I've only had a bb gun, but it seems to me like an airsoft gun would be a decent way to practice some shooting and moving skills with a friend. Probably learn as many or more useful skills doing that as shooting a stationary target with the real thing.
Airsoft pistol as a training tool?
- Thread starter Smith357
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Smith357
Member
Zero_DgZ said:
He must watch to much TV. I bet he calls a whole bunch of guns and arsenal.
I have been practicing drawing from inside the car, it sure is nice not having to worry about shooting the radio buy mistake.
Now if one of these guys can make a nice K frame snubbie, I'll be all over that. I did see a 4" Smolt, Smith frame Colt barrel but a bit big for CCW draw training.
I knew I had married the woman of my dreams..when one day she had noticed a squirrel on her bird feeder... I had been working on my computer, unaware of her squirrel problem..she approached me as I typed away and she said the words that sent my heart a flutter....
" sweetheart I need your machine gun " , without question, I picked up the Tokyo Marui MP5 I kept next to my desk, I charged the full magazine and handed it to her, I sat quietly and observed her as she slowly opened the window (the screen had been removed for cleaning), my beautiful wife leaned out, pointed the gun almost straight up, towards the bird feeder mounted on the second floor window, the sound of two clicks (switching from safe to semi then full auto) she took careful aim, then proceeded to unload the full mag on the base of the feeder, I glanced out the window, just in time to see the big fat squirrel leap straight out and away from the feeder, it sailed appx. 15 feet away, from a height of the same 15', it hit the ground with a thud, five or so seconds later it shook its head back and forth, jumped to its feet and ran like a squirrel out of hell into the bushes...all this time, I said, not a word, my wife leaned back in, still holding the MP5 firmly and gave me a smile that warms my heart to this day!
" sweetheart I need your machine gun " , without question, I picked up the Tokyo Marui MP5 I kept next to my desk, I charged the full magazine and handed it to her, I sat quietly and observed her as she slowly opened the window (the screen had been removed for cleaning), my beautiful wife leaned out, pointed the gun almost straight up, towards the bird feeder mounted on the second floor window, the sound of two clicks (switching from safe to semi then full auto) she took careful aim, then proceeded to unload the full mag on the base of the feeder, I glanced out the window, just in time to see the big fat squirrel leap straight out and away from the feeder, it sailed appx. 15 feet away, from a height of the same 15', it hit the ground with a thud, five or so seconds later it shook its head back and forth, jumped to its feet and ran like a squirrel out of hell into the bushes...all this time, I said, not a word, my wife leaned back in, still holding the MP5 firmly and gave me a smile that warms my heart to this day!
shooter429
Member
Airsoft rock
Not only can you reuse the projectiles endlessly (if you trap them) but it does give you the opportunity to practice basics like breath and trigger control, sight picture etc. We also have team skirmishes/practice CQB etc. It is really inexpensive and a helluva lot of fun. Plus you get do go head to head with your buddies like with paintball, but without the mess.
Sounds like there might be a few of us "freaks" on the boards.
Shooter429
Not only can you reuse the projectiles endlessly (if you trap them) but it does give you the opportunity to practice basics like breath and trigger control, sight picture etc. We also have team skirmishes/practice CQB etc. It is really inexpensive and a helluva lot of fun. Plus you get do go head to head with your buddies like with paintball, but without the mess.
Sounds like there might be a few of us "freaks" on the boards.
Shooter429
The Hitman
member
The Hitman
No Way,Is Very Diferent,The Weight,The Accuracy,Trigger Pull,Etc.
No Way,Is Very Diferent,The Weight,The Accuracy,Trigger Pull,Etc.
I'm going to advise against that.
Reusing even trapped BB's is a bad idea, especially if you have a hard trap and not one of those squishy gel targets. I'm willing to wager that the first time you load up a thrice-fired, stressed out BB that shatters into a zillion pieces in the breech when you chamber it you'll quit doing that real quick!
