Help needed - Really want to start Airsoft BUT..

[WillMidz]

@Rogerborg

1) Thank you for that advice! I will do that and I cannot wait. First ever Airsoft experience. 
2) Sorry I’ve asked again about the Specna and then saw your response. Okay thanks for that and thank you for being honest and understanding rather than just saying I need to throw 100s at my first gun because all the others are inferior. That’s what I’ve read about the G and Gs , they’ve fallen behind. You know your stuff! I will need to keep referring to all this information when I go to make my first purchase . 
Roger, what CYMAs would you recommend for my first gun and I was also told to stay away from delta armoury. 
 

 

[WillMidz]

@Emergencychimps 

Love the name ! ? and yes great advice by all ???

And that’s the case with all hobbies pretty much, I just felt like if I was spending 100s I was going to have a bag of crap that was practically unplayable. That’s how people on Reddit make it sound. 
 

I’m probably going to have played 4/5 games before I get my UKARA so that’s good advice that suits me . 
 

 

[Tackle]

@WillMidz, to be honest, ive got a silly amount of guns, prob 6 or 7 shotguns, prob 5 or 6 snipers, maybe 7 or 8 bullpups, 8 pistols i think, & prob another 15 to 20 of various m4's, G36's, m60, M14's, AK's, aug, VSS, FAL, G3, FNC & prob some I've forgotten.

I have favourites, such as my cyma M14 socom, but to be honest for a first gun I'd definitely recommend something that takes stanag mags, that way when you buy a back up rifle, there's a lot to choose from that should take the same mags, definitely will make life easier for changing guns mid gameday & your pouch setup.

What to pick, most brands are pretty good quality nowadays, it's as much about what you like the look of ??

 

[Jez_Armstrong]

Welcome 

Let me throw some advice your way and hopefully it's useful 

I'm also from a biking background (bmx) and in the 20 years I rode you never buy a bike from the shop and leave it standard do you, everything ends up getting changed because some parts are either shit or they break and if you ride as much as I did you get influenced by the hobby and the community you involve yourself in, then the fomo kicks in, the magpie in you wants that shiney thing and before you know it you've replaced every part in that bike, it's now a different bike... 

Same goes for airsoft, I've been involved with airsoft for 20 years also now, as a player and a professional tech, I have bought, sold and repaired over 800 guns 

I've spent hundreds upgrading guns and I've had stock guns, my current primary is absolutely 100% stock inside (G&G SR16 E2) 

Guns rarely fail out of the box, not saying they don't, they are still made far east and are concidered toys so QC on some brands might be a bit more lacking than others 

Just make sure you have good foot wear (not trainers, get decent walking shoes/boots) decent eye pro (Bolle) and a lower face mask of you're doing CQB (take it from someone who lost a tooth in CQB) 

 

[The_Lord_Poncho]

 and a lower face mask of you're doing CQB (take it from someone who lost a tooth in CQB) 

 Yep, CQB as a first experience is a touch bold, but many get into airsoft that way. Personally i prefer outdoor play as I find there are more opportunities to be cunning/stealthy - and it usually hurts a lot less. As a top tip, you probably have some anti fog spray for the mountain biking (or even access to some rainex) - take that along with you and a microfibre cloth - fogging up of eyewear is a big problem indoors, especially on rental masks.

 

[Madhouse]

I'm a mountain biker with the occasional foray into gravel biking. Both frames were written off within about 6 weeks of each other last year, at no point will my airsoft addiction come close to costing me what that did! ?

Anyway, I digress. I looked at Specna and G&G for my first pew and only opted for the G&G because I preferred the looks of the 308. I fitted a better mosfet and it's been almost faultless apart from the RHS ambi fire selector cogs being paper thin and therefore jumping if you use it, causing selection issues (fix : don't use that selector). The main issue with looking up stuff on the internet is that if there's an issue then people are likely to shout about it and then bang on about it for years after, whereas all those people who use and abuse their pews every week with no issues aren't doing the same.

I did CQB as my first game (most of my games actually), it's totally different, faster, more intense and a lot more ouchy than an outdoor game. You'll have fun but will look like you have measles for a week after which may give rise to a few weird looks if you also like swimming. Definitely make sure you have good eyepro and lower face protection, teeth cost a lot more than any pew could. If it's dark where you're going then take a torch, there's a high likelihood that the rental won't have one or a tracer - both of which I wouldn't be without in CQB, but that's for the shopping list when you get your UKARA.

