What Do I Need to Plzay Airsoft

Beginner's Guide - Introduction

Airsoft skirmishing, often referred to as merely 'airsoft', is a live gainsay simulation in which two or more teams are pitched against each other in a game of fitness, skill, determination, tactics, psychology and wits. Players battle with each other with replica firearms which fire small, light plastic pellets at loftier speed (unremarkably firing around xv BBs per second and up to 350 feet per second cage velocity).

The realistic playing area, mission, equipment and clothing all add together to the intensity and break of disbelief; in an airsoft game y'all tin go a genuine sense of a real battlefield. If you have always wanted to play out the excitement of a state of war movie or computer game for existent then this is your chance! Airsoft is splendid fun but it as well builds confidence, fettle, teamwork, introduces y'all to new friends and most importantly gets you out of the house.

Airsoft is the perfect answer for the modern British lifestyle; it allows you lot the rare opportunity to release pent upwardly energy, escape the pressures of everyday life for a few hours and proceeds a sense of customs. These positive ideals of discipline, concrete exercise and team spirit far outweigh any concerns over simulating existent firearms.

This guide has been written by the players that run United Kingdom Airsoft Players Union, so all of the information in this guide has been gleaned from decades of first mitt feel. It has been written to help new British players get involved in the airsoft hobby. The survival of any sport or pastime is dependent on the continual induction of new enthusiasts. Nigh players know this and are more than happy to welcome and advise beginners. The British airsoft scene is bigger than it has always been, but with anti-gun sentiment in the media, convoluted laws and a public which is wary of anything firearm related, new players can find information technology is difficult to get into the hobby.

Much data in this guide will be of use to new players from outside the Britain, but please bear in listen that the accent is on helping people go into the British skirmish scene.

Costs

Surprisingly, airsoft is a relatively cheap hobby to get involved in, especially when compared to other outdoor activities. Enough ammunition for a full days play (about 3000 BB's) will cost £eight-£12, and a very constructive airsoft replica (a Chinese 'clone' AEG) can be bought for £150. It usually costs £twenty-£xxx for admission to a solar day game. To rent a replica and confront protection usually costs another £20. For such a fantastic full 24-hour interval out this is a very favourable cost. All you demand to turn upward with is some nighttime or military machine-style wearable and nosotros recommend being study boots with ankle protection too as gloves. When y'all get into the hobby you could hands find yourself spending thousands each year on posh replicas and kit, but this is personal preference; in reality skill will always win the day and this loftier stop equipment only gives you lot a marginal advantage over someone who has spent the bare minimum.

Basic Rules

The core of airsoft is honesty. When you are 'dead' y'all count as having been killed or incapacitated then that you may no longer participate in the battle until 're-spawned' or 'tagged in'.

You must shout "Hitting!", raise your artillery and return to the respawn point, where more than frequently than not you lot will be able to rejoin the game after a menstruum of fourth dimension, meaning new players needn't worry well-nigh being killed early in the game and spending the day sat effectually similar yous ofttimes practise in paintball. Sometimes you must stay 'dead' on the spot until healed by a 'medic'. Other times yous will have to wait for the next game to play over again.

Respawn points (where you rejoin the game from after being hit) and medics can also be combined with allocating the player a limited number of 'lives'. All rules are at the discretion of the game organiser and you'll come across many variants and combinations, which keeps the games dissimilar and interesting.

The most common way of being 'killed' is when a BB fired from another person'south airsoft replica strikes your trunk. Information technology does not count if information technology rebounds off of another surface, but a directly shot e'er counts. Whether it hits you lot hard or soft, or hits kit or limbs or armour, it'southward all the same, you lot are dead.

There is no physical evidence that you have been striking, so information technology is downwards to you to acknowledge it and remove yourself from the game. People who habitually cheat shortly get constitute out, as experienced players have a good idea of when they have hit someone. They volition report the fact to a align who will then monitor the offender closely (although a more usual problem in airsoft is people assuming they accept striking someone and making imitation accusations!)

Another way of being 'killed' is by pyrotechnics such as booby traps, simulated artillery or more commonly, grenades. Airsoft grenades are ordinarily thrown devices which detonate a blank cartridge or are small unmarried utilise pyrotechnics produced for airsoft, which y'all purchase on site for about £2.50 each.

If you are inside a prepare radius of an explosive when it detonates, you are out. You will exist informed of the radius by the marshals earlier the game begins, merely is unremarkably three meters. In a building, a grenade will usually count as eliminating all of the people in a room regardless of altitude or comprehend.

Fume grenades are bachelor, when ignited these produce a cloud of fume which yous tin can apply to cover yourself from enemy sight.

Does it hurt?

1 of the first things people want to know about airsoft is how much it hurts.

The amount of pain you receive from a hit is totally dependent on your distance to the firer and where the BB hits you. If hit on exposed skin at close range it won't penetrate your skin but information technology can draw claret, exit a carmine mark or really sting! At longer ranges you can be hard pressed to even tell you have been hitting so must go enlightened of what a light hit sounds and feels like. Nearly of the time a hitting to a vulnerable area feels similar getting whacked on the peel past a rubber band; quite a precipitous hurting that tin make you jump, but fades almost instantly, certainly a hit which you lot are still aware of a minute later on is unusual. Unlike paintball, airsoft will not get out huge sore bruises. You volition observe that having to "take the initiative" and charge into an enemy position in the face of potentially painful render fire is what makes airsoft feel a 1000 times more than real than playing a computer game!

