Yeah, more airsoft convertees!
To give a little background, I started playing airsoft in college. We exploited a loophole in the student handbook (one they didn't close until 2 years after I graduated) that allowed these weapons on campus in dorm rooms. As I was poor, it was a good way for me to keep up my training on the cheap, was *relatively* quiet, and wouldn't break anything important. To be fair, anyone who had any single item (excepting tv, computer, and stereo) in their room in my dorm was a moron, so fragile knicknacks were not a problem. There were some pretty epic battles in my hallway my sophomore and junior years (the fact that I was an RA, and my co was an airsofter as well helped more than a little).
So, I started playing around. Then I got serious. All told, I've probably owned 20 different GBB (gas blow back) pistols, 4 GBB subguns, 4 AEG's, and the assorted kit that goes with it. I travel a great deal for work, and my travels have now taken me to Hong Kong 3 times. I never miss up an opportunity to go to the Red Wolf shop, as they're one of the few overseas airsoft dealers that speak english well.
So, let's answer the questions:
Thanks for steering away from the KJ Works. I saw some today at a gunshow and almost got one, except they didn't have any in a G19, only 23's. Wanted $140 for em. Felt really good to hold. The guy was talking about using the heavier 20 and 25 gram bb's instead of the lighter 12gram ones, something about the lighter ones swerving off target in the slightest breeze. Then he showed some 35(?)gram ones, almost like regular bb's in weight, really heavy. I started thinking neighborhood cats I am going to check on that redwolf site. It is really sounding like KWA is going to be the brand to get.
Why don't I like KJW? Well, I've had some lemons from them. When you're buying airsoft, price IS a great indicator of quality. KJW is cheap copies of other company's designs, and they are just poor. Cheap o-rings, antiquated designs, poor quality plastic and metal, poor functioning mags... the list goes on and on.
Airsoft BB's are an interesting item. The available weights (.12, .20, .22, .25, .28, .30, .35, .43, and .45) are all designed for different weapons. .12 BB's should never be fired out of a gas weapon. They're just too light. They're designed for less powerful spring operated weapons. GBB weapons like .20, .22, and .25. These weights are the best tradeoff between velocity and accuracy, and are what the guns are *generally* designed to fire. Automatic Electric Guns (AEG's) can fire BB's ranging in weight from .20 up to .30, if the weapon used has sufficient power upgrades to handle the heavier weights. The heaviest BB's are designed for specialty weapons, mainly sniper rifles. Since most skirmishes have very stringent range requirements for these players when using their primary weapon, the heavier BB's are required to maintain accuracy at ranges of 100+ yards. Unlike the rest of the BB's, these are mainly plastic coated metal, whereas anything .3 or less is all-plastic.
Note on BB's. The weight is important, yes, but so it the BB itself. These are molded plastic, and you need to be sure you get ones that are polished so they don't have any edges. I like Excel (biodegradable and non), Systema, and Tsunami brands.
Redwolf is the only online site I will order guns from. Period. I've worked with some stateside dealers, and it's insane that I'll get better customer service from a company in Hong Kong than I will from one in Atlanta.
KWA and KSC are the same company, just different brands, and I like their weapons. I would grade them as a first class dealer. Also, they are one of the most stringent about keeping markings, trademarks, and function as similar to "real steel" pistols as possible.
In reading the websites, amd I correct is reading that that gases used are basically just 134a and R22 freon gas?
134a is indeed refrigerant. It also has a silicon based oil added to it as a lubricant.
HFC22 is something else entirely. There is a great debate on the internet as to what it is. I do not believe the issue is settled. I do know that it's not R22. This much can be said. HFC22, or Green Gas, can be replaced with propane. A company in Canada sells an adaptor you can screw onto a normal propane can like you'd get at walmart, or gander mountain, or wherever you get your outdoors gear.
I don't do it. I get only KSC brand Green Gas. But, that's just me. Make up your own mind.
I was perusing REdWolf's site. Very nice and informative, tons of options. Love the Claymore that can be had. I gotta get one of those for unwanted door guests I was looking at the gas guns and they don't list ANY for KWA .. at all. None. What other brand should I consider, there are just so many listed I don't want to spend money on something that I will regret later. What is wrong is the KJ Works models? Or are they just a slightly lesser quality than the KWA?
Brands I like:
For GBB - KSC/KWA (same thing), Western Arms, Tokyo Mauri (though these are a little more fragile), Sheriff, Maruzen, and Marushin. The last two used to be cheap crap, but their new stuff is really pretty good.
And that spring fired claymore is pretty neat. I really want one now. It's way better than the old gas-fired ones.
I might be heading for Japan in a couple months for business. Are the prices there better? I've heard quite a bit of the airsoft guns are built over there. If so, where could I look for some of the better 1911 models?
Yes, the prices are MUCH better than what you pay in the states. Coming back through customs is the tricky part. I had a guy on one of my trips "question" me for an hour before I was able to convince him (and his supervisor, and his supervior's supervisor) that airsoft weapons were, in fact, legal, and that I had the proper paperwork in my suitcase next to my boxes of brand new toys. It was worth it though. This was back in the day that quality airsoft brands and models were HARD to come by. Those customs guys are just so humorless. Then again, it was a TMP and a suppressor, and a new WA Infinity that I'd been eyeing for a while.
Incidentally, this is about the same time I figured out that DHL is way, way better than UPS and Fedex. Hong Kong to the US, through customs, and in my hands in 5 days. That's awesome.
The one thing that sucks about airsoft in Japan is that their country is so xenophobic about importing things that are also made in country (to protect their industry) that you can't find anything that's not a Japanese brand. The selection of TM (Tokyo Mauri) weapons is awesome, but you can forget about Taiwanese and Korean weapons.
What to look for? Find an airsoft shop that has LOTS of Western Arms models. Western Arms, in my opinion, are the best there are. Fit, finish, trademarks, materials are all top notch. You pay a premium, but it's worth it. Most guys (myself included) don't like to skirmish with them, as they're just too pretty to scratch up running through the woods.
According to my brother, the best one in Japan is First Shop. It's in Osaka, and he said it's amazing. I haven't been there, can't vouch for it. He speaks Japanese, though, so you should take his advice with a grain of salt.
OK. Anyone else?
' that.
I am going to check on that redwolf site. It is really sounding like KWA is going to be the brand to get.
