Basic Stuff Recommendations?

[Blackbeard]

Hey,

I need some advice on what to get, as I am new and I am probably going to start skirmishing next year. First, I need a recommendation on a full face mask. (nothing fancy, but it must be cheapish, it must be full face and it must be slim enough to let you use your sights). Secondly, any recommendations on a first pistol? (it must be two tone, sub-350fps).

That's pretty much it. Replies are appreciated!

 

[TacMaster]

Welcome to the forums

I'd get a rifle first if I were you, there's plenty of time for pistols later. Any rifle from here will be fine for a beginner:

http://www.proairsoftsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/all_guns_combat_machine.html

Here's some full face protection: http://www.proairsoftsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Full_Face_Protection_269.html

I'd also get some boots for ankle support during your first skirmish.

 

[Russe11]

Hire a gun and face mask 1st few times.

Where will you be skirmishing? Indoor or outdoor?

Indoor you will be hit in the face more, at closer range so you will probably want a mesh lower face mask and a pair of goggles. Outdoor you may want the same just in case, but might get away with a shermagh or something instead of mesh mask.

Lots of people at Bristol Courthouse swear by the ASG MK23 Socom. Its a non blowback so is very quiet and it has a silencer which acts as a barrel extension.

I have seen it in 2 tone for less than £50. Not being blowback should presumably reduce maintainance.

 

[TacMaster]

Not being blowback should presumably reduce maintainance.

Also increases it's gas efficiency.

 

[Russe11]

I should add that I have not used one, but I get shot by them a lot, so can vouch for the stealth, power and accuracy. I fully intend to buy one very soon.

I would however get an AEG 1st unless you're doing all CQB stuff and love pistols a lot.

 

[two_zero]

eh.... if the pistol is gas powered, it should definitely be blowback. blowback puts (part of) the fun in gas guns!!

as for looking down sights... are you gonna hold the gun next to your face then since the mask needs to be slim? if done with blowback, it's a very bad idea. if without.. it will just look silly. it's also likely that you soon realise that looking down iron sights seldom gives you an advantage vs point n shoot in airsoft as its much slower.

if you do not already have it, I recommend getting an electric rifle first. the G&G CM, for example. less hassle, more reliable, more versatile, easier to reload (dont wanna spend half the day loading bbs into a pistol mag). Also pistol fps tend to be either too low or too high.

If you DO indeed have an AEG (electric rifle), you'd be far better off using the money to get kneepads and boots. can save you a lot of pain an permanent damage.

oh and for cheap-nothing-fancy mask... ebay it. Althou I would never use those. I'd recommend a pair of plastic goggles for a few pound from your nearest DIY store, combine with a lower mesh mask from say ebay, should be around ten pound.

 

[Russe11]

eh.... if the pistol is gas powered, it should definitely be blowback. blowback puts (part of) the fun in gas guns!!

as for looking down sights... are you gonna hold the gun next to your face then since the mask needs to be slim? if done with blowback, it's a very bad idea. if without.. it will just look silly. it's also likely that you soon realise that looking down iron sights seldom gives you an advantage vs point n shoot in airsoft as its much slower.

if you do not already have it, I recommend getting an electric rifle first. the G&G CM, for example. less hassle, more reliable, more versatile, easier to reload (dont wanna spend half the day loading bbs into a pistol mag). Also pistol fps tend to be either too low or too high.

If you DO indeed have an AEG (electric rifle), you'd be far better off using the money to get kneepads and boots. can save you a lot of pain an permanent damage.

oh and for cheap-nothing-fancy mask... ebay it. Althou I would never use those. I'd recommend a pair of plastic goggles for a few pound from your nearest DIY store, combine with a lower mesh mask from say ebay, should be around ten pound.

