Domo Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) Is there anyone on here who goes airsoft? Or at least has experience with it? I was just wondering about buying my own gear etc. As far as I know you still need a UKARA or equivalent license to buy imitation firearms that are not two-tone. I was thinking about getting a two-tone weapon for starting out, but the cheap ones are still 100+ quid whereas I can get a full metal realistic firearm for 180? Also electric or gas? Edit- went for the first time on Sunday, I still cannot get up or down stairs without a lot of pain in my legs xD Edited May 5, 2015 by Domo 1
notalot Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Hi, I used to do this a while ago been a long time since I did anything airsoft related however I might be able to help a little. Your right that you need a licence to own an airsoft rifle (at least it was the case when I owned one). Getting a licence is quite easy really, when I did it you just had to attend 6 airsoft events (hiring equipment) then have the centre fill in a form for you. As for electric or gas I would always go electric lasts longer on the field and doesn't really lose power over the long haul. Be aware though with gas you might find that your weapon might be rejected when you get it tested on site unless you keep it in good condition as the speed can vary between shots and gas levels (had a friend that was most disappointed when his sidearm was rejected granted it was delivering 3x the max power for the field). 1
Garacesh Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 I don't do 'proper' airsofting (and annoyingly Zombie Infection events don't count towards getting a license.. grumble) but I'd always go with electric. Lasts longer, easier to maintain, and much easier to get back into working order when its power runs out in the middle of the battlefield. Realistically if you're going committed to buying your own rifle, you might as well just rent off the organisation until you're able to buy your own. During that time frame you can get a feel for what kind of weapon you like and are good with. You don't want to spend 100-plus dosh on an MP5 replica only to find our you actually prefer to carry a semi-automatic rifle (akin to bolt-action rifle rather than LMG) and pistol instead. 1
Arreks Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Token airsofter here. You do not need a UKARA license to own a RIF, but you do need one to buy one. What this means; is that legally, a friend with a UKARA license can purchase a RIF and then 'give' it to you and it's totally within the law. I would aim for metal, or at least mostly metal - because it's a given that they will last longer. Generally the more you pay, the higher quality the internals are and that's the important bit. You want a metal gearbox ideally! As for gas or electric, personal preference. I tend to always use AEG instead of gas purely for simplicity - a good battery will last multiple games whereas gas.. is gas. 2
LincolnE Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Always been tempted to get into airsoft, but the prices that people charge around here seems to be pure insanity. For the price of entry + weapon hire (£45 round these parts), I could get around 900 rounds of .22LR ammo and blast around a semi-auto AR15 all day. Whilst I would happily pay ~£20, anything more than that would be too pricy.
Domo Posted May 5, 2015 Author Posted May 5, 2015 Always been tempted to get into airsoft, but the prices that people charge around here seems to be pure insanity. For the price of entry + weapon hire (£45 round these parts), I could get around 900 rounds of .22LR ammo and blast around a semi-auto AR15 all day. Whilst I would happily pay ~£20, anything more than that would be too pricy. Full hire at the site i go to is £37.50, still quite expensive but it's good fun.
Garacesh Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 You do not need a UKARA license to own a RIF, but you do need one to buy one. Now that is a handy piece of information to know. I'm not UKARA registered.. But a friend is..
edutech4schools Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Is this the same as paintball or are they different?
Arreks Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Now that is a handy piece of information to know. I'm not UKARA registered.. But a friend is.. Certainly is, I found it out when I was first getting into airsoft.. obviously if you're under 18 then it works completely differently - but if you're over 18 you can be gifted an RIF (which kinda seems like a weird loophole and I'm surprised there haven't been amendments to the legislation). Is this the same as paintball or are they different? Very, very different.
Garacesh Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Is this the same as paintball or are they different? Very different. Airsoft is Ball Bearing firearms (BB guns), most commonly made from metal and designed in appearance to imitate actual firearms. Certainly is, I found it out when I was first getting into airsoft.. obviously if you're under 18 then it works completely differently - but if you're over 18 you can be gifted an RIF (which kinda seems like a weird loophole and I'm surprised there haven't been amendments to the legislation). Aye, me to.. Might have to make use of this loophole whilst I can!
