Beginner at Airsoft War Games! Some questions and need advice!

[teriases]

Hi everyone,

I have been wanting to go into Airsoft for a LONG time. I used to own spring action and gas power pistols when I was a kid in asia, but recently I just got back into it.

First, I read lots on the web about if owning an Airsoft is legal. I know it was but some laws changed... Has there been any updates to that? Do I require any paper work? I am of legal age and wouldn't mind jumping through some hoops to make sure everything is alright.

So to start, I recently ordered a ICS M4 CQB with folding stock. I picked it because it looks different(there's tons of M4s and M16s out there I'm sure), and also because its lighter. Plus, I saw the metal folding stock sells for nearly $100, and most rifles come with crane stocks - so I thought why not I would get a folding one and maybe mod to another type of stock later, and would save on cost. Also a friend advised that in a war game some guns can tire you out if they are heavy, so I went with this pick because it shoots the same as other rifles in its class, but its light. Is this a pretty good pick? Please let me know any comments are welcome.

Also, I am thinking of buying a side arm as well. Maybe a Colt 1911 variant. Do people use side arms in War Games? Or are most battles mostly long ranged? Any comments on this matter would help. Personally, I love the thought of pulling a pistol instead of reloading in games, but not sure if this is a common thing.


That being said - also a question about war game meet ups - I am currently in a small group, but am wondering if I can meet up with groups here on this website for games? I am a casual player(not into cosplay) and a beginner and am in the GTA Toronto area.

[wildcard]

First of all welcome, any advice you will need will be in the newbie FAQ but the best is still come to a game in person. You are in the GTA there will be a large game next week on the 18th at Flagraiders, it is hosted and attended by many vets in this game feel free to sign up and make an intro there will be lots of people willing to show you what you need IN PERSON (which BTW is a million time better than learning stuff from the web)

[Slow]

Originally Posted by wildcard

First of all welcome, any advice you will need will be in the newbie FAQ but the best is still come to a game in person. You are in the GTA there will be a large game next week on the 18th at Flagraiders, it is hosted and attended by many vets in this game feel free to sign up and make an intro there will be lots of people willing to show you what you need IN PERSON (which BTW is a million time better than learning stuff from the web)

Agreed. Though you can learn some stuff through the internet it is better to learn in person. Then you will have the experience to extend your knowledge.

[Kuro_Neko]

Legally, buying, selling or owning airsoft guns apart from the clear receiver cansoft models or the few makes and models that have been specifically allowed is grey-legal. Technically they're against the law but as long as you're responsible with them the police usually look the other way.

The one group that is seriously against airsoft guns is Canadian customs, so I really hope that when you say you ordered a gun, you did so from a site here in Canada. If you ordered it from overseas or down in the States then it is highly unlikely that you're going to receive it. Customs will seize it at the border and destroy it, and you'll be out the money you paid for it.

As to sidearms. That really depends. Some places will have cqb pistol games frequently, in some there are pistol target shooting organizations. But mostly, people have sidearms as last ditch backup weapons and they don't see a huge lot of use. The 1911 is a great weapon, I have one myself, a KJW model. The problem with 1911's though is the single stack mags have a smaller gas reservoir and so can't fire as many rounds as the guns with double stack mags. That only really effects the models with metal slides though. So if you're going to be using it frequently as a primary then I'd suggest a model with a abs slide like TM or WA. It's a bit of a hit on the realism but is more reliable. If all you want it for is a last ditch back up and the occasional pistol battle then a full metal model would be ok, just stay away from the WE's, they have a bad tendency to rip themselves to pieces.

[teriases]

yes of course.

I got mine here in canada at an airsoft store.

Yes I treat my AEG like a real gun - never point at anyone even when not loaded etc... I actually have 2 air pistols before long time ago and attended an firearms introductory session.

I will be sure to check out events more often thanks for welcoming me.

BTW - Anyone know if this grip is good? I am planning to get it for my rifle for even more "compact" design : King Arms AK Folding 5-Position Tactical Grip (Dark Earth)

[Kuro_Neko]

Other people may say different, but I've never owned a King Arms product that I was happy with. The quality and reliability have never been what they should in my experience. I don't have experience with that particular item, but I've had mags, 40mm grenades, slings, and loaders from King Arms and none of them have worked right or lasted very long. My personal advice is find a similar item manufactured by someone else.

[Kingsix]

Originally Posted by teriases

yes of course.

