Sticky

Getting into airsoft is not as expensive as you might think.

A lot of people assume you have to spend thousands of dollars to get your foot in the door. This is incorrect as airsoft can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.

This guide will take a look at how to get into airsoft on a small budget without compromising on quality. Take the time to look at all of the items here and choose the ones that are ideal for your needs.

1. Airsoft Rifle

This is the most important purchase a person will make when it comes to airsoft. The rifle has to be robust, easy to handle, and perfect for your playstyle.

A good airsoft rifle is going to come out to be at least $150 and is a good starting point for beginners. You will have no trouble getting good performance out of the rifle, and it will be easy to hold onto while moving. There are some excellent cheap airsoft guns out there that will perform just as well as the expensive ones.

This is the first thing you need to look for.

2. Eye Protection

This is an essential investment and one you are going to require. It is mandatory to have eye protection when you are on an airsoft field as it can be quite dangerous due to the way a game is played.

Not only do you need eye protection, but it is important to make sure it is offering complete coverage. You don’t want a situation where eye protection gets in the way of what you are doing or makes it harder to see.

3. Extra Battery

The right type of battery makes all the difference in the world.

You will want to make sure there is enough power to juice the rifle when you are moving around. A budget-friendly solution can be found, and it will work well as long as it is compatible.

Look to invest in a high-grade battery that will allow you to get through the game without a hitch. Anything less than this could leave you in a tough spot on the field.

4. Smart Charger

Beginners should also take the time to look for a smart charger. This will ensure the battery is always charged and doesn’t let you down in the middle of a game.

A lot of beginners don’t look into buying one even though it is affordable.

Look to find a good smart charger that is compatible, easy to use, and is going to charge the battery quickly. This will improve your experience.

5. Airsoft Vest

Going onto the airsoft field without chest protection is tough to do. You will want to make sure a good-quality vest is around your torso at all times.

This is why investing in one is a good starting point for beginners that want to be protected.

Look for a vest that is the right size, affordable, and easy to move around in. You will always be on the go while running and it shouldn’t get in your way.

6. Face Protection

If you are on a budget, you can go for a basic look with only eye protection.

For more protection, you will want a complete mask that goes over the face. This will offer more protection for an exposed area that will get targeted when you are moving around on the field.

This doesn’t have to be at the top of your list on a budget but it is something to keep in mind. You can get good face protection for an affordable price.  See our full article on face protection to learn more.

7. Combat Boots

How are you going to be moving around on the ground?

It is not easy to get from point A to point B with other threats lurking around. Due to this, you will want high-grade combat boots made for tactical missions such as the ones you will enjoy in airsoft.

It is essential not to let your boots let you down when getting out of the way or catching someone.

The right type of boots will feel good on the feet and won’t get in the way. This makes all the difference in the world for those who are getting into airsoft.

It’s best to invest in a good pair of boots when you are on a budget.

8. Airsoft Pistol

An airsoft pistol is one of those investments that will elevate your game. A lot of people don’t buy one until they are advanced airsoft players, and that is okay.

It is recommended to add this to your collection when your budget increases. This is not a top priority on a small budget, but it is one to keep on your list of things to buy. You will want to have this in your possession when it is time to get started.

An airsoft pistol can make it a lot easier to control your range and accuracy. Where a rifle won’t work, the pistol will do wonders.

9. Airsoft Pistol Holster

To many people’s surprise, you will want to keep a holster by your side during games. This is not a mandatory purchase on a small budget, but it is nice to have if you are investing in a new pistol. The holster will make it easier to put it away when you don’t need it.

It is recommended to keep this type of purchase until the end. It should be purchased in combination with the airsoft pistol to make sure it works as you want it to.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to getting into airsoft on a small budget, you will want to start with the basics.

Look to invest in a good airsoft rifle, eye protection, combat boots, vest, and a robust battery. This will be a good starting point and then you can look at things such as a smart charger or an airsoft pistol.

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Sticky

The most important thing to do when you play airsoft is to protect your face. Some players feel only eye protection is needed, but don’t you think the rest of your face is important too? An airsoft gun can easily damage your teeth, mouth, and ears, even at velocities as low as 250fps. Airsoft Hawaii was one of the first airsoft clubs in the nation to require full facemasks and have very strict rules concerning these facemasks.
Test Procedure:
To show why facemask requirements are so important we decided to test several facemasks and goggles. A roll of paper towels was used as the test head. Over the paper towels a piece of paper was placed (Tokyo Marui targets that come with the guns) and the goggles were secured to the “head” with the goggles over the paper. All shots were done with 0.20g excel bbs at 30 feet. 30 feet may seem close, but let’s face it, we’ve all been shot at less than that distance. The guns used were a Maruzen CA870 (300fps), upgraded Marui AK47 (360fps), upgraded Marui M14 (400fps), upgraded Marui SR-16 (440fps), upgraded Marui VSR-10 (500fps), and the Impact Games blue RI vsR-1o (575fps).

Paintball goggles.
These are the only type of face protection allowed by Airsoft Hawaii / ASH BASH Productions. They are by far the strongest type of eye protection to withstand impact. Lexan is the lens material of choice, it’s the same stuff used for “bulletproof” glass. But even a thick Lexan lens can fail with enough impact. Here is a JT mask showing cracks from a 500fps gun. A hole was punched through using a 575fps gun, at about 30 feet. This shot could have blinded someone.

Out of all the goggles and facemasks tested the paintball mask was the strongest and only one able to keep a 500fps from hitting your eyes, but it was still damaged with an obvious crack. This is why we strictly enforce a maximum 450fps velocity limit for Airsoft Hawaii games. Another JT mask with the exact same type of lens was shot repeatedly with 440fps shots with no damage to the lens, frame or facemask. No other goggle system in our tests came close to this level of protection

Paintball goggles are the strongest form of eye protection but even they have limits. This was cracked with 500 and 575fps shots. Some people talk about playing with 600+ fps guns and the use of heavy weight bbs. Obviously, a dangerous idea especially now seeing what a high-powered gun can do. Ultra high velocities are ok for target shooting but they are not safe for shooting at other people. Field owners and event promoters, before continuing to have high velocity games please consider what might happen before it’s too late. Accidents and close range shots will happen; protect yourself and your players. Otherwise, you may end up in court explaining why someone was blinded at your game.

Military issue goggles are not allowed because they are not strong enough. Military goggles are made mostly to keep sand, wind, and dust out of your eyes (that’s why they are referred to as SWD goggles). Also, the sad truth is when the government needs to give millions of these out to all the troops they will look for the cheapest thing possible. Also, there is no brand so there is nobody to worry about liability. Oakley has to worry about liability and reputation and build a much stronger goggle, but even they failed our test.

Just because something is Mil-spec or used by SWAT it doesn’t mean it’s strong enough for airsoft.

Oakley goggles, which meet ANSI standards everyone talks about as the measure of protective strength, failed horribly. A shot to the direct center of the lens was absorbed with obvious damage, but at least it would still deflect the shot. However, if shot closer to the top, within ¾ of an inch to the vent holes, the lens shatters and the bb and shards go through with no problem. The crack in the center was from a 360fps 0.20g bb, at 30 feet. The center of the lens meets ANSI requirements, but are you going to tell everyone they can only shoot you in the center of your goggles? Also, the sidewalls of the goggles are very thin soft foam which a spring pistol could shoot through. Tactical goggles are made to protect from flying brass casings, dust, and chemicals; they are not made to be shot at.

This could have been someone’s eye.

 

Sunglasses, shooting glasses, and safety glasses are not durable enough either. The lens might be shatterproof but how strong are the frames, earpieces, and hinges. Many safety glasses are only designed to take a single hit from whatever accident may happen. They are not made to take repetitive shots that may come from full-auto guns. And let’s face it if you’re getting full auto blasted in the face what’s the chance of all the bbs hitting only the center of your glasses and not the rest of your face? The lens deflected the shots but the frame on these shooting glasses cracked with a 360fps shot.

As soon as the frame cracked the lens dropped out leaving the “head” totally exposed. These are not cheap glasses either. This model of shooting glasses costs $44 (the same price as a paintball mask) and is made by a reputable company. Notice the bbs embedded in the roll, that could have been your face if you were wearing just glasses (ok I wasn’t exactly aiming at the glasses, but I hope this proves why a good facemask is important).

 

 

Issue 11 of NAM Magazine reported on an incident at Fort Ord where a player wearing Wiley X glasses was shot and the glasses broke exactly like our test results. This happened during gameplay. Luckily the player was not injured. Click here to see the story from NAM Magazine.

The Shotgun test. Many glasses and goggles try to show how strong they are by shooting them with a shotgun. I don’t doubt that the lens is strong enough for many of these tests but again, how strong is the frame? Have you ever noticed they always show just the lens getting shot? Or if they have it in the frame there isn’t a single hit on the frame itself and it looks brand new. Don’t fall for these marketing tricks. The bulletproof lens won’t help you if it’s on the ground after your frame cracked.

Mesh goggles are extremely dangerous. We tested a popular facemask with mesh goggles that are commonly found on cheap websites, eBay, and stores that sell lower end guns, like clones. Shots at 300fps with 0.20g bbs would deform the mesh with enough impact that the hard paint over the mesh would chip off and go flying into your eyes. These paint shards are sharp and jagged and will do serious damage to your eyes.

Fragments from the goggle itself at only 300fps shots.

 

300fps was also enough power to punch a hole through the facemask when the bb hits near a slot or vent. 360fps would result in bbs shattering on the mesh and fragments flying in along with the paint shards.

BB Fragments passed through the mesh.

Holes were also punched through the facemask even in solid spots with no vents or slots.

Obviously, these goggles are not safe for airsoft.

400fps was where it became even more dangerous. A 400fps shot to the flexible goggle frame had enough force that the bb slipped right through a 2mm hole and went right through the paper and embedded itself into the roll of paper towels in the location your eye would be. A grazing 400fps shot on the cheek portion (the thickest area on this mask) was enough to crack it.

500fps on the goggle frame delivered enough force that the mesh lens was pushed out of the frame. NEVER USE MESH GOGGLES!

Across the US many events and fields are allowing upgraded velocities, 350fps, 400fps, 400fps with 0.25g. Many also allow higher velocities for “heavy guns” or “sniper weapons” which can go over 600fps. It may also be a coincidence but the games with the highest velocities also seem to have the lowest eye protection rules. With strong guns, you need strong protection. The only one to hold up to upgraded guns was the paintball mask, but even those have a limit. Please be careful, be reasonable, and use the right gear. Being comfortable and looking cool is not worth going blind.

Special thanks to NAM Magazine for their help with background information, Lenny and Lyle from Wicked West Airsoft for donating the Oakley goggles and JT mask for this experiment, and Jeff from Hawaii Airsoft Club for assisting in the tests.…

Recently Tyler and I went on a trip to Hong Kong. Hong Kong in my opinion is someplace everyone should go to at least once in their lifetime. Most of you reading this would want to go to Hong Kong for the airsoft, and for convenience and price, it’s hard to beat Hong Kong. True you might not find the rare Japanese items like Poseidon body kits or Fortress rifle stocks but for upgrade parts, metal bodies, optics, and rails the average airsoft player will find everything they need.

Tokyo Model Company

First, we need a lesson in geography. Hong Kong is on the southern edge of China. The country is split into two sections, the island which is actually Hong Kong, and the China peninsula known as Kowloon. Hong Kong island is the more up-scale tourist area of the two, whereas Kowloon is for the working man and the bargain hunters. The majority of airsoft shops are in Kowloon, in a district called Mong Kok. Within Mongkok is a small triangular block on Kwong Wa Street. This is where 80% of the airsoft shops in Hong Kong are located including Tokyo Model Company, War 4 Toys, Guns N’ Guys, Classic Army, Armed Forces, Den Trinity, Modern Model Company, Gunner, S3, and several other companies. All of these shops are located within two buildings, it’s virtually an airsoft mall. It’s very easy to find everything, but it’s even easier when our good friend Clarence Lai, the Airsoft Surgeon, takes us there (especially in his 4 door Skyline).

Clarence Lai

Classic Army

The first shop in the “mall” is Classic Army. They have a huge store, which is mostly empty. It’s the cleanest store with a nice tiled floor and bright lights in a space that looked about 800 sq. feet. The left and right walls were lined with showcases showing CA products, guns on one side parts on the other, and nothing in between. I only saw tourists walk into that store. Considering just a few steps away are shops with Guarder, PDI, and Laylax parts (which perform much better) I don’t know why CA even opened a store here.

Modern Model Company

Next was Modern Model Company. This is more like a typical Hong Kong store, packed full of guns and parts. They have a lot of pistols and handgun accessories, especially for SV’s, STI’s, and similar guns. They were very busy with a lot of customers.

There are a few “garage shops” after that where it’s literally a garage stall with some generic P.O.S. Chinese guns like Well, Both Elephant and CYMA on the ground. Again, why anyone buys this stuff when there are all the other shops is beyond me, especially the tourists. If you can spend a couple thousand bucks to have a vacation in Hong Kong then you can afford the extra $50-100 and buy a Tokyo Marui.

War 4 Toys

War 4 Toys Intl., an ASH BASH sponsor, is next. Their shop is deceiving because when you first look you just see a small space behind the door, then you notice it expands to quite a nice shop in the back. They had a lot of nice custom built guns, especially STAR rifles such as the L85/L86 type. They also had a lot of spare parts most places don’t sell such as screws, selector switches, trigger guards, and grips.

Gunner

After is Gunner. This is one of the most disappointing shops ever. Very very very small. They had a shipment and they were organizing it on the ground outside while smoking and dropping ash all over the product mind you. A lot of people on Arnies keep saying Gunner is the best place to go to. Did they not notice the other ten stores on the same block?

There is a bunch of small specialty shops also. One specialized in taking real gun parts and modifying them for airsoft. Don’t remember the name but I remember the high prices.

Outside you’ll find Tokyo Model Company, another ASH BASH sponsor. They have a nice shop filled with stuff. They don’t have much walking space but they have tons of showcases full of parts from Laylax, PDI, Systema, Tanio Koba, and all the other big names. One of the best shops for finding upgrade parts. When I went to Hong Kong a few years ago their airsoft selection was just a few cases and model cars and Gundam took up the whole store. Now it’s all airsoft.

Guns N Guys

A few stores down is Guns N Guys. They are another big shop with tons of guns and parts. Lots of metal body parts and conversion kits from HurricanE, King Arms, Proud and other companies to choose from. They also have a lot of upgrade parts as well.


Armed Forces

Inside Armed Forces Shop

Around the corner is Armed Forces. They have the nicest display of guns with showcases lining the whole store. I wish my store looked like this, it’s even nicer than the DEN shop. This is a big improvement from the white walls and shelves that I remember from a few years back. They also have a good selection of body kits and upgrade parts.

 

S3

Across the street is S3. I wish I could say something about them but I never saw them open for the whole week I was in Hong Kong. I was more interested in checking out the Charlie Brown Café next door.

DEN Trinity Shop

Finally was DEN Trinity. They had a good selection of parts and guns in a nice display, but no customer service. I wanted to buy a tool that I saw in the showcase and I had to drag the guy over to get it, otherwise, he was busy reading a book or something.

Inside WGC Shop

So where are the airsoft companies in Hong Kong, RedWolf Airsoft and War Gamers Club? Well, they actually don’t have stores. However, if you do go to their offices you can ask them for stuff and they’ll fill an order on the spot. War Gamers Club, or WGC, has their office located near Mong Kok.

The office of Redwolf Airsoft

RedWolf Airsoft, two-time ASH BASH presenter, is located north at Cheung Sha Wan in the V-Ga building (I don’t know what that stands for). You’ll need to take the MTR subway up for about a 10 minute ride, too far to walk from Mong Kok but close enough you can go up there on a whim. There you can meet Paul Chu who has been at the 2005 and 2006 ASH BASH and will be here for 2007. Tell him you heard about us from Airsoft Hawaii.

If you’re looking for airsoft stuff you’ll find almost everything in Hong Kong. It’s the easiest place to find what you need, and the stores are so close together you can go back and forth to compare prices. Unlike Japan or even California where going to different stores requires lots of travel time, you could literally do all your shopping in Hong Kong in one afternoon. I love Hong Kong.

Hong Kong travel tips:
In Hong Kong, there are a few HUGE shopping centers but unless you’re looking for specific name brands you can find great clothes for much cheaper in small shops all over Mong Kok and Jordan.

Don’t expect to find fake LV and Rolex like in the good old days. Since been cracking down on counterfeit bags and jewelry.

Go when it’s cool, like early spring or late fall. Don’t go in the summer. Humidity is so high you will sweat more than you thought humanly possible. Plus all the furniture in the hotel will feel wet. Very disgusting.

Don’t be afraid to try different food. Food is so cheap in Hong Kong if you try it and it’s bad you can just pay the bill, go somewhere else, and not feel ripped off. But just make sure you know what animal it is and what part it came from.

Look around and don’t spend all your money in one place. A lot of the shops repeat block after block (like Giordano and G2000) and if one shop doesn’t have something the next one will.

Take large bills to places like the airsoft shops where you know you’ll spend a few hundred dollars, but have lots of small bills for all the cool things you’ll find in the small shops and the street markets. With $2 CD’s, $5 DVD’s, $7 dress shirts and slacks, and tons of toys Kowloon is Impulse Buy central.

And most important, take large suitcases with lots of space, you’ll need it.…

By Tyler Woo

 

This is an update to my previous VSR-10 article. After exhaustive testing, here is a full line-up of performance parts from PDI/Xfire.Springs:
There are currently three series of springs that can be used within the VSR series. The EZY series features a 7mm diameter spring in a variety of power levels. These springs can also be used with the stock spring guides and pistons (you must use the lower power springs with stock parts).
The SPR series are a 9mm diameter spring originally used for the APS2 rifles, they will also work superbly in the VSR. These springs feature a softer and easier pull for the power output they produce. The SPR series springs are a current favorite of mine for bolt gun upgrading.
The SS series are meant as an “export only” spring in Japan. Producing great amounts of power. (These springs produce more power than the ASGK allows for gaming in Japan). There is even a warning from the manufacturer about excessive damage when using this spring series. -At least they’re upfront about it.

Spring Guides:
Two types of spring guides are currently offered. There is a 7mm diameter and a 9mm spring guide. Both feature a one-piece construction and a plastic washer cushion for the spring. ‘Spring Tension Ring’ kits are available and can be used together to correct for power loss during break-in of the spring.

Cylinders:
New cylinder kits are now available for many types of barrel lengths and power level considerations.
There is the basic ‘Straw’ cylinder, a stock replacement for the OEM unit. Also, a new Laser cylinder, featuring laser welds for almost unbreakable performance.
A new Bore-Up cylinder kit is available, as well as a new ‘High Speed’ ported unit for the shorter 303mm Gspec barrel users. As well as a new ‘Premier’ kit for ultra high-velocity power applications.
Along with the cylinders, there is a Tapered Cylinder Head unit available in both standard sizes and for Bore-Up applications. The Tapered Cylinder Head allows better airflow during firing allowing an increase in velocity and consistent shot power.

Pistons:
A wide selection of pistons is available for any power and performance level that a player might be looking for.
The S-Piston is an entry level reinforced piston used with 7mm springs.
The Hard Piston will accept 9mm springs and seems to be the most useful in the widest array of power and performance selections.
For very long barrel assemblies, PDI offers the Vacuum Piston. This piston uses a small bearing unit to correct for air volume in the cylinder versus the air volume in the barrel. An interesting way to combat the ‘vacuum effect’ of very long barrel systems and to preserve velocity.
Lightweight plastic piston units (Barikaru) offer higher velocities for lower power spring set-ups. All pistons mentioned also come in a Bore-Up size as well.

Trigger Kits/Parts:
These parts allow the piston to be held back when using stronger springs. Stock trigger parts are fine for lower power applications (below 350fps).
There are 2 ways to upgrade a VSR trigger group. First, using the OEM trigger housing, you can replace the individual trigger sears with replacement parts made from steel. (versus the OEM parts out of aluminum/pot metal)
The main parts needed for an upgrade are the 1st sear (trigger), 2nd sear (piston). For added durability, the set pin and spring kits are available too.
The second way to upgrade the trigger is to replace it all together!
The Trigger kits are basically a roller bearing type trigger system. While offering a smoother trigger pull, they do sacrifice ‘trigger feel’. An important thing to note is that trigger kits use a different piston sear and require the piston to have a corresponding locking end cap. The new kits include either the piston or the piston end cap for correct use. Regular pistons cannot be used together with the trigger kits.

Tight-Bore Barrels:
PDI offers their ‘tight bore barrels in a 6.05mm inner diameter. They are constructed out of steel, and come in a variety of lengths. The 6.05 barrels seem to offer an increase in both velocity and maximum distance when compared to the Laylax (6.03mm) and KM (6.04mm) barrels.
For supreme accuracy, PDI is now offering a 6.01mm inner diameter barrel in select lengths. Players using these barrels are warned, they must use very high-quality BB’s, such as Maruzen .29g Super Grand Masters, and Maruzen .30g ‘Accuracy’ BB’s. Cheap BB’s will get jammed!

Outer Barrel Kits:
PDI offers a stylish alternative to the plain old ‘bull barrel’.
Fluted Barrel sets are now available in both the Pro-Sniper lengths and a longer style as well. Built strong and durable, they have a nice heft to it. If weight is a concern, PDI has a lightweight bull barrel in different lengths as well. Other than the outer barrels, different receiver types are available as well.
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