Domo Posted May 5, 2015 Author Posted May 5, 2015 You do not need a UKARA license to own a RIF, but you do need one to buy one. Unfortunately i don't have any friends with a license either sad times! me and my friends seem to be all jumping into it at the same time.
korifugi Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 For your main weapon - I'd recommend Electric, while the motors can go, in general they have much fewer issues than gas. Also - AEGs will fire at a more consistent 'power', whereas with gas the temperature can mean everything. A cold day can mean you'd be better spitting the BBs, while a warm day can mean your weapon is firing a little *ahem* hot. I've got three AEGs - two Classic Army (an M15A4 Carbine and an M4CQB Compact SEALs), and the build quality is excellent, they did cost quite a bit though. I also have a cheaper Chinese M14, and while it didn't cost much - parts have broken and the polarity was wrong on the connector from the start. As for sidearms - I prefer gas. The blowback is satisfying and there's not too much difference between plastic and metal for those (aside from metal slides using more gas). I've owned an Electric USP and it just felt 'meh' in comparison to my various GBBs (a mix of metal ones and plastic) Snipers? Lots of choice there. There's some VERY nice gas kit out there, but I've always found spring bolt action to do the job. I have a cheap Chinese M24 and it's brilliant. As you'll have to qualify for UKARA before you're allowed to buy any kit - you'll need to go a few times first. See what others are using, ask about them and see if you can have a play. Most airsofters I know are very happy to show off kit and let people have a play, that way you can decide what's right for you, as the sport can be very costly. 2
scotyboy56 Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 I've been wanting to try it for ages, but I have no idea where to begin looking for a site. Is there a website with loads of different sites around the country etc so I can have a look for one? Thanks
Garacesh Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 I've been wanting to try it for ages, but I have no idea where to begin looking for a site. Is there a website with loads of different sites around the country etc so I can have a look for one? Yeah. Google. Search the word "Airsoft" and Google's all-knowing (and oftentimes creepy) majesty will provide you with a map with airsoft locations near you
scotyboy56 Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 Yeah. Google. Search the word "Airsoft" and Google's all-knowing (and oftentimes creepy) majesty will provide you with a map with airsoft locations near you Can't I Bing it?
Garacesh Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 No you bloody well can't and you know it. Stop trying to make 'Bing it' a thing. It's never going to be a thing. Just like 'Fetch'.
Domo Posted May 6, 2015 Author Posted May 6, 2015 (edited) http://www.airsoftmap.co.uk , that's a map of airsoft sites throughout england, it is however slightly old and not up to date so there could be sites missing or sites on there that aren't there anymore. Edited May 6, 2015 by Domo
korifugi Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 No you bloody well can't and you know it. Stop trying to make 'Bing it' a thing. It's never going to be a thing. Just like 'Fetch'. What about Jeeves? 2
scotyboy56 Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 No you bloody well can't and you know it. Stop trying to make 'Bing it' a thing. It's never going to be a thing. Just like 'Fetch'. BING IS THE FUTURE!! What the hell is Fetch? Or am I being an idiot?
Arreks Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 Usually the best thing to do is just Google (or Bing..) "Airsoft" and then your county. I know that there's two/three sites good sites in Essex, but in reality they are few and far between!
korifugi Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 What the hell is Fetch? Isn't that Lycos - which was a non-starter anyway?
Garacesh Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 What the hell is Fetch? Or am I being an idiot? Isn't that Lycos - which was a non-starter anyway? In the film "Mean Girls", one of the characters tries to make the phrase 'Fetch' a thing (such as "That's so fetch!", fetch being a positive connotation). Her friends keep telling her to "Stop trying to make 'Fetch' happen.". This achieved a significant level of internet stardom and became somewhat of a meme. 1
scotyboy56 Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 In the film "Mean Girls", one of the characters tries to make the phrase 'Fetch' a thing (such as "That's so fetch!", fetch being a positive connotation). Her friends keep telling her to "Stop trying to make 'Fetch' happen.". This achieved a significant level of internet stardom and became somewhat of a meme. Oh well that makes more sense than when I BINGED!! it and came up with an online pet store, I got a little confused
bushby Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 iv been once before and got mates who go each weekend. im lucky where i am as i have groundzero near me and its a lovely place just dont go if starting off near august as thats when all the sets are being built for the big game and the groups go to scout out the locations for plans
Garacesh Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 Oh well that makes more sense than when I BINGED!! it and came up with an online pet store, I got a little confused That's because you used Bing I'm saving up for a holiday right now that is still 50/50 as to whether I'll actually go. So if I don't, I think airsoft gear is in order ^_^
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