Help choosing an intermediate level gun!

[mike_w101]

Hey all,

So I'm not new to airsoft as I played when I was younger (13-16), but back then it was pea shooting 30 dollar toys from canadian tire.

Me and my friends from back in high school are all thinking of picking the hobby back up (for real this time), and so I'm all set and ready to purchase a real airsoft weapon .

Guess I'm open to just about any suggestion as to what you guys think I should buy, as well as (and this is important too) where I should order from.
I'm looking for something reasonably low priced, but still good, maybe 200-500$.
I'd love if I could find a good deal on a gun from the G36 family, as I love the look of these guns (K and E models especially), but I'm also a big fan of SIG's, and souped-up, tactical looking SOPMOD style M4's. SOPMOD style MP5's also tickle my fancy, but not quite as much.

Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

[Cobrajr122]

Well, with your $500 budge cap, that will get you a GREAT "mid-high" level gun, but no gear... Airsoft is really a sport where you should jump in with $750+. My first rifle alone was JUST under $1000.

First things first, you will need to get AV'd so you can get access to our classifieds and retailers section. There are the weapons your interested in both new and used in there.

The type of rifle does not really matter, its personal preference, what does matter is who made it. The rifles you are looking at are made by a WIDE variety of manufactures. I only have personal experience with CA, TM, and KJW/TK, so I can only say that CA is probably your best option for your price range if you buy from the right retailer or find a good deal in the used department.

Welcome to the forum, have fun, stay safe and good luck!

::Standard copypasta::

Please take some time to read all of the FAQs in the FAQ section, there is VERY important information there for you, including information on how to get Age Verified.
Also included in the FAQs is information about what NOT to buy from outside Canada - I suggest this be one of your first reads.

One thing you will find on ASC is that we are not here to spoonfeed you. Please show some initiative and research topics on your own, pretty much any question you can think of has been asked before, so please use the search function up top

[L473ncy]

I STARTED with ~$550-600 in but note that that's just the initial investment. After about a year I would say I was closer to $750-900 in.

I assume you're 18 now.... and if you just wait until you can meet an AV rep to get verified you will have a larger selection of guns to choose from. $450 for a decent gun with 2 or 3 mags and maybe a cheap red dot is a reasonable price to pay. After that $30-40 olive drab combats from the local surplus store, $40 paintball mask (or if your field allows it fully sealed ballistic goggles or just shooting glasses), boots (I assume you have otherwise winters would just suck) but perferably if they're in an "earthy" brown, tan, or black colour that's great (ie. don't come to the field wearing something like this something like this is better notice how the first is blue and has reflective stripes whereas the second one is in a neutral grey tone).

I guess when starting out a mag can go in your BDU pocket (and even I'm considering doing that when I do a lightweight loadout) but you can always borrow a vest if anyone has a second one or whatever. Also I say it's fine to use a hi-cap mag for your first 2 or 3 games but after that they're not expensive (especially if you go with an AK or AR15 platform since you can get STAR or Magpul "Green Label" which end up being like $8-9 a mag and come in boxes of 10 so you could split with a friend if needed)

[redzaku]

well it depends on what are you play at (everyone agrees rite?) if you are playing CQB, get a CQB edition or an SMG but if you are playing in a field get a long barrel model
other wise it what ever floats your boat, any models will do, research it well...

[burningashes]

Be prepared to spend $500-$700. TM & Classic army guns are the best in this range.

[SuperCriollo]

Get a Ca or go Taiwanese. IMO Tokyo Marui now days is just not competitive anymore.

[Tempest VI]

You can get some nice CA from the retailers once your age verified. There's also that other site that everyone hates but I think there pretty good. Anyways, you're looking at spending at least $500 - $700 for a M4. That's around what I payed for my AUG and F2000. Come to think of it, there actually getting cheaper.

[Janus]

I'm not going to reiterate what has already been said, but I will say this in addendum.

Think about three things.

1. What kind of role do you want to fulfill on the field?

If you want to be an assaulter, it's a far different cry than your average sniper, know what I mean? Your primary gun isn't going to be the same. Think about what you want to do and see what is available.

2. What kind of upgrades are you looking at?

Some guns like the M4 or the MP5 are the Honda Civics of guns. They have laser accessories, grip accessories, RIS accessories, M203s, tac lights, spare rails, iron sights, optical sights, meat tenderizers, AN/PEQ2s, goat locators, accessories that give you a reach around... And others, like the AK-47 aren't so wholly versatile in their range of add-ons. As well, some mechboxes are notorious for sucking at taking upgrades (Read: TM FAMAS)

3. I forget what the third thing was, thank you Sailor Jerry's Rum.