straffham

Which make gearbox is it? Ares and ZCI use standard size microswitches used in the electronics industry for donkeys years and cost next to nothing. Suggest you take your microswitch to your nearest electronics/tv/fridge repair shop or Maplins outlet, it will be loads cheaper than an airsoft retailer too.

I picked an earlier model up a few years ago (same externally as the Mk4) and its been a great investment when working on airsoft guns. Its not as versatile as a Madbull or similar though. Mine has to be reset for each shot and only measures velocity. Downsides are its only any good on guns with tubular (ie parallel to the barrel bore) barrels/flash hiders, any sort of slant or projection makes it impossible to use, also it needs a good 2-3 inches or so of said barrel to mount it so that rules out most SMG's, AK47's etc. but for most M4, M14, M16, FN FAL and similar types its great.

been several times as its my local retailer, bought several rifs as prices have been lower than online retailers, and of course can try before you buy. Friendly staff and they will offer guidance if needed or let you browse in peace. Only thing that put me off is the web address with bbguns in the title, shopname the Airsoft Shack is much better! They also go to North West Airsoft Alliance events with a stand and site owners can frequently be found in the shop chatting. Only downside from my point of view is that opening hours have been hit and miss in the past and they seem to sell out of Blaster bb's too frequently, but not a major gripe. They do have a good selection of RIFs for a small shop, from likes of G&G, Ares, Cyma, WE etc. Worth a visit.

Interesting, please share any reply you get! As you own them then technically you wouldn't be committing any offence as VCRA doesn't cover ownership, its how they define importing that counts in this case I guess? Good luck mate!

Welcome and glad you enjoyed your game, you're bound to see the odd "disagreement" at games, best to keep away from the argumentative types and just enjoy yourself. Regarding kit, first off is good eye protection be it goggles/full facemask, and a decent pair of boots which offer ankle protection, military surplus or walking boots are fine, or even high end military boots if you want/can afford them. Uniform can be anything from jeans and t-shirt up to high end military camo, whatever you fancy really (cheap brit DPM surplus camo is as good as anything for woodland games). For carrying your ammo, mags etc again massive choice from fixed configiration budget tac vests like Viper and Webtex through to a whole world of adaptable molle vests which you can set up to suit your needs. Places like Military1st are worth a look for these. As for guns most will recommend the G&G Combat Machine/CM16 range costing £120 upwards, however if you Google airsoft guns you will probably find some retailers (ones at top of search) with "BB" in the name, these are best avoided as although looking good prices most of what they sell is not considered good enough to skirmish with as many will atest. Places like Airsoft World, Zero1, Firesupport among others are a much better bet. Thats my look on it and others will no doubt have other suggestions, but if you link anything you're thinking of buying on here then you will get plenty of helpful suggestions I'm sure! :-)

Sadly OP is VERY unlikely to get anything back from Paypal, I had a similar experience a while back (though only over a £20 motor, still got robbed all the same). Once Paypal confirmed I couldn't open a dispute as it was gifted, I did however email them informing them of what had happened so at least they are aware the person is scamming people. Didn't help me but may possibly save others. Wasn't the guy referred to by OP btw.

New online retailer in Runcorn, always nice to have a new outlet in the North West! Free shipping over £50, collection available too. :-) http://bombupairsoft.co.uk/ Website looks pretty good, I'm not connected with them in any way, just saw their ad in Airsoft Action mag so thought worth a mention.

Sounds as though not enough current is getting to the motor, ie enough to turn it but once the spring tension increases it won't so the anti reversal latch stops the gears/spring pushing forward. It could be as simple as the female battery connector pins needing tightening, or possibly the micro switch contacts are shot (electrical retailers like Maplins usually sell the microswitches pretty cheap as they are a standard item and not airsoft specific). I had a world of problems with my Star/Ares M60 box mag, burnt out 2 motors, which was down to the rubbish "auto shutoff" gate microswitch which wasn't shutting off power to the motor when I stopped firing (again thankfully the mag motors are fairly standard cheapo parts). In the end I replaced the stock 4.5v mag motor with a 6v one wired in parallel with the gearbox motor and although maybe not ideal, its been fine since and fires perfectly every time with no sign of overheating.

Declare it as a RIF if its a RIF when you post it, Parcelforce 48 are fine with carrying them (though Post Office staff don't always know this), make sure its tracked & insured, something like a UMP will be around £12 -15, best to put your and their UKARA nos on in the to/from addresses, but (especially if it involves airmail at any point) DON'T send batteries with it as they are basically banned by PF unless new in original packaging, or gas mags for same reason (anything that is or CAN BE pressurized). If you want to risk sending a battery post it in a jiffy envelope or small box seperately (at least if it doesn't get there its better than having the rif destroyed).

