Friday, January 22, 2010

Airsoft FAQ: What is a Hi-Cap and why do I need one?

Hi-Cap is a commonly used abbreviation for High-Capacity, specifically a high-capacity magazine used with electric airsoft guns. If you are new to airsoft and plan on participating in team skirmishes, a hi-cap specific to your AEG is a must. These magazines hold up to ten times more airsoft BBs than a standard mag, and will allow you to stay engaged in game much longer and with fewer loading breaks.


While a standard magazine uses a conventional expanding spring, a hi-cap magazine uses a more space-efficient band spring that winds into a coil. (A hi-cap magazine can only fire when there is sufficient tension in the coiled band spring.) Winding the spring is easy… simply turn the wheel which is usually located at the base of the magazine until you hear a distinctive clicking noise which indicates that the spring is ready. To load, use a funnel or your hand to pour the BBs into the opening at the base until the reservoir is visibly full. Next, make sure your AEG is set to safe mode, and slide the hi-cap into the base of the gun. When the hi-cap is properly in place, you should hear the BBs enter your airsoft AEGs feed point. That means you are ready to go. Once loaded, a hi-cap magazine will give you a continuous supply of ammo during airsoft play and ensure that you can cause maximum damage on the field.


When you have finished using the gun, it is important to store it correctly. This means releasing the tension in the Hi-Cap's spring. To do this, hold the hi-mag upside down over a bag, box or container (to catch BBs that fall) and press the release button (usually located next to the feed hole.) You will hear the spring unwind and BB's will fall out. After the spring is completely unwound, empty out any lingering BB's and you are ready to store your high-capacity mag until your next skirmish.


About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, the fastest growing of all airsoft stores in the nation. Airsoft Megastore offers deep discounts on sale items for players interested in cheap AEG airsoft guns and looking to find airsoft sniper rifles cheap.

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Monday, January 18, 2010

Choosing the Right Airsoft Tactical Vest

When looking for airsoft tactical gear, you should always keep three things in mind: design, quality, and value. When selecting the right tactical vest, look for a good fit that allows freedom of movement, convenient storage, and heavy-duty construction. A high value vest will deliver both great design and construction, without stripping your wallet. Below is a quick guide for selecting the perfect tactical vest for your airsoft needs.
  • Design. The right design should adjust to your frame and allow you to move around easily. It will also be made of rugged yet breathable materials so you won't overheat during intense tactical movement.

  • Durability. A high-quality vest will withstand long-term aggressive activity and provide a degree of protection when under fire. It shouldn't tear, fray or snag in normal airsoft play conditions. Look for solid construction as well as premium zippers or Velcro. Purchase from a reputable airsoft retailer with a solid return policy. If the vest feels too flimsy for your needs, return it for something more rugged.

  • Storage. The main purpose of a tactical vest is storage. Make sure the vest accommodates the gear you need to carry, be it rifle and pistol magazines, pistols, field necessities, bb speedloaders, canteens, or other supplies.

  • Color. Tactical vests come in a variety of camouflage and colors. You can choose tan, woodland, or even a swat team style assault vest. It all depends on the type of airsoft activity you plan on using it for and the type of terrain you want to blend with.

  • Extras. A sniper shoulder pad and additional utility belts increase your vest's versatility.

  • Cost. You do not need to over-pay for an ultra-rugged, high-quality vest. While some stores will try to charge you more than $100, you can easily find a high-quality yet cheap airsoft tactical vest for less than $50.

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 and electric airsoft rifles for players of any experience level. Airsoft megastore specialized in high value airsoft AEGs.

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Friday, January 8, 2010

Airsoft AEG Upgrades

The Airsoft Megablog has been delving into rifles lately, namely how to select, use and care for your airsoft rifle. So, now that we've covered the basics, I want to address the more complex issue of upgrading your rifle. The internet makes it easy to buy the upgrade parts for less, but it is important to understand that sometimes you will need to loop in a professional to get the job done right. If you dive into an upgrade on your own, you risk damaging the rifle and voiding your warranty. For best results, use a certified professional airsoft technician / shop. In most cases, you can have that professional show you how it's done. This will give you a better understanding of how the firearm works which will help you troubleshoot issues in the future.

Needless to say, there are a lot of upgrades to consider. For the sake of simplicity, I'll summarize a few of the most common upgrades for electric airsoft rifles below. Once you identify the upgrades you are interested in, you can contact an authorized retailer like Airsoft Megastore for further information and advice. In many cases, one upgrade may require further upgrades in order to make sure the parts are compatible.


  • Hop Up. There are two parts to Hop Up that you may consider upgrading. Hop Up Bucking puts back spin on the bb. A quality bucking will improve your shot accuracy. Look for Bucking made in durable materials such as silicone, which will minimize deterioration. Another potential Hop Up upgrade is the chamber, which will also improve accuracy.

  • Barrel. Many airsoft enthusiasts prefer to upgrade to a longer, tighter barrel. In most instances, the tighter the barrel, the better, assuming you are using quality BBs as is strongly recommended by any qualified airsoft dealer.

  • Gears. There are three gears to consider: the sector, bevel and spur gears. Gears are both critical and expensive. Avoid sub-quality gears at all costs because they will break and lead to expensive gear box repairs. The type of gears you use depends on the other upgrades and I recommend speaking to a professional about your specific needs.

  • Bushings. Gears rotate on the Bushings. They also keep the gears in place and are thus critical in their own right. Broken Bushings lead to stripped gears. Bigger Bushings constructed in highly durable materials are generally better.

  • Piston. The piston is a flat-toothed gear that is maneuvered by the motor and spring. Because of the tremendous pressure on the piston, quality counts. Metal pistons are a common upgrade but in some firearms they may strip gears. I recommend discussing possible piston upgrades with a professional so that you can determine what will work best for you.

  • Spring. Upgrading your spring will increase the velocity of the piston. If you plan on upgrading your spring, you will need to make sure your internals are upgraded as well to avoid damaged gears and pistons.

  • Spring Guide. The spring guide does just what it says and prevents the spring from jumping into the gear case.

  • Cylinder. The cylinder compresses the air that will force the bullet down the barrel. A longer barrel requires a bigger cylinder, so these upgrades typically go hand-in-hand.

  • Cylinder Head. You can either silence your gun or improve the piece's air seal by upgrading your rifle's cylinder head.

  • Air Nozzle. This part pushes the bb into the Hop Up chamber while also sealing the airflow.

  • Motor. Too powerful a motor can decrease overall performance and negatively affect rate of fire, so speak to a professional before you commit to a motor upgrade purchase.

  • Battery. A higher voltage battery increases your rate of fire, but too high of a battery voltage may damage internal components. Again, I recommending speaking to a professional about what your gun can handle.

  • Scopes and optics. This external upgrade is certainly something you can install yourself. A quality scope will improve your accuracy, especially in a sniper-type role.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, an airsoft retailer. Please visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for airsoft AEGs, electric airsoft rifles or the right airsoft sniper rifle for players of any experience level.

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