Tips for playing airsoft in the winter?

[Doc]

I searched around the WAA posts but, I have not seen any tips for playing airsoft in the winter/cold weather. And I could really use some as I just started in the summer.

I have heard everything from don't bring your best gun to a game in the winter because it may break to use a heating pad to keeping your battery warm etc but nothing for sure.

So any experience/tips/advice would be a great help to me as I attempt to
prepare for the winter season of airsoft.

[seppuku]

you must practice your search skills young grasshopper.... ;)

start here (http://www.wiairsoft.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488&highlight=winter) for tips on gear.

[seppuku]

p.s. although this thread (http://www.wiairsoft.com/forums/showthread.php?t=656&highlight=winter) was originally started in relation to the topic of cold weather and gas, it does touch upon other cold weather concerns on the later pages.

[Doc]

Ahh ok thanks I found the topic with the gas but not the first one you linked.

Oh the other question I didn't see an answer for was, what kind of gloves would be good for the winter? I have my normal kind of winter gloves but I don't think it would be easy to hold a gun pull out mags etc with them.

[BoBgOdS66]

Menards has mechanics gloves for about 13 dollars, these are tough but not very worm, however they will maintain your dexterity. What I would do is just try the gloves at your house in the capacities you mentioned above, try reloading and squeezing the trigger while their on. In the end only you can make the call on whether or not the gloves will work. With my G3SAS I could wear almost anything because the trigger was large and had a large space within the trigger guard. However, my M-14 would be a little bit more of a squeeze. Remeber, with any glove there will be a marginal loss of dexterity, hopefully the benefits will outway having frozen fingers.

P.S. You can always canabalize some old gloves by cutting the index finger off. They also sell shooting gloves like this, but that also have a mitten like end that can cover your fingers in down tme. They have a whole assortment of gloves at CTD (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com)

[seppuku]

They also sell shooting gloves like this, but that also have a mitten like end that can cover your fingers in down tme.that's what I used last winter. They're not actually shooting gloves, just winter gloves with the fingers cut off, and then mitten "caps" that you can flip over your fingers. And I wore regular shooting gloves under those.

[DKruse]

Some guns (i know all M-16/M-4/M-733) have a releaseable trigger guard (the bottom bar that is directly below the trigger in otherwords) if you put a pin or small object like that in the side that has the hole, it will release it swinging it down like a trap door, it's made especially for winter occasions so you don't have to squeeze your glove into the trigger area.

[Razor]

I guess my only advice that others haven't posted is to bring extras (socks, mittens/gloves, hat, even boots). If you get wet it's good to change that wet gear, besides feeling more comfortable. Once you find gear that you know will stay dry and warm then it's safer to have just one. I know I end up switching hats at least twice per skirm as sweat and water buildup. Also, they make mittens for the military with a seperate trigger finger. Not sure if Gary has them but they're pretty interesting. Here's a link to a site that has them (I've never ordered from them so I can't vouch for them, I'd suggest a google on "military mitten") http://www.fatiguesarmynavy.com/store/item/US0515

[Texx]

From what I have read from several other airsofters who play in the snow, regarding your gun, be prepared to:

Replace the gears, gear box, piston, plastic body parts, nozzle, hop bucking.

All of these parts can become brittle in the cold. I have also read accounts of metal body parts breaking.

One player recommended using a P90 as he was able to put handwarmer packets in the butt, where the mechbox and battery are stored.

Battery life decreases in cold weather.

I read the casualty report from an Alaskan Game where they were playing in 7 to 12 degrees weather: 10 players - 8 broken AEGs.

[shooter]

Yea and I heard from somebody in band camp...........
If you take care of your equipment you will not have any probelms with it. Dress warm (dress in layers), bring extra clothing incase you get wet, and bring something to drink, you need to hydriate even in the cold weather. If you start to sweat wear something that you can take off or open up, you do not want to start sweating then set around and get a chill.
I have taken cold weather survival courses in the military and the above items are the most important.
I have played airsoft in alaska and we had no problems at all with our gear, as long as you dont get it wet. I agree that the metal bodys can have a problem cracking but you are talking prolonged freezing then sudden warming.
But that is just from what I have see and done, not from what I have heard.

[Night Stalker]

I would have to respectfully disagree with that above.

