Airsoft Guns

A lot of people ask me for advice on selecting an airsoft rifle. Here's a quick check list for finding the right rifle for your needs:

• Spring or electric (AEG)? Electric airsoft rifles are the most popular choice because they shoot at a higher velocity and have longer range. Spring rifles, on the other hand, have slower speeds and thus shorter range, but they are less expensive. Spring airsoft rifles are appropriate for less experienced gunmen and younger players. I generally recommend electric airsoft rifles for experienced airsoft enthusiasts and anyone considering sniping. Look for an electric airsoft rifle with a velocity of at least 285 feet per second (FPS). If you plan to focus on sniping, it's best to look for Bolt Action sniper rifles with 400+ FPS.


• Metal or plastic composition? Metal is very durable and has a nice, real-life feel, but it is also heavier and may cause fatigue in long games with a lot of maneuvering. AEGs that feature plastic receivers or bodies are made of a composite polymer-ABS. The plastic has been engineered to have a high stress tolerance, making it resistant to shock or drop. In many cases these arms are just as durable as metal bodies, but a lot lighter. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and which "feel" suits you best.


• Gearbox or no gearbox? If the rifle you select has a gearbox, make sure the parts are metal. Other materials can break or warp much more quickly, damage gears, and will ultimately lead to an inoperable weapon.


• Scope or no scope? If you want to add optics to your airsoft rifle, you will need a rifle with railed sight mounts. Airsoft sniper rifles, for example, are intended to be highly accurate at long ranges, so a scope is really a must. Some rifles come with these sight mounts already in place; on others you can add them. You'll also want to check how the rifle mounts to bipods and other accessories.


• How much ammo can it hold? Ammo capacity varies. Some players prefer a high ammo capacity so that the need to reload is minimized. Others, however, are will to sacrifice ammo capacity for a more compact gun that is easy to maneuver. Choosing an ammo storage size really just depends on how you want to use your gun.

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.

Labels: Airsoft, airsoft beginners, airsoft rifle, rifles

In past posts I have discussed strategies for improving your team's effectiveness as a whole. Since we have all heard the old adage that a team is only as strong as its weakest player, I thought it would be valuable to address ways in which you can improve as an independent player. Strong players do, after all, enhance the team.

Know your weapon and gear. Do some basic training, including some ground work, such as running and crawling. Get familiar with the weight and maneuvering limitations of your gear. Learn what works well with your equipment dimensions.

Improve Your Accuracy. Some people think the quickest way to become a better player is to upgrade your weapon. Upgrades are awesome, don't get me wrong, but they are not a quick fix for a bad shot. The truth is if you want to improve your form and accuracy, you have to practice. The good news is... practicing is really fun. Here are a few things to keep in mind when working on your accuracy:

• Always aim for a small, specific area on the target... not the target as a whole. Keep your eye on that small area rather than glancing around.


• Grip high on the gun so that your middle finger is high on the trigger guard. A higher grip will give you more control regardless of the weapon. It will improve your aim and ease recoil.


• Use your fingerprint area to slowly squeeze down on the trigger. This will limit jerking and allow for more control over the gun. Try to make this a fluid movement; this is especially important if you are using a sniper rifle or pistol.


• The farther away you are, the higher you will have to aim to hit your target. Practice different ranges and learn what works best for you and your weapon(s).


• Be sure to practice shooting while moving around.


• Different guns will have a different feel, be they gas, spring or electric airsoft guns. The more you use it, the more instinctual your weapon will be to you.

Know the Terminology. Be sure to research the different war terms that you may encounter on the field. If you are told an enemy fighter is at your 6 o'clock, it's better to instinctively know what that means than to mentally calculate it on the field. There are a number of airsoft glossaries out there worth reviewing. You don't need to know every term, but a solid understanding will help you.

Know the strategies. Most wargames are broken up into teams that are either offense-oriented or defense-oriented. Defense-oriented teams tend to be grounded in a specific area, while offense-oriented teams are on active attack, trying to gain ground. A good strategy if you are on the defense is to find a position that provides both cover and access to enemy targets. The more hidden you are, the better. If the enemy cannot figure out where the shots are coming from, you have the chance to do more damage. If you are on the offense, your main two objectives are determining where harmful fire is coming from, and removing the origin of that fire, thus allowing you to gain ground. It is surprisingly difficult to find a tactically hidden defensive player. Offensive players should try to engage the enemy with minimal movement or noise. Surprise is really the best weapon on the field.

Be fit. You will need to be able to run, crawl, and dive... all with heavy gear. The more physically fit you are, the better you will be on the field.

Be safe and have fun. Wear the right protective gear, use good judgment, and the more you play, the better you will be.

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.

Labels: airsoft beginners, airsoft player, better airsoft, improve airsoft

If you are new to the game of Airsoft or considering playing for the first time, congratulations! Airsoft is an exciting combat sport that is both physically and mentally challenging. Here are some basic tips to help Airsoft beginners acclimate as they get started in the sport:

Practice safety before shooting. Taking safety precautions is important for Airsoft players at all levels of experience. At minimum, protective eyewear such as goggles or a protective face mask should be worn at all times when playing Airsoft or when playing with Airsoft guns. Wearing a long sleeve shirt during play is typically advised to prevent direct hits on exposed skin. Protective vests, helmets, knee pads and other safety equipment are also available to give you optimal protection during play.

Read and adhere to the guidelines in all documentation that comes with your Airsoft gun. Each Airsoft gun is designed to be used, cleaned and cared for in specific ways. Some mistakes to avoid are using the wrong BBs, charging batteries improperly, loading BBs incorrectly and pumping a spring cocked gun too many times. Failure to comply with manufacturer recommendations can harm your gun and void your warranty.

Don’t wield your Airsoft gun in public areas. Since Airsoft guns are designed to look realistic, carrying one that is visible to others is a bad idea (and illegal). To avoid the threat of physical harm, panic or legal repercussions, be sure to keep your gun put away while you are in public.

Stay down and look around. As you gain some experience playing Airsoft, you will get used to some of the common tactics you can use to protect yourself from enemy fire. Anything you can do to give your opponent a smaller target will work in your favor. Some basic tactics to get started are staying low to the ground as much as possible and peeking around obstacles rather than over them, which will help minimize your exposure to opponents.

Have fun! Airsoft is an exciting sport that is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States. The mental stimulation, physical challenge, camaraderie and adrenaline of the sport keep players of all ages coming back to play again and again.

If you are new to the sport, you may also find our Airsoft Terms and Abbreviations helpful for understanding some of the jargon you are likely to hear as you learn more about the sport of Airsoft.

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.

Labels: airsoft beginner tips, airsoft beginners, airsoft tips, get started in airsoft