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Raptor, I have a VFC 19X and tried it on some Abbey gas. It didn’t like it a bit. I run it on Nuprol Red in the cold and it works a treat. No issues with feeding or consistency. 
 
CBH 

The VFC HK416a5 RAL8000 is a looker. She is a sturdy, beautiful rifle, with a magnificent build quality and an up to date set of controls. Her fit and function impressed me and most people who see her. But let’s be honest. Airsoft rifles are about gaming. About running about on the field and being used. So it was with a little trepidation mixed with excitement that I took the VFC out for its first game on Saturday. And although it was a normal Skirmish, I went full GBBR, and only took that and my GHK M18 with me and leaving the AEGs at home. Brave call?
 
Well, after chrono I was down to the VFC on its own. As expected the GHK was too hot. 
 
I ran the VFC with 7 mags, all of which lived on my belt and plate carrier and so were exposed to the elements. This is my normal AEG load out but with mid caps rather than 30 round real caps.
 
I sorted the hop to lift the .28s a nice reasonable distance and set in for the game, but ended up tinkering with it in game to get the best range. This was really easy to do as the hop adjustment is at the front end by the gas block. No need to strip the gun down and a massive plus. And then it was on to the game.
 
A wise man once said, gaming with a GBBR is all about game style. Well my game style didn’t differ a great deal to be honest. I enjoy more tactical games. Creeping about, looking for weak spots and generally run my guns on semi auto anyway, so there wasn’t too much difference.
 
I did spend the first few games expecting the gun to implode, or BBs to dribble out of its barrel, because the inter web is replete with tales of VFCs being un-game-able. Of their internals being weak and useless. But after the first game, and that constant satisfying thud the instant I pulled the trigger, the mechanical clunk as the VFC fired, I realised that I had made the right decision. Ok, if I spammed the trigger and she suddenly went empty, she wouldn’t always lock back. But in general when I fired a normal semi auto rate she locked back. And good god is she fun to shoot. Fun to manipulate. Fun to take down. Fun to clean. Yeah, my Krytac probably has a better range, and is likely more consistently accurate. But I can’t remember when I last enjoyed a game as much as Saturdays. And for me that’s why I decided to get a GBBR.
 
Holding back floods of players with single shots. Going empty and doing a breach check to see the BCG locked back. Changing mags in a panic and hitting the bolt catch. Feeling the clunk of it all going home and being up and back in the game. This is why I love Airsoft. 
 
So, is the VFC useable in the winter. Yes, but with some caveats. Don’t expect to go full auto much, if at all. It works for a bit but isn’t consistent and sounds on the cusp of dying. The mags get cold, quick and I doubt you’d get more than one mag out of a gas fill, so I topped my mags up with gas every time I reloaded BBS. I was using Abbey Brut Sniper gas. Seemed to work ok. 
 
So all in I’m happy with the VFC. She did me proud.
 
 
CBH
 
 

The VFC HK416a5 RAL8000 is a looker. She is a sturdy, beautiful rifle, with a magnificent build quality and an up to date set of controls. Her fit and function impressed me and most people who see her. But let’s be honest. Airsoft rifles are about gaming. About running about on the field and being used. So it was with a little trepidation mixed with excitement that I took the VFC out for its first game on Saturday. And although it was a normal Skirmish, I went full GBBR, and only took that and my GHK M18 with me and leaving the AEGs at home. Brave call?
 
Well, after chrono I was down to the VFC on its own. As expected the GHK was too hot. 
 
I ran the VFC with 7 mags, all of which lived on my belt and plate carrier and so were exposed to the elements. This is my normal AEG load out but with mid caps rather than 30 round real caps.
 
I sorted the hop to lift the .28s a nice reasonable distance and set in for the game, but ended up tinkering with it in game to get the best range. This was really easy to do as the hop adjustment is at the front end by the gas block. No need to strip the gun down and a massive plus. And then it was on to the game.
 
A wise man once said, gaming with a GBBR is all about game style. Well my game style didn’t differ a great deal to be honest. I enjoy more tactical games. Creeping about, looking for weak spots and generally run my guns on semi auto anyway, so there wasn’t too much difference.
 