It's not unheard of for people to endure broken bones or impact injuries from falls simply this is merely to exist expected in a loftier intensity game played over sometimes arduous terrain. Injuries are far less common than in mountain biking or football, for case. Airsoft game organisers do make every try to mitigate run a risk, as such injuries are rare only when it comes down to it airsoft is an backbreaking outdoors sport that favours tough people!

Fitness

A good standard of fitness in airsoft will certainly assistance you to win games. At that place are many people who are concerned that they might be as well unfit to play airsoft, only this is not the case. If y'all are struggling to go on up and so you lot can always decide to hang back and defend a static position, or in the worst case scenario you tin drop out of play for as long equally you want to and accept a breather in the safe zone. Plenty of unfit people come to games and of course they are improving their wellness every time they do so, even more so if they push themselves, so poor personal fitness isn't something which should discourage you from coming along.

Scenarios

Airsoft games are limited only by the game organiser's imagination. They tin can range from live activity role-play, weeklong continual games, science fiction games, fighting off zombie hordes, to bank robberies, historic re-enactments, full simulation of modern operations and everything in betwixt. UK sites commonly play xl minute games with a set objective to hold or retrieve and a offset/respawn betoken for each squad.

Every bit information technology happens the Uk has some of the highest standard of airsoft sites in the world – lucky you lot! Fifty-fifty in the Usa and Hong Kong, where they have very well founded airsoft communities, they consider British airsoft games to exist some of the best. So when you turn upward at a United kingdom site you can never really know what the game organiser, and the enemy team, has in store for you!

Airsoft Playing Sites

Organised game areas are almost unlimited in their scope and terrain. Traditional 'woodland' sites are ordinarily based in a individual wooded area in the countryside, with a few temporary structures and objectives to fight over. Woodland sites can go muddy and sometimes involve arduous terrain, but offer great opportunities to blend into your surroundings and employ field craft skills to outmanoeuvre and engage the enemy.

Y'all will also find 'urban' sites, which may be based in old warehouses, office blocks, hospitals, military camps, ability stations or even nuclear bunkers. These require a different style of play, and some special equipment such equally torches tin can be of great help.

Most games volition exist typically held on a Dominicus from 9am to 4pm. Games will very rarely be cancelled considering the weather, and so in this land y'all must e'er be ready to play in the rain and cold!

There are over 150 skirmish sites in the Great britain, and this number is always increasing. Sites will either be operated past a squad of local airsoft enthusiasts or a franchise that owns multiple sites and/or shops.

Sites tin can be found throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Republic of ireland, and on the Crown Dependencies of the Isle of man and Guernsey. In that location are sites available in near every European country, if y'all wanted to play away.

Well run sites have public and employers liability insurance, toilets, h2o replenishment points, dedicated experienced marshals, a covered prophylactic zone and first assistance facilities.

It is legal to organise your own game on privately owned land that is away from the public, but in that location are many laws and risks which have to be considered. UKAPU recommends that you play at organised sites, especially when you are new to the hobby and unaware of all the issues. If yous were to brand a error in organising your own game, which resulted in an injury or criminal charges, or offence to local people, then it could easily exist picked upwardly past the media and hurt the whole hobby.

Airsoft Shops

There are many dedicated airsoft retailers in the United kingdom, some focus on on-line sales and others have physical shops. They may also also sell surplus, airsoft specific, later market or reproduction military machine gear. Have a look on the member benefits tab on this website for a list of not bad retailers who volition provide UKAPU members with discounts and offers.

The Uk Airsoft Retailers Clan (UKARA) is a body which represents airsoft retailers. They administer a database which yous can be registered on once you have become a skirmish site fellow member. UKARA retailers tin then bank check this database when yous want to buy a RIF (a Realistic Imitation Firearm), which upholds their legal obligation to ensure that they only sell RIFs to airsoft skirmishers. Information technology is also mutual for United kingdom players to purchase airsoft equipment from big shops in Hong Kong.

Players

Players often casually affiliate themselves with their local site and also form teams who play and fight together. Teams can be vary from being well drilled and with coordinated uniform to just a grouping of friends who get to games.

Players are represented by our organisation, the United Kingdom Airsoft Players Union (UKAPU). We stand upward for players rights and allow their views to exist taken into business relationship.

The media, authorities and public tin can be surprisingly hostile to airsoft and many people desire to see airsoft banned for spurious reasons. UKAPU can and does successfully piece of work to counteract this negativity, but we are merely strong when we have lots of members, which is why nosotros inquire that you lot join us when you start playing.

Since you're here, reading an article on the UKAPU website, why don't you consider joining in one case you discover your feet?

Online Resource

Some other important part of the UK airsoft community is the web. In that location are half a dozen large web forums, some popular news sites, Reddit and Facebook communities. The big amount of traffic on these web forums tin can exist deceiving; in bodily fact the large majority of airsoft players don't use them. Nevertheless, they are a great way to find out about the hobby and research equipment before purchasing.

Please view UKAPU'southward links page for a concise list of bang-up web links.

