I have a question

[Nedlamar]

Please do not reply to this with "Read the FAQ" or such comments as I have read the FAQs and read quite a lot of info on this board before posting this.
A couple of things puzzle me, I'm new to Airsoft, completely new, I would like to purchase a Rifle and maybe pistol, I bought the Canadian tire stuff and as I'm sure you all know they are of poor quality.
I'm not too interested in spending my life savings on this sport, I also don't really have the time to be part of a club unfortunately, I simply wish to have some fun on my own or possibly with a couple of friends in the saftey of our own property. I'm 31 and a responsible person, I have no intention of firing an airsoft gun or any other projectile in any irrisponsible way or in any place that may put others at risk.
Having looked around for somewhere to buy a higher quality gun I came across a link to a thread here where people were saying 2 things of interest.
1: There are no walk in stores that sell airsoft
2: A gun will cost around $1000

My question is mainly to these points.

1: Is that seriously true? I find it a little hard to believe that WalMart can sell lower quality guns that fire only a slightly shorter range than higher quality with less accuracy making them more dangerous IMO yet I can't go to a store that sells .22 air rifles with scopes and pistols that fire lead pellets at a much higher range than airsoft. Not disputing what was said, just finding it hard to believe.

2: I've looked around the net, guns in the Sates are much cheaper yes but buyairsoft.ca has many guns for much much less than $1000 and according to reviews from customers are perfectly suited to what I want, I was looking at some for around $150-$250 complete. I've also found a few stores on ebay selling guns for around the same price, granted they are plastic etc but according to everything I've read, most of them are perfectly fine for simply having some fun. I believe that when starting a hobby you start by buying cheap and work your way up, I play guitar but I didn't go out and buy a $1000 worth of gear before I learnt any songs, I wanted to find out if it was for me.

I don't particulaly want to have to go and meet someone to verify my age, I could show someone on here a scan of any legal age proving document they'd like to prove my age.

Could someone please inform me if these guys are talking about Airsoft guns that fire plastic balls or some form of military grade rifles?
I really would like to try some of this stuff out and I don't really want to have to pay $50+ shipping only to find out it's not really for me.

Thank you in advance for any info.

[georgehutchison]

You sound like your in a tough spot. Without being verified and having access to all the classifieds you will have to settle for getting a gun on your own. As for price you can pick up a decent gun for around 250 - 300 second hand. There is a huge difference between a wallmart clearsoft and the firebreathing machines we roll with. If you want to just mess around look at places like bass pro shop or elwood eps. they sell low end guns. I have found a few of mine in buy and sell magazines. Try to get the best gun you can afford because its worth it. Where are you located?

[Gunk]

I has a belly button

Seriously though... that's the way it is. You can't buy from the states, because the border police will find, seize, and in all likelyhood blow up your new toy in a puff of magic smoke and underware gnomes. So buying cheap guns from the States is out.

Because quality airsoft is hard to get in country the prices are near sky high, that's just a part of the sport, if you're not willing to pay the prices shown, you won't get a gun. Get age verified and look on the classifieds here on ASC (more on AV later)

007 is concidering getting guns with clear bodies in to sell in Canada, there are debates as to the quality of these, but they should be pretty good, in a few months that could be a source for you as the prices should be around what you'll see on american sites. $300~ if I'm not mistaken.

Age verifying... it will only happen in person. Don't like it, don't bother going on. Anyone can fake a drivers license to show via the "scanned and emailed" path. The only way to combat kids faking their way in, is to meet people in person and show ID there.

Your best bet is to go to a game and ask questions there to people who've been around for a while. You'll learn more there than you will here.

And read the FAQ

[demco11]

What do you want it for?

Something to shoot beer cans with?
Play against a friend?
Showpiece?

it depends what you want the gun to do, only then can we help you "pick a gun"

but to answer your questions, there are currently no walk in stores for airsoft guns of high quality. And guns can cost anywhere from $5 for a springer to $5000 for a custom rifle, but the typical airsoft gun is a Tokyo Marui and it runs anywhere from 350/450 used to 450-550 new.

[Disco_Dante]

There are no walk in stores that sell airsoft, with the exception of Calcity Airsoft, in Calgary. A gun will not cost $1000. A gun and all the equipment needed to use and maintain it, as well as gear for playing in, will cost $1000, especially if you need to buy a lot of mags. You can buy from Buyairsoft, but they aren't a very reputable dealer. Unless you get age verified, thats the only site you'll be able to buy from unfortunately.


And its crap.

[Ktown Militia]

Welcome to ASC.
Yes we are serious. We dont just say all these things about being age verified, and quality guns ranging from $350-$1000 for our health buddy. We get asked the same questions like 3 times a day on average. We welcome new airsofters to the community, but you have to understand the way it works here. I know it sucks not being able to import airsoft guns, but in reality here, ASC is the only place where you can find a wide range of quality guns, for a reasonable price. Im sure this is all an echo of what you have "read on the F.A.Q's" . If you are really interested on purchasing, get verified. Good luck

[Rukus]

The $1000 question is legit in some ways. But that also depends on how far you are willing to go into the sport.

1. Rifle necessary can get one for around $350 - 550 it can be a decent rifle.
2. Mags necessary depends on the quantity $90 for 10 M4a1 Star mags
3. Batteries necessary unless your going for a pistol show down then it's C02 or green gas. I've spent at least $150 on batteries and a good charger.
4. Cammo optional $100 for pants/Shirt
5. LBV, Tact Vest, or something to that nature optional $180.00 custom set up
6. Boots optional I already own boots so no cost.
7. Mask, ballistic eye wear or what have you. necessary $70 on a pretty good pair.

You can get in under $1000 but it all depends on how much your willing to spend. It isn't the cheapest hobby to get into at all. But it is a lot of fun in you can get the time and get to some milsim games and such.

[Bowers]

Originally Posted by Nedlamar

Please do not reply to this with "Read the FAQ"
im going to anyways
or such comments as I have read the FAQs and read quite a lot of info on this board before posting this.
A couple of things puzzle me, I'm new to Airsoft, completely new, I would like to purchase a Rifle and maybe pistol, I bought the Canadian tire stuff and as I'm sure you all know they are of poor quality.
I'm not too interested in spending my life savings on this sport, I also don't really have the time to be part of a club unfortunately, I simply wish to have some fun on my own or possibly with a couple of friends in the saftey of our own property. I'm 31 and a responsible person, I have no intention of firing an airsoft gun or any other projectile in any irrisponsible way or in any place that may put others at risk.
Having looked around for somewhere to buy a higher quality gun I came across a link to a thread here where people were saying 2 things of interest.
1: There are no walk in stores that sell airsoft
theres one in calgary
2: A gun will cost around $1000
sometimes

My question is mainly to these points.

1: Is that seriously true? I find it a little hard to believe that WalMart can sell lower quality guns that fire only a slightly shorter range than higher quality with less accuracy making them more dangerous IMO yet I can't go to a store that sells .22 air rifles with scopes and pistols that fire lead pellets at a much higher range than airsoft. Not disputing what was said, just finding it hard to believe.
answered above
2: I've looked around the net, guns in the Sates are much cheaper yes but buyairsoft.ca has many guns for much much less than $1000 and according to reviews from customers are perfectly suited to what I want, I was looking at some for around $150-$250 complete. I've also found a few stores on ebay selling guns for around the same price, granted they are plastic etc but according to everything I've read, most of them are perfectly fine for simply having some fun. I believe that when starting a hobby you start by buying cheap and work your way up, I play guitar but I didn't go out and buy a $1000 worth of gear before I learnt any songs, I wanted to find out if it was for me.
thats in the us not here in canada, buyairsoft is shit, im gonna assume that ebay store is zaeem and hes a scamming fuck

I don't particulaly want to have to go and meet someone to verify my age, I could show someone on here a scan of any legal age proving document they'd like to prove my age.
not good enough if you cant make the distance tough.

Could someone please inform me if these guys are talking about Airsoft guns that fire plastic balls or some form of military grade rifles?
I really would like to try some of this stuff out and I don't really want to have to pay $50+ shipping only to find out it's not really for me.
try going to a game and see if you can get to handle the players guns


Thank you in advance for any info.
you are welcome now read the faq! lol

i miss anything?

[arman]

epic....*****


efg we need you

[Gunk]

Originally Posted by arman

epic....*****


efg we need you

I miss that guy...

[Nedlamar]

Thank you for the replies, very informative if a little defensive from some.
As I mentioned I simply want to have a bit of fun in my back yard shooting targets (not beer cans cos I don't drink lol) but maybe pepsi cans or home made moving targets.
I don't need a full metal gun, I'm not Rambo lol I just always enjoyed shooting guns at inanamate objects, I'm from the UK but now live in Canada, I'm in the Brantford, Ontario area and have been told about shops that sell airsoft guns but yet to find one other than our wonderful Crappy Tire and Walmart.
I would love to spend a fortune on this stuff but I'm in the middle of immigration process which is eating my money pretty quickly, I also have the normal household bills and a wife and son to support so much more than $300 is out of my price range. I would love to run around wooded areas and fields etc as you guys do but I'm not gonna do that without first getting good with the tools of the sport, I don't like being owned lol and as I said at the moment I don't have the time.
I apreciate the age verification idea and agree with it but at the same time find it frustrating as I'm sure you can understand.

I guess for now it's gonna be something crappy from a store or ebay or buyairsoft.ca unless someone can point me in a more respected area that doesn't require me to find someone to meet to prove I'm probably older than they are lol

Thanks anyway guys.

Edit: btw someone mentioned Zaeem on ebay being a scammer, could you please give me a little more info, his feedback is pretty good, in what way is he a sammer?

[Styrak]

You're going to be very disappointed if you get some Walmart clearsoft shit or buyairsoft.ca shit.
Or at least it will give you NO idea what real airsoft is, or even turn you off of airsoft because of the shittyness of shitty guns.

[arman]

you already said your not going to put alot of money into airsoft.... well go buy the walmart guns cause OUR toy guns arnt cheep! and if you do buy a nice black gun you will want the camo, tacvest,bbs,hand gun...things you cant afford it sounds like.

[Jer-Bear]

Originally Posted by Nedlamar

I would love to spend a fortune on this stuff but I'm in the middle of immigration process which is eating my money pretty quickly, I also have the normal household bills and a wife and son to support so much more than $300 is out of my price range.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - except without a wife or kid (lucky me). I've gotten age verified within 2 weeks of joining the forum yet I have no intent to buy an airsoft gun within the next 2-4 months because the more important things come first. Jobs, money, roof above my head and food in the stomach is more important to me right now than playing airsoft. If you're gonna be in this country for a while, there's lots of time in the future to play. I'm sure you don't need me telling you this, but I am going to anyway.

Get your stuff squared away - keep the wife and kid happy first - then come and think about airsoft when you have a bit more disposable income. In the meantime, get age verified when you can and just keep the appetite for airsoft until you get there.

Having said that, if you just want to plink pop cans in your backyard, any air rifle will do.

[Tech]

If you just want a gun for shooting cans why don't you just buy a pellet gun, it will give you much better accuracy and you can get them anywhere