I did spend the first few games expecting the gun to implode, or BBs to dribble out of its barrel, because the inter web is replete with tales of VFCs being un-game-able. Of their internals being weak and useless. But after the first game, and that constant satisfying thud the instant I pulled the trigger, the mechanical clunk as the VFC fired, I realised that I had made the right decision. Ok, if I spammed the trigger and she suddenly went empty, she wouldn’t always lock back. But in general when I fired a normal semi auto rate she locked back. And good god is she fun to shoot. Fun to manipulate. Fun to take down. Fun to clean. Yeah, my Krytac probably has a better range, and is likely more consistently accurate. But I can’t remember when I last enjoyed a game as much as Saturdays. And for me that’s why I decided to get a GBBR.
 
Holding back floods of players with single shots. Going empty and doing a breach check to see the BCG locked back. Changing mags in a panic and hitting the bolt catch. Feeling the clunk of it all going home and being up and back in the game. This is why I love Airsoft. 
 
So, is the VFC useable in the winter. Yes, but with some caveats. Don’t expect to go full auto much, if at all. It works for a bit but isn’t consistent and sounds on the cusp of dying. The mags get cold, quick and I doubt you’d get more than one mag out of a gas fill, so I topped my mags up with gas every time I reloaded BBS. I was using Abbey Brut Sniper gas. Seemed to work ok. 
 
So all in I’m happy with the VFC. She did me proud.
 
 
CBH
 
 

The VFC HK416a5 RAL8000 is a looker. She is a sturdy, beautiful rifle, with a magnificent build quality and an up to date set of controls. Her fit and function impressed me and most people who see her. But let’s be honest. Airsoft rifles are about gaming. About running about on the field and being used. So it was with a little trepidation mixed with excitement that I took the VFC out for its first game on Saturday. And although it was a normal Skirmish, I went full GBBR, and only took that and my GHK M18 with me and leaving the AEGs at home. Brave call?
 
Well, after chrono I was down to the VFC on its own. As expected the GHK was too hot. 
 
I ran the VFC with 7 mags, all of which lived on my belt and plate carrier and so were exposed to the elements. This is my normal AEG load out but with mid caps rather than 30 round real caps.
 
I sorted the hop to lift the .28s a nice reasonable distance and set in for the game, but ended up tinkering with it in game to get the best range. This was really easy to do as the hop adjustment is at the front end by the gas block. No need to strip the gun down and a massive plus. And then it was on to the game.
 
A wise man once said, gaming with a GBBR is all about game style. Well my game style didn’t differ a great deal to be honest. I enjoy more tactical games. Creeping about, looking for weak spots and generally run my guns on semi auto anyway, so there wasn’t too much difference.
 
I did spend the first few games expecting the gun to implode, or BBs to dribble out of its barrel, because the inter web is replete with tales of VFCs being un-game-able. Of their internals being weak and useless. But after the first game, and that constant satisfying thud the instant I pulled the trigger, the mechanical clunk as the VFC fired, I realised that I had made the right decision. Ok, if I spammed the trigger and she suddenly went empty, she wouldn’t always lock back. But in general when I fired a normal semi auto rate she locked back. And good god is she fun to shoot. Fun to manipulate. Fun to take down. Fun to clean. Yeah, my Krytac probably has a better range, and is likely more consistently accurate. But I can’t remember when I last enjoyed a game as much as Saturdays. And for me that’s why I decided to get a GBBR.
 
Holding back floods of players with single shots. Going empty and doing a breach check to see the BCG locked back. Changing mags in a panic and hitting the bolt catch. Feeling the clunk of it all going home and being up and back in the game. This is why I love Airsoft. 
 
So, is the VFC useable in the winter. Yes, but with some caveats. Don’t expect to go full auto much, if at all. It works for a bit but isn’t consistent and sounds on the cusp of dying. The mags get cold, quick and I doubt you’d get more than one mag out of a gas fill, so I topped my mags up with gas every time I reloaded BBS. I was using Abbey Brut Sniper gas. Seemed to work ok. 
 
So all in I’m happy with the VFC. She did me proud.
 
 
CBH
 
 

The VFC HK416a5 RAL8000 is a looker. She is a sturdy, beautiful rifle, with a magnificent build quality and an up to date set of controls. Her fit and function impressed me and most people who see her. But let’s be honest. Airsoft rifles are about gaming. About running about on the field and being used. So it was with a little trepidation mixed with excitement that I took the VFC out for its first game on Saturday. And although it was a normal Skirmish, I went full GBBR, and only took that and my GHK M18 with me and leaving the AEGs at home. Brave call?
 
Well, after chrono I was down to the VFC on its own. As expected the GHK was too hot. 
 
I ran the VFC with 7 mags, all of which lived on my belt and plate carrier and so were exposed to the elements. This is my normal AEG load out but with mid caps rather than 30 round real caps.
 
