Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've been looking into airsoft a bit lately and I was wondering if any dakkaites do airsoft and can recommend it?

Its fun and not too terribly expensive.

Big thing is don't cheap out on your gun. I wouldn't pay any less than $80, and around $100 seems to be the median for a good quality gun. You can get $20-30 guns but they're usually garbage.

Airsoft Megastore has a wide selection and some good deals.

While you only really need a good set of goggles, I'd recommend a full face mask. A paintball mask is perfect.

Tons and tons of fun, especially when you do mil-sim (military simulation, meaning low-midcap mags, weapon restrictions, squads, platoons, etc.) and play with more serious people.

+1 on dont cheap out on your gun. If cared for, your gun can last you a LONG time, where as most cheap guns break and there are no compatible parts to repair them... other than from a brand new gun of the same type.

Looked into it, went for paintball instead. I'd rather deal with at worst dude bros then tacticool super soldier 2.0 who wants to scream at you because you aren't taking airsoft super serious by dressing up in full military uniform.

Airsoft is certainly cheaper though, and has some wicked fun looking events. Also because it's cleaner it's much easier to find nice fields. Or rather I should say the chances of getting nice looking fields is good because there's little cleanup after a day of flinging biodegradeable plastic balls.

I used to work in the industry. It's quite fun, but like 40k, you'll want to check out your local fields first to see if the player-base is worth playing with.

Some players are more interested in the MILSIM (military simulation) aspect, insist on using authentic gear, and re-creating kits.

Some prefer to build the most efficient kit for the airsoft sport, as oppossed to a realistic military kit.

Some players just want to sling BB's at each other.

If you're planning on getting into it, your eye/face protection is your most important aspect. Cheap out on eye pro can be a life-long poor decision.

I more meant that mil-sim can be a very fun experience. I personally play both casually and milsim, and both have shown a much better atmosphere and community than paintball EVER has. I have only been doing airsoft for about 4 years, but I have been paintballing for over a decade, and after that much time I have come to the realization that more people cheat in paintball than airsoft. Funny that an honor system has less cheating than a system that physically marks you.

And oddly enough, I find the people that play paintball are way more "what the hell kinda gak gear is that, that isnt my gear that means it sux" versus airsoft which is more "Man that kit you are using is awesome, tell me all about it"

Just my experience

I don't understand airsoft.

How do you know when you're dead?

Anyone have a good suggestion on a good starter rifle? Nothing fancy, just functional.

 gameandwatch wrote:
I more meant that mil-sim can be a very fun experience. I personally play both casually and milsim, and both have shown a much better atmosphere and community than paintball EVER has. I have only been doing airsoft for about 4 years, but I have been paintballing for over a decade, and after that much time I have come to the realization that more people cheat in paintball than airsoft. Funny that an honor system has less cheating than a system that physically marks you.

And oddly enough, I find the people that play paintball are way more "what the hell kinda gak gear is that, that isnt my gear that means it sux" versus airsoft which is more "Man that kit you are using is awesome, tell me all about it"

Just my experience

Not meaning to derail the thread, but yeah, for a decade of paintball that's a really strange conclusion. My 8 years has shown the exact opposite, but it's all meh.

Both sports have their obnoxious types. Both sports have their cheaters. Both sports have their appealing parts.

Me? When I want to shoot people I want to see proof. And when I do something stupid and get shot I want to feel it. So I play paintball. Also I'll take bad types in paintball any day of the bad types in airsoft.

Anyways! Enough of paintball! Pew pew!

cincydooley wrote:I don't understand airsoft.

How do you know when you're dead?

Airsoft uses the honor system. So, if you feel the hit (and you generally do) you call yourself out.

Co'tor Shas wrote:Anyone have a good suggestion on a good starter rifle? Nothing fancy, just functional.

It depends on your budget, and if you're sure you're gonna like airsoft. I generally recommend renting first to see if airsoft is something worth investing in. If you're pretty sure that you like airsoft and you want to pursue it as a hobby, I recommend the G&G Combat Machine line. They're a great starter platform that is reasonably priced. Expect to spend around $130-$160 depending on the retailer.