Oh and welcome, you'll get plenty of good advice from everyone here.

 

[Mik3F]

CQB is how I got into Airsoft

The anti fog is a great tip, I have Muc Off for my MTB Goggles and use that before every game.  No Issues so far with fogging up since using it

Patrol Base do a Specna Arms starter bundle - https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/specna-arms-sandy-sneak-beginner-bundle

but if you get it before you have a UKARA it would need two toning

I honestly would consider a starter bundle, as even if you purchase another gun its always there as a backup and can be loaned to mates so they can see what the sport is like

 

[WillMidz]

@Tackle 

Thanks for that. 

I do like the look and sound of the Specna Arms Edge 2.0 Series BUT I’m going to take the peoples advice and go for something more budget/ beginner friendly to start with , so polymer instead of full metal and hopefully as reliable as can be. I’ve seen on patrol base  : 

Sa C19 Core 
https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/specna-arms-daniel-defense-r-sa-c19-core-tm-hal-etu-tm-mk18-m4-ar-15-aeg?pv=24996

Delta Armoury Bravo bundle 

https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/delta-armory-da-b13-intermediate-bravo-bundle

G and G Armenent CM16 2.0

https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/g-g-combat-machine-cm16-raider-2-0?pv=5103

Same again from G&G

https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/g-and-g-armament-combat-machine-cm16-raider-l?pv=2438

CYMA CM .623 

https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/cyma-cm-623-m4-m-lok-airsoft-rifle

G and G Cm 18 MOD 1 

https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/g-and-g-armament-combat-machine-cm18-mod1-aeg-rifle?pv=5738
 

So much to choose from , such little knowledge I have ! Please share your opinions and thoughts on these guns for my first Airsoft gun. Good beginner gun, easy accessible parts that makes repairs simple and maintenance , shoots relatively well for that price range and durable to withstand the mistakes of an Amateur. 
 

@Jez_Armstrong

That’s what I’m looking for! A good enough stock gun to have fun with that’s as reliable as can be for that price range to allow me to play . At the end of the day, all I’ll want to do is play and have fun. No mods, little repairs as possible to keeping me playing for as long as possible. The more I play, the more fun I have , the more I get into Airsoft .. inevitably my budget will expand with my enjoyment to a reasonable mature amount for a young lad that’s just bought his first house and looking to get married in the near future ? 

ouch! I’m a tad nervous about CQB now ? but nothing like a good old Baptism of fire ? ? 

@The_Lord_Poncho

Great advice thank you . I plan on getting these : 

Bolle X810
https://www.bolle-safety.com/gb/x810-5294.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAo5aBKb83N5LeHvczb8tHDcZx6qkm&gclid=CjwKCAiAh6y9BhBREiwApBLHC-pxrsvmit1hQO-6MT6ST0E_rFn_Qng1cnAIbC_Q2Fhzr9p-P4G5fhoCPTkQAvD_BwE

@Madhouse

That’s what I was scared of so I’m glad you said that! Biking is  expensive period! 
 

that is so true and it’s my biggest problem, I pay so much to the negatives, I don’t trust something that is rated Very good on average ! 
 

@Mik3F

I’m happy to go a bit more for my first gun and get the Specna arms CORE and source all the other stuff I need separately. What do you think? 
 

 

[DanBow]

Welcome @WillMidz

Just to throw my tuppence in, and echo what everyone has said, great sport, very addictive, cqb really is a lot of fun and will leave you scarred. I have some on my right forearm from a couple of indoor games last June/July. If you're happy to wear them like a badge of honour, you'll be good. Just remember that chicks dig scars!

On the G&G front, I have the CM16 12" Wildhog and love it more than some of my children but had to replace the trigger unit as the contacts burned out. From the online drivel I've read, this seems to be a known problem with G&Gs. I fitted an upgraded unit that is a massive improvement and has different settings that you can play with. It was as easy swap but it does mean taking the gearbox apart. Again, not difficult by any standards but some don't want to do it. 

Where is your first game?

 

[WillMidz]

@DanBow

Hi Dan, im seeking as much advice as possible from all angles to reach a solid conclusion so thank you. 
 

