Airsoft Action - February 2017

T H E

N U M B E R

O N E

A I R S O F T

M A G A Z I N E !

AIRSOFT ACTION

ARMOURY

AW VX0100 NUPROL AK21 ASG M15 DEVIL SPR WE M712 SCHNELLFEUER

EVENTS

ENGLAND V SCOTLAND FF 2ND BIRTHDAY BASH ACTION AIR - NPPC LEVEL 1

INTERNATIONAL

DUST MONKEY FEB 2017

DEBATE

|

SITE REPORT

POCKET ROCKET TOKYO MARUI MAC10

THE BOMB DUMP

FA M O U S R A I D S

|

BOOK REVIEW

|

WARRIORS

|

TECH TALK

9 772047 348032

GITAG

01

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS

FEB2017 - £4.50

>

FRANCE - AIRSOFT RULES SWEDEN - PLAYER PROFILE DENMERK - KIRERU AIRSOFT

*

®

The leading online airsoft equipment specialist and authorised distributor of all the brands below

Call

0131 654 2452 Visit

LANDWARRIORAIRSOFT.COM

FREE SHIPPING

**

*When you set up an online account. **On orders over £50.

Call

0131 654 2452 Visit

TACTICAL-CLOTHING.CO.UK

T H E

N U M B E R

O N E

A I R S O F T

M A G A Z I N E !

AIRSOFT ACTION

ARMOURY

12

AW VX0100 NUPROL AK21 ASG M15 DEVIL SPR WE M712 SCHNELLFEUER

EVENTS

ENGLAND V SCOTLAND FF 2ND BIRTHDAY BASH ACTION AIR - NPPC LEVEL 1

ARMOURY: NUPROL AK21

INTERNATIONAL

FEB 2017

|

SITE REPORT

POCKET ROCKET TOKYO MARUI MAC10

THE BOMB DUMP

FA M O U S R A I D S

|

BOOK REVIEW

|

WARRIORS

|

TECH TALK

9 772047 348032

GITAG

DEBATE

01

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS DUST MONKEY

FEB2017 - £4.50

>

FRANCE - AIRSOFT RULES SWEDEN - PLAYER PROFILE DENMERK - KIRERU AIRSOFT

16

ARMOURY: AW VX0100

24

Editor: Nigel Streeter Assistant Editor: Gareth “Gadge” Harvey Graphic Design: Havoc Design Ad Design: Havoc Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter Cover Image: UK 13-issue subscription rate: £46.50 UK 6-issue subscription rate: £24.00 For overseas prices email: subs@airsoft-action.co.uk

EVENT: ENGLAND V SCOTLAND 2016

34

46

SITE: R.I.F.T. THE BOMB DUMP

INTERNATIONAL: DENMARK

58

62

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: 01684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2017 Distribution: Distributed to the newstrade by Comag Magazine Marketing, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 7QE T: 01895 433 800 Copyright © Calibre Publishing Limited 2017. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.

FIND US ON… facebook.com/AirsoftAction

Search ‘Airsoft Action’

Letter, idea or question?

Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article or article idea?

Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the editor (nige@airsoft-action.co.uk), write to us at the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.

FEATURE: FROM COLD WARS TO STAR WARS

LOADED OR UNLOADED: MODERN OPFOR

CONTENTS FEBRUARY MARCH 2017 2014

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2017 8

NEWS

10 ROGUE’S GALLERY Cool photos of Airsoft Action readers.

11 THE ADVENTURES OF MAG Airsoft Action’s exclusive cartoon.

12 ARMOURY: NUPROL AK21 NUPROL continue to push into the UK and European market with their product range and hot off the production line, their latest AEG range isn’t all M4s. Well, kind of, as Scott Allan explains…

16 ARMOURY: AW VX0100 Les Lee gets his hands on this stunninglooking pistol from Armorer Works – but does it perform as well as it looks?

20 ARMOURY: ASG DEVIL SPR AirsoftSportGames continue to crank up their game with their new range of DEVIL branded AEGs, so Jerry Noone takes a look at the flagship model in the line, the DEVIL SPR with KeyMod. 24 EVENT: ENGLAND v SCOTLAND 2016 The most competitive Airsoft game of the year hits its 9th event in a row, with 200 players going head to head its going to be death or glory and Scott Allan was there.

30 ACTION AIR: NPPC LEVEL 1 South West Practical Shooters (SWPS) report from the Action Air IPSC “Level 1” Club Competition held at the Northern Practical Pistol Club (NPPC) 26th-27th November 2016.

32 GITAG: DUST MONKEY Jerry Noone turns to the PostApocalyptic world and speaks to Callum from DUST MONKEY to find out how to create a kick ass loadout!

34 SITE: R.I.F.T. THE BOMB DUMP Les Lee heads to Andover to check out one of R.I.F.T. Airsoft’s sites and find out why this company is so popular with players.

38 WARRIORS: CHECHEN GUERILLA In the 1990s Chechnya suffered two brutal wars with Russia. Gareth “Gadge” Harvey takes a look at one of the combatants involved.

42 INSIDE AIRSOFT: DTW AIRSOFT Les Lee visits a new airsoft shop in Colchester, Essex and finds this quirkilynamed business is dedicated to total professionalism.

46 INTERNATIONAL AIRSOFT: DENMARK Coming closer to home in his search for airsoft updates from around the globe, Bill Thomas talks this time to Thomas of Kireru Airsoft, to get the lowdown on some serious “Viking pew pew” action!

50 DEBATE: SEX SELLS! Gadge is taking a break from his Debate column for a while and ends this series with one of the most controversial topics in airsoft.

54 EVENT: KELLY’S HEROES Femme Fatale airsoft (FFA) celebrated its 2nd birthday in November. As a form of thanks to all her followers and people that supported her along the way, Kelly Louise Hardwick organised a celebration.

56 INTERNATIONAL AIRSOFT: FRANCE We are so used to playing under UK rules it is easy to forget that in other countries different rules apply. Here, Diane Montagnier gives us an insight into playing airsoft in France.

58 FEATURE: FROM COLD WARS TO STAR WARS As “Russian” becomes “the new black”, Gadge Harvey and Taz Stokes write about a piece of Cold War kit that is making inroads onto the UK’s skirmish fields.

62 LOADED OR UNLOADED: MODERN OPFOR As a fellow enthusiast when it comes to PenCott GreenZone gear Jerry got together with veteran airsofter Bill Thomas, to talk about creating a modern OPFOR loadout that would happily see you through any MilSim scenario.

66 ARMOURY: WE M712 Diane Montagnier takes a look inside the WE’s version of this famous Mauser.

70 FEATURE: TRIP FLARES Paul Yelland sheds some light on a really nifty bit of kit that is great for night games.

72 KIT: NUPROL MAGAZINES Having tackled a plastic rod, Frenchie turs his attention to another normally unremarked-upon piece of kit that many of us simply would not be able to play without.

75 INTERNATIONAL: SWEDEN Having seen some of Björn’s excellent pictures, we thought we’d ask him about himself and how he got into airsoft – and airsoft photography.

76 POCKET ROCKET: TM MAC 10 For his latest instalment of “Pocket Rockets” Jerry Noone steps back in time to take a close look at one of the very first AEPs to hit the scene, in the form of the Ingram MAC 10 from Tokyo Marui.

80 TECH TALK: TRIGGER TRAVEL Frenchie takes us through the not-sosimple steps he uses to shorten trigger travel and if you are not sure why that is important, read on…

84 BOOK REVIEW: THE CALL UP Matt Limb OBE, writes about a book that will bring back memories to those of a certain age, memories that are not all bad.

86 KIT: RANGE BAGS Although not on every airsofter’s shopping list, if you are into any form of target shooting a range bag is a must. Andy Nightingale explains…

88 FAMOUS RAIDS: MOSCOW NORD-EST Moving to more modern times, Billy writes about the shocking events that took place in Moscow during October 2002.

92 SITE DIRECTORY & PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUBS Looking for a skirmish site, or your local Airsoft Practical Pistol Club? Then we may have the answer, with over four pages of sites and clubs through the UK. 98 DEALER LISTING: AIRSOFT ACTION’S ADVERTISER INDEX Find who you are looking for in our listing of all the adverts that appear in this issue.

S W E N T F O S AIR AIRSOFT EXPERIENCE 2017 6,250 square miles of pure Airsoft!

The Northern Shooting Show is back and next year’s show Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May will be a third bigger in size!

EAGER TO CAPITALISE on the success of the 1st NSS, exhibitors have been quick to re-book their spot for next year’s show. The last show was a resounding success with over 15,000 concentrated shooting visitors attending the show over the two days and with over 200 exhibitors attending.

The Airsoft Experience area set out before the event to introduce Airsoft to the wider real steel shooting community & itís safe to say it did that with flying colours. The area provided a great platform to show off the many different genres of Airsoft and anyone that exhibited and attended has certainly moved Airsoft on to the wider shooting sports community. Feedback from real steel shooters has been amazing with many remarking how life like and authentic Rifs were, with many converting to Action Air shooting from having a go on the ranges over the weekend.

Preparations are well under way to make Airsoft Experience 2017 bigger and better!

The area is set to increase from an impressive 6,000sq m’s to 6,250 sq m’s to incorporate more ‘have a go’ ranges. The UK’s leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers of Airsoft and Specialist kit and accessories will all be present displaying all the latest products and innovations to hit the market.

Stay tuned for up to date exhibitor list which will be confirmed in the next few weeks! ‘Early bird’ adult tickets at only £10 including free priority parking, the show organisers promise visitors will certainly get their money’s worth!

For more information and to take advantage of the early bird offer please go to; www.northernshootingshow.co.uk

The Winner…

GARY DAVIES, winner of the ASG SP-01 Shadow Lars Hagemann used to win at The 2016 Airsoft Surgeon European Championship.

This is what Gary had to say: “The pistol is a lovely piece of engineering (will probably frame the shirt) and now I have a dilemma as I was going to save up for a Shadow as a late Christmas present to myself... what do I get now? I wanted to have my photo taken at Ace Combat as I caught the airsoft bug there and have been a member for nearly four years now, it’s a challenging venue with really nice people and I hope this is an opportunity to give them a plug too. Thanks again.”

8

february 2017

AA GALLERY

SPONSORED BY

READERS’ PHOTOS

ROGUE’S GALLERY

From Diane Montagnier (France)

10

february 2017

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

Information Fancy seeing yourself in Airsoft Action? Send in your photos via email (nige@airsoft-action.co.uk) or share on our Facebook page (/AirsoftAction), plus a few words describing what’s going on in the image.

THE ADVENTURES OF MAG

CARTOON

www.airsoft-action.online

11

armoury NUPROL AK21

NUPROL CONTINUE TO PUSH INTO THE UK AND EUROPEAN MARKET WITH THEIR PRODUCT RANGE AND HOT OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE, THEIR LATEST AEG RANGE ISN’T ALL M4S. WELL, KIND OF, AS SCOTT ALLAN EXPLAINS…

WHEN IS AN M4 NOT AN M4?

ANSWER BELOW…

THE AK21 ISN’T A TOTAL vanilla M4, in fact it is actually a little known rifle called ARAK 21 XRS from the US. While it is unlicensed, it is a pretty faithful replica of the original in appearance and I am happy that they (NUPROL) had the balls to step out of the “bog standard M4 line” …albeit only a halfstep.

NUPROL… What to say about NUPROL? Well they’re kind of the new kids in town and were originally WE Airsoft Europe before concentrating on their own brand, which seems to have worked out pretty well for them. The guys and gals down in Epsom are some of the best I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Professional, friendly and forward-thinking and that shines through with the products they’ve brought to market over the last couple of years. Being the youngest, or a smaller company doesn’t make you insignificant in my eyes, it’s how

you conduct yourself that counts and NUPROL are awesome.

The AK21, a replica of the ARAK 21, sports some slightly more graceful lines than the standard AR15. The upper receiver is familiar and yet foreign at the same time. It looks a bit EVO, Masada or maybe even Scar feeling but is an M4. So I was intrigued to take this out for testing to see if the ergonomics match up with a regular platform that I’ve used for years. Being full metal the first impression is a solid beastie but then I’ve seen plenty of heavy lemons in the airsoft world, so testing will be the proof in the pudding.

THE REAL STEEL

I had never heard of the ARAK 21 until I saw the NUPROL AK21, I thought it was some weird mishmash they had come up with. A little research turned up the Faxon Firearms website and this aluminium billet beauty.

The idea behind the design is to interface directly with the standard AR15 lower platform already available. 12.5” 5.56mm, 16” & 20” are also available in 5.56mm and 300 blackout, each is changeable in just a few minutes and it also boasts a long stroke variable setting gas pistol system. There are three options for gas flow and one for no gas flow, which allows for single shot operation. There is also a clean-out port for the gas block between the gas cylinder and the barrel. The charging handle is ambidextrous, non-reciprocating, foldable and spring-returned and is easily relocated from left to right side without tools by the operator.

THE NUPROL VERSION

Admittedly, the finish and odd appearance didn’t sit overly well with me at first. For me the Krytac black rifle is the pinnacle of excellence when it comes to finishing and the AK21 does fall short of this target for me. Although, on that point, it is also £50-£100 cheaper on average than most Krytac rifles, so you can forgive it.

Picking it up it feels a bit heavier than I thought it would but

12

FEBRuary 2017

armoury NUPROL AK21

“I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE ARAK 21 UNTIL I SAW THE NUPROL AK21, I THOUGHT IT WAS SOME WEIRD MISHMASH THEY HAD COME UP WITH.”

is was going to be another plain old boring rebrand like every company seems to do. Whoever comes up with the idea “lets stick our logo on a bog-standard M4 and then sell it as a game changer” should be fired… immediately! There is no place in the airsoft market for a modern manufacturer/rebrander for boring, plain rifles just because you’ve paid to have your skull logo or similar etched on the side.

Holy moly, this thing has a pretty outrageous specification!

Actually I was blown away with what is inside this. Tightbore barrels are good but not as good as a decent hop up but the AK21 has both. The plastic Hop Up chamber is great and in all honesty, I prefer a plastic Hop Up unit if I have a choice. The internal set up is great with steel gears, 8mm bearings and a metal selector plate, which is a first in an off the shelf AEG I think.

There are odd things like spare body pins but the original

not unwieldy and the shape isn’t as foreign-feeling as I thought it might be. There are no rattles or wobbles anywhere across the rifle and the fire selector is one of the most positive-feeling of all the rifles I have ever tested. One thing that irks me is a vague fire selector that just meanders around on the receiver and you’ve just got to hope it’s not moved a little bit too far when you wanted single shot sneaking up point blank on the enemy. The pistol grip is the standard A2 style, which is a little bit bland but perfectly useable. The vertical grip is pretty solidfeeling and a nice little addition to the package.

Performance can never be underestimated in airsoft. I may have mentioned my £1,200 VFC 8mm M82 I bought years ago that couldn’t fire a BB more than 15 metres – devastated wouldn’t even begin to cover it! Hard-earned money, weeks of waiting and ultimately a bitter let down and having to get rid of it as it was un-skirmishable. I had a fear that the AK21 (and indeed the whole NUPROL range) was going to be a bit of a rebranded Cyma or Jing Gong range. In fact I was certain www.airsoft-action.online

13

armoury NUPROL AK21

“THE STANDARD M4 MAGAZINE ACCEPTANCE MAKE IT SUPER VERSATILE AS DOES THE LARGE AMOUNT OF 20MM RIS RAILS FOR THE OPTICS, LIGHTS AND GRIPS. THE FLIP UP SIGHTS AREN’T TOO BAD AT ALL ALTHOUGH I WOULD BE TEMPTED BY A SET OF THE NEW PTS EP BUIS SIGHTS AS THEY’RE PRETTY SEXY.” ones are captive so you shouldn’t really loose them anyway.

The microswitch trigger means the handling of the 11.1v LiPo battery is fine but this does mean the cut off lever and safety is different from standard. Not a major issue really but worth noting. The motor is advertised as “High Torque” but the magnets don’t feel too strong and this could be an upgrade point for the future. A quick-change spring is nice feature but you still have to remove the gearbox from the receiver, so it isn’t really quick change it just saves you dismantling the gearbox.

Mechanically the AK21 is a bit of a beast. Okay the motor could be slightly better but that is pretty much the only thing I could really fault. It is snappy-firing, accurate with a good range and that is all you can really expect from an AEG out of the box. NUPROL have done themselves proud by avoiding the obvious pitfalls that so many companies fall into. There are odd little things like the metal selector plate, I’m not sure it is such large failure point that warrants making it out of metal but it is interesting to see that theirs is different from industry standard.

On the game site it is mobile and easy to use. The rail sits higher than a normal M4 so it feels a little bit like using an AK rather than a M4. It isn’t bad, it’s just different but that will possibly put some players off, myself included. The standard M4 magazine acceptance make it super versatile as does the

large amount of 20mm RIS rails for the optics, lights and grips.