 Co'tor Shas wrote:
Anyone have a good suggestion on a good starter rifle? Nothing fancy, just functional.

TBH man, I don't know if Dakka is the greatest place for advice on this. Paintball (there I go again) and airsoft threads come up once in a blue moon, but they quickly putter out and die.

http://www.airgundepot.com/beginner-airsoft-guns-guide.html

From the sounds of that article, electric might be the way to go. Certainly sounds more handy than spring, and more economic than gas.

I've been playing for about 7-8 years now, and I love it. It's cheap starting our, but it can quickly become a money-pit; especially if you want to Mil-Sim or if you simply like collecting the guns. My main issue is with the guns themselves - they have a limited life expectancy, and be prepared for eventual repairs. As for the people who play, most of the time it's pretty good (in my experience), but you will have the guy that refuses to call hits, or the mil-simmer that's acting like he's some SpecOps Secret Squirrel that's taking the game too seriously. Luckily, they're not too common. I definitely promote the game.

 Dshrike wrote:

Co'tor Shas wrote:Anyone have a good suggestion on a good starter rifle? Nothing fancy, just functional.

It depends on your budget, and if you're sure you're gonna like airsoft. I generally recommend renting first to see if airsoft is something worth investing in. If you're pretty sure that you like airsoft and you want to pursue it as a hobby, I recommend the G&G Combat Machine line. They're a great starter platform that is reasonably priced. Expect to spend around $130-$160 depending on the retailer.

Yup, I also recommend this gun. It's pretty solid, especially for a beginner, and it'll last you long enough to get a more higher-end gun later on. I know three different people who bought them, and loved them.

There was actually a pretty good airsoft thread a couple months ago that you should check out here. Tons of great information.

 Dshrike wrote:



Airsoft uses the honor system. So, if you feel the hit (and you generally do) you call yourself out.

The same system that worked so well when we were kids!

Really, the honor system works well....most of the time. There are some people that have a hard time calling hits, but it's typically not a common problem. Most people like that get called out on it, and don't make friends in the community/get known for not calling hits. That also opens up the door for your to get "lit-up" well enough to make sure you call yourself out.

And airsoft pellets hurt like heck. Especially when you get hit a bunch of times.

 Grey Templar wrote:
And airsoft pellets hurt like heck. Especially when you get hit a bunch of times.

Yes they can. Especially if you're wearing clothes of thinner material, and you're getting shot by a gun that shoots at 400+ FPS.

Gas cost a little bit more to start with but is a lot more fun to shoot and easier to maintain yourself as well If you get an adaptor then you can run it of Propane which by all accounts in America is dirt cheap. If only that was true in the UK :(

 Optio wrote:
Gas cost a little bit more to start with but is a lot more fun to shoot and easier to maintain yourself as well If you get an adaptor then you can run it of Propane which by all accounts in America is dirt cheap. If only that was true in the UK :(

Gas guns are neat, but soooooo expensive, especially if you have to start replacing mags. If the typical electric gun doesn't interest you, check out a Polar Star. They're picking up some momentum, and are super reliable.

I've seen a couple of Polarstars around in the UK but they aren't that common here yet. They look interesting but I'd never have one myself. Not a fan of having a remote line and a separate tank. Too similar to paintball for my liking!

You're best off starting with an AEG as a beginner, but I personally prefer my gas guns for the awesome factor

It's a great hobby to get into, I'd definitely recommend it.

Tibbsy wrote:
I've seen a couple of Polarstars around in the UK but they aren't that common here yet. They look interesting but I'd never have one myself. Not a fan of having a remote line and a separate tank. Too similar to paintball for my liking!

You're best off starting with an AEG as a beginner, but I personally prefer my gas guns for the awesome factor

Yeah, that's my only issue with Polarstar...but they still have the look of the rifle, and the performance/reliability is just so good lol. I still only have AEGs, but I'd thought about selling some and switching over.

