Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Holiday Shopping for the Airsoft Player in your Life


The holiday season is right around the corner, and you may have already begun to wonder what the perfect gift would be for the airsoft player on your gift shopping list. Even if you do not play the sport yourself, you can find just the right gift for the airsoft player in your life with help from these tips:

  • Talk to your loved one's friends who play airsoft. Airsoft players love to talk airsoft, so there's a good chance you can find out exactly what airsoft gear your loved one has been wanting to add to his or her collection.

  • Find out what equipment he or she already owns, and call an airsoft retailer like Airsoft Megastore for ideas on upgrades or gear to compliment those items. Speaking with a representative for a reputable airsoft provider can give you insight into what gear would complement the equipment your loved one already owns. This could be an upgrade for a current gun such as a scope, a missing piece of safety gear or a different type of gun. Or, it could be a higher quality replacement for a lower end gun the player owns. Many airsoft players purchase low end equipment when they get started in the sport with the hopes of replacing it with better gear later. The holiday season presents the perfect opportunity to surprise your loved one with the quality gear he or she has been wanting all along.

  • Purchase only from reputable airsoft retailers. Some sporting goods stores and big box retailers offer a small selection of airsoft products, but you will find a wider selection and higher quality products at airsoft websites or stores that specialize in the sport. This is especially important for BBs, the quality of which have a large impact on gun performance.

  • Have the player create a wish list on a site such as airsoftmegastore.com. While having your loved one fill out an airsoft wish list does not keep secret what type of gift you are planning to give, it ensures that the recipient will be ecstatic with your gift in the end. A wish list created by the player will tell you exactly what airsoft equipment will complement his or her existing arsenal.

  • Give a gift certificate and allow the player to choose. If you prefer not to select airsoft guns or gear yourself, you can easily give the player an airsoft gift certificate and allow him or her to choose the perfect gift.

If you would like guidance on giving a great gift to the airsoft enthusiast in your life, please give Airsoft Megastore a call at 800-288-9631. We offer a 125% lowest price guarantee and are committed to a high level of customer service.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, an airsoft retailer offering electric and gas powered airsoft guns. Please visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for airsoft AEGs, full metal airsoft rifles or the right airsoft gas gun for players of any experience level.

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Tips for a Better Airsoft Experience



If you are a recent airsoft convert, it is important to gather information so you can improve your experience. In this article, I will review the more social and nuanced aspects of the sport. Having the right gear and knowledge is 50% of the experience... but it's the thrill of the game itself that really makes the sport so addictive. Here is how to make the experience even better.



  • Find the right team for you. It's easy to get excited about all the cool airsoft products out there, but having the right gear is only a part of the fun. Having a good airsoft team network is invaluable. How do you find that network? Popular resources include friends and family, forums, airsoft stores, meet-up groups, local extreme sports venues, and even Facebook. Once you have a team, you may decide to play against other teams or break off into smaller groups. Make sure each smaller team is evenly matched. Consider factors like number of players, fire power, skill/athleticism, and how long the players have been involved in airsoft.

  • Find the right place or places to play. Outdoor areas are favored and a wooded area is ideal. A large field can work but if there is nowhere to hide or maneuver, it will be less engaging. Obstacles always add to the excitement. Check with your local military or law enforcement. They may have training fields that are open to the public or available for rent. Ask around at you your local sporting store and network with other airsoft enthusiasts online through airsoft websites.

  • Explore different games. Most people play a variation of a two team elimination game, but there are other exciting options. You can split the group into three or more teams or consider other airsoft games like Zombie Hunt, King of The Hill, Last Player Standing, Capture The Flag, and variations on a hostage rescue theme.

  • Set clear rules. No matter which game you play, set clear rules of play and boundaries. Define how many hits is an out. Clearly define the areas (safe zone, hospital, jails etc.) On a side note, don't be a cheater. Everyone hates them because they ruin the game's integrity. If you cheat (typically refusing to recognize a hit) you will likely earn a bad reputation which could end up alienating you from the team. New players joining an existing team should do their best to honor the rules that are set forth by the team.

