Options for a beginner purchasing

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Biddy381

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Hi people,

I have been reading up on how to get started in taking part in airsoft.

I understand that you need to play a minimum amount of times over a period no less than 2 months in order to purchase a RIF.

My issue is that how do you go about not wasting a couple of hundred quid on a two tone to use 3-4 times until you can purchase an RIF not in two tone?

This is the only thing holding me back from participating in the sport.

 
I would just rent guns for your three games to get UKARA then buy a gun.

 
The restrictions are there for good reason.

Hires are the best solution. Your not going to break the bank doing 3 hires at most sites.


A typical hire day breaks down like this.

Walk on fee £25
Gun hire £20 including 2 magazines, webbing, Camo overalls, Face protection, 3000BB's.

Total £45.

In game terms 3000bb's is £10 worth of ammo, so the hire is actually £10, as even if you own your own guns you will have to pay for ammo.


To get setup as a new player your costs break down like this:

Camo clothing (budget DPM) Trousers £5, Shirt £5, Parka £15, Webbing £20 Total £45.

Face protection £10-100

Gun Budget (£100) midrange (£200)
Battery £15, Charger £20, Gun bag £20, 4 magazines £25, Scope £25-100, Sling £10.

That base investment is going to total £300-500.

So the cost of three hires at £135ish is pretty reasonable, and gives you a chance to really get to look at gear and see what you want and need. It also gives you an opportunity to get some of the base kit before you go and buy a gun. Grabbing the camo gear and your own face protection whilst you are still on hires means you can spread some of the startup cost over those 2 months, and get saving to push yourself out of the budget gun range into the midrange. And getting a midrange £150-200 gun will save you money in the long term, As you should get something in that range that is setup correctly, rather than a budget gun that is mostly a collection of parts that fit together.

 

 
That, essentially.  3 rentals is only going to cost you a net £30 or so.  Given that you're likely going to drop hundreds on toy guns once you have your UKARA, that's not a huge barrier to entry.

If you really can't stomach it, then I'll note that paint can be removed.

 
Thanks for all the information, haven't visited my local site yet. Really appreciate the info about hiring, didn't know that would be an option.

Much appreciated for taking the time to answer.

 
Welcome :) .  Have a read of the pinned (sticky) posts in each section, lots of useful information.

For example:




 
No problem, it's not always obvious how to get started.  Don't fret about turning up as Billy No Mates either, airsofters tend to be a friendly bunch.  Just ask someone about their RIF and you'll have your ear bent off.

You'll have to ask the site about hire options, but worst case, buying a 2-tone isn't the end of the world.  The BBs hit just as hard, and there are options for sorting the looks when you feel that it's legal and appropriate to do so.

 
dont worry about buying any gear (guns) before you play for the 1st time. It could end up being a case of you spending hundreds of pounds only to find out you hate airsoft! Best place to start would be to get some decent boots and maybe some eye protection/mask as hire kit is usually abit Ming. 

ive been playing for a little over 18 months and only just purchasing my 1st rifle. At first I was using rentals most sites offer some form of hire and interview varies from site to site which may help you decide on a weapon style 

 
Biddy381 said:
Thanks for all the information, haven't visited my local site yet. Really appreciate the info about hiring, didn't know that would be an option.

Much appreciated for taking the time to answer.
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Welcome! 

Just to add, some sites (like my locals) do not actually charge for hire guns at all. You simply need to book them in advance. ? 

 
Arwen said:
Welcome! 

Just to add, some sites (like my locals) do not actually charge for hire guns at all. You simply need to book them in advance. ? 
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i wish others did that, luckily on my 3rd game my AEG was delivered to the game site for use :)   so only 2 rental days at £50 each....

 
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Urban Assault (Walkon (own gear) £25, Rental £50,  (£25 deposit)

http://www.urbanassault.org.uk/ (then prices)

GMA is similar but a little more gear for rentals

http://www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk/open-days/

Team Green better

https://www.teamgreenairsoft.co.uk/prices

Combat Airsoft

http://www.combatairsoft.co.uk/prices.html

Combat Airsoft is the better priced for me but further away so the extra diesel / cost saving probably wont be noticed  :lol:

Struggle to get friends to come along at those prices so have to lend them an AEG to tempt them in!

 
Yea, VSA are a pretty good site. The lack of silly hire prices does help get new playing in I think. There are always new folk every time I go there! 

I do wonder about some sites extortionate (to me) hire fees. Considering they probably buy the aeg's for around £80-£100, why do they feel the need to charge an additional £20-40 for each hire?! Surely the aeg's they buy for hires last more than 3 or 4 games? ? 
An additional £10 on top of the walk on fee I think is acceptable, especially if it includes bb's as well. 

 
Super late to this thread! But my local site charges,
£15 Half day walk on
£25 full day walk on
£25 half day hire

£45 full day hire

For me, I just did 3 half day hire's over the full course of 2 months, that's £75 total for my ukara but had some fun while doing so.

 
Some sites (not many) do a rent to buy type thing where they keep hold of the rif till you are eligible. 

 
Also

ShirouAshiya said:
Super late to this thread! But my local site charges,
£15 Half day walk on
£25 full day walk on
£25 half day hire

£45 full day hire

For me, I just did 3 half day hire's over the full course of 2 months, that's £75 total for my ukara but had some fun while doing so.
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Also buy going skirmishing and renting you can see a range of guns, and many will even let you have a try of theirs if you ask nicely.

Though the go to for a starter gun is a usually a G&G Combat Machine of some description.

Many things come into play when buying a gun, looks, weight, performance etc

 
Good luck and have fun. You have to start playing so you can purchase. For a start, renting would be a good option or you can buy then you can resell it.

 
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