Not that I'd know.
Still picking the odd fragment out of my MP5 from time to time...
dmftoy1
Member
There was an episode of "Shooting USA" a few months back where they covered one of the major practical shooting competition "nationals". I can't remember the name. There was a gentleman from Japan who can't shoot a pistol there because they've been outlawed and who does ALL of his practice for the year using an airsoft pistol. He then comes over here and competes with the same model "real" pistol that he keeps stored here in the US (with less than a week's practice). He was competing head to head with the big guys (Leatham, Koenig, etc.) when he experienced a ND and was disqualified. I've never shot an airsoft pistol, but watching how good this guy was made me think that you could develop some serious skill with one.
Just my .02
Regards,
Dave
Just my .02
Regards,
Dave
Jenrick
Member
I know who you're talking about, can't remember his name at the moment. He WON the Steel Challenge a couple of years ago.
-Jenrick
-Jenrick
Let's say you wanted to buy an Airsoft gun as a serious training tool. You wanted the closest to the real thing as possible. You want one that is going to hold up to training for years. You want the best of the best regardless of cost: money is no object.
Which one do you buy ?
Which one do you buy ?
Diamondback6
Member
Best of the best: you're looking for an electric or one powered by CO2 or so-called "green gas", not a springer. Other'n that, don't know what to say, since I'm not a hardcore airsofter.
That said, I use a pair of $30 springer 1911s to practice for home-defense, drawstrokes, crossdraws, snap-shots and the like, and also with paint-loads for close-in work when I have a paintballer with an attitude call me out. (Only happened once, and he withdrew the call-out when I outlined the rules I fight by, but could happen again someday...)
That said, I use a pair of $30 springer 1911s to practice for home-defense, drawstrokes, crossdraws, snap-shots and the like, and also with paint-loads for close-in work when I have a paintballer with an attitude call me out. (Only happened once, and he withdrew the call-out when I outlined the rules I fight by, but could happen again someday...)
Nortonics
Member
Best of the best?
If I could stomach the cost it would likely be a Western Airsoft, gas blowback 1911 - either the:
Wilson Combat FBI Trial Pistol:
or the Wilson Combat Tactical Supergrade Compact:
Western Arms is based out of Tokyo, Japan. Their products are sold in the US by numerous retailers - one of the more popular places being Airsoft Atlanta:
http://www.airsoftatlanta.com/
Better be serious about it though as you don't touch one of these for less than $250.
If I could stomach the cost it would likely be a Western Airsoft, gas blowback 1911 - either the:
Wilson Combat FBI Trial Pistol:
or the Wilson Combat Tactical Supergrade Compact:
Western Arms is based out of Tokyo, Japan. Their products are sold in the US by numerous retailers - one of the more popular places being Airsoft Atlanta:
http://www.airsoftatlanta.com/
Better be serious about it though as you don't touch one of these for less than $250.
Oh boy. Good question. Good, scary, maddeningly complex question.
In the airsoft world, we call just such a query "what am best gun?" There is no answer.
There are three realism factors in airsoft - Function, weight, and trademarks, in that order (usually). Unfortunately, here in the USA there are strict laws on the trademark front, and unless a company is licensed by the other company that they're making replicas of, no airsoft guns bearing realistic trademarks may be imported or sold in the united states.
A couple of companies do license their trademarks. The problem? Most of the ones that do in the USA license them to companies that make crap guns.
Taurus, for example, licenses to CyberGun - Maker of those horrid transparent plastic things you buy at Walmart that break after two magazines full. Smith & Wesson licenses to KWC, who is a mixed bag. They make a lot of cheap junk and some truly horrid gas guns (the gas Sigma leaps to mind...) but also a few gems. IMI also licenses to them, and they make a truly kickass Desert Eagle. Western Arms (not Western Airsoft, by the way) licenses many 1911 clones as well as some Beretta stuff. Western Arms guns are top notch for detail and functioning realism, but at a cost - Since they're made in Japan (where metal guns aren't allowed to be sold by law) they're all plastic. They require a ton of maintenance and can't run off of green gas without taking damage - The most common fuel for gas guns in the 'states.
