airsoft blowing up?

[CaptainSwoop]

Airsoft is always popular with youngsters but how many become long term players?

Several of my sons friends started to play after he did. all but one stopped after a few months.

At the sites we go to there seems to be a regular 'churning' of new young players.

it's the same with any hobby or pastime, you dabble and then something else catches your attention.

It's all part of growing up.

 

[Fumps]

the above is why I think rentals are a great way of getting into airsoft.

I'm still surprised there are not any events for kids (10-12 years old) to play in low fps games dotted around the country. My son was playing paintball & coming home with some savage bruises (he was proud of them). the cost for his day was ridiculous

but I paid it because he loved doing it.

Now we have airsoft to do together it's taken things to a whole new level, it's a sport he can take part in where his age & his height (He's a short arse) makes little difference. for instance I've seen him in gun battles with grown adults & he has got the better of them. He really looks forward to going & loves being treat like everyones little brother.

Airsoft is a great community & I'm so happy I found it

 

[NH Shooter]

I would greatly imagine there's a massive throughput of kids... My local place is 45 for the day... That's not a tiny amount for a kid... And to get your own rifle?... You need adult money, I think... To get yourself a nice setup may cost you £500 notes... Plus range fees and ammo.

It's an expensive hobby...

 

[Fumps]

I would greatly imagine there's a massive throughput of kids... My local place is 45 for the day... That's not a tiny amount for a kid... And to get your own rifle?... You need adult money, I think... To get yourself a nice setup may cost you £500 notes... Plus range fees and ammo.

It's an expensive hobby...

Click to shrink...

It cost more than £45 for paint balling,My son was costing close to £70 for the day (When you add ammo,lunch,travel cost etc)

I can take me & my son out doing airsoft for £50, that covers both of us for the day & you get lunch included. At one point my son was doing Tae-Kwon-Do which was £50 a month (Not including pads, uniform & belts). I knew one dad who's son was doing that & BJJ which was another £60 on top of that (So he was paying £110 a month & he had two sons).

I know for a fact parents would pay £45 for the day no worries at all.

Coming back to airsoft for a moment My son's loadout, with an Ares M4 cost less than £200. I think that's a bargain, considering I'm a recent convert from mountain biking where my gear system cost me £450 & my wheels cost close to £900.....my bike frame is worth over £1000, then you have kit to wear etc.....on mountain biking over the space of 3 years I spent over £4000 (and I could still be adding to it now if I have not realised what I was doing), also adding travel cost's to go to bike centres all over the country (Wales, Scotland etc)......So I really don't see airsoft as expensive.

I think you'd be surprised, If I had the know how & a business brain I'd definitely consider setting something up on a Saturday afternoon.

 

[CaptainSwoop]

We started with rental guns and surplus DPM from Ebay..

We got lucky when Gun-Ho closed down. On the last Skirmish they sold off their ex rental gear and we got a couple of Classic Army M15A4s for £25 that I have been refurbing as those who have followed the appropriate thread will know

Airsoft seems to be expensive at first glance but compares well with other outdoor sports like fishing, archery, mountainbiking etc.