Jedi_Master

I am a big fan of Warrior equipment, they have quality products that are worth the cost. Unfortunately, UK Tactical do not have any in stock at the moment so thought I would see what else is available. Agree that the soft bags have more storage and useful compartments to keep kit which is why I was more inclined to buy one. On other hand the hard case does offer better protection, both in transit and storage, and is more secure.

Our A1 version was terrible; firing pins broke, mags fell out when mag release was knocked, stoppages due to weak spring, need for the forward assist, etc. Once H&K made the mods to upgrade to the A2 version I found it to be a reliable and decent weapon.

Recommend getting in touch with Combat South ( www.combatsouth.co.uk ) by phone or email. Very helpful shop and they specialise in TM products, and carry certain spares.

Change it from A1 to the improved A2 version that works

I have a Warrior chest rig which takes my mags and speed loader, as well as a dump pouch for a belt rig if running very light. I am used to putting mags back into the pouch, so will most likely just do that. Keeps the mags secure and quiet. I have 3 of the standard TM 82 bb mags (including the one that came with the rifle) and one hi-cap TM 520 bb mag. Thought that would do to start with.

Dying to give it a field test but at the moment no idea what my wife has planned for the bank holiday. Edit: Been given 'permission' to play soldiers in the woods or maybe indoors if wet

Multicam Black... it is fairly new, looks great, can work in urban and woodland environments, and you could still use some of your existing kit with it. On the downside it is not cheap or as easily available as other camoflague patterns.

Today I purchased my first RIF and bought it from Combat South in Portsmouth. I was impressed in the available stock and accessories (Tokyo Marui and ICS), and it is well worth giving them a call or sending an email to see what items are currently available because not everything is listed on their website. www.combatsouth.co.uk Combat South was recommended to me by people on this forum and at UCAP Bunker, and I am pleased that I made the effort to drive down there. I arranged a time with Russell and spent nearly two hours with him looking at the Tokyo Marui HK416 models, asking questions and trying them out. It was a big decision for me to get the perfect RIF and set up and I felt no pressure from the staff to hurry in my choice. There is a small test range in the shop so I had an opportunity to fire a magazine on single shot and automatic which was very useful in seeing how it worked and sounded. The process of getting the stock re-wired from SPOMOD to LiPo with Tamiya connection was straightforward and done while I was browsing the extensive TM pistol selection. As a new airsofter I was shown how to fit the batteries, use the battery charger, and other useful safety/practical tips. Russell has set the bar very high for outstanding customer service (I was even given a cup of tea) and he could not do enough to make the buying experience both enjoyable and informative. Highly recommended and I will be shopping there again.

The 416D is £485 and the DEVGRU is £535.

I purchased the HK416D and had Russell at Combat South change the SOPMOD connector for Deans, and have fitted a single LiPo 7.4V 1300mAh 20C. Getting the standard 416D stock meant having a little more space inside than the DEVGRU stock. Just need to get out skirmishing now to try it all out. Thanks for everyones help.

Update to my previous post - Combat South does have some TM HK416 available, both the 416D and the DEVGRU versions. So I bought one today Thanks to Randymanpipe for the PM and recommendation, Russell is great at answering questions and providing excellent customer service.

I will be buying a HK416 AEG and would like some recommendations for a suitable gun bag / case to put it in. There is no point spending lots of money on a new RIF and then not protecting it in transit to and from games, and whilst at home. As much as I would like a Pelicase, my budget is limited to about £60. I only want a plain black case or bag, although green is fall back option, but no camo. The hard cases looks stronger, can be lockable, and have egg shell foam or cut out foam. The bags are cheaper, have internal straps, and have pockets for accessories. So what do you all use and any pros/cons to each type?

It is possible to use a waterproofing liquid, i.e. Nikwax, that is used on boots and jackets and can be purchased from outdoor/camping shops. www.nikwax.co.uk/en-gb/ lists different products and their use. Regardless of waterproofing the Cordura, you definitely want to have waterproofed bags inside pouches to protect contents from dirt and water, especially any electronics. Edit: for leather boots I used to use gortex boot liners which kept my feet dry and also warmer.