To my knowledge, H&K and Glock don't license to anybody in the USA. That's why the clones of their guns you get will be totally trademark free - Or have fake engravings. Not that it really matters.
For realism of function you'll want a gas gun, hands down. There are three kinds of airsoft pistol: Spring, electric, and gas. Spring guns have to be cocked each shot (usually by racking the slide) and are generally inferior plastic copies with minimal power and accuracy (though they can be had cheaply). "Electric blowback" pistols are novelties only. They run off of 4 AAA batteries (generally) and fire light BB's at dismal velocities. They also have a long trigger delay because each pull winds the slide back with a motor and the BB is fired when the slide slams forward, bringing the piston with it. Gas guns come in two forms - Non blowback and blowback. The difference is pretty clear - Gas blowback guns have working hammers or strikers and cycle their slides in exactly the same manner as a real semiautomatic pistol. Non blowback pistols work like the double action Wal Mart special BB pistols you're probably already familiar with, using a long double action trigger pull to raise and drop the hammer, slinging a BB out the barrel. Some have hammers that can be cocked for single action and cosmetic rackable slides.
On the weight front you'll want a metal slided gun at the least (some guns, like the HFC M190, are all metal). Here are some good choices, and the pros and cons of each:
KWA Glock series - KWA is the outside Japan export name of KSC. KWA guns are made in Taiwan in the same factories and with the same internal parts and designs of KSC guns. However, KWA export market Glocks come with metal slides as standard equipment whereas KSC guns do not. Note that in the USA the KWA Glocks will not come with the Glock trigger safety (copyright dispute) and therefore have no mechanical safety whatsoever! You can order the trigger safety part from overseas for about a dollar and install it yourself, if you like. These guns are eerily reliable, incredibly easy to find parts and upgrades for, and fairly realistic in weight (with the metal slide) and function. For added fun you can get a G18c for full auto tomfoolery or the fictional G26c which is a G26 frame with a G18c full auto mechanism in it. You can run all KWA guns off of green gas which is a plus - R134a ("blue gas") is nearly impossible to buy stateside, and must be imported at tremendous cost.
Tokyo Marui guns are tough to find stateside but are generally detailed and well built. They're a Japanese maker like Western Arms, so their guns are plastic. Usually TM guns have a staggering array of parts for replacement and upgrade available, including metal bodies and slides. They're reliable and well finished, even for plastic, and some of them (not all) can safely handle green gas. They're usually expensive and you have to import, though.
HFC Beretta series - HFC is another Taiwan based manufacturer who mostly makes knockoffs of Tokyo Marui guns, as well as a staggering collection of spring guns. Their M9 knockoff isn't actually a copy of any real gun - It has the underbarrel rail of the Vertec series but a curved backstrap like the original M92. It's true double/single action with a safety, but it has no decocker. The only way to decock the gun is to drop the magazine and pull the trigger (unlike a real firearm, airsoft pistols are safe to drop the hammer on a loaded chamber with, because the gas is actually in the magazine). However, their M190 (as they call it - see the trademark blurb above) is made entirely out of cold, unforgiving metal. It weighs a ton and feels quite real. It's engravings are either silly or practical (depending on who you ask) with BB gun-esque engravings identifying the gun as an airsoft pistol, warning that it's not a toy, and encouraging the user to read the owner's manual. It also comes in a nifty hard case, and takes green gas. A CO2 verion and a full auto version (!) are also available. HFC M190's are incredibly sturdy and reliable guns. I owned one for about two years, happily knocking the snot out of it, and then sold it to a friend who continued to do the same. Last match he dropped it on a rock about four times, lost in in a creek, found it again, and it still worked.
