New to Airsoft

[Trader 762]

Hey

I'm new and considering getting into airsoft since owning the real stuff is A, even more restricted then airsoft and B, cost way too much for gun safes and ammunition, not to mention actually require a range or a private piece of land to shot.

I've been surfing 007 Airsoft and their gear.

Are there any major differences between the brands other than full metal body and metal/plastic bodies?

I was looking into an M4A1 model to begin with.

Anything else I should know about before jumping in with both feet?

[blade1220]

Well as everyone would say, get verified, read the FAQ's. The difference between the full metal and part metal body's is mainly price.

[Skruface]

Originally Posted by Trader 762

re there any major differences between the brands other than full metal body and metal/plastic bodies?

That's like asking if there's any difference between cars, because they all have wheels and an engine.

In short, there are some brands that are better than others in terms of quality or machining/assembly, and quality control. TM might be plastic, but in 8 years of airsoft I have NEVER seen a TM gun be an "out of the box lemon" - their QC is excellent. Newer Classic Army guns are good, too. I haven't owned any ICS in the last 6 years, so I can't speak to their quality. With some of the cheap "chinese clone" model guns you will spend less up front, but pay more in repairs/maintenence/upgrades.

The best thing to do is research some gun reviews. Then get out to a game and handle as many as you can. The owners will be able to give you the ins-and-outs of their particular gun.

Originally Posted by Trader 762

Anything else I should know about before jumping in with both feet?

This is an expensive hobby. You'll need $800-1000 minimum to even be competitive. Your gun, battery, charger, extra mags, and ammo will eat up most of that budget. Just be sure to spend quality money on 2 things - boots and eye protection. IMHO those 2 things are more important than the gun itself. You can still have fun with a "lesser" gun - you won't have as much fun missing an eye of with a broken ankle....

[Trader 762]

it can't be more expensive than shooting live rounds!!!

I read the FAQ section, its starting to make more sense, but yes, I do understand these are very basic and ignorant questions. We all had to start off somewhere.

No worries, I used to play paintball so I know all about and care for eye protection.

Now, time to search for more information regarding gatherings in Toronto/GTA to play.

[mcguyver]

Originally Posted by Trader 762

it can't be more expensive than shooting live rounds!!!

Thank God it isn't, or my wife would make me sell the couch that I sleep on to pay for it all.

Actually getting an airsoft gun these days is WAY more difficult than getting the real thing. I bought a new shotgun last weekend and the transfer took 5 minutes, and I had several models/options to chose from and walked out of the store with it. You would have to buy online for airsoft, wait for awhile if the make/model you want is not in-stock anywhere, and you can't shop for price as there is really only 1 or 2 places in all of Canada to get one anyways.

Good luck!!

[Savage Haggis]

Originally Posted by Trader 762

it can't be more expensive than shooting live rounds!!!

I guess it depends on your perspective...

...a day with real steel.



VS.

...a day with airsoft (and this is a small load out too!)

[mcguyver]

Is that your Ma Deuce? Man would that be some fun on a lazy Sunday, or gopher huntimg maybe!!

[philstructo]

I fire more than that at a game

and its hella expensive

[Trader 762]

Originally Posted by mcguyver

Actually getting an airsoft gun these days is WAY more difficult than getting the real thing. I bought a new shotgun last weekend and the transfer took 5 minutes, and I had several models/options to chose from and walked out of the store with it. You would have to buy online for airsoft, wait for awhile if the make/model you want is not in-stock anywhere, and you can't shop for price as there is really only 1 or 2 places in all of Canada to get one anyways.

Good luck!!

I'm starting to see the difficulty in getting a model I really want.

That being said, what are the benefits and drawbacks between a metal body and a plastic body, namely CA vs. TM for the M4A1 type models.

I've read some reviews and they said a metal body is more trouble then its worth in terms of function, but for looks, metal is hands down a winner.

Just trying to pick a primary weapon right now is tough, do I go Carbine or full rifle, add all the bells and whistles or just go stock.

The combinations are endless.

Also, do those scopes really make a difference in your play and aiming?

The newbie questions are endless!

[Lakonian]

Originally Posted by Trader 762

I'm starting to see the difficulty in getting a model I really want.

That being said, what are the benefits and drawbacks between a metal body and a plastic body, namely CA vs. TM for the M4A1 type models.

I've read some reviews and they said a metal body is more trouble then its worth in terms of function, but for looks, metal is hands down a winner.

Just trying to pick a primary weapon right now is tough, do I go Carbine or full rifle, add all the bells and whistles or just go stock.

The combinations are endless.

Also, do those scopes really make a difference in your play and aiming?

The newbie questions are endless!

There are absolutely no benefits to having a plastic bodied gun. It'll break on you pretty quick. Not to mention all the scratches/dents you'll put in it from having it slung on yer back..

[Skruface]

Originally Posted by kos

It'll break on you pretty quick. Not to mention all the scratches/dents you'll put in it from having it slung on yer back..

There are several benefits to a plastic-bodied gun. They are lighter, cheaper to buy initially, cheaper to replace when they break (and metal bodies DO break - look in our buy + sell at the number of people selling either metal uppers or lowers, because the other half broke), and they usually fit with absolutely no modifications required. I have a TM M4 that's plastic-bodied and 7 years old and a plastic-bodied P90 that's 5 years old......both bought new, both still work like new, and look pretty close.

The main way to break a plastic bodied guns is if you are a hamfisted moron with no sense of balance who dives/falls on their gear on a regular basis. This behavior will also break metal-bodied guns, by the way. If you treat quality guns with even the slightest modicum of respect, they will last for years. There are a number of gun docs, myself included, who run stock-bodied TM Armalites as their primary weapons. Try and find a stock TM plastic Armalite body in the buy and sell - they are rare as hell, because all the gun docs want them, myself included. When people who know these guns inside and out leave them stock, that in itself should tell you something.

[Trader 762]

Two different opinions regarding plastic bodies. Interesting.

Well I should also consider what is in STOCK, so the choices are slim if I want something within a week or so.

[Karnage]

get age verified and your choices are hardly slim.

[Nik12]

Well, unless you get age verified, nothing is in stock (well, I know of no retailer who keeps any AEGs in stock anymore).

[Trader 762]

This age verification thing everyone keeps mentioning, is it like a network where all dealers in Canada share a database?

For crying out loud, buying one of these things is harder then buying a real firearm at the moment for me! hehe Will my PAL be sufficient age verification???

I'm trying to get a hold of AirSoft Canada Armoury to see if they are a walk in store front but no answer, probably out shooting it up having fun.