TheGrover

Sounds like the copper was just trying to stay on the safe side. In legislation, an airsoft gun (that isn't modified to be crazy powerful) isn't a firearm. The easy way to test this is to shoot someone. If they could potentially be killed or suffer life changing injuries as a result, then it's a firearm. If they just swear at you and shoot you back, then they are a real airsofter and you're just pratting about with toy guns

as above, to bring the gun into the UK as it is, will require you, the owner, to have a valid defence as prescribed under the VCRA (Violent Crime Reduction Act) to demonstrate that you will use the RIF in a safe manner.
 
Lets put the airline aside for a moment, and concentrate on the legal side:
 
1) a UKARA REGISTRATION (not licence, as Lozart said) is the easiest way to obtain a defence, though probably not possible given your situation. is it possible to leave the RIF with a friend or relative for a couple of months whilst you "earn" your UKARA registration?
2) there are other defences, which might be worth looking into, you can read the particular part of the VCRA HERE and the amendment HERE. On the second link, search for the word Airsoft and you will find what you need.
3) if you can paint the gun so that it appears unrealistic (ignore the myth about having to paint 51% of the gun) you can import it as an IF provided that you are 18 or older. just make sure that you apply come common sense, paint something that isnt covered when you hold the replica, and use a bright colour that doesnt incorporate a camouflage.
 
really, if i were you, id give the relevant parts of the VCRA and te documents in the second link a read, you should be able to figure out the best way of keeping your RIF that suits your own personal circumstances, and remember, most people on here will help you, just ask us
 
Welcome to our community
 
EDIT: the second part i forgot to write:
 
As for the Airline, they may well be a little nervous about allowing an imitation firearm onto an aircraft, but after explaining what you intend to do well ahead of time, and transporting the RIF safely should sort all that out.
 
First, ring the airline and ask if it is possible, explain exactly what you intend to carry, and make it clear that you want it to go into the hold, and not into the cabin with you
 
then make sure it is kept in a suitable container, id personally put it into a hard case, locked securely. you can expect the lock to be broken when you get it off the carousel, as the security teams at both airports will probably want to inspect it to ensure that it isnt real (use a TSA padlock and they can open it without breaking it). keep a note in the case that explains what it is, that it is incapable of handling or discharging any form of ammunition other than lightweight BBs, that its muzzle energy is at or around 1j and that it is used for airsoft skirmishing. if you dont paint it, put your UKARA details in there as well, including Name, Full Address, UKARA number and any other details you can think of
 
once you get to the airport, hand the case/bag over when you check in and explain what the contents are, so that they can make sure that it doesnt cause a scare later on down the conveyors
 
and most of all, think of everybody that will handle or see the case/bag after you hand it over, and make sure that they have no reason to keep it from you.
 
it goes without saying that the RIF should be inert, with no battery loaded and ideally, the magazines stored in a separate compartment or even a separate container
 
and NEVER
EVER
use the word "Gun" "Firearm" or "Weapon" at the airport, whilst youre carrying a gun bag or gun case. Also DO NOT remove it from the case. if the check in clerk or security ask to see it, explain that it is an RIF and that you should take it to a private room first

Hopefully Ed wont ban me for this blasphemy
 

 
 
Here is my New ICS L85
 
New/changed parts from stock (no particular order):
Madbull DD rail entry-level G&P 1x30 dot sight on no-brand 20mm riser on B&T dovetail to weaver rail adapter knock off magpull AFG (coz there were no real ones for sale that i could find) Swiss Arms sight protector Madbull blue rubber Element H nub (untested) and a bit of a plastic toothpick to lift the hop arm, so it doesnt send my BBs to god  
The camera quality doesn't do it justice, it looks much better than the picture makes out.
 
Now to get a PEQ box so i can actually fit a battery in it and a few PTS mags and this will be my very own unique Tactical SA80 A2

No worries mate, to be honest, the WE hasn't let me down since I broke my nub, and my brothers TM has been a finicky little bugger, and I use propane, which shouldn't do it any favours.
 
People can say what they want about WE pistols, but mine was good value and very reliable, and I'd buy another. I do want another for winter though, but don't know any pistols that work well around the 0 degree Mark like my G5

No worries mate, to be honest, the WE hasn't let me down since I broke my nub, and my brothers TM has been a finicky little bugger, and I use propane, which shouldn't do it any favours.
 
People can say what they want about WE pistols, but mine was good value and very reliable, and I'd buy another. I do want another for winter though, but don't know any pistols that work well around the 0 degree Mark like my G5

I busted my 228 loading nozzle (my pistols blowback mechanism is identical) by loading a full mag with the slide forward, since then, I've always inserted full mags with the slide locked back so the top BB never has to be pushed down the mag by the nozzle nub.
 
How do you load/reload yours? I've not had an issue with mine since adjusting my technique, despite playing many times in temperatures approaching freezing when the plastic becomes brittle

maybe its just my geeky side showing, but this was fairly interesting even if i did understand it right off the bat
 

 
 

maybe its just my geeky side showing, but this was fairly interesting even if i did understand it right off the bat
 

 
 

I busted my 228 loading nozzle (my pistols blowback mechanism is identical) by loading a full mag with the slide forward, since then, I've always inserted full mags with the slide locked back so the top BB never has to be pushed down the mag by the nozzle nub.
 