I sorted the hop to lift the .28s a nice reasonable distance and set in for the game, but ended up tinkering with it in game to get the best range. This was really easy to do as the hop adjustment is at the front end by the gas block. No need to strip the gun down and a massive plus. And then it was on to the game.
 
A wise man once said, gaming with a GBBR is all about game style. Well my game style didn’t differ a great deal to be honest. I enjoy more tactical games. Creeping about, looking for weak spots and generally run my guns on semi auto anyway, so there wasn’t too much difference.
 
I did spend the first few games expecting the gun to implode, or BBs to dribble out of its barrel, because the inter web is replete with tales of VFCs being un-game-able. Of their internals being weak and useless. But after the first game, and that constant satisfying thud the instant I pulled the trigger, the mechanical clunk as the VFC fired, I realised that I had made the right decision. Ok, if I spammed the trigger and she suddenly went empty, she wouldn’t always lock back. But in general when I fired a normal semi auto rate she locked back. And good god is she fun to shoot. Fun to manipulate. Fun to take down. Fun to clean. Yeah, my Krytac probably has a better range, and is likely more consistently accurate. But I can’t remember when I last enjoyed a game as much as Saturdays. And for me that’s why I decided to get a GBBR.
 
Holding back floods of players with single shots. Going empty and doing a breach check to see the BCG locked back. Changing mags in a panic and hitting the bolt catch. Feeling the clunk of it all going home and being up and back in the game. This is why I love Airsoft. 
 
So, is the VFC useable in the winter. Yes, but with some caveats. Don’t expect to go full auto much, if at all. It works for a bit but isn’t consistent and sounds on the cusp of dying. The mags get cold, quick and I doubt you’d get more than one mag out of a gas fill, so I topped my mags up with gas every time I reloaded BBS. I was using Abbey Brut Sniper gas. Seemed to work ok. 
 
So all in I’m happy with the VFC. She did me proud.
 
 
CBH
 
 

Been awhile since I brought anything Airsoft related but splurged out on two new GBBR platforms.
 
I know they are both SBRs but after years of lugging round my Krytac LVOA C, I fancied something smaller. 
 
GHK MK18,
(The T1, Peq and torch come from my LVOA.)
 

 

 

And, a Umarex VFC HK416a5.
 
In RAL 8000. And a Specter To go with it. And Peq and Inforce light set up.
 

 

 
 

Been awhile since I brought anything Airsoft related but splurged out on two new GBBR platforms.
 
I know they are both SBRs but after years of lugging round my Krytac LVOA C, I fancied something smaller. 
 
GHK MK18,
(The T1, Peq and torch come from my LVOA.)
 

 

 

And, a Umarex VFC HK416a5.
 
In RAL 8000. And a Specter To go with it. And Peq and Inforce light set up.
 

 

 
 

Been awhile since I brought anything Airsoft related but splurged out on two new GBBR platforms.
 
I know they are both SBRs but after years of lugging round my Krytac LVOA C, I fancied something smaller. 
 
GHK MK18,
(The T1, Peq and torch come from my LVOA.)
 

 

 

And, a Umarex VFC HK416a5.
 
In RAL 8000. And a Specter To go with it. And Peq and Inforce light set up.
 

 

 
 

Been awhile since I brought anything Airsoft related but splurged out on two new GBBR platforms.
 
I know they are both SBRs but after years of lugging round my Krytac LVOA C, I fancied something smaller. 
 
GHK MK18,
(The T1, Peq and torch come from my LVOA.)
 

 

 

And, a Umarex VFC HK416a5.
 
In RAL 8000. And a Specter To go with it. And Peq and Inforce light set up.
 

 

 
 

VCRA defence, UKARA is a retailers' association with a database.  It's been over a decade since this law was past, anyone who still doesn't doesn't get it needs to go and do some reading.  Don't ask other people who don't know what they're talking about, go find some proper articles and look up the actual act on the government website; it's right there, easy to find and not that complicated to understand the basics.
 
If you don't have a defence from prosecution under the VCRA laws, don't manufacture, import or attempt to purchase a RIF.  Being on UKARA's database is not the only defence.
 
I'm not going to start talking about the false economy of 8fields, nuprol and viper vs surplus issue kit or hunting down quality stuff for the same price 2nd hand, because that's a lesson most people have to learn for themselves.

Went a bit mad during a Black Friday sale and got some stuff I have been looking at for a while.
 