I forgot to add , the reason I booked a CQB session instead of a field was because I thought that the rental guns are probably battered and are highly likely to underperform. My thought pattern was that it mattered less at close range than at long range. 
 

however, it’s the skirmish sites I’m interested in. Flanking enemies, hiding in the undergrowth behind enemy lines before popping up out of the ferns and spraying all those in my sights . That will be my sort of play style ? 

I’m fine with the war wounds ? 

online drivel is accurate, nearly every gun I check the reviews on there’s a bloke saying don’t buy this piece of junk! 
 

Wm Airsoft my friend . It’s in the West Midlands. 

 

[Mik3F]

@Mik3F

I’m happy to go a bit more for my first gun and get the Specna arms CORE and source all the other stuff I need separately. What do you think? 
 

If thats what you want to do then don't let anyone stop you.

Trust me it wont be long before you are looking for a Pistol and another Rifle

In our house 3 of us play, myself and my 2 lads and between us we have 2 AEG's and 5 Pistols

And I am planning on another AEG in the next few months

 

[DanBow]

My style of play, generally, puts me right at the tip of the action in CQB and woodland, nothing like being in the thick of it. I really wouldn't worry too much about the effective range of your rental gear, just play the type of game you want to play and get stuck in.

Saying that, HC2 is a cracking site. Some of the scars I have are from there! ?

Spoiler

View attachment 144396

 

[Tackle]

@WillMidz, I'll be honest, only g&g gun I've owned is an AK74, same goes for the cyma, only had m14's & vss, as for specna, ive got a couble of they're gearboxes im putting in to project AR's, so im not really the guy to say on those you listed, that said im sure theyre all up to the job.

If your primarily focusing on playing cqb at the mo, maybe consider whatever model you mentioned that has the shortest barrel, can make a difference in room clearing etc.

 

[The_Lord_Poncho]

Great advice thank you . I plan on getting these : 

Bolle X810
https://www.bolle-safety.com/gb/x810-5294.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAo5aBKb83N5LeHvczb8tHDcZx6qkm&gclid=CjwKCAiAh6y9BhBREiwApBLHC-pxrsvmit1hQO-6MT6ST0E_rFn_Qng1cnAIbC_Q2Fhzr9p-P4G5fhoCPTkQAvD_BwE

You would be wise to pair these with a cheap mesh face mask - to protect your teeth (and your face!) e.g.: https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/nuprol-mesh-lower-face-shield-v3?pv=5289

 

[Mik3F]

Or consider a full face mask

Something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387812008868

 

[Rogerborg]

Patrol Base do a Specna Arms starter bundle - https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/specna-arms-sandy-sneak-beginner-bundle

I'd say "nope" to that because of the Nuprol burn-your-house-down charger, and starting off with Tamiya, when there are guns now that come with Deans as standard.  Not a big deal to swap if you're OK with soldering, but why make work for yourself out of the box?

 

[Mik3F]

In that case don't go for a starter bundle then, although I am fairly sure they wouldnt be sold if they were that bad as a charger (disclaimer I don't know if they are good or bad)

Soldering the connectors is fairly easy and you coudl always get an adaptor, but thats frowned upon by some too

Swings and roundabouts really

Just research and ask questions like you are doing and I am sure you will find a gun that you are happy with

 

[Barry Sayer]

I'd say "nope" to that because of the Nuprol burn-your-house-down charger, and starting off with Tamiya, when there are guns now that come with Deans as standard.  Not a big deal to swap if you're OK with soldering, but why make work for yourself out of the box?

I've got that charger ? no fires yet, it's fine just don't leave it unattended and stand bye with a fire extinguisher, fire blanket and phone at the ready for 999 fire brigade...what could possibly go wrong.

As for deans & tamiya, I have these due toa selection of lipos.View attachment 144405

 

[Cheeky vimto]

When you eventually buy your own gun resist the urge to open it up and most guns will last you a decent amount of time. When you start trying to push the limits of Rate of fire or joules/fps that's when things can go wrong. 

 

[Mik3F]

I've got that charger ? no fires yet, it's fine just don't leave it unattended and stand bye with a fire extinguisher, fire blanket and phone at the ready for 999 fire brigade...what could possibly go wrong.

As for deans & tamiya, I have these due toa selection of lipos.View attachment 144405

How do you charge the battereis, multiple chargers or do you have one that does all types?