Airsoft Guns

When playing with airsoft bb rifles, it is always important to choose the right equipment for the type of environment where you will be playing. Part of choosing the right equipment for the environment is choosing the right airsoft gun to use. When playing with airsoft rifles outdoors, most fields have a large playing area and have a higher FPS limits (usually around 400 FPS). Playing on a larger outdoor field normally means that you will be engaging targets at a longer range, and maneuverability through tight spaces won’t be as important. CQB fields are normally indoor fields with limited space for engaging your target with your airsoft bbs, and they normally have much lower FPS limits (usually around 350 FPS). Maneuverability is much more important on CQB fields, where there isn’t much as much space for moving and engaging your targets.

When playing at an outdoor field where range is important and the FPS limits are set much higher, a standard size AEG rifle is the best choice. Standard Size AEGs normally fire airsoft bbs between 375 – 400 FPS, and have a longer barrel than CQB size airsoft AEGs rifles. The standard size AEG’s longer inner barrel allows it to hit targets at longer distances than a CQB AEG; however the longer barrel limits its maneuverability in a CQB type environment. Another standard size AEG feature that is great for outdoor fields but limits maneuverability in indoor fields is a full length stock. Having a full length stock helps to properly aim down the sights or scope, increasing your chances of hitting your target at long distances, however it also increases the length of the AEG making it more difficult to move in close quarters environments. There are some standard size AEGs guns that work well in both CQB and outdoor field environments. These AEGs rifles normally have shorter barrels such as the M4, R36, and M5 type AEGS. Some standard size AEG rifles also have folding or collapsible stocks that make them much more maneuverable in CQB environments to accurately fire the airsoft bbs.

In a CQB situation it is important to have an AEG rifle that is compact and lightweight, allowing you to be much more agile. CQB engagements are normally fought out in building type structures with limited space to move, and shorter engagement distances. CQB AEGs are designed specifically for CQB environments, with short barrels and stocks to make room clearing and cornering much easier. Their compact design and lower FPS is perfect for quickly engaging targets around corners, and allows for much greater maneuverability. The CQB guns lower FPS design normally means that it will have a higher rate of fire than a standard size AEG, which gives CQB AEGs a slightly faster trigger response. CQB AEGs can be used at outdoor fields as well, but you will probably have to move in close to your targets which can leave you vulnerable.

Making sure you have the right airsoft equipment and right airsoft gun for the type of environment where you will be playing is always important. Having a gun that is too bulky for a CQB field or having a gun that can’t hit targets at longer ranges at an outdoor field is likely to make your day of airsoft much less enjoyable. It always helps to do a little research of the field you will be playing at to determine what equipment to bring. And remember it is always better to over prepare than under prepare. If you are unsure about the type of field you will be playing at, bring both a CQB AEG and a standard size AEG just to be safe!

To see our full selection of tactical gear and airsoft guns, visit our airsoft gun supply store.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, an online airsoft retailer offering electric and gas powered airsoft guns, as well as airsoft parts, upgrades and accessories. Visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for airsoft AEGs, full metal airsoft rifles or the right airsoft gas gun for players of any experience level.

Labels: airsoft aeg, airsoft ammo, airsoft gun bbs, airsoft shotguns, CQB AEG

CQB stands for "Close Quarters Battle", which means fighting in confined spaces (normally inside of buildings and tight alley ways). CQB environments greatly differ from large open outdoor environments in many ways, which changes the tactics needed to overcome the opposition. In large outdoor environments the opposition can normally be seen before actual contact (firefighting) is made. This means that a slow and methodical approach works much better to capture territory. A CQB environment is very different because walls, doors, and other standing cover can obscure the view of the opposition. When engaging in CQB tactics it is important to retain high situational awareness and treat every room and piece of standing cover as though there is a threat hiding behind it. Another important factor in CQB tactics is speed. By quickly moving from cover to cover and entering rooms with tactical speed, it is much easier to overwhelm the opposition. And the last and most important factor of CQB tactics is trigger control. Trigger control is extremely important for two reasons; the first reason is to ensure that you don’t fire on a teammate which is very common in a high speed/ high stress environment, the second reason is to ensure the safety of your opponents and decrease the possibility of firing under the field/ arena’s minimum engagement distance.

