Airsoft Review

Choosing a Telescopic Rifle Scope or Laser or Red Dot Sight for Airsoft or Paintball

2009-01-06T07:31:00.000-08:00

A scope or sight makes playing airsoft even more fun in a number of ways. If you don't have one you should get one!

While not as essential as say for air rifle shooting where you often need to hit a 5p size target at 30 metres an airsoft scope can help in other ways

Telescopic scopes improve longer distance aimed shot accuracy - Very handy for sniping.
Brilliant for spotting enemy in cover (ambushes!) and - or at ranges way beyond rifle range.
Red dot and laser sights improve hit rates in fast reflex CQB and mad skirmishes.
And of course they make any airsoft rifle look very cool and are loads of fun to use (which has got to count for quite a bit I reckon)

There are 3 types to consider -

1 - Telescopic scopes As the name suggests you get magnified vision. These are ideal for snipers and general rifle combat.

Come in a wide range of sizes, for example -

3-9x40 is the most popular general purpose type but what does that mean?

3-9 - Means the magnification. In this example can be dialed between 3 and 9x (and all the numbers in between)
Very handy for multiple situations and ranges.
40 = lens size in millimeters. 40mm is a very good size. Good light capture and a wide field of view but not overly bulky.
By contrast a 4x32 would mean 4 x magnification only through a 32mm lens.

Cross hairs - There are many different types but for airsoft use you don't need to worry about this to much except as a fashion thing!

The 30-30 type is pretty standard and is fine (similar to a traditional plain X hair)
You'll see others with Mil Dot which is the military standard cross hair.
Just the job you may think but they are more expensive and the mil dot stuff is basically a range finding and distance estimation aid that's of little use until distances over a couple of hundred meters are reached. A nice to have but you don't need it.

Types 2 and 3 Red dot and Laser sights

These are not magnified - what you see is the real size as it is.
Perfect for FIBUA, CQB and close quarter stuff where you need reflex from the hip or fast semi aimed eye to sight shots (a la SWAT style)
Great for pistols as well.

2 - Red dot sight

Projects a red (or green) dot onto the inside of the lens.
Only you can see this dot - hopefully on your target.
You fire and you hit.
Very handy for reflex combat and pistols.
The bigger the lens the better. 20mm is common and OK. 40mm more pricey but much better. (Tasco do some great ones)

3 - Laser sights

Similar principle to the red dot except the dot is "visibly visible"" on the target - anyone can see it.
Brilliant for scaring the hell out of the enemy, but it can give you away too so use with care!
Best in low light, but any decent laser will still give you visible dot even in standard daylight, though effective range will be much less.
Various types, some can go on top of a telescopic sight.
Others can be mounted slung under the barrel or pistol grip.

Makes include, the SMK LS1, LS2 and LS3 models, Hawke Tactical, Beamshot and Cybergun Universal. All are excellent with SMK being at the budget end (I sell loads of them on ebay)

Mounts and base rails - VERY IMPORTANT! An important area and one that causes a lot of confusion on ebay! - To fit a scope or sight to a rifle of pistol there must be somewhere to clamp it onto. Makes sense yes? (not to some people it doesn't!)

Look for dovetail type grooves running along the top of the rifle body - This is the scope or sight rail or base.
To this rail or base you attach the scope or sight by way of scope mounts
But just to make it extra fun there are different type of mounts as rails - bases differ in width!

But OK, assuming you have a base rail of some sort. Next -

Measure the distance between the grooves of the base.

If it's no more than 13mm wide (3/8 inch) then you need what are called standard mounts
If it's 20mm wide (5/8 inch) then you have what is called a Weaver base and need weaver mounts (inventors name)

Most airsoft models need weavers. Examples that spring to mind are the TM M4, SR16, SG550-51-52 series, MP5.
Some sniper types have Standard.
It's not a problem if you measure up first and check that the sight or scope you are getting has the right type
Take extra care with models that have fitted mounts. These cannot be changed so if you get the wrong type they'll have to be sent back and swapped for a totally different model.
If in doubt read the product description carefully or email the seller to ask for clarification and include your gun make, model and link to website so the seller can check it out fast.