  • Become your own expert. The more you know about the sport, the more fun it can be. Get to understand the equipment you are using. Learn and use common hand signals; they crank up the team work and authenticity of the game.
About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, the #1 fastest growing airsoft retailer in the nation. Airsoft Megastore offers the latest airsoft guns and gear as well as a 125% low price guarantee on all new airsoft guns and gear.

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Friday, October 2, 2009

Choose Your Weapon: How to Select Your First Airsoft Gun

choosing an airsoft gunChoosing the right weapon will enhance your airsoft sporting experience. Follow these steps when selecting your first firearm.

Determine how you will be using your airsoft gun.

There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before deciding on an airsoft gun: What kind of playing situation will you be most frequently participating in? Military re-enactment or sport genres? Does historical accuracy matter? What role will you play on your team? Do you want to be in the heat of battle, or a peripheral sniper? A Rifleman (an excellent position for a newbie) makes up the bulk of the team and participates in a variety of positions and fire ranges. A CQC (Close Quarters Combat) soldier will need more durability and a firearm that is maneuverable. A Support Gunner pins down the enemy with heavy fire so that other team members can advance. A sniper or marksman needs a high degree of accuracy. Know what role you want to play. Select the gun style that suits your role. Determine which length, weight, degree of accuracy, rate of fire, and the upgrade potential you desire.

Decide which type and style of airsoft gun will work for your playing needs.

There are three types of airsoft guns to choose from: spring-action, electric and gas. Each has certain advantages. Spring-action guns are inexpensive and very durable but lack the power of gas and electric guns. Gas guns may suffer reduced performance in extreme cold while electric guns require a battery and charger. The most popular guns are arguably airsoft AEGs (airsoft automatic electric guns)which are always a good place to start for beginners. Guns also come in 5 different styles: handgun, rifle, shotgun, sniper rifle, and machine gun. Your role in the game will determine which style makes the most sense.

Consider your airsoft gun and accessory budget.

What kind of budget will you be working within? Will you be playing competitively or just for fun? How much are you willing to spend on this new endeavor? Keep in mind that along with your gun(s), you may also want airsoft accessories (BBs, green gas, lasers and sights/scopes/optics), and tactical gear/accessories (tactical vests, masks/face & eye protection, camouflage suits, holsters, and military-style backpacks).

Test drive some guns.

If you have friends with airsoft guns, borrow their weapons and see what feels right to you. Most airsoft players have more than one type of gun to use in different scenarios… test out as many as you can. There are fantastic airsoft gun deals online which will help you stretch your budget. If you are just starting out, keep in mind there are lots of airsoft gun starter packages that can help jump start you airsoft experience by getting you all the extras you need for cheap.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, a leading online provider of Airsoft guns, gear and accessories. Airsoft Megastore offers guaranteed lowest prices on airsoft guns including airsoft sniper rifles.

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Thursday, October 1, 2009

Airsoft FAQs: What is Dead Man Walking?

Airsoft FAQBecause airsoft relies on the honor system, a fair skirmish requires that players call themselves out when they have been hit. Players must also avoid firing at any player who has been hit but has not yet exited the playing field. A player is eliminated when he or she is hit on any part of the body, including on gear such as goggles and vests. In most cases, eliminated players are supposed to exit the field of play until a new round starts or they are permitted to reenter the game. An exception is when the game is being played with a medic. In this case, hit players typically remain down in place until the player designated as the medic arrives and "revives" them. When a medic is not part of the scenario, hit players are usually required to leave the playing field and return to the staging area, or 'safe zone,' where they remain until the skirmish ends or they are permitted to reenter the game. "Dead man walking" is a widely known expression used in airsoft to signify that a player has been eliminated and should not be a target for enemy fire.

While the "dead man walking" signal is pretty widely known, different fields have their own specific rules for what a player should do after being hit. Some organizations stipulate that hit players should carry their airsoft guns high above their heads while returning to the safe zone. Some say to both hold your weapon high while shouting "dead man walking." Being aware of what these signals mean is important not just so that you can communicate to other players when you are hit, but also so that you will not fire on another player that has been hit. Because of the variations in rules from field to field, learning the guidelines put forth for a particular event is critical to having a fun and fair skirmish.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, a leading online provider of Airsoft guns, gear and accessories. Airsoft Megastore offers guaranteed lowest prices on airsoft guns including airsoft sniper rifles.

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