The other side of the Beretta coin is the KWA version of the M92, which is a replica of the real M92 and features a working decocker. It can take green gas but has a plastic slide and body. Also of note is the KWA M93R2, which is the modified full-auto M92 variant as seen in Robocop (and probably a few other movies). It has good detail, working semi-, full-auto, and three shot burst. It's also got a plastic body and slide but takes green gas. It's clockwork shot counter mechanism can be finicky, though.
WE are a maker out of Taiwan that I am not entirely sure isn't related to HFC somehow. Their guns use similar materials and have similar workmanship while retaining the usual strategy - Knocking off Tokyo Marui designs. Their shtick at the moment is churning out version after version of 1911 doublestacker. Most of their guns are patterned off of tricked out 1911-based 'raceguns', some of their models simply sporting fancy grips, hammers, and triggers and others with custom half-cut slides, serrations, pointless shiny bits, and underbarrel rails. I have one of their "plain" guns (detailed in an above post) which seems every bit as tanklike as my old M190 as well as eerily accurate. WE guns can take green gas all day long, and few CO2 models are available. I'd stick with one of the less fancy models if I were you. Also, they're probably about 90% part compatable with Tokyo Marui guns for upgrades. They feature working thumb and grip safeties and strip down just like a real 1911. Even the three-pronged spring beneath the backstrap is the same as the real thing. WE guns sport no trademarks (even in their native Taiwan).
Western Arms guns are expensive, licensed, incredibly detailed, popular, and expensive. They're from Japan, but have secured licenses from many makers like Beretta, Kimber, Colt, Wilson, and others to make fully trademarked, detail accurate guns. Mostly they make 1911 clones, but they also make Beretta 92's and 8000's. All of their guns are plastic and are made to run from lower pressured r134a, which must be imported unless you want to fiddle with modifying cans of air duster or A/C recharge. Parts are highly available, including metal bodies and slides for kitting your gun out to feel like the real thing at probably 150% of it's cost. I'm not a big fan of WA.
There are oodles of other gas guns out there, but these are the ones I have a lot of personal experience on. I'm pretty knowledgeable about this stuff, so if you have a question about a particular gun let me know and I'll try to answer it.
I recommend a KWA Glock, Beretta, or WE 1911, personally.
I have used "airsoft" BTUG -161's made by UHC and purchased for about $40 from Blazing toys in CA http://blazingtoys.com. I used them for move-and-shoot practice at home.
The slide can be pulled back to cock the gun, but it does not go back with each shot. That feature saves gas. I have been able to load and shoot the same magazine six times (90 rounds), with one charge of gas.
That feature or non-feature, allowed me to incorporate it into a carbine for learning how to use the rifle QK technique.
My idea was to use a length of plastic pipe for the stock and barrel, and insert the pistol into it as the receiver/trigger group.
This pic below shows the piece of pipe with a "slot" cut in it, and into which the pistol just fits.
The cut was made at a distance from one end of the pipe, where I would be able to place the "stock" against my shoulder, and access the "trigger group" comfortably.
The pic below shows the carbine. Note that rubber bands are used to secure the pistol into the pipe.
When I used the carbine, the pistol slid a bit in the slot, so I ran a piece of masking tape around it as shown, and that fixed it in place.
By chance the inside diameter of the pipe is 1 1/8 inch, and the distance from the top of the sights to the middle of the bore is 9/16 inch. So the tops of the front and rear sights keep the barrel parallel with and centered in the pipe.
(1 1/8 = 9/8 or 18/16, and 1/2 of 18/16 = 9/16)
The gun can be fired rapidly using double action (one full pull of the trigger, first cocks, and then fires the gun).
Here's a link to how you can build a real cheap but effective (cardboard box), bb trap for use in your garage/home. www.pointshooting.com/airsoft.htm
The slide can be pulled back to cock the gun, but it does not go back with each shot. That feature saves gas. I have been able to load and shoot the same magazine six times (90 rounds), with one charge of gas.
