Hibernator

Converting an IF to a RIF has no age restriction. The sole requirement is that the gun is to be used at a correctly insured airsoft site.

I always wear my eye protection in the safe zone, can't trust people to not fuck around with their toys.
 
http://www.tactical-kit.co.uk/crossbow-suppressor-one-glasses-clear-x1-lens-10302-p.asp

those are the glasses I wear for everything but extremely close CQB, your mileage may vary but they fit my face great.

Just joined up to the forum as I was pointed in the direction on FB. I run GearTechCustomPaint that some of you may have seen on FB, however due to recent events it looks as though things will be moving away from there and moving back to the forums like it used to be a couple of years ago. Feel free to check my page out if you haven't seen it. Look forward to seeing what goes on on here
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/772418769517194/

lmgtfy.com/?q=airsoft+bootfair+bexley
 

Yeah - thanks for the report. I guess from the lack of replies, no one else went! There were a couple of shows last year that got terrible reviews and were not worth attending, so I guess it put people off.
 
I was intending to go - it wasn't a million miles from me - but unfortunately some work came up and ruined that plan.
 
I'd recommend looking at The Midlands Airsoft Fair at the Gaol in Rutland. That's run a couple of times a year and is dedicated to airsoft, rather than being tacked onto a larger show. There are a selection of retailers who go. There are also usually several private sellers - which is where you'll get the bargains.

Yes - I think the main attraction of shows like this is to see the latest/newest products, what's coming out etc..
 
I'm afraid that all the UK based airsoft shows seem to be the retailers selling the same stuff you can buy online, at the same prices. There's not really anything to draw you there apart from being able to handle/see something in real life before handing over the money.
 
If they featured manufacturers with new products etc.. then they would have more appeal. Just look at Shot Show in the US. Many airsoft manufacturers use it to launch/preview their upcoming releases.

Yeah - thanks for the report. I guess from the lack of replies, no one else went! There were a couple of shows last year that got terrible reviews and were not worth attending, so I guess it put people off.
 
I was intending to go - it wasn't a million miles from me - but unfortunately some work came up and ruined that plan.
 
I'd recommend looking at The Midlands Airsoft Fair at the Gaol in Rutland. That's run a couple of times a year and is dedicated to airsoft, rather than being tacked onto a larger show. There are a selection of retailers who go. There are also usually several private sellers - which is where you'll get the bargains.

Hi All,
 
So after a 05:30 set off we arrived at the show and after walking through a maze of stalls we found the AirGun/Airsoft part of the event, It was virtually empty as the event had just opened but i thought this would be the best time to check out the stalls and assess where bargains were to be found. Bargins ? there was the following stalls "Daves customs", the grange, sierra alpha supplies, hellfire, templar, just cause stirling airsoft and gunfire. Gunfire a great online shop but sadly they had the small stall of the whole event (although they did give my son 2no patches for free) this was disappointing none of the stalls mentioned had any real bargins just trying to sell at shop prices, even the other patches my son brought where at full price. Ihad expected more BB's and fund parts rather than every stall showing off guns at £200 upwards.
 
The +Side of the event was Stirling Airsoft for flying the flag to try and introduce Airsoft to the masses, with a free all gear supplied 20min (2x 10min scenario's ). If this is to be the future for Airsoft then the suppliers better get behind and turn up to make it an Airsoft event worth going to and also for the Airsofters to turn up and make the event. This could arranged by Forums to get members to meet up" just like the Mall meet".
 
In all the event was ok but the exhibitors must make it worth the trip and get behind the show, as mentioned if Gunfire think that the smallest stall is ok then the show will disappear as there where no real bargains to be had to draw the crowds. maybe if Stirling could get a bigger plot and have a proper airsoft event / tournament more would be made of the show.
 
Did any other members go /share views.

When I first started playing I loved the fact I could just wear shooting glasses, having moved across from paintball and annoying masks!
 
Then one game a mate had his front tooth shot out and it cost a few hundred quid for a crown. Shortly after I had a bb bounce off my front tooth - luckily doing no damage. I've worn face protection ever since. It's not as comfy and doesn't look as tacticool as shooting glasses, but saves me from a big bill and more pain

Thanks for the reply. It turned out that the person who put it together placed the collar on the wrong way round so I had put a lot of pressure on it to get it off then rebuild it properly. It was an easy fix.

Pretty much what I do! If I spot a cheap ICS upper, upper gearbox, hop, inner/outer barrel etc. on forums I buy them up till I have enough bits to make a whole upper. I've got 3 ICS lowers and 5 or 6 uppers (I forget!) so plenty of combinations

Not always mate, a longer barrel can make things worse, from what I understand the barrel length pretty much has to match the cylinder
 
I was toying with the idea of having a separate upper receiver for my ICS as I sometimes play CQB but I have a rifle for that

Cheers guys, I definitely understand what is going on now, as I opened and closed it multiple times throughout yesterday night whilst looking at what I can upgrade.
 
Thanks again!

Yes - as above, the lower gears need to be aligned correctly to close it. You can turn them manually or a couple of trigger pulls on semi usually does it. Whatever you do, don't force it closed or you will damage something!

Good choice for a first gun - I pretty much only use ICS M4s. Very easy to maintain and reliable bits of kit. The only recommendation I'd make is to get one with a front rail system.
 
