Lozart

Because it's annoying? Granted it's less of an issue as a DM than as a sniper but it's just something that the M14 generally benefits from. The gearboxes tend to be quiet. Also you can get a sight mount for an M14 pretty easily. The Socom models have a short rail built into the top cover as do the G&P DMR ones. The EBR models have all the rails you could possibly want!

I know someone on FB got and absolute shit ton of grief for wanting to wear a Taliban Hunting Club patch ("you haven't earned it" was the mantra) but the Punisher thing? The only people that could legitimately have a grievance is Marvel/Disney and I very much doubt they care.

How about the classic DMR - the M14? Decent length barrel, nice quiet gearbox and you have the option of eith the good old fashioned style M14, the DMR style ones the G&P sell or the various EBR models if you want something with rails.

You have a PM

Yep, OPS Core Mandible. This is probably the closest you'll get: http://www.mtekweaponsystems.com/supply/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=40 but they ain't cheap!

I was thinking the same. Why carry all that stuff? Are you trying to recreate a specific loadout?

Most shops will fit the correct spring for you to ensure that it will meet your sites requirements. You just need to tell them the FPS limit you need to meet when you buy it. How long a wait have you been quoted for painting?

Any half decent Mosfet that is hardwired to your trigger contacts (IE not plug and play) will stop the arcing. That said - you can hardwire a Kong Burst Wizzard and it'll do the job AND give you burst fire and all the other guff.

Sounds good! The new gen Gate Mosfets are all fine with the microswitch trigger by the way.

Airsoft Armoury aren't a million miles from you then (Little Chalfont). Luke the tech guy there is one of the marshals at the Mall, very knowledgeable bloke. Decent range of guns in there too http://www.airsoftarmoury.co.uk/index.html Happy to help!

Sounds like a plan! Where are you based? Socom Tactical over in Fleet are pretty good assuming Laurence isn't on his own and run off his feet!

Be careful not to get misled by american videos. They run higher FPS over there!

450FPS is bolt action sniper rifle territory. I did see someone mention somewhere that there are some sites that allow support guns to run higher FPS than a standard AEG but I don't know of any myself.

But that's my point - there's no need for anything beyond "no, they don't really sell skirmish suitable guns, try these ones instead". I know it's a forum and yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion but the "bash the 'BBGUN' shops at every opportunity" approach is (to me at least) not conducive to building a community of well informed, like minded enthusiasts (I realise I'm starting to sound like a train spotter now but hey, I don't care) so much as a rabble of kids that deserve to have their toys taken away. I made reference in another thread to the almost inevitable UKARA/VCRA/Jambwow dogpile that seems to kick off in every new members first thread recently and I for one am getting pretty fed up with it. As I said before, it puts new members off to see their first tentative question on a subject they need help with turn into a slanging match between existing members. If anyone has ever been over on Visordown or The Rev Counter you'll see a perfect illustration of why this is a "bad thing mmm'kay".

I have an A&K M249 para, it certainly attracts some sideways glances and many will tell you that an M4 with a high cap is just as good at suppression BUT the 2500 round magazine and just the pure intimidation factor of a support gun is worth the effort! Most people are fine with it as long as you're not holding the loud button down for ages.

Serious point to be made here though. Not directed at you specifically SD but to all and sundry that pile on in these things - When a new member comes to the forum and asks for advice, how about we keep the ming mong ping pong to a minimum and stick to actual, helpful suggestions instead?

Depending on the site and whether or not one of you wants to lug it about all day you could also consider a support weapon!

Ignore the ladies flapping handbags at each other. We would recommend: Fire Support, Zero One, Pro Airsoft, Land Warrior, Socom Tactical (in no particular order). What are you looking to buy and does it need to be two tone? Also - take a look in the "Places to buy" thread as there are many reviews of shops (both online and bricks and mortar) which may help your decision.

Semi Auto ONLY or semi AND full auto? Any modern assault rifle style weapon will do both, if you really only want semi auto then you could lock the gearbox and enter the realms of DMR territory which puts you back to things like the VFC MK20 SSR, the M14 and EBR variants etc etc.

So why not get an L85? Airsoft Ed is the man who knows all but I believe the ICS one is supposed to be pretty good. http://www.proairsoftsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/ics.html

ICS Galil, LST VSS (might be out of your price range and rare as hens teeth).

Ok, at that budget the world is pretty much your oyster. Anything in that price range will have a decent metal gearbox so that's not an issue (bearing in mind that it will have a plastic nozzle/piston/piston head but that is not necessarily a bad thing). G&G - any of the top tech range which will have a metal receiver and barrel so it's purely down to looks and practicality (an M4 will be more maneuverable, an M14 EBR Long is about the same weight as Guildford etc) G&P - again pretty much any of them will be pretty decent. A lot of their range comes will extras thrown in (for example they do an M16 with M203 launcher, a Masterkey M4 with an underbarrel shotgun etc) Tokyo Marui - any of their standard range plus maybe the low end of the Recoil range. Don't be put off by their low FPS. CYMA - any of the AKs with model numbers CM040 or above (below this they will be TM clones and have more plastic bits) or the M14 range but definitely not any of their M4s. Have a gander at www.proairsoft.com as they have a pretty decent range of guns (although many of them ARE out of stock it will at least give you indication of price and looks/parts etc). Just out of interest, what are the "specific set of requirements" you have that are driving you along this path? Many of the fibre re-inforced polymer receivers on the market are stronger and lighter than the metal ones they're competing with!

OK - by "a few hundred" you're covering a whole load of bases from mid range G&Gs right up to top of the line Tokyo Marui Recoils. There is a massive jump in price from that up to PTWs so are we talking "up to £500" or "up to £300"? Sorry for being picky - just trying to get the details right so we don't start recommending completely the wrong thing!

Try warming the mags up in your pockets first. Could just be the gas is too cold.

Actually - having said all that, sounds to me like you need an AK. Maybe this one: http://www.taiwangun.com/en/cm-048m-cm?from=listing&campaign-id=19