That feature or non-feature, allowed me to incorporate it into a carbine for learning how to use the rifle QK technique.
My idea was to use a length of plastic pipe for the stock and barrel, and insert the pistol into it as the receiver/trigger group.
This pic below shows the piece of pipe with a "slot" cut in it, and into which the pistol just fits.
The cut was made at a distance from one end of the pipe, where I would be able to place the "stock" against my shoulder, and access the "trigger group" comfortably.
The pic below shows the carbine. Note that rubber bands are used to secure the pistol into the pipe.
When I used the carbine, the pistol slid a bit in the slot, so I ran a piece of masking tape around it as shown, and that fixed it in place.
By chance the inside diameter of the pipe is 1 1/8 inch, and the distance from the top of the sights to the middle of the bore is 9/16 inch. So the tops of the front and rear sights keep the barrel parallel with and centered in the pipe.
(1 1/8 = 9/8 or 18/16, and 1/2 of 18/16 = 9/16)
The gun can be fired rapidly using double action (one full pull of the trigger, first cocks, and then fires the gun).
Here's a link to how you can build a real cheap but effective (cardboard box), bb trap for use in your garage/home. www.pointshooting.com/airsoft.htm
Zero_DgZ
Now that is some good information.
I think you answered my question as far as handguns are concerned. I want one (or two ) handguns that are as realistic as possible. I don't care about trademarks. I want the thing to be a good understudy for the real thing: size, weight, fits in holster, accurate, similar sights). Full auto doesn't interest me at all: I have real full auto guns and they don't interest me much either, although I am going to be shooting in a full auto match in about two hours from now.
I think the Glock you mention might be the ticket for my first one. If it turns out to be satisfactory, I might get a 1911 also.
What about the AR15 ? I shot an airsoft AR15 at Gunsite. Denny Henson brought over one that he was writing an article about for SWAT magazine: he let us all fire it. I was very impressed with it.
How does this green gas work ? Do you charge the gun from a cylinder or does it have small disposible cylinders like a CO2 BB gun ?
Now that is some good information.
I think you answered my question as far as handguns are concerned. I want one (or two
) handguns that are as realistic as possible. I don't care about trademarks. I want the thing to be a good understudy for the real thing: size, weight, fits in holster, accurate, similar sights). Full auto doesn't interest me at all: I have real full auto guns and they don't interest me much either, although I am going to be shooting in a full auto match in about two hours from now. I think the Glock you mention might be the ticket for my first one. If it turns out to be satisfactory, I might get a 1911 also.
What about the AR15 ? I shot an airsoft AR15 at Gunsite. Denny Henson brought over one that he was writing an article about for SWAT magazine: he let us all fire it. I was very impressed with it.
How does this green gas work ? Do you charge the gun from a cylinder or does it have small disposible cylinders like a CO2 BB gun ?
Have you ever used a refillable butane lighter? Green gas works the same way.
You have a can that's got a filling probe on it. There's a little filling port on the bottom of the magazine of the gun. The can and the magazine get turned upside down (that is, filling probe pointing at the floor) and you press the two together for a certain amount of time until the magazine is deemed full.
HFC fill valves (and the WE ones, too) have a little O ring in them that seals the tip of the filling probe against the bottom of the valve which prevents gas leakage. When the can of gas stops making gurgling noises the magazine is full (generally 4 seconds or so). KSC/KWA valves are well known for spraying gas everywhere as you fill, and alert you that the magazine is full by spraying even more gas - actually in liquid form - all over the heel of your hand.
If you're into volume shooting (like me!) you might want to check out the Airsoft Innovations propane adapter. (Link is to my site, not theirs.) This gizmo screws on to a portable propane tank like the one you use with your camping grill or what have you and presents an airsoft style filling probe.