I placed my second order with UK Tactical late on Sunday night to use a 20% discount code. I could not resist getting some more Warrior Assault Systems kit and this time bought a belt, dump pouch and holster. The goods arrived on Tuesday, except I was not home and so could not sign for them, so parcel was taken back to depot. However, it was my mistake as I had forgotten to go to the Interlink website and tell then where to leave the parcel. So I did that Tuesday night and the rescheduled delivery came on Wednesday. My first experience was excellent and this was as well. I like the free postage and email and text updates. I will be buying more from them in the future.

At UCAP Bunker tonight I was fragged 3 times by pyro in different spots, all very close as my ears were ringing, and no question of being hit. I did manage to see one land, screamed "grenade" as I ran behind cover, but I still checked with the marshal to make sure that I had escaped and luckily had. Then almost immediately took a head shot which I heard bounce off my fast helmet, se la guerre. At one point I was stood in re-spawn with fogged up goggles chatting to a marshal and he was firing a rifle at a player who was not taking his hits, but as it was at the end of the night did not take any further action apart from putting a few more test shots into him.

I was at UCAP Bunker tonight applying for membership and experienced Andy's dislike of UKARA. He also mentioned speaking to Combat South regarding what RIFs they had in stock, as apparently their website is not always up-to-date and they may possibly have what I am looking for. I shall give them a call but doubt they have a TM HK416 AEG available in stock.

Placed another order with UK Tactical for a Warrior Assault Systems black PLB belt, slim-line dump pouch, and a holster. They had 20% off so could not resist buying more kit.

Having only used rentals to date and taken all my hits (must have re-spawned 30+ times in my first skirmish), I would be more inclined to say it can be some of those players in full plate carrier/kit who do not feel the hit. I have never noticed any post game welts other than on my arms and legs, where it is definitely stings in game when hit.

I plan to go there but like many older players I have to fit in work and family commitments. I will be getting my first RIF (once I find a UK retailer that has one in stock) in the next few weeks so definitely want to try some different sites to try it out.

Tonight I will have my defence as an airsoft skirmisher and will be getting membership at UCAP Bunker. I would also like to send off the UKARA form to a retailer so that I get onto the database to make purchases easier. I have not yet decided on my first RIF, although I expect the easiest thing to do is send the UKARA form to that particular retailer. However, I would rather send the form ASAP to get on the UKARA database so that when I do make my final decision of what to buy I can do without further delay So my question is: Which retailer is best to send my UKARA form to? Where did you send your form and can you recommend them?

Welcome. As a new player I have only experienced the UCAP Bunker (I will be down there in the darkness tonight) but I want to try the other two UCAP sites of Woodland and Sandpit. I will have to ask tonight to see if I can get any information on whether there is a new CQB place to get Up Close And Personal.

I have the Bolle X1000 RX so that I can wear prescription glasses inside. Not cheap at £54 inc P&P but good quality. My lower face mesh mask sits comfortably with no gaps.

I was looking at the Reforger website www.reforgerevents.com and under the Services tab it lists 'Airsoft and Airgun Range'. The Reforger site is located to the north west of Watford near M25 Jct 20. No experience of the site but it may be worth doing some research to see it is a viable option for weapon zeroing and outdoor practice.

Thanks for the advice. So basically SOPMOD batteries are over priced and not that good compared to a Lipo. The best option is to get the shop / tech to rewire it, or do it myself with the Eagle6 kit (which even my lack of skills looks manageable and no soldering needed).

I have been looking at the Tokyo Marui HK416D AEG and it is apparently powered by their 8.4v 1300mAh NiMH SOPMOD battery. The SOPMOD battery looks easy to insert / remove from the rifle stock. However, is the SOPMOD any good? Are TM using a proprietary battery designed just to give the company more money. Do I have to use SOPMOD or can it be replaced with an equivalent LIPO battery (no idea of relationship between NiMH and LIPO power outputs, or connector types). If a LIPO can be used, is it better value and have a longer battery life? Hopefully, someone has the answers.