Global Airsoft

The laurels based and high tech game of airsoft unsurprisingly came from Japan. In the 70'due south they started using 6mm automatic airsoft replicas powered past external gas bottles as an alternative to paintball. The hobby's popularity increased in Nippon throughout the 80'southward and several manufacturers started producing skirmishing equipment.

In the early on ninety's Tokyo Marui produced an automatic electrical gun (AEG) that ran on radio command automobile batteries, the convenience and effectiveness of which opened the doors for airsoft to spread globally. The Hong Kong airsoft scene is ane of the largest outside Japan and most airsoft trading effectually the world is done through the many HK warehouses and distributors. In the early 00's other manufacturers began to copy Tokyo Marui's AEG pattern. This, plus advances in reckoner blueprint and product techniques, has allowed Taiwanese, Chinese and Japanese manufacturers to plough out a bewildering array of airsoft replicas to arrange all budgets. If you tin can think of a real gun, there is probably an airsoft version or conversion kit bachelor to replicate it.

Airsoft had been played somewhat nether the radar in the U.k. since the early on 80's, but in the mid 90's lots of organised sites were created, the profile of airsoft increased and since then the hobby has grown at an exponential rate, despite hostile legislation.

Buying Airsoft Replicas and the VCRA

Chances are you are very keen to buy an airsoft replica (if you accept non done and then already). In 2007 a nib was enacted called the violent crime reduction act, or VCRA. Before this act you lot could walk into a store and buy an airsoft replica. At present things are a petty more complicated but RIF'south (Realistic Imitation Firearms) are yet bachelor to almost everyone, if they get involved in airsoft.

A few sections of the VCRA focus on banning the auction and purchase (merely not ownership) of RIFs, a category which includes realistically coloured airsoft replicas. After the airsoft community won the long battle against the government and because the abuse of replica firearms was nothing to do with replicas sold to airsoft skirmishers, the government allowed airsoft skirmishers and a few other groups a 'specific defense' confronting the human activity which allowed the states to go along buying RIF'south. And then if you are a skirmisher, y'all are allowed to buy airsoft replicas without restriction. Yous can get them from retailers in the U.k., import them from overseas and buy them from to fellow skirmishers.

In that location are a number of interpretations as to what a skirmisher is. The nearly commonly accepted and safety method of condign 1 is to attend 3 games at the same site over a fourth dimension menstruum of more than two months (then all 3 games can't exist inside two months). In one case you lot accept done this, you may become a member of that skirmish site. To register on the UKARA database yous must practise the higher up at a UKARA registered site. You lot can transport an application form off to a UKARA retailer one time it has been stamped past your site and you will then be placed on the database. You can then purchase airsoft replicas from any UKARA retailer as they can instantly check that you are a site fellow member past logging in to the database. UKARA registration is absolutely not mandatory for those wishing to purchase RIF's, but information technology there is no cost to add your details to their database (non to be confused with the membership fees which are charged by your site, if any). Merely think, site membership is the only thing that counts legally speaking, UKARA registration is meaningless in constabulary.

Ownership your kickoff airsoft replica from a specialist UK airsoft shop is a good thought equally they tin can help you lot pick the correct replica and y'all are legally entitled to a refund if it is faulty and breaks within the start few games. Many shops volition sort new players out with a starter package of magazines, batteries, a charger and a mask so be sure to ask them if they will do you a special deal. If non, store around (remember to have a look at the list of shops which provide UKAPU fellow member discounts and offers)!

Skirmishers can import airsoft replicas from overseas shops, just you must be able to prove that you are an airsoft skirmisher. UK Edge Agency are able to check the UKARA database merely if you are not registered with UKARA so Edge Bureau volition often cheque direct with the owner of the site of which you are a member.

Second mitt airsoft replicas tin oftentimes be bought from web forums and at sites. These are, more often than not, in good condition and can exist bought for a significant reduction from the new cost. Again, the seller tin enquire a shop to cheque the UKARA database, but the verification which the seller will take is entirely their determination. The seller could face criminal charges if they sold the RIF to a non skirmisher. Verifying entitlement to the specific defense is something which must be taken seriously. Many first-class 2nd paw replicas can be found on the web forums listed on our links page. Buying a replica at a playing site is easier than doing information technology over the cyberspace as the seller tin run into you playing a game and can see that you are buying information technology to use in a game, so they don't won't crave further verification.

Keeping a diary of games y'all accept attended, signed by the game organiser, may help to bear witness that you are a skirmisher. It certainly doesn't hurt to take your own newspaper record to refer to. A 'skirmish diary' is also a squeamish record to keep.

If you are not still a skirmisher then you are able to purchase 'IFs', which is an fake firearm. IFs are regular airsoft replicas, but with the bodies painted in a brilliant colour or with a transparent body. These are ofttimes called two-tones. One time you are officially regarded as a skirmisher, you are allowed to paint them a realistic colour, or replace external parts with those which expect more realistic. As y'all simply take to attend iii games, during which fourth dimension yous tin make an informed decision about which replica you lot want, information technology is a much better thought to put off buying an airsoft replica until y'all are immune to buy a RIF.