Nickwake (my) ebay shop fast guide to airsoft suitable scopes and sights

Telescopics -

4x20 - Only come with fitted Standard mounts. Do not buy or bid for if you have a weaver base.
4x32, 3-9x32, 4x40, 3-9x40, 4-12x42 and 8x56

All come without mounts so you choose mount type.

All models can all have the SMK LS2 scope mounted laser sights added to give you telescopic AND relex shooting.

Red dots -

Type 1 - "Open eye" with fitted standard mounts
Type 2 - Tasco BKR - with fitted weaver mounts (a very cool sight this one)

Lasers -

Type 1 - LS2 Scope mounted. A long term best seller. Available on own or as part of a combo set or add on if you win an auction.
Type 2 - Cybergun Laser and Torch - with various adaptors, can be barrel slung. Also come with a tactical torch. Very cool kit.

So, want to get one? I hope you know what you need to know now and to see you online soon! Or, for more scope guide stuff see my website zero rifle scopes

Nick Moseley runs Hunting-Shooting-Fishing http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Hunting-Shooting-Fishing on ebay and is a Gold Powerseller specialising in rifle scopes, red dot sights, laser sights, Realtree clothing, Realtree accessories and military styöe kit for hunting, shooting paintball and airsoft Also fishing sections with rods and reels from Fladen of Sweden.

He also runs http://www.zeroriflescope.co.ukroriflescope.co.uk a site set up to address many questions that were being asked about setting rifle scopes and laser sights up after the sale which were taking up loads of time the answers mostly being the same. It's proven very popular and gets 50-150 unque visitors a day purely from natural search and link referral traffic.

There are site sections on how to find places to hunt and shoot, scope terminology, types of scopes and choosing mounts. This is also a free download of the US Army Sniper Training guide, links to downloadable military thriller audiobooks.

Airsoft AEG

2009-01-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

Automatic electric guns

An AEG modeled after an AK-47

Electric-powered airsoft guns typically use a rechargeable battery to drive an electric motor, which cycles an internal piston/spring assembly in order to launch pellets. Automatic and semi-automatic operation is possible which gives these guns the popular name "automatic electric guns" or AEGs^[3]. These guns often attain muzzle velocities between 150 and 500 ft/s (60 to 150 m/s) and rates of fire of between 100 and 2000 rounds per minute. They are the most commonly used and widely available type of airsoft gun.

These type of guns were developed in Japan and the Japanese company Tokyo Marui dominates the market. In a Tokyo Marui AEG, the motor drives a series of 3 gears mounted inside a gearbox. The gears then compress a piston assembly against a spring. Once the piston is released, the spring drives it forward through the cylinder to push a pellet into the chamber, through the barrel, and forward from the muzzle. Many manufacturers have now more or less replicated this basic model, adding reinforced parts or minor improvements.

An illustration of the gearbox's workings

Jing Gong Steyr AUG AEG

These guns are powered primarily by nickel cadmium (NiCad) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) with varying voltages and milliampere hours ratings. The most common battery is an 8.4 V large battery (usually about 2400 mA•h.) Also available are 8.4 V "mini" batteries, which generally have 900-1700 mA•h capacities. Voltages for large batteries range from 7.2 V, all the way up to 12 V. The rule of thumb usually is the higher the mAh, the longer the battery lasts while the higher voltage, the higher Rate of Fire (RoF). However, Now, (Li-po) or Lithium-Polymer are just coming into the airsoft world. These battery can last long and have higher mAh and Volts while at the same time, being small and light. (Li-po) batteries are usually at 11.1 V and At varying mAh from 500 mAh to 2400 mAh.