The flip up sights aren’t too bad at all although I would be tempted by a set of the new PTS EP BUIS sights as they’re pretty sexy.

CONCLUSION

I’m still on the fence.

On one hand I cannot decide if I like the AK 21/ARAK 21 design, it isn’t bad or difficult to use it is just different. On the other hand as a NUPROL rifle it is solid internally, it is definitely punching above its weight. If I had to pick flaws as a replica the stock should be a B5 SOPMOD Bravo Stock, the pistol grip should be a Hogue Grip and the flash hider should be the Loudmouth style. These are being picky and don’t effect anything actually useful to the end user. If I had one the only thing, I’d consider changing is the motor and that is only a “maybe” and if I had to.

All things considered the NUPROL AK21 is a unique, good value replica that provides excellent performance and stands out from the crowd. I’m looking forward to their future releases very much.

features Power: 340 FPS on a RZR 0.20g BB (1.075J) 6.03mm steel tight bore Steel tooth piston, polymer/plastic piston body Polymer piston head AOE corrected, so piston is already sitting in correct position Steel gears with delay chip to help feeding 8mm bearings on bevel, bushes on spur and sector Microswitch fitted Metal selector plate Quick change spring Spare set of body pins included Plastic hop chamber High torque motor Vented brass cylinder Silver plated wiring Locking bolt catch Decent click on fire selector positions RRP £280

14

FEBRuary 2017

PIONEER DEFENDER

NUPROL

NUPROL NUPROL

DELTA AEG SERIES

FULL RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY AEG REPLICAS FROM NUPROL

@NUPROL

DELTA-PIONEER DEFENDER REVOLUTIONARY PRICE AND PERFORMANCE

FEATURES:

FLIP UP FRONT SIGHT

6.03MM ALUMINIUM TIGHTBORE BARREL QD SPRING CHANGE GEARBOX FULL STEEL TOOTHED PISTON AND GEARS REINFORCED V2 METAL GEAR BOX DESIGN METAL REINFORCED SELECTOR PLATE METAL & REINFORCED NYLON FIBRE CONSTRUCTION SAFE - SEMI - AUTO FIRING MODES LIPO BATTERY READY METAL SLING PLATE INCLUDED

FLASH HIDER

HI-CAP MAGAZINE

WWW.NUPROL.COM

METAL OUTER BARREL

NYLON FIBRE BODY & RAIL

FLIP UP REAR SIGHT

FIRE SELECTOR

METAL SLING PLATE

METAL STOCK TUBE RETRACTABLE BUTTSTOCK

RECOMMENDED BATTERY: NP POWER 1450mAh 7.4v 30C STICK

NP POWER 1450mAh 7.4v 30C NUNCHUCK

AVAILABLE AT NUPROL STOCKISTS NOVEMBER!

DOMINATE THE FIELD

armoury AW VX0100

LES LEE GETS HIS HANDS ON THIS STUNNING-LOOKING PISTOL FROM ARMORER WORKS – BUT DOES IT PERFORM AS WELL AS IT LOOKS?

PISTOL PACKING BEAUTY

ARMORER WORKS CUSTOM VX0100

FRESH OUT OF TAIWAN COMES the Armorer Works VX range in 4 models/colour combinations. There is the VX0101, VX0110, VX0111 and the VX0100 which I will be reviewing today, courtesy of iWholesales.

Armorer Works, or “AW” as they have become known, are pretty new to airsoft but they should definitely not be underestimated because their offerings so far are good. In fact, they are better than good for reasons I hope to be able to explain to those who have not had the chance of pulling the trigger on one of these little beauties.

At the IWA trade show in Germany back in February 2016, I was lucky enough to meet our great friends at iWholsales who had a very impressive trade stand and I couldn’t help be drawn to a handful of very sexy-looking handguns. So I asked Herman, one of the team at iWholesales, if he could let me have a fondle (of the pistols!) and within seconds I had the red and gold “Iron Man” model (aka the HX1004 Hi-Capa) in my hands. In between dribbles, Herman offered some info about the brand but if I’m honest, I was too busy caressing this beautiful piece of colourful creativity that I had in my now sweaty palms but alas, I had to hand it back. I did offer to arm wrestle Herman for it but he politely declined, so I had to say goodbye to this eye-catching beauty (no, not Herman).

However, the AW seed was sewn and being a self-proclaimed 16

FEBRuary 2017

pistol freak, the name Armorer Works was now branded on my mind.

AW were founded in January 2015 to cater for the more precision and custom Airsoft market in all corners, whether that be the standard skirmish sidearm, AIPSC competitions or custom builds, plus the somewhat novelty lines they produce, such as twin-barrelled models or Sci-Fi specials. So there is something for everyone although you are probably thinking that this standard of workmanship typically comes at a price but not so with AW guns! They have somehow managed to keep in line with most other manufacturer’s prices and, ultimately, offer more bang for your buck.

Which brings us nicely back to the latest of these sultry secondary sidearms, as AW Custom are proud to announce the “VX Series Hex Cut” pistols, a brand new range of pistols featuring their unique signature hex cuts and hex porting to reduce overall weight of the pistol, in addition to providing an aggressive and very tactile sure-grip surface.

The VX features a lightweight CNC laser hex cut slide to make cycling super-quick - even on a cold day! This is nestling on a high strength polymer frame with lower accessory rail and a stippled polymer grip and trigger guard with a themeretaining brushed steel fast-reload magwell. Obviously it has an adjustable hop up system and claims to fire at an average

armoury AW VX0100

“I THINK THAT THE VX0100 IS BEST DESCRIBED AS A “WE EU17 TYPE LOOK-A-LIKE ALL DRESSED UP FOR THE PROM”, YES IT REALLY IS THAT PLEASING ON THE EYE IN MY OPINION.” of around 320fps in its standard out-of-the-box build. It comes with a 25 round gas brushed-steel magazine, however, it is also compatible with the AW VXMG01 magazine which is black and sits quietly inside the hex cut-out grip if that is your preferred stance. You can also change the flared extended magwell base from silver to black if you choose as both of these are custom parts available to purchase as extras.

The colourful front and rear fibre optic sights (not to be confused with Tritium which is a luminous glow-in-the-dark compound) are a really nice feature and a favourite of mine and the outer barrel is threaded to take a suppressor if you so desire. Just under the accessory rail is a serial number which I “presume” to be unique (but don’t quote me) and the AW logo is subtly embossed in a few carefully chosen places but without making a shout about it.

The build quality is solid. The metal slide and polymer lower fit like a dream and the “shake test” revealed nothing. Of course, this was a new pistol so I cannot offer a long term prognosis but I have little doubt that the compatibility of all of the precision parts will remain the same.

I think that the VX0100 is best described as a “WE EU17 type look-a-like all dressed up for the prom”, yes it really is that pleasing on the eye in my opinion. The design is not only attractive but functional because the hex cut-outs lighten the slide which increases the speed of performance and overall weight of the pistol in a rather creatively composed aesthetically pleasing way. The hex cut theme is carried throughout the pistol lower, including the already functional non-slip, stippled pistol grip but one important question that cannot go unanswered is, would I skirmish with it? Which brings me to my performance assessment which will be an appraisal underpinned with honesty.

As a matter of clarity I must emphasise that on the day of

the test, temperatures were low, very low in fact, as I nearly came a cropper on the icy road surface underfoot more than once but then we all know that gas and winter weather are a bad combination and on the day, even AEGs were going down in numbers as the cold had a detrimental effect on their performance.

During the testing process, I used Blaster .20s and NUPROL red gas due to the lower temperatures. The FPS was inconsistently registering at an average of 280 for the first ten shots and then in the low to mid 200’s for the remainder of the magazine. This was almost certainly caused by the temperature and the expected cool-down associated with double-tapping on gas for a full magazine outdoors at this time of year.

Personally I prefer to use a heavier BB during a game but I stuck to .20s as this seems to be an industry standard.

Accuracy was not as good as I was expecting

www.airsoft-action.online

17

armoury AW VX0100

For the more surgical ‘softers, the AW Custom™ tech team have announced that they have launched a whole new “Maintenance Section” on their website.

This section will focus on video tutorials of basic Airsoft maintenance, pistol disassembly and common problem solutions, etc.

The Maintenance Section is available on their Facebook page, YouTube channel and official website, where they have started with lubrication and maintenance of the HX range.

“AS A MATTER OF CLARITY, I MUST EMPHASISE THAT ON THE DAY OF THE TEST TEMPERATURES WERE LOW, VERY LOW IN FACT, AS I NEARLY CAME A CROPPER ON THE ICY ROAD SURFACE UNDERFOOT MORE THAN ONCE BUT THEN WE ALL KNOW THAT GAS AND WINTER WEATHER ARE A BAD COMBINATION.” for an Armorer Works pistol (of which I personally own four) but again, this was affected by the chill and the moderate breeze with groupings of around the 5-8 inches mark at ten metres. At thirty metres I struggled to hit an A4-sized piece of paper initially and I’m usually a fair shot with a pistol but again, I must reiterate the unhelpful weather conditions.

However, this pistol did feel very user friendly as it was nicely balanced with a comfortable weight of approximately 800 grams/1.2 pounds (including the empty magazine), a relatively light trigger pull (which also incorporates a safety) and an acceptable amount of recoil. The slide was beautifully smooth (in line with most other Armorer Works pistols) and overall a pleasure to shoot but I feel that this particular sidearm’s greatest attractant is the unique styling of the aesthetics. The hex cut design is incredibly eye-catching irrespective of which of the four models you choose.

It comes in a nice cardboard box with a flyer which informs you that most of the information you might want to know can only be found online - and I say this with tongue in cheek because it’s a pet hate of mine when I click on a YouTube video of an “out of the box” review and a big deal is made about the actual box… the type of cardboard used, how “good” the box is, etc. but really! Does it matter what the box is like so long as it does the job of keeping it safe in transit. But hey, that’s just my view because I’m really only interested in the gun itself and cardboard boxes don’t float my boat very much coz all I ever want to do is get the box open as fast as possible and fall in love with the contents!

CONCLUSION

So, with all of the aforementioned factors taken into account, where would this pistol find its comfort zone?

If you are a hard-core handgun warrior who relies heavily on kills attributed to the power and performance of a pistol, perhaps this beauty might not be the best choice for you because there are so many side arms to choose from these days. You will find better performance elsewhere, although that in no way implies that this gun isn’t good enough because it almost certainly is in the right environment (and the right weather conditions) but, unfortunately, on the day of the test, conditions were far from suitable. An honest appraisal is what 18

FEBRuary 2017

a review is all about and I really can’t say a product ticks all of the boxes if, in my opinion, it doesn’t but I do think “it’s a show-er-not a grower” and would look superb on one of the minimalistic holsters, such as the Warrior Universal pistol holster which only covers the midsection of a sidearm thus leaving this eye-catching beauty on display for all to see. And if and when you find yourself in a tight gunfight then this puppy will quickly become your best friend - and your opponent’s worst nightmare.

So if you want to look like the meanest man on the mission or coolest kid in combat then yes, I think that this could be the equaliser for you because it looks so damn cool and in a close combat game then this will certainly get the job done.

However, if you are the MilSim, BattleSim type of ‘softer or only use a RIF, then the Armorer Works VX series of shooters is unlikely to meet your needs because this is a head turner rather than a head hitter at range - but it still has a place in Les’s armoury (aka the Wailing Wall of Weapons) and has now bumped up my collection of pistolas from 30 to 31, just because...

In closing, I would like to say a huge thank you to our friends at iWholesales once again for the loan of this unique pistol for the test and also Tony at R.I.F.T Airsoft (@The Bomb Dump) for the courtesy loan of his shooting range for exclusive use to field test this new sidearm.

Whether you’re putting this handgun through its paces at a skirmish, or an AIPSC/Action Air competition, this pistol will almost certainly hold its own, putting shots downrange accurately and consistently if conditions are favourable.

These new Armorer Works pistols seem to have the best features that you’ll look for in a pistol.

Les OUT!

VX0100 features Armorer Works signature lightweight HEX-cut slide Cut-off slide for reducing extra weight Ultra-light recoil, and crisp, agile blowback cycling Armorer Works logo engraved on outer barrel Threaded outer barrel ready for mounting compensator or silencer Fibre optic rear sight and front sight Skeletonised polymer lower frame with stippling process Integrated accessory rail for mounting flashlight and/or laser Pre-installed Armorer Works HEX-cut magwell Bottom of the trigger guard designed with two finger groves making it possible to achieve a higher firmer grip with the support hand Enlarged magazine base for better grip while reloading

armoury ASG M15 DEVIL SPR

THE DETAIL IS IN THE DEVIL

ACTIONSPORTGAMES CONTINUE TO CRANK UP THEIR GAME WITH THEIR NEW RANGE OF DEVIL BRANDED AEGS, SO JERRY NOONE TAKES A LOOK AT THE FLAGSHIP MODEL IN THE LINE, THE DEVIL SPR WITH KEYMOD. THE SPECIAL PURPOSE RIFLE, OR SPR, has been getting a lot of attention ever since the movie “Lone Survivor” hit our screens.

Most U.S. Army Special Forces operators use Mk 12 Mod 0 rifles, while NAVSPECWAR operators and U.S. Army Rangers have been identified as using the Mk 12 Mod 1 version. In fact, Marcus Luttrell mentioned the fact that he carried a MK 12 during Operation Red Wings several times in his 2007 book “Lone Survivor” and that immediately became a favoured airsoft build after the movie was released!

In the military world, SPR/DMR-style builds are used by the squad designated marksman; the rifle itself is an accurrised

20

FEBRuary 2017

platform from which the squad’s assigned marksman can use their additional training to increase the effective range of engagement over that of the standard M4 carbines. The SPR, used by Special Operations Forces of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, is a heavily modified lightweight variation of the M16 line of infantry weapons and is chambered for NATO standard 5.56×45mm ammunition.

The SPR concept was first proposed by Mark Westrom, currently president of ArmaLite, while working at Rock Island Arsenal. The program encompassed the vision of both US Army and Navy special operations forces for a rifle with greater effective range than an M4 carbine but still shorter in length than a standard issue M16A2/A4. The SPR program appears to have grown out of both the SOPMOD Block II program and the U.S. Navy SEALs Recon Rifle (a 16 inch flat-topped M16 carbine). The Naval Surface Warfare Centre, Crane Division expanded on the Recon Rifle.

The SPR really takes advantage of the AR as it allows the rifle to showcase its best qualities by complementing accuracy, capability, adaptability and ergonomics to create a “match accurate” battle rifle and more and more we’re seeing similar setups appearing in semi-auto guise for the civilian shooter. The SPR, married up with the correct optic and accessories, can hit targets out to its maximum engagement distances with near sniper rifle accuracy but at the same time, it remains compact enough to use in CQB environments.

Every AR manufacturer these days produces a rifle which can be modified for a SPR/DMR role. A stock AR can easily be shot out to 600 metres with a decent match barrel and first rate ammunition. Military style clones may have lacked the adaptability of current military AR designs but they are fast catching up. The military rifle will invariably be seen with heavy rails, issued optics, and last year’s components, whereas the civilian shooter, with the right budget, can create something totally bespoke.

With a vast array of aftermarket parts in terms of barrels, pistol grips, stocks, rail systems, bipods, magazines and optics at their fingertips, the civilian shooter really can create

armoury ASG M15 DEVIL SPR

something incredibly unique and effective, something highly accurate and reliable that leaves the military versions far, far behind and in my mind this is what ASG have done with their DEVIL SPR.

LOOKING THE BUSINESS

The new DEVIL series of AEGs by ASG are all from their Proline range of airsoft RIFs and from the DEVIL Compact with a 5 inch rail, up to the DEVIL SPR with a 14.5 inch KeyMod rail, the six models reflect all the current trends in the civilian AR market.

They describe their DEVIL SPR as a “full-sized adaptive rifle with KeyMod”, which actually does it very little justice at all!

There is a commonality of parts across the DEVIL range and many subtle design details set them apart from a standard M4.

The sturdy upper receiver displays an angular shape providing a really up to the minute look. The sleek ergonomic pistol grip has a palm swell and a textured surface for better grip.

Internally, the DEVIL series really stands out as well. They all come as standard with MIM gears running in 8mm bearings, metal cylinder and piston head, a piston with metal teeth and a quick-change spring guide with bearing, that is easily accessible by simply removing the stock tube. ASG actually ship the DEVILs with a 1.4 Joule/394fps spring (1.6 Joule/410fps in the case of the SPR) but cleverly provide a UK Site Compliant second spring in the package. Most good retailers will provide a spring-change service if you don’t feel up to the task yourself.

They are finished off with low-resistance silver wiring for optimised conductivity to ensure that they run perfectly straight from the box.

