Missing Links in Airsoft?

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Wishlist.

At the moment I'd love to see a return of a decent line of FAL's, specifically an L1A1 SLR. If the Ares was half the price then I'd probably grab it simply due to a lack of options but given the plethora of known issues it's a firm pass.

Admittedly I wouldn't mind picking up an M-16A2 but these seem nigh impossible to find, especially with trades.

I'd love to see a GPMG/FN Mag but if I'm being completely honest I probably wouldn't buy one myself.

I'd like to see a decent Browning Hi-Power but based on the most recent WE Hi-Power Mk.3 I suspect it's another case of keep on dreaming.

I can think of a few other hand guns I wouldn't mind seeing (be it due to them not being produced or due to wanting to see it from a better manufacturer) such as a Tokyo Marui Sig P228 or P229.

Beyond that the main stuff on my wishlist would be accessories such as an LLM 03 (maybe we'll see one from Element in the not so distant future?) or the accessories required to throw together late 80's to early 2000's impression kits. That's not to say that these accessories can't be found, at least the early 2000's stuff, but it is very challenging to find at times.

I'd also like to see the UGL front end for the L85 re-released, even if it came from Angry Gun (think it's AG) who currently make the RIS for the L85 platform.

The boring stuff.

I think part of the issue is that as soon as you start to stray out of the immediate realms of your average Nato/Russian grunt or "Tier 1" Operator then options start to diminish rather rapidly.

While there is certainly a demand for airsoft kit that falls outside of the last 10 - 20 years of usage, this demand seems to diminish rapidly as you move further back across the years and/or as you move progressively further away from the big NATO countries and Russia in terms of armaments. Thus creating products outside of this range gradually increases the likelihood of incurring a loss.

I think some other major issues worth considering are clashes in terms of trademarks, design copyright, import/export issues and distributors. Another growing trend in recent years is the seeming increase in various unnamed companies pursuing the purchase of licensing rights which in turn only further hampers things, be it through companies facing potential lawsuits or due to inferior products at a premium price all for the sake of a name.

I'd also argue companies such as Nuprol are a major issue in the UK/Euro market at the moment as they seem to be causing significant price hikes while simultaneously throttling supply.

Great post, and sums up the frustrations many feel I think.

Firstly, forgive the rant - currently stuck on a very remote wet and windy Scottish island (key worker for my sins) and rather hacked off with Corona and our beloved Scottish and UK Governments trying to out-North Korea North Korea in terms of continual removal of freedoms...

I'm a total newcomer to airsoft, so I'm not sure how many of these issues are due to Corona/Brexit. Considering a large bulk of airsoft gear is Made In Covidland and much is probably imported via the EU I'd imagine there is some impact. However, as a newcomer I'm genuinely shocked at the total lack of availability of stock generally among airsoft retailers in the UK.

Without wanting to brag I have a number of very niche hobbies - aviation, motorcycling, music, assorted outdoor stuff like kayaking/fishing/hillwalking/camping), airsoft also being very niche, however none seem to have the ongoing chronic supply issues that airsoft retailers have. Various retailer websites are filled with good-looking RIFs, most of which (well over 50%) are continuously labelled "Out Of Stock". Interesting stuff (i.e anything non-M4 - AKs, G36s, Sci-Fi, other platforms like bullpups, G3s etc.) is utterly non-existent. Electric Pistols are particularly badly affected, there's a glut of gas stuff but the electric models are never in-stock, ever.

I'm fully aware that the laws of supply and demand are at play here, the MTP-clad M4 or AK wielder being almost an airsoft cliche (not having a go at anyone, purely an observation - wear/use what you want IMO!) however the supply of airsoft RIFs is, to quote a popular Scots expression, pish-poor.

So, to sum up, my wish would either be 1) acceptable and accessible stock availability, or 2) airsoft retailers stop tempting us with non-existent stock... if its OOS then remove it from the site!

 

[FreeFrag.UK]

@125cc - Thank you for the compliment, it's greatly appreciated.

Supply has been an issue for some time but previously retailers would get restocks, varying in size, throughout the year. While this often resulted in products being unavailable for significant lengths of time, it was understandable when considering minimum order requirements set out by some suppliers, stock availability at a supplier/distributor level and other considerations such as how long will item x sit on the shelf as dead money.

The majority of airsoft goods come out of South East Asia (be it China, Hong Kong, Taiwan etc.) which have clearly been heavily effected by Covid. This issue has been exacerbated by closures and restrictions applied to postage/logistics routes which have even gone so far as to extend to no shipments to the UK (and various other countries).

Further to the Covid-19 problems you have to take into consideration the wide ranging and significant number of issues as a direct result of Brexit. This has negatively impacted import and export across a huge array of sectors and it's worth noting that we're still to fully implement all required checks/procedures required, as we are still within the grace period.  This impact doesn't just effect availability of RIF's but also availability of accessories, clothing and other items associated with the hobby. It's also worth noting that distributors in many sectors have switched from using ports based in the UK to ports in EU.

The final major issue, at least off of the top of my head, are companies such as Nuprol who end up taking on the role of middle-man between the manufacturer and distributor. Nuprol have stuck their fingers in many pies and as a result there have been steep price hikes across a number of product lines with availability being severely hampered well before covid-19 became a factor. The easiest reference for this being when Nuprol became involved with dictating price and availability of LCT in the UK. Following Nuprol signing the deal with LCT availability quickly dried up and LCT products were out of stock for many months. LCT products then became available after a lengthy absence but supply was short and prices had risen by an average of 50% with increases of over 100% in some cases.

edit: Just thought I'd throw in a quick clarification here. The above is my interpretation of the current situation. Stock has always been an issue due to batch manufacturing and business decisions. This is something others have stated following my post but I thought it worth clarifying.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

The out of stock thing i dont think is corona related, i think its mostly a combination of lazy updating of sites and the desire to make a small business look bigger by listing a wide array of stock.

Its been that way since before the 'rona

 

[EvilMonkee]

Its nothing to do with Corona or Brexit.  It's everything to do with batch manufacturing and being at the end of a very long supply line for what is relative to SE Asia a very small market.  Add into this the nonsense that Nuprol and others get upto and you have our situation.  It will always be cheaper to produce another M4 than something more exotic and hence that's what you get.

 

[PopRocket123]

I love interesting sci fi guns but all of the non-rif Airsoft guns all look pretty terrible to me. There's that thing that looks like a G36 let itself go, the anime M4, Ares SOC and the pulse rifle and that's kind of it. So I've resolved to make my own stuff from now on since I have a printer, a bunch of spare parts and no disposable income to spend on new guns. I've already started work on a sci Uzi AEG and I've got plans for a rifle, bullpup and l96 stock. 

 

[Adolf Hamster]

It will always be cheaper to produce another M4 than something more exotic and hence that's what you get.

yep.

why make brand new custom moulds when you can take last years worn out moulds, mill it out a bit, call it a "reinforced" receiver and sell the same internals as a brand new gun.

it's tricky because cheap m4's are what sell, and whilst it's understandable why it's so popular as a platform it does get a bit samey after the 1000th m4 on the field.

it's one of the things i respect companies like WE for, as much as they get hate for their hit/miss quality they at least have the cajones to make stuff nobody else does (and have a decent enough supply of parts where you aren't afraid to skirmish their rarer pieces).

 

[DerDer]

With regards the GPMG, Lambda defence have stated that they plan to tackle an M240 after their MK 48. Not exactly a FN MAG but not too far off.  

The FAL is quite an annoying one. The VFC GBBR is supposed to be out in September or October. Would certainly be waiting till the new year in such a case. Don't fancy trying to skirmish in the winter with one. Also gives them a bit of time to iron out any errors in the first batch. 

King Arms were supposed to re-release their FAL line this year but that seems to be a non-starter. All the same, recently checked WGC shop and the had the KA ARM back in stock for the first time in ages. So might be pleasantly surprised to see a SLR or FAL pop up in the restocked section of a retailer. 

LCT have shown prototype photos of HK53 and MP5s, so the HK21 might be happening down the line.  Alternatively the company might pursue a PSG-1 as the VFC version seems to be selling well. 

 

[rj1986]

With regards the GPMG, Lambda defence have stated that they plan to tackle an M240 after their MK 48. Not exactly a FN MAG but not too far off.  

Pending how good the mk48 is, that does bode well.

 

[shadowfacex]

I'm keen to see more original pistols, such as:

• CZ P10c
  
• SIG P320 RXP (full-size)
  
• HK P30/L
  
• HK45
  
• IMI Jericho 941
  

As for larger weapons, I think we've got enough AR-15 style variants on the market to satisfy even the most peckish of us, right? I long for bringing in stuff like:

• SIG CROSS Rifle
  
• FAMAS
  
• B&T APC9 SMG
  
• XM8 (hell, yeah!)
  

 

[Adolf Hamster]

• FAMAS
  
• XM8 (hell, yeah!)
  

don't we have versions of both of those?

 

[PopRocket123]

don't we have versions of both of those?

We have the ACP9 as well now 

 

[DerDer]

I'm keen to see more original pistols, such as:

• CZ P10c
  
• SIG P320 RXP (full-size)
  
• HK P30/L
  
• HK45
  
• IMI Jericho 941
  

As for larger weapons, I think we've got enough AR-15 style variants on the market to satisfy even the most peckish of us, right? I long for bringing in stuff like:

• SIG CROSS Rifle
  
• FAMAS
  
• B&T APC9 SMG
  
• XM8 (hell, yeah!)
  

The Jericho is a good call. There is a nice selection of CZs available at the moment but a 941 would be very cool. Good few variants too.

 

[shadowfacex]

We have the ACP9 as well now 

I honestly never seen one being available, same for XM8. Must be super rare in the UK, just like my Magpul PDR-C.

As for FAMAS, I think TM discontinued them (F1) a while back and nobody even makes the FAMAS G2 at all. At least I couldn't find one for my best mate, who has the old TM FAMAS F1.

Same for SG550-series. If you find one, it must be quite old and not even supported anymore. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.

 

[Venomous]

One of these would be nice, I started Practical Pistol with one of these in 1988 (old fart alert).

View attachment 71998

 

[shadowfacex]

One of these would be nice, I started Practical Pistol with one of these in 1988 (old fart alert).

There's never enough S&W handguns on the market, I'm afraid.

That reminds me, I know this is already on the market, but I'd love a proper sturdy replica of FN FiveSeven, because those by TM and CyberGun are just poor substitutes. The slide is so prone to damage in skirmish, it's a wall piece at best.

 

[FreeFrag.UK]

I honestly never seen one being available, same for XM8. Must be super rare in the UK, just like my Magpul PDR-C.

As for FAMAS, I think TM discontinued them (F1) a while back and nobody even makes the FAMAS G2 at all. At least I couldn't find one for my best mate, who has the old TM FAMAS F1.

Same for SG550-series. If you find one, it must be quite old and not even supported anymore. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.

Cybergun are responsible for the best available FAMAS release at the moment, if memory serves there are two versions of it and it's reportedly half decent but this is based on remarks I've heard in passing.

Ares product the B&T APC-9 which I think Negative Airsoft made a video of work being done to one recently.

SRC produce the XM8, I believe one of the forum members (name escapes me, @Asomodai perhaps?) owns one or two.

ICS and G&G both still produce various iterations of the SG55x and GHK also produce a GBBR version of the 553. I think there are a few other companies that produce Sig SG55x's too but I can't recall which off hand.

A lot of it falls down to availability and which retailers are stocking what. I have a G&G Sig 553 which is an incredible gun (at least externally) but getting hold of magazines is pain in the arse and usually quite expensive.

While a most of the pistols you have mentioned don't have airsoft version (at least from memory) the HK45 definitely has an airsoft version (I owned the Tokyo Marui HK45) and I think there is a version of the IWI Jericho from KWA but it's NBB if memory serves. Regarding the 5-7 comment, I know someone who has ran a Tokyo Marui FN 5-7 for quite a few years now without issue although I also followed a re-build on reddit last year which has left me very tempted to pick one up for myself.

 

[cropzy]

FG42

 

[Adolf Hamster]

FG42

yes

 

[FreeFrag.UK]

FG42

If you've got a big enough wallet it can be yours ?

Never mind, it looks more like a bit of re-enactment kit as opposed to a functioning airsoft gun.

 

[shadowfacex]

A lot of it falls down to availability and which retailers are stocking what. I have a G&G Sig 553 which is an incredible gun (at least externally) but getting hold of magazines is pain in the arse and usually quite expensive.

True, a lot of it comes down to availability, which is a topic in and of itself. It actually shines light on our perception of what's available and what's not. G&G

I know that SIG55x-series isn't being retailed, and I reckon its because it also hasn't been manufactured anymore. I also own 553, so I can relate to the pains of hunting down mags, especially the low-cap ones (for some reason I like changing mags on my SG553 quite frequently).

Some halo guns, like the PDR-C, have come and gone in very limited quantities and PTS Syndicate definitely doesn't make them anymore. It's a solid bullpup, however.

I need to take a closer look at the HK45; I love the look of that pistol. My wishlist however has the CZ P10c at the top, which is nowhere to be found yet.

Oh, and don't tell me it's just a Czech Glock. You can get a boot for that where I come from. ?