^^^ This. Try green gas / propane, will probably sort it straight away. And check the bolt moves smoothely and is lubed ok.

As said above a UMP (G&G UMG probably most popular) AEG will probably suit your needs best as it has plenty of rail space, and they are not overly common at skirmishes (compared to MP5s). Or if you want to be truly different go for an AY M4 Spectre which looks similarish (maybe not, AY don't have the best reputation tbh, and it only puts out around 280fps but its doubtful anyone else will have one at a game lol).

OP, suggest you look up Alpha 55's Facebook page and ask on there, several come from Chester/Wirral area so should be possible to sort a lift.

Ah right, take it you live in Chester then? Yeah Alpha isn't easy to get to by public transport, taxi from Flint station is the only real option and even then you need to know where it is as the driver won't. We drive from Prestatyn via Flint so wouldn't be difficult to give you a lift from the station but due to work I can't get there too often, and its usually pretty much last minute I can commit to go tbh. Would like to get to Shock and Awe too as its closer to home for me but Sundays are out for me unfortunately.

I have mounted a clone holo sight on a Vector Optics RIS and it does work well. I would like to have fitted a dovetail side mount but being a gas blowback I wanted to be able to open the top cover which is hinged off the rear sight block without removing anything. But it does allow fast target aquisition with both eyes open.

Yeah Zed used to do Zombie events at the Manor near Warrington, sadly the site is being redeveloped so only at the Mall now, but they do seem more hardcore/ physical than your average skirmish!

I play Alpha with my lad when I can, good site which has improved a lot over past couple of years, games every Sat and Sun (and odd Fri night games too now) they have an active facebook page too with loads of pics etc. Good mix of players and ages too.

Don't forget too that requesting a UKARA number in most instances is the EASIEST defence for a seller (retailer or private) to ensure they are complying with the legislation. Retailers in particular by and large don't want to be chasing site owners by phone/email to see if you have played there 3 times, its too time consuming.

Yeah not all older players will look down their noses at you, my son started playing when he was 13 and felt intimidated for the first few times he went (as did I when I started skirmishing in my early 30s lol), just takes a bit to find your feet, you'll find most people will be happy to talk about their kit in the safe zone if you show an interest. Stick with it,you'll fit in in no time.

If you're under 18 most sites will probably insist on full face protection till you're 18, but there are several different types if you want to get your own, you can then customise is by fitting foam strips etc to improve the comfort, and paint it if you feel the need. Can't really recommend one in particular as its a personnal choice but would be worth looking at a few websites, maybe put pics up on here then people who have one can comment if its good or not. Welcome to the forum by the way!

The ZCI shell does take standard fit parts aside from the fire selector and trigger mechanism (though microswitch is a std electronics part). Problem is different manufacturers standard parts are not standard: for instance SHS tappet plates are slightly different to say G&G, which are slightly different to TM and so on, and the slight differences can add up over several components to the extent of affecting air seal right up to not being able to function due to parts jamming etc. Parts should all work together but its not always the case annoyingly.

Is the tappet plate new? And is it able to slide right to the front of the gearbox shell wall? I had trouble with an SHS one where the plate which catches on the cam on the sector gear was too large/wide, so in its rest position (against the sector gear axle) the front face where the nozzle sits wasn't quite at the front of the gearbox hence the nozzle wasn't sealing against the hop chamber. I had to file the tappet plate slightly allowing it to sit further forward which cured the problem (a longer nozzle would probably solve the same problem, if it that).

Guarder (among others) make eye pro with clip in prescription inserts, I've used mine for a few years now and not looked back (pun intended!), got the lenses done by Specsavers on one of their 2 for 1 deals and use with a mesh lower face mask which almost eliminates fogging completely.

Regarding being impatient I think we've all been there, rushed out to buy what sounds a bargain only to end up wishing we hadn't, thats why some will jump in shouting "NO DON'T DO IT"! But if you're only losing £30 on something to tide you over and tinker with its not the end of the world, even if you go to a skirmish and end up being owned by the regulars! At least you'll be able to get an idea if you enjoy the games and what you'd like to move up to, what works for you etc and maybe then get your ukara sorted.

it would probably cost more than you're paying for the gun tbh, just use foam and some gaffer tape to hold the battery in place, or if you're handy with tools make a butt plate from sheet plastic from a model shop?

Aaaaaahhhhhh Ok cheers for that, I'd be wary of believing too much of their description though, I mean, it has "kick" apparently lol! But anyway. . . . Assuming it really is standard V2 gearbox compatible a decent budget gearbox and motor would be around £60, decent barrel and hop unit another £40 or so, and you'd still have a basic gun externally. This is why the Combat Machine M4s are recommended so often. So yeah don't buy it with the idea of upgrading the internals, use till its wrecked and replace it with something better?