When we all started until a year ago, we all played all year long. The first statewide game at Germers land it was about that temp and LOWER. Go here to read it..

http://www.grpwrct.com/airsoftimages2003.htm

It was 7 degrees the first game, and -3 the second. Not one broken AEG. body or internals. It had no affect.
I played both games, in fact, I played all the games year round from 1994 till 2002 with only 2 minibatts. And anyone that knows me, knows I love the trigger.
We have heard all the wives tales and rumors about brittle metal and plastic, all rumors and no truth what-so-ever. Just stories passed around the various airsoft boards. It hasn't ever had any effect above what affects it in the summer. I can think of one time a guy fell on his SR-16, but it wouldn't have mattered what temp it was for that fall. And of course Timmay did the same thing in summer. lol
Of course anyone that knows me also knows most of us gave up that sub-arctic airsofting, and I won't play in the cold at all. lol

So things to look for in the cold besides the obvious cold warnings..
batt life will go down, but not as much as you think. But it will go down. Gas guns don't work. Your fingers and toes will get cold without the hand warmers. And the weather has no effect on your shots and range. But your shivering will.

[Timmay]

If anything it will cause a faster drain on the battery.

And i fell on mine because there was a bear eyeing me up on the field.

[Tank]

In cold weather, here's my advice.

Handwarmers are your freind.
I put them in my pockets, in my utility pouches (where I keep my spare batteries), etc.

(As has already been said) Dress in layers, bring extra dry clothes for the ride home, etc.

For gloves: I really like the US G.I. "shooter's mittens". (especially in rreally cold weather)

Boots: Something nice & insulated. Regular combat boots are CRAP in cold weather. My favorite cold weather boots...The US G.I. "Mickey Mouse" boots. As long as you remember to keep the valve closed you really can't beat 'em IMO.

[Vigilante]

Now, I thought about putting a handwarmer in with my batteries as well, but shouldnt you put a protective layer between the warmer and batteries so you dont heat them up too much? Or is that not really a problem? I thought about like a paper towling folded a couple times or something. Or, if I kept them against my body, in my BDU pocket by my chest, would that be enough to keep them warm?

[Texx]

I would have to respectfully disagree with that above.

I'm just passing on what I read and what I was told.

I was more concerned about getting my newly reassembled heap wet than about parts freezing or snapping.

[Night Stalker]

I wanted to make sure I added the respectfully part so as not to offend. far too much gets taken out of context around here. :)
The more important thing... protect your butt from the cold.

[Maple]

For gloves, I use Fox (brand name) thermal paw MX/ Sno-cross gloves. They are lite-weight, fairly warm, and have decent mobility for pulling the trigger.

[Beest]

I've never had a problem in winter as well. As long as it's above 25or so the jungle boots stay on. It it gets colder,it's a lightweight pair of hunting boots.

[Vigilante]

I've never had a problem in winter as well. As long as it's above 25or so the jungle boots stay on. It it gets colder,it's a lightweight pair of hunting boots.

Wow, I wore the jungle boots up to one game, forget which one, and it was just frosty outside and my feet were cold, I also had on wool socks.

I wore my good hunting boots when it was cold, and I had feet warmers in there too, and still, even then, my feet were clammy and frozen.

[Beest]

I never said my feet didn't get cold.....

I prefer them to the 15 pounds of hunting boot or so. They just are the transportation mode of choice.

[nemesis]

for boots i always use just use workboots with a lite insulation and wear a set of fleese socks or warm socks made for the cold

yes the feet start to get cold just like in anyboot if you are out there long enouph they are going to regardless...It just takes time

[Vigilante]

I had toe warmers in my boots today, and well, I like them, and my feet never got cold. My fingers were freezing on the other hand.

[SigPro552]

I also suggest the warmers. I had a normal pair of socks with ski socks on over that, no warmers, and my feet were fine. As far as gloves go, I would suggest thin gloves, then handwarmers, then winter gloves. Paired with a couple layers of top an bottom and/or underarmor, you should be decently warm; I was.

[Vigilante]

Well, when I came home, my uncle had these girly looking gloves, but they are thinsulate layers and keep you really warm, I thought about picking some up, for like 3 or 4 bucks.

[seppuku]

i tell you what, until yesterday's game i had no idea how detrimental cold weather could be on battery life. I knew that I would see a decrease in longevity, but I had no idea it would be as bad as it was....

With my upgraded G36, in warmer weather the 1100mah 8.4V mini battery i have is good for about 2 hicaps, or around 1000 rounds. Unforunately, I don't know how that exactly compares to using it with my gun pre-upgrade, because I never ran the battery all the way down. But I do know that I could get at least 2 hicaps with just a 600mah mini. As a somewhat related side-affect, there was also a significant and very noticeable drop in rate of fire, post-upgrade.

And that decrease in ROF seemed to be even greater yesterday...as was battery longevity -- that same 1100 wouldn't last for even 1 full hicap, and my old 600mah minis were even less productive. After working OK for a short while, it would get to the point where there just wasn't enough juice to cycle the gun -- I could get a small burst off, then nothing. Then a single shot. Then nothing. Then maybe another single shot or short burst. Then nothing.

