Dan Robinson

Had a very long but enjoyable day at Special Ops' new CQB site.
 
Day started off a bit pooh though with me arriving without my battery bag.  So had to rag it home in the car to get back in time for the briefing.
 
I lost track of the number of  games we played, but numbers started off with around 20 players.  This dropped off significantly at lunch time; then again at 4pm there was only 9, then at 5 ish there were only 4 of us.
 
Game of the day fro me was the VIP games where teams took it in turns to get the drunk VIP from the pub to the car at the opposite end of the building.  Lots of close calls and last minute reprieves for both sides to be had.  Then we had various rolling retreats, TDMs and "Get to the Choppa" games.
 
Once the numbers were down to single figures we had the pyramid game where each player on a team was given a number; which resulted in said numbers being the rotation of the players in the game.  At the start player 1s would be 1v1, then when that player died, they'd get player two for their side and so on.  5th kill was the end.  This was a great game as the sides were very evenly balanced with a speedy boi softer on each side, a youngling/first timer, an experienced slower player and someone in the middle.  The twist was that the game was played 4 times and they rotated the numbers around so every player got a chance to be 1v1.
 
When it was just the 4 of us left; I was the more experienced, and physically much bigger player.  There was a 14 year kid who was tiny, but turned out to be a deadly shot with his Glock which he was using for most of the day.  There was an American teenager on his first time and an older teenager who is a regular at the outdoor site.  This American dude got a tooth shot out in the morning in a freak incident with his full face mask, but he got back in the game and seemed to enjoy himself.
 
We had a blast of "winner stays on", 2v2, and a fun game where I was a guard patrolling the centre of the game area on a fixed path whilst the remaining younglings had to sneaky sneaky around to get to the bank to retrieve the gold.  Little buggers were lucky that when they made a dash for it, one of the marshalls was in the way LOL.
 
Get to the Choppa was an unmitigated disaster for our team as the opposition had Thomas - the notorious Special Ops runner - and twice in a row they won the game in less than a minute with barely a shot fired.  In my defence, I nearly got them on their approach, but my pistol mag had decided (unbeknownst to me) vent itself and pulling the trigger resulted in sweet feck all.
 
Due to my size I tended to stick out past walls and couldn't always duck low enough for cover.  As a result, I was domed more times than I can remember.  I also managed to get a BB up my nose.  Which I didn't notice until talking to a player at respawn and it rolled out mid sentence, much to his humour and my surprise.  Comedy moment of the day also fell to me as I snuck up behind someone in the Bank and stood there with my pistol pointed at him for a good 20 seconds deciding where to shoot him - which in the end was the back of his helmet.  The overseeing marshall and I exchanged a knowing glance. 😎
 
 
Its a great venue.  I think 30 players is the practical limit before overcrowding and bottlenecking becomes an issue.  Ironically as the numbers dwindled the day got more fun.  Not because of the players, but Carlos and the marshals adapted the games to match the players.
 
I have never run pistols as much as I had today.  The Specna is still having troubles, so I needed up with my Double Eagle as rifle of choice, one of my WE glocks isn't cycling properly; but fortunately I had a spare (of course) and the Boy's TM Glock also served me very well.  I managed to get all my mags leak free so was well stocked with 6.  Also the Double Eagle was throwing out .2s bang on 349FPS, and won me a few lovely kills, one of which was the 14 year old whose eye level was the same as the partially opened window of the delivery van - I got him from the far end of the building under the tail of the Choppa.
 
 
The day was certainly better than I expected - as a Woodland player mainly - and getting game play from 10am to 6pm (including a lunch break) was great.  Now i am resisting the urge to buy a better pistol and a tracer unit. 
 
My face and legs however look like a dot to dot picture, and the guy behind the counter of my local shop wondered what had happened.   Hopefully they will go down before the big family Easter Dinner tomorrow LOL.
 

 

 
 
 

And thats fine, if its advertised as that. I would have paid it just to have the online badge but thats not what was offered. I pay the same amount to be a subscribing member of a motorbike forum that gives you acces to a particular section of the site. Im on here much, much more than that one but its fine because they were upfront from the beginning. It's not about the actual patch anymore, its the principal. We've been offered a product, paid in good faith, then completely ignored numerous times.
Maybe the buy a patch page needs changing to say that your only getting an online patch and the money goes to the site upkeep.
 
