Another new curious starter

[Punisher3990]

Welcome!

Airsoft is a great hobby, its active, fun and not at all a blackhole for money...

My top 4 most important gear-wise:

1. Eyepro - You only get one set of eyes. Patrolbase does good goggles. Avoid cheap goggles - You're looking for EN166-rated googles. I personally stay clear of mesh but that's me. I got Revisions Spider Wolf (Military ballistic googles) from a surplus store for £20-30, but I need RX inserts for my vision, so I am more limited on options.
2. Boots - Getting decent boots that fit well is important. I got massive sores from ill-fitting boots, couldn't walk properly for a week after. Alternatively, carry Moleskin tape/blister plasters just in case
3. Water pouch/bladder - Hydration is important, especially now that it's getting warmer. easy to overheat when in a game. Even a 300-500ml bottle carrier is worth it.
4. Lower face protection - Never used to recommend this much but there's a certain group of people/youtubers that encourage people to specifically go for face shots with full power spring sniper rifles. It wont bother you with a lower face mask so def recommend. Cyngus Armouries, Delta Mike and NB Tactical are great choices

Also, fair warning - as others have said, this is a very addictive hobby. Expect to have a collection of RIFs within a few months and a wall of guns shortly after that.

 

[DonJohn74]

Welcome
You've got the right attitude to get the most enjoyment out of it
As well as the replies here, read lots of the forum posts and watch some videos but take those with a pinch of salt because of course they're highly edited.
(Don't watch anything by Kicking Mustang as he's an example of the opposite to a good airsofter)

Don't worry about going on your own. Plenty of players will be happy to help you out.
Call your hits and don't take it too seriously
Enjoy

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Hi Ed,
Thank you mate, appreciate the feedback.
It’s funny you say that as I’ve been watching loads from kicking mustang . Seems to like causing some grief with his head shots.

As always it’s a bit nervy going on your own for the first time but I’m hoping it’s full of like minded guys as yourself and will help me thought it.

Appreciate your post mate, thank you

 

[DonJohn74]

Welcome!

Airsoft is a great hobby, its active, fun and not at all a blackhole for money...

My top 4 most important gear-wise:

1. Eyepro - You only get one set of eyes. Patrolbase does good goggles. Avoid cheap goggles - You're looking for EN166-rated googles. I personally stay clear of mesh but that's me. I got Revisions Spider Wolf (Military ballistic googles) from a surplus store for £20-30, but I need RX inserts for my vision, so I am more limited on options.
2. Boots - Getting decent boots that fit well is important. I got massive sores from ill-fitting boots, couldn't walk properly for a week after. Alternatively, carry Moleskin tape/blister plasters just in case
3. Water pouch/bladder - Hydration is important, especially now that it's getting warmer. easy to overheat when in a game. Even a 300-500ml bottle carrier is worth it.
4. Lower face protection - Never used to recommend this much but there's a certain group of people/youtubers that encourage people to specifically go for face shots with full power spring sniper rifles. It wont bother you with a lower face mask so def recommend. Cyngus Armouries, Delta Mike and NB Tactical are great choices

Also, fair warning - as others have said, this is a very addictive hobby. Expect to have a collection of RIFs within a few months and a wall of guns shortly after that.

Click to shrink...

Hi Pumisher,

Thank you this info, always a lot to take on board and I’ve got a pad to make some notes so I do t miss anything.

Safety I won’t be scrimping on as I’m one of those people who say you get what you pay for and I value my eyesight and not so good looks .

I must say it’s a great bunch of people here and I appreciate everyone’s input and guidance, it’s been a massive help

 

[DonJohn74]

Welcome John
Im Matt, based in York so not far from yourself.
Been playing on and off for best part of the last 20 years.
I dont play as frequently as I used to but if you want im happy to let you know whenever im playing; always nice to have someone to chat to between games in the safe zone.

Most game sites offer hire guns, so use them to get the feel of how you want to play but these wont be great performers and will have been used and abused.


All been said before but as a new starter,
Important bits of kit;

Mesh goggles
(Good eye protection is highest priority but good quality glasses / goggles are expensive and have a tendency of fogging up ( unless you buy Bloc or run an ex-fog system ( mini ac unit that runs air lines into your goggles). As a new starter, use mesh, Nuprol have a decent selection.
DO NOT buy from TEMU / equivalent. Only buy from registered airsoft retailers. Patrolbase is a good place to start and only in Huddersfield if you wanted to go to the shop

Lower face protection
( totally your choice but airsoft is expensive enough without it leading to expensive dental bills - £15 peice of metal protection can save you a lot of pain both physically and financially)

Gloves - mechanix are relatively cheap, mechanix m-pact provide more protection on knuckles

Headwear ( baseball cap or something to put a little bit of padding between the bb and your nugget - you can also buy bump cap inserts from amazon to fit in any hat, think layer of plastic but takes the sting out of the bb hit / tree branch you didn't notice)

Good boots with ankle protection.
Spare Socks, blister plasters etc are always good to have with you in the safe zone.

Maybe buy a sling too, hire guns dont tend to come with them and saves your arms from taking the weight all day


The key is to chat to people ( something im awful at), airsofters tend to be a friendly-ish bunch. if you compliment their rifle there is a fair chance they'll let you test fire it, let you get the feel of if its something youd want to buy in the future.

Be warned this hobby can very quickly become more addictive and more expensive than a cocaine addiction - but it is damn good fun.

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Hi Matt,

Thank you for all this mate and my step daughter lives in Huntington so I’m over that way quite frequently. Would be nice to meet up and have a chat when you’re next active, would be helpful having a face to face chat as well as the amazing information and warm welcome I’ve had here already.

 

[Matt.2504]

Hi Matt,

Thank you for all this mate and my step daughter lives in Huntington so I’m over that way quite frequently. Would be nice to meet up and have a chat when you’re next active, would be helpful having a face to face chat as well as the amazing information and warm welcome I’ve had here already.

Click to shrink...

Thats pretty close to me, im in Strensall so only 5-10 mins away from Huntington.
Yeah sounds good, im planning on finding a game on the 26th ( weather dependent); will let you know.