Rory

This is a great read, with good responses so far. it reminds me of a similar thread in an MTB forum I was on, and there was an American website, that for $15 dollars ‘Admin fee’, would send you an invoice/bill for whatever you agreed with them. That way significant others wouldn’t find out how much you spent…..

WAFU…from my Royal Navy days Wet And F@cking Useless… and MUPPET Most Useless Person Pusser Ever Trained

Yep, as this is the only forum I catch up on I was very grateful to see it back online this morning

For what it’s worth, over the years, I’ve yet to hear an EBB that doesn’t sound like a sewing machine on crack. And +1 for more things to go wrong,

To be fair, this stuff is everywhere. Remember the White House Department for Agriculture listed Wakanda as a trade partner nation..which was only put on the list as a test to see if the staff were checking stuff..

Although I agree that we need to have regulations and systems in place to protect the vulnerable from themselves (and stop the bampots holding up post offices [if there’s any left]) , I get frustrated when my 7 year old can buy this M16/203 style water gun for a tenner in a chain discount store. If I wanted , 5 mins with a screwdriver removes the tank part and frame and some spray paint and I’d have created a RIF. I was pretty shocked at the detail, although it’s clearly plastic UP CLOSE. Pictured next to my 9” railed m4 for comparison ( PS: it does scoot water really far and fairly accurately by pumping the 203 handgrip)

Got a bit fed up waiting for the resin delivery and used some cam tape. Will remove and finish all black eventually. Hopefully the longer curved pistol grip allows smoother cocking and takes the jerking motion off my wrist, need that for… “other things”….

Functionality, also a degree of boredom. I previously had the Franchi SAS and didn’t like the fit of the pistol grip and stock. I replaced that with an m870 which was comfier for me. The principle for this bodge is that I’ll have the longer curved handle (similar to older shotguns) and the stock length tucks into the crook of my elbow for swift cocking. Which so far when I’ve been manhandling it, is comfortable. Still a bit to do, I’ll let you know if it’s a tremendous success or a complete disaster

Found an old ASG tri shot in a bag under some stuff in the garage. Was never a fan of the pistol grip, so took it off and decided to make a stock that suits my “larger than usual “ chip shovels (hands, for those struggling). MDF core, then built around it with foam pipe cladding and paper maiche to make the skeleton. Got some wooden packers on the pistol grip, and waiting on some tape and resin to finish it off. Will post a finished pic soon

I marshalled at SPC in Shotts and then managed/ran the Wargames Centre in Ayrshire for 4 years for the owner. It’s not easy, you try to be fair, make sure the game brief is understood, make sure everyone is safe and deal with real issues, and as long as the marshal team pay attention (not staring at phones), everything else is really up to the players. You’ll never please all of the people all of the time. Some folk thing they are Jonny Concrete with laser shots, others can start the quiet rumours that someone isn’t taking hits, then it spreads like the flu and you need to get right into the skirmish, which hurts, to ensure everyone is playing fair. It did sour my view of some players, but also there are many moments where your faith in humanity is restored..to a degree ?, when you get a genuine ouchy or safety issue or just congratulations for great shooting or gamesmanship. There’s generally many more good guys than dickheads, and you just need to keep a level head.

Not sure if there are other viable ways that wouldn’t encounter a lot of scrutiny. You could drive back into the UK with them possibly once you’ve attended a few UK games and have a playing history. Via ferry. I have some friends who once drove across to Italy from Glasgow for a Paintball comp and they had trouble explaining the gas cylinders and regulator stuff in the van when they were stopped. Everyone else just arranged for gas to be supplied at the site….

Hello, regarding the challenges to your friends shipping RIFs from abroad. I’ve played in Spain, Portugal and attended the Operation Rising Sun games in Croatia, and had no issue with the RIFs being in cases and checked in as hold luggage. The key is communication, to check with the airline, and the host countries rules, and discuss it with them several weeks before you travel. I’ve had to print off an email or two from European countries with translations of what I’m travelling with, which does make it easier. At the worst, most airlines will charge it as ‘Sporting Firearms’, which will cost the same as checking in a set of golf clubs. I had one incident at Stanstead back in about 2010ish when the police just wanted to check them, but there was no problem.

Mid-Caps and Low-Caps I empty completely, I have a few hi caps which I let spit out back into the bottle if unused, but those springs are 10feet long and made of unicorn hair so I think once they start dropping or misfeeding they're gubbed, so maybe worth continuing to empty if you use. Gas mags, I keep a bit inside and regularly (once/twice a month) check the release valve on the back is under pressure. I’m always happy to be corrected, but most legit airsoft gas has some silicon based lube in it. (Hehehe, I said lube….)

Probably play 6 times a year max, since I stopped marshalling and being involved with sites. Two young kids and life can often get in the way of pew pew fun. I was lucky to play in Spain and Portugal through work colleagues when I was working away, but now I’m home based it depends on the gaffer….