If you are under 18 you lot cannot legally purchase a RIF or IF, no exceptions. You tin however, at any age, legally be given a RIF as a souvenir by an adult who is entitled to the specific defence. Y'all can also exist gifted an IF by an adult who is non entitled to the specific defence, hence the trend for younger players using IF's gifted to them past not skirmishing parents, to avoid having to hire a replica until they plough eighteen. Under 18'southward are allowed to 'industry' RIFs once they are entitled to the defence, that means to say that they themselves can paint their two tone blackness once they have become a skirmisher (many sites take junior membership schemes).

Existence a fellow member of the Police or military machine changes naught as regards the VCRA if you volition be purchasing them for private use at skirmishes. Firearms licence holders are likewise no more entitled than anyone else. The exception is if they are being purchased past a law enforcement system for training purposes.

UKAPU members are encouraged to send an email to ane of the addresses on our contact folio if they are yet unsure of how to comply with the VCRA.

Power Limits and the Firearms Act

In England, Wales and Scotland, with the commencement of the Policing and Crime Human action 2017, the Firearms Act 1968 has been amended to ascertain maximum ability levels that Airsoft replicas are allowed to take.

Exceeding whatever of these limits could ultimately effect in a prison house sentence, depending on what has been exceeded.

In Northern Ireland, there is no specific exception for Airsoft – in this locality the maximum is 1J (as in Japan, Italy), although it is the intention of UKAPU and other organisations to resume lobbying/campaigning for a 1.3J/2.5J once the Stormont crisis has been resolved.

Locality	Max FPS for auto		Max FPS for semi
England, Wales	1.3J	374fps ﹫ 0.20g	two.5J	518fps ﹫ 0.20g
Scotland	1.3J	374fps ﹫ 0.20g	ii.5J	518fps ﹫ 0.20g
Northern Ireland	ane.0J	328fps ﹫ 0.20g	1.0J	328fps ﹫ 0.20g

Other Applicative Laws

Most importantly to u.s. skirmishers, information technology is an offence to brandish a replica firearm in a public place, or leave it in a place where it may be seen by the public. This even so applies if the general shape of the replica can be deduced through its packaging, which is a very good reason to buy a gun case (also this will protect information technology in transit). You tin use the original box that your replica came in, but these are beefy and of class have a picture of a gun on the outside which must be obscured. When transporting an airsoft replica y'all must have a valid reason to have it in public (even when it is fully covered). Taking it to a game, or to a shop to fix it are examples of valid reasons. Yous should carry the contact number for the airsoft game manager so, if you lot are stopped, the police officer tin can verify that you are on your way to a game. Showing a replica in public will cause alert and will help the people who desire to ban our hobby.

Needless to say it is a criminal offence to burn an airsoft replica at a non consenting person, or at an brute. You will also more than probable be banned from sites and ostracised from be a source of mockery for the customs.

Information technology is not illegal to display your airsoft replicas in your house, but if they can exist seen through a window it could lead to you being reported to the police past a worried passer by, or you firm being burgled and your equipment stolen.

If you have a run in with the Police which involves airsoft replicas it is quite possible that they volition be ignorant of airsoft related constabulary. Sadly, poorly conceived new laws are introduced by politicians at a fast rate and often officers are not fairly trained on how to implement them. It is however extremely rare that skirmishers depict the attention of the Police through legitimate activities. When police officers do become involved they are highly likely to exist amicable and fair if yous are cooperative and polite in return. If you do find yourself unfairly persecuted, which does happen, get in touch with UKAPU. We can't always find time to aid non members, only we always have our members backs.

All of the in a higher place laws apply to IFs (two tones) besides. They may expect similar toys only they are non toys in the optics of the law.

If you would like to acquire more than almost said legislation, please feel complimentary to have a look at our Legislation FAQ, or if you would like to see formal definitions of the laws that cover Airsoft in the United kingdom, please refer to our collection of legal documentation.

Jump powered replicas

The most basic are spring powered replicas. They use a hand operated mechanism to pull a piston against spring pressure and lock it back, whilst loading a BB into the hop unit. The trigger releases the lock and allows the spring to push the piston through a cylinder, quickly expelling the air inside the cylinder through the hop unit and accelerating the BB down the barrel.

This category includes inexpensive unmarried shot pistols like the two tones you volition see in hobby shops, simply also include skirmishable weapons, such equally shotguns and sniper rifles.

Spring shotguns are a viable alternative to an AEG, they can be effective and fun to employ simply crave a higher skill level than automatic replicas.

Sniper rifles are the most common jump weapons found at skirmishes. These may fire BB'due south to the aforementioned or greater range than a regular airsoft replica, depending on many factors, but the principal reason to use them is that they tin fire with greater accuracy than other airsoft replicas. It is advisable to forget nigh sniper rifles until you lot are able to use an AEG well. Most new players harbour a fantasy of being an elite sniper, but new players will fail miserably if they try and learn how to apply a bolt action weapon before they accept the skill to apply an assault rifle in airsoft.

Automatic Electric Gun

The most common replica constitute at skirmishes is the AEG, automatic electric gun. These are powered by a rechargeable RC car/airplane blazon battery. They operate in the aforementioned manner every bit a spring powered replica, except that the piston is pulled back by a prepare of gears driven by an electric motor. Every bit such the only input required from the player to unleash fully automated fire is a pull of the trigger. They all have safety catches and most are capable of firing in fully automatic and semi automatic modes. Some tin fire bursts of 3 or more than rounds. They are simple to utilise and cheap to run, requiring you lot to simply recharge the battery at the end of the game 24-hour interval. Most are very reliable and low maintenance. These factors make AEGs by far the most popular type of airsoft skirmish replica.