1. Situational Awareness: It is extremely important to keep your eyes and ears acutely focused in a CQB environment. Studying your surroundings helps to determine what the best path forward would be, as well as determining which angles and openings have the highest probability of exposing you to enemy fire. It is also important to know the best way to fall back in order to dodge enemy fire. Studying your surroundings can also help you quickly determine the opposition’s location. Looking for cast shadows or small irregularities in your surroundings will help you track down the opposition much more quickly and effectively. Listening to your surroundings is equally important, because it also might alert you to the enemy’s movement or position. Often times the enemy can give away their position by moving, speaking, or reloading loudly. As with all team activities, communication is very important. Make sure to inform your teammates of anything you have noticed, and call out the enemy’s position once contact is made. However, always do so quietly to avoid giving away your own position.

2. Tactical Speed: Tactical speed does not mean running full speed through the CQB course; it simply means to not provide the opposition with a stationary target. It is important to be constantly moving in a CQB environment, because nothing is easier to hit than a target standing still. Moving forward from cover to cover is the best way to avoid being hit. In situations where moving forward is not an option, look to lateral routes to take which will take you out of the direct line of fire and assist you in flanking the opposition. When entering buildings/ rooms it helps to have a team or at least a partner to help cover all of the lines of fire and to check behind all pieces of cover. When aiming around corners it is extremely important to never expose your whole body. It may be necessary to switch to your less dominant hand to aim around corners to avoid exposing yourself to the opposition. Choosing lightweight and compact tactical gear is very important as it will help you move more freely and quickly. Also, having an airsoft gun that is compact and lightweight will help tremendously in a CQB environment. A CQB Length Airsoft Rifle is much easier to maneuver as well as quickly aim in close quarters.

3. Trigger Control: Trigger control is something that takes practice to master. Most new airsoft players will instinctively fire at someone if they are startled by another player. This lack of trigger control can be detrimental to your team and in some cases can be dangerous. In a CQB environment it is important to always be ready and expect to engage the opposition, however it is equally important to control your impulse to pull the trigger. Practicing good trigger control helps prevent friendly fire, and prevents players from firing at each other at unsafe distances.

By practicing these simple CQB techniques and using airsoft guns and equipment purpose built for CQB, you will definitely be at an advantage in any CQB environment. Check out AirsoftMegastore.com for the latest Airsoft CQB products.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, an online airsoft retailer offering electric and gas powered airsoft guns, as well as airsoft parts, upgrades and accessories. Visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for airsoft AEGs, full metal airsoft rifles or the right airsoft gas gun for players of any experience level.

Labels: airsoft cqb, cqb airsoft, cqb airsoft guns, cqb tactics

All airsoft electric guns (AEG’s) are battery operated. The performance of an AEG is heavily dependent on the quality of its battery, and the type of battery used. Before we dive into what type of battery is best for your particular AEG, it is important to understand the terminology used when talking about batteries.

Battery: This is a container which holds chemicals carrying an electrical charge and is used as a power source.

Battery Pack: This is a collection of batteries wired together to increase the overall energy output/ voltage.

Voltage: Voltage is the potential energy output per unit. There are two types of voltage used to describe airsoft batteries. The first is the voltage of the individual battery cell. The second is the total voltage of the entire battery pack. (Generally the higher the Voltage number, the higher the rate of fire (speed) will be for your airsoft gun. However, higher voltage batteries can reduce the life of the airsoft gun by causing excessive wear on the gears, though many higher end airsoft guns are built to withstand this wear.)

MilliAmp Hours (Mah): MilliAmp Hours determine how long your battery will be able to power your airsoft electric gun before needing a charge. The higher this number, the longer you can use the battery without needing a charge.

Discharge: Discharging is the process of expending all energy within a battery or battery pack. This is done to maintain certain types of batteries.

Charger: A charger is used to transfer electricity into a battery.

Balancer: A balancer is a device that evenly distributes energy to all battery cells and draws energy from stronger cells into weaker cells to keep all cells balanced. These are required if charging Lithium Polymer batteries.

There are three main types of airsoft batteries: Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-Mh), Nickel Metal Cadmium (Ni-Cad), and Lithium Polymer (Li-Po).

Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-Mh) Batteries: These are the most common batteries in airsoft. They are easy to maintain and charge, and generally have a higher MilliAmp Hour rating than other batteries. They can be charged without a balancer, but a smart charger (a charger which determines if the battery has reached its energy capacity) is highly recommended. These batteries come in a variety of configurations and can be used to power any airsoft gun. It is important to note that not all Ni-Mh battery cells are the equal, it is always beneficial to purchase top grade Ni-Mh batteries to increase the life and output of your battery.