Good effort at trying to placate me with the idea of being one of the cool kids though! 😁

You'll need to aim for 310fps for .25s.  Otherwise your gun will be too spicy.

You'll need to aim for 310fps for .25s.  Otherwise your gun will be too spicy.

You're probably right - OP hasn't been back since his opening.  So either he's been grounded until the next Eclipse, or he was on a wind up.
 
Still we should give the benefit of the doubt sometimes.

This has got to be a trolling post. It has to be... it can't be anything else...
 
*looks at kicking mustang's insta*
 
It has to be... right?

There is …..
 
These are intended to avoid facial recognition on CCTV etc, and are therefore also a form of camouflage.
 
When we had our automated sentry gun, it would always prefer to aim at my head during testing, setting up etc.
When browsing the the AIs reference pictures we observed two things:
 
1) The torso presented the largest and most obvious target, but images captured in the tracking sequences were sometimes inconsistent, our conclusion was that though MTP/multicam is lighter in contrast to the UKs woodland, the disruptive pattern broke up the human shape and though movement was clearly visible prediction of where that movement was going became inconsistent.  The head was a more consistent shape, and the human body tries to keep the head steady when moving, making tracking and prediction more accurate
 
2) We realised that the AI still had its initial reference images from the first test runs with a football, heads are close enough to a ball shape and moved in similar trajectories (less the bouncing)
 
With two or three targets the system could predict and switch back and forth between where each of the heads would be by the time the barrel switched back
 
On a camouflage perspective for players, we might see a player but we still need to recognise, assess the threat and predict where it will be.
A moving target is easier to see, but we have to guess where to shoot 
A stationary target may not be so obvious, is easy to point at once identified, but not an immediate threat unless their barrel is pointed at us 
 
As well as ghillies waiting for an opportunity, the sneaky players who quietly but blatently stroll behind your lines may be ‘camouflaging’ with non aggressive actions

Don't forget the world famous BBC at Spec Ops.... Apparently stands for "Bluebell Copse" or something....  

Yes - the weight is more down to the hop in the gun and the environment you're pewing in....  outdoors you want a .25 or .28 really otherwise leaves become a deflector screen, and Bush wookies might not feel the impacts.
 
 
If you're indoors, then I see no need to use anything more than .2s.
 
With increased weight comes increased cost too.
 
There's a thread with a spreadsheet somewhere on the forum with links and prices - I'll see if I can find it.
 
 
 
Here we are:
 
 

I've crafted my own "ghillie". I put it in inverted commas because it's not a full suit with the trousers and all that malarkey, it's just a viper mesh jacket that covers head, shoulders and down my back. I made a rifle wrap to match and realistically that's all I really need to cover up if I pick my spot to hide properly. I only wear it when I've got my BASR in my mitts. I take it off to run anything else because, well, its just not sporting. 
 
As others have said, rentals won't get what us happening to them or appreciate the skill that a good sniper has employed to brass them up without being seen.....then again, the majority of ghillie wearers I have met on a casual skirmish day are utterly clueless about actual stealth and think they are fucking Batfink, "your plastic balls cannot harm me, my leaves are like a shield of steel!" kind of thing.
 
I think ghillie is for BASR only, just my twopenneth.
Thinking about an alternative that let's anyone use a ghillie. A ghillie wearer, not using a BASR is required to shout "Nee" once every 30 seconds.....and if there are two of them working as a team, one has to be slightly higher than the other to create a nice little two level effect to the shrubbery.

