Saber6-1

With a 7.4 I would recommend a battery upgrade. It would give you the best results you are looking for without making the weapon too "hot"

Out of the box, you should be shooting 330-370fps. What did you last chrono at? Like Russe stated, 370 would be too hot for most sites. As to rate of fire, how many rounds per second are you looking at? I don't mean any disrespect with these next few questions, but they will identify the kind of player you are: Do you use your AEG as a battle rifle or machine gun? Do you take the time to line up sight target or do you "spray n pray"? If you are using your M4 as a machine gun, then yes, hi rate of fire to compensate for lack of accuracy, but conversely, if you are using it as a battle rifle, perhaps look at optics. Make your rounds count.

While I agree 100% with everyone elses advice and guidance, I am going to offer a different perspective. Being that you do not currently possess any gear, you are in an advantageous position. When you go out and play, ask the rental office if you can swap guns out. This way, you can utilize several different rifles. Try an M4, a G36, or any other rifle you want. This way you can experience its weight, its feel. Once you commit to a battle rifle, its not like you can just pass it right off and get something different. It may be a while before you can upgrade. Speaking of upgrades, research that as well. You will need to review the weapons sustainability as well as its ability to accommodate any mods you may want. Look at the internals of the rifle, what version gearbox, what type of gear box, will the gear box need to be replaced quickly, what is the gear box made of, look at types of batteries. The last thing you want is to get the rifle then need to spend a chunk getting it up to spec. As to gear, well again, thats personal preference. I do not know if its the same here in the UK as it is in the US, but most US players gradually evolve into a role they portray. You may want to run the same loadout as the SAS, or British Marine, GSG9, US Army Ranger/SEAL/ODA, Russian Spetsnaz. Heck you may want to portray Johnny Jihad and run around with a man dress on and head scarf yelling "DURKA DURKA JIHAD" while firing your weapon blindly over you head sideways. Personally I don't recommend that, but I will not discourage you if thats what you want. As you research your chosen airsoft persona, look at all the gear needed. Some units run light and fast, while others are heavier. I personally run a heavier kit, but I have everything thing I need for any situation. Its big, its bulky, it can at times make me a bullet magnet, but its the same loadout I used in Iraq. You need to find your style. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH Above all else, do what will make you happy. Play the way you want. This is your hobby, and most importantly, your money. Go with what makes you happy. ~~~GARRY OWEN~~~

http://www.evike.com/products/29475/ At current exchange rates, this comes out to be about 46 pounds.

I personally use G&G and VFC. But it comes down to whether you want traditional (the old style bare metal looking ones) or the new style "tactical" looking ones. Being that I am an American with an American Post, I order from Evike and Airsoft Gi. They normally have some really amazing deals. I think Evkie ships to the UK.

Beautiful Para M249. Those are quite nice indeed. The added touch of the "live" rounds in a great touch. I have a M249 as well and I recently added the sound activated mag, and it makes a difference. Otherwise, very nice choice. Time to lay some serious suppressive fire.

Excellent. Cant wait to get out and play.

Greetings from another new person to these forums. I noticed your loadout was American based. Being an American, as well as a retired member of the US Army, if you have questions relating to running an American combat loadout, just give me a shout and I will help. Again, Welcome

"Pick Up games" is very much an American term. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I am still learning British terminology. You would not believe how long it took to figure out what quid meant. At fields/sites I played at in America, random people along with teams would show up to play. The random people would be put into pick up games, and teams would be paired against each other as not to have unfair games. Some fields/sites didn't do that and they paired new players/pick up games players against actual teams. Not a good way to help grow the sport. I just wanted to ensure that when I go to these sites I can just walk on and play.

Mack, Its nice to see homage paid to my old unit. I served with 1/7 and 2/7 Cav. My best times in the Army were spent at Fort Hood wearing 1st Cav

Mack, did you do time with 1CD? I saw you have the patch as well as 1-7 in it? Thats kind of sad. Teamwork can make for excellent games, especially when you have two good fire teams going head to head.

CavNinja- I will go thru my pics and try and find some to post. I have several from Iraq...lol. As to the question about ACU vs OCP, I completely understand. Different styles and different methods of play. More than likely I will just roll out with my ACU gear. Served me well in the past. ~~SCOUTS OUT~~ ~~GARRY OWEN~~

Excellent news! Being that they are fairly close I am now looking forward to playing. Do they have pick up games in case I just drop in?

I was curious if anyone here ran either ACU or OCP? I have done tests with both here and had mixed results. Both ACU and OCP offer benefits and drawbacks. ACU has had decent results on cloudy days with a much whiter or grey skies and limited green vegetation whereas OCP actually stood out a bit more (why is that bush so green when everything else is dying off?). On the other hand, with brighter, sunnier days and much greener vegetation, the OCP worked very well and the ACU was a grayish blob. I am beginning to think running the two uniforms is actually the better route, kind of a winter/summer thing. Being that I have both, not too concerned but wanted to talk to the folks who have actually worked these fields.

I looked up both RIFT and Close action as they are relatively near me. Has anyone played these fields? Anything opinions on them?

Thanks for the warm welcome all. I do currently own my own RIF's (AEG as we call them in the States), I have an M4, M92FS, and just for the hell of it I bought an M249. The last one is just funny. I was looking to get a GBB down the road, but everything I have read says that temp is an issue here. Is that true? Does anyone here use GBB? I know under 60 degrees can begin to degrade performance, but would love to here first hand testimony here. I am looking forward to playing here, and actually getting UKARA certified in case I do get the GBB. Plus, just looking forward to playing here in England. Anyone have any recommendations for places to play in the Cambs, Northants, or Beds area?

Greetings I am new here to your fine country, coming from across the pond. As an avid airsoft player from the States, I soon hope to start playing here. Wow, these UKARA rules are pretty strict. I had to do a lot of research when I started looking to play here. Its getting harder and harder to play nowadays. But with that aside, a little about me. I am a retired member of the US Army who faithfully served 20 years. I was part of the Cavalry and worked with M1A1/A2/SEP tanks, as well as the Bradley IFV/CFV and Strykers. We worked both mounted and dismounted, so I didnt always have tons of steel to protect me. After retiring, a couple of friends introduced me to airsoft, and I rather enjoyed it. I actually just came back from a visit to the States and had a chance to play a 24 hour game. Talk about a blast! So, that brings me to this group, looking for players/sites near me. I currently live in the Midlands over by the Northampton area. I googled a few places to play so I can get out there and get UKARA certified, or whatever it is so I can use my own RIF's as you call them. I think thats how it works. Any assistance on this would be helpful as I am trying to be a law abiding citizen here. Laslty, I am looking to find good sites in the Midland areas, and players as well. Nothing worse than getting ready to play and 5 people show up. Kind of a let down. Looking forward to contributing how ever I can, and hopefully playing with you all.