Airsoft rifle for ds12 - co2 - clear - do they exist? <m>

[mjkacmom]

Sports Authority here is out of them, so I might have to go online, but I don't know much (ok - nothing) about them. Help!

 

[136368]

AIR RIFLES run off of either compressed air - or - CO2 systems. It depends how serious you are - proper, committed marksmen would use Anschütz or perhaps a Walther. They price in at around £2,500 tops.

AIRSOFT rifles are totally different. They are used to play - you guessed it - airsoft, which is a more fun version of paintballing (IMO). They fire 6mm plastic pellets at other players fully automatically (typically) at around 300 feet per second. They kind of sting but hurt less than paintballs. Typically they are powered by an electric motor and rechargeable batteries. Other airsoft guns, such as pistols, old style rifles, classic rifles and sniper rifles, could use methane gas (or the weaker 134a gas), spring actions (single fire of course) or - rarely - CO2 (although CO2 airsoft guns are rare, fiddly and hard to find).

Prices clock in for an electric airsoft rifle at about £200, including a free magazine (aka. "clip"). The fun part is that airsoft rifles look like real ones so you can specialise to your taste, be they AK47, MP5, G36 or even P90 replicas.

I'd also add that with airsoft, you can get really committed. You can accessorise with camouflage clothing, grenade launchers, smoke grenades, lasers, flashlights, night vision and all sorts of scopes.

 

[mjkacmom]

Thank you so much! I can't ask him, because I told him he wasn't getting one (before learning, that he was telling the truth, ALL of his friends either have them or are getting them). I'm pretty sure he doesn't want a spring loaded gun - would battery be a good bet? They are planning on some lawn wars - lol.

 

[SpecialK]

My sons both have airsoft rifles with the rechargeable batteries. An extra clip comes in handy because it's hard to reload in the middle of a game. Eye protection is a must as well.

 

[HeatherC]

You can buy them at Walmart. They have all the gear for airsoft.

They are very popular with the kids around here.

 

[136368]

Batteries are the status quo. Compressed gas is fun - recoil and noise - but the magazines hold less pellets, they weigh more and in cold weather, the gas pressure sinks and the range diminishes. Plus, loading the gas magazines can be time consuming.

Electric rifles are largely superior. You can install batteries with a higher voltage - thus increasing rate of fire - and with a higher amperage - increasing lifespan of the battery. You can also, on some rifles, include blowback kits. They're nothing amazing, but quite a bit of fun.

Also, look at the body of the gun. Most are high quality plastic but quite a few are now metal, which feels more real and increases durability. Also, the quality of the metal can differ. STAR SA80 (ak. L85) rifles are made from stamped steel, very nice. However, Classic Army MP5 rifles are made from pot metal - not so good.

You can always upgrade the internals of electric airsoft guns, with metal motor parts and so on.

Finally, a word on make. TM (Tokyo Marui) is the one to go for - they're tried and tested and they also have the widest collection of models. ICS and Classic Army are a tier up and will put you back by £10 - £20 a gun, but they are SO worth it for the metal bodies and superior build quality.

STAR is a new contender and so far their biggest sellers are the British SA80 rifle suite. They're a very nice quality, but if you want one of these guns, consider ARMY brand rifles. Same build quality, considerably cheaper (I've seen the two side by side - no way to tell which is which!)

And of course there are the cheaper rifles, which are coming on in leaps and bounds, including CYMA, Galaxy, BE and JLS (too many to count!)

If you want any advice, feel free to give me a PM with the rifle you're thinking of. I'll answer to the best of my knowledge

If you're looking for a sure fire winner, I have a few ideas including extras, should you want to splash out just that little bit more (some extras are a necessity to fun playing - such as a couple of high capacity magazines and a spare battery; some are frivolous - such as night vision and grenade launchers.)

Then there are handguns you may want to look at...

 

[RUDisney]

The most important accessory is eye protection.

My DS goes out on battles with his friends about once a month with his airsoft guns. They spend the day in the woods and have a blast.

I was leary about this activity at first, too, but it seems to be pretty benign.

 

[mjkacmom]

It seems like the only ones I can get in my price range are refurbished, like this one: http://www.hobbytron.com/ElectricMP5A3SubmachineGunRetractableStockAirsoftGunREFURB.html

The kid is getting an xbox with kinnect already! How are refurbished ones?

 

[mjkacmom]

The most important accessory is eye protection.

My DS goes out on battles with his friends about once a month with his airsoft guns. They spend the day in the woods and have a blast.

I was leary about this activity at first, too, but it seems to be pretty benign.

I already purchased the goggles.

 

[136368]

That looks good to me! MP5s are a safe model to go for.

Also look at:

http://www.gunnerairsoft.com/

I'd recommend an ARMY L85 (aka. R85).

