That's pretty metal...I might just buy one for the hell of it, even if I don't give airsoft another shot. Are they any good? Or should I try and find one of the actual TM ones?

the TM ones are the shit. Friend of mine uses one against AEGs with surprising success. I believe he was once referred to as "that shotgun toting bastard" in Ottawa. Likes to charge into battle full tilt with his hair waving behind him...hence the call sign "Viking" Well, that and his viking-like appearance.

Sounds to me
 

you got in with a re-enactor crowd that have strick kit requirements

This is certainly not the norm in the wider community. There are lots of players that run in jeans and a Hoodie with mags in their pockets.

You can find it all.. from the most basic kit to guys that can only be described as obsessed with proper gear loadouts..

At most public games you will find some of all of them and you will be certain to find a group that you fit in with.

give AS another try.. you won't regret it

Ha! That's about how I play paintball. Running like hell all over the field, with either the Giant Anime (ish) Pistol or the closest thing I can get to a shorty shotgun.

I dunno, if I can find a good excuse to get up to Toronto (My Jeep isn't exactly great on gas, and it's a long drive from Windsor to Toronto), or even just up to Flag Raiders (Or Flagswipe even, if they still do airsoft), then I'll definitely give it another shot some day.

There's a community of players in your area who play at PBW. I believe the team Comrades in Arms is also based out of Windsor.

Like everyone else said you'll find a group that you like to play with it just might take some time.

The guys I played with were pretty chill about stuff. All you really needed were any set of BDU's and maybe a belt with mag pouches.

I guess I was lucky finding the right group to play with off the bat. There may be groups of guys who run around with bright neon jerseys and clearsoft. There are also groups that have strict requirements for kit, and groups that require anything in between.