External modifications, such as metal bodies and reinforced plastics that make AEGs look and feel even more realistic, have become very popular. AEG manufacturers such as Classic Army and Tokyo Marui produce replicas that are visually nearly identical to their real counterparts. Tokyo Marui, however, sticks with a durable ABS plastic where as Classic Army features full metal bodied guns and stronger furnishings. Most AEGs produced as of late are designed to be as visually realistic as possible.

The two most common AEGs fielded by players are the AR-15 series (M16 rifle, M4 carbine, etc.; sometimes referred to as the Armalite or Colt series) and the Heckler & Koch MP5 series, because parts for repairs or modifications/customization are commonly available. Also popular are the AK or Kalashnikov, the Heckler & Koch G36 and more recently, the Springfield M14.

Why Airsoft Pellet Weights Matter

2008-12-22T16:31:00.000-08:00

The weight of the pellets you use for your airsoft guns greatly affects trajectory, accuracy, and distance. In airsoft games especially, you want your pellets to go as far and as accurate as possible. While the airsoft gun itself plays a major role in determining accuracy, it is important not to dismiss the effects of the pellets themselves.

The two most popular weight types are .12g and .20g. Low end guns, such as basic spring and electric pistols, primarily utilize .12g pellets, although most do function with .20g ones. The reason for this is that .12g pellets put less strain on the internal systems of these guns.

For higher end airsoft guns, .20g and .25g are the best options. While .12g BBs initially have greater velocities than weightier pellets, they decelerate faster and are more susceptible to external environmental factors. Heavier BBs are more stable and are generally more accurate than lighter pellets, but at too high a weight their velocity is not great enough for significant distance to be achieved. In airsoft games, you will rarely find anyone using .12g pellets, as they are vastly inferior to .20g and .25g ones.

Weights beyond .25g should not be used in standard airsoft guns, although they are appropriate for airsoft sniper rifles. For example, the standard weight for a quality sniper rifle is .30g. As the weight of an airsoft pellet increases, so must the specifications of an airsoft gun. To support a .30g BB, an airsoft gun must be very high quality, and depending on the gun, may even need upgrades.

The heaviest pellet that you will probably never see in your life is .88g. Besides being incredibly slow, they are made of steel and thus cannot be used in airsoft games. If you ever come across one, the best advice to follow is to avoid being hit at all costs.

Justin Kander is a partner in the online business http://www.eastcoastairsoft.com

EastCoastAirsoft carries tons of airsoft rifles, as well as a variety of airsoft pistols.

Thompson M1A1 Military

2008-12-22T16:08:00.000-08:00

Thompson M1A1 Military

Velocity: 312 with 0.2g BBs
Energy: 0.95 Joule
Weight: 3.25Kg
Length: 820 mm

Hop-up: Adjustable

Capacity: 420 rounds

Made By: ACM (CyberGun)

Metal body and gearbox with simulated wood grain finish
Full metal gear box with reinforced steel gears and metal bushings
2-way adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.

This is an authentic replica of the Thompson Sub Machine Gun: "The gun that helped to change the world". The original was used triumphantly by the US Army Cavalry in World War II. The Auto Ordnance Corporation produced more than 1,750,000 Thompson Sub Machine guns which were used to help repel Nazi Germany from Europe. This is an airsoft replica with superior detail.

Airsoft AEG - ARMY AK-47

2008-12-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

AK-47

Velocity: 315 with 0.2g BBs
Energy: 1 Joule
Weight: 2.90Kg
Length: 870 mm

Hop-Up: Adjustable

Capacity: 300 rounds

Made By: ARMY

Metal body, barrel, gearbox and sights

Plastic "wood effect" stock, foregrip and grip

AK 47 History

The notched rear tangen iron sight is adjustable, and is calibrated in hundreds of meters. The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Windage adjustment is done by the armory before issue. The battle setting places the round within a few centimeters above or below the point of aim out to about 250 meters (275 yd). This "point blank range" setting allows the shooter to fire the gun at any close target without adjusting the sights. Longer settings are intended for area suppression. These settings mirror the Mosin Nagant and SKS rifles which the AK-47 replaced. This eased transition and simplified training.

