Canadian n00b scratching his head :)

[NexNova]

Hello everyone,

I've recently moved to Canada, more precisely Montreal, I used to play airsoft in Italy and would like to get right back into it.

I've been reading around and googleing quite a bit but I'm still pretty much in the dark:

• I want to buy Tokyo Marui because that's what I'm used to, but I'm having a hard time finding a retailer, the Canadian ones seem all to have G&G...
• reading the legal FAQ I guess I can't (shouldn't try) to bring my personal TM AK47S on an airplane from Italy right?
• Are players mostly organized in private teams that organize tournaments so if you're not in a team no chance to play or is it more free form? meaning you can just sign up as a private and show up?
• Last question which hope is not too controversial... Are there around a lot of hot heads in the scene? meaning aggressive fanatics that think they are rambo? we had a few clans like that in Italy and it kind of poisoned the scene for a while

Thanks a lot for the help in advance,

NexNova

[Curo]

We frown upon wana be rambos

Replica firearms on planes are never a good idea.

Once you get here try and meet up with a local AV rep if you are 18+ I'd bet good coin you could find a retailer then.

And you can always join games free form, not everyone is team based.

[Conker]

Originally Posted by NexNova

• I want to buy Tokyo Marui because that's what I'm used to, but I'm having a hard time finding a retailer, the Canadian ones seem all to have G&G...
  TMs are quite overpriced around here. You'd be better looking at the other offerings... VFC, CA, G&G, ARES, etc... are quite easily found.
  
  You'll find more guns once you've had your age verified and updated on here with the classifieds.
  

• reading the legal FAQ I guess I can't (shouldn't try) to bring my personal TM AK47S on an airplane from Italy right?
  Short answer: Exactly, you can't.
  Long answer: actually there are ways to legally do so, but it ain't worth the trouble.
  
  
• Are players mostly organized in private teams that organize tournaments so if you're not in a team no chance to play or is it more free form? meaning you can just sign up as a private and show up?
  Most players play as independents. We do not have any kind of tournaments (except practical shooting, but that's totally another thing). You just join whatever side you want. Teams are totally optional.
  
  
• Last question which hope is not too controversial... Are there around a lot of hot heads in the scene? meaning aggressive fanatics that think they are rambo? we had a few clans like that in Italy and it kind of poisoned the scene for a while
  Nope, those mostly get banned pretty quick. Since game hosts have an association, if he's banned by the hosts association, his airsoft career is pretty much over in the province of Quebec.

Answers in green above.

[Coresair]

Best thing to do if you want to get right back into airsoft is to get age verified! From there you'll find it easier (albeit pricier) to rebuild your arsenal.

[Jimski]

Last question which hope is not too controversial... Are there around a lot of hot heads in the scene? meaning aggressive fanatics that think they are rambo? we had a few clans like that in Italy and it kind of poisoned the scene for a while

nope, and especially not in Montreal. The Canadian community is pretty safe and nutbars get weedet out almost immediately.
It goes even faster when they try posting stuff here.

just show up at the games in montreal (Action500 and others) and you'll get verified in no time.
You will then be able to buy in the Montreal stores or in the classifieds on ASC.

[NexNova]

Thank you guys, sounds really great!

I'll try to figure out when to get age verified, I don't have a car so I'll need to get to a game that is easily accessible.

Do players in Montreal ever meet somewhere? like a local hangout place for beers?
I have no idea how big the community is ^__^

[Jimski]

the community is rather small , action500 is the easiest place.

here is where the games are posted
http://www.airsoftcanada.com/forumdisplay.php?f=70

and this was the last game at action500 (it usually happens in the winter mostly)
http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=125666

[Kuro_Neko]

First of all, welcome to Canada.

Second, most of your questions have already been covered but a few addendums: because of the kind of grey-legal status of airsoft in Canada we're a tight-nit bunch and self-police ourselves quite well. You won't find many assholes as a result. The same grey-legal status, especially with regards to Canadian Customs, means that guns, particularly full black full metal guns, are more expensive here then elsewhere, often to the tune of three times as much. But as has been mentioned, once you're Age-Verified for ASC our classifieds will have whatever your heart desires, any brand name, any model, new or used, as long as you're willing to pay. TM AKs are pretty common and you shouldn't have any trouble replacing your favored gun once you're AV'ed. Just be prepared to spend in the area of $500-700.