More often than not, newbs buy the ones with polymer handguards because they are cheaper and look good. But the first time you get to a skirmish and see people with vertical grips, PEQ boxes, lights, lasers etc hanging off rails they decide they want to upgrade the handguards. It's usually more expensive than just buying one with rails in the first place. ICS can also be a little picky on the rails that would fit.
 
There's a bigger range here: http://www.fire-support.co.uk/category/ics-airsoft-aeg-gun/
 
And they'll spray it for £15.
 
This is a good bet if you want something a little different! http://www.fire-support.co.uk/product/ics-plastic-cqb-folding-stock-airsoft-gun-aeg--sale--save-47
 
Or the newer CXP designs look cool: http://www.fire-support.co.uk/product/ics-plastic-cxp-15-k-keymod-airsoft-gun-aeg

Google? There are plenty....
 

Google? There are plenty....
 

The barrel nut just unscrews. It's only difficult if it's on there really tight! You might need to use a rubber boa wrench or an armourers tool to get it off.
 
As long as you buy a G&P barrel nut as Mack says, or a free float rail that will fit a G&P M4 then you're pretty much good to go. The only other thing you'll find is that a non-ICS barrel nut will not fit over the tabs on the ICS outer barrel. You will need to remove them - you'll see why when you try and slide the nut over them ;-) It takes about 30 seconds with a hack saw to cut them off. I've uploaded a pic below. Bear in mind that once you've done this, your old handguards won't fit as securely anymore as those tabs are used to help steady it.

I'm no expert, but I suspect you will need some kind of insurance regardless. Property insurance as above and some kind of liability insurance. It's all well and good players signing waivers, but what if someone falls through a rotten floor or something? I'm sure you'd be found negligent for not checking the safety of the site. You'd also need it in case some random member of the public wanders onsite and gets shot in the face - they won't have signed a waiver.
 
If you were charging people, it would probably be seen as a business. There's probably all sorts of legislation regarding change of use of the site from industrial to leisure. If there are houses nearby you'll have to account for noise polution, extra traffic, parking, people wandering around dressed like Rambo etc.. With the current security situation I'd imagine you'd need to inform the Police of your intentions as well so a well meaning member of the public doesn't place a worried call about an ISIS training camp in the area. I reckon Police MP5s hurt more than my CYMA ;-)
 
I'm sure it can't be as easy as you think, or CQB sites would be springing up all over the place. It will probably take a lot of research and cost a bit!

I'm no expert, but I suspect you will need some kind of insurance regardless. Property insurance as above and some kind of liability insurance. It's all well and good players signing waivers, but what if someone falls through a rotten floor or something? I'm sure you'd be found negligent for not checking the safety of the site. You'd also need it in case some random member of the public wanders onsite and gets shot in the face - they won't have signed a waiver.
 
If you were charging people, it would probably be seen as a business. There's probably all sorts of legislation regarding change of use of the site from industrial to leisure. If there are houses nearby you'll have to account for noise polution, extra traffic, parking, people wandering around dressed like Rambo etc.. With the current security situation I'd imagine you'd need to inform the Police of your intentions as well so a well meaning member of the public doesn't place a worried call about an ISIS training camp in the area. I reckon Police MP5s hurt more than my CYMA ;-)
 
I'm sure it can't be as easy as you think, or CQB sites would be springing up all over the place. It will probably take a lot of research and cost a bit!

The barrel nut just unscrews. It's only difficult if it's on there really tight! You might need to use a rubber boa wrench or an armourers tool to get it off.
 
As long as you buy a G&P barrel nut as Mack says, or a free float rail that will fit a G&P M4 then you're pretty much good to go. The only other thing you'll find is that a non-ICS barrel nut will not fit over the tabs on the ICS outer barrel. You will need to remove them - you'll see why when you try and slide the nut over them ;-) It takes about 30 seconds with a hack saw to cut them off. I've uploaded a pic below. Bear in mind that once you've done this, your old handguards won't fit as securely anymore as those tabs are used to help steady it.

This has been answered hundreds of times, you can use them, there is nothing wrong / illegal with you owning RIF's. If you want to purchase RIF's however, you need to be on a database which retailers can check if you're eligible (UKARA)

GAT air pistols - cor blimey that brings back memories
 

 
echo one's GAT - hmmm
 
not drawn to it myself - make sure you can get mags for it or the spectre mofo's
http://www.airsoftworld.net/echo-1-gat-full-metal-general-assault-tool-aeg-airsoft-gun-jp-103.html

I've gone for an olive drab plate carrier and pouches. It's the ultimate accessory - goes with anything ;-) You can always add camo specific pouches to break it up a bit.
 
I tend to favor MARPAT for woodland - don't see too much of it about. As well as issue stuff on eBay you can get decent quailty TruSpec gear (they call it Digital Woodland).
 
The old US tricolour woodland is good too, quite rare at a skirmish and plenty of old issue stuff on eBay.
 
If you want something cheaper and easy to get, how about German Flecktarn? Don't see that too often.
 
Not sure on the availability of the others you listed, but Vegetato is good but can be hard to find unless you order from abroad. I imported a couple of UBACS type shirts from Italy - it was quite expensive!

You're simulating a simulation! My brain hurts