Build Quality

The outer barrel and upper receiver are metal but the lower receiver, butt hand guard and pistol grip are wood effect ABS.

A nice light gun with a good rate of fire, another good thing about it is it can take almost any make of AK magazine on the market including the drum magazines (if that’s what your in to) The hop-up is easily adjusted depending on the BB weight used.

If you don’t like the wood effect ABS plastic grips, rest assured that they are available separately. The ARMY AK47 comes with a hi-cap wind up magazine which lacks quality, so be advised that a replacement magazine is necessary.

Improve Rate of Fire & Feet Per Second of your Airsoft Gun

2008-12-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

AirsoftPress have released a new e-book aimed at helping the average airsofter to increase the FPS and ROF of an average AEG. Put simply it is a guide on Airsoft Gun Optimization.

To achieve ultra high FPS, you need to make sure the entire mechbox mechanism is optimized in such a way that the desired FPS can be produced without sacrificing ROF and battery life. High FPS performance must be achieved with practicality in mind – you should not need to trade off power with other performance factors, and the gears should not get striped too easily.

On the other hand, to achieve ultra high ROF you’ll need to make sure the entire mechbox mechanism is optimized in such a way that piston movement is fast enough to produce the rate of fire desired. That means you need to use techniques to reduce the friction introduced due to fast movement, to ensure the spring can rebound fast enough after compression, and to reduce the overall workload of the gears and the motor.

The primary goal of this guide is to help you improve FPS and ROF in a cost effective way. Different mechbox modification techniques are covered. Additionally, the issues of air tightness and battery configuration which are outside of the mechbox but are still highly relevant to the overall airsoft AEG performance are also addressed.

The goal of proper air sealing is to fill every gap along the air flow path to minimize air leakage and create an efficient environment for propelling BBs out of the barrel. We teach you how to maximize air seal at the two most critical areas along the air flow path, which are the cylinder set (from piston to air nozzle) and the Barrel / Hopup set.

The correct voltage on which an AEG motor is required to operate is critical. Every motor model is unique. Different models have different operating characteristics. In general, a 5% decrease in voltage can often translate into a 10% decrease in motor torque. The goal of this section is to help you determine the correct type of battery pack to use for your AEG, as well as to teach you the corresponding charging techniques.

Many Airsoft dealers are using the AirsoftPress

publications as a reference guide when repairing broken AEG’s. The beauty of being able to repair or tweak your own Airsoft gun is that you save money on repair services and have the satisfaction of repairing your own gun.

To get a copy of MechBox Pro Click Here!

Airsoft

2008-12-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

What is Airsoft?

Airsoft as a sport has been around since 1950s East Asia, specifically Japan where firearms were difficult or impossible to obtain due to local laws; sought a legal alternative for enjoying their passion. Airsoft is still today most popular in several Asian regions, such as Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and to a certain extent, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The vast majority of airsoft guns, accessories, and after market upgrade parts are also manufactured in these countries.

Airsoft participants organize meetings, either indoors or outdoors, at dedicated airsoft battlefields to play a variety of games ranging from short-term skirmishes, organized scenarios, military simulations, or historical reenactments. Combat situations on the battlefield often involve the use of common military tactics to achieve the objectives set in each game.

The guns used in a skirmish vary considerably, from SMG’s (sub machine guns), assault rifles, sniper rifles and pistols. The most common type of gun found in a skirmish is an AEG or Auto-Electric-Gun, mainly due to high rate of fire and long charge time in the battery used. Airsoft guns are all too often confused with BB guns and this is something that cause damage to the reputation of the sport. A Bb Gun operate under spring, gas or pump and are capable of propelling a metal bearing at speeds approaching 1000 fps. These devices are used by some shooters as a practice weapon or to hunt fowl and small game. While an airsoft gun can operate under gas, spring or electric power and fire a 6mm plastic pellet at speeds around 300fps.