Why? Because 'green gas' is simply fancy imported propane minus the mercaptan scenting agent (usually) and imported at increased cost (always). See my always-in-progress gas guide for more on that front (and a whole host of other useless trivia).
On the M4 front... Most modern airsoft rifles are electric. They're powered by R/C car style battery packs that drive big honking motors which in turn power giant effing springs that fire BB's post haste sort of like a spring piston air rifle, only automatic. They're a whole 'nother topic of conversation entirely. Maybe later I'll bang on about them.
There are some gas powered rifles but they're getting rare - Airsoft rifles were originally gas (generally old gas rifles get called 'classics', and they're a breed unto their own) but Japanese law cracked down on that a number of years back and most rifles are now electric.
On eBay and airsofting forums you can sometimes find gas guns made by Top or JAC or similar, and they fetch an impressive price. Lately there's a company that's been threatening to revive the old Escort gas system MP5, but we've been keenly waiting for them to do it for a year now and so far no news. MadBull, makers of strange airsoft products (land mines!) are also working on a CO2 conversion that replaces the gearbox assembly on TM style M16's (and other guns that use the same gearbox configuration) but again, while we've seen prototypes we've yet to actually see the product. Real Action Paintball, manufacturers (allegedly) of excitingly expensive paintball equipment, are now also offering an airsoft conversion of their RAP4 M4 replica, which is gas powered. Personally, I find their presentation a bit on the shifty side as their marketing propaganda basically bashes all electric airsoft rifles: "Regular AirSoft products are battery operated, so the moment they get wet or a little moisture gets into the housing, your training or game is over." Not true: I've gone frogging with my ICS MP5 (That is, entirely underwater, swimming around) and it fired just peachy when I surfaced. "Also, regular AirSoft products are normally manufactured out of plastic unless you willing to pay for an expensive upgrade." Also not true: That very same ICS I mentioned has a metal body in every place the real MP5 is metal. Both ICS and Classic Army make a whole mess of metal bodied airsoft guns.
But if the sticker shock doesn't kill you on the spot, the thing may be worth checking out.
You have a can that's got a filling probe on it. There's a little filling port on the bottom of the magazine of the gun. The can and the magazine get turned upside down (that is, filling probe pointing at the floor) and you press the two together for a certain amount of time until the magazine is deemed full.
HFC fill valves (and the WE ones, too) have a little O ring in them that seals the tip of the filling probe against the bottom of the valve which prevents gas leakage. When the can of gas stops making gurgling noises the magazine is full (generally 4 seconds or so). KSC/KWA valves are well known for spraying gas everywhere as you fill, and alert you that the magazine is full by spraying even more gas - actually in liquid form - all over the heel of your hand.
If you're into volume shooting (like me!) you might want to check out the Airsoft Innovations propane adapter. (Link is to my site, not theirs.) This gizmo screws on to a portable propane tank like the one you use with your camping grill or what have you and presents an airsoft style filling probe.
Why? Because 'green gas' is simply fancy imported propane minus the mercaptan scenting agent (usually) and imported at increased cost (always). See my always-in-progress gas guide for more on that front (and a whole host of other useless trivia).
On the M4 front... Most modern airsoft rifles are electric. They're powered by R/C car style battery packs that drive big honking motors which in turn power giant effing springs that fire BB's post haste sort of like a spring piston air rifle, only automatic. They're a whole 'nother topic of conversation entirely. Maybe later I'll bang on about them.
There are some gas powered rifles but they're getting rare - Airsoft rifles were originally gas (generally old gas rifles get called 'classics', and they're a breed unto their own) but Japanese law cracked down on that a number of years back and most rifles are now electric.
