New to the whole deal.
 

Hello,

My names Matt, and I'm new to Airsoft. I want to know where the best place to buy, guns, gear, and where events are usually held. I'm in Winnipeg, MB.

Cheers,
Cpl. McGregor

Hello Matt, and welcome. Airsoft Canada has an age verification system that'll unlock or give access to you once completed. At that time you'll be able to buy and sell on the classifieds, read reviews on guns, gear, and retailers, and get more in depth information on everything airsoft. This system helps protect ASC, the community, and our sport.

How it works:

- Look under the "regional representative" section in the forums to find an age verifier (AV'r) nearest you.

- Send that AV'r a private message (PM) requesting a meeting for age verification. These are volunteers and may be away, busy, dealing with family, etc, so check in with a few if there are more than one near or near-ish your location.

- A verifier will contact you and set up a meeting to go through the quick process. Verifications are "in person only", you must bring your "government issued photo identification", and of course you must be "18 years of age or older".

- The verifier will submit your information through ASC, and usually within two weeks or less you'll be verified.

Until that time we cannot tell you where to buy guns, etc.

Almost all airsoft games, sales, discussion etc in the Winnipeg area at some point goes through the Winnipeg Airsoft Facebook group found here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/winnipegairsoft/
Join up and I'll approve you when I see it, any questions send me a PM on here or FB.

Unfortunately I don't have Facebook

I tried age verification a while back with no luck, decided no point in it anyway, (for me). you should sign up for FB if only for local info. My airsoft group posts when we are playing and if anyone is selling, looking to buy guns and gear. A couple members only use FB for updates on game days and nothing else.

I can tell you that age verification is worth it. There is way more knowledge and options collectively here than any small community on their own. Also access to things like discounts, retailers, gun docs, etc. I myself am also not on Facebook. I'm very anti-social media.

In my experience, becoming AV'd is absolutely imperative, since it opens a whole other aspect of ASC, with access to classifieds, among other things. But even if you have a question about guns, nobody here will link you to a source where you could obtain one without being AV'd first. Yup, it can be slow and drawn out, but the AVers are volunteers whose life may take precedence. Give it another shot, and remain courteous and patient. You'll be grateful you did.

We have a section here on the forums that deal with retailer reviews, most of which are Canadian, but only opens up after your account as been age verified. I think this is an excellent place to start looking. You'll both find something in your area, as well as getting a feel for their reputation.
The classifieds are also another good place to look for a gun. Second hand guns are not usually a bad thing (as most are still in stellar shape), and are often marked at huge discounts compared to their original retail prices. A very good bargain for someone on a tighter budget.
And, of course, take some time to read a few posts here. This place is pack full of airsoft knowledge. Don't be afraid to ask us any questions!

If you change your mind on the facebook group, you'll have access to two age verifiers immediately. Both are field owners and active in the community. Not to mention all sorts of games to suite your needs.

If you want to ease into the local scene you can join us over at Cuddy's and choose your path from there.
http://cuddyscommandos.com/index.php
We have two age verifiers on the team one attends every game, the the other is around every so often
We host mini ops and scrims every second sunday at great fields and also get invites from Wrath (above)and other organizers. Don't be deterred by our all ages crowd.

Get age verified though. Believe me, Toronto players have an abundance of great gear and guns for great prices. If you dont you'll just tell every new member it isn't worth it for the rest of your ASC life...

Sorry, but I will never get FB again, for anything. It stupid and all bull. I hate it, and the dick that sold out his website. Ill never be on that website again. I sent a message to a AV in my area, just waiting to hear back.

Hanging out at Xtreme Tactics is a good place to meet people, and they post flyers for events whenever someone drops one off.
They also have a well-stocked and competitive retail store, which is staffed by experienced players.

There's also TBD airsoft in town, which tends to carry a good range of interesting and some exotic airsoft guns, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.

The thing is (and I feel your pain), you're kind of stuck for game postings if you don't have Facebook.
If you play at XT you'll manage to meet some people you click with and they'll keep you in the loop.
Check their website and/ or give them a call for upcoming open games, and take 'er away.
I'm not sure when I'll be playing next personally, but I can drop you a PM on here if you'd like. My name is Cliff, I'm a huge, loudmouthed, bearded bald guy and provided you're over 18, I may be able to help you find some people you'd get along with.

If you are under 18, don't buy anything yet (for a whole host of reasons). Save your money, beg and borrow (don't steal), and check out Cuddy's Commandos.

Like it or not FB is a good tool for this sort of thing. You can simply use it to check in on local games and players, or for buying and selling. Or you can miss out, up to you. There are a lot of people who are more active in their FB groups than on here or other forums...

I haven't checked the MB list in some time, but the last time I saw it more of our guys are MIA. Find King or Priest(may be on holidays), and maybe Slow. That will cover a huge portion of south MB to suite your location.
Edit:King isn't listed.
but a whole bunch of those guys are inactive ATM

Take Cliff's advice and go to the shops. TBD and XT are relatively close together and you can stop off for a game at XT to try out a small selection of rentals. They have all the standard variants and some pistols.

I have a gut feeling I've met you recently

If you're really nice some guys may lend you a gun once they get to know you so you find exactly what you like before you sink into the money pit.

Edit:

Check out Cuddy's Commandos anyway. They ain't MILSIM but they're a hell of a good time, have a wide range of regular players/ teams going out for games, and Monica makes a $10 burger for what, like 3 bucks?

Yessir, $3 for a fantastic home made burger.

We may not be milsim, but some of the local greats call our team home. Like I said, dont let the all ages crowd keep you away, you won't even notice after a game or two.

Or just get in touch with Evan Foster/Wrath144 and I'm sure he can sort you out. He sets up some proper milsim events and knows other hosts to get you in game.