You found airsoft, Now what?

This article is a compilation of the article that was originally posted by Maple and my input.

As you are new to the game/sport/hobby of Airsoft you need to get some ideas on how to proceed and to get involved with the game.

Step one is to understand that this game is not for everyone. And you have to make some decisions on what and how you’re going to play. The first is that this game is played with replicas that are very close or duplicates of the real steel weapons that are used by the military. In that, you have to show respect to the fact that people will not be able to tell the differences between the toy/gun that you’re holding and a real steel weapon. And it is not up to them to make that distinction.

It is up to you to display the respect and responsibility with the replicas that are used in Airsoft as the same as real steel.

Step two is to start getting familiar with the game/sport/hobby, this means reading. Ask questions, but please use the search buttons before you ask questions. Many of the questions that you may have could have been asked before and there is already an answer to it posted. Take the time to search; it does make it easier to find the answers.

In your reading you will find that there are quite a few characters that are out there playing this game. And many of them are frequent posters on forums like the Wisconsin Airsoft Associations forums. You will see a very diverse population of players from all over the state or country or even world depending on what forums you frequent. Remember that when you start reading about laws or actions of police or law enforcement, please take the time to know where it is that you are reading about. Laws are not the same for Airsoft from state to state or from town to town, so make sure of what you’re saying, and if you have a doubt, then don’t. The worst thing to do is post something that is not true regarding laws or the like.

Once you have a handle on the game from reading and have still decided to play in some of the largest and best games you are going to get the chance to play in, then you have to get your kit in order.

First is the Automatic Electric Gun (AEG ) or your primary gun for the game. There is a lot that you have read about in the forums as to what is the best and worst guns and manufacturers out there. There is a lot of discussion on those items day after day, and for some it happens to change from day to day on the quality of the parts from the manufacturers.

To be honest there are a large number of companies that make Airsoft guns, and some of them are very good at what they do. Some are not, but you will see that very quickly in the way that they are reviewed and the commentary from the users.

There has been a large flood of guns from China in the past months, and they have been some hit and miss on the quality. Some are very good and have been setting quite a good name for themselves over many months of players fielding them in skirmish level upgrades. This is good in that the pricing is lower to get into a decent gun now days.

There is also a number of retailers today that stock a large number of guns that are open for the new player and experienced player alike the ability to hold and to review hands on the product.

Now, you’re still reading so I will go over some of the basics you are going to need to play.

1: MOST IMPORTANT: ANSI z87.1 or z87.1+ (2003) rated Safety Glasses or Goggles.
2: Airsoft Gun and battery/charger
3: BB’s
4: High Ankle Boots
5: Good Clothing (this will be explained)
6: Water

There is a ton of additional items that can make the game easier to play or make your kit more complete, but these are the minimums.

You may ask why on some of the items… OK.

The rated safety glasses or goggles are mandatory, the bb’s will be flying all over the place and you need to protect your eyes. There is NO field that will allow a player to not have protective eyewear. And there is none that allow protective eyewear that is not rated. So, no military dust goggles or high school chemistry lab goggles.

The eyewear is typically age related, so you need to be aware of what the fields will want to have for eye protection. The common here in Wisconsin is that under 18 is a full paintball mask, over 18 you can wear shooting glasses that wrap around the eye socket. This is being replaced slowly by a full seal requirement for any age. The younger ages still have paintball mask requirements, but the older players can use full seal goggles or glasses that have a full seal around the eye socket. This is also quite common in other states like Illinois and Iowa.

The explanation of Good Clothing is actually quite simple. You are going to be running through the woods and through bushes and such, so wear long sleeves that cover your skin from getting cuts and scrapes from the things that are common in the woods. Wear long pants and not shorts; this will keep your legs protected from the brush and the things that you will find in the woods. This could be as simple as a set of surplus BDU’s from the local surplus store ($40 for the set). Or as expensive as the Crye Precision Combat Pants and Combat Shirt that retail around $320 for the pants and shirt alone. There is no ‘have to have’ for Airsoft, you can play in whatever you want to, but the bottom line is that you should consider that you will want to protect yourself from the forest and from bb’s. Take the time to pick up some decent clothes.

The boots should be at least high ankle boots that provide support to the ankle. This is important because you will be walking/running on uneven terrain and will roll your ankle at some point. All of us that have played for a few years have, the boots will mean the difference between playing and not for the rest of that day or longer. Boots are not very expensive and do make a great difference in the game and how protected your ankles are. Invest in them.