On eBay and airsofting forums you can sometimes find gas guns made by Top or JAC or similar, and they fetch an impressive price. Lately there's a company that's been threatening to revive the old Escort gas system MP5, but we've been keenly waiting for them to do it for a year now and so far no news. MadBull, makers of strange airsoft products (land mines!) are also working on a CO2 conversion that replaces the gearbox assembly on TM style M16's (and other guns that use the same gearbox configuration) but again, while we've seen prototypes we've yet to actually see the product. Real Action Paintball, manufacturers (allegedly) of excitingly expensive paintball equipment, are now also offering an airsoft conversion of their RAP4 M4 replica, which is gas powered. Personally, I find their presentation a bit on the shifty side as their marketing propaganda basically bashes all electric airsoft rifles: "Regular AirSoft products are battery operated, so the moment they get wet or a little moisture gets into the housing, your training or game is over." Not true: I've gone frogging with my ICS MP5 (That is, entirely underwater, swimming around) and it fired just peachy when I surfaced. "Also, regular AirSoft products are normally manufactured out of plastic unless you willing to pay for an expensive upgrade." Also not true: That very same ICS I mentioned has a metal body in every place the real MP5 is metal. Both ICS and Classic Army make a whole mess of metal bodied airsoft guns.
But if the sticker shock doesn't kill you on the spot, the thing may be worth checking out.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Airsoft is a good, inexpensive alternative to live fire.
It works great for simunition/force on force for those who will conduct this training correctly. Otherwise, the low cost of airsoft can tempt the practioners into degrading to a game of "tag". For those who cannot acquire simunition rounds (most of us) its really the only alternative for force on force.
Even though the cost of a quality airsoft gun, and the required safety equipment if you're to use it for force on force, can approach the cost of a real firearm, the cost to practice with it is substantially less.
It works great for simunition/force on force for those who will conduct this training correctly. Otherwise, the low cost of airsoft can tempt the practioners into degrading to a game of "tag". For those who cannot acquire simunition rounds (most of us) its really the only alternative for force on force.
Even though the cost of a quality airsoft gun, and the required safety equipment if you're to use it for force on force, can approach the cost of a real firearm, the cost to practice with it is substantially less.
choochboost
Member
I'll be picking up an airsoft copy of my USP at the next gun show so I can practice in the backyard. I just need to get me some biodegradable airsoft ammo.
Autolycus
Member
What kind of safety equipment is needed for airsoft? It looks like a lot of fun and I can see some of the potential for training.
And do they make an HK P2000? Or a USP / USPc with a LEM trigger? I am left handed and finding a left handed variant is a pain so I am hoping that it is easier in the airsoft world.
And do they make an HK P2000? Or a USP / USPc with a LEM trigger? I am left handed and finding a left handed variant is a pain so I am hoping that it is easier in the airsoft world.
When we play we only require impact-proof eye protection. The shooting glasses you (had better) already have will probably be just peachy. If you're unsure, throw them on the fencepost and give them a few thwacks with your airsoft gun.
I have a pair of Walther shooting glasses that came packed with some dang thing or another (really, I forget!) and they stop airsoft BB's dead without breaking a sweat. Getting hit anyplace else (ears, nose, nuts...) can hurt like the devil for a minute but won't do any actual damage other than a bruise. And a smaller one than getting pegged with a paintball!
Some guys I skirmish with use paintball face masks instead. Get one that has vents in it too small for a 6 mil BB to fit through, otherwise sooner or later some cheeky bugger will slip one into your mask and give you a nasty surprise.
There are a few versions of the USP. UHC makes a non-blowback one that's honestly pretty cheap, but might do for what you want. They retail for around 40, and spare mags are probably available someplace though I haven't seen any personally. KSC's started making a blowback USP lately that I hear is quite good, however it's plastic slided only - even the American version. Upgrades are just starting to hit the market. Tokyo Marui also makes one, and KJW makes an inferior knockoff of it. If I were you, I'd stick with the KSC.
I haven't handled any of them other than the UHC, personally, but I've read plenty. The fact that not many people have had problems with the KSC might be because it hasn't been out long, but I've seen plenty of bellyaching about the TM version.