Totally agree with all that except the pistols having to have blowback thing. If you are just about to start airsoft, you do not need a gun yet. 1st you should get the stuff you will wear sorted. Army surplus gear, boots, knee pads, goggles or glasses and a mesh mask. Don't forget a hat and gloves as head and hands are painful places to get hit. Guns are the most expensive bit of kit and for the 1st 2 months you will only be able to get 2 tone ones, you will not want 2 tone so IF you absolutely have to buy a gun, work out how much you will spend on hiring until you get UKARA registration sorted and if a gun costs more than that, I would wait and get it without the nasty 2 tone paint job.

Now regarding whether a pistol needs to be blowback:

If you are in a close quarters situation you want the advantage of not having your position given away when you shoot. An Electric gun makes a racket due to the motor and gearbox, a gas blowback gun makes a noise due to the slide moving, a non blowback gas gun makes the faintest of popping noises. I know from experience that the result is that even the person you shoot has no idea where the shot came from. If you just want a cool toy (which to be fair is the main reason to have a pistol) then pick the gun that looks coolest and then decide which manufacturer to go with.

 

[AirsoftTed]

Most of what you'll be needing and more for £40

http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/ishop/1069/shopscr43.html

Get yourself a lower mesh mask on ebay for around £10, a pair of ESS v12 advancer goggles go for £20 in surplus shops last time I checked, with all the lenses etc, they should be cheaper on ebay.

You'll also want some knee pads, possibly some gloves.

Can vouch for the G&G CM range also, I started off with one and bought another as a back up gun

 

[two_zero]

Now regarding whether a pistol needs to be blowback:

If you are in a close quarters situation you want the advantage of not having your position given away when you shoot. An Electric gun makes a racket due to the motor and gearbox, a gas blowback gun makes a noise due to the slide moving, a non blowback gas gun makes the faintest of popping noises. I know from experience that the result is that even the person you shoot has no idea where the shot came from. If you just want a cool toy (which to be fair is the main reason to have a pistol) then pick the gun that looks coolest and then decide which manufacturer to go with.

Thing is, in a pistol, I do just want a cool toy. hence the blowback! the pistol for most people in airsoft does not really fill a practical roll, it's very unlikely you will draw it and save your "life" because the AEG jams or something. practical? no. fun? yes.

then again, that's just me

 

[Ian_Gere]

My opinion.

Although that cadet starter kit is without any doubt at all the most cost effective deal currently available.

 

[Cheeky vimto]

If your CQB I suggest getting full face protection and a vest before a gun. The vest will take the nasty stings out of CQB which I was thankful for when I got mine. You can get cheap some for about £30 just to start you off but you'll find you want an upgrade after a few months.

And if you want a pistol definitely get a blow back, it makes it more fun!

 

[two_zero]

My opinion.

Although that cadet starter kit is without any doubt at all the most cost effective deal currently available.

hmn.. was actually gonna link to the thread..

If your CQB I suggest getting full face protection and a vest before a gun. The vest will take the nasty stings out of CQB which I was thankful for when I got mine. You can get cheap some for about £30 just to start you off but you'll find you want an upgrade after a few months.

And if you want a pistol definitely get a blow back, it makes it more fun!

running around with an empty vest thou? can't be afraid of "nasty stings" if you're into airsoft. one of the reasons I dumped my vest and went to a chest rig instead was that the rig covers a lot less of the body. Recently thou due to running high caps and not having grenades or pistol I've been running without any rig, just pop a spare mag in the pocket...

"elite-softers" seem to think hits on their kits does not count

(definitely not implying you're one of them, just had to get that off my heart)

 

[Cheeky vimto]

running around with an empty vest thou? can't be afraid of "nasty stings" if you're into airsoft. one of the reasons I dumped my vest and went to a chest rig instead was that the rig covers a lot less of the body. Recently thou due to running high caps and not having grenades or pistol I've been running without any rig, just pop a spare mag in the pocket...

"elite-softers" seem to think hits on their kits does not count

(definitely not implying you're one of them, just had to get that off my heart)

I don't go to the gym 5 days a weeks to have nasty lumps and bumps all over my body. If that meant wearing a vest with nothing on it, so be it.

I consider being shot in the peak of a baseball cap a hit.