Nickel Metal Cadmium (Ni-Cad) Batteries: These batteries are generally considered obsolete because they contain very toxic chemicals and do not hold their charge for quite as long as Ni-Mh batteries. The Ni-Cad batteries also require much more maintenance because they can become useless if not fully discharged between use.

Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) Batteries: These batteries are taking the airsoft world by storm, partly because they provide very low resistance power to the airsoft gun, which increases performance, and also because they can last much longer between charges than standard Ni-Mh batteries. However, Lithium batteries do require care and safety when charging. Li-Po batteries must be charged using a balancer, because if a single cell overcharges it can quickly overheat and cause the battery to catch fire. Li-Po batteries do increase the rate of fire of most airsoft guns, however the increased speed can lead to faster wear on the airsoft gun. It is important to make sure that your airsoft gun can handle a Li-Po battery before use.

Charging: The standard wall chargers that come with airsoft guns are never an optimal way to charge your airsoft battery, and if left unsupervised, can cause harm to your battery rendering it useless. To avoid damaging you battery it is important to use a good charger. Generally a smart charger is the best choice when charging Ni-Mh batteries, because it charges the battery in less than half the time and prevents the battery from over charging.

When charging Li-Po batteries it is important that you always use a balancer charger, which reduces the risk of overcharging your battery as well as maintaining the health of the individual Li-Po cells.

It is important when considering which battery to purchase for your airsoft AEG to determine what voltage you need to power your airsoft gun, and will the battery fit in the battery compartment of your AEG. After you have chosen a battery that will suit your gameplay and your airsoft gun, make sure that you have a charger that will keep your airsoft batteries in peak condition. Ultimately, an airsoft battery is only as good as its charger.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, the #1 fastest growing Airsoft online store in the U.S. Airsoft Megastore offers a full selection of gas and electric airsoft guns, as well as batteries, high quality airsoft BB's and a variety of airsoft accessories.

Labels: airsoft batteries, airsoft battery, airsoft battery charger, airsoft lipo batteries, airsoft lipo battery

There are a variety of different airsoft games, ranging in style, composition, difficulty and structure. Creative and passionate players are constantly making up new game variations, but many of the core airsoft games remain the same.

This article includes a list of popular airsoft games that avid players have enjoyed playing for many years.

I. Closed Quarter Battle (CQB)
Not for the faint of heart, this battle takes place in a closed environment and often results in high speed action. The close proximity to the other players often makes the game more intense and concentrated. It is important to add hiding places, tunnels and bunkers to the closed space to make the game more challenging. Light airsoft guns are often used in closed quarter battle and give the user an edge up on the competition.

II.Skirmish
A skirmish is a laid back and popular method of enjoying airsoft with friends and teammates. There is more room to roam in a skirmish than a closed quarter battle, as it is often in an open field. The exact rules of the skirmish depend upon each circumstance, but often the players can use any weapon of their choice. Typically each player wears camouflage clothing, eye protection and tactical gear. Carrying a large supply of ammunition is necessary since this game often lasts longer than closed quarter battles.

III.Capture the Flag
Capture the flag, also known as capture the intelligence, is popular in both airsoft and paintball. If often consists of two teams and two flags, but it can also be played with multiple teams and one neutral flag. There are a variety of rules associated with capture the flag, ultimately the rules used is up to the group. The group may decide that the player is out after being hit once or after being hit multiple times. One thing is consistent across the majority of capture the flag games, the team wins by being the first one to get the flag and return it to their base. Playing capture the flag is a great way to meet new friends as you all work together to steal and return the flag.

IV. Team Death Match
Team death match is a simple game where two teams compete to get the most hits on their opponents. The main goal is to eliminate members of the other team while maintaining your team members. Each player keeps track of his or her own hits and uses the airsoft honor system. Often times people who have been “killed” can come back into the game after a certain amount of time has passed, but it depends on the exact rules set at the beginning of the game. The total number of hits by each team is calculated at the end of the game and a winner is decided upon.

V. Paratroopers
This is a unique game in which a set of “stranded” paratroopers have to complete specific objectives and make it safely back to the designated pickup zone. The abandoned paratroopers are blind folded and led to drop zone, given a map and various objectives. The players can get really creative with this game and have to come up with a clever strategy to defend their object while safely returning to the pickup zone.