Near every well known set on rifle or sub machine gun in the globe has an AEG counterpart available. Typical AEG's accept a range of most 40 anxiety and fire 15-20 BB's per second.

Electric pistols also exist and function in the same fashion, only they are relatively low powered.

Gas powered replicas

Gas weapons store compressed propellant gasses and utilise a series of valves to release the gas into the hop unit. The BB is then propelled up the butt every bit the gas expands. The gas is often contained in the magazine so that a fresh accuse is placed into the replica at the aforementioned time as the BB reload. Gas weapons do not part well exterior of British summertime as the gas will be at lower temperature (and thereby pressure) than was expected past the airsoft designers in Eastern asia. Gas weapons can as well suffer from leakage in the magazine seals and require regular cleaning to part properly. Gas enthusiasts affirm that the increased realism of the gas weapons function and its instant trigger response make up for these shortfalls.

The about mutual type of gas weapon is the gas blowback (GBB) pistol. These announced to office like a real pistol, the summit slide moves sharply back when the trigger is pulled and you feel a certain amount of recoil. Y'all volition too run across GBB rifles, which are less practical, more than expensive and generally less reliable than AEG's merely offer an enjoyable firing experience.

You also find 40mm 'grenade launchers', often mounted under an AEG, which fire 24-1000 BB'south (dependant on size) in one shot from each grenade beat out. These are simply really constructive in shut quarters but the weight of fire will certainly intimidate your opponent!

Gas sniper rifles, non blowback (NBB) gas pistols and gas shotguns are besides available but are less common.

The different propellent gasses available are commonly divided into 134a (lower power), green gas (higher power, increased strain on replica) and red/blackness gas (even higher power). Gas tin can exist bought from shops or at the playing site. Unlike replicas are designed to use different power gasses. Some players use propane (normal camping stove gas) by using a special airsoft adapter on the can.

Hop Upwardly

Any good airsoft replica is fitted with hop upwardly. This clever mechanism is a bedchamber which forces an adjustable amount of backspin onto a BB when fired. When hop is correctly adjusted the BB volition fly in a direct line for a long distance until it loses momentum and drops to the ground very apace, rather than dropping in a constant arc over altitude. Unlike a paintball marker you practice not need to aim upward and lob your shots onto your target, you lot tin can shoot straight and apply the weapon sights (or even use a telescopic scope) to make accurate shots.

Magazines

Airsoft replicas tin can be fitted with standard or mid chapters magazines, which feed threescore-150 bb'south, (dependant on magazine size), via a jump, similar a real magazine. They are loaded past putting BB's in the top of them with a loading tool. Mag chapters is often proportional to magazine external size, and so a larger calibre weapon like a seven.62 G3 has an airsoft mag that holds more than a pocket-sized calibre 9mm MP5 mag. Some players prefer mags which concord the aforementioned number of BB's as the real thing, known every bit existent cap mags. Gas weapons utilise standard type mags merely have a reduced chapters as some of the space in the magazine is occupied by the gas reservoir.

The near pop mags for AEG'southward are loftier capacity magazines, which concur a reservoir of 200-600 BB'due south and feed them via clockwork style machinery. 'Hi-cap' magazines are loaded past pouring BB's into the opening at the top and require the thespian to wind the clockwork bound via a wheel on the bottom.

Closely related to How-do-you-do-caps are drum or box magazines, which are often found on support weapons. These employ the aforementioned machinery as hi-caps but accept a bigger reservoir of 2000-6000 BB's. Some of these magazines wind the feed jump past an electrical motor.

Batteries

The stock or fore grip of an AEG usually contains the battery.

The concrete size of the cells in your battery normally determines how much accuse information technology is rated to hold and thereby how many times it volition burn down your replica earlier it runs out. Charge chapters is measured in milliampere hours (mAh).

The number of cells determines the force that the replica can extract from that bombardment at a given time and thereby determines rate of fire and trigger response (measured in volts).

NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) are the 'standard' batteries which require a bones charger and are very safe to use. The disadvantage is that the big NiMH batteries are bulky and crave a large infinite inside the AEG to store them (such every bit inside a solid stock). Small-scale NiMH batteries overcome the size issue but exercise non concluding for long so you will notice the battery will run out afterward 1000 rounds or so and you have to swap it mid game. AEG'due south are usually designed to run on 8.4 volt NiMH batteries.

Lithium battery types (Li-Po, Li-ion, Li-Fe etc.) take combined the size of mini bombardment with a capacity of a large bombardment. Lithium batteries are somewhat volatile; if they are incorrectly charged or shorted out or punctured they will speedily 'airship', discharging noxious gasses and enough estrus to beginning fires and melt plastics. As long equally you are careful when handling the bombardment, plus you buy a quality bombardment and a quality charger with a cell balancer, you are unlikely to feel whatsoever issues. Lithium batteries will exist permanently damaged if you run them till empty. You can fit an warning in your replica which lets you know when your bombardment has dropped to critical chapters. As well as volts and milliampere hours a li-po battery has a C rating, the high C rating cells accept a greater power to satisfy rapid peak power demands.

