"1/1 scale wargaming- anyone into airsoft?" Topic

Airsoft is something i've been thinking about getting into for some time. Last week I found a refurbished Classic Army G36C.

Do you participate, and if so what is your weapon of choice?

Hoser

I have been airsofting on and off (more off of recent) since 2006. I own a number of different guns (mostly electric rather than gas-powered) including a G36C, an AK47, several MP5s, a bolt-action sniper rifle, and several pistols (SiG Sauer P228s, a P226, a Mauser Broom-handle, and a Glock 17).

My favourites are my MP5J and P226. They are great for CQB and indoor shoot outs. The sniper rifle is very accurate but it's ROF is slow, so it works best outdoors. The best -and easiest to use – all round weapon I own is the AK47.

I used to be a Paintball player back when the guns were pump action. The full auto mayhem is a bit too much these days. Ticks are no fun either.

Back in the day it was PMI-68 Magnum with a barrel extender and silencer on the end. Made the barrel 6 foot long, took both of those off before a game since it tended to slice up the paintballs before leaving the barrel.

Last time I played airsoft was the last time I played airsoft. Fell into a creek, tore my jacket, tore my elbow, skinned my palms, and was wet all over. The blood, torn jacket, and water were all acceptable. It was the palms that hurt the most! Sharp inhale, owwwwww, sharp inhale, owwwww…

It's been years since we played, but we used to do it frequently.
I don't remember who made it, but my favorite gun was a single action magnum like revolver, complete with plastic "bullets" that held the BB.

We had a bunch, which of course meant Westerns were the only logical way to play.
We had some shotguns and pistols, but I never could find a nice Rifle.

Prior, we played paintball. Pump only, so you had to use actual skill.
The last thing we did was Paintball ACW. I made barrel loading "muskets" and a cannon. Fun, but messy.

Airsoft is just as fun, and takes far less time to set-up and clean up.

I've been playing since 2000. Check around to see what style of players are running around your area and what places are available to play at. Watch the cash, it's pretty easy to start blowing money on it; sign up on a local/regional airsoft site and pick up bargains, especially gear. Lots of people change loadouts and there's always gear for sale at 1/2 price and practically no damage (no airsofter is going to use first line gear like actual military types). A quick breakdown of styles and some pros/cons and the pro/cons of one style also pop up in the other so this isn't a gospel or one is better than the other.

Milsim: guys that are border larper/reenactor. Go for authentic look and gear. Pro: a bit more serious and team goals (not John Wu shoot 'em ups). Scenarios are more detailed and try to be more detailed so you can have more of an in-depth experience. Con: will be more $$ for gear; most public fields don't cater to this crowd so games can be invite only on private land (have to know the secret squirrel to get invited); can be a surplus of type A "hardcore" people who are always on.

Rec/tacsoft: casual players from those in jeans/t-shirt to some camo. Just come and shoot things! Pro: most fields are open to this type of player; usually they'll outnumber the milsim crowd so you always have players, less restrictive gear reqs; more laid back "backyard shooting" kind of games. Cons: usually younger (not as serious) so don't expect a lot of tactics if that's what you want to to; game play can be a bit more dodgy (not calling hits, overshooting, etc); games are usually capture the flag or call of duty type (so not scenario driven).

I dabble in both but lean more milsim without the uberness of some of the folks locally (I was in the USMC and got out so there's a limit to how much Joe Shooter I want to be). I usually play on the bad guy side since there's always a surplus of Team America and very few Opfor around to be taken down.

If you want anymore info you can hit me up at jfb6801 AT gmail Dot com.

I used to play it as well (still thinking about some skirmiching one of these days). Had a Thompson (great), a M4 (fine) and an AK (the tool for the job). I ended up with a great gear selection:
-AKSU, good looks, very manageable and mean looking. Electric.
-CZ75, for same reasons. It also was cheap. Gas.
-GORKA Russian mountain suit, loose fitting, very comfortable and rough, great resistance to elements and vegetation/terrain (also its hood can get a helmet inside).
-SMERSH Russian webbing, great grip on the back, good capacity, also looks great. Comfortable.
-Pioneer M23 chest rig, for every other thing that does not get into the SMERSH.
-Russian steel m60 helmet, because you can hit your head with a tree or wall without risking injury (usually).
-Steel toe boots, just in case.

The overall look is great, very functional and comfortable too. Will offer good camo, but also stand out from lots of NATO equipped people.

I have been airsofting since 2006/7.

For a more historical experience I generally prefer the WW2 variety these days, although I do some Cold War too tending towards the milsim end of things.

Loadouts:

1990s British S95 DPM (temperate & desert) + L85A1
1970/80s British 68 Pattern DPM + L1A1
1980s/90s Bundeswehr – Flecktarn + G3SG1
1970s/80s National Volksarmee – Strichtarn + AK47

WW2

British: Basic infantry BD, Airlanding, Army Commando, desert KD.
Thompson, Sten Mk II, No. 4 and Bren

German: Early & late Heer plus options for Gebirgsjager and panzergrenadier.
Luftwaffe Field Div (tan & water jacket)
FJ both European & tropical.
K98, MP40, G43.

Russian: Early & late war infantry. SVT40 (plus captured/lend lease weapons).

Favourite weapons are my L1A1 (an early model Star one), G43/SVT40 (built around a Marui M14) and my Mauser K98 (built around a Marui VSR-10).

I also have a moderate collecton of period junk, mainly camping gear (tents, shelters, lanterns, various entertaining solid fuel or spirit stoves etc) plus a recently acquired 1930s pushbike.

I seem to be drifting more into the re-enactment side of things these days. It is a good job I have a spare room to store all this cr*p in! and a very understanding wife.

It is just possible that Bob the Temple Builder and I may have exchanged shots at one point:)

Anyway, I meant to add, you don't need all this junk to start out with. Most regular sites will rent guns etc out, legal restrictions on what you can and can't own vary for one country to another.

Try different things out, see what you like before dropping a ton of cash on guns and/or uniforms.

The main thing to get right up front is a decent pair of boots and a sturdy pair of trousers, nothing worse than a twisted ankle or ripping the seat of your trousers out. Army surplus boots are good.

It is really good fun though, plus good exercise and gets you out of the house. Although the guns are only toys with a very short effective range, some of the things which go on do mirror 'real life' tactics – particularly the importance of flanking and the ability of troops with automatic weapons to completely dominate areas of ground. Just don't expect to suppress anyone at 300m:)

Thanks for the info guys.

@kyote… what skirmish rules do you suggest for gaming this firefight?

Don't forget good eyewear, no point having an eye out because of discount goggles. I prefer ESS brand but there are others who make them for the military also, go for those. I've seen people with hundreds invested in gear and guns but el cheapo eyewear. Not sure on Canada but many places in the states require Anzi z87 rated goggles (most military/tactical cover this but not the sand/dust/wind goggles).