5.11 Tactical Flash Bang Pouch - Tac OD
5.11 Tactical Bungee Radio Pouch - Sandstone
5.11 Tactical Flash Bang Pouch - Sandstone
5.11 Tactical TacTec Plate Carrier Vest - Sandstone
5.11 Tactical Double Pistol Bungee-Cover Pouch - Sandstone
5.11 Tactical Single AR Mag Bungee-Cover Mag Pouch - Sandstone
5.11 Tactical Double AR Mag Bungee-Cover Mag Pouch - Sandstone
5.11 Tactical TDU Pant Ripstop Pant - Crye MultiCam    Large
5.11 Tactical Rush 72 Backpack - Sandstone
5.11 Tactical Rapid Assault Long Sleeve Shirt - TDU Green
5.11 Tactical Flag Bearer Multicam Cap - Multicam
 
Got it as an alternative to my multicam Warrior CPC set up. Easy to carry a load. Loving the Sandstone colour. Greener than Coyote Brown and fits in with so many other colour schemes. Started using 5.11 stuff at work awhile back and although initially sceptical about all the hype I have been impressed. And if it's good enough for me in the real world I know it'll last forever in Airsoft.
 
I'll do a review after some use.
 
 
CBH

Not a proper loadout as the clothing and accessories are missing, but i'd like to share my "new" (3 weeks old) tournament rig.
 
How do most tournaments work here in pasta country? every team has to complete several objectives spread across a wide area (we're talking about 2 to 4 kilometres of mainly rough terrain between each objective), objectives must be completed within 15 minutes from the first engagement, they may vary from just eliminating the defending squad to free a hostage to blow up a missile silo, you know, all that fun stuff. Usually they last about 8 hours straight with no pause unless some real world emergency happens.
So, I need to travel as light as possible.
Let's take into account a few things:
 
-We play with high caps and we can refill ammo whenever we want since we have to carry enough bbs for the whole day, so no need to carry 20 magazines, one in the gun plus 2 spares is enough.
-due to large distances and rough terrain, long range comms are the key to a well played tournament and personal/team safety, so i always have my Midland G7 with spare batteries, and a kenwood VHF/UHF radio in my backpack, it's light and it can reach to emergency frequencies.
-We're on our own, so a basic toolkit (multitool + few bits and bobs) and a spare battery or two.
 
I picked the Tactical Tailor Mini MAV in Multicam, added a double open top condor in MC, a invader gear radio pouch in MC and a classic army evasion pouch (it's just a small utility) in tan.
 
I couple this with a 20 litres backpack that carries my water, food, waterproofs, bbs and "mission specific equipment" like pyros and props.
 
Soon i'll post a picture of the whole loadout.

Also my first bash at Polish Camo.
 

I decided to finally get a TM MK23 Socom. Been considering one for awhile and Patrol Base suddenly got some stock. Ordered Sunday night, arrived this morning. And I'm impressed. Prefers .2s over my .25s though.
 
Extra mag (got an ASG one) as no one had any TM ones and apparently they can be a bit leaky.
 
Head set for my coms.
 
Some Geoff's .25 BBs to see if they are any good.

CBH i also run the CPC in tan and black ....got the chest rig as the combo but dont use it that way, it was jsut a bargain to not during May!
 
ok, so due to a power cut at work, i went home at lunch and popped to Firesupport instead of Saturday withe the kids....
 
so
ICS G33 F - just because but its may be my spare as well as loan to others to get them to games!...fed up of people bailing....brother mainly!
FMA LA5 C upgrade
Element torch for G33
Kong discharger / balancer
bag to out G33 in
 
i really need to stop now!!

Got some bits in sales, all ordered late Sunday, both arived Wednesday.
 
From UK Tactical
a triple velcro 5.56mm mag pouch for my Warrior CPC so I can run it without the Pathfinder Chest Rig for quick games.
Warrior PLB to replace my first molle belt from Kombat. Buy cheap buy twice!
A single Warrior M4 elastic mag. I have two of these on the Pathfinder and they are really good. This one is for my PLB as I run one M4 mag on my belt for quick changes.
 
As ever, the Warrior kit is well made and fairly priced.
 
From Military 1st
Pentagon BDU 2.0 Pants to replace my tattered Jack Pyke Beaters trousers.
Condor BDU belt
Helikon Delta jacket. Really impressed with this. Great bargain for the price. So much so I may get another.
 
All good kit, again well priced.
 
I'll review the kit after my next game.
 