Practice non make the fault of thinking that AEG range is affected by battery or motor ability, only rate of burn down and trigger response is affected. The spring moves the piston forward at the same distance at the aforementioned speed and is not related to the force supplied by the motor.

Some AEGs utilize a 'proprietary' battery, which is to say that the shape of the bombardment must be tailored to the space available in that particular replica.

Ammunition

Almost skirmish quality ammo (Bulletin board system) is similar just yous must always use skirmish quality ammo that can be bought from airsoft sites and shops. One-time you tin can detect cheap ammo in supermarkets and high street shops, but you should never use this as information technology will nigh certainly jam in the butt of a expert quality replica, and tin cause harm as a result. Some brands of skirmish quality ammo will still give erratic flight paths and some brands do not feed from magazines very well, only if you ask your fellow players you will presently find out which proficient brands are available and inexpensive at the moment (information technology changes yr by year). You can always buy ammo on site but will exist more than expensive than if yous buy information technology in bulk from a shop. Never ever reuse ammo that has been fired already; even if it looks undamaged it volition have internal cracks and is likely to break autonomously in your replica when you endeavour and fire it. Different weights of ammo are available but stick with 0.20g or 0.25g Bbs; heavier ammo doesn't actually aid you when using stock replicas at UK power limits. Airsoft Bulletin board system are bachelor in anything from 0.12g to 0.50g.

6mm is the industry standard but a handful of 8mm replicas exist. AEG's are most always 6mm but may be advertised with 7mm and 8mm gearboxes. This is the size of the gear beam bearings and non the ammunition used.

Your showtime replica

You don't need a replica right away and won't be able to buy one right away either. We advise you go to a site, hire a replica, ask people if you lot tin can look at theirs (they will frequently be keen to show off their shiny toys!) and make a decision based on beginning paw information.

That said, you are probably browsing websites for your first buy already! Guns are cool and playing soldier is fun, you want to own a replica firearm ASAP and there's null wrong with that, but if you have a little patience you will exist able to get an awesome replica equally opposed to rushing in and having to purchase one painted up like a child's toy!

Choosing your showtime replica is an important decision. Get-go off, it needs to be an AEG. They are the almost versatile and reliable type you tin can buy. You volition need every reward you lot can become when you are learning how to play! At that place are few bad AEGs, just unlike AEGs for different situations and different personal preferences. Your first replica should meet the following requirements –

hi-cap magazines available
large type battery compartment (unless you lot are going to invest in a lithium battery and charger)
Short plenty overall length to use in urban games (not much bigger than a carbine)
Long enough butt to work well in woodland (no machine pistols or micro SMGs)

Most importantly, you must enjoy the wait and feel of your called replica!

Most assault rifles and SMGs fit into the above requirements, such equally AK47, G36, MP5, SCAR, bullpup rifles (rifles with the mag behind the pistol grip) and M4.

The quality of each brand tin range from near perfect replicas to rough knock offs, and there are far as well many brands to talk nigh here. If you can only afford a Chinese clone such as JG, D-boys or CYMA then that's not a problem every bit more than frequently than not they look practiced and the gearboxes are very durable. Exist sure that whatever replica you purchase is under the legal limits for airsoft replicas in the jurisdiction you're in, nosotros recommend getting it chronographed at the shop when you buy information technology.

Something to call up most is the 'weapon system' concept. In the British Army your rifle is function of a weapon organization, that is to say that it is not just the rifle, it is also magazines, ammunition, mag pouches, sights and cleaning kit that are all essential to laying down constructive burn down. If you look at your airsoft kit in the same way you lot can see that bringing a new AEG 'weapon system' to a game means not but buying a replica just also possessing the appropriate

Bombardment
Charger
Magazines
Magazine pouches
Conveying case

Safety in the domicile

If you've bought an airsoft replica, you are going to be bully to get it out of the box and loaded up and so you can shoot upwardly some coke cans in the garden! The vast majority of airsoft replica injuries occur in the home (as the editor of this guide volition testify), non on airsoft sites, and that includes the loss of an eye on a few occasions. You can about eliminate this risk by setting simple rules and never making exceptions.

Never insert the magazine and release the safe until you are completely ready to fire at a target.
Do not touch on the trigger until y'all have aimed at the target
Never leave your replica loaded and unattended.
Don't ever point or fire your replica at someone who is not wearing protective equipment, fifty-fifty if yous think it is unloaded.
When firing in your dorsum garden, be aware of overlooking neighbours who may be alarmed past seeing your replica.
The shooter and observers should all clothing eye protection in case of rebounding BBs (shooting confronting a draped towel will reduce mess and rebounds).
Consider what is backside your target
Be aware that BBs may damage things like piece of furniture, plants, plaster and drinking glass.
A few BBs often stay in the replica after removal of the magazine; it must be fired a few times in a condom direction subsequently removal of the magazine, to clear them out.
Never under whatsoever circumstances expect down the barrel of the replica or agree the stop of the muzzle when pulling the trigger.
Pay detail attention to weapon prophylactic when repairing and testing your replica equally it is very like shooting fish in a barrel to lose track of the safety condition subsequently a jam or breakage.
Do not trust anyone with your replica when information technology is loaded if they have never been taught how to handle a firearm.
When placed in storage, disconnect the battery

The idea is that in the dwelling house you should treat an airsoft replica like a existent firearm. The core concept of firearms safety is to always treat a replica as if it it is loaded and ready to fire. Stupid accidents will happen to all players who become too casual with airsoft safety. Also, e'er fire your AEG on semi-auto with no mag fitted before putting it away. This resets the firing machinery and will help prevent your jump being weakened over time.

