Ebeneezer Goode

From what I've heard, the problems with TMs happen when folk start fucking about wi... er sorry "Upgrading" them.

LOL! I've no further fish here so I'll let myself trout.

Welcome to the never-ending temptations of acquiring airsoft gear... Hope you're first game goes well, I'm sure you'll love it! Best advice I could give before spending any more moolah is - get out and play, play, play, that way you'll get a feel for what you'd need/like without wasting cash on stuff that sounds or looks great but is of not much use. Looks like you've got much of what you'll need to start out. I'd recommend 2 or 3 mags for reloads and maybe a spare battery. Don't worry too much about sidearm at this stage. Most importantly of all, enjoy! Eezer G

Our Bengals love my airsoft gear. Oreo here (named after the ice cream that she resembles) seems to really like my UAR.

Wouldn't worry at fps with hop added, one of the effects is a reduction in velocity and I'd say that 270 with hop applied is decent. Gearbox might just need some lubrication? Springs need time to settle when new, wouldn't worry too much.

Ah the XR5, one of my dream gnus. The one above, OD with the moulded handguard and triangular stock, is the one I'd love to get... ...but airsoft gnus are rare as rocking horse shit right now. Still, give it time... For now the UAR is filling the role of Eezer's 25th Century space marine assault rifle rather well.

Ohhhhh don't tempt me. More concerned with practicality and camouflage at present however I *may* consider something in the future. My plan is to paint it all OD and add a couple of stencils, blood type, call sign, some sort of logo etc. I have bits and bobs at work I could concoct something out of so we'll see...

Some more handy everyday stuff... Hoodies, for warmth and head protection. Parka jacket, as above, plus mag storage. Nice cold Wx/minimalist loadout. Joggers or hillwalking trousers, handy for basic loadouts. Anything Goretex, for those days where it just pishes it doon. Summer motorcycle gloves, plenty protection and yet dexterous enough for games. Balaclava, for warmth and a modicum of minimal protection against headshots. Bum bags, for the ultimate minimalist loadout. First Aid kit... say no more! Anything OD/Jack Pyke/Fishing/Outdoor gear etc for effective camo. Shirts, hoodie, trousers, jackets etc. Waterproof walking boots - a must at woodland venues. Vicks/Olbas for the winter months.

Yeah, can't deny it really. I did see (and handle) in the site shop at last weeks skirmish a Specna M16 with underslung M203 just like Action Man's. Schwinggggg... Very nearly gave me a tent pole. Thanks for the feedback. I'm planning on painting it all OD to fit the rest of my loadout however seeing it in black I'm not so sure now. Quite like it that way. Back to work tomorrow so not sure how much more progress there will be however I'll try to fit bits in when I can.

Nah, it would ruin my camouflage...

Well I could always paint it pink to make hard-core simmers truly apoplectic. Thankfully everybody at my site is pretty laid back and we don't have gear snobs.

I did. 🤣 Mrs. Eezer is a bit baffled by all this airsoft stuff, she thinks it's just me being a big bairn pretending to be Action Man running about with pretend guns etc *not to mention yet another expensive hobby*, however she's pretty impressed by the outfit so far.

Blue Dragon, BBC Micro, Acorn, ahhh the golden age of home computing.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. Much food for thought and options to consider.

If you're set on a JPC then perhaps get a basic one as a base to work from, then you can add stuff to it on the MOLLE loops. I've just gone straight to making the armour piece from a camping mat and secured it round my waist with an old battle belt.

Yes, I've watched kamuicosplay videos whilst doing my research, it helped demystify the whole thing for me. It's not difficult, just requires a bit of thought and some experimentation. The materials cost next to nothing and are easily available.

I could see that holster flapping about like buggery with an MPx in it... Rogerborgs solution looks best IMO. Quick draw works great until you find out the damn thing's fell out in the mud somewhere... Good luck finding one in stock. Or any airsoft gun right now. Everyone's went mental and cleared the shelves of guns everywhere and supply problems continue indefinitely.

Those wee basic compact toolkits you get out of B&M, Home Bargains etc that contain handy wee screwdrivers, Allen keys and a basic bit and driver set. Or a multitool. Great for working on airsoft guns. Camping/outdoor water bottles/food containers/Billy tins/sporks etc, handy for sustainance on game days. Shemaghs, useful for multiple purposes; face and neck protection/warmth/impromptu cape, makeshift picnic blanket, small blanket for for a kip, makeshift work mat for stripping a gun, ad hoc towel/wipe, etc. Big camping backpacks, useful for transporting compact RIFs and your gear on a motorcycle. Sweeties of all sorts of kinds for a quick energy boost. Foam camping mats, for saddos like me who like to make fake sci fi armour... Boiler suits or flight suits, as above. Velcro - nuff said. Thermal t-shirts/leggings for cold days. Sure there's more tat I can't think of right now.

Fair do's. I just know how expensive all this sci fi gear is. If one wants to unleash one's inner Stormtrooper, Master Chief, Doomguy or Corporal Hicks on the airsoft field there are ways to do it that don't have to be so costly.

Also, forgot to say if you're using STANAG mags it's it's good idea to go with that platform again as it saves you having to faff around with different mags.

If it's futuristic you're after, you'd be better making your own setup out of EVA foam. I'm doing one right now (see "Eezer Goode's Sci Fi Armour Build Thread") and there's plenty tutorials online on what to do. @Rogerborg has also made some smart Warhammer 40k armour if you have a look at the Loadouts thread. So far I've only spent 25 quid on materials and have had lots of fun making it the way I want, rather than spending £170 on what is essentially some plastic that hardly provides any coverage. There's better things you can spaff the thick end of 200 quid on...

Bit of a sweeping statement that. No more or less unreliable than any other AEG IMO... all subjective and one man's meat is another man's poison and all that. I prefer my bullpup to my M4 but that's just me. I have considered an AEP as it gets pretty cold up here and not sure if I can be arsed pratting about with gas etc, however they have pretty sluggish performance. I'd be better sticking with a springer or just flinging BBs at opponents... Anyway, everything's out of stock everywhere so we can forget buying anything for a while yet.

Welcome to airsoft and the perpetual desire for more pieces... Sounds like you're after a bullpup then. I'd recommend trying one first as not everyone gets on with the ergonomics of a bullpup, the arse about tit layout really throws folk and can make reloads awkward, plus the different weight balance. They can also be heavy for their small size. YMMV. I have an APS UAR, a gun that is slagged off a lot however I rather like it. Its light, shoots very well and is a lot cheaper than other bullpup options. Not everyone's cup of tea but it's certainly mine. If I was you, you've got three very decent guns there, I keep them and save your money for other stuff like mags, clothing tactical stuff etc. Personally, I'm after a Desert Eagle as its my favourite pistol and I've half convinced myself that I could do with a GBB sidearm rather than the 20 quid springer 1911 I currently have.

So, heres what we have at present. Sone additions to be made to the chest piece and need to sort the shoulder pieces, however it's getting there.

Thanks @Rogerborg. Think I'll secure it with something additional as you recommend. The belt was a unique idea as it kills two birds with one stone; saves any webbing,straps, etc and allows a medium to carry pouches if required. Wife's out shopping just now, hopefully getting velcro bits from craft shop, so should get the arm and leg bits done today too. Also considering some sort of heroic chest and back additions to make it look more beefcake. Found a better solution for shoulder pieces in the form of a pair of old kneepads with knackered straps. Think I'll velcro them to my sleeves and hey presto, low effort shoulder protection.