VI. Military Simulation (MilSlim)
Military simulation, called MilSlim for short, refers to military simulations conducted by people for fun. When airsoft players perform a military simulation they take part in military role playing by assigned military roles and using military replica weapons. Each role is acted out in battle, which may be scripted or non-scripted. Many airsoft groups that conduct military simulation have ex-military members that partake. These ex-military members are often seeking the camaraderie of their old units.

VII. Historical Recreations
Historical recreations are similar to military stimulation, but the players act out classic events in history such as Civil War and World War II. The players try to include all the details of the event and bring the battle to present day. Historical recreations allow bystanders to see what took place in a visual manner and allow the players to feel a part of a monumental event in history.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, a growing online Airsoft retailer that carries airsoft guns and airsoft tatical gear. Airsoft Megastore offers a 125% low price guarantee on all new airsoft guns and airsoft ammunition.

Labels: airsoft games, airsoft gun games, airsoft guns

Advanced players know that stealth is vital to winning an airsoft battle (and can make it a lot more fun for everyone involved). If you have ever been in an airsoft forum or asked friends for advice on how to conceal yourself during an airsoft game you may have noticed that other players are hesitant to reveal their maneuvers or tricks. Below you will find the 10 best airsoft concealment tips and tactics currently being used so you can have the advantage in your next game!

1. Wear a Ghillie Suit

Guillie suits are used in the military, by hunters, and for tactical stealth in games like airsoft and paintball. Ghillie suits are one piece suits, or multiple piece suits with rough camouflaged strips and fibers to disguise the wearer and allow for better head-to-toe concealment. For optimal concealment local materials should be stuck in and sound into the ghillie suit to provide a natural color and texture match.

2. Move Slowly

It might sound obvious, but nothing gives your position away faster than rushing around and running during the game. Quick abrupt movements will draw attention to you and compromise your position.

3. Be Quiet

Remaining quiet is key when trying to stay hidden, but this can be very difficult during dry conditions or in the autumn when dry leaves and twigs litter the ground. This is another reason why it’s important to move slowly. Moving too fast means that you can brush against or step on materials that will give away your movements.

4. Adjust Optics

If your gun is outfitted with airsoft tactical optics that have lens covers, leave the covers closed while you are getting into position and then open them while you are acquiring your target. This will help minimize the amount of time that the lenses of your airsoft gun’s optics are exposed, reducing the possibility that light will reflect off of them and signal your position to the opposing team.

5. Add a "Bird’s Nest"
A "bird’s nest" is a clump of grass, moss, or weeds that you can add to the front of your sight or scope if your optics do not have lens covers. Obviously you will want to position this in a way that does not impair your sight or impede the use of the optics attachment. "Bird’s nests" can also help your airsoft gun to blend in with the rest of your ghillie suit when you raise it up to aim and shoot.

6. Stay in the Prone Position/Crouch Down

When you’re trying to be stealthy staying low is very important. Moving in what is known as "the prone position" (a sort of combination between crawling and slithering) is a great way to stay low and go undetected. The prone position can be very difficult and tiring for beginners so if you’re unable to stay in the prone position at least try to crouch down as much as possible.

7. Use Obstacles

Hide behind obstacles like trees, bushes, and rocks as much as possible. This is especially important when there is limited vegetation to conceal yourself.

8. Don’t Be Flashy

Avoid wearing buttons, buckles or watches- anything that can reflect light. These flashy items can draw attention to you, and also prohibit you from moving smoothly in the prone position.

9. Soften Straight Edges

Hard straight edges on guns can be covered over with camouflage tape or dark colored fabric tape to make the shape of your gun blend in better with your overall surroundings and your ghillie suit. For your own safety, make sure that any taped parts are not interfering with the actual gun mechanisms.

10. Match your Camouflage

Be aware of what colors are included in your camouflage and make sure that you match them with your surroundings. First and foremost, make sure that your ghillie suit or other camouflage is suitable for the terrain (i.e. light browns, tans and reds for dessert conditions, and greens, browns, yellows, and grays for woodlands). Woodland settings often have more diversity in colors so be cognizant of what’s around you. If you have a camouflage that is a little too dark for your setting, stay low and try to blend into shadows.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the President and COO of Airsoft Megastore, the #1 fastest growing online 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 airsoft ammunition.

Labels: airsift tactics, airsoft advice, airsoft tips