None of them have any of the fancy trigger setups that I know of. The UHC one is double action (can be cocked for single) and the others are simple single action blowback.
I have a pair of Walther shooting glasses that came packed with some dang thing or another (really, I forget!) and they stop airsoft BB's dead without breaking a sweat. Getting hit anyplace else (ears, nose, nuts...) can hurt like the devil for a minute but won't do any actual damage other than a bruise. And a smaller one than getting pegged with a paintball!
Some guys I skirmish with use paintball face masks instead. Get one that has vents in it too small for a 6 mil BB to fit through, otherwise sooner or later some cheeky bugger will slip one into your mask and give you a nasty surprise.
There are a few versions of the USP. UHC makes a non-blowback one that's honestly pretty cheap, but might do for what you want. They retail for around 40, and spare mags are probably available someplace though I haven't seen any personally. KSC's started making a blowback USP lately that I hear is quite good, however it's plastic slided only - even the American version. Upgrades are just starting to hit the market. Tokyo Marui also makes one, and KJW makes an inferior knockoff of it. If I were you, I'd stick with the KSC.
I haven't handled any of them other than the UHC, personally, but I've read plenty. The fact that not many people have had problems with the KSC might be because it hasn't been out long, but I've seen plenty of bellyaching about the TM version.
None of them have any of the fancy trigger setups that I know of. The UHC one is double action (can be cocked for single) and the others are simple single action blowback.
This question is for folks that shoot both Airsoft and matching "real" handguns. Is the point of aim and impact the same at distances under 45 feet on any of these guns? The very few I've shot did not shoot to point of aim and rainbowed.
The hopup system will make the shots arc. A well adjusted hopup will have just enough effect to keep the BB straight without making it rise much (if at all) during its flight, but not all guns can manage.
The most accurate pistol I've got is my WE 1911, which is accurate vertically and horizontally out to maybe 20 yards. The BB's drop low after that, and the POI is only high inside of about 5-7 yards or so, and even then it's not off by much.
The front sight on the WE looks drift adjustable but it ain't! It's screwed into the slide with the screw head underneath the barrel (inside, if you field strip it).
The most accurate pistol I've got is my WE 1911, which is accurate vertically and horizontally out to maybe 20 yards. The BB's drop low after that, and the POI is only high inside of about 5-7 yards or so, and even then it's not off by much.
The front sight on the WE looks drift adjustable but it ain't! It's screwed into the slide with the screw head underneath the barrel (inside, if you field strip it).
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
We use face shields, neck protectors, and most practitioners wear some kind of thin gloves. These get put on when we use simunitions, and we just continued the practice.
Wrap around safety glasses are mandatory when shooting anything.
Mr. Smith,
Your far from a freak...im a X ipsc/police pistol nut, who looked far and wide for a realistic indoor plinker. My top picks were...#1-- the kwa 945c because its the only airsoft pistol line that brags a real spherical bushing and a true linkless lockup...loves Coleman out of the box, kicks like a mule, and is darn accurate for such a short barrel---all for about 130 bucks. #2--goes to the TM 4.3 which can be modded to run coleman, shoots into 3 inches from 50 feet and is quite possibly the best GBB in airsoft today...about 140ish...and with ammo (.23 bbs) at about 15 bucks a 2500...well you wont need to dust off the dillon...
Your far from a freak...im a X ipsc/police pistol nut, who looked far and wide for a realistic indoor plinker. My top picks were...#1-- the kwa 945c because its the only airsoft pistol line that brags a real spherical bushing and a true linkless lockup...loves Coleman out of the box, kicks like a mule, and is darn accurate for such a short barrel---all for about 130 bucks. #2--goes to the TM 4.3 which can be modded to run coleman, shoots into 3 inches from 50 feet and is quite possibly the best GBB in airsoft today...about 140ish...and with ammo (.23 bbs) at about 15 bucks a 2500...well you wont need to dust off the dillon...
- Status
