Starter Guns - Beating a Dead Horse

[Ashton]

'Lo, all. Seeing as I'm strategically placing this in the "Newbie Tank" and have what I imagine is the age old title of "Starter Guns," you probably have a decent idea where this is going. If you're interested in skipping my rambling, I've condensed my questions at the bottom of the post.

I've gone paintballing several times, but I wasn't very satisfied with it. It's dirty, it's expensive, and there's no sense of immersion running around with a Tippman 98 (or however the brand is properly spelled) with a massive hopper sticking out of its side. After my friend made the haphazard purchase of a $22 used Crosman softair pistol, I now have a small group of friends that are interested in genuinely getting into airsoft. I first and foremost would like to know some good guns for them, something that has nice quality-to-price ratio.

I don't think the majority of them are exceedingly concerned with perfect realism, but it would be nice to get something that's a rough replica of a real weapon, preferrably something along the lines of M16, M4, MP5, or similar weapons. The more metal and the more durable, the better. We're out in BC, and the terrain makes for frequent spills, so there's no point in wrecking a gun over a trip just because we were too cheap to pay for a better version.

As for me, I'm concerned because I know exactly what I want. I did do my best to skim over the "Newbie Buying Guide," and the one gun I am most interested in is apparently problematic! I was looking at trying to get an M4A1 with the SOPMOD and a Pitcanny 20-30mm rail for mounting a reflex (or any red dot) sight, since I'm considerably more invested in the prospect of airsoft compared to them, but the M4 models are apparently very wobbly. I was wondering if anyone would be able to direct me to a model with both solid internals and externals and, of course, a Pitcanny rail for mounting aforementioned sights.

Also, if any of the suggested equipment comes in starter kit format, the better! Right now we have a pair of spring loaded sidearms and ballistic rated glasses, but no other equipment. Upgradability is also a plus, but beggars can't be choosers, can they?

My questions in short, plus some other stuff I would like to know:

1) What would be some good starter AEGs in the styling of M16, M4, MP5s, or similar weapons?

2) Are there any M4A1 replica AEGs with a solid exterior and good internals?

3) What would be some good replica starter sidearms?

4) Are polycarbonate exteriors as durable as metal exteriors?

5) Are there any airsoft shotguns worth taking a look at?

6) What are some reliably brand names to look for when searching online?

Thanks for help in advance.

[Erennert]

1) CA, TM are the best bang for your buck.

2) Same deal.

3)Side arm's are not needed at first, really not "necessary" ever, but does come in handy once in a while.

4)Plastic will never be as durable as metal, but it is durable.

5) Yes, but can't name them off the top of my head.

6)Again, TM and CA are the best. G&G are good as well. If you want a cheaper yet good gun to start off with if you don't have the cash, i recommend JG's as well.

Hope that helps, and anyone correct me on anything wrong.

[Ashton]

Awesome, Erennert. Thanks for the exceedingly speedy response. I just stumbled upon another post suggesting the CA M15A4, which looks promising. This leads me to another question:

Is there a standard Pitcanny rail size for Airsoft (20mm or 30mm?), and what is (are) the most common rail system(s) in Airsoft?

[Erennert]

Yes, the CA M15A4 would be a good gun, but keep in mind your size and if you want to/can handle a gun that size. I'm not sure about the Rail sizes, but Picatinny i believe is the most common.

[Ashton]

I'm 6'3", so I don't think it'll be much of an issue! Once more, thanks for the quick response.

[Erennert]

No problem, hope that helped you with your questions.

[cbcsteve]

Sidearms are necessary my friend

Pistols are a must, don't go in battle without a pistol! A pistol is worth the effort it can suit your persona depending on the look and feel you like can match who you are for example if you like killing elephantmen a Desert Eagle is great, or if you want simple and practical a Glock is for you

Pistols are great for when Pistol Only games happen which occur quite a bit in the GTA.

I use to paintball too and even went pistol primary cause it was just so much fun. Still miss my Tiberius

Anyway a Pistol is your friend and your persona in a compact firepower package, get one!

Pistol Brands to look out for

Tokyo Marui or Western Arms - Quite expensive but top notch quality

KSC - A workhorse brand that is definitely for gaming but bear in mind that if a part does break it will be hard to fix it especially the Glock hammer set

KJW - New clear bottom ones have arrived and you should get age verified to know what I mean so you can get them, they are the most affordable and not a bad starter pistol brand to go with

What kind of pistol are you?

Power House - Sig, Deagle
Simple and clean - Glock
The Thug - Beretta M9 (Full auto, often hard to find)
Prize fighter - 1911, or 2011 (most upgradability in looks and in bling)
Cowboy - Revolver

There are more models but those are just the ones I can think off the top of my head

[Ashton]

I think the guys I'm playing with have roughly the same idea -- they want some pistol only games. I was already looking at a Beretta M9 duplicate, so I'll look out for the brands you listed. Ironically I might get the pistol first, since currently pistols are all we've got. I'll need to make a trip down to Victoria or across to Vancouver in order to get age verified, though. I'm currently stuck in Nanaimo, sadly.

Another question: are all pistols gas operated, or are there electric pistols?

[KND]

Originally Posted by Ashton

I think the guys I'm playing with have roughly the same idea -- they want some pistol only games. I was already looking at a Beretta M9 duplicate, so I'll look out for the brands you listed. Ironically I might get the pistol first, since currently pistols are all we've got. I'll need to make a trip down to Victoria or across to Vancouver in order to get age verified, though. I'm currently stuck in Nanaimo, sadly.

Another question: are all pistols gas operated, or are there electric pistols?

Don't get the electric pistol. it's crap except a few made by TM.

Get a decent pistol like steve introduce.

I turn to like pistol but I never carry on the field. I have at least 4 to 5 mag for mostly all pistol that I used to have but none of them never finish 1 mag on the field and not even one kill yet except with my TM M93R.

That's why I stop carry pistol to give me more weight. I turn like to carry some sub-machine gun like Mac 10 or Uzi for backup or MP5K if the field let us carry two AEG.

KND

[cbcsteve]

Gas Operated pistols are the best as they have more fire power and operate better.

There are electric pistols but they are quite weak and there are not many good models in electric form

For Gas Operated you will need to get a Propane Adaptor to fill up the mags
Airsoft Innovations has them - They are a Canadian made brand so definitely get those

And Pistol only games are pretty damn fun, you probably already played a few by now and the Beretta M9 duplicate is not a bad choice either.

HFC or KJW duplicates are great for beginners, while their finish may not be 100% they still hold their own

If you are able to find a Tokyo Marui or even a more rare one a Western arms M9 you have pure reliability in your hands

Also if you do get the full auto M9 its fun and all but most full auto M9s tend to break faster if you go full auto too much so most are built for Semi shooting, but thats all you need anyway. As long as you double tap everything is gravy

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by cbcsteve

Sidearms are necessary my friend

Pistols are a must, don't go in battle without a pistol!

I disagree wholeheartedly with that statement. A newbie should be getting an AEG and gear first, and a pistol down the road if they really want. It's not a need, it's a want.

[Cheesevillage]

PISTOLS ARE NOT NEEDED!

Seriously - they're cool. An awesome training tool. BUT they put a huge drain on funds which should be going to the primary. Lets put it this way - if you have the chance to buy a TM M14 or a JG m4 and KSC m9 - buy the m14 !!!!!!

This is about spending less time fixing your gun and more time playing the game.
Also, starting out with a pistol might cause some "training scars*" - dependency on that thing is no good.



* Yes I have been watching the magpul dynamics videos

[cbcsteve]

Ah but you see I did not say get pistols first obviously a long range gun with full auto capabilities are much desired

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by cbcsteve

Ah but you see I did not say get pistols first obviously a long range gun with full auto capabilities are much desired

But you said they're necessary.

And they aren't. Especially for a newbie.

[cbcsteve]

Originally Posted by Cheesevillage

PISTOLS ARE NOT NEEDED!

Seriously - they're cool. An awesome training tool. BUT they put a huge drain on funds which should be going to the primary. Lets put it this way - if you have the chance to buy a TM M14 or a JG m4 and KSC m9 - buy the m14 !!!!!!

This is about spending less time fixing your gun and more time playing the game.
Also, starting out with a pistol might cause some "training scars*" - dependency on that thing is no good.



* Yes I have been watching the magpul dynamics videos

Having a sidearm whether it be a small full auto gun or pistol adds a different twist to the game. As for training scars? What training scars, I started out with a pistol and it was the most exhilarating feeling yet but thats because there are a lot of indoor venues and CQB games in my area.

If you have a lot of outdoor games then definitely that AEG is going to work well. But going in with no secondary or sidearm back up gun you may find yourself in a bind if your primary dies.

Also less time fixing your gun and more time playing? Are you saying fixing your sidearm or pistol? or AEG both require a certain amount of fixture time.