fact that I wore a Ghillie suit when playing woodsball and my phantom was no louder then a whisper thanks to some slick custom work by a friend of mine. My biggest giveaway was working the action on it, cause it was louder then when I fired it. Rofl.

My advice to you, Find something that fits your playing style, and find a group of expereinced players who are willing to show you the ins and outs of the game and its finer points. Nothing beats first hand experience, and there is an old saying "Dont re-invent the wheel if you dont have to" which fits here like a glove. Learn from others and soon you will be laying the smack down on your own.

And remember, Nut shots are NOT cool. Thats when you will see fists flying in my opinion.

**EDIT**
Lets see...
Outdoors id bring at the min a good pair of boots, a soft cap to keep the sun out of your eyes, woodland Bdu's, friends.... thats about it really. Indoors, id bring the same, plus a pair of gloves to protect your hands from close range shots to the knuckles, a soft cap to protect your dome from the same (I use a military jeep cap). Lets face it, getting hit at close range blows chunks.. however at CQB its the name of the game so think ahead and protect yourself.

Tyyr wrote:

Commander Endova wrote:

Tyyr wrote:Yes, I am aware. I've also been shot with a paintball gun at about 5 feet and never did I think to beat the other guy for it.

Go put on a jersey and hide behind an inflatable wall.

How about no?

I'm not saying it's not going to hurt to get shot that close but if your immediate reaction is to jump up and punch the other guy for it then you need to go play on the playground with the other 4 year olds.

I'm of the opinion that it's considered good etiquette to just call out that you've got the person dead to rights, and that if they want to make an issue of it--it'll hurt them a helluva lot more than you.

Same reason why most paintball fields have bunkering rules, rather than letting you hose someone with full auto at point blank.

And I support those rules completely. I don't put shots into someone I have dead to rights because a paintball at point blank hurts like an unholy mother. That said have the self control to not be an idiot or give the gun to an adult and go play with the little kids.

Kanluwen wrote:I'm of the opinion that it's considered good etiquette to just call out that you've got the person dead to rights, and that if they want to make an issue of it--it'll hurt them a helluva lot more than you.

Same reason why most paintball fields have bunkering rules, rather than letting you hose someone with full auto at point blank.

Most fields I've been to (insured, commercial fields, mind you) do not REQUIRE you to offer a surrender, but say that it's just a matter of common courtesy. I've taken shots to my skull from a short distance (under 3 feet) that hurt like hell, but didn't do any real damage.

There is relatively little kinetic energy transfer in Airsoft as compared to paintball. In fact, the comparison is as follows... An Airsoft projectile weighs .2 grams while a paintball projectile weighs 2.84 grams. If both of them are traveling at 300 feet, or 90 meters, per second an Airsoft projectile will transfer .8 joules of energy while a paintball projectile will transfer 11.8 joules of energy.

Commander Endova wrote:Go put on a jersey and hide behind an inflatable wall.

Then take your game back to Chuck E. Cheese, where it belongs, and stop flinging your plastic gak all over OUR fields. Our stuff biodegrades, at least.

and high tech or expensive gear dont mean gak

I must disagree. In my personally experiences. With a low end gun, verses someone with a high end gun, there will be a huge disadvantage to the less expensive gun. Purely on range issues. I had a more expensive gun that all the people I played with locally. I could pick my friends off at much longer distance than they could to me. That is an extreme advantage.

So what, are airsoft players that big a pussies? Seriously, take a hit from a .68 cal paintball moving at 285fps some time girly boy.

Why don't you take a 20mm BB to the neck traveling at 450 fps +

Most paintball players know little about airsoft. They seem to assume all airsoft is cheapo guns that sting a bit when you get shot. Think again.

InfernalMajesty wrote:Why don't you take a 20mm BB to the neck traveling at 450 fps +

Well, can't say I've taken a 20mm BB to the neck, and I doubt many airsoft players have either. I have been hit by a few 6mm ones though and while they hurt the phrases, "Suck it up," "Grow a pair," and "Cry more," come to mind.

Well, can't say I've taken a 20mm BB to the neck, and I doubt many airsoft players have either. I have been hit by a few 6mm ones though and while they hurt the phrases, "Suck it up," "Grow a pair," and "Cry more," come to mind.

No, ill guarantee that most airsoft players HAVE taken plenty of bb's to the neck.

Im not going to bother arguing with you. This thread is going to simply be locked because you started a Airsoft/Paintball flame war.

You said 20mm BB. Not disputing that players have taken rounds to the neck, just that I doubt you're taking ones to the neck almost an inch in diameter.

For some reason I knew this was. going to happen. I play paintball, and I like the game very much. But I want to try something else and airsoft looks great, I like the realism of the game and how the guns don't have co2 tanks behind them.

Paintballs do hurt well I guess any small projectile going 200 something fps will hurt. I have been shot with an airsoft gun before and well it hurts too. So can we please stop the whole paintball vs airsoft war, thanks.

I'm not saying it's not going to hurt to get shot that close but if your immediate reaction is to jump up and punch the other guy for it then you need to go play on the playground with the other 4 year olds.

This is the point. No-one is saying it doesn't hurt - it fething stings. But coming to blows over it?

What, you've never punched someone in the heat of the moment when they pull a crummy prank that results in embarrassing or injuring you?

No, because I am a man.

(Wo)man maybe.

REAL men rage when they're in their teens and get shot at point blank by someone who thinks it'd be funny to hit you in the back of the neck with a paintball gun.