Water and food is also part of the game, the need to keep hydrated and nourished is very important. There have been many games that have had people be removed for the day from heat exhaustion. This is more common in the summer, but the winter is also possible. Remember to dress in layers, so you can keep the heat of your body regulated and keep from sweating as much as you can. This is very important in the winter and even more so in the summer. This may sound like I am contradicting the earlier statement of protective clothing, but you can find cloth blends that are geared toward seasons, and will provide the protection and not the added heat. Blends like the Nylon – Cotton or NyCO is a great summer weight fabric. While the Polyester – Cotton or PolyCotton is the better heat holder for colder climates.

Ok, so you got what you need to play a game. Now what?

You have picked the game and you are up to date on the forums for information and directions to the field, you have read the rules and are ready to go.

Not yet.

The evening before the game, review your equipment. Make sure your battery is charged and is ready to go, that your gun is running and you have a supply of BB’s for the day. Don’t worry about loading your mags the night before, you will have time tomorrow morning. Make sure you got a gun case for your gun to transport it to and from the field. Don’t put it in a bag, or try to use the box it came in. Gun cases are cheap from Walmart, Kmart, Fleet Farm or Gander Mountain you can find one for $15-20. You already spent a good amount on the gun, why take the chance to crush it in the trunk? Get a hard case and be done, you can’t go wrong with that.

Buy a duffle bag for all the rest of your setup.

Get to bed early.

Figure to arrive at the field at least 45 minutes before anything important is done. If the game says that it is chronographing at 9 am, then figure to be there at 8:15 am. When you get there, take a few minutes and walk around the safe zone. Get familiar with the safe zone, where it is on the field and what are the boundaries. Check in with the organizer/shack to pay any fees for the day. Get your waiver signed and get any other items that are part of the game that day. If you need BB’s, now would be the time to buy them.

As people will probably already be there, many of the players are very happy to let you take a look at their gear. DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING without permission. Some players have spent $1000’s on their gear and guns, don’t touch them. ASK, and they probably will let you take a look, but don’t assume that they will.

As you probably don’t have your full load out figured out yet, you will see some very impressive load outs on some of the players, and you can ask questions about it. You might be surprised by the answers, but you can get a good feel for what it takes to play in your area. Remember, that even if someone has spent $1000 on their load out, that doesn’t mean they are any good at the game. Some of the players you will see may have on very minimal load outs, and are some of the best players you will find in the game.

Don’t worry, you will find out how they play when you’re on the field with them.

Take the time to get your gear in order, load your magazines and get your battery in the gun for chronographing. Don’t dryfire your gun in the safe zone. It doesn’t matter if everyone else is; you take the time to be safe and DON’T DO IT! When the call goes out for chrono, be safe and courteous as you wait in line for your turn, don’t forget your goggles, you’re going to need them.

The game briefing is happening what do I do?

Listen; don’t fidget with your gun or gear. You should already be set anyway. Listen to the rules and to the scenario for the day. You will need this information as the day goes on. If you need to, take notes. REALLY take notes!

When the game starts, keep it cool. Nobody likes a hot head, and if you get yelled at by someone else, take the criticism and don’t yell back. In this game, honor is the basis of it, there is no paint marking that is left on your arm if you’re shot. It is your word against theirs, and you will find that there are times you are positive that you are hitting someone. But you are shooting short of their position, but it looks like you are right on and the bb’s are right there. Don’t make the assumption that if it looks like your hitting that you are. And don’t yell their hits at them. They will know if they are hit or not. And to be honest, if they are cheating, your hits are not going to get them out anyway. Neither will you yelling at them. If you’re positive that you’re hitting them, keep shooting at them, eventually they will call the hit.

This game is supposed to be fun, and if you have the tendency to get into yelling matches with people that are not calling their hits, you will really need to take the time to reign in that tendency.

Another thing that is good to do is get familiar with your gun and what it looks like to shoot at 50’, 100’ and further distances. Airsoft guns do not have the range of real steel, even if they look like they can shoot that far, they don’t. So, if you’re trying to shoot someone at 250’ with a stock AEG , give it up, you can’t shoot that far.

You can always change your load outs and build a load out that will work for you and that will take time. Don’t rush it. Some of it will depend on if you join a team or not. Some teams have a look that they are trying to work out, so having similar load outs is mandatory. So, before you go out and spend the money for a CIRAS vest and a bunch of Coyote colored pouches, find out if the team your thinking about has an Olive Drab color scheme or not, it can save you a lot of time and money.

In the end, this is a game that is fun. Take the time to have fun.