It's $4 cheaper, brand new and has a better build quality. It's also a rarity in the US, setting your kid aside from the pack. EXCELLENT rifle, built and performs like a $200 rifle.

Another starter rifle I'd recommend is a CYMA AK-47, popping in at $93 new:

 

[136368]

One other one I've dug up:

CYMA MP5J, metal body and blowback, includes a battery and a high capacity magazine... for $108

I'd get this over and above the second hand MP5 not only because of price but also because a second hand rifle may have worn down internals, a repaired body or worse...

 

[mjkacmom]

Wow - thanks! I'll get it!

 

[mjkacmom]

Okay, that ones sold out - should I get one of the others? I did find it on another site for 138.

 

[136368]

Just as a final sign off, I thought I'd recommend a few necessities...

1. 240 round dual magazine - $7, holds a lot of ammo. Maybe even get two just to be sure!
2. 4000 BBs - $7, will last a while. They're 0.2g BBs, the usual weight. You can get heavier ones that will be more accurate, but they cost (very little) more and travel further.
3. Goggles, you have.
4. Camouflage clothing, preferably a heavy jacket for comfort... no sense in wearing fluorescent yellow tank tops
5. Battery, comes with the gun. You could get another one for $15 and a high amperage one at that. You could always upgrade to a 9.6V battery (usually you use 8.4V) to increase rate of fire (not firepower though) but they may wear out the gun's internals quicker.
6. Charger (should get one with the gun, if not you can nab a trickle charger (all you need) with a mini/small plug for about $10 - $15.

That's all you'd need or want to start with. Along the way you can add a silencer or tracer, a rail set, sights, lasers, flashlights, all sorts of fun stuff

 

[136368]

Okay, that ones sold out - should I get one of the others? I did find it on another site for 138.

I'll find another source. Will post back here!

 

[136368]

Okay, options in stock that should stand you in good stead for a first gun:

Jing Gong MP5J - $93.49. Comes with mini battery (fits in the fore grip), magazine, a charger and a few test BBs. Clicky.

Jing Gong MP5A4 - $93.49. Comes with large battery (fits in stock), magazine, a charger and a few test BBs. Clicky.

APS AKS-74N Electric Blow Back Rifle - $129.99. Comes with high capacity magazine (500 rounds!.) Electric blowback module fitted, metal body. Clicky.

Generic P90 W/Red Dot Silencer - $123. Comes with integrated red dot scope, silencer, low capacity magazine with fake bullets, metal upper receiver, 9.6V mini battery (fits in stock), BB loader and charger. Click.

CYMA AK47 - $109.95. Comes with magazine, battery, charger, sling, manual, cleaning rod. Clicky.

In order, I'd recommend the CYMA AK47, Jing Gong MP5A4, Jing Gong MP5J, Generic P90 and then the APS AKS-74N. All stockists I linked to say they're in stock.

 

[136368]

Scrub the CYMA AK47, I've found an ARMY AK47 for $70 that is better quality and more powerful!

Clicky!

Comes with hi cap magazine, battery and charger. You'd want a spare hi capacity magazine, maybe a spare battery and some BBs, etc.

 

[mjkacmom]

Scrub the CYMA AK47, I've found an ARMY AK47 for $70 that is better quality and more powerful!

Clicky!

Comes with hi cap magazine, battery and charger. You'd want a spare hi capacity magazine, maybe a spare battery and some BBs, etc.

I was out last night - this one is sold out, and one of your previous links doesn't work. Are these the plastic pellet guns? A previous link works and isn't sold out.

 

[136368]

I was out last night - this one is sold out, and one of your previous links doesn't work. Are these the plastic pellet guns? A previous link works and isn't sold out.

Drat, that was available last night. Hang on, I'll find something else...

 

[136368]

Right! Here we are! In order of price, low to high...

1. $109.95 - Click - From Airsoft GI - CYMA AK-47 - package contains magazine, battery, charger, sling, manual and cleaning rod. Pic:
   
2. $110.00 - Click - From Airsoft GI - JG MK5A4 - package contains battery, charger, gun, magazine and manual. Pic:
   
   
3. $110.00 - Click - From Airsoft GI - JG MK5A5 - package contains battery, charger, gun, magazine and manual. Pic:
   
   
4. $115.00 - Click - From Airsoft GI - CYMA AK74 - package contains battery, charger, manual, magazine, sling and cleaning rod. Pic:
   
5. $135.00 - Click - From Airsoft GI - KS P90 RD - package contains magazine, red dot scope battery, charger and manual. Pic:
   
   
6. $152.00 - Click - From WGC Shop - SRC XR-8 - package contains magazine and manual. Pic:
   
   

All should stand you in good stead. The P90 and the XR-8 are both a cut above the rest, it is true, but the CYMA AK-47 and AK-74 rifles are exceptional for their price.

Hope that helps!