Tibbsy wrote:
It's a great hobby to get into, I'd definitely recommend it.

And I will definitely second this again

Thank Everyone! You guys are awesome.
One of my friends is into it and is going to take me along sometime in the spring after he gets a new gun (he's getting one during the holidays, and he's letting me use his old one). Should be fun.

 mega_bassist wrote:

Yeah, that's my only issue with Polarstar...but they still have the look of the rifle, and the performance/reliability is just so good lol. I still only have AEGs, but I'd thought about selling some and switching over.

Where I live, Polarstar HPA system users have a bad reputation. I suppose it's because we don't really have a fool-proof means of ensuring that settings cannot be tampered with past chrono. The temptation to change settings after chrono is too great for some players.

My favorite thing about the HPA system airsoft guns is that they're about the only system available that can be "silenced."

 Dshrike wrote:

 mega_bassist wrote:

Yeah, that's my only issue with Polarstar...but they still have the look of the rifle, and the performance/reliability is just so good lol. I still only have AEGs, but I'd thought about selling some and switching over.

Where I live, Polarstar HPA system users have a bad reputation. I suppose it's because we don't really have a fool-proof means of ensuring that settings cannot be tampered with past chrono. The temptation to change settings after chrono is too great for some players.

My favorite thing about the HPA system airsoft guns is that they're about the only system available that can be "silenced."

We've had that issue too, and one of the local fields even banned P-stars for a couple months. But, they found the root if the problem, and that particular group of people is no longer welcome at that field. It's definitely gotten better since last summer.

And yeeeessss. I know a guy with an SR25 converted to HPA, and it's scary

 Dshrike wrote:

 mega_bassist wrote:

Yeah, that's my only issue with Polarstar...but they still have the look of the rifle, and the performance/reliability is just so good lol. I still only have AEGs, but I'd thought about selling some and switching over.

Where I live, Polarstar HPA system users have a bad reputation. I suppose it's because we don't really have a fool-proof means of ensuring that settings cannot be tampered with past chrono. The temptation to change settings after chrono is too great for some players.

My favorite thing about the HPA system airsoft guns is that they're about the only system available that can be "silenced."

Why would you do that? (scratches head).

Which hurts more - paintball or airsoft?

Do what? Silence them, or increase the FPS?

And paintball and airsoft both feel...different. Paintball is more of a blunt "slap" against the skin, while airsoft is a solid, plasic bb that can stings like a mother fether. Personally, I think airsoft is worse.

change the FPS, MB. I don't see the purpose, ESPECIALLY if this is a safety thing. note, I'm not trying to start an argument. I'm just trying to understand. most posrts I've been around involved safety regs that kept you from greivous bodily harm or death so mess with safety regs seems crazy to me.

If they were still legal in the US, I'd totally get into airsoft with a Yunker-3.

Alas...double-banned

 Frazzled wrote:


Why would you do that? (scratches head).

Which hurts more - paintball or airsoft?

In my somewhat limited experience (I've done a whole lot more paintball), airsoft pellets usually hurt more as they're travelling faster and have more limited surface area and don't have much give. Paintballs are very malleable and are designed to burst and have lots of surface area, thus mitigating the impact. It's the paintballs that *don't* break that really hurt, but then, you're not out of the game either if that happens

Well, some people are the "win at all costs" kind of guys, and couldn't care less about other people's safety. Often enough, they're also the people who don't call their own hits. They play to win, and since HPA guns can ramp the FPS to easily over 500 (with a HIGH rate of fire), and out-perform any other automatic gun on the field, they started using them...and then they got a bad name.

I'm sorry I'm being stupid and hopefully not taking this off track, but why does a higher fps help?

 Frazzled wrote:
I'm sorry I'm being stupid and hopefully not taking this off track, but why does a higher fps help?

Primarily range, for example my Masada (Bushmaster ACR) shoots 390 FPS with a range of ~150-175 feet, my dad's SiG 552 shoots around 330 FPS with a range of ~100 feet.