TimeOut

Just curious, any members of the community into airsoft?
Jul 11 2008,08:30 AM

gas powered (or AEG electric motor powered) 6mm or 8mm plastic bb firing toy firearms?

Just curious...

Cheers,

TM

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the only ones I've played with are pretty toy-ish
Jul 11 2008,09:15 AM

they make more professional ones that are more fun?

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"they can be very realistic on the high end."
Jul 11 2008,11:49 AM

As DRMW notes, "they can be very realistic on the high end."

Oh, boy, can they!

Handling is very realistic (including controls that work like RealSteel models) and high end models are far more accurate and have far longer ranges than most of the "springers" that most people think of when they hear "airsoft."  Some of these models are EXACTLY the same dimensions and weight as their RealSteel counterparts.

It's not unusual to be able to shoot one ragged hole with 10 rounds at 20 feet; even 3" 20 shot groups at 50 feet.

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It would be interesting to see the HK P7.
Jul 11 2008,14:07 PM

The HK P7 "squeeze cocker" 9mm looks like the real deal.  The difficulty would be trying to copy the feel of the mechanism of the H&K grip/lever system.  The Sig looks good too.  How's the magazines look?

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You'll see next week. VERY impressive...
Jul 11 2008,16:39 PM

;-)

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didnt know they had "high end" airsoft
Jul 11 2008,23:16 PM

thought was mostly toys and such

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There are some incredibly realistic "high end" pieces...
Jul 12 2008,14:52 PM

in pistols, they pretty much start around $120 (most that are less tend to have spotty quality, or have poor performance, e.g., low muzzle velocity or highly inconsistent accuracy.)

Most from the major producers - Tokyo Marui, Western Arms, KSC/KWA in the US; there are some other very good brands like Marushin and Tanaka Works that are not widely available in the US - are pretty impressive.

The "springers" and lower end ($10-$90) gas guns are pretty consistently "toy like" and "lob" their bbs.

The rifles and SMG's - either gas or electric "AEG" - are also pretty darned impressive.  Classic Army; Tokyo Marui are at the top of the heap in the US (there are other high end brands outside the US); Echo 1, ICS, others are (close) seconds.

These run $200 to $450.

There is also a very high end parts house turned complete gun brand that has created a whole new standard - Systema out of Japan.

The AEG's have pretty much driven the gas rifles and SMGs into extinction, but there is a thriving niche market that looks at old time gas rifles made by mostly extinct companies like JAC, MGC, Asahi, et al as the pinnacle of both realism and performance. "Classic airsoft" tend to shoot hot (400-600 FPS)  and tend to be very realistic, including brand and proof marks. 

The older gas pistols were highly realistic in their feel and weight, though their gaskets and valve designs are obsolete and not quite as reliable and consistent as the post Magna blowback period (introduced by Western Arms)

MGC HK P7 (shown) and Tanaka HK USP heavy weight; MGC Glocks heavyweight, et al are from that period, and man, are they realistic in feel!  I wouldn't use them if my skirmishing life depended on them, though. 

Cheers,

TM

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does target shooting at a range count?
Jul 11 2008,09:55 AM

i used to shoot lots at the local shooting range when i was in high school...

the idea of it is very much like airsoft but only with real ammo...

i had a fully race-trimmed 1911 (actually, still has it but not doing much of it now) set up for International Practical Shooting Competition sort of games.

 

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Would love to see your IPSC race gun...
Jul 11 2008,11:51 AM

I know of at least two more lurking around here...

;-)

But I was specifically thinking about airsoft that shoots 6mm or 8mm plactic bb's at 200-400 FPS.

Cheers,

TM

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Tell me more....
Jul 11 2008,10:02 AM

I am just getting into this.  As I am finding out, they can be very realistic on the high end.  I guess we need to do a GTG to introduce Purists around here to the world of airsoft.  Anyone interested?

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yep...
Jul 11 2008,11:52 AM

;-)

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of course I am in. just let me know when [nt]
Jul 11 2008,11:54 AM

No message body

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Wish we could make the exhibition opening; that would be a perfect
Jul 11 2008,12:00 PM

segue to a gtg along these lines!

Unfortunately, most of the local guys are OOT this weekend...

:-(

But yes, let's do this as soon as we can!

TM

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Count me in.
Jul 11 2008,16:24 PM

Just give me enough advance notice. It be nice to do something other than paintballing.

I always wanted to get some airsoft guns, but they must be a nightmare to travel with.

Jon

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Cool! Wait till you hang with us the first time...
Jul 11 2008,16:39 PM

you'll have a chance to "try before you buy..." - one of the things I've learned is that what seems great "on paper" doesn't necessarily work with your hands/eyes/sense of aesthestics.

I don't think you'll be able to carry on; will likely have to check in, with orange tip declared.

 

TM

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Not that hard to travel with...
Jul 11 2008,16:59 PM

It's actually not that hard to travel with check-in baggage.  Of course there is a procedure of declaring it even though it is not a real firearm.  Make sure you have a separate locked case  and apply the tag  on it THEN place it inside your regular suitcase when at the counter.  Don't let the people at the counter stick the tag on the out side of your suitcase.  This applies to travel CONUS, don't know about international.  Checkout the FAA website for more info.  Hope this helps. -MW
This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-07-11 17:14:14

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It doesn't sound that bad...
Jul 11 2008,22:36 PM

Can't wait until the ThePurist Airsoft/Gun Academy opens!

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Don't forget beer in a brown paper bag at that burger joint beforehand :P
Jul 12 2008,20:17 PM

Forgot the name of the burger place :P

Nothing like a slight hangover from the drinking too much wine the night before and firing guns at the range the next day  

Cheers,
Anthony

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Tommy's chiliburger is great right before a shooting session [nt]
Jul 14 2008,19:14 PM

No message body

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count me in too!
Jul 14 2008,19:13 PM

I've been a 'real steel' shooter for quite a few years (IPSC, long range rifle, skeet, and sporting clays).  Recently got a KWA KP8 which is the H&K USP compact.  I'm impressed with how realistic it is and surprised at how fairly accurate gas blow back airsoft is.  Looking forward to hearing more about the P7 and Sig in ThomasM's pics. 

Airsoft GTG sounds like fun, count me in!

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A few quick pics of my IPSC unlimited 'baby' and airsoft
Jul 14 2008,19:49 PM

Here's a pic of my racegun, built on an STI frame with a lightened Caspian Arms slide, Scheumann hybrid port barrel w/ comp, C-More Serendipity optics, chambered in .357 Sig:

And one more of my STI next to a Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 5.1 airsoft GBB. 

This message has been edited by ED209 on 2008-07-14 19:50:37

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