The DEVIL SPR is absolutely stunning to look at, featuring as it does the 14.5 inch KeyMod (more on this later!) system and a whopping 16.5 inch/420mm barrel, which is finished off with an aggressive looking “rebar cutter” style flash-hider. As well as the new ergonomic pistol grip, the SPR has a full M16 style butt which doubles as the battery compartment; you can hide a big 11.1 LiPo in there that will keep you going all day long!

The SPR also comes with removable front and rear sights;

“THE SPR, MARRIED UP WITH THE CORRECT OPTIC AND ACCESSORIES, CAN HIT TARGETS OUT TO ITS MAXIMUM ENGAGEMENT DISTANCES WITH NEAR SNIPER RIFLE ACCURACY BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT REMAINS COMPACT ENOUGH TO USE IN CQB ENVIRONMENTS.”

www.airsoft-action.online

21

armoury ASG M15 DEVIL SPR

and released through Noveske Rifleworks before being published in the public domain for adoption by the entire firearms accessory industry. The name “KeyMod” was coined

by Eric Kincel (then working for VLTOR Weapon Systems) following the naming trend of other VLTOR accessories with the suffix “Mod” meaning modular, and “Key” being a reference to the key-hole profile of the mounting slots.

VLTOR Weapon Systems had previously pursued a design which was the basis for the KeyMod system. While developing the first prototype systems Kincel was approached by the late (and sorely missed) John Noveske of Noveske Rifleworks with a design for a universal accessory attachment system. After a short collaboration Noveske decided to adopt what became the KeyMod system for the NSR series of hand guards and accessories. The specifications for the KeyMod system were first published in July 2012 and it’s a system that really has the front sight is foldable and protected when folded down and is adjustable for elevation, whilst the rear peep sight is foldable and easily adjustable for windage and elevation. The metal hop unit is behind the mock bolt and is accessed as standard by pulling back the charging handle; one feature I really love is that hitting the bolt release allows the “bolt” to snap back into place.

RAILING ON!

Now I said I’d come back to KeyMod, didn’t I and I make specific note here as the 14.5 inch system really is an absolute stand-out part of the package. If you were buying the rail as a standalone aftermarket part, in my opinion you could easily be paying into triple figures for this alone!

“KeyMod” is a universal interface system for firearm accessories designed to supersede the MIL-STD-1913 accessory rails. The concept was first created by VLTOR Weapon Systems

“THE CIVILIAN SHOOTER REALLY CAN CREATE SOMETHING INCREDIBLY UNIQUE AND EFFECTIVE, SOMETHING HIGHLY ACCURATE AND RELIABLE THAT LEAVES THE MILITARY VERSIONS FAR, FAR BEHIND AND IN MY MIND THIS IS WHAT ASG HAVE DONE WITH THEIR DEVIL SPR.”

taken the “real steel” firearms industry by storm and to have this as standard on a RIF is absolutely thrilling! ASG provide three rail sections for attachment, each securely mounted with 3 lock pins; you can place these anywhere you like to really “personalise” the SPR.

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

Now you might think that as you’re getting what is essentially a pre-upgraded, full metal AEG with some expensive looking accessory finishes as standard, that the price tag would be a hefty one but here you’d be dead wrong. A DEVIL SPR from www.urbanairsoftuk.com will set you back just £280, which is just absolutely tremendous value for money.

And the SPR is no slouch at all when it comes to performance; as I mentioned earlier the AEG chronos from the box at 1.6 Joule/410fps on a .20g DEVIL BB (ASG kindly provided these for testing) which is perfect for a skirmish DMR on most sites in the UK. You will of course need to restrict it to semi-auto only if it’s to be used in this role but that’s a swift job for any airsoft tech and personally I’ll be working it into this role, switching the 380 BB HiCap that’s supplied with a “shorty” MidCap to get “The Look”. The SPR is perfect for this role as with the long inner barrel it’s happily sending BBs WAY out there, on target each and every time!

Best known of course for their superb range of fully licenced products, ActionSportGames have really done the business with their in-house DEVIL range of AEGs and once again provided us as airsofters exactly what we need; high quality, high performance AEGs that come field ready and don’t cost the earth.

Well done ASG. Very, very well done indeed!

For more information on the DEVIL range of AEGs and BBs please visit http://actionsportgames.com

22

FEBRuary 2017

0147-1216_DECEMBER2016

Made in Denmark

0147-1116_AirsoftAction UK.indd 1

20-12-2016 08:06:39

Event ENGLAND V SCOTLAND 2016

THE AULD ENEMY ENGLAND V SCOTLAND 2016 THE MOST COMPETITIVE AIRSOFT GAME OF THE YEAR HITS ITS 9TH EVENT IN A ROW, WITH 200 PLAYERS GOING HEAD TO HEAD ITS GOING TO BE DEATH OR GLORY AND SCOTT ALLAN WAS THERE. STIRLING AIRSOFT HAVE BEEN RUNNING airsoft events in the UK, as well as Spain for well over ten years now. They are said to be the best in the business, hosting the biggest events, with the best scenarios, with the best staff, on the best game sites available. They are unique in the fact that they have no home site or direct affiliation with anyone and this gives them great flexibility and allows them to produce high quality events time and time again. It is no big surprise to see an ex-SF chap helping them formulate scenarios to keep their events current and intriguing for all players.

Their game styles vary from event to event and the sites used. While they are all “MilSim” to some extent or another, the games are fully open for anyone who wishes to attend and get stuck in. How much you get out depends on how much you put in and the level you are prepared to push yourself to.

The highest level immersion they offer is from their Combat Mission games, which often lean toward the role-playing. So

24

FEBRuary 2017

forget the running around crazy spraying everyone point blank, this is all about patrols and intelligence gathering in the Welsh, English or Spanish countryside. The events held in Spain are the best games I have ever played, extremely immersive with roleplaying (which isn’t my thing normally) and with more thought involved – including using translators! Games at Catterick and Copehill Down are also on the calendar, these vary in complexity and level of MilSim but are always very immersive and involving.

The England v Scotland events score was currently at 3 – 5 to Scotland. To date no side has ever won four games in a row and England were determined to take Scotland down off their winning streak.

CATTERICK FIBUA

The battlefield of choice is Catterick Garrison training village as used by the British Army for Infantry Training. Stirling have used this site now for many years very successfully and it is one of the best sites in the UK for me. They hold around five events there every year including the now famous “Auld Enemy” game.

The training village is an old housing estate converted for police and military training. It offers a great range of terrain in a compact format, from rubble-ridden assault courses, burnt out armoured vehicles, houses, a tunnel network and a purposebuilt multi-storey tower block which is notoriously difficult to take and hold. The perimeter of the site is light woodland with plenty of cover that allows great creativity with the tactics for teams to employ during a game. You can have your snipers hold the woods, aided by support gunners and as you enter the buildings you can go all “Zero Dark Thirty” and grenade slinging! This makes the job for the team captains extremely tough as you have players from all over the country who play at a huge array of different game sites with different skill sets.

Event ENGLAND V SCOTLAND 2016

“THE FIRST YEAR SAW A FOOT OF SNOW ACROSS THE SITE AND SCOTLAND WERE EMBARRASSINGLY CRUSHED BY ENGLAND. IT REALLY FELT LIKE HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF FOR SCOTLAND. WE WERE OUTMATCHED AND OUTPLAYED AT EVERY SINGLE TURN, WE KNEW WE HAD TO DO BETTER IN THE FUTURE - SO WE PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE.”

THE EVENT

The event came around nine years ago and evolved from the Stirling Christmas game. It was originally an invite-only event until more people from Scotland began attending due to Catterick only being a few hour’s drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Matt Belgrove, owner and organiser, then approached me to ask about running it as an England v Scotland competition. I’ve always been up for a spot of friendly competition and loved the idea of competitive airsoft as something unusual and new for the sport in the UK. The first year saw a foot of snow across the site and Scotland were embarrassingly crushed by England. It really felt like history repeating itself for Scotland. We were outmatched and outplayed at every single turn, we knew we had to do better in the future - so we planned for the future.

The main teams on the Scottish side spent more time looking at what we did wrong and we worked over the years, getting slicker and faster. The win in 2013 was (and still is) the most convincing win to date for Scotland. 2014 was a far tighter game but again England didn’t quite manage to close the gap Scotland created early in the game - and that led to a convincing win for the Jocks. Commanding on my own 2013 and 2014, there was some expectation (if only a personal one) that we should achieve a good result again in 2015 and we did win again. 2015 had the huge benefit of ex-British Army Sergeant and two-time Scottish commander, Stuart Anderson, working with me. 2016 had a similar commander set up to 2015, myself and Stuart Anderson heading up Team Scotland and Ben Watt and Will Wright leading Team England. England this year had chosen to revamp their tactics, while Scotland ran a familiar breakdown of their team that had worked well in previous years.

Naturally with Airsoft (and like real warfare) the game is never totally even but the organisers do try to make it as level as possible. To prevent any single team being given a perceived advantage, coins are tossed for which camouflage is worn (greens or deserts) and which side of the site each team starts on. To the eastern side lies “Regen 1”, the main safe area and accommodation. To the west lies “Regen 2” area which has a slight advantage of being on higher ground and gives you

www.airsoft-action.online

25

Event ENGLAND V SCOTLAND 2016

better access across the site. The site is nearly the classic “keyhole” shape with Regen 1 being at the base and Regen 2 being at the top. The Regen points can be used by either team, when it is open for a team at one side the opposite side is open for the other team.

Then both shut for 5 minutes and switch around. This keeps the flow of battle moving and prevents a solid front line being formed. To say the battle lines often resemble a plate of spaghetti is an understatement! Blue on blue or friendly fire are commonplace despite the camouflage differences.

The scene is set, the players sign up then the most amusing part of the weekend begins. Players get cosy in their rooms, enjoy a couple of beers and hilarity generally ensues to the early hours of the morning. Sleep deprived and feeling a bit rough is not uncommon and can require a few coffees to help you wake up fully. The social evening is an important part as airsoft is a fairly sociable game. It gives both sides a chance to catch up as friends North and South have a few beers and a laugh.

With 97 players signed to the English side wearing desert gear and 97 to the Scottish side in green gear, the game kicks off at 11am on the Saturday. This gives time for breakfast, general safety brief which covers site specifics such as no full auto indoors and then there is a team specific brief just before game on. The way each team is managed is a personal choice

26

FEBRuary 2017

of the commander. Ben Watt, the English commander and a good friend, has probably commanded more Catterick events than I have played so I know he will not give Scotland any slack. Any mistakes that are made by either side are normally quickly exploited and pushed on, putting your team on the back foot. The trick is not being on the back foot at any time during the event - but that is easier said than done!

The point split was much more difficult than previous years, purely because there were no points scored for the first couple of hours in the game. This allowed the game to progress into a natural flow and players to get into the swing of things. Points generally scored on the hour after 1 o’clock on the Saturday and at any time there were two target buildings being fought over. What made it even more difficult was the buildings were often at opposite ends of the site so each target building assault team was very much on their own.

Most of the afternoon was toe to toe fighting for both teams, a real slugging match and a battle of wills. The firefights were thick and always fast, teams thought and fought on the fly. This is where your team can unravel and it was at this point in the last couple of years that Scotland would slowly pull away from England on the scoreboard. England were fired up to take the fight right into the Scottish ranks. Scotland over the course of the afternoon gained a slight lead of 20 points which was two objectives ahead.

Being a December game you are always against the light but thankfully the weather this year was mild and bright. The insides of the buildings are dark early having so few windows uncovered, you need to rely on a torch of some sort for checking those darkened rooms and corners. Many players sport night vision of various types but these are not entirely necessary in my experience, as it is all about adapting what you do at night. Move in areas you know are secure, if you suspect there is enemy in an area treat it as hostile and use your challenge and responses. Often I have seen players from both teams wander aimlessly up to a hedge full of the enemy only

Event ENGLAND V SCOTLAND 2016

for them to be cut to ribbons in seconds under a hail of torch light, grenades and weapon fire. Night fighting happens closer and identifying friend from foe becomes a bigger issue.

Scotland began the evening campaign with a small lead, a lead that could quickly crumble and be lost if the team lost coherency. Night fighting at this event is fought on multiple levels and coldness, fatigue, frustration and even a healthy dose of fear are all things you have to deal with – even before you have found an enemy player. The fighting always gravitates around a few key buildings on the site. As always the worst fighting occurs around the large free standing building “Number 29”. Building 29 offers multiple entries and many rooms to cover and clear. In the evening it is practically a minefield of friendly fire, enemy and pyrotechnics. Both teams lost scores of players taking and retaking the ground levels.

Scotland generally had Building 29 locked down on the ground floor with English players stuck on the top floor.

At the close of the evening Scotland managed to increase their lead 50 – 90 points, a good lead but with 65 points up for grabs on the Sunday it was far from over.

The English team slept but they hadn’t given up by a long way. As every year the frustration of the night play often gets some players down. But everyone is in the same boat regardless of equipment used or experience. I would often start out from the Regen area to a target building perhaps 150 metres away and lose half the guys on the way. Where they went I never know, they just simply vanish into thin air. I have often wondered how many get lost, disorientated or just decide to try something different at these games!

There is something sobering about getting up in the cold and being worn out, to get dressed into cold damp clothes and to get ready to fight and it’s still very dark. But as always, both teams soldier on and are ready to rock almost immediately.

Game on was at 7.30am and the first signs of light were barely creeping across the site. Both teams still had grit in their eye and fire in their bellies - or hopefully at least some coffee as no one wanted to go away empty-handed. The Sunday is almost an entirely different feeling game; it is a chance to fully reset the team and have them fight on. Historically England have always fared better on the Sunday than Scotland, perhaps we are more restful creatures on a Sunday? The first swing England took at Scotland saw the team whipped onto their backsides and heading for the respawn. First blood to England!

The Sunday was blow for blow all the way and yet the focus of the English team had switched. This meant the team that had the thickest fighting on the Saturday was having a

“THERE IS SOMETHING SOBERING ABOUT GETTING UP IN THE COLD AND BEING WORN OUT, TO GET DRESSED INTO COLD DAMP CLOTHES AND TO GET READY TO FIGHT AND IT’S STILL VERY DARK. BUT AS ALWAYS, BOTH TEAMS SOLDIER ON AND ARE READY TO ROCK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.” fractionally easier time and the other Scottish callsign was being brutalised. Scotland clinging onto the narrow lead gave it everything they had, throwing team after team into objectives to take and hold or contest. England manoeuvring around the site continually to probe for weaknesses in the Scottish lines and quickly exploiting and gaps they could find were inflicting damage. The Stirling Airsoft guys were out in full force delivering heavy crushing blows to any team that wasn’t ready for them.

Ultimately at 11am, the final whistle was blown. The scores at this point were unknown but the English had smashed into the Scottish teams and hit them with everything they had.

Scotland had a narrow lead over the Saturday and had fought hard but the Sunday had seen the English gain and put more pressure onto the defensive lines. At this point the Scottish and English had no idea if either had worked hard enough.

Yet the dream of taking the trophy home was just out of reach for England and Scotland won again. The kill count was impressively different this year, England appeared to hurl numbers at every objective and that almost worked for them but Scotland’s resolve and tactics meant that they held fast and did the job to the very end.

The final scores: England 65 – 120 Scotland Players KIA England 2300 – 2100 Scotland The final briefing and congratulations all round by the staff and the shield is awarded to the victors. Cheers and handshakes all round as the guns are put down and everyone is good friends again.

The trophy shall live another year in Land Warrior Airsoft, in pride of place as the English are sent homeward… To think again.

www.airsoft-action.online

27

ICS CAPTAIN ICS have produced a high quality EBB assult rifles, Very tough metal receivers and RIS systems fitted with ICS’s next generation blowback engine gearbox with high quality reliable internals.

From £199

ICS HOG Aggressive geometric surfaces, Strong and powerful lines, Quick-Detach Keymod system Handguard, EBB(Electric Blow Back) System, Spring release function, T-Window magazine, Rear Wired Ver. Front Wired Ver.

From £251

ICS APE Innovation and development created the CXP-APE. A versatile and user-friendly rifle with a simple design. The new Keymod system is superior to other rails.

The CXP-APE has an ergonomic design, adjustable cheek rest. CXP-APE will bring you a new experience in airsoft gaming!!

From £290

JANUARY GIVEAWAY!

OPEN MON-SAT - BUY IN STORE OR ONLINE - REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN

www.fire-support.co.uk - 01733 247171

AAFeb17 v1.indd 2

20/12/2016 20:48:48

STILL

N I W O T S CHANCE

!

Y A W A E V I RY G A U N A J WITH OUR WIN

nge of the ra The top Gen rui Next a M o y . k To coil AEG e R U R nd DEVG 340 fps a to d e d a Upgr verted LiPo con WORTH

OVER

700

£

ON W E B O T A PRIZE 0 0 5 3 £ .