CBH

VisionKing short dot scope (£68.99) and mount (£15.99) Both off ebay from different UK sellers. And both arrived in 2 days.
 
And both are very very good!
 

I have a mahoosive head too (up to 62cm!!!) and have problems with helmets both for work and airsoft. I
brought an FMA fast helmet which fits perfectly. I took out some of the padding and introduced some of the additional stuff they sent. Plus the helmet is good quality.
 
Im off today so will throw up a review separately later.
 
Cheers
 
CBH

I have a mahoosive head too (up to 62cm!!!) and have problems with helmets both for work and airsoft. I
brought an FMA fast helmet which fits perfectly. I took out some of the padding and introduced some of the additional stuff they sent. Plus the helmet is good quality.
 
Im off today so will throw up a review separately later.
 
Cheers
 
CBH

First Krytac. Been waiting a good year or two for one of these.

I have some old ESS shooting glasses but also some BetaFit safety glasses.
 
Both are issued as range safety glasses at work, the ESS the old style and the BetaFit the new issue. Oddly enough I find the BetaFit more comfortable and less prone to fogging. No doubt they are the cheaper option too if they replaced the ESS. :-)
 
I too will now be wearing them in the safe zone, as will my daughter. It only has to go wrong once.
 
 
CBH

Well, up until last month I couldn't understand why anyone would want a helmet.
 
I wore either a baseball cap or small brimmed hat.
 
And then, last game, I was charging through the undergrowth, dodging BBs and generally having fun when Wham! I found myself on my arse having run full tilt into a low hanging branch that was obscured by my hat brim.
 
Nasty cuts and abrasions and mild concussion. Not much fun.
 
so now its a FMA Maritime FAST helmet for me. It fits in with my load out and is nice and comfy and should stop me making a tit of myself by running into trees!

I've sat on this for a few weeks now but decided to post and get some views on it.
 
I'm lucky that through work I have had plenty of training around first aid. This includes basic life saving, first aid at work and also Trauma intervention (D13 to those who are in the same line of work as me.)
 
I also regularly risk asses operational deployments and training.
 
So what prompted this post?
 
A few weeks ago, whilst at a gaming site, a pyro was thrown at a prone gamer and exploded on their back. The circumstances were freak and non intentional but that isn't the point of the post. The player was wearing a plate carrier and the pyro caught between that and his UBACS as he rolled away. The UBACS was obviously good quality and took a lot of the blast but the player seemed in pain stripping off his clothes.
 
I began to empty my canteen on the burn, which luckily was only minor. The Marshals were there and helping but when I asked for more water there was none. I asked about the medic kit and was told it was in the safe zone. This was a good 10 minutes away at a jog.
 
Luckily the player was not badly injured and shrugged off any further attention and all was well.
 
But is it.
 
The site had 2 trained first aiders (typically the player who was injured was one!) and is well organised and run. I'm happy to take my 13 year old daughter there regularly. But I have to wonder. What type of medic kit is available? Is it readily available. Do they have a casualty evacuation plan?
 
By virtue of game type, most of these sites are remote and difficult to find making any arrival of the emergency services drawn out and eating into the Golden Hour.
 
Now some of you may say man up and grow a pair but in 6 months I have seen two serious wounds caused by barbed wire and the burns. Thats ignoring the bumps, slips and bruises.
 
My thoughts are to have a chat with the organisers and offer to help. Maybe write up some plans or check those that have been done. Maybe offer to be one of the playing First Aiders on the day. Even Suggest the kit goes to the scenario as well as the evacuation vehicle. I'm not looking for anything and would still pay to game.
 
The problem is when ever i'm on site I seem to be surrounded by people who were snipers/armourers/body guards/on the balcony of the iranian embassy etc etc so anticipate they may have heard it all before and be sceptical about individuals with alleged skills.
 
So what do the sites you visit do?
 
What do you as airsofters think?
 
I could do nothing as I carry a kit on me and could probably deal with the immediate problems as they went and got the kit, but stepping up out of the blue amongst strangers can cause some excitement especially if the strangers think they know best.
 
I'll probably pop down to see them this weekend for a chat and see how it goes. They are good people.
 
Thanks for listening.
 
CBH

Please like this post if you agree with at least 51% of what you read in the post above.
 
I will not be responding to feedback*, however hard that is. This is someone else's problem now.
 
*Comments sure, but not feedback.

Id say mix and match.
 
Like CKinnery said the short mags are ideal if you are prone for some DMR action.
 
However, when it all comes on top its nice to slap in a Stanag and join the party!