I got mine here in canada at an airsoft store.

Yes I treat my AEG like a real gun - never point at anyone even when not loaded etc... I actually have 2 air pistols before long time ago and attended an firearms introductory session.

I will be sure to check out events more often thanks for welcoming me.

BTW - Anyone know if this grip is good? I am planning to get it for my rifle for even more "compact" design : King Arms AK Folding 5-Position Tactical Grip (Dark Earth)

Kings arm Galil Style AK folding side folder this stock fits over your existing tang so you don't need to cut anything.

or

Romanian style AIMS stock this will require you to cut the stock tangs off to mount.

A Rear side folding stock shortens AKs alot but require work to re-wire to take a battery from the top.

[m102404]

I wrote this up a while ago with the new player in mind...New Players

There's lots of places in and around Toronto to play. Watch the Ontario Games section and sign up. TTAC3 is a great place to start.

[wildcard]

Originally Posted by Kuro_Neko

Other people may say different, but I've never owned a King Arms product that I was happy with. The quality and reliability have never been what they should in my experience. I don't have experience with that particular item, but I've had mags, 40mm grenades, slings, and loaders from King Arms and none of them have worked right or lasted very long. My personal advice is find a similar item manufactured by someone else.

To answer your concerns here let me say this, King Arms AEG is by far best one out of the box but if you want to use 40mm grenades use only madbulls xm108 or the xm204 hp series by far the best one in the market (trust me on this I owned over 40 of them).
as for slings go for the blackhawk or magpuls and loaders go for the marui ones as the KA even the ones that comes with their galil aeg sucks, the plastic tabs inside will break first. In Airsoft you get what you pay some items are better to just buy the real thing.

[m102404]

I've found most all of those "x-position grips" to be shit. Same with any of the "bipod vertgrips". Craptastic.

Just buy a fixed vert grip (stubby, long, etc) or go without one. The magpul angled grip is solid...but I don't like the feel of it. Some guys that have them say it takes getting used to.

[teriases]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the feed back.

I got the grip for like $20, so its not too bad.. You are right, it doesn't feel "SOLID"... I kinda sways forward a bit, but, overall its ok - for now... As for the solid grips... I saw the Magpul angled grip... Maybe I'll get that one too for compact designs.

Also - I live in an apartment... It is hard to setup a target at home to practice, and at least get my rifle's sight zeroed... Are there any shooting ranges I can goto for airsoft?? Or is it pretty much "your own backyard" kinda deal... Any suggestions? I think I know how to setup a target - With a good sized fully closed cardboard box with extra cardboard padding behind, and stuff lots of crumbled newspaper stuffing inside. Correct me if I am wrong.


I was able to drop by Army Issue in Mississauga to do age verification today, so I'll be age verified soon.

[Kuro_Neko]

I live in an apartment as well so I sympathize, but I would very much advise against taking your airsoft gun out into your backyard unless there is absolutely no chance of your neighbours seeing you. The last thing you need is someone calling the police because they saw you with what looks like a real assault weapon.

Congrats on getting AV'ed, once you have access to the Classifieds you have much more options for buying and selling stuff.

[teriases]

Thanks Kuro.

Yes I understand, I don't mean literally "in your backyard"... what I meant was in your home or basement - as in your own space. I have a friend that lives in a house I am thinking of going over to his basement to tune out the rifle. There was actually a post about someone getting AEG taken away by cops because they were shooting their AEGs in the woods on here... I remember reading it... I thought it was very irresponsible. AEGs can do serious harm to people without protection.

Speaking about verification... I think I am going to call the AV place tomorrow, I think I made a mistake telling the person my user name on AirsoftCanada, I think I told them "Teriases" with a capital T instead of "teriases".... -_-

How long does this process take...? I think the person said 1wk? Didn't hear it properly....

[pusangani]

AV is a face to face deal not over the phone, but typically ittakes 1-3 weeks for the change to take effect

[Gato]

Pus, I think he means he's gonna phone Army Issue and correct the spelling on his username as he said he went to army issues in a previous post.

I'd also reccomend TTAC3, it's a great place and it's a solid place to learn airsoft from, Brian, the man who runs the place is a standup guy, safety first and foremost but as long as you follow the rules he lays down at the beggining of the night, you're guaranteed to have fun! I attend TTAC3 when I can so if you ever go, I look forward to seeing you at games, TTAC3 or elsewhere.