Y A E V E R Y D PRIZES! WORTH OF

The Fire Support January Giveaway is back and bigger than ever! This year with a prize to give away every single day in January. That’s 31 individual prizes up for grabs, what better way to start the year? To be in with a chance of winning from the extensive list, the rules are simple, just place an internet order of any value and you’ll be entered into that day’s random draw. The winner selected will have the prize added to their order. Prizes include:

Tokyo Marui DEVGRU AEG Tokyo Marui KSG SHOTGUN ICS APE black (ICS-230) AEG Classic Army M249 Classic Army SAR OFFIZIER M41 FS AEG ICS CAPTAIN (ICS-263) LCT M4 7” RIS AEG Tokyo Marui G17 GBB PISTOL And many more...

Even better, all orders made throughout the month qualify for the end-of-month draw where the lucky winner can walk away with a Tokyo Marui Upgraded LiPo converted 416 DEVGRU worth £700!

That’s two great chances to win!

CONTACT US FOR TRADE SALES OF ICS AND OTHER TOP BRANDS

sales@fire-support.co.uk - 01733 247171

AAFeb17 v1.indd 3

20/12/2016 20:48:50

Action Air IPSC LEVEL 1 COMPETITION

NPPC ACTION AIR SOUTH WEST PRACTICAL SHOOTERS (SWPS) REPORT FROM THE ACTION AIR IPSC “LEVEL 1” CLUB COMPETITION HELD AT THE NORTHERN PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB (NPPC) 26TH-27TH NOVEMBER 2016.

THE NORTHERN PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB (NPPC) are a dedicated practical pistol club located in the centre of Burnley in Lancashire. NPPC was established in 2004 and is one of the longest-running clubs in the UK and is operated solely by volunteer members.

NPPC have two dedicated practical pistol indoor ranges on the top floor of the 4-storey club building which are ideal for all year-round shooting. NPPC are open throughout the week – on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

NPPC hold regular “Level 1” IPSC Club Competitions; usually three per year. Each competition has between 12-16 Courses of Fire (Stages) – depending on space and volunteers available to support the competition.

Despite it being blooming freezing “up North” in Burnley, the Club competitions are attended by shooters from all over the UK; including competitors from Huddersfield, Watford, East Barnet, Coventry, High Wycombe, Hereford, Gloucester and Axminster, along with NPPC’s own Club Members. Some of NPPC’s Club Competitions have also been attended by shooters from Germany and Holland.

The “Level 1” Club Competition held at NPPC on 26th-27th November was the last of three competitions being held there during 2016; all contributing to the 2017 World Shoot’s “Road to Hungary” Competition Listing.

There were 12 Stages set up in three areas within the NPPC Club facility. The two dedicated practical pistol ranges housed three Small-Medium Stages, which were then combined into a fourth Long Stage. Another three Stages were set-up in a former Recording Studio on a lower floor of the club building, with a fourth stage set-up on a nearby stairwell.

As with all competitions held at NPPC, the Competition Stages were well designed and demonstrated a good use of the space available. The Stages involved a variety of Shooter

30

FEBRuary 2017

Action Air IPSC LEVEL 1 COMPETITION

starting positions – facing up-range, down-range and shooting from within a defined box/shooting area. The Stages also involved a variety of Gun starting positions; including Gun Loaded-Chamber Loaded, Gun Loaded-Chamber Empty and Gun Unloaded starts.

Each Stage challenged the Shooter for a different reason; whether it be due to challenging shooting angles, short and long distances to targets and a mixture of both physical and visual obstacles within the Stage – closed doors and windows to open to reveal targets, barricades to shoot over and/ or around and apertures to shoot through to gain access to specific targets.

The Stages also utilised a mixture of both 60% and 100% target sizes, as well as a mixture of LED poppers, small and large falling poppers and falling plates.

Shooters attending competitions at NPPC are given the option of either shooting the competition over the whole weekend, or shooting the 12 Stages on either the Saturday or Sunday.

• 3x Squads chose to shoot the full competition on the Saturday, 2x additional squads chose to shoot the full competition on the Sunday and 1x Squad chose to shoot the competition across the two-day weekend.

35 Shooters took part in the competition; 24x Shooters within the “Standard” Division and 11x Shooters within the “Open” Division.

• Categories within those Divisions included Juniors (Under 18s), Ladies (Over 18s), Seniors (Over 50s) and Super-Seniors (Over 60s).

Well I guess the time has come to announce the results of the competition: Open Division – Winners:

“EACH STAGE CHALLENGED THE SHOOTER FOR A DIFFERENT REASON; WHETHER IT BE DUE TO CHALLENGING SHOOTING ANGLES, SHORT AND LONG DISTANCES TO TARGETS AND A MIXTURE OF BOTH PHYSICAL AND VISUAL OBSTACLES WITHIN THE STAGE.”

1st – James Still (100% - with 1179.1607 points) 2nd – Mark Farrar (95.66% - with 1127.9570 points) 3rd – James Cleevely (89.74% - with 1058.2110 points) Standard Division – Winners: 1st – Craig Meegan (100% - with 1093.7094 points) 2nd – Gaz Fletcher (96.78% - with 1058.5338 points) 3rd – Andrew Brett (95.39% - with 1043.2778 points)

Membership Fees and Competition Entry Fees go back into the Club to cover costs. NPPC rely on regular attendance from Club Members and strong attendance at Competitions in order to stay operational.

Why not pop along to a Club Session at NPPC and try out one of the fastest-growing sports that is hitting the UK by storm.

Dawn Williams, South West Practical Shooters (SWPS)

The atmosphere at NPPC competitions is always friendly and supportive and it’s what sees shooters returning year-after-year to attend their competitions.

NPPC welcome new shooters to the club; both novice shooters and experienced shooters. NPPC offer full training for novice shooters; providing all equipment necessary to participate in practical pistol shooting training exercises on club nights. By building new shooters’ confidence and competence, shooters will soon become competition-ready.

Northern Practical Pistol Club (NPPC) Tanner Street Burnley Lancs BB11 1NA NPPC’s Opening Times are as follows: Sundays (All Welcome) – 11am-6pm Tuesdays (Family/Junior/Novices) – 6pm-8pm Fridays (Adults/Experienced) – 7pm-9pm For further information, please contact NPPC at the following email addresses: mikec@northernpracticalpistol.co.uk steveb@northernpracticalpistol.co.uk stephenb@northernpracticalpistol.co.uk As previously mentioned, NPPC is operated solely by volunteer members. NPPC is a Not-for-Profit Club and all www.airsoft-action.online

31

GITAG DUST MONKEY

JERRY NOONE TURNS TO THE POST-APOCALYPTIC WORLD AND SPEAKS TO CALLUM FROM DUST MONKEY TO FIND OUT HOW TO CREATE A KICK ASS LOADOUT!

DUST MONKEY THE MORE “NICHE” GENRES IN airsoft absolutely amaze me and there are just so many of them! Whether it’s historical in the form of WWI and WWII, Vietnam or the Cold War, Cowboy oriented or a Steampunk scenario I love looking at how much time and attention to detail goes into both the loadouts and the props.

One of my personal favourite themes though is the Post-Apocalyptic scenario and the passion that goes into the loadouts here is often on a totally different level of my beloved “Geekdom”. I’ve got a game coming up soon where my role will be that of a “Post-Apoc” lawman, so the kit is currently heading down a “Solid Snake meets John Wayne” path with a Stetson and drovers coat worn over a mix of old pattern military and civilian clothing.

I’ve particularly sourced brown leather pouches and holsters to give it more of a “aged western” feel too and I’m weathering up an industrial filter mask just in case I encounter any “gas” or infected areas; I’ll detail the entire loadout in a future “Loaded or Unloaded” article.

This is one area where your imagination can truly run free and searches online will give you some splendid images to inspire you. There are also numerous groups on Facebook, both from the airsoft and LARP communities, who again will offer advice on how to put a worthwhile loadout together and it was through a conversation in one of these groups that I came to speak to Callum from DUST MONKEY, who specialises in making some absolutely outrageous and

32

FEBRuary 2017

thoroughly authentic loadouts, weapons and props.

I asked him if he would mind answering my usual questions and during the process of putting this article together I’ve found myself speaking to him on numerous occasions and having a right laugh at the same time; he’s a cracking guy and it’s been a genuine pleasure to interview him. This is what he had to tell me about creating a loadout for the dark future.

AA: So Callum, in your own words please tell me what led you to set up Dust Monkey?

Callum: “I had always created the odd bit of costume, the occasional prop for myself and then one day I decided to costume 40+ people for an event. From the positive feedback that I got from attendees and from the reaction some of the images from that event got online I decided to set up Dust Monkey.”

AA: Who are the key people involved?

Callum: “Just myself and Russell; I tend to do the softer costume elements while Russell does the harder jobs like making a full set of post-apocalyptic armour out of car tyres, or working with metals.”

AA: When did you start putting together your gear and what was your inspiration?

Callum: “For me every costume or loadout is different; for example a loadout I created this year was heavily inspired originally by photos of my grandfather from World War 2.

He was a rear gunner in a Lancaster and I wondered what a post-apocalyptic airman might look like. So I started with the flight jacket and the loadout slowly built itself around that one starting point.

“My two current projects are both inspired by World War

GITAG DUST MONKEY

One; the first is inspired by frontline British Infantry and the second by the infamous Lawrence of Arabia. I seem to get inspired a lot by British forces, which in part is a reaction to a lot of Post-Apoc loadouts and costuming leaning heavily on German and Russian kit for its inspiration.”

AA: Who do you see as your target customer for your service?

Callum: “I have done a mix of loadouts all the way from full Mad Max Fury Road style to more subtle work like light weathering of airsoft guns, or making a plate carrier look like it’s been through a two day firefight. So the target customer is anyone who wants their loadout to stand out that little bit extra.

“I know a lot of people like their kit looking new but for those who prefer it to look worn, used, fought in and lived in then there is Dust Monkey. I did a recent commission for someone whose brief to me was “post-apocalyptic Captain Britain meets special forces operator”. It was a lot of fun to do as I had to design it keeping in mind it needed to be functional and not just look aesthetically cool.”

AA: In your experience what are the key features for a “PostApoc” loadout?

Callum: “It really depends on the setting for that loadout; one of the joys of Post-Apoc is that the genre is very varied; just to list the big examples, there is Fallout, Metro 2033 and Mad Max. Each has a totally unique visual aesthetic for their own takes on what a Post-Apoc world would be like and thus a loadout for each one would differ quite strongly from one another. But overall I think the basics for a loadout would be that it looks worn and weathered but still functional.

Nothing worse than something looking amazing but hindering you when you need to grab that spare mag and reload in a hurry!”

AA: I see that you have regular updates to what you’re working on via your Facebook page; what are you working on right now?

Callum: “Right now I have two personal projects on the go, the World War One concepts mentioned earlier. I also have another event to costume, I am helping a few new Post-Apoc

themed airsoft events with advice on how to achieve the right look without breaking the bank with tips and tricks anyone can do at home. I also have some repeat customers in the USA who are finalising their briefs for me currently which is exciting.”

AA: Can players contact you directly with their loadout requests?

Callum: “Absolutely, always happy to talk to people about their ideas and offer advice from a full loadout right down to a little addition they may want for an existing one.”

AA: How do you see Dust Monkey evolving in the future?

Callum: “Well already an offshoot of Dust Monkey has been set up, Grease Monkey which specialises in car rebuilds and customisation, with a heavy slant towards Mad Max style vehicles. We have also started planning a joint project with a

“I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE THEIR KIT LOOKING NEW BUT FOR THOSE WHO PREFER IT TO LOOK WORN, USED, FOUGHT IN AND LIVED IN THEN THERE IS DUST MONKEY. I DID A RECENT COMMISSION FOR SOMEONE WHOSE BRIEF TO ME WAS “POSTAPOCALYPTIC CAPTAIN BRITAIN MEETS SPECIAL FORCES OPERATOR”.” costume department from a TV show and it will be interesting to see where that takes us.”

AA: If someone reading this article likes the sound of what you offer, what should be their next step?

Callum: “Contact us via the Dust Monkey Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Dust-Monkey, we always reply within the hour of receiving an enquiry and the speedy nature of communicating on Facebook is much easier for understanding a person’s idea than the slower medium of email.”

AA: A pleasure talking to you Callum and I shall certainly keep tuned in to your Facebook page for inspiration! Thanks also to Kieran Kerrigan from “So Say We All Photography” for supplying some of the images for this article.

Please note that all the photographs accompanying this article were taken under staged conditions, hence the lack of eye protection. Airsoft Action reminds its readers that eye protection must be worn at all times when playing and is not to be removed until it is safe to do so.

www.airsoft-action.online

33

site R.I.F.T. THE BOMB DUMP

THE BOMB DUMP LES LEE HEADS TO ANDOVER TO CHECK OUT ONE OF R.I.F.T. AIRSOFT’S SITES AND FIND OUT WHY THIS COMPANY IS SO POPULAR WITH PLAYERS. WHEN THE BOSS ASKS YOU to go and see so-and-so and check out the site etc., you just know that it is gonna be something a bit special... So me and my trusty sidekick Ozzy Oz fired up the Jeep and started our journey north-west at silly-o-clock and rocked up at an adequately signposted and marshalled entrance where we met “Tank”, who welcomed us with a beaming smile as wide as his shoulders. This was one of the easiest sites that I had ever had to locate thanks to the crystal clear instructions and detailed map on the website. So for the first time in a long time, I didn’t get lost. Tank directed us to the car park at the end of a hard top road which is situated adjacent to the safe zone. We had just arrived at R.I.F.T. Airsoft, aptly named “The Bomb Dump”.

R.I.F.T. (Realistic Imitation Firearm Tactical) Airsoft was created by Tony Whitmarsh in 2011, however, it didn’t happen overnight...

Tony started playing airsoft in 1994 after being introduced to it by a friend of the family at a New Years Eve party. His first ever airsoft game was in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire and run

by Tech Brigade. He instantly fell in love with the sport and it didn’t take long before he had purchased several weapons, even though back in those days airsoft shops were almost nonexistent. Playing almost every two weeks he started to branch out to other sites in the UK, where he had had some amazing days and lots of not so amazing days. Frustration began to set in due to poor sportsmanship from certain players and other “site issues”, so he moved away from airsoft and started to get into WWII re-enactment as an alternative.

Tony never left the hobby completely because he always knew deep down that airsoft could be a lot more than what he had experienced. After chatting with a land owner in 2009, Tony managed to secure a small farm to play airsoft; it was 34

FEBRuary 2017

a fantastic piece of land and had buildings and woodland. Within no time at all friends of friends would come along to play the site which was “Invite Only”. Tony had maps of the land printed for each player, a shooting range to test weapons and his morning brief was very detailed and strict regarding the conduct of all who took part and within no time at all he was booking in a comfortable 50 players per event - and was also supplying a lot of hire kit too. At this time, he was just evolving and had no actual name for the business!

Tony ran airsoft on the farm for a couple of years, until the property owner decided he could make better use of the land. However as luck would have it, Tony had built up a loyal following and managed to secure another small site in Cottenham (Cambridge). Instantly, Tony and some good friends and “brothers-in-arms” built barricades, a tower and other structures to fight around and inside. He decided to call it “Cottenham Training Ground” and was typically averaging 50 players per game day once again.

Tony realised that he was on the verge of wanting to advertise and do more with the

site R.I.F.T. THE BOMB DUMP

Cottenham site but still didn’t have a name for these regular and successful airsoft games and of course, Cottenham was always only ever designed to be an invite only training ground.

Then it happened!

Tony’s lovely wife Hazel was searching “Land for Rent” on the internet and stumbled across an old WWII RAF Communal Site in Chipping Warden (near Banbury). The site was already riddled with some seriously specialised structures of genuine MoD buildings, bunkers and a total of 17 brick built small arms defence trenches scattered across the site. With no time to spare, Tony made contact with the land owner and requested a site visit. It was perfect! Lots of work was required because although still a commissioned MoD area, it had seen almost zero maintenance for many, many years but it mattered not because it was the perfect site that he had been searching for.

Tony knew that this was the turning point for all of the previous work and ideas that he had been running for the previous years. He knew that he needed a name that would be instantly recognisable. AEGs were being called “R.I.F.s” more frequently so he adapted that to suit and R.I.F.T. (Realistic Imitation Firearm Tactical) Airsoft was created. Six months of hard work with many awesome people helping turned the old WWII land into the site now called Com’s Site 3. All founders of R.I.F.T Airsoft were gifted unique V.I.P. Membership Shields.

R.I.F.T. Airsoft has grown from strength to strength and to date, they have presented over 670 Membership Shields.

R.I.F.T. membership runs annually and is totally optional.