I really think the issue (with ROF and battery longevity) might be the discharge rate of the mini batteries I'm using. I plan to shoot an e-mail to the guy at Only Battery Packs (http://www.onlybatterypacks.com/) to see what he recommends, because i'd rather not run an external PEQ or battery bag, and I don't want to modify the gun by cutting pieces off in order to accomodate a larger battery. But as things currently stand, even in the warmer weather (and especially in the cold) the batteries I'm using just aren't cutting it. For those that have played in freezing conditions, haveyou run into any battery problems like this? I suppose I could have thrown a hand-warmer in the foregrip, but would that have even made a difference?



On top of the battery problems yesterday, one of my two hicaps (the one with less of a feeding problem) decided to freeze up. Although I guess it didn't really matter anyway, given my battery problem. :( It seems to be working fine now though, so I'm guessing it had something to do with the cold....maybe some moisture got in there and froze or something. The "winding wheel" worked, but the mag wouldn't hold any tension....if that makes sense.

P.S. My phalanges got really cold as well yesterday if I stood around for too long (more than 10 minutes). I may have to get some warmer winter gear...

[garyb]

I spoke with Jeff at onlybatterypacks, he told he that the cold below 32 degree you will lose 30-40% battery life. The higher the mah the longer the battery will run. He said keeping the battery warm is about the only thing that will help against the cold.

[KA-JJ]

When I played in the cold last year, i had mini's and they seem to 'freeze' everygame. I usually wore two pairs of pants. Put the batteries in your under pants pocket or whever you want to put it. Its better than in a case or in a BDU pocket. The more warmth you can get, the better.

[Agent J]

Something that really helps, if you're using the fingerless gloves, is to wear those cheap super-thin cotton gloves underneath the fingerless gloves for extra protection on the fingers. It also really helps provide insulation if there's a lot of windchill.

[hippy12]

yea, my first skirmish is going to be the 23rd? of jan. at the dragon's lair.....and my pistol is CO2, will it work?

[Agent J]

at rainbow redeemer i had 10 minutes battery life tops...so much for that game. I left after the first half, not much point staying; it was freezing and i had no weapon.

[Doc]

Yea 2 of my guns frooze/broke, and my springer side arm jammed. It was too cold out.

[Nesbit]

yea, my first skirmish is going to be the 23rd? of jan. at the dragon's lair.....and my pistol is CO2, will it work?

Not well

[BoBgOdS66]

You could rig it up to HPA but then... no, thats crazy and not worth it. CO2 pistols are unregulated and the cooldown will be awfull in winter weather. If it is anything like today was, well, springers will have their day.

[Ameoba Grande]

when ever i play a winter skirmish i usually put a hand warmer in my handguard where my battery is. It helps some what, and those handwarmers last for like 6 hours or something.

[Vigilante]

Even then, Stylin's springer shotgun wasnt workin all too well, but it was new too. I beleive it was his shotgun. I guess nothign works good in the winter.

[SINN FEIN]

yea, my first skirmish is going to be the 23rd? of jan. at the dragon's lair.....and my pistol is CO2, will it work?

If it is cold enough, instead of shooting pellets, your gun will shoot C02 crystals :-)

[hippy12]

yea, that'd be cool? haha hmmm...well it seems that im not suited for winter combat.....got an mp5, and the handwarmer probably wont fit in the hand grip :( and my only other gun is a CO2 pistol.......oh well that's what i get i guess for not having a job.

[Vigilante]

Well, actually it just might. with a small battery in the foregrip a warmer just might fit. I wouldnt say that you are not suited to play in winter, just bring ur gun, battery, some bb's and wear your winter clothes. You don't have to wear a BDU in this, if you want to wear what you wear skiing or snowboarding or snowmobiling, go right ahead, as long as you keep warm so we dont have to amputate your frozen fingers, then you should do fine. Safety before coolness.

[Agent J]

Safety before coolness.

Just recaping:

Double-socks and gloves (especially if you're not using warmers) and several layers are a must if the temps below 0. Anything less than that will literally incapacitate you after a half hour or so.

You should try your hardest (dont break anything though) to get a hand warmer in with your battery, because it can get drained in less than 10 mins if its below 0.

[bikemancs]

Hey guys, just wanted to remind those of you who use Camelbacks /Hydrostorms/whatever for hydration. During winter do NOT wear these 'externally' as you do in the summer. Just had mine freeze up on me on my Last outdoor training exercise. Wear them just over your t-shirt or such. Keep the hose inside your clothing OR clear the hose after you use it every time... otherwise it becomes useless!

Just a tip (WW3er's take note)