How do you load/reload yours? I've not had an issue with mine since adjusting my technique, despite playing many times in temperatures approaching freezing when the plastic becomes brittle

I busted my 228 loading nozzle (my pistols blowback mechanism is identical) by loading a full mag with the slide forward, since then, I've always inserted full mags with the slide locked back so the top BB never has to be pushed down the mag by the nozzle nub.
 
How do you load/reload yours? I've not had an issue with mine since adjusting my technique, despite playing many times in temperatures approaching freezing when the plastic becomes brittle

I busted my 228 loading nozzle (my pistols blowback mechanism is identical) by loading a full mag with the slide forward, since then, I've always inserted full mags with the slide locked back so the top BB never has to be pushed down the mag by the nozzle nub.
 
How do you load/reload yours? I've not had an issue with mine since adjusting my technique, despite playing many times in temperatures approaching freezing when the plastic becomes brittle

I will hold off for a second or two if they don't have a gun around the corner as well, it's typically younger players or the less experienced peeking corners without their weapon up. If we both have guns pointed at each other, it's fair game, and I'd expect to be treated the same way if I were pointing my gun at someone.
 
That said, the head is a lousy target to shoot at, if someone sees the BB they can dodge it, especially at longer ranges, aim for somewhere else and there's less chance they'll see it coming, and more chance they'll feel it if you hit the gentlemen's region...

Heresy! Blasphemy! Bring me my best throwing stones!
 
I think you've just only experienced poor GBBs, I've had more feeding issues with one AEG (a top-tech g&g which is otherwise flawless) than I have with both my pistol and g5 combined, which is 0 if I discount the time I broke my pistol
 
My experience with nuprols isn't too bad, the g5 handles them just fine and the pistol hasn't missed a best yet, even the troublesome feeding of the TR15 hasn't been any different with nuprols. That said, as long as they go in the right direction when I pull the trigger, my bbs are working fine. I've never once checked a BB for seams or bubbles

Heresy! Blasphemy! Bring me my best throwing stones!
 
I think you've just only experienced poor GBBs, I've had more feeding issues with one AEG (a top-tech g&g which is otherwise flawless) than I have with both my pistol and g5 combined, which is 0 if I discount the time I broke my pistol
 
My experience with nuprols isn't too bad, the g5 handles them just fine and the pistol hasn't missed a best yet, even the troublesome feeding of the TR15 hasn't been any different with nuprols. That said, as long as they go in the right direction when I pull the trigger, my bbs are working fine. I've never once checked a BB for seams or bubbles

Embrace the tactical odour
 
I use an oil pump kit rather than using silicone drops. Google Airsoft Innovations oil pump kit. It's a little tube that lets you dose entire bottles at once similar to green gas.
 
And when you buy a bottle from Amazon and get two delivered by mistake, you can laugh at the green gas users who have no more money

Or if you're really soft, a full EOD suit might do the trick

Or if you're really soft, a full EOD suit might do the trick

If it is rated, then it will have a 166f stamp somewhere on the product
 
Bear in mind 166f is technically not enough for airsoft, as a 350fps 0.2g BB has more energy than the test. 166b (available only to goggles) is plenty however

If you're ever preparing to do something like this, you should be prepared to modify parts, if you don't already have a dremel and some simple tools to make things fit where they don't want to, you ought to get one.
 
I'd personally just buy an AEG and play with it later. I have no idea how easy it is to fit other box shells in other guns

When the crazy people trade in their AKs and suicide vests for airsoft guns and BFGs, then its justified. Until then, some politicians need to get a grip and start applying common sense and reason to their work

When the crazy people trade in their AKs and suicide vests for airsoft guns and BFGs, then its justified. Until then, some politicians need to get a grip and start applying common sense and reason to their work

When the crazy people trade in their AKs and suicide vests for airsoft guns and BFGs, then its justified. Until then, some politicians need to get a grip and start applying common sense and reason to their work

Also, think this was missed by the guys before:
 
Don't charge a Lipo battery by the main connector (whether it's deans or tamiya), instead use a proper charger designed for Lipo batteries via the balance port (dinky little connector with three (2s) or four (3s) pins.
 
Charging via the main connector will eventually lead to the battery falling our of balance, one cell having a higher charge than the other(s) which can cause damage to the battery, and if use continues, Possibly a fire risk.
 
Tl:dr but a Lipo charger for any Lipo battery. Any smart charger will do, So long as it balances the cells. They aren't expensive at all. 20 quid will get a sensible choice

Aye, if its still unrealistically coloured then you're fine within the letter of the law

I'm not familiar with the pistol, so I don't know what the gold piece is I'm afraid
 
Did the pin stay back when you let the slide forward again? If so, and pressing the trigger pushes it forwards instantly, then your trigger is working somewhat well. It could be getting fouled by something but if the pin behaves itself I'd start looking at the magazine and the mag well