Rogerborg

Yarp. We (if 18+) don't need a defence to purchase a RIF. The seller needs one to flog it to us. Amusingly, the same retailer that's pretending that this is a defence for them (it's not) used to have a stern warning about snitching on buyers for attempting to purchase without a defence. They appear to have knocked that silliness off, at least. Where it might conceivably help is if you're tugged by the fuzz for Firearms Act 1968 S19, public possession of a shooty-shaped-object. While the "reasonable excuse" would still have to be based on the instant conduct, it probably couldn't hurt to be able to flash a policy and say "liability insurance" as a way to bamboozle a copper or CPS apparatchik who thinks that might matter. By the way, I do accept that JustCos was set up with the sincere intention to create a cosplayer advocacy group, but that's clearly long since been abandoned.

Ruffians and rapscallions, the lot of you. Be more dapper.

Let's be serious. Just Cos is a side gig of one Scotch airsoft retailer that's now nothing more than a fraudulent way for them to (not) claim a defence for selling RIFs to anyone who wants one for any reason. While it may have been set up in good faith in 2017 or so, it's a pointless service for cosplayers as there are no realistic 3rd party risks that it could indemnify. Its only purpose now is to add £20 to the cost of buying a RIF. I'd prefer that retailer didn't do this, but the risk is on them, and it's as close to zero as makes no difference.

"What Parliament meant to legislate was..."

Which actual make and model of pistol? Replies needs to be read in full.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/section/38 “real firearm” [in the context of a realistic imitation firearm] means — (a) a firearm of an actual make or model of modern firearm (whether existing or discontinued); or (b) something falling within a description which could be used for identifying, by reference to their appearance, the firearms falling within a category of actual modern firearms which, even though they include firearms of different makes or models (whether existing or discontinued) or both, all have the same or a similar appearance. So I'd argue that (e.g.) a Pulse Rifle or an XR-5 is not strictly speaking a RIF, although all retailers treat them as such, even the BBgnuz4u ones. The APS UAR is an interesting case, as it's not a replica of a specific bullpup, but it's got so many features from the L85, AUG and Tavor that I think it would fall into (b). Contrast with the much broader Firearms Act 1968 definition: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/57 “imitation firearm” means any thing which has the appearance of being a firearm (other than such a weapon as is mentioned in section 5(1)(b) of this Act) whether or not it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile; Which is why how we get our toys should be far less of a concern than what we actually do with them. For example, that chap here who was determined to open-carry a Pulse Rifle on a bus because it wasn't technically a RIF... but would very much be an IF for FA purposes.

Or: it probably wouldn't, should it ever actually come to court, but: 1) It won't 2) It's the retailer's problem if it did. 2.1) Which it won't.

UKARA records site membership, there's no reason to just have a single one. I've had three on the go at once.

Cool story, but I don't see an offence there. It's a long stretch to show intent beyond a reasonable doubt, and it's not like rapscallions can't figure out that they can apply some best Poundland spray paint to their day-glos, for fair purposes or foul. I very much doubt there's any policing of RIFs now, at least within the UK's borders. There are retailers openly flaunting the VCRA with joke non-defences like JustCos, or techs posting videos documenting that they're building Section 5 firearms. Nobody is bothered... until some cause célèbre will inevitably result in the State getting very bothered.

... acorns...

The fifth time you desperately try to persuade us how much you don't care is when we'll believe you.

Good for them for actually delivering, I hope they turn turn it into a successful product like ExFog.

Surely all these problems can be avoided by employing a trusty bearer/loader to handle such mundane duties, while you focus on the important business of engaging with a typical airsoft opponent?

I figured it was hand forged by blind Tibetan monks.

Don't quibble or he'll demand to be paid in Golden coins.

Wow, that's a cracker. Here's how I read it: 1 pistol, 1 shotgun, 1 AEG, 1 SMG set up as a DMR (wut)? Plus stuff. "Currently set up as a D.M.R 420 -450 fps with .2s this can be changed using the titan gate advanced mosfet, plug into the laptop." WUT? Feel free to view at his house...

To be clear, Vorsk is a Nuprol sub-brand, like Raven. That means it's the cheapest 3rd party vendor trash, plus sparkle and marketing. That's not to say that they're bad value. £80 for the EU18 Match pistols actually make sense, especially when you factor in the optic, magwell and 14mm CCW adapter. But "good" is a stretch. Once you're into 3 figures, I'd suggest looking at Tokyo Marui instead.

Yarp, it's play-style dependent. I've tried bipods on a boltie and a DMR, but I don't have the patience to make use of them. If I'm not shooting, I'd rather move. In terms of weight, I'd rather carry more ammo.

OK, the constructive answer is: forget about buying anything. Find a local site, rent a gun - which will be a generic electric carbine like an M4 or G36 - and actually play. While you're there, ask about what guns, eye and face protection other people are using, and see if you can cadge a go with some other long guns and a gas pistol. If you enjoy yourself, stick with it and do it a few more times. Renting a few times will be cheaper than losing the money on some two-tone that you buy on an adrenaline high that quickly wears off - the classifieds here are full of regret purchases like that. If you're still enjoying the hobby after at least 3 games and 8 weeks at the same site, then you'll be in a position to buy non-two tones, and will have a far better idea of what questions to ask to get something that's likely to suit what you now know to be your preferred play style. Opening your own site is something to think about years down the line.

If you dropped into a hairdressing forum and said "I want to open a hairdressing shop, what's the best haircut? PS, I have never cut hair before." what response would you expect? Now, if you'd said "What's the best way to get into airsoft?" you'd have been love-bombed with advice about which sites to play at and which to avoid, what to expect, and people offering to meet up and show you the ropes or let you try out various types of gun. Airsoft is actually a very friendly hobby full of mostly decent people who are keen to help other players out. Give it a try first, find out what it's really like at its best and its worst, and then you'll be in a position to ask cogent questions if you still want to try running a site.

We can have fun with the answers (and with arguing over them), but this isn't a serious question. Setting up an airsoft site is a huge undertaking. Even people who've done it successfully before sometimes just give up while starting new sites. As noted, you'll need a large area of unambiguously private land, explicit permission from the landowner, and if you have any sense at all, liability insurance to cover you when someone shoots Little Johnny's eye out (example from real life) and you get blamed for it. That insurance will come with a set of assumptions and conditions about how you run the site. If you're even remotely serious about this, you'll want to play at several sites first, and take careful note of how they do things: boundaries, safe zones and safety checks, chrono, briefings, and marshalling. Rental guns are way, way down the list of priorities. If you're not prepared to interject yourself into a petty altercation between multiple grumpy men hopped up on Red Bull and adrenaline, then it's best to just enjoy playing airsoft at someone else's site.

Not to be a primer-pooper, but eBay already provides a rotary holder that looks, I have to say, better designed. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115887213067

Reminder: OP is after short mags.

This... uh... this isn't a ringing endorsement.

Those 60s look like a decent size, but if you're after price and practicality, then an M4 / STANAG magwell will give you far more choice. I run short M4 mags in my G36 without any feeding issues (after a little bit of filing and sanding of the magwell)