Can't really see myself playing again

[emilianoksa]

As some of you know, I am not only very old for skirmishing, but have a history of disc problems in the lower spine and a recent hip fracture, with extensive nerve damage to my right calf, foot and ankle, which means I have to wear a brace on my right leg. Even with the brace there is always a danger of me falling down. I did so quite badly at my last skirmish and though nothing was broken, I was badly bruised.

I have recently received the results of my bone density tests from the hospital. Apparently I have osteopenia, which, if I am like my mother, could eventually develop into osteoporosis. The doctor reckons I have a 12% chance of breaking my other hip, and a 22% chance of suffering a fracture somewhere else. I have been advised to go on a course of tablets.

This calls into question my future in airsoft. I really can't risk another fracture. I am prone to falling and just cannot rely on my right leg. I hate being in hospital, and it puts an unnecessary burden on family members.. So I am reluctantly coming to the conclusion that it would be foolish of me to resume CQB. I would be reduced to a purely static role, hanging around behind a barricade or lingering at a choke point. I would be of little use to other team members and an easy target for the opposition. And I could still fall.

 I feel sad about it, because I really enjoyed playing, even if I wasn't good. However I have no regrets about taking airsoft up with your encouragement. I'm glad I got my UKARA, played a couple of games,  and acquired some rifs. In fact I have only used one of my rifles in a game and none of my pistols. The other times I rented a site weapon. No matter.  I like to collect things anyway and I can shoot them at home or at a local airgun range. Not sure I can justify keeping seven pistols and three rifles though. Some like my TM Hicapa were bought very much with skirmishing in mind. I have never particularly liked the looks of hicapas. If I had been buying as a collector and back yard shooter I might have made some different choices. I might have been tempted by a regular 1911 for example.

My guns are all of decent if unspectacular quality and I don't have a lot in terms of tactical gear. But I do have some items that I will not really need any more. I suppose I could keep them in case younger family members want to take up skirmishing. 

If I want to acquire any more rifs I have until next March when my current UKARA expires. So I might sell some items in order to acquire others.

I will continue to read this forum religiously and ask lots of questions ? and perhaps take more interest in technical matters and gun improvements.

 

[Shizbazki]

Sorry and shame to see you stop playing mate.

Like you said you can probably keep your self in the loop by learning teching and passing that knowledge and experience down to others.

 

[Druid799]

Well this sucks on a fecking huge level bud ! ?

no woodland sites in your area you could play a sniper role ? Team mate of mine is absolutely FUBAR’ed health wise and has very very poor mobility so he will take him self off in to the site dig him self in ‘like an Alabama tick” and happily shoot people as they amble through the game totally oblivious of there surroundings and him ! ?

Everyone knows him so it’s very rare when he does get taken out there’s any problems with overkill or ‘over exuberance’ from the other players when they do catch him .?  

 

[Adolf Hamster]

^druid makes a good point, perhaps a more relaxed role is in order?

i've played games with older folks who do that, they're like sentient landmines, absolute pain in the arse, literally. when you get pinged from a hedge 6' away......

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks for the replies.

Don't really have it in me to play sniper.

I prefer cqb to be honest. 

 

[GeorgePlaysAirsoft]

^what about practical shooting / 3gun? Appriciate its easier said then done but they are out there. 

 

[Rogerborg]

Didn't really read, is there stuff for sale?

 

[emilianoksa]

Not at the moment, but there might be in a little while.

I'm just getting my head around my changed circumstances at the moment.

I may be putting up an Armorer Works hicapa with two mags tomorrow, but it has a blue slide and red magwell from the factory so will  probably draw little interest on here.  Probably easier to sell somewhere else. It was my first gun before I went down the UKARA route. 

 

[L3wisD]

What about asking if you can be a Marshal at your local site?

That way you can still be involved without the physical exertion?

Or as above, learn to tech and help out keeping the rental guns in order?

 

[Druid799]

Thanks for the replies.

Don't really have it in me to play sniper.

I prefer cqb to be honest. 

Fair enough mate , I love woodland with buildings and don’t really like full CQB but if it ment still being able to play I’d go full CQB only if it meant could still play AND still meet up with all my mates .

Do get you like CQB but it does seam to be a bit ‘cut off your nose’ ? 

Just a thought .

 

[Tackle]

I'm with Druid on this (we're like twins lol, obviously I'm Arnie), you don't have to give up, just adapt to your new situation.

if you cant run around anymore....Then don't.

if your usual haunts are not h&s friendly.....find one that is.

Hell, you could even think about switching to four wheels for gamedays, plenty of vids out there of guys who have mocked up mini afv's around buggies & even electric wheelchairs, keeps them in the game & adds a new twist to gameplay that I'm sure most sites would welcome.

there's always options, just gotta be open to them.

good luck buddy?

 

[Druid799]

I'm with Druid on this (we're like twins lol, obviously I'm Arnie)

Arnie ? More like f**king Ernie ! ?‍

???

View attachment 47677

 

[Tackle]

Arnie ? More like f**king Ernie ! ?‍

???

View attachment 47677

Lol, coincidentally someone used to call me beaker when I was a sprog ('kin cheek, I'm not even a ginge)

View attachment 47694

 

[Albiscuit]

Shame your not into woodland, my mate is of the older persuasion and has knee issues and hasn’t run more than a bath in years! 

He finds a tree at crossroads, leans against it and pings the enemy when they come by! Out of a day of 4 games he likely plays 2 and spends the others in the safe zone talking guns and kit and socialising and absolutely loves it all!

 

[Resistor170]

Sorry to hear it. If you are open to practical pistol then maybe you'd be open to taking up plinking with air pistols and rifles instead? No need for any defence as they are classed as firearms so you can jump right in.

Few cons worth mentioning are that air pistols cost more than the exact same version in airsoft, nowhere near as much choice of pistols. Steel bb's ricochet like mad. Lead pellets OK but most of the blow back pistols are steel bb only. You'll need a safe place and backstop to shoot either at home, garden or at a range. 

Pros include no running, designing and builiding targets can be satisfying. Just a completely different pace. With air rifles there a few different diciplines, hft looks good fun but I have no real experience with air rifle shooting yet. 

I'd say well worth looking into, check out airgun forum UK and also Google for where your nearest air gun ranges are. Initially, it might seem boring just shooting at metal or paper targets but there's enough variety of targets in my opinion to keep it interesting.

 

[emilianoksa]

Thank you for taking the trouble.

I have been an airgun shooter for several decades, and am a member of two UK airgun forums , including the one you mention, so I am aware of the points you raise.

I got fed up of plinking at pieces of paper and switched to airsoft because of its unique challenges and the fun of combat.

Now it seems I might well have to return to shooting paper.

But airsoft blowback pistols are far superior in looks and function  to airgun blow backs, and a lot safer. I love green gas and dislike CO2.

I might pick up another air rifle one day, but probably not.