Center and Face Protection

Your primary concern, the starting time particular you should buy, is a face up mask. Mesh goggles consist of a steel mesh which stops the BB and the only vision impairment is that the mesh makes the surroundings appear slightly darker. Lens masks and shooting glasses have a articulate plastic viewing lens which allows greater visibility but tend to fog up during concrete exertion. Thermal lenses and fan units in your goggles tin can reduce fogging. Not all eye protection you find in the world is BB proof and so purchase center protection rated for shooting, airsoft or paintball. Some ballistic glasses on some people's faces will exit a gap which could let Bulletin board system in to your eye area and so goggles may be preferable.

As y'all are probably aware, incorrect/dangerous apply of an airsoft replica volition hands cause catastrophic damage to eyes, but what virtually people don't realise is that they will also shoot out your teeth with ease. For this reason, and to prevent unsightly hitting marks on your face, you should habiliment a total face up mask. These sometimes accept goggles with integrated solid lower confront protection, or you tin buy a lower face mask (oftentimes mesh) which straps to your face to compliment your goggles. You tin can wear a scarf or soft mask over your lower confront simply this may notwithstanding non tedious a BB plenty to save your teeth. It is stylish to article of clothing eye protection with no lower face protection as it looks more than authentic, all the same if you play similar this for long enough then the risk of losing teeth becomes much college and shattered teeth are not an uncommon sight at skirmishes, fifty-fifty though it is easy to forbid and can be extremely painful.

As well remember that you are provided with simply 1 set up of eyes – so make your safety purchases very advisedly.

Boots

It is advisable to choice up a pair of army issue attack boots, mayhap from a surplus store. Soldiers who employ them daily criticise them for being uncomfortable, merely you lot will probably exist using them one time a calendar month so they will be entirely tolerable. Once broken in they will requite you great traction and ankle protection and will last for years if cleaned and stored correctly. After marketplace (not armed services issue) boots in the same price range equally assault boots will barely last a twelvemonth before they fall apart.

Boots are worth the investment to keep your feet dry, warm, increase you lot grip and protect your ankles. Trainers are a poor selection, particularly in woodland games; they ruin your camouflage, expect stupid and significantly increase the risk that you will sprain or break you ankle (painfully sprained ankles are the almost mutual injury in airsoft). It is the aforementioned as buying a mask; if you purchase a gun before you lot buy boots then you have made a large mistake.

Habiliment

For you first few games a night coloured hoodie and some old jeans will be sufficient, only the large allure of airsoft for many people is dressing up in cool kit and generally looking similar a badass.

Shallow? Probably. Fun? Definitely!

Y'all can obtain the equipment and compatible of practically whatsoever ground forces in the world, by or present, if you are willing to pay for it. Y'all can even have your kit custom made. There are e'er sheep-like uniform trends which come and become but you are not obliged to wear annihilation in particular unless you lot go to an unusual scenario solar day where yous have to represent a particular fighting force.

You may be tempted to get a full ready of uniform and kit before your kickoff game but you may and then notice that your local site or y'all play style doesn't fit what you had in heed, so it is much more than sensible to get something inexpensive from an army surplus store and upscale your gear afterward on.

The best stuff you can become in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland is British DPM. It is inexpensive, hard wearing, good camouflage and comfy. The market place is flooded with excellent quality DPM due to the introduction of MTP to the British military machine a few years ago. Y'all should first by getting a shirt or jacket and a pair of trousers. If you are not ownership a prepare of load carrying equipment (LCE) look for a jacket with pockets that you can put your spare ammo and magazines into.

Load Conveying Equipment

Probably the most complex particular to select outside of which replica to choose would be your LCE, or "kit". This is the gear you apply to carry your magazines, loose ammo and grenades. Depending on personal preference and the game scenario y'all might also bear a sidearm, radio, water, clothing, a combi tool and food. The main types of LCE are:

Chest rig: Strip of pouches which sits across the front of your trunk, usually held past crossed shoulder straps
Assault belong: Covers your entire torso like a regular belong, maximising area available for pouches.
Plate carrier: So named because they are designed to hold armour plates in the real world, these usually wrap effectually your waist and sides like a big chest rig with an additional small console college on your breast.
Belt kit: The more than traditional method of conveying gear, this is a waist belt with the pouches mounted on it, commonly with a 'yoke' over the shoulders to support the weight

In the terminal decade 'Molle' has become a firm favourite organisation for real and airsoft LCE. It takes the form of vests and carriers with no pouches; instead they are covered with horizontal loops of material at set spaces to which yous attach special pouches. Pouches of every conceivable size and shape are available, these have matching loops and vertical strip of material which is woven through the pouch and vest loops. The terminate upshot is that you tin can constantly re-configure your entire LCE for personal preference or endlessly change it to suit each game or weapon system.

