[Ricochet]

Airsoft guns are like used cars, once you drive them off of the lot they aren't worth nearly as much. Unless all work and installs are done by a reputable gun doc, then you're possibly walking into a bad situation. A gun cycling isn't proof of it working. You'll need to see the shim job, hear the motor and test performance. There's other little things, but way too many to mention. For your first gun, but something with a warrenty, unless the price is too good to pass up. Like new, half the price of it retail, with a box of mags, etc. That way you aren't out money if it shits the bed.

Airsoft isn't refined, especially when talking about the Canadian market. Pricing and availability are not always convenient, so you need to prioritize. For a gun, as long as it shoots straight, is reliable, and the quality and price are appropriate is step one. Pimp it out later. If it comes pimped out and cheap, look out, cheap shit breaks easy. The wrong batteries can swell, even burst into flames and destroy your gun, or just fry something, abd the wrong charger can fuck up your batteries and/or burn your house down. Everything has good ones and bad ones, from gear to accessories to guns and beyond. For every one good piece, there are five pieces of shit out there trying to entice you. Use crappy BBs, and you crack your nozzle, scratch your barrel, break your magazines. It goes on and on.

Here's some points to consider:

- EVERYONE who enters the sport on a budget overshoots their range. Quality over quantity everytime. If you cannot afford it, don't but it, or it'll cost you more long term. Prioritize your purchases, like gun and goggles first, then BDUs and vest, then boots and a radio, etc. Find the appropriate products AV'd buy them once you have the funds.

- EVERYONE enters the sport with misconceptions, goes for cool over practical. Shitty camo won't hide you, cheap accessories will break and won't work, uncomfortable gear will ruin your experience, etc, etc. Some guys buy a 19 lb M14 EBR because they really want one, and then find out that it's too heavy for them. People buy odd guns and then can't find parts. It goes on and on.

- Take the advice on here if you're smart. As you can see we are all from different areas of Canada, and yet we all say very similar, if not the same, things about starting out. Odds are we aren't wrong. We want you to enjoy the sport, not waste time and money like so many others.

- Any gun is really going to end up costing you $500 or more no matter what. A top end airsoft gun is $2,000 - $3,500, so $500 is affordable, wether you have it now or not. Every gun will need magazines, batteries, a charger, a sight, BBs, etc, etc. So you may and well buy BBs that sail straight and won't jam your gun, magazines that'll feed properly and last, and a charger that'll so a proper balance charge.

- Under $500 for a stock gun brand new, and your down to only a few decent choices. You don't create the budget, the sport demands it.

- Never lessen quality of a purchase so you can stuff a few more cheap items on your order. Buy he reliable gun, get the the gear and extras later if you're short on cash. For the holidays and your birthday ask for gift cards to stores like DS Tactical.

I hope this helps.