Weaponry Choice

[TokyoSeven]

Originally Posted by Tigirus

Sorry about the long winded post, but i'm confused

Thats not long winded at all. I'll give ya long winded!


Today’s airsoft guns are nothing more than a motor driven gear set that cranks back a piston which is then released to push and compress air in a cylinder which is then directed out the nozzle to propel the BB down the barrel. How you want it to look is up to you. Personally for myself, I dont consider size a variable for the most part. I know someone whose about 5'7ish 5'8ish who totes around a 60 some inch, nearly 30lb AEG. Unless youre 3 feet tall attempting to cart around a full metal M60 support gun, you should be pretty good to go!

Here are some additional points to consider before your first purchase.

1. Cost, is the airsoft gun you desire in your price range? Is it in your price range in the future if you save. Is it the brand you want? Its not just about the looks of the gun, each and every company has their own little take and twist. An example of this is that ICS M4 have a different threading on the upper receiver than that of say a Classic Army M4. Taking that into consideration you would be limited to front ends made specifically for ICS guns if you choose to change out your front end eventually. Unless however you choose to purchase a rethreading tool to change the threading of your upper receiver. Which brings me to my next point.

2. Cost + availability or parts and your own ability to do upgrades. So you have chosen your airsoft gun. Now you want to do some modifications and upgrades. Do you know what you’re looking for in terms of compatible parts? Do you know where to acquire them easily and do you have the know how to do the work yourself or are in a situation where you know someone who can do it for you. If your not mechanically inclined and do not have access to an airsoft gun doc, I would recommend that you purchase something that has already been preupgraded or at least something that has already had the standard preventative maintenance performed on it be it used or new. Preventative upgrades are simple upgrades that will keep the airsoft gun running longer (maybe not forever but defiantly longer). Most airsoft guns come with nylon bushings; the bushings are what help hold the gears in the mechbox. Most people believe that under heavy stress they bushings can melt and warp, it is recommended that they be replaced with metal bushings. Another example of a preventative maintenance upgrade would be a spring guide. A tokyo marui M4 comes with its stock plastic TM V2 spring guide, while this maybe all fine and dandy for the time being with its stock spring, attempting to run a spring with to high a strength rating may cause that spring guide to break. Over time even with its stock spring the spring guide can weaken. It is suggested that this be an item that you do replace if performing preventative maintenance, usually with something along the lines of a bearing spring guide.

3. Is it available in Canada through one of our retailers? It’s a well known fact that attempting to import an airsoft gun from outside of Canada is equal to that of tossing your money in the toilet, lighting the toilet on fire and then pushing it out of the back of a moving school bus. It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but now you are out a bunch of money and you also ruined a perfectly good toilet.

4. Magazines, you have your airsoft gun and you only have one magazine well that’s all fine and dandy but I’m certain there may come a day where you will require more than one magazine. You may wish to look into the different brands and manufactures out there to see what is compatible with what and how much it costs.

5. Other. You may wish to consider cost and availability of other items you may want in the future and their availability. For example lets say you bought some form of armalite variant and wanted to go the SR 47 look. Well unfortunately at this time do the Canadian law you would be unable to bring the parts in required since they are prohibited, even if it were possible it is en extremely rare mod to find and even more expensive to buy. Another example would be an under barrel grenade launcher. Hope you can find someone in Canada because importing is a no no. Other things you may wish to consider are the cost of a sling, maybe some gear and optics.

[Tigirus]

Originally Posted by TokyoSeven

4. Magazines, you have your airsoft gun and you only have one magazine well that’s all fine and dandy but I’m certain there may come a day where you will require more than one magazine. You may wish to look into the different brands and manufactures out there to see what is compatible with what and how much it costs.

I found a website that sells FAMAS magazines, 50 round full metal. One problem though, they are based in the us, do you think that customs would take the magazines?

[Amos]

I would suggest against the FAMAS. I've used in many situations and I like them alot... but unless you've got another more common AEG... I'd suggest against it... especially as your first gun.

You may like something like an AUG.

Listen to T7, he knows what's what.

[diamond_SEA]

Originally Posted by Tigirus

I found a website that sells FAMAS magazines, 50 round full metal. One problem though, they are based in the us, do you think that customs would take the magazines?

The general rule for mags and importing is if it has fake bullets, its a no-go, but all others are good, including FAMAS mags. However, there is always a chance of issues. If your really worried buying from an international retailer, go email Jugglez at airsoftparts.ca, he does pre-orders from redwolf, UNC, and WGC on non-resticted (no guns, parts only) items. Ive really enjoyed the service, and others swear on it.

Living here in Winnipeg you have a big advantage over other minor airsofters.
1) head over the the Manitoba Airsoft Association, sign up, and look out for FNG days. There, you can go to a game and observe, chat, and get a feeling for the sport. they are usually at the beginning and end of the season, so look for one in April-ish.

2) Xtreame Tactics is the local indoor CQB facitlity where, if you bring a parent to sign your release, you can play if your over 16. They rent everything you need there.

hope this was of help.

[HeadlessChicken]

I use the G36 and when using the scope, the stock sticks out a tad too much for me. I'm just around 6ft tall. This should be a good fit for you for outdoor gaming. MP5s and just about any submachine gun style AEG are more for indoor close quarter combat.

[Endymion]

Everyone has a preference based mostly on feel and aesthetics. I'm 5'8" and anything shorter than an M16 feels small. Part of it is the distance from shoulder to grip, and the other is how far forward you like to hold the front grip in your off hand. As has already been suggested, try to make it out to local events and try as many as you can. So long as you're not an asshat, underagers in person generally seem to be more well accepted than those only online.

[JTF27]

P90. Just to see how akward it looks. :P

[grantmac]

Different guns fit differently.
Since they are for the most part the same underneather I would recommend you choose based on ergonomics first. I personally find that ARs are the most effective gun for me to shoot. Because the of position of the mag-catch I can reload faster and with less mistakes under pressure (this becomes really important for CQB). H&K G36s are similar, but MP5s are very slow for me.
Also there are a few schools of thought about how an AR is supposed to fit. I subcribe to what is know as "nose to the charging handle" meaning you keep the stock adjusted as short as possible without having your face riding on the receiver.
Whatever you choose, handle many before you make a decision.
Cheers,
Grant

[L473ncy]

I personally jumped in and got an M4 (I'm somewhere between 5'4" to 5'6", and also Asian so kinda thin...).

That was only because it was such a common gun to find parts for and because I got a great deal off the classifieds. Since almost everyone has an AR it's really easy to find spare parts and replacement parts right away, vs. having to order it internationally or waiting for it to get back in stock from being on backorder (most people don't want to carry large overheads so they try and limit how many of which item they have. They don't tend to not get as many parts for less common guns).

You could probably get an AR variant with a longer length, I'm thinking maybe an SPR.

Once you get AV'ed and you have a better idea of your height just lurk around the classifieds until you can find something you like/something you can get for a good deal, a good deal is important because you'll be spending a lot of money on the sport, be warned....

[Donster]

Size and guns are irrelevant. I am 5'9 with boots on and i lug around an M14 all day. I dont think size should be brought in to question so much as playing style. I have used a G36K for a game. It was the perfect size for me, but i didn't like it, cause it didn't fit my style of play. The think is, if he likes to run and gun, than he should get a gun made for that, like a G36, M4 or an M16. If that is his style, he can than choose a gun based on his style of play. If he likes to get into the suck more often than not, get an M4 or G36K, its shorter length will make it easier to wield in tight places. If not, get an M16. You can run and gun and make accurate shots at longer range compared to the M4. The thing is, while the M14 will work for you size wise, its a heavy and cumbersome rifle. I love it cause it fits my DM (designated marksman) role perfectly, but again, i dont like to run and gun. You have to find a style that works for you.

[Tigirus]

ok, I've decided on the JG M4, it's got a FPS of 360 so it should be decent for outdoors, you can get metal mags from the site and it's in my price range

Link: http://buyairsoft.ca/catalog/product...roducts_id=425

Any comments against this?

[The Saint]

You can do better for slightly more.

http://www.canadianairgunsupply.com/...dg-m16-a4.html

Now, that's a wholesaler site, so you'll have to wait until a retailer orders them.

[Chuco]

Originally Posted by Retro

If you think a regular M14 ill be to long for you, there is also the m14 socom that comes with a shorter barrel.

+1 I'm 6.2 an duse a full length M14 but the SOCOM is a perfect fit good for indoor and out . M14 ftw...as long as you buy TM

[Muffin]

Originally Posted by Tigirus

ok, I've decided on the JG M16A4, it's got a FPS of 360 so it should be decent for outdoors, you can get metal mags from the site and it's in my price range

Link: http://buyairsoft.ca/catalog/product...roducts_id=425

Any comments against this?

Good choice man, I've had this gun. However, the RIS is a bit of a joke seeing as the manufacturer simply took 2 ris units from an M4 and bolted them together.
Asides from that, it performed well. However, if your planning to use it at XT I'd reccomend an M4.
Just my opinion, best of luck.

[Tigirus]

thanks alot all, but now for another noob question, what does RIS stand for?