Sunday at Special Ops "The Fireplace"
 
My second trip to Carlos's new CQB site, and this one went better - I didn't get lost on the way, I didn't forget anything, I took less stuff (maybe connected to the previous point), and I had some better idea what to expect
Considering my knee is knackered at the moment, I went a bit brave and booked in for the full day - £35 for 9:30 - 18:00

I'm a bit crap at remembering and describing actual gameplay so I'll just throw some thoughts at ya...
Carlos has put together a decent playbook of games already He's put together a mildly amusing briefing video that gets all his usual info across in a nippy 10 minutes The helicopter helps block some of the line of sight to the first spawn, but it's still eminently 'trappable' by a good team 'Chopper' jokes might get old when everyone is doing them  Grenades are fun    Except when it doesn't go off, and you have to make The Walk Of Shame to retrieve it! A full day is a long time if you forget to take a packed lunch (only 'food' available: crisps, choccies and Pot Noodles) The 4-a-side mini tournament at the end of the day was great fun whilst you're playing, but the winner-stays-on style means there's a fair bit of waiting around.   Some people bailed out, I was tempted myself as I could barely get up off the floor where I'd been resting. There were some long delays - Jet (for it that is his appellation) got his miniature scales out and checked everyone's BB's to make sure no-one was exceeding the 0.25 limit.  The lunchtime changeover dragged on a bit due to stragglers, as did some end-of-game bomb-ups.  Still, by lunchtime I was already grateful for the breathers, but others might have been annoyed. Hit-taking was mostly good, but a couple of annoying instances of having to pump multiple shots at people to make them "admit to the hit".
 
This 'ere fat bloke running with a brick of Colombia's Finest Marching Powder, retrieved from that there heli-chopper
https://www.facebook.com/100060685493832/videos/pcb.933626975336810/7277546335698561
 
This chap sitting In Da Chopppppppaaa pinned us down for a while.   I made a run and chucked my grenade perfectly in and got him
https://www.facebook.com/100060685493832/videos/pcb.933626975336810/435840382287286
 
 
"Consult the Book Of Armaments"
The main thing is I went with the strongest possible intention to run my Tippmann for it's first proper game (I've had it 2 years already) - and it worked (in every sense!)

Yay!  

This was my first experience of running an HPA system, and the tank and line weren't nearly as troubling as I suspected they might be - once I'd fed the line through my shoulder straps to keep it closer to my body.  And swapped the tank from a belt pouch that wasn't designed for such a bulky / heavy item to a lightweight rucksack.
The Tippmann was great - plenty of 'bang' with every shot, it really is the next best thing to a proper GBBR. 
It was also my first game with a tracer unit.   Carlos is selling 2000x0.25g Bio tracers for £13 which seemed a pretty decent price, considering.  I did get through ~3000 during the day (I took some Vorsk ones I'd already bought from Amazon, they were fine).   Tracers proved damned useful in the dim lighting for getting the hop and sights sorted out (or allowing you to still hit stuff even when they're not!), and when Carlos dimmed the lights further in the late afternoon, those green streaks of light sure looked purdy
 
I also took along my proven faves - the VFC HK416 GBBR (every shot remains a joyful experience), which I used until I exhausted my gas can.  And of course the DE M906C Old Faithful (which in comparison to the other gats really showed it shoots like a frickin' laser beam - especially impressive with the tracers).  Shame the thing currently screeches like a cat being run over by a steamroller, even after my attempts at adjusting the motor height.  No wonder the motor got a little toasty again.   I need Luke to fix it up for me.  
 
The HPA experience means I'm really quite likely to buy an Airtac adapter for my '416 now... the realistic gas mag changes are fun, but my 'speedloader' didn't exactly live up to its name (it's getting very graunchy), and with only 3 working mags I wasn't quite on it.   I think the adapter plus a bunch of (relatively dirt-cheap) mid-caps instead will be a decent compromise.  
 
All in all a very good day
 

I'm an anti-social git so team work gets as far as shooting in the same general direction as everyone else in my team.

Don't worry - it has a monopod with pop out bi-pod now...  I need to update the picture. LOL
 
 
 
 
I try and do two a month, btu at the moment once is all I can manage with work and travelling.
 
 
@gavinkempsell   I know it was worrying you so here it is:
 

 
Got a much better scope on it too since that gun wall pic....
 
For @Portela_999 all of that in the picture is secondhand but still comes to £580 worth - and SWMBO has no idea it even exists (at the moment).

Dan, please don't make me send you a bipod foregrip for that A3... I'm already getting chased to post out some scotch pies to Shamal

Different motors
Better quality gearboxes
Better (or no) QC
Better barrels
Higher grade polymers...
 
 
The list is endless and can also be meaningless.  One of my best guns is the cheapest...  But then collections get silly (look at @gavinkempsellfor example).  This is my gunwall:
 

 
And that is not including pistols and the boy's RIFs, and we've only been doing this two and a half years.  Browsing the classifieds here is lethal I can tell you.

Different motors
Better quality gearboxes
Better (or no) QC
Better barrels
Higher grade polymers...
 
 
The list is endless and can also be meaningless.  One of my best guns is the cheapest...  But then collections get silly (look at @gavinkempsellfor example).  This is my gunwall:
 

 
And that is not including pistols and the boy's RIFs, and we've only been doing this two and a half years.  Browsing the classifieds here is lethal I can tell you.

I agree with @GenuineGerman, spend a few sheckles more and get the Specna.  Those included chargers are only worth using a few times until a better one arrives.  I would seriously hold off buying anything until you have had a few game days - even if only to give you time to get a list of bits that will last you and you've had a chance to try a few other player's guns.  You might decide you prefer an MP5 instead of an M4.  A proper charger is a must, and eventually you'll be changing battery connectors to better ones.  Spend wisely.
 
Ask nicely at chrono/the site's range and people will let you have a few rounds down course.  A lot of us will let you have a game with a back up gun or one of our less expensive babies....  I let a lad have a couple of magazines and a pistol last time out because I could see he was envious on us running around popping caps in people's asses, and he was a rental on his first time out.
 
Two-tone can be undone, but it does reduce the resale value of the pew.  Those few weeks waiting for UKARA will fly by and you'll be in a better position as a result with better targeted purchases.

I agree with @GenuineGerman, spend a few sheckles more and get the Specna.  Those included chargers are only worth using a few times until a better one arrives.  I would seriously hold off buying anything until you have had a few game days - even if only to give you time to get a list of bits that will last you and you've had a chance to try a few other player's guns.  You might decide you prefer an MP5 instead of an M4.  A proper charger is a must, and eventually you'll be changing battery connectors to better ones.  Spend wisely.
 
Ask nicely at chrono/the site's range and people will let you have a few rounds down course.  A lot of us will let you have a game with a back up gun or one of our less expensive babies....  I let a lad have a couple of magazines and a pistol last time out because I could see he was envious on us running around popping caps in people's asses, and he was a rental on his first time out.
 
Two-tone can be undone, but it does reduce the resale value of the pew.  Those few weeks waiting for UKARA will fly by and you'll be in a better position as a result with better targeted purchases.

I reckon a helium balloon tied to their ankles with a 6 foot string might even the odds up a bit, if the balloon gets burst they need to respawn and get another balloon if they want to bush wookie again.

If there's a tangible danger to others then someone's disability or neuro divergency / whatever is irrelevant.  I'm in a mixed race marriage, I'm somewhere on "the" spectrum, I have three nephews anchoring said spectrum to the ground, my teenager is mixed raced (and currently hating it) and I think our gay friend contingent is just about offset by my devout muslim workforce.....  So I like to think my worldview is pretty balanced.
 
That being said....   We spend too much time in this world worrying about those differences, when really we should all be treated with the same consideration and respect as we wish to have.  Therefore, if you're one of those that should be seen next Tuesday, then you should be treated thusly.  
 
I remember coming of age in the 90's and caring more about people being nice to one another than worrying about their situation.   Airsoft sites need to worry about people's eyeballs more than they do the ability to walk, think, self identify... I think that is probably how society should look at things too.
 
 

You guys are fantastic in this forum! Thank you all!
 
I was thinking about https://www.onlybbguns.co.uk/huntsman-m4-cqbr-polymer-body-full-metal-gearbox-inc-bat-and-charger-h060b to start with a scope... Should be enough for the start, no?
And yeah I will book one with rental equipment first to try out

Yes - the weight is more down to the hop in the gun and the environment you're pewing in....  outdoors you want a .25 or .28 really otherwise leaves become a deflector screen, and Bush wookies might not feel the impacts.
 
 
If you're indoors, then I see no need to use anything more than .2s.
 
With increased weight comes increased cost too.
 
There's a thread with a spreadsheet somewhere on the forum with links and prices - I'll see if I can find it.
 
 
 
Here we are: