Hello from North Staffs

[Combat Six]

Hello all

 

I'm from Newcastle in North Staffordshire. I'm completely new to airsoft, so I'm sure I might have some very lame questions in the coming months, but I hope you'll take pity on me and help me out all the same.

 

I bought myself a Tokyo Marui M4 S System a few years ago, while I was working out in Japan. I didn't really know what airsoft was back then, I just thought that the gun looked and felt great and had to get one. Over in Japan, its a fairly big hobby and there are large airsoft shops in all the cities, but I came back to the UK last year. As I haven't played any games yet, I obviously don't have UKARA certification, so I had to take the gun apart and send it back to the UK in pieces. It's been like that until last week, when I endeavoured to piece it back together. (No mean feat!). Anyway, it seems to be back up and running now, and I've had a bit of a spending spree on EvilBay to buy some extra kit.

 

I'm keen to get playing, but I don't really know where to start... and that's why I've come here! I'm a complete novice, so I would really appreciate some pointers. I do have a few starter quandaries, that I would appreciate your comments on...

 

1. Where are the best game sites in reasonable commuting distance of North Staffordshire?

2. Will I be permitted to use my own gun, even if I aren't yet UKARA accredited?

3. Do I need to worry about the strength of the gun (fps)? I bought it brand new from a reputable airsoft shop in Japan. I wouldn't want to turn up for a game and be told I cant use it. I haven't customised it or adjusted it's firing mechanism, so I'm hoping not.

 

We'll, I thinks that's all from me for now.

Thanks!

[Monty]

Welcome to the forums!

 

1. Best to check here http://www.airsoftmap.net/Skirmish/

2. To put it simply: yes,

3. Not really, Marui guns have incredible range so you shouldn't have any issues. Ofcourse if you want more punch then get a slightly stronger spring.

[THE FNG]

Hi mate; Stokie here.

I play at Anzio Camp in Leek; great site, classed as fibua (fighting in built up areas) and includes both cqb and open areas. Awesome place.

A new cqb site has opened in Burslem recently too; will be heading there soon to try it out.

 

 

UKARA pretty much only applies to the purchasing of a weapon. So if you sell or buy a rif (realistic imitation firearm), then UKARA will apply to comply with the V.C.R.A (Violent Crime Reduction Act). It doesn't apply to owning, using or borrowing a weapon.

 

350 FPS are then general limits on most UK sites for full auto weapons, snipers tend to be around 500 fps and dmr's are usually between 400 and 450.

 

 

Hope it helped and hope to see you around on the field

[UIVenger]

Hi there.

 

Yet another Stokie 'softer here. Have played Anzio Camp and Hilton Park, prefer to play at Stormforce near Rugeley now.

 

Part of a team of 8 (all living in and around Stoke (apart from 2))

 

Welcome to the forum and the sport. Enjoy!

[UIVenger]

Hi mate; Stokie here.

I play at Anzio Camp in Leek; great site, classed as fibua (fighting in built up areas) and includes both cqb and open areas. Awesome place.

A new cqb site has opened in Burslem recently too; will be heading there soon to try it out.

 

 

UKARA pretty much only applies to the purchasing of a weapon. So if you sell or buy a rif (realistic imitation firearm), then UKARA will apply to comply with the V.C.R.A (Violent Crime Reduction Act). It doesn't apply to owning, using or borrowing a weapon.

 

350 FPS are then general limits on most UK sites for full auto weapons, snipers tend to be around 500 fps and dmr's are usually between 400 and 450.

 

 

Hope it helped and hope to see you around on the field

 

Where is the site in Burslem? Dead handy!

[THE FNG]

http://squadassault.co.uk/about/

[Sanguinor]

Another Potter softer here, there is the local Op-Tac sites available as well although I'm not sure of the quality of the games days at the moment.

 

I've been to the Squad Assault site, a great little CQB site ran by a bloke called Si who is very friendly

 

Anzio and Stormforce are also great sites! But my team (20-30 members) have had bad experiences with the marshals/home team there as of recent.

[Combat Six]

Thanks for the welcome! And glad to find some local players on here too. I'm still buying kit up at the moment and then I hope I'll come along to some games.

 

So maybe see you there!

[THE FNG]

...Why am I getting the feeling that we could end up organizing a 'potter-soft' game soon?!

[Raid3r]

Hi, I'm from Stoke too, looking to try airsoft for the first time. My brother played at the Burslem one with his work. I was going to go along with them next time but they haven't been since.

 

How many do you really need for a team? How many to pre-book a site? there is probably 3-4 of us looking to play regularly. Is there anywhere we can turn up and play or does everywhere need to be pre-booked?

 

I'm not too far from Leek, that could be ideal.

 

Sorry for any daft questions, didn't even know airsoft existed till last month.

[Chock]

How many do you really need for a team? How many to pre-book a site? there is probably 3-4 of us looking to play regularly. Is there anywhere we can turn up and play or does everywhere need to be pre-booked?

 

 

I would think a team of four would be the least you'd need to be able to pull off most tactics you'd really want to, although you can still do a lot with just two. Most militaries are based on multiples of four man fire teams, with two or three four man fire teams who are grouped together then being referred to as a squad (or occasionally as a section).

 

The classic make up of a four man fire team comprises:

 

Team Leader who obviously is in command of his team and determines how they will carry out their assigned tasks. Invariably the Team Leader is an NCO, and often equipped with an assault rifle, occasionally with something a bit fancier or lighter than a standard rifle, such as a shorter M16 variant with a grenade launcher.

Grenadier who is usually equipped with an assault rifle with an underslung grenade launching capability, such as an M203 or L17A2.

Rifleman who is your bog standard grunt, usually equipped with an assault rifle such as an M16 or AK-47. The rifleman is often tasked with carrying additional rounds for the grenadier or the automatic rifleman and is often placed under the command of - or tasked to assist - the grenadier, since this balances up a two-man element with the heavier rate of fire which the automatic rifleman can put out, allowing for split movements.

Automatic Rifleman who is usually equipped with a heavier variant of a standard assault rifle, or possibly dedicated a belt/box mag-fed automatic support weapon with a heavier barrel to allow for more sustained fire, such as an RPK or an M249.

 

Fireteams or four can easily be split into two pairs (elements) so that pincer movements and crossfires can be set up. Elements move by 'leapfrogging' using standard fire and manoeuvre tactics (i.e. one guy provides covering fire whilst the other moves up to some cover, then he provides covering fire whilst the other guy then advances, etc).

 

This is your basic team set up. Of course not everyone has the luxury of such well organised weaponry choices between four players, most people tip up to airsoft sites with an M4 or an AK, and possibly a back up pistol, but there is nothing stopping four of you from operating as a balanced fire team with such a loadout and you can still effectively split into two elements for tactical manoeuvres, but you should endeavour to have someone be in charge, even if you take turns at this weekly.

 

It is possible to do fairly well with just a team of two (element), although obviously firepower is limited, meaning ambush tactics will serve you better. I actually did that last night with one other guy when most other teams were six members, and we did okay, better than some bigger teams actually.

 

Theoretically, most sites will let you just tip up on the night (or day), which is referred to a 'walk-on', however, it's usually not a bad idea to book or at least let the site know you are coming, since if it has lots of people show up on spec, you will at least know you're in. Larger more specialised events almost always expect you to book a slot. Expect to pay about 20 quid for an evening if you are hiring gear, 15 if you bring your own stuff. Expect to pay about 35 quid for a day-long event. Expect to get a discount if you tip up regularly and become a member.

[THE FNG]

If you are near Leek, you should seriously try Anzio camp mate.

I will be there with my team at the next game day on Saturday the 11th. You need to book in online; costs £35 to walk on or £50 to hire a G36c for the day.

It's a very strict site but it welcomes new players and is a great day. No pressure from experience players and the marshals are always there to help.

 

Recommended highly!

 

 

Let us know if you end up going; you could play with us and work as a team!

Here's my youtube channel; you can see Anzio in most of the videos and how some of the play works.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIPTglMXyopwVTeafXHbcRg

[joshcowin]

Welcome to the forum mate