Airsoft Newbie

[Rachel]

Hello

Im a Newbie to airsoft went to my first game with the all arms airsoft last sunday and had a blast. Already looking forward to my next outing!

Anyway my kit is basic to say the least at the moment I have an army surplus outfit I picked up for a tenner that did the job, I need some decent boots (I shockingly own no shoes suitable for running around a forest!) And I have a swiss arms p1911 which is my only gun so far and ive never shot it lol

Anyway thought I woukd say hi and introduce myself really

Thanks

Rachel

[NinjaAxle]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Hi,
Surplus kit is all you need. (I have UBACS, Tac vests, helmets, the lot and don't use most of it. I'm just gonna get a hoodie from sports direct for £8.50 to replace my £30 tactical shirt, because it's more comfy .) Boots however are important. i@ve got a pair of Magnum Panther boots with a side zip. They're absolutely brilliant (get ones with a side zip they're so much easier to put on) but anything by magnum will be good. As a word of warning, are you sure the P1911 is an airsoft gun? I was just trying to find out about spare mags and it seems that the swiss arms p1911 is an CO2 air pistol rather than a Airsoft gun.

[Vex]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Hi and welcome,

I think Ninja is right that it is an .177 air pistol and not an airsoft gun, good job you never used it

[Fizzy]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Hello and welcome!

Boots and decent eye protection and that's the essentials covered. The rest is purely 'fashion'

[smudge1990]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

depends entirely on budget as with anything. Tend to get what you pay for. Top end I'd recommend Lowa Elite/GTX's. I have heard Grafter boots give good bang fornbuck from bobby's that wear em all day everyday and put some serious mileage in. I personally use Lowa Desert Elites as I run an MTP loadout. Picked them up from a well known auction site for £30 and they just needed a touch of glue on the sole. They're so comfy it's like playing in slippers. Glad you enjoyed your recent game - it's a great hobby but gets expensive!

[smudge1990]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Just a quick addition;

As with any boots looking after them is essential, but if you were to choose the Lowa Elite Deserts they are made of a soft leather so need to be scrubbed and cleaned using the appropriate product. I use Cherry Blossom Suede and Nubuck Renovator.

[akey]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

welcome to the fastest way to empty your wallet / purse of any and all free cash you have.

Boots are very much personal choice but you dont need to spend a fortune for a reasonable pair. Personally I use good walking boots (and did in my time in the military as well), Lowas are good, as are Salamon, Karrimoor and Brasher and you can get them from £40 to £200+ depending on taste, style etc. My Karrimoor KSBs lasted me around 7 years of hard use before they started to go and they were £55. I currently use Salamon Quest 4D GTX and would highly reccomend them if you are willing to pay over £100 for boots.

[dexadrine]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Without trying to repeat what's been said already, its easy to get distracted by unneccersary purchases in airsoft. To start with stick to the essentials:
- Good boots
- Good eye/face protection
Don't scrimp on the above (you don't really need to spend tons though).

Build up the rest of your kit gradually. As for camo, as stated above, army surplus is the cheap but effective route - you can kit yourself out in new army issue MTP for less than £50.

Resist the temptation to buy a two tone gun before you get UKARA registered. Try a few rentals and ask to hold/look at/shoot/get info on - some from other players to find what you like.

Airsoft can become a money pit, but doesn't have to be.

Above all, have fun and welcome!

[airsoc]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Hello and welcome!

Boots and decent eye protection and that's the essentials covered. The rest is purely 'fashion'

This 100% ive worn suits and camo. I just make sure im not cold, decent footwear and my face is protected cause thats all that counts. Im never super cereal about my outfit. Unless it doesnt go with my gun, in which case its a whole montage of outfits before im happy

[Rachel]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Hi all

Sorry for the uber late reply, I managed to brake my ankle playing roller derby which has put me in rubbish place for a while and Ive not really felt like looking at 'fun' stuff.

Thanks for all the advice - my best friend has just bought me some army surplus boots - they are broken in and they feel ok - how they will be once I'm running around we shall see but they will do me for now i guess and Ive asked my family for a face guard (just trying to find a good one to go with wearing glasses)

My Colt 1911 is a co2 gas blow back - I Cosplay which is why i bought the colt (now modified beyond use) and why I started looking at other guns for outfits - which all lead me to Airsoft skirmishes (I'm an active out door person and used to love playing online fps back when i was a teenager = love Airsoft !) So to me the cost of gear is fine and justifiable as it covers two of my hobbies :D

Hope to get my 3 games in the new year once my ankles better and get registered as Ive my eyes on a few guns!

Thanks again!

Rachel

[Figjam]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

No mention yet made of gloves. Definitely 3rd in the list behind eyes and feet. Hand hits hurt. A lot. Mechanix do a good line. Gloves being a complex shape to manufacture in fabric tend to have a lot of weak points so I went through a few pairs quite quickly until I got a pair of Mechanix at the 2013 Weekender. They are still perfect 16 months on.

[RitchieTheBrit]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Speaking from my gf's experience, chest padding is highly recommended. She caught quite an owcher at close range. A black plate carrier would double up for a great Punished gender-bender cosplay as well!

Just be aware the brandishing a RIF at a convention could be an issue.

[Viper Scout]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

BAMF?!

[IronWarrior]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

Is your local sites CQB or outdoors?

Depending on which will affect what you need to buy. I play CQB since it's my closest site.

I would recommend getting your protection gear sorted.

My first purchases was a neck scarf to protect my neck and face since getting shot in this area hurts. I also got some knee pads and elbow pads since kneeing down or crawling isn't fun on them joints. Gloves for sure, I recommend whatever has the best finger tip protection. I also got a cheap bobble hat for my second week to protect my head, but I moved on from this.

Face protection is really a personal experience and your choices are limited really. You can just wear goggles, full face mask, mesh masks, fenching style mesh masks or go for the tactical look like I do which offers full protection which is a lower mesh mask that protects my lower face, mouth and ears while I wear a fast bump helmet with some goggles plus a balaclava underneath.

In the end, it all depends how much money you wanna spend and what you can afford. I built all my gear up week by week as I got paid.

Once you get a decent weapon and I recommend you get a decent one, get yourself a decent Speedloader like a KWA (shaped like a M4 mag) if your gun requires it. The cheap pistol types break easy.

[Figjam]

Re: Airsoft Newbie

BAMF?!

EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN!