Showing posts with label Airsoft Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Airsoft Resources. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Mechbox.com
If I had to choose the single best resource for getting to know the inner workings of an airsoft gearbox, it would be www.Mechbox.com without any question.
Why? Ill tell you.
This site is run by some crazy talented guys and they deliver the content in a friendly and easily digestible way.
They don't just do gearboxes either. They show you how to GET to the gearbox which can sometimes be equally daunting. Dis assembly of the body is not always an easy thing and Mechbox.com has you covered!
Plus they've got some great reviews so you really can't go wrong.
I can't even count how many times I've had a gun in front of me with a blank and somewhat stupefied look on my face trying to figure out how to break a gearbox down. The cure has always been Mechbox.com.
I pull up one of their videos and viola! That dumb look goes out the window and I'm rocking the gearbox like a pro. (OK, maybe the dumb look stays with me but I can't have it all).
I've used their resources so many times I thought it was only fair to give credit where its due.
So www.mechbox.com I salute you! Keep up the good work!
To those of you who just bought that shiny new bbs slinger (After having seen one of our videos on it of course ;) take a look at their site. The 10 min you'll spend watching one of their videos will save you oodles in repair costs later.
Why? Ill tell you.
This site is run by some crazy talented guys and they deliver the content in a friendly and easily digestible way.
They don't just do gearboxes either. They show you how to GET to the gearbox which can sometimes be equally daunting. Dis assembly of the body is not always an easy thing and Mechbox.com has you covered!
Plus they've got some great reviews so you really can't go wrong.
I can't even count how many times I've had a gun in front of me with a blank and somewhat stupefied look on my face trying to figure out how to break a gearbox down. The cure has always been Mechbox.com.
I pull up one of their videos and viola! That dumb look goes out the window and I'm rocking the gearbox like a pro. (OK, maybe the dumb look stays with me but I can't have it all).
I've used their resources so many times I thought it was only fair to give credit where its due.
So www.mechbox.com I salute you! Keep up the good work!
To those of you who just bought that shiny new bbs slinger (After having seen one of our videos on it of course ;) take a look at their site. The 10 min you'll spend watching one of their videos will save you oodles in repair costs later.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Airsoft MD Phased Launch
We are in the beginning of a phased launch of our new sister site, www.airsoftmd.com.
The new site is dedicated to trying to help airsoft owner with their airsoft related technical questions.
We have two techs (Overmedicated and Turion) who have volunteered and will be helping to answer your questions about airsoft related tech.
The phased rollout will allow us to tweak the design and function of the site as the publicity increases.
If you have a design idea or would like to apply for an Airsoft MD tech position go to the site and use the contact form to reach us.
The new site is dedicated to trying to help airsoft owner with their airsoft related technical questions.
We have two techs (Overmedicated and Turion) who have volunteered and will be helping to answer your questions about airsoft related tech.
The phased rollout will allow us to tweak the design and function of the site as the publicity increases.
If you have a design idea or would like to apply for an Airsoft MD tech position go to the site and use the contact form to reach us.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Unconventional Airsoft
I wanted to make a special post on this website because the folks who run this should (IMHO) be commended for the grade A content.
The site is www.Unconventional-Airsoft.com. (remember there is a dash between the first and last word).
You have only to read one of their posts to realize that there is a tremendous amount of know how behind the really cool projects they post about.
Everything from chips that provide 3-round burst fire and MOSFETs to home made, automatic airsoft turrets (Yes an auto turret!)
All I have to say is, this is freaking cool!
If you get a moment, take a look at their site.
Also, if you (Like me) feel like you're in a little (Or a lot) over your head with some of their useful projects, don't fret. In addition to providing your with the resources to do it all yourself, they have some of the projects pre-assembled and ready for sale.
Their shop will be down through the 29th of Sept. 2008 (according to their site) but there is lots of info to take a look at till then.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Ghillie Suit Supplies
I have had a few people ask me about ghillie suits and supplies and I figured I post this link to give readers some food for thought.
They have a great selection and they provide all the stuff you would need. (Although let it be known that your local fabric store should also carry the burlap and glue).
There are many excellent reviews and how tos on the subject of building youe own suit so I won't try to re-invent the wheel on this. What I will do is relate the highlights of my own personal experiences with the ghillie and a few things to be aware of.
#1, the intimidation factor of a ghillie suit is priceless. I know this may sound silly, but I found I enjoyed the interaction with the strangers I met at games more, simply because I didn't get as much smack talk and the usual jockying for the highest spot on the pecking order. BUT! Be prepared to have much more limited mobility, so you will need to reconsider your tactics if you go ghillie.
#2 , if you really, REALLY want to feel the pride of building the ghillie yourself then by all means build it yourself. Just don't think that because you're building it yourself, that your saving money.
The truth is, that with the mistakes you'll make, the extra fabric you'll buy and the gas you'll use driving back to Wally World 3 times in a night because you forgot something, will at least balance out the cost of buying a nice new ghillie from a retailer.
So think about buying at least a kit if you can't swing the fully assembled suit. Remember that whatever you get needs to be "Battle ready". This means to ACTUALLY TEST the suit before playing. You will be amazed how equipment that you "Want so badly to work" will fail you in the heat of a fire fight. The burlap needs to be FIRMLY ATTACHED to the base platform as does the netting. If it isn't you can see you entire suit comeapart because of one to many thornbush snags.
#3, as I mentioned in my "Airsoft Sniper" post, make SURE to invest in the proper hydration. If this means tying a string around the neck of a water bottle then DO IT! If you've got a little more coin to spend, then get a backpack water bladder with a drinking hose. This will allow you to remain nice and hidden and free up your hands.
Remember, people can't really see you so if you pass out from heat stroke, finding you will be a lot more difficult!
#4, don't forget to wrap the gun! If you spend the $ on the ghillie, spend a little extra on the gun wrap! The whole point is to break up the sight picture and while the opponent might not see the guy, they'll recognize the outline of a gun in an instant! FYI, it doesn't take much at all to accomplish the gun camo. Seriously, you could get away with making a burlap bag with holes at both ends and shredding a little bit of it. (Of course you could also get WAY more creative but simplicity sometimes it the best option).
Conclusion:
Budget $250 for the entire setup. I know this may sound high, but don't kid yourself, this number is the bottom line, not the price of just the suit before shipping.
$250 should get you a decent suit, a gun wrap, a hydration set up and of course the shipping/ cost of building it yourself.
Check out Ghilliesuit.com because they have some great pictures and it should give you an idea of what the prices are going to be.
There is a lot to like about ghillies, but just make sure you know what to expect!
Regards,
Konrad
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A Guide to Becoming an Airsoft Sniper
I get a lot of questions about what is the best "Sniper rifle" and how to become an airsoft "Sniper" and I thought I would post some of my answers here so that others could benefit.
First off, I'm not going to get into the semantical definitions of what real "Sniping" is.
I define airsoft sniping as utilizing camoflauge , stealth and precision airguns to hit targets selectively.
My definition hinges on my belief that most aisoft guns operate within roughly the same parameters.
I have ranted about this lots of times, but here is the gist of my point.
Most people use .2g bbs in their AEGs and shoot them at not more than 350 fps. This means that most AEGs will have similar max effective engagement ranges and accuracies.
Now, the world of spring/gas power can take players closer to the world of "Sniping", by offering higher speeds. However, even utilizing .28g bbs (the heaviest that I have tested to date) the max effective range does not top more than 200 ft effetively. At ranges greater than that wind, and hop up start to play havoc on the trajectory of the bb.
For me this means that while the bb CAN land past 200', it is difficult to do so accurately.
Before the flame descends, bear in mind that I have seen the youtube videos of people using ultra exotics firing at ranges in excess of of 200'. HOWEVER, I do not consider this to be the norm given the costs. I am choosing to use the middle of the bell curve of airsoft players when I write this.
OK... So thats out of the way now here is the advice I have given to many.
Looks:
As I just said, most Airsoft guns are very similar or identical internally. This fact negates the performance differences that occur in real life. (I.e. Sniper rifle vs. Sub machine gun). When you accept this it will change the way you look at the buying decision and you can basically get whatever gun you think is prettiest! (Assuming you pick a reasonably reputable brand)
Brand:
Don't let this be too much of a consideration. There used to be a lot more products to watch out for. But now, for the most part the brands that have survived all have decent reputations (And each one will produce its share of lemons). Thus on the higher end you have G&G, ICS, TM and possibly CA. Mid ranged you have A&K, CA, CYMA, DBoys, Echo 1, ICS, JG, TSD and Well. (There are more than this). On the low end, youll find all sorts of names. Price is the deciding factor and I consider anything $80.00 or below to be low end.
My best advice is to do keyword searches for problems relating to the brand(s) you are interested in. Then, tally the number of positive and negative comments and you will get a pretty good esitmation of whether the brand is right for you.
Total Cost:
Remember that an airsoft rig is more than just the gun. Sort of like a video game console requires more than just the console.
Be prepared to purchase accessories like extra magazines, batteries, charger, scope, bi-pod, and the recommended upgrades. The upgrades include a tightbore barrel, battery, a stiffer spring, a set of high torque gears to accommodate the increased resistance and the camo.
Finally, remember to get GOOD, HEAVY ammo! While the Wally World bargain container will get you by, I find high gloss, precision ammo to provide the most consistent accuracy and velocity.
Once you tally all this stuff up you can easily double your expenses. (Sometime triple!)
Prioritize:
If you're on a budget here are some things you can skimp on.
Battery: An upgraded battery will help your ROF and can keep your gun firing longer. BUT, if you are looking to save, the truth is, all you need is a battery that can power your gear box. You won't be laying down oodles of fire, so having a huge amped up power source doesn't really matter to you as much.(Note, if you upgrade your gear box and spring, you may HAVE to upgrade your battery if the gearbox requires the extra oomph to cycle the mech box).
Bi-pod: This add on is a nice thing to have, but if you don't have the coin, you can do with out. The bi-pod will add extra weight and bulk to your rig and many times you won't even use it. I can personally tell you that when crawling through the brush, the last thing you want to have is one more thing to snag on vines.
Magazines: If you're sniping then your skill is in the quality of your shots, not the volume. This means that you can get by with inexpensive low or mid cap magazines. In fact, low/mid caps will probably be better than the high caps because you will have more reliable, constant feeding.
Scope: Remember what you need. You're not going to be shooting wings off a fly at 1,000 yards. You want to have a scope but you don't need a $700.00 UBER optical.
The Ghillie Suit:
To me this is the #1 tool of the mil sim "Sniper". Heck it may be the same in real life, but most people focus on the gun first. The ghillie gives you a HUGE edge in the conealability department! I have literally had people step on me and even then didn't realize what they were stepping on.
( You could be using a springer pistol and wear the suit and you will be called "Sniper" all day long;)
Plus, the intimidation factor is HUGE and this can make your games more enjoyable. I have found that a burlap suit made out of BDUs with a boonie hat (Also outfitted with burlap) added easily 6 inches to my total perceived height and the entire thing makes you look huge. Definitely a plus in a testosterone charged environment!
When you make the suit for yourself, be sure to make one for your gun. A disembodied rifle will be confusing at first, but your opponent will quickly realize that there is a person attached to it and start shooting.
Don't go nuts, but don't skimp on the camo. Be prepared to spend $100.00-$150.00 either by buying a pre-made one or making it yourself. (Yeah, even the home made ones can get to be that expensive!)
If you go ghillie, also be ready to make sure you are properly hydrated. Again, it may seem like common sense until you've had to go without. Take it from me that being in anything but freezing weather, you will be close to passing out from the heat if you don't have LOTS of hydration. I found that a back pack water bladder worked the best. (Another $40-$60).
A final safety concern involves the flammable nature of the suits. All that burlap (coated in bug spray) can be like wearing a huge mobile tinder box. If you smoke, or around fire in any capacity, be VERY CAREFUL! I have not had any accidents with mine, but then, I don't smoke and I wasn't around any open flame during my ghillie games.
AEG or Spring/Gas
Most people automatically think bolt action, spring or gas powered airsoft sniper rifle. I don't know why people think this, but I'm guessing its because bolt action dominates this field in the real world.
In airsoft, you will have to realize that the engagement ranges are MUCH closer than in the real world. Thus, you will need to be prepared to fight up close and personal. For some, using a bolt action sniper rifle is fine in ALL circumstances. For others, simply relying on the camouflage to keep them out of sight is sufficient.
In my experience, the best option is to be able to lay down suppressing fire en masse when the situation calls for it. In airsoft this is relatively easy, because you can make an AEG just about as effective as a Spring or Gas powered sniping system.
You will sacrifice some trigger response and of course stealth, but when it hits the fan, you can switch to full auto and bring the rain.
That said, some people LOVE the ability to pick off targets and not give away their position at all. (It is fun, just plain fun!)
There is something about having to cycle the bolt and find the target in your crosshairs. Taking the shot and having the other targets completely oblivious as to where the fire is coming from. ;)
If this is your game then go spring/gas. (Gas can be slightly louder however and I have seen some pricey high end gas gun malfunction).
