Discovering Airsoft - A Noob Story

[z0ng]

So I finally decided to take the plunge and with a little help from a mutual friend of ours, myself and another buddy of mine ordered our first airsoft guns. Before I go any further, a little background, both of us are avid computer gamers, we've moved through various video games over the years trying to find something that's close to 'realistic'. So far the best we've come up with is a game known as "True Combat" (www.truecombat.com). We've known about paintball for awhile, neither of us enjoy it very much due to the non-realism aspects of the game (at least airsoft gets a bit closer to the real thing by having guns that look real) and getting covered in paint. Those 'speedball' games look like a bunch of people from startrek or some other sci-fi show firing goo-guns at each other. :-D

I still remember the day when I saw a G3A4 airsoft gun over a year ago now and vowed that one day when the cash was there I was going to get it. Unfortunately when that time finally came (just recently) I was informed that not only do none of the stores in Canada have any in stock but they apparantly aren't being manufactured anymore. I settled for the next best thing (in my mind) the G3 SG1 (which I am eagerly awaiting it's arrival) and given it's 1m+ length picked up a G3 SAS too (yay for interchangable mags) for something that's more applicable to CQB.

My friend ordered himself a CA SAR M41FS (offizer), which was in stock at the time (very envious that he didn't have to wait more than a week, you bastard!). We don't really have anywhere to go to fire the thing off as we live in a pretty built up town, as such we've only been able to try it out at my friends work (won't say where but it's safe from public scrutiny!). Having never actually fired an airsoft gun before (only ever had Crappy Tire bb guns) it was a treat I must say. We took great pleasure in reducing a few pop cans to tin foil, then took some shots at each other to see what we were in for. When I realized that these things actually cause noticable pain I was strangely pleased :-D

Even before placing our orders we've been working ourselves into shape by running a lot and excercising. If you're a bit of a fatass like me who works in the data communication/IT field it's probably a good idea to start beating yourself into shape well before you're being fired at. I know that my 40+ hours a week sitting at a console doesn't exactly build those leg muscles.

One issue that we have (as mentioned we live in a built up area) is locations to play. So far TTAC and EOTEC are the only well-established local airsoft-only operations that I can find in the GTA. I guess we could check out some of the paintball fields on their airsoft nights but the idea of an airsoft-only field is highly appealing At this time we're just trying to find more places we can safely use our guns in the local area. Toronto is a bit of a drive, but will definately be worth it. I know there's a list of locations in the Ontario Games and Events Schedule section (thanks!), all of which had websites I checked out (anyone know if Deadlands/Dragon ops is still in operation? assuming no as the status would have probably been updated). My friends and I are in the process right now of talking with all our trusted acquaintences to see if we can find anyone who owns land that isn't going to get the wrong idea about airsoft. After all, don't feel like getting shot/arrested/being responsible for ruining fun for anyone else!

One thing that still surprises me is just how much gear (camo, tac gear, guns, etc.) some people have. Now I understand those statements such as 'this is the most expensive addiciton you'll have' and have a better idea of how you can easily blow thousands on this sport. Going to check out some surplus stores in Toronto tomorrow hopefully to see what I can find for myself. Thank you ASC for providing a list of suitable stores/websites to acquire camo and tac. gear from.

So far the forums have been an excellent resource of information, in fact I've spent almost my entire Saturday just reading ASC today to 'do my homework' so to speak. I must say that if it wasn't for this website I doubt any of this would have happened, or at least been so easy. That 'search' function has helped greatly (remember it fellow newbs!). Either way I'd like to give a big thanks everyone that's contributed to this website as I would have been lost/ripped-off no doubt without it. Both myself and my friends are looking forward to getting involved in the community and attending some games, even though we'll get our assess handed to ourselves at first I can't wait to start the real learning process.

[swatt13]

hmm thats pretty cool. i think everyone can appreciate your story and remember how they got their start.

i use to play tournament paintball. i didnt like it cuz it changed from tourny ball to "xball" and is now was dominated by cheaters. it didnt matter how good a player you were, how fast you ran, how quick you could fire balls out, what gun you had - all these had been affected by cheaters. it was how well you could wipe, and what kinda cheater board you had in the gun. i longed to go play senerio ball, but that is nonexsistant here. also i couldnt justify spending $300+ at a tourny and have nothing but memories to show for it. i longed to play rainbow six or ghost recon (which is surprisingly good practice on your down time!) style paintball, i wanted to buy a RAP4 mp5 for the realism as i only played recball in the end, but getting those is ghey expensive and next to impossible to get, so i was going to build an m4 out of a tipman and hid the 9oz tank underslung to simulate an m203, but doing that was going to cost 700$+... not really worth it and you still have that hella ghey hopper on the top of the gun. i remember my buddy got into airsoft waaaayback in 98 or so and we shot the shit out of his house (drywall and blinds... lightbulbs and pictures....) it was fun, and i loved how cool the guns looked.

so i tracked him down and asked about it. we was extatic to finally have someone who was interested in it (there was NO airsoft community nor players aside from him here) so i came over to his house (after we hadnt spoken for 2 years+) he showed me his stuff, i did the typical noob drooling. he had an m16 that was in pieces... right down to the mechbox. he gave that to me along with 2 springer (whick were stripped as well) and said if i could get them back together, i could have them.

it took me.. oooooh about 4 hours to completley assemble the m16 sans delta ring and hand guards (that was trickey for a guy who had no instructions, no previous gun experience, nothing to aid) and about 3 days to find diagrams on how to reassemble the usp, and couger. then a few days later we tracked down his old famas, i bought that as well.

then we started playing... jsut the two of us. hide and seek/ stalk and kill/ seek anmd destroy.... ooo the variations at the paintball course i worked at. occasionally we had a few friends that would come out and play but for the most part for 1 year it was just us, then latter on that year a buddy from work joined... then a year later, 6 other guys joined and we got the opportunity to use a farm as our field, then more people joined, now we have a group of 10+ that is still growing. i also bought mondo amounts of gear and guns, dont deny it, your going to buy lots of "outfits" and "vests" one word of advice... dont be the kid that shows up to school wearin saan store clothing, hunting vests and clothing are not acceptable as airsoft gear... go to an army surplus store!

right now were trying to for a club (if anyone has advice i could use it). as it stands im the host and game organizer and i guess head hinch, though i wish that would change a bit, it seems as though having a free field to play at every week isnt enough to stop people from whinning and bitching, ruining it for themselves and others then blaming the game organizer because theyre not having fun, instead of trying to help organize games and contributing, but what can you do?

thats my story.

[z0ng]

I can't wait. Tomorrow I'm heading down to Creative Outdoor to check out some of their gear. Probably going to try and find some CADPAT stuff as that seems fairly standard, either that or the british BDU stuff perhaps.

I was checking out some of that 3d camo that the hunting websites have. Some of those things look like they could make a nice base for a gillie suit. Either way much more reading and learning to do.

That's what I need to do, find someone who owns a farm or a big field somewhere. Just isn't easy when pretty much everyone you know lives in suburbia

[Deathcom4]

you can also check with other asc members that live in the area that you do and pm them if there any indoor games around town

[thephenom]

You can get a lot of the gears you need/want from the forums here. There's quite a few sellers here that carry a very wide range of selection. Just prepare to spend the $$$.

In Ontario, we are already very lucky to have so many fields, TTAC3, EOTECH like you mentioned, there are also Wasaga (up by Barrie/Wasaga Beach area), Flag Raiders west in Cambridge (they got 2 fields there, new + old). I believe someone still plays a few games at Sgt Splatters, but numbers have drastically dropped there. Airsoft isn't exactly like a movie theatres, you won't find much fields (if any other than TTAC3) in urban centres.

You might want to get yourself verified and open up yourself to our awesome classified sections.

[z0ng]

Well I just picked up some gear from Creative Outdoor in Richmond Hill. Nice store owners there. They were friendly and quite helpful, they're also pretty airsoft inclined and had some various mags and ammo on sale (woohoo a local supply within a 20 minute drive). ~$330 got me a pair of pants, jacket, boonie hat (all CADPAT stuff), a vest, JT googles and some water bladder deal for the vest. Not sure how that fares compared to prices at other stores but they had a pretty decent selection even though the store itself is rather small.

[Major Clay]

Don't buy your vests or web gear at surplus stores unless you don't mind 20 year old crap, or Asian made crap. Check out Blackhawk, HSGI, Tactical Tailor etc. or you will be sorry when you see that you are wearing replicrap, but, again it is all relative, to your financial situation. I find these forums and EBAY are a great place to buy gear. Just don't rush out buying a ghillie suit or other such "leet" items till you actually get to a game and see what people actually wear. Creative Outdoors prices on mags and bb's are fucking outrageous, you can get them here for 1/3 the price.

[z0ng]

Originally Posted by TeamWolfpack

Don't buy your vests or web gear at surplus stores unless you don't mind 20 year old crap, or Asian made crap. Check out Blackhawk, HSGI, Tactical Tailor etc. or you will be sorry when you see that you are wearing replicrap, but, again it is all relative, to your financial situation. I find these forums and EBAY are a great place to buy gear. Just don't rush out buying a ghillie suit or other such "leet" items till you actually get to a game and see what people actually wear. Creative Outdoors prices on mags and bb's are fucking outrageous, you can get them here for 1/3 the price.

Ack! Replicrap, doesn't sound good

Well, I guess I'll see if I've been owned when I get out to my first game and have a chance to compare

Fortunately I didn't pick up any mags or bb's whilst there at least. Hopefully this influences other noobs before they buy a bunch of crap thinking it's all good. Ah the learning process, hammer that knowledge in! :smack:

[Fidget11]

Originally Posted by TeamWolfpack

Don't buy your vests or web gear at surplus stores unless you don't mind 20 year old crap, or Asian made crap. Check out Blackhawk, HSGI, Tactical Tailor etc. or you will be sorry when you see that you are wearing replicrap, but, again it is all relative, to your financial situation.

yeah those along with tiger tactical are great suppliers i have seen for gear, but i know that after using it i look at the stuff they sell at the surplus shops and see how it really is not as nice... it does of course come down to the individual financial situation but if you can get those really good brands it can be worth it.

[Bandit]

True Combat rules!

[z0ng]

"Enermy flag returned!"

[Major Clay]

Stay away from Tiger Tactical

[MercedeSChink]

Hey, i live in the GTA and have a couple of friends that live around aurora. I notice that there are a lot of forests in peoples backyards. For example, my friend pretty much has a forest in his back yard, perhaps you can just rent out some guys backyard or something and play there. Not sure if its the bet idea, but before i got into actual airsofting, thats pretty much all i did to prepare myself with some other friends. Anyways, I've been told its a stupid ideo, but i think why not use a perfect piece of land if theres no one around. This is IMO.

[thephenom]

Originally Posted by MercedeSChink

Hey, i live in the GTA and have a couple of friends that live around aurora. I notice that there are a lot of forests in peoples backyards. For example, my friend pretty much has a forest in his back yard, perhaps you can just rent out some guys backyard or something and play there. Not sure if its the bet idea, but before i got into actual airsofting, thats pretty much all i did to prepare myself with some other friends. Anyways, I've been told its a stupid ideo, but i think why not use a perfect piece of land if theres no one around. This is IMO.

It is a stupid idea, you'll keep getting told about it, so STOP suggesting it.

Airsoft is a sport to be played in a controlled environment AWAY from public's view. Unless he lives in the middle of nowhere and have 0% chance of anyone seeing them, then you can play given you have notify and authorized by the right authorities that you are playing with airsoft (guns that looks REAL).

[swatt13]

replicrap isnt a bad investment. i didnt know the diff when i started so i got one, they just fine for a noob even moderatley experienced player who still hasnt found the weapon and load out they want. buy the cheap stuff untill you know what gun your for sure 100% going to use; you may think you like a gun and when you get it that its going to be THE GUN, but after you play a while, you realise said gun lacks in certian areas, or doesnt quite fit you - your body - youyr playing style - ect EVERYONE buys the gun they think LOOKS the best as their first gun, the gun you end up with when you reach the novice experience WILL be different. but when that day comes, rejoice, cuz now you can start buying hi grade stuff (not that you wouldnt have been dumping large amounts of $$ on gear already) no doubt about it, there is a WORLD of difference between the 350$+ vests at seals action command, Blackhawk, HSGI, Tactical Tailor from those in the classifieds and surplus shops, but holy frick is it worth it. but ya, i would say dont buy a vest till you reach "that level" everyone here can attest to going through 3-4 vest before they found the one they liked
atleast 3-4 outfits before they found one they like/ suits theyre play
ATLEAST 3-4 guns before they found the gun they like (most still havent!)
but keep in mind you dont want to buy uber cheap shit, youll just ruin it for yourself, there is a happy medium.