Information technology is a good thought to purchase LCE in a solid colour such as black, brown or greenish. When you lot buy jacket/trousers in a new camo pattern you may then demand to replace your LCE likewise, if you take bought LCE in a specific cover-up pattern.

All players, especially new ones, should also be wary of wearing all enclosing or thick skinned LCE such equally assail vests equally it is very difficult to feel hits through them. You must learn to tell when you take been hitting from sounds and other signs, not so easy if y'all don't yet know what it'south like to be hitting!

Other Kit

Wearing a pair of gloves is a good idea as information technology hurts when you become shot on the hand, cheap ones will suffice in the short term so long as yous can yet safely handle your airsoft replica.

A hat or caput wrap is advisable as headshots tin hurt. Headgear volition as well improve your camouflage, but it is non mandatory. Exist conscious of how a chapeau may interface with your goggles.

When you showtime playing more seriously you may desire to buy a waterproof 'Gore-Tex' jacket and a warm wear layer, in case yous get defenseless out in the rain or have to wait for game beginning in the cold. You lot volition shrug off most of the effects of cold and damp when you lot exert free energy in game, just if you actually get defenseless out and become uncomfortable then you will find that your operation drops dramatically. Worst of all, you might terminate to enjoy the game.

Going to a Game

Showtime, detect an airsoft site to go to. There are many excellent directories out there, including the one provided by Airsoft Nation.

Side by side, book yourself in, usually past emailing the game organiser from their website.

It is highly recommended that y'all drag a friend or two forth to split fuel costs (you might get lucky and your friend might get into airsoft every bit well). Don't worry about bringing a big grouping of people like you frequently have to with paintball, in airsoft you will e'er team up with other players on site. If your group doesn't accept access to a auto, so unfortunately it may be difficult to play airsoft long term equally airsoft sites are usually in the middle of nowhere.

Typical Game Day

And so it's a Sunday morning, and you are off to your beginning game. This is the virtually important step you can accept. So many people just never get equally far every bit going to a game. At that place are thousands of people who waffle endlessly well-nigh how they are going to play airsoft, but lack the enthusiasm to get to a game! Once you get there you will want to go once again and again, simply the thought of getting upwards early on on a Sunday and spending £40 on a 24-hour interval out can cease many people coming, fifty-fifty if they have booked in. If you sacrifice one otherwise wasted Dominicus and commit less cash than a nighttime out, you will quickly discover yourself part of an enriching, rewarding hobby where you will run across (and shoot) some bully people and take some memorable adventures!

Bring a bottle of water and some lunch if nutrient isn't provided. Y'all will certainly need to drink water throughout the day even if it'southward cold out.

Try and turn upwards before 9am. Game briefings normally commence at 10am, so this gives you an hour to chat with the local players, and if you've requested a "hire gun" – be issued with your replica for the day, load up and burn down a few times on the range. At around 10am, the head marshal will brief everyone for the mean solar day. It is very of import that you pay attention to this brief, as they may mention game and safety rules that are unique to that site. Safe conference and get-go game setup should take no longer than half an hour. Usually you will have an hour break for lunch, food is sometimes provided. Depending on how difficult games take been the staff will unremarkably call it a day between 4pm and 5pm. The players are usually tired by this point and beginning to pack up anyhow!

At a minority of sites you will stay away from the safe expanse all day, or more frequently not return to information technology till tiffin. Ask one of the Marshall if this is will exist the case, if it is then you lot volition have to accept all of your stuff with you. At a few small sites you will may exist returning to the safety area subsequently every game.

Site Rubber

Never load your replica in the safe zone, and e'er wear goggles when in the playing surface area. Marshals will direct you and yous must e'er obey their commands. If in doubtfulness, have your goggles on and replica unloaded. When testing an unloaded AEG to see if the battery is working always encompass the cage by poking information technology into your boot or your kit.

We will refrain from explaining in neat detail the rules most sites employ, but the one thing to bear in heed is to not shout "Man down!" whenever y'all accept been eliminated in a game.

"Human being downwards" is an emergency call near always reserved for when a player has become injured during a skirmish, and requires medical attention past the on-site first aider. When this is called, you volition often hear a shout for "ceasefire" which will crave y'all to make your replicas safe.

You must follow the direction of the marshals when it comes to safety.

Summary and Credits

To take the next footstep into airsoft skirmishing please take a look at the links on our website and await at joining UKAPU. We tin't continue to back up and encourage new players without players supporting us. All of us at UKAPU are out at that place fighting for airsoft players rights.

If you take any comments on this guide please do non hesitate to let united states know. Whatsoever positive comments will happily exist accepted and any negative comments will be begrudgingly accepted and we'll effort to effigy out how to take those comments on board.

Although many people will display an interest in airsoft, very few of them actually accept the conviction and motivation to turn up to a game. Nosotros at UKAPU hope you take the plunge and nourish an airsoft game i solar day – and who knows, maybe y'all'll stay, peradventure you won't, possibly you'll go a rather valued member of our amazing customs.

Originally by Matt Furey-King and painfully curated by David Weston and the balance of the UKAPU committee, with images from UKAPU members past and nowadays (including the curator and his friends), Graham and Darwin from Airsoft Nation, Snoopys Snaps and Airsoft Aficionado. Nosotros hope yous take not fallen asleep too many times.