Each year when a member “renews” his or her membership, they add a Silver Star to the member’s shield. After 3 stars are gained R.I.F.T. issues a brand new “Veteran Shield” which has the 3 Stars immortalised! Membership of R.I.F.T. is something that makes this “club” rather unique and it is certainly a first for me. In my opinion it is a stonking good idea because it’s a simple fact of life that people like to “belong” and it was clear to see that it was something that the players are clearly proud of. Tony and the team carry this ethos to the highest standard, where the attention to detail is meticulously upheld, for example if a “promotion” amongst players is warranted then it’s not just a simple case of “here’s your new silver star mate-stick it on your shield”, oh no... every single part of the recognition process is celebrated with an adornment ceremony prior to commencement of the day’s games and is without doubt an inspiring and motivational start to the day because every player shares the love!

Membership also offers discounts on Blaster ammo and discount with 4 high end retailers: Pro Airsoft Supplies (Highgate) Action Hobbies (Bletchley) Combat UK (Stevenage) A2 Supplies (The Mall Reading) R.I.F.T. aspires to run “Community Airsoft Sites” and always put the player’s needs first.

They have secured a contract with the M.O.D. and are running regular games in Hampshire (The Bomb Dump) and they also have use of an old clay quarry just outside Luton (special thanks to Combat-UK) and have also taken on Harmergreen Wood in Hertfordshire (originally run by Viking Airsoft). R.I.F.T. Airsoft runs at least one site every weekend and is very proud of its achievements, players and members because let’s face it, it wouldn’t be anything without them.

Anyhow, today’s site “The Bomb Dump” is a real favourite as it welcomes all levels and in particular, roles of airsoft whether that be Assault, Support, Sniper or CQB over an area of mixed terrain of approximately 36 acres.

The Site itself is an old munitions storage facility used in WWII and has many buildings, high ground, concrete roads and small but tactically stimulating areas of woodland.

Taking the high ground is a good tactic but can leave you exposed, while the low ground gives you cover but you can also fall prey to players coming over the top and picking you off. The style of play on offer is almost immeasurable because of the variety of battle zones, so any operator is totally

What can you expect from a visit to The Bomb Dump?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Friendly, welcoming staff.

Well signposted and presented site.

Value for money: Game fees/food/drink and airsoft consumables.

Shooting range and chrono Area.

Concrete parking.

Free battery charging.

Valuable player membership and discounted ammo.

Marshals take awesome photos of you in battle – 400+ most game days.

All photos are uploaded to the R.I.F.T. Airsoft website gallery and Facebook.

Well thought-out scenarios and props.

VERY much focused on “The Player” – they want to give the very best experience possible.

Free UKARA registration.

Pyrotechnics – 4 for £10!

Good selection of quality hire weapons.

www.airsoft-action.online

35

site R.I.F.T. THE BOMB DUMP

immersed in a spoilt-for-choice quandary.

This is a true testing ground for any platoon leaders, that is for certain!

Some of the most amazing airsoft has been witnessed at the Bomb Dump.

According to Tony they have been running the Bomb Dump for just over a year and are always looking to improve and add more to the land. They are very fortunate to have the use of an MoD site but are restricted on what they can and cannot do to the site due to its currently commissioned status but of course, R.I.F.T. always remain supportive to the MoD and will only place added feature/s with their consent.

An average of 50-70 players are on site regularly and they really do have an absolute blast.

The games typically use medic rule (fake bandages) and forward respawn to maximise the time players spend on the battlefield and to save them a long walk back to their fixed respawn. They also have a 3-stage Command Building in which are run CQB mini games. Some players told me that they play all day waiting to get inside those buildings and after a visit myself, I can see why this would be the case. This is pure adrenaline pumping ‘softing and personally I reckon I could spend a whole day in and around these three buildings!

A typical game day will start with the gate opening at 8am.

Staff are on duty to meet and greet players as they arrive. Once everyone is signed and had their weapons choreographed it’s time to head over for the morning brief. The brief is somewhat detailed but essential for a good day of airsoft. Everyone knows what is expected from them and what to expect from everyone else. Hit taking and cheating is NOT a “Taboo” subject, it is quite simple really. They discuss the impact that just one cheating player can have on the day and explain that it is totally unacceptable and cheats will be removed from site. It is as simple as that. Membership shields are presented and then it’s time to head out for the first game of the day!

They usually look to the first game to balance teams. Ain’t nothing worse than being new to a site and getting stuck

Check out other Rift Sites: Com’s Site 3 (Chipping Warden) OX17 1LZ Cottenham (Cambridge) CB24 8RL Hamergreen Wood (Hertfordshire) AL6 0UL The Ridge (Barton Le Clay – Luton) MK45 4LG

with all the other new players and getting “owned” by the regulars all day, so at R.I.F.T. they always look and designate for nicely balanced teams so everyone has a chance to win. R.I.F.T. scenarios are carefully planned and printed on their agenda sheet and distributed to all Marshals. A well-structured day gives players the best experience and all Marshals know exactly what props to set up and how best to brief their team. Scenarios can vary and have elements of tactic and strategy to complete. Games run for a typical 50 minutes with break of 20 mins. Lunch is at 1pm and hot dogs are a general favourite.

Tony tells me that to date The Bomb Dump has met with great feedback and success and ultimately everyone will be made to feel very welcome (so long as you don’t cheat) and as a goodwill gesture, all new players to R.I.F.T. Airsoft will receive a £5 discount!

So there we are, R.I.F.T. Airsoft’s The Bomb Dump near Andover, Hampshire and from what I saw on the day Tony runs the very highest standards of airsoft gaming. I love the attention to detail, the membership scheme is a system that I hope will gain momentum as it creates a closeness amongst players of all types and instils teamwork and it was clear to see that the members are super-proud to wear the shield - and why not? It is a symbol of loyalty to the club and devotion to the sport/hobby and incorporates an opportunity to rise up through the ranks, not by way of a form of elitist “I’m better than you” type but a standard that can be aspired to which will ultimately help towards making you a better player.

Personally I think that R.I.F.T. have got it spot on (and now I know why Nige wanted me to go and check ‘em out) Nice call Boss!!

Les OUT!

Contact Details: R.I.F.T Airsoft AAC Middle Wallop Andover Hampshire SO20 8DY tony@riftairsoft.com 07751 586781

www.airsoft-action.online

37

Warriors CHECHEN GUERRILLA FIGHTER - FIRST CHECHEN WAR

CHECHEN GUERRILLA FIGHTER

FIRST CHECHEN WAR – 1996

IN THE 1990S CHECHNYA SUFFERED TWO BRUTAL WARS WITH RUSSIA. GARETH “GADGE” HARVEY TAKES A LOOK AT ONE OF THE COMBATANTS INVOLVED.

RUSSIA’S TWO BRUTAL WARS in Chechnya helped reforge the broken former USSR into a renewed powerful military machine and one that can be seen flexing its muscles on the world’s stage today.

But, it is easy to forget that the juggernaut of the former Soviet Red Army was once brought to its knees by a lightly armed but determined and well-lead resistance movement.

In the early 1990s the Russian Government and its armed forces, were still reeling from the fall of communism. A coup by Soviet hardliners to try and stop the move to a free market economy and restore the communist party had failed and Russian president Boris Yeltsin found himself at the head of a precarious federation of states.

With the iron grip of the communist

38

FEBRuary 2017

Warriors CHECHEN GUERRILLA FIGHTER - FIRST CHECHEN WAR

party loosened, many Border States of the USSR petitioned for more independence from Moscow and self-government for their people. Arrogantly, Yeltsin told these peoples publically to “take as much sovereignty as you can swallow”… words he would come to regret when the proud Chechen people decided to take up his offer.

LAND OF THE WOLVES

As we have mentioned in previous editions of Warriors, the Chechens are a fiercely independent people raised on selfreliance coupled with family values. In fact the Chechen revere the wolf as their national symbol as a wolf is a loner who also thrives in a pack, symbolising both family and independent action. The wolf, or “borz” in the Chechen language of Nokhchy, is found everywhere from flags to dagger pommels in the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Young Chechen men belong to Teips (clans) and from an early age learn to shoot, hunt and occasionally take part in bloodless “raids” to secure cattle, trophies or even (willing) brides. While the modernisation of Soviet life had made these practices less common than they had been in the past, Chechen men were essentially from a warrior culture.

During the Soviet era the Russians had harnessed this selfreliance and hardiness and made good use of it by recruiting Chechens into their shock troop formations of the airborne forces (VDV) and army Spetsnaz sabotage and raiding units.

Unlike urban Slavic city-dwelling soviets, the Chechens were no strangers to hardship and had a natural instinct for Special Forces operations. Ironically these skilled hunters from a

nominally Islamic region (during the Soviet Union’s regime all religion was harshly supressed) were used to combat another proud and independent (and Muslim) warrior race, the Afghans. This would soon be seen to be a short-sighted strategy, however, as Chechen experiences in Afghanistan as part of the red army would soon become a thorn in Russia’s side as the Republic sought independence from the decaying USSR.

UNDERPAID AND UNDEREQUIPPED

In the wake of the August 1991 coup, former Soviet Air Force general and native Chechen, Dzhokhar Dudayev declared Chechen independence from his seat of Government in Grozny and held an election, urging the people to throw off Moscow’s rule. Initially, President Yeltsin tolerated Dudayev’s claims but when the Chechens called for secession from the Russian Federation he took action and the first Chechen War began in 1992 as interior army troops were mobilised.

The first Chechen war was a humiliating experience for the former Red Army. An underpaid and underquipped Russian federal force was ground down repeatedly by hit and run guerrilla attacks. Morale played no uncertain part. Most federal forces were conscripts, fighting in a strange land for a cause they cared little about. Often unfed, almost always unpaid and fighting a determined enemy who not only knew every inch of the battlefield but also was willing to die for their homeland and religion. Most feared of these rebel soldiers were the Chechen snipers, called “ghosts” by the federal forces as they were said to “own the night”.

“HE WEARS A PAIR OF RUSSIAN LICENSED ADIDAS TRAINERS KNOWN AS “MOCKBA” (MOSKVA/ MOSCOW). THESE TRAINERS HAD BEEN POPULAR WITH THE SOVIET ARMY IN AFGHANISTAN, WHO USED UP SURPLUS STOCKS OF 1980S OLYMPIC GAMES LICENSED FOOTWEAR WHEN THE SOVIET JACKBOOT AND ANKLE BOOT WAS FOUND TO BE WOEFULLY INADEQUATE FOR PATROLS IN AFGHANISTAN.”

www.airsoft-action.online

39

CONTRACTOR PANTS

ELITE JACKET

ELITE BASEBALL HAT

TACTICAL T-SHIRT

n 6 Pocket, 2 with inner felt lined utility compartments

The Elite jacket is made from water resistant Micro-shell material, offering the user maximum comfort.

n Made from Nylon/Cotton

n Super heavyweight 220gsm cotton

n Re-enforced knee panel with knee pad compartment n Elasticated waist panel on rear for added comfort.

Material: Ripstop Polycotton

Material: Micro-Shell Sizes UK: S-XXL Colour: Titanium SRP: £59.95

n Rip-stop tear resistant n Front Velcro ID panel n Velcro size adjustment Sizes: One size fits most Colour: Titanium

n 2 sleeve pockets with velcro Sizes: S-XXXL Colour: Titanium SRP: £22.95

SRP: £9.95

Sizes: 28”- 42” Colour: Titanium SRP: £42.00

>GET THE

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE

TACTICAL

STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE

www.vipertactical.co.uk

Warriors CHECHEN GUERRILLA FIGHTER - FIRST CHECHEN WAR

Airsoft Action recognises the sensitive nature of covering units involved in guerrilla warfare and understands that “one man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist”. However, “Warriors” could not be inclusive and informative if we did not occasionally show the “other side” of asymmetric conflicts. Airsoft Action aims to remain objective and neutral in our study of these units and provides the information in this article without political allegiance or bias.

Our warrior this month represents one such “ghost”, stalking federal forces and lying in ambush throughout the shattered streets of Grozny.

Chechen snipers outclassed Russian army marksmen as they were fully prepared to lie up in wait for days on end to take a vital shot at a Russian officer or radio operator, before drifting away into the local population. An extra fear factor was added by the Chechen’s willingness to patrol and operate at night, as they knew the terrain and could rely on accurate intelligence from local sympathisers. In contrast, the Russians were rarely trained in night operations and often, even when equipped with night vision equipment, lacked the basic supplies (such as batteries) to make them useful. Chechen marksmen would ambush Russian patrols from loopholes carved out of building walls, or lofty upper story hides. A particularly favoured tactic was the “come on” ambush, where the sniper would be lying in wait while an “obvious” target such as a group of rebels lured the federal forces into his sites.

Despite both side using the venerable Dragunov SVD sniper rifle (in service with the Soviet Union since 1963!) the guerrillas made the best use of them. While most Russian marksmen were trained in the “designated marksman role” and able to shoot out accurately to around 600 metres, Chechen snipers frequently engaged federal patrols at close to 1,000 metres.

Chechen forces would also attach a “security element” of AKM and AK74 armed insurgents to cover the retreat of the valuable sniper, should federal forces be seen to be getting the upper hand.

FANATICAL WARRIORS

Our warrior this month is lightly equipped for the street fighting in Grozny in the final stages of the war and wears an odd mix of civilian and military items. His basic “uniform” (if it can be called that) is a pair of Russian army combat trousers stolen from federal stockpiles, in the 1993 “VSR” or “Schofield” pattern (in fact the last ever pattern created for the Soviet Union and trialled in 1991), with a civilian black woollen jumper. Eschewing combat boots for lightweight footwear better suited to running around the city streets, he wears a pair of Russian licensed Adidas trainers known as “Mockba” (Moskva/Moscow). These trainers had been popular with the Soviet army in Afghanistan, who used up surplus stocks of 1980s Olympic Games licensed footwear when the Soviet jackboot and ankle boot was found to be woefully inadequate for patrols in Afghanistan. Many guerrillas in the early stages of the conflict would not have worn such obviously military trousers, so as to be able to blend in better with the local population but by this point in the war the Chechen Irregulars have enough support to be able to operate more overtly.

Another key signifier that this sniper is in the latter stages of the first Chechen war, is his open proclamation of being a Muslim via his beard and his “Islamic green” headband. In the early stages of the 1st Chechen War the conflict was mostly about nationalism but militant Islamic groups in neighbouring countries helped to promote the religious agenda while supplying military aid and created fanatical warriors in a similar vein to the Mujahidin of Afghanistan. In fact many Chechen irregulars would actually be non-Chechen nationals fighting a “Holy war” by the time the 2nd Chechen War would end in 2002.

Fighting kit is incredibly basic and consists of a simple Soviet Army rubberised canvas belt and a canteen and ammo pouch of similar 1970s vintage. The ammunition pouch carries four spare magazines for his 7.62x54mm SVD sniper rife and spare batteries and bulbs for the rifles PSO-1 scope. The PSO series of scopes were excellent for their time and have a built in illuminated reticule for use in low light, while early models have a basic IR light detection modules allowing the sniper to target those using IR lamps for NVGs This month’s subject for Warriors is somewhat controversial but simple enough to source. Should you go down this route you could easily substitute any of the items for a more civilian, or more military, alternative as the rebels used whatever they could find from civilian and military stocks. Custom made assault vest were popular and one could write an interesting article on these alone.

If truth be told though, this is a “loadout” for themed events only where you might get chance to play an eastern regions rebel fighter, as there is always the possibility to offend when portraying “insurgents” at open days.

Further Reading Reader’s interested in Sniper operations in Chechnya during both wars might want to check out the excellent ‘Modern Snipers’ by Leigh Neville (reviewed last issue) , ‘Russia’s Wars in Chechnya 1994-2009’

by Mark Galeotti and ‘Russian Security Forces and Paramilitary Forces since 1991 (also by M.Galeotti).

All are available from Osprey Books.

www.airsoft-action.online

41

Inside Airsoft DTW AIRSOFT

LES LEE VISITS A NEW AIRSOFT SHOP IN COLCHESTER, ESSEX AND FINDS THIS QUIRKILY-NAMED BUSINESS IS DEDICATED TO TOTAL PROFESSIONALISM.

DON’T TELL THE WIFE ESSEX IS QUITE THE PLACE when it comes to quirky quips and conundrums, so it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise when I asked Ray Coton, co-owner of D.T.W. Airsoft in Colchester, what the DTW actually stood for. His answer of “Don’t Tell the Wife” is such a catchy name that it’s unlikely to be forgotten but after talking to Ray in some depth about the shop and how it came about, it was clear to see that alongside this classic piece of Essexshaped humour lies an advancing business professionally dedicated to airsoft.

Ray is the co-owner with a few like-minded airsofters that want to give us the best in products, service and prices and it was a logical step for Airsoft Action to find out what D.T.W. has in store for us in the future. As this new pew pew shop is on my turf, I was beyond keen to get to know these guys and see what is going on to make these guys not want to tell the wife. The mind boggles!

Les: Hello Ray, thank you for inviting me along to D.T.W. Airsoft and first things first, I’m curious as to how the name was created, but before you let the cat out of the bag, tell me a little about you and your co-conspirators and how it all fell nicely into place?