Spring is by far the simplest and most reliable approach but Gas makes the whole process easier by easing the cocking effort required.
If you do go bolt action, I would definitely consider getting a back up gun thats small and capable of a higher ROF. (Think Glock 18c, MP5K or MP7 or even a Mac 10/11). If you can't spend the $ on one of these, try a good hi-cap non-blowback pistol. YOu can easily find them new for as little as $40.
Tactics:
Once you've decided on your set up, the only other thing you can do to hone your skills is tactics.
Anyone can have the gear, but what will set you apart is your strategy. Its no good wearing the ghillie and carriying the 15 pound shooting system if you are going to charge bunkers and bust through doorways.
You need to train yourself to become invisible. This means, altering your ghillie (and gun camo) to suit the terrain, moving slowly and deliberately, and using the light to your advantage. (Try to keep your targets back lit, OR use shadows so that you disappear.
You will need to be VERY VERY patient and learn to scan the surroundings carefully and efficiently.
Frankly, its hard work but there is a level of satisfaction that is unmatched by any other style. Its like hunting, actually it IS hunting, but this time the prey can shoot back. So when you get that "kill" it feels just that much better.
Good luck and safe shooting!
First off, I'm not going to get into the semantical definitions of what real "Sniping" is.
I define airsoft sniping as utilizing camoflauge , stealth and precision airguns to hit targets selectively.
My definition hinges on my belief that most aisoft guns operate within roughly the same parameters.
I have ranted about this lots of times, but here is the gist of my point.
Most people use .2g bbs in their AEGs and shoot them at not more than 350 fps. This means that most AEGs will have similar max effective engagement ranges and accuracies.
Now, the world of spring/gas power can take players closer to the world of "Sniping", by offering higher speeds. However, even utilizing .28g bbs (the heaviest that I have tested to date) the max effective range does not top more than 200 ft effetively. At ranges greater than that wind, and hop up start to play havoc on the trajectory of the bb.
For me this means that while the bb CAN land past 200', it is difficult to do so accurately.
Before the flame descends, bear in mind that I have seen the youtube videos of people using ultra exotics firing at ranges in excess of of 200'. HOWEVER, I do not consider this to be the norm given the costs. I am choosing to use the middle of the bell curve of airsoft players when I write this.
OK... So thats out of the way now here is the advice I have given to many.
Looks:
As I just said, most Airsoft guns are very similar or identical internally. This fact negates the performance differences that occur in real life. (I.e. Sniper rifle vs. Sub machine gun). When you accept this it will change the way you look at the buying decision and you can basically get whatever gun you think is prettiest! (Assuming you pick a reasonably reputable brand)
Brand:
Don't let this be too much of a consideration. There used to be a lot more products to watch out for. But now, for the most part the brands that have survived all have decent reputations (And each one will produce its share of lemons). Thus on the higher end you have G&G, ICS, TM and possibly CA. Mid ranged you have A&K, CA, CYMA, DBoys, Echo 1, ICS, JG, TSD and Well. (There are more than this). On the low end, youll find all sorts of names. Price is the deciding factor and I consider anything $80.00 or below to be low end.
My best advice is to do keyword searches for problems relating to the brand(s) you are interested in. Then, tally the number of positive and negative comments and you will get a pretty good esitmation of whether the brand is right for you.
Total Cost:
Remember that an airsoft rig is more than just the gun. Sort of like a video game console requires more than just the console.
Be prepared to purchase accessories like extra magazines, batteries, charger, scope, bi-pod, and the recommended upgrades. The upgrades include a tightbore barrel, battery, a stiffer spring, a set of high torque gears to accommodate the increased resistance and the camo.
Finally, remember to get GOOD, HEAVY ammo! While the Wally World bargain container will get you by, I find high gloss, precision ammo to provide the most consistent accuracy and velocity.
Once you tally all this stuff up you can easily double your expenses. (Sometime triple!)
Prioritize:
If you're on a budget here are some things you can skimp on.
Battery: An upgraded battery will help your ROF and can keep your gun firing longer. BUT, if you are looking to save, the truth is, all you need is a battery that can power your gear box. You won't be laying down oodles of fire, so having a huge amped up power source doesn't really matter to you as much.(Note, if you upgrade your gear box and spring, you may HAVE to upgrade your battery if the gearbox requires the extra oomph to cycle the mech box).
Bi-pod: This add on is a nice thing to have, but if you don't have the coin, you can do with out. The bi-pod will add extra weight and bulk to your rig and many times you won't even use it. I can personally tell you that when crawling through the brush, the last thing you want to have is one more thing to snag on vines.
Magazines: If you're sniping then your skill is in the quality of your shots, not the volume. This means that you can get by with inexpensive low or mid cap magazines. In fact, low/mid caps will probably be better than the high caps because you will have more reliable, constant feeding.
Scope: Remember what you need. You're not going to be shooting wings off a fly at 1,000 yards. You want to have a scope but you don't need a $700.00 UBER optical.
The Ghillie Suit:
To me this is the #1 tool of the mil sim "Sniper". Heck it may be the same in real life, but most people focus on the gun first. The ghillie gives you a HUGE edge in the conealability department! I have literally had people step on me and even then didn't realize what they were stepping on.
( You could be using a springer pistol and wear the suit and you will be called "Sniper" all day long;)
Plus, the intimidation factor is HUGE and this can make your games more enjoyable. I have found that a burlap suit made out of BDUs with a boonie hat (Also outfitted with burlap) added easily 6 inches to my total perceived height and the entire thing makes you look huge. Definitely a plus in a testosterone charged environment!
When you make the suit for yourself, be sure to make one for your gun. A disembodied rifle will be confusing at first, but your opponent will quickly realize that there is a person attached to it and start shooting.
Don't go nuts, but don't skimp on the camo. Be prepared to spend $100.00-$150.00 either by buying a pre-made one or making it yourself. (Yeah, even the home made ones can get to be that expensive!)
If you go ghillie, also be ready to make sure you are properly hydrated. Again, it may seem like common sense until you've had to go without. Take it from me that being in anything but freezing weather, you will be close to passing out from the heat if you don't have LOTS of hydration. I found that a back pack water bladder worked the best. (Another $40-$60).
A final safety concern involves the flammable nature of the suits. All that burlap (coated in bug spray) can be like wearing a huge mobile tinder box. If you smoke, or around fire in any capacity, be VERY CAREFUL! I have not had any accidents with mine, but then, I don't smoke and I wasn't around any open flame during my ghillie games.
AEG or Spring/Gas
Most people automatically think bolt action, spring or gas powered airsoft sniper rifle. I don't know why people think this, but I'm guessing its because bolt action dominates this field in the real world.
In airsoft, you will have to realize that the engagement ranges are MUCH closer than in the real world. Thus, you will need to be prepared to fight up close and personal. For some, using a bolt action sniper rifle is fine in ALL circumstances. For others, simply relying on the camouflage to keep them out of sight is sufficient.
In my experience, the best option is to be able to lay down suppressing fire en masse when the situation calls for it. In airsoft this is relatively easy, because you can make an AEG just about as effective as a Spring or Gas powered sniping system.
You will sacrifice some trigger response and of course stealth, but when it hits the fan, you can switch to full auto and bring the rain.
That said, some people LOVE the ability to pick off targets and not give away their position at all. (It is fun, just plain fun!)
There is something about having to cycle the bolt and find the target in your crosshairs. Taking the shot and having the other targets completely oblivious as to where the fire is coming from. ;)
If this is your game then go spring/gas. (Gas can be slightly louder however and I have seen some pricey high end gas gun malfunction).
Spring is by far the simplest and most reliable approach but Gas makes the whole process easier by easing the cocking effort required.
If you do go bolt action, I would definitely consider getting a back up gun thats small and capable of a higher ROF. (Think Glock 18c, MP5K or MP7 or even a Mac 10/11). If you can't spend the $ on one of these, try a good hi-cap non-blowback pistol. YOu can easily find them new for as little as $40.
Tactics:
Once you've decided on your set up, the only other thing you can do to hone your skills is tactics.
Anyone can have the gear, but what will set you apart is your strategy. Its no good wearing the ghillie and carriying the 15 pound shooting system if you are going to charge bunkers and bust through doorways.
You need to train yourself to become invisible. This means, altering your ghillie (and gun camo) to suit the terrain, moving slowly and deliberately, and using the light to your advantage. (Try to keep your targets back lit, OR use shadows so that you disappear.
You will need to be VERY VERY patient and learn to scan the surroundings carefully and efficiently.
Frankly, its hard work but there is a level of satisfaction that is unmatched by any other style. Its like hunting, actually it IS hunting, but this time the prey can shoot back. So when you get that "kill" it feels just that much better.
Good luck and safe shooting!
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