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I thought it might be useful to have a phone mount on my plate carrier so that I can use the Ares Alpha app to see my location, that of the objectives etc. So I got myself a cheap mount from AliExpress that protects the phone and holds it securely in place (in landscape mode) on my chest. I can then simply open it up slightly, see my location on the map and close it again. And then I started testing it: To unlock my iPhone you swipe up from the bottom, however the mount has a strap over the phone to hold it in place and you can’t do it without sliding the phone out. ❌ Face ID on the iPhone only works if it can see your face but I’ll be wearing a mask. ❌ Ok I enable ‘unlock with Apple Watch’ but the phone will not do it when in landscape mode, only portrait mode ❌ So I enter a passcode but I would have to take off my gloves to do that ❌ When the phone is unlocked I can’t actually see anything as it is too close to my face and I would need to wear my reading glasses to see anything detailed. ❌ But apart from that it really works nicely😂

Thought I'd see what all the fuss was about 😉

You missed one; HPA - W⚓️

Baw Bag (more a colloquialism) 😘

Going down from 36 rifles and a majority bullpup collection to these 6 was quite difficult. But I am dead happy with it and they are P. Cool. 😉 E&L AKM LCT AMD-65 LCT AKMSU Silverback SRS TM MK23 TM FN-57 The only thing I might consider at this point is an LCT AMD-63 and a decent MP5SD2

Thats cool, I just ordered an Acro for mine today Which means I’ll be putting a BoomArms MOS plate for an SRO in the classifieds

I think you're right. Higher cost of materials, less demand and economies of scale all add to the higher prices. One other thing that probably doesn't help is the extra weight will send shipping costs up.

Thrust bearings don't come that slim. The bearings on spring guides aren't that size either, bearing guides are made in two/three parts that are threaded together, the inside diameter of the thrust bearings on them is nowhere near 11mm. It's more like 6-7mm which IS a size you'll find. However, you won't be able to fit them to your fixed spring guides. If you have a bearing on the back of your piston head then you don't need one on your spring guide anyway. Personally I wouldn't trust any bearing that you can buy from AliExpress for a few pence anyway! This is most likely the sort of price you'd be looking at for something half decent https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p504954/F8-16G-Budget-Single-Thrust-Ball-Bearing-with-Grooved-Washers-8x16x5mm/product_info.html

so I’ve now got two of these. The one below with aluminium slide, steel barrel and ACRO. I’ve built an identical one with steel slide and micro pro sight. Despite its bulk, the gen5 doesn’t seem to struggle shifting the ACRO and it’s pretty easy to aim.

Bro is listing the stickers on the case like he charging for them 😂

Was asked to knock up a Magpul style MP5 handguard as the real thing seems to be out of stock everywhere. It's not an exact copy but close enough I think. Top one is printed smooth in ABS and the bottom one in PLA using the Bambu labs fuzzy setting.

Being a airsoft newbie I hear and read many acronyms, plus terminology that I end up having to look up to find the meaning.....might sound daft but everyone was newb at some point, so would it be a good idea for a sort of 'novice list' ? I.e. High cap - High capacity magazine RIF - Realistic imitation firearm AEG - Automatic electric gun GBB - Gas blow back etc.etc. Basic, I know, but possibly helpful 😁

Most of the spring guides I've seen use the standard airsoft thrust bearing same as the one used on the piston head. I have plenty spare if you want some however do your spring guides have the function to unscrew to allow a bearing to fit?

Here is a video of the problem. I tried to disassemble it but I can't figure it out. VID_20240918_185250.mp4 The problem must have been camera shy. I screwed the cap on really tight now its working haha

Not all spring guides will accept a bearing, Lozart is correct about bearing sizing and simply bearings I have used alot for pretty much all my bearing needs. Fit a bearing at the head end if you can rather than on the guide.

Get the bomber or the angry gun ACRO plate. Boomarms and JKarmy have them. WGC also do the angry gun one and shipping is only £7 for orders under £90.

For any other use, I would agree, but I think for airsoft spring guide bearings, even the cheapest ones will be more than enough, it is not spinning at any high speed nor needs to be precise nor under any specific high load, as long as it rotates better than a washer, it will have performed its duty As long as it is greased, of course

I'm really not sure it's worth it when AK2M4 sell complete spring guides for a very fair price. However, like many airsoft things there's no guarantee that they'll fit all gearbox shells perfectly (especially if QD).

And now the uncomfortable question... are you quitting Airsoft? (If yes UK sales of TAGinn rounds will drop off a cliff)

Good idea Barry Could make this into an Airsoft dictionary or encyclopaedia. I would add to the list: IF - Imitation Firearm - Two Tone painted weapon BFG - Blank Firing Grenade (Come as Timed or Impact type) Hop - Rubber part that imparts spin on the BB to keep trajectory straight (Can also be referred to as 'Adjusting the hop') Li-Po - Common battery used with AEGs. (Commonly 7.2v but some AEGs can use 11.1v) DEANS / T-Connector - Battery connection type for AEGs Mini-Tamiya - Older, less efficient battery connector for AEGs

Ares Alpha is more than just a map though. It's particularly good if you have a team/group of mates or are playing a Milsim type event where many of your team or squad all have the app installed. It works as a Blue Force Tracker, can me used to issue movement commands, manages the heirarchy and even has an SOS function if you've managed to fall down a hole and you need assistance. As to your question - for your average Sunday skirmish? Probably not but if you're on a new site then maybe. For a milsim/filmsim/battlesim then yes, maybe you would for all the reasons above.

Tbh idk wtbd

As above.

Big balls 😆

I’ve made and used many maps for sites, which makes particular sense when I’ve designed and run events on sites but I have printed and even made my own maps of sites that I’ve just played at I’ve been especially fond of overlaying a sites feature/zone sketch map onto aerial maps giving context. I prefer event days/weekends where the entire site is in play rather than a standard day where you play a single zone at a time walking to it as a group. But it’s still handy to have some context I come from the Orkney islands famed for their Viking history and explorers. But my family tree traces back to a shipwrecked sailor, and the only exploring genes I have come from those who have discovered new lands by getting lost. I am also the man who lost his stack of poles, rope and coloured material when constructing objective flag poles. I had placed them on a convenient ridge roughly in the centre of each of the objectives that I was building flag poles. This meant wandering in decreasing circles to find the stash of supplies to build the next objective flag pole it is very useful to have a pocket guide to give me a clue that if I walk through a cowboy town instead of a missile base that I’m walking away from the safe zone instead of towards it

What is BB?

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help and guidance! Definitely helped squash any reservations I had about getting the AKX. Will be looking to take on board the upgrade suggestions for the power down valve and hop up arm + rubber for when I get the rifle out the box. Once again, Thanks!!

Yes, those ones but note - they aren’t hinged!! so the possibility of snapping off is great! 😂 I use a couple of watch screwdrivers to tease them open a fraction then push the internals out

Does anyone really need a map on any UK sites?

After AirsoftWorld didn’t want to reply to my emails and never called me back regarding the Raptor PKP, I opted for the next best thing. A&K PKM with real wood 😍 Looking forwards to running it next weekend 😏

School holidays are over...

On Sunday I deployed children. Had a brew, loaded mags, had a kip through the briefing, heated chicken tikka, had a brew, slept through game one, bombed up the kids mags, had a brew and a nap in game two. Packed up and recovered children. It didn’t rain. Best game ever.

So I’ve had an AKX since the week it was released. As of yet, it hasn’t skipped a beat. The only “reliability” issues I’ve seen are so infrequent that it’s likely just bad luck. my trigger box arrived in a non-working condition. But it was just a spring that hasn’t been fitted properly. Took 5 minutes to fix. But I’m the only AKX owner I know of who’s actually had issues of any sort that aren’t related to modifications. I’m hopping 0.28s out to 45m and getting headshots. The hop dial is still down at below 50%. I reckon I could run far heavier bbs at longer range if need be. Upgrades that are absolutely necessary: - Bavtac/bowmaster/jaeger power down valve. upgrades I’d highly recommend - jaeger hop arm - pink flamingo hop rubber - Bowmaster 130% recoil spring - Magpul MOE+ AK grip Other upgrades I’ve gone with: - bowmaster full steel trigger mechanism - tight bore SS barrel - AB-8R stock - Hephaestus steel selector - Hephaestus steel trigger - Hephaestus heavy weight piston Maintenance wise: - Clean the inner barrel out after every game day. If bought brand new, it comes with a barrel cleaning rod. Use strips of dry microfibre cloth or microfibre cloth soaked in IPA. - I always wipe din the bolt and brush out the lower receiver after a game day. - use a decent metal on metal lubricant for the lower receiver and bolt. I use white lithium, but I don’t recommend it as it’s quite easy to over apply and make worse. - use a decent silicone oil for plastic on metal surfaces. - spend some time learning how to strip and disassemble the bolt/nozzle unit and the trigger mechanism. Hopefully you never need to open the trigger mechanism… but you’ll definitely need to learn about the nozzle as you’ll need to fit the power down nozzle valve. Jaeger precision and commie bear Airsoft do some good videos that taught me a lot.

Great day at Red Alert yesterday. The threat of bad weather seems to have put a lot of people off but numbers were good enough for balanced teams and good gameplay! The rain didn't actually appear until around lunchtime then promptly buggered off just as we were going out for the first game of the afternoon. So that was nice.

And another for the brit kit. An LCT HK53, set up as the L101A1/2 RM Close protection variant. Can't afford a real trijicon RX06, so this AIMO reflex will have to do. Note to self.... this collection is getting out of hand now... 🤣

I've started hitting the prints since starting this sport and also love 3D Printing. Started off with a Molle Case for my phone looked at some on Cult and thingiverse and well I have access to bigger toys so went with a 3D printed case & a Titnaium protective plate on the front with an adjustable Aluminium carrier to clip it to the molle band, I'll probably tweak the rear plate to take some weight out of it its fairly overkill at the moment lol, still in the trial and error stage though so tweaks to follow. Have also printed BB canisters, funnels, speed loader adapters all the usual stuff, batter boxex, pistal case, and probably over 50 of the banger grenades :).

Noooo. Just having to take some time out due to a change in circumstances.

Afraid so.

Booked a redelivery with Royal Mail to deliver to my local post office for today. I'm in the house when they shove another red slip through my letterbox instead without knocking.