Ray: “Thanks for coming along Les and it’s a

42

FEBRuary 2017

pleasure to be included in the pages of Airsoft Action.

“The business started late in 2015 as a small repair and sell job, where Peter and Steve would buy bone yard rifles from internet forums, get them all fixed up and working and sell them on to cover the costs and make a small profit. Our main buyer at the time was Ray, who was currently working at the Bunker in Colchester. It wasn’t until a few months into this that things were beginning to change and we realised that the products that we were selling were now proving to be a huge success amongst the local airsofters, so much so that as the local airsoft shop had now been downsized and relocated into the centre of town, we felt that there was enough custom to go around. So Peter and Steve decided that it was time for a change and a new shop was needed to bring the local airsoft community back together. With the help of Ray (being the voice of reason and knowing how the money side of running a business worked), we spent a few months looking for a property to set up before we finally found the one we are in now.”

Les: Okay then Ray, who are the names behind the team?

Ray: “There are three main people who work at the shop: Yours truly, Ray “Gunney” Coton, who is the store Manager and the friendly face behind the counter (he is even nicer if you give him coffee and a slice of cake). He has over 6 years experience in playing, marshalling and trading in airsoft. He also has a collection large enough to open his own shop with but in his own words “when you prise it from my dead hands

Inside Airsoft DTW AIRSOFT

the barrel will still be warm”!

“Peter “Arkwright” Barber, who has always got his eyes on the money in the bank and making sure that Steve and Ray don’t go on a spending spree for guns that “need to be tested... for the shop of course”. Like Ray, he has also got over 6 years in playing and tinkering with airsoft rifles. If he is not shooting a target he is trying to get more range and accuracy.

He is one of the in house gunsmiths and rifle painter.

“Steve “Lardy” Gooch. Steve only has 2 years experience in airsoft but what he lacks with experience he more than makes up for with his canny ability to seek out new and interesting ideas and products that have been a huge success in the shop.

He is also Pete’s father-in-law.”

“We also have a Saturday apprentice called Jamie who’s main job is to get drinks whenever Ray rings his little tea bell.”

Les: One question I always like to ask for our readers, are you a “one stop shop”?

Ray: “At the moment we are still trying to find our feet in the market. We would like to think that we could be a one stop shop in the future but sadly we are limited on space. But this doesn’t stop us from taking orders for parts people need.”

Les: Tell me about the brands that ‘softers will find in D.T.W.?

Ray: “We stock a variety of brands from ICS, Valken, Snow Wolf, KJ Works, Ares, G&G, JG, Zoxna and the odd CYMA. From time to time there are other brands on sale and as we are a relatively new business, our stock range is always increasing but we want to walk before we try running otherwise we might just trip up - it happens! We always try and stock brands that people know and are known for being reliable and affordable.

Of course we have to go and field test the guns and equipment on the odd Sunday skirmish. Lately we have been finding that the Amoeba Striker sniper rifle has been asked for the most and also the Valken Battle Machines seem to be very good for new players due to the price and weight.”

Les: Do you have any links or affiliations with any sites or clubs in the area or plans for the future?

Ray: “We have been in contact with Formula 5 Paintball and have been asked to hold an airsoft event for them, where teams of 7 will be competing against each other. There is going to be two arenas for people to play in, one for AEGs and a smaller one for pistols only. This is going to be tried out in January 2017 and if it is a success we will be holding more of these events. We are working on our online store at the moment.”

“THE ‘WIFE DOESN’T KNOW WALL’ IS WHERE YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PURCHASES UNTIL YOU HAVE FOUND THE COURAGE TO TELL HER SHE CAN’T HAVE THAT NEW HANDBAG AS THE MONEY HAS GONE ON A GUN! ”

Les: So if someone walks in with a broken gun, can you guys fix it?

Ray: “Peter is our in-house gunsmith who can fix most rifles and pistols but when something stumps him (and it happens more than he wants anyone to know), he can always turn to his secret contact that can get the job done. We offer all kinds of gunsmith services from upgrades/downgrades, trouble shooting, customising, DMR builds, accuracy tweaks and anything else that people want.”

Les: “Can you give our readers a “heads-up” about your close relationship with the highly respected Valken?

Ray: “We have contacts with a few local teams and have had the support from RAW airsoft from the very beginning.

We have also been working closely with Valken who were the first company to allow us to trade with them, before we even had the shop up and running. We have been giving them constructive feedback on their products and what improvements that could be done for their airsoft line that people would like to see. This has allowed us to work well together and they have been very grateful as we have with them and, as they are only down the road from us, it has been super convenient for both parties because if either of us have a problem we are there to help each other so we make a pretty formidable team.”

Les: Ray, tell us why an airsofter should buy from you?

Ray: “As airsofters ourselves we know what service we would www.airsoft-action.online

43

Inside Airsoft DTW AIRSOFT

Contact Details: D.T.W. AIRSOFT Unit 23 Moorside Business Park Colchester Essex CO1 2ZF

expect from a good shop. We have taken this and used it ourselves to ensure that the customer is happy with what they are getting. It is our challenge to ensure that they get the “buzz” and “grin factor” 01206 790046 from a new gun or piece of equipment. dtwairsoft@yahoo.com I know that if they are trying out a new Facebook page: D.T.W Airsoft gun in the in-house range and they don’t walk out with a smile on their face, it Open times: is not the right one for them. We have Tuesday - Friday 10.00 - 18.00 never pushed a sale on someone and Saturday 9.00 - 17.00 have often told people that if they don’t know what they want, the best thing is to go have a sit down, maybe over a cuppa and gather their thoughts and think about it before they make that commitment to buy. Even then, as I said earlier, if they bring it back exactly as it left the shop (in its original and un-customised condition) then we will simply exchange it or refund so as that famous rodent says “Simplz!”

Les: Finally Ray, I have to ask... How on earth did the name D.T.W. make it above the shop door? I know that you Essex guys are renowned for your “unique” sense of humour but this takes the biscuit mate.

Ray: “Finding the name of the company was a fluke. We had spent a few days throwing ideas back and forth but couldn’t get anything that would stick. It wasn’t until Peter had bought something and said the immortal words every man says when he has got something he should of “don’t tell the wife”. Steve just stood there mouth slightly open for a few seconds before saying it was perfect for the company. It was true what he said as it seems that so many people can relate to it, so we have built the shop around this idea. We have our little coffee corner with a kettle, sofas and a TV normally playing war films. Above the kettle is a little mug wall where people can leave their own

44

FEBRuary 2017

mugs and use them whenever they pop into the shop for a few hours. Behind the range is another little secret where if someone has bought something that they are too scared to take home in case the wife finds it. The “Wife Doesn’t Know Wall” is where you can keep your purchases until you have found the courage to tell her she can’t have that new handbag as the money has gone on a gun!”

Les: Well Ray, in text talk this would be followed with a PMSL acronym because I have to say that this made me chuckle!

I thank you for your candour and your humour (which can be a minefield these days) but of course, we all know everything is said with a degree of jest and that D.T.W. Airsoft is an extremely friendly place to spend time and money and let’s be honest, the leisure industry should be enjoyed in as many ways possible. If you can go into a shop, help yourself to a cuppa and enjoy some good old Essex banter then that has to be better than looking over your shoulder for the lurking vulture working for their commission.

And thus endeth the mystery surrounding the initials D.T.W. on this rather distinctively named upand-coming airsoft shop in Colchester. Drop in and see the guys if you’re in the area as I’m sure that by now you should realise that you are in for a truly warm Essex welcome.

Les OUT!

TRG

INTRODUCING THE LATEST INSTALMENT OF THE VALKEN TACTICAL BATTLE MACHINE SERIES

TRG-M & TRG-L

• Updated gear box with new improved gear set, improved trigger and shuttle • Upgraded piston with six metal teeth • Improved barrel mount with C-Clip for improved accuracy • New orescent hi-visibility ip up sights – front and rear • Integrated ring mounts for sling attachments • Airsoft Spec Keymod for attachments

valken.com

Photo: Nikolai Frits Nielsen

International DENMARK

INTERNATIONAL AIRSOFT:

DENMARK COMING CLOSER TO HOME IN HIS SEARCH FOR AIRSOFT UPDATES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, BILL THOMAS TALKS THIS TIME TO THOMAS OF KIRERU AIRSOFT, TO GET THE LOWDOWN ON SOME SERIOUS “VIKING PEW PEW” ACTION! WORKING WITHIN ANY INDUSTRY inevitably leads to friendships being built and when I was thinking about where to head next in my effort to highlight airsoft around the globe, it seemed only natural to turn to my good mate Thomas in Denmark.

As well as working for the mighty ActionSportGames (ASG) who are of course based in Denmark, Thomas is a wellrespected member of the airsoft community thanks to his website (http://kireru.dk), blog and YouTube channel. He also happens to be one of the “good guys” of the airsoft world and he and I often find ourselves embroiled in the same topics of discussion online, sharing information and opinions freely and usually with a huge amount of banter!

After the sad loss recently of Mark “Airsoft Denmark” Rasmussen, I really felt that we should be highlighting the community that gave us this fine young player and Thomas was the very man to answer my questions.

AA: Hi Thomas! Please can you tell me a little about how airsoft has developed in Denmark?

46

FEBRuary 2017

Thomas: “Hi Bill! Well Denmark has a long and proud history of Airsoft.

“Back in the late 80’s we still had a small gun culture roaming with airguns and CO2-powered guns and this helped get airsoft in a lot of ways. Airsoft started like most countries with abandoned industrial areas used as playing fields and meeting up with that handful of players with springers and very low end AEGs. From there the popularity spread and as the borders opened up more from Asia, so did the wide range of airsoft guns available. Despite the growing number of legal sites Airsoft still has a very present underground community. In Denmark we also call airsoft “Hardball”.

AA: Do you have many established sites in Denmark; could you tell me a little more about them?

Thomas: “We have a wide range of well-established sites in Denmark. Compared to the UK we don’t have that many.

Denmark has various taxes and fees that make renting or buying property quite expensive thus limiting new sites.

“One of the oldest sites is Hardball Heaven, which has been

International DENMARK

“There are many other sites around Denmark that I’ve played at worth mentioning but I could go on and on...”

very well known for their MilSim crowd in our neighbouring countries. This is mainly due to limited MilSim events in Denmark, so we have to cross the borders to attend bigger Sims. With the growing trend of HPA rifles you see a paradigm shift in the crowd attending these sites. Younger and more trigger-happy players are showing up and this is also reflected in the types of games you see.

“I’m old school so I like my single-fire only, midcaps only, tactical-type games.”

AA: Do sites and players have any legal restrictions that to contend with?

AA: Do airsofters in Denmark train either as individuals or teams?

Thomas: “Legal sites require a special permit, the same kind required for a gun range; apparently there’s a glitch in the matrix. Shooting stationary targets in the back yard with proper safety issues taken into account is okay but once you’re moving or shooting a moving target you’ll need that permit.

Furthermore, getting insurance to cover the site can also be quite an expensive ordeal.

Thomas: “In general no, you don’t see it a lot. In the last few years, I would say the only really committed training I’ve seen was with my former team, SCAR Inc. We dedicated our Thursdays to training and in some cases skipped Sunday gaming for team training. Training was everything from 9-hole drills, rifle/pistol handling, various cardio workouts relevant to shooting like going prone, squats, run and shoot, that sort of thing. We also did long walks with radio comms when the weather allowed it.

“Now most people would call this Overkill, but the Team regarded airsoft as a tool to better ourselves and training is one aspect of a mind-set to better yourself. Something I wished more players and teams would adopt.”

around for almost as long as I can remember. It’s owned by Rodes, an airsoft store with a long history in the business and which is also very well respected. Badboys Airsoft also have two very popular sites, which offers each their own setting for skirmishes. Hardball Shoppen has Hardball Hallen which is very CQB oriented. The cool thing is that is they built the site from scratch, like the buildings and everything, from the ground up.

“Our Joule limit for rifles on most sites is 1.69J (about 425fps), snipers are usually allowed more. This is of course with safety distances ranging from 3m to 20m depending on your Joule output. Full face masks are required on all sites, mostly due to the insurance coverage. Other than that it’s pretty much good to go. No bright colours or orange tip required.”

AA: What’s a normal game day like for you?

Photo: Klaus Johansen

Thomas: “Well most game days are on the international Airsoft Day, namely Sunday. But usually mine starts on Saturday with charging all my rifle batteries, radio and equipment check.

Once everything is packed or laid out then I can sleep well.

“Come Sunday I usually get picked up by my team or mates. I usually like getting there a bit earlier than the rest.

That way I’m getting a good table and I get a good idea who I’m playing with or against. The actual games are just like the saying “on any given Sunday”. “ AA: What is a popular style of play in Denmark, regular skirmish, MilSim or both?

Thomas: “This is actually an odd one. Regular skirmish is definitely the most played style in Denmark. But Danes are

AA: What’s important to you in relation to loadouts?

Thomas: “Having a proper loadout is very telling of what kind of player you are in many aspects. I see my loadout both as a way to perform better and yet challenge myself. I admire the people that go full impression with all the RS stuff, but sometimes I also see it hinder them when it comes to more speedy skirmishes. On the other hand I see players with very basic loadouts having difficulties performing certain tasks.

“OUR JOULE LIMIT FOR RIFLES ON MOST SITES IS 1.69J (ABOUT 425FPS), SNIPERS ARE USUALLY ALLOWED MORE. THIS IS OF COURSE WITH SAFETY DISTANCES RANGING FROM 3M TO 20M DEPENDING ON YOUR JOULE OUTPUT. FULL FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL SITES, MOSTLY DUE TO THE INSURANCE COVERAGE.”

www.airsoft-action.online

47

International DENMARK

“Having worked as Store manager for PX-SHOP Denmark I’ve had the pleasure in helping out GIs, SOF and LE pick out some gear in correspondence to their “mission”. It has helped me gain a better understanding of what the mind-set is when picking your loadout. But it all boils down to training with your gear. If you keep on pushing yourself and how your gear is set up you’ll eventually figure if the system you have works for you or if it completely fails.”

AA: What is the situation with airsoft and tactical stores in Denmark; do you have particular favourites?

Thomas: “Denmark has a good handful of RS tactical stores that tailor to both LEAF and Airsoft players. They are all tuned into the airsoft crowd but of course most of their business is for LEAF. “I wouldn’t say I have a particular one; they are all great and offer a wide range of brands.

Airsoft stores in Denmark also carry tactical gear, both RS and airsoft made, so there are many options.”

AA: Are there particular brands and models of airsoft replica that are important in Denmark?

Thomas: “Well working for ASG I can’t comment on that question. I’m bound by legal contra... just pulling your leg!

Though ASG rifles are very popular in Denmark, I’m not saying that because I work for them, it’s just a fact. It kinda would be a little weird if you didn’t see ASG rifles out on the field here.

“But most brands are represented well out on the fields.

48

FEBRuary 2017

AA: Do sites have a rental facility if someone were visiting from overseas?

Thomas: “Most sites have rentals, if they don’t just poke at them and I’m sure they will gather some for you. They are all run by dedicated people who want to give you a great gaming experience, so just ask.”

AA: If anyone is visiting Denmark and is interested in visiting a site for a game day, where should they head for information?

Thomas: “Well any of the sites I mentioned previously have a lot of members and we Danes are known for our kind hospitality. So join any one of them on Facebook and ask around and I’m sure they will be able to help you out. Or join my (shameless plug) humble page Kireru Airsoft on Facebook and I’ll point you in the right direction.”

AA: Many thanks Thomas, a pleasure speaking to you as always and I look forward to seeing you at IWA as usual!

Thanks also to Lars, Nikolai, Klaus and Sjomann for the pictures!

Thomas: “My pleasure, always love to talk about airsoft, guns and gear with a legend such as yourself Bill. See you at IWA where I’ll be working the ASG booth and bothering Nuprol!”

Photo: Sjomann

Photo: lars@ardahl.com

TM, CA, WE, VFC, JG and the like are all out on the fields.

HPA is making a lot of waves lately and is very common to see.

However Denmark falls short on some brands or models due to import taxes and prices. Some rifles that might be cheap elsewhere do get a bump in the price once hitting stores in Denmark.

“The crowd I usually hang out with are all die hard Systema PTW users. I think Denmark has a very dedicated PTW crowd, that’s probably my biased observation. I’m sure that the other dedicated models have their following as well like the EVO, TM Recoil Shock, WE GBB and Tippmann. Although GBB rifles aren’t that common here; Danish weather really doesn’t allow for that much usage of GBB rifles!”

E S X E SR DOES IT AND Debate

SEX SELLS! OR DOES IT AND SHOULD IT?

O

GADGE IS TAKING A BREAK FROM HIS DEBATE COLUMN FOR A WHILE AND ENDS THIS SERIES WITH ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS IN AIRSOFT. THIS MONTH THE HOT TOPIC in the office has been “sexy” advertising in airsoft. Quite a few companies will show you just their product in an advert and whether it’s an AEG or a plate carrier, the product is the focus but many also use the age-old allure of sex appeal to draw in the buyer.

So this month we asked you how you felt about “bikini babes” holding an AEG, or scantily clad models promoting pyro? Did you find it distasteful and that it put you off that company, or was it just a bit of harmless fun in an “adult” hobby.

We asked whether you felt that this was still a relevant way to market products in the airsoft industry in the 21st century, or was it just “the way of the world” and a technique that clearly worked?

Without a doubt the overall consensus of this month’s debate was that “sexy” advertising didn’t work. Nearly all of you, both male and female felt you’d much rather see the product, its price and its gaming statistics rather than some bum in a bikini. Many of you did feel, however, that it was an outdated advertising method and inappropriately pitched at the sport; the prevailing view being an attractive

advertising more offensive than most of the female players!

So the message to future advertising executives is out there and clearly written on the wall… If you want to sell an AEG, tell us what it does and use an airsofter to display it if you want it to be taken seriously.

So without further ado let’s have a look at what you had to say...

Ian Mays: “I don’t pay any attention to scantily clad ladies to advertise goods if it is something I want. I might note the product but I don’t blow £300 on an AEG just because some lady is holding it but I do think it degrades the sport (which struggles to attract women to play), as it comes across as we are easily led which degrades us as well. The last product that attracted me in an airsoft magazine was not held by anything, so I can’t see it makes much difference except the ladies are a bit old fashioned.”

Beth Legere: “I don’t buy airsoft magazines for this very reason. There are a lot of female airsofters out there and these ads are directed at the male population for the most part. It cheapens the product in my opinion and is completely unnecessary.”

“ You can keep the scantily clad see.” women – it’s the rifle I want to model (of any sex) wearing tactical gear and carrying their AEG like they actually knew which end was the business end, would be more appealing. Some of you found this form of advertising sexist and offensive but perhaps an equal amount of you felt that the models were just doing their job!

Perhaps the most interesting conclusion drawn from this event was that in general male players found “bikini babe”

50

FEBRuary 2017

John Baker: “You can keep the scantily clad women it’s the rifle I want to see.”

Lauren KH Marsh: “Can’t they just have pictures of diverse players working together? Like it really is at the sites.

Everyone knows the bikini models don’t know their hop-ups from their stocks, so it’s not really representative of true players. Just get badass action shots of some real players using the equipment you’re selling. Posed action shots are a damn sight better than someone who has zero idea about what they’re selling, posing with it like it’s a totally alien concept. But then the advertising companies must be targeting young, horny, straight boys (who can’t actually legally buy airsoft products...?) so WTF do I know?”

!

S L L END SHOULD IT?

Debate

SEX SELLS! OR DOES IT AND SHOULD IT?

David John Whiting: “Frankly I don’t care! I’m going to buy the product I want and no amount of advertising is going to sway me. I’d rather look at personal reviews so I have an idea of performance and usability, I also asked my Mrs who has her own kit, guns and frequently airsofts with me... and she doesn’t care either!”

Andrew Beaton: “If a company wants to be taken seriously, having them in bikinis, banana hammocks, donkey suits or nuns habits, kind of undermines the sale point. Very few of the photos are “sexy”. Most male and female models look bored enough in full gear as it is. Just show us the guns, gear and other assortments; let us decide if we like the look after that.”

Billy Gumbrell: “I don’t know the exact percentage but I’d be willing to go out on a limb and say the main demographic (high 90% I would wager) of airsoft is 18 – 30, heterosexual, males playing a game of adrenaline and testosterone. By virtue of that, it makes perfect sense to use bikini babes or similar for advertising. Advertising is about harvesting business and any business wants to appeal to their largest demographic. I fully appreciate that airsoft is all-encompassing and I know of female, gay, lesbian, and transgender players.... And even those who simply find this kind of advertising distasteful - but they are a minority. In the nicest way possible, until those who don’t like this style of advertising spend more than those who do, it is simply a question of economics.”

Paul Fair: “If I want to look at breasts, the Internet is a great place

“ If a company wants to be taken seriously, having them in bikinis, banana hammocks, donkey suits or nuns habits, kind of undermines the sale poin t.”

to find t*ts of all shapes and sizes. If I am looking at airsoft kit, I want to see airsoft kit paired with airsoft players. If I buy an airsoft magazine and it’s full of breasts then I think I’ve bought the wrong magazine. If I buy a copy of “Readers Wives of the 1970’s” and it’s full of M4 replicas, equally there is something wrong. We are trying to attract players from all walks of life pitch your magazine and event accordingly.”

Bethany Anderson: “I used to love airsofting but one thing I wasn’t keen on was some of the advertising by companies. Just because that’s not what airsofting is about, it’s about the fun and action you have with it, the intensity and of course some of the people you meet! Fair enough if they want to do it but it has no relation to the game or weapon.”

Susan Madley: “When I edited Recon Rag we always had sexy girls with guns. I didn’t have a problem with it, neither did the models. Hell, if I had the figure when I was younger I would have done it! Other publications use scantily clad men with their advertising. It is, at the end of the day, a personal choice.”

tily clad n a c s e s u ications l b u p s, at the i r t e I h . t g n “ O i s i t r adver i e h t h t i w oice.” h c l men a n o s r ay, a pe d e h t f o d en

David Thompson: “I touched upon this briefly in a chat with Femme Fatale a few weeks ago.

My daughter is just starting to get into airsoft but she is only 13 and it’s embarrassing when she is looking through AI or AA and comes across these ads. It’s not

www.airsoft-action.online

51

SALES . UPGRADES CUSTOM BUILDS REPAIR . ADVICE

Unit 5 Fourth Court Bridge Road Holbeck, Leeds LS11 9UG

Retail store now open in Leeds. Located just a few minutes from Junctions 2a and 3 off the m621 Full range of primary and secondary weapons plus accessories in stock and on display.

Including the Desert Tech SRS sniper rifle

MAREX UK P RO LU IA

TM

OF FI

T UC D

C

FIELD SPORTS

EQUIPMENT

IE

NG

H

P

PL

AM

SU

ARMEX D

BY

ARMEX LTD, BIR

MI

MANUFACTURE

THE BLACK OPS SOUL ARMEX

TM

FIELD SPORTS

0113 3456768 www.fubarbundy.co.uk sales@fubarbundy.co.uk facebook.com/fubarbundyairsoft

EQUIPMENT

FUBAR4.indd 1

06/09/2016 17:53

Debate

ts, the s a e r b t a o look to find “ If I want t e c a l p t a e r ag . If I s e Internet is z i s d n a shapes I want t*ts of all , t i k t f o s r i at a with am looking d e r i a p t i k oft to see airs yers.” airsoft pla needed really is it?”

Peter Bigpete: “The lady in the ad is not to make you buy as such... It’s just there to get your initial attention like a red flag.

If it got you to stop flicking pages or pause on your current page then it’s worked. Then it’s up to the content of the ad to get you to spend your money based on what you find out.”

Brendan Robb: “Honestly, I think quite a few female airsofters do enough to continue this stereotype without adverts doing it for them. There are any amount of Facebook pages that exist just for female airsofters just to post “tactical selfies”, all showing just the right amount of skin, the right amount of cleavage to draw in the viewers without really contributing anything useful to the airsoft community.

“If a bloke tried the same they would be laughed of the field at each game they went to.”

Catherine “Jinx” Walker: “A sexy, powerful woman, is a sexy powerful woman. In a bikini or a onesie. With or without a gun. We like to look at pretty things/people and these women need to work, so why not use the assets they have. It doesn’t need to be pornographic though.”

Matt Furey-King: “The majority of the time you see a picture of a female in airsoft literature, they are used as nothing more than an attractive gun stand. An object to prop your products up against, in the hope of drawing some leering gazes. Is it any wonder there’s barely any female players if this is the general attitude towards women?”

SEX SELLS! OR DOES IT AND SHOULD IT?

airsoft gun but if she were wearing camo with a nice cleavage or cute bum then fair enough. Furthermore I’d like to see photos of Ryan Reynolds posing topless with an AK – but that’s for personal pleasure and it wouldn’t make me buy the AK!” Muzz Frank Murray: “I think this is an age old topic that’s been bled to death over pretty much everything the world has to sell that could be male orientated.

“When will both sides realise that I’m not that interested in the politics and I’ll just buy anything!”

Jonathan Mills: “Funny thing is, I’m an intelligent individual capable of making my own informed choices based on fact and real world testing. If an attractive male or female is used in the marketing process then I couldn’t give two hoots.”

Brian Kerrigan: “No! If the product cannot sell itself without a sexy dressed girl, then the product is not worth advertising at all.”

Michael Baker: “My wife works in an office which isn’t just female orientated. Yet they have pics of semi-naked muscle men; firemen and alike. Yet not one bloke in her office has an issue with it. So why is it always a problem the other way around?”

Gail Greensmith: “I don’t have an issue with it to be honest…

They’re getting paid to do it and are hardly being forced at gun point. Can’t say I really buy kit from adverts, it’s usually because it looks good or has reviews by real airsofters.”

Andrew Lane: “Its outdated and a bit poor taste. Showing women with decent loadouts is more benefit for the female airsoft community. Seeing what kit people are using is more likely to spark interest and increase sales.”

Toby Kendal: “Although seeing beautiful women in airsoft gear is nice, it is often is distracting and pulls away from the actual product. Having said that I’ve never purchased a plate carrier due to seeing a half-naked woman in her underwear and sporting a plate carrier.”

Suzi BE: “To be honest I don’t have a problem with “sexy” advertising but it should be relevant to the product. If you’re selling airsoft guns then the models (male or female) should be dressed accordingly. A babe in a bikini is not appropriate to an

Barbara Fahey: “We have a number of youngsters including my 16 year old daughter who play airsoft regularly. Please keep it tasteful so everyone can enjoy it whatever their sex or age.”

“ To be honest I don’t have a p roblem with “sexy” ad vertising but it should be relevant to the product. If you ’re selling airsoft guns th en the models (male or female) should be dressed acc ordingly.”

www.airsoft-action.online

53

event FFA SECOND BIRTHDAY BASH

KELLY’S HEROES FEMME FATALE AIRSOFT (FFA) CELEBRATED ITS 2nd BIRTHDAY IN NOVEMBER. AS A FORM OF THANKS TO ALL HER FOLLOWERS AND PEOPLE THAT SUPPORTED HER ALONG THE WAY, KELLY LOUISE HARDWICK ORGANISED A CELEBRATION. THIS WAS A SPECIAL INVITE only skirmish held at strike force CQB in Gloucester. An agreement with the site owner meant that all the proceeds made from the game went to the charity Pilgrim Bandits.

The day got off to a good start with a bit of “an entrance”... Femme Fatale herself arrived with a few others in a Hummer! She also brought along a box which was put behind the counter at the shop on site. From then on players kept on arriving until the safety brief at 10:30. The event was attended by 45 people, ranging from the fast adrenaline seekers that dominate the skirmish field to the more MilSim style airsofters and many in-between.

The safety brief was to the point, which showed that the marshals appreciated the experience of the players. The site itself is in a huge warehouse full of wooden walled structures, most towering over head height creating an almost maze layout. Its 52,000 square feet consists of rooms, corridors, kill houses and open areas making it one of the largest indoor sites in the world!

Strike force CQB is a fast site... it’s all about constantly moving. “Camping” really is not an option here as every semidefendable position simply has too many open angles to remain there for long. The layout of the site also changes every month or so, which means that regular players can’t become bored or have the edge over visiting or new players.

The day’s games consisted of “Last Man Standing”; 54

FEBRuary 2017

where every time someone was hit by a player wearing an armband they would change sides and wear an armband and this continues until only one player is left defending themselves to the end. “King of the Hill”; where two coloured flags were walked around by marshals and players belonging to the team of the same colour as the flag had to hold their flag until shot.

The time was recorded by the marshals and the first team to reach a set time holding the flag won.

Other games were “Protect and Extract the VIP”, where each side had a VIP and had to get their VIP to a pre-designated position, which happened to be in the enemy team’s half of the site. One team’s VIP was Femme Fatale and the other was Hype airsoft. Needless to say this was a bloody fight!

The final game was to attack and burst the balloons tied to Femme Fatale, who was defended by a small team all of which were located in one of the kill houses.

The mysterious white box that Femme Fatale brought into the shop contained a fabulous pink and white cake with the FFA logo on the top. This was formally cut before being shared out as much as possible. It didn’t last long. The general consensus of the day was that the majority had a good time. Of course there was the odd issue, in such a close CQB environment there always is but they were all dealt with swiftly and in an adult manner.

Femme Fatale said, “I thought it went well, there were a few hiccups but it was my first private event and that’s to be expected. Everyone had a great day from who I spoke to and we raised money for charity, which is mega! Overall I think it was a success and I’m looking forward to making the next FFA birthday game bigger and better”.

event FFA SECOND BIRTHDAY BASH

A welcome figure of £280 was raised for Pilgrim Bandits.

In case you didn’t know the story behind the rise of Femme Fatale Airsoft, the following loosely tells the tale.

Kelly played her first Airsoft game in February 2011 for one of her female best friend’s birthdays - her boyfriend was really into airsoft so they thought “why not give it a go?” That day was less than enjoyable - it was a cold, wet experience that was run in a tiny area of woodland with an abandoned caravan and a portaloo.

Fast forward to August 2014 and Kelly’s former partner

decided for his birthday that he wanted to play a private skirmish at a local site and, being the sassy lady Kelly is, she told him she would only play if he bought her a pink G&G FF26 (all the time thinking that this would NEVER happen)! Two weeks later and a large Zero One Airsoft package arrived at her home!

Kelly has always said she is an unlikely candidate for airsoft as she originally specialised in textile design and was obsessed with Fashion but that all changed after her position was made redundant. She was quickly accepted for an interview with another company but was involved in a car accident that left her with injuries to the neck, shoulders and back, thereby missing the interview.

With no job, injured and the loss of her car, Kelly was pretty down. There was nothing to get up for in the morning but whilst watching daytime TV one day, she decided to trawl the internet looking for new airsoft kit. It was there that something stood out; there was barely any kit for women and there wasn’t a lot of inspiration and information for women in the sport. She started following the few female airsofters that had YouTube channels and reading popular airsoft blogs and thought “why isn’t there a blog out there aimed at women?”

Not one to sit back and wait for someone to do something for her, Kelly got to work creating her own and Femme Fatale Airsoft was born. The rest, as they say, is history! ..and just in case you are wondering why “Femme Fatale”? The lady herself explains: “The name came from a nickname I was given because I used one of the G&G Femme Fatale guns when I first started.

G&G haven’t sued me yet, so I think it must be OK!”

www.airsoft-action.online

55

International AIRSOFT IN FRANCE

AIRSOFT IN FRANCE

WE’RE SO USED TO PLAYING UNDER UK RULES IT IS EASY TO FORGET THAT IN OTHER COUNTRIES DIFFERENT RULES APPLY. HERE, DIANE MONTAGNIER GIVES US AN INSIGHT INTO PLAYING AIRSOFT IN FRANCE. AIRSOFT APPEARED IN FRANCE AROUND 15 years ago but only have been democratized recently. It’s an all ages game and really regulated but its future is questioned since the latest terrorist attacks.

FRENCH LEGISLATION

In France, laws are really clear. Airsoft is forbidden for under 18 years old: it’s forbidden to own an airsoft gun which has a power higher than 0.8 Joules. (Decree n°99-240 march 24th 1999 : “The putting on sale, the sale, the free distribution or for a fee, for new or second-hand objects having the appearance of a firearm, launching a projectile, when it has an power superior to 0.8 joules and subordinate or equal to 2 joules is forbidden for under-18s.“). Once someone turns 18, the restriction is 2 Joules. An airsoft gun that has a power greater than 2 Joules is strictly forbidden on field. Generally, airsofters follow scrupulously this rule.

Airsoft guns transport result from common sense.

They should have to be in a carrying case, without any connected battery or loaded magazine. Some French Departements have forbidden the transport of objects having the appearance of a firearm (even in safety case) in public places. Indeed, because of the similar appearance with real firearms, airsoft guns are considered like dummy fireams (Decree n°2013-700 July 30 2013 : modern, simplier and preventive control of firearms).

56

FEBRuary 2017

In spite of it, some troubles arrived because of unreasonable behavior or conscientiousness people. This kind of trouble is fortunately really rare. French airsofters community is always really upset when this kind of situation happens. Everybody tries to show the good example and play with a good mentality.

French airsofters don’t want to taint this hobby with general public, especially since the terrorist attacks.

In French law it is forbidden to wear an exact army outfit with ranks, like French Army, Police or Gendarmerie. In that case, legal proceedings for impersonation can be engaged. That goes only for French outfit. That’s why airsofters try to copies it, excluding ranks or some unity patch.

Less and less airsofters play on vacant lot or other fields like that, without permission.

In France, it’s allowed to create a 1911 Law Association, in order to create a legal team, reported to the administrative region where they play. It allows to associations to play easily on private fields or fields which belong to the City Hall. The 1911’s law associations can claim on assurance in case of accident or theft. This kind of association works a lot to promote airsoft and to introduce airsoft to the non-airsofters.

The French Airsoft Federation (www.ffairsoft.org) is a website where the French community has access to news and laws about airsoft. But it’s not obligatory to belong to this association to practice airsoft, unlike other country (NABV member card for Netherlands).

France-Airsoft is the main French airsoft forum (www. france-airsoft.fr/). It’s about airsoft guns, upgrades, news…

International AIRSOFT IN FRANCE

Shops don’t need gunsmith diploma or any certificate for airsoft guns/gear/parts selling. However, shops must respect the airsoft guns legal power and they must always check the age of their consumers.

Eye protections are obligatory. An airsofter without eyepro is immediately banished.

Red or orange muzzle is not obligatory and airsoft guns don’t need flashy colored parts. It’s a real chance to play with replica really close to the real firearms and full auto mode is allowed.

HOW TO PLAY AIRSOFT IN FRANCE?

From the moment somebody is 18 years old, airsoft is allowed. There are many fields and teams everywhere in France. Teams can be freelance or 1911’s law associations.

In France all kind of game exist, it depends of the fields or team’s game preferences. There are CQB games, building fields or forest games for example. MilSim is really appreciated and more and more present. Simple scripts (capture the flag, VIP protection, sudden death, etc.) are the most popular for Sunday gaming. There are often 40/50 airsofters and it’s always two teams fighting against each other. One or two people are the referees. Fair play is of course the main word during the game. When someone is hit, he say loud and clear “OUT!”, and raise his hand or his airsoft gun. He can also put on his head a red fabric. When someone is unfairly playing, French call it “Highlander” or “Immortal”, referring to the famous movie!

Distance shoots are generally the following: • Minimum 10 meters for AEG (depending the power) • Minimum 5 meters for GBB (depending gas or CO²) • Minimum 20 meters for snipes (depending on the power) Sometimes, and depending on the context, it’s possible to get someone out vocally when he’s too close to be hit with bbs saying “you’re out! (in order to not hurt the person).

AEGs are between 250/380 fps power most of the time.

There is a progressive decrease since a few years to 330 fps for AEGs, especially for CQB games. AEGs which are between 380/400 fps must be only on semi auto mode.

All these informations are obviously exhaustives and depends of organizer’s rules.

Pyrotechnics is very controlled. The sound must be under 80 decibels. In south of France, where are a lot of arid fields, pyrotechnics grenades are forbidden, because of bush fire. Gas grenades are still allowed.

A Sunday game begins at 9:00am. There is a briefing during which one the organizers and referees remind game rules, safety, etc. Chrony control is almost always obligatory to check power. There are usually 2 or 3 small games, which last about one hour each. Midday is very important for us French!

Lunchtime is very convivial and everybody talk about the previous game. It last about one hour. There are a lot of French combat ration because they are easy to transport. But most of all, a French combat ration is a complete meal, hot or cold.

Then the game start again for the noon and finish at 5:00pm or 6:00pm.

For big game of 2 or 3 days, there are more elaborated scripts. They are called “OP” (for operation). These OP welcome about 100 or 200 airsofters, sometimes more, on big fields (forts, castles, abandoned industrial or building complexes and others). Most of these OP are renewed each year, because they are very popular. It’s non-stop gaming, night and day.

Games aren’t free. It costs around 10/15€ for Sunday games and 50€ (or more) for OP. This paying fee allows to find a location, build construction, rent airsoft guns, bbs, accessories

(flags, armbands), etc.

There is a little airsoft community that practice historical reconstitution. There are a lot of WW2 airsofters, rarely WW1 or Pacific war. Historical reconstruction has a really low activity but it’s very impressive. It’s often a 2/3 days full-immersion gaming. Belong to an historical reconstitution team is really hard because airsofters need to have a rigorous and regular gear and dress. Even the smallest accessory have to be very close to the original one. A lot of these airsofters are History

“WHEN SOMEONE IS HIT, HE SAY LOUD AND CLEAR ‘OUT!’, AND RAISE HIS HAND OR HIS AIRSOFT GUN. HE CAN ALSO PUT ON HIS HEAD A RED FABRIC. WHEN SOMEONE IS UNFAIRLY PLAYING, FRENCH CALL IT ‘HIGHLANDER’ OR ‘IMMORTAL’, REFERRING TO THE FAMOUS MOVIE!” fanatics. That’s why it’s not rare to see period vehicles or tanks.

By the way, French airsofters have modern outfits too, French or foreign. French camo: CE (Centre Europe) is greatly prized by novice airsofters but by chauvinists people too!

The most common outfit are American or Russian, probably because of video games or movies.

Even if French airsoft is predominantly a male-dominated activity, some women are playing airsoft. Khan Seb (French Airsoft Dude) is probably the most well-known airsofter and YouTuber.

Airsofters tried to differentiate airsoft guns from firearms.

It’s a really hot debate because of the words. French people use “replique” (replica) word to designated an airsoft gun and not “arme” (firearm or gun).

Anyway, airsoft is a really pleasant hobby in France. There is a great diversity about fields, kind of games and gamers.

Also, thanks to many different kind of geography and climates, airsoft is played all year long in France!

So why not come across and see how we play? You will enjoy the game and certainly our hospitality. You will be very welcome to play in France!

www.airsoft-action.online

57

feature GORKA COMBAT SUITS

FROM COLD WARS TO STAR WARS THE RISE OF THE GORKA COMBAT SUIT AS “RUSSIAN” BECOMES “THE NEW BLACK”, GADGE HARVEY AND TAZ STOKES WRITE ABOUT A PIECE OF COLD WAR KIT THAT IS MAKING INROADS ONTO THE UK’S SKIRMISH FIELDS. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS interest in Russian kit has spiked considerably in the UK’s (if not the World’s) airsoft scene. More and more players are moving away from UK and US specialforces style loadouts and turning their eyes to the East.

Perhaps the most popular piece of Russian kit seen on the skirmish field across the country is the “gorka” combat suit, so this month we’re going to take a look at the origins and future of this outstanding bit of kit.

During WWII the Red Army had raised specialist mountain trained divisions to fight the Germans but during the early 58

FEBRuary 2017

stages of the Cold War these units had been all but disbanded.

For the defence planners of the Soviet armed forces this made perfect sense, any future war was most likely to be fought in Central Europe and in particular on the “tank friendly” flat plains of Germany. All of this pre-planning would be turned on its head, however, with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan at the end of the 1970s. The USSR initially deployed conventional forces to the region but soon found that the tank heavy shock army formations were entirely unsuited to the mountainous guerrilla warfare they were to encounter.

Feature GORKA COMBAT SUITS

MOUNTAIN WARFARE

Eventually the Soviets would re-establish their mountain formations but initially the bulk of mountain warfare was undertaken by army spetsnaz and VDV airborne units, with the problem being that their combat gear was largely unsuited to operations in an arid, cold and rugged warzone.

The solution would ultimately come from a civilian source, the Gorka Suit. Taking its name from the Russian word for large hills or mountains (gorka), the suit was originally an item of apparel for soviet scientists.

As early as the 1960s Soviet geologists had been using an early version of the suit to conduct field surveys, keeping them both warm and dry in remote and inhospitable regions of the Soviet Union. Early mountain suits were constructed from heavy canvas similar to that used in the Soviet army shelter quarter/cape and tents. It was windproof and showerproof if a little heavy. Before long the USSR had redesigned the gorka suit for military use and two major design versions are available from this era. Both these types of original suit are universally known as “Gorka 1” regardless of which version they are.

Some have a simple “work uniform” cut while others have a “kangaroo pouch” mounted on a bib-like panel stretching up from the waist and covering the ribs and sternum. There are also models with a simple waistline without the “bib”, these can sometimes be seen worn with the jacket tucked into the trousers. Both types of original Gorka 1 suits have braces and belt loops and cargo pockets on the thigh. The exact placement of these pockets can vary but in general the “bib” front trousers have the cargo pockets on the front of the thigh, while the more traditional cut trousers have the pockets to the side. Unlike usual trousers the gorka has no hip pockets but big, square pockets on the front of the thighs. A final notable feature that carries on to later models is the addition of elastic strips on the lower leg to tighten the normally baggy trousers against the outer leg and prevent then snagging on mountainous terrain when climbing.

The Afghanistan era suits continued to be used by the Russian military after the break-up of the USSR and can be seen on special-forces, airborne units and mountain troops during both of Russia’s wars in Chechyna but by this time the design was due for an update.

Gorka suits became very popular with troops in the first Chechen war and before long the growing industry for tactical clothing and kit was able to supply the demand for hardwearing combat suits and add some improvements. By the time of the second Chechen war in the early 2000s, Russian elite units (and MVD units allowed to buy their own kit) were seen sporting the versions of the suit known as “Gorka 3” and “Gorka 4”.

COMBAT REPAIRS Manufacturers SSO, BARS and ANA lead the field and while small differences occur between makes, in general this newer version of gorka retains many of the same features as the soviet-era suit but newer suits have distinctive re-enforcement patches on the areas of the suit most likely to be exposed to wear; namely the lower legs, elbows, shoulder and pocket flaps. While essentially still “non camo”, the patchwork effect of the re-enforcing panel creates a camouflage effect (of sorts) and effectively breaks up the user’s outline. Both Gorka 3 and 4 are incredibly similar in design, the main difference being Gorka 3 uses the traditional full front fly, whereas Gorka 4 uses a pullover anorak design with a large front chest pocket. As is true of most Russian military jackets, there is a hood included which provides excellent protection from the elements, serves to break up the shape of the human head and includes a short brim to keep sun and rain out of the eyes.

Taking its lead from the earlier soviet designs, new gorka suits feature entirely button fastening so that they can easily be repaired in the field with a needle and thread.

Modern gorkas also have modified sleeves compared to the originals. Each sleeve has two rows of elastic webbing, one above the wrist and one at the wrist.

This helps to keep the sleeve “locked” into place, keeping you warm and dry and once the sleeve is pulled over gloves it will stay in that position. The sleeves also have a pocket on the upper arm, securable with a velcro flap. The jacket’s front two pockets have a clever “double flap” system to prevent items falling out when climbing or crawling.

The trousers follow the same pattern as the jacket, incorporating two rows of elastic webbing, one row in the mid-calf area and another row at the ankle. As was true of the jacket sleeves, this webbing keeps your trousers securely fastened around your boots, preventing any dirt or debris from getting down inside. There is a very roomy pocket on each upper leg with an extra layer of fabric that folds in nicely with the pocket flap, keeping the contents secure in a similar way

Gorkas in Star Wars

www.airsoft-action.online

59

CYAN, MAGENTA, YELLOW, BLACK

Satchel Bag for Airsoft Acion #71

ERMANY

G, G NUREMBER

3-6.3.2017

hall 9 booth 222 Large carry-all bag designed for bushcraft use – perfect for daytrips.

It has a wide shoulder strap, two zipper secured pockets for smaller items and PALS/MOLLE compatible side panels with additional sleeves for folding saws, knives or axes.

Features: YKK® zipper closure, One external zippered pocket one internal, 2 internal waterbottle pockets,

Built in sheaths for Knife/axe/saw, PALS/MOLLE side panels, Compression straps, Detachable, adjustable wide carrying strap.

Feature GORKA COMBAT SUITS

to the jacket pockets. Two pockets on the back are designed in the same fashion using re-enforced fabric and the trouser fly also eschews a zip fastening and uses button for an easy to repair system.

Since the introduction of the Gorka 3 and Gorka 4 an almost bewildering amount of variations have come onto the market. While the original models were entirely made in flat colours of tan and olive green, newer models can be found in almost every modern Russian camouflage scheme - and a fair few Western ones. In particular the “SS Leto” summer camouflage pattern is particularly popular with MVD units and even the latest “digital flora” camouflage scheme is now available.

The solid construction and double layered areas make the gorka suit exceptionally good in autumn and winter and capable of taking on the worst the British weather can throw at you but for those expecting harsher conditions, fleece lined versions are also available. In the UK the gorka can be a little too warm in summer but its ability to be worn either as a standalone combat suit, or as an additional layer over standard fatigues makes it an invaluable bit of kit for the vast majority of the year.

SCI FI CAMEO

Reputable Suppliers: As we’ve mentioned there are a lot of cheap and poor quality gorka suits on the market. While they look fine they won’t have the hardwearing strength of an original so you’re best buying from a reputable supplier.

Airsoft Action recommend: https://www.facebook.com/skirmshop www.Grey-shop.ru https://www.facebook.com/anatactical And for those of you not put off by a Russian language site you can try: http://www.army-store.ru/ http://www.sso-mil.ru/ Please be aware that shipping from Russia can take some time!

Merely looking at footage of Russian troops on the news is enough to reassure us that the gorka suit is here to stay and you can usually see someone wearing one at most open days. It is perhaps, though, in the movies where we see the gorka suit in its most unlikely setting.

Film buffs with an interest in Russian Federation kit will be surprised to see gorkas featured in the latest instalment of the Star Wars saga, Rogue One. In true “Star Wars” style, the film utilises many pieces of 20th century combat gear disguised as space age kit and in this movie many of the rebel commandoes wear Gorka 3 or Gorka 4 suits!

Without doubt, gorka suits are perhaps the most practical bit of outdoors kit you can buy. They’ve been around for over 50 years and will probably be around for a good time to come.

While their military nature makes them an obvious “good fit” for airsoft, they also make fantastic apparel for climbers, hikers, bushcraft fans and even travellers going to colder climates (I took my Gorka 3 suit to Iceland on a recent holiday).

One final word of warning though…

While companies like ANA and BARS make excellent gorkas, there are a growing number of fakes about. While it’s tempting to save a few quid and buy a copy, copies tend to have few of the hardwearing qualities the originals possess, so buy your suit from a reputable supplier. www.airsoft-action.online

61

Loaded or Unloaded MODERN OPFOR

MODERN OPFOR AS A FELLOW ENTHUSIAST WHEN IT COMES TO PENCOTT GREENZONE GEAR JERRY GOT TOGETHER WITH VETERAN AIRSOFTER BILL THOMAS, TO TALK ABOUT CREATING A MODERN OPFOR LOADOUT THAT WOULD HAPPILY SEE YOU THROUGH ANY MILSIM SCENARIO.

LOOKING THROUGH THE PICTURES OF the recent game in Gloucestershire I was interested to note the kit that Bill had put together for the weekend, mixing as it does both civilian sporting items and some really cutting edge bits of kit in PenCott GreenZone pattern. I decided to ask him why he had made the choices he had to put together a rather unique set of clothing and equipment, so without further ado it’s over to Bill!

My role at the game was that of 2I/C for the militia forces so I decided to take my cue from a couple of “on screen” images from the movie “Behind Enemy Lines”, particularly the sniper who wore a mix of civilian and military gear; one of the things I particularly liked was the use of the tracksuit top and I’ll come back to that later.

I also looked to the TV Show “House of Cards”; seen in a crucial and dramatic segment of Season 3, PenCott camouflage patterns are seen in use by “Russian” soldiers taking part in a peacekeeping mission in the Middle East. The Russian soldiers are seen wearing BadLands uniforms, whereas GreenZone uniforms are worn by the Russian officers and by Russian President Petrov. All of the PenCott camouflage uniforms used are the CPU (Combat Patrol Uniform) model made by Polish company Helikon-Tex. Many of the “Russian Special Forces” players at the game had really gone to great lengths to get their uniforms together, with a number of different “Gorka” suits in evidence and I was actually quite please at how well my GreenZone gear mixed well with some of their patterns. I wanted a “uniform” and gear that would be completely fit for purpose for a full weekender and needed to be self-sufficient for the duration.

Therefore not only did I need good performance clothing but also LBE to go with it.

WEARING IT IN

PenCott GreenZone is (sadly) still not the easiest pattern to create a “top to toe” set of gear in and you’ll have to search a bit to complete your gear setup. Having said that, more and more manufacturers are taking the pattern up, so as time marches ever on the availability does get better and better; in fact I’ve finally found a great vest in GreenZone from Morane Tactical in Belgium which is winging its way to me as I write!

To start the ball rolling, let’s look at what’s out there in relation to GreenZone clothing. My first port of call is going to be UF PRO and if you’ve not yet come across this excellent manufacturer from Slovenia, then you REALLY need to go and check them out at www.ufpro.si. I’ve been using some of their gear for a couple of years now and they really are right up there with the very best of the innovators and producers of tactical clothing.

I’ve long been a fan of their “Striker” combat uniform

62

FEBRuary 2017

Loaded or Unloaded MODERN OPFOR

and the third generation of this superb shirt and trouser was released earlier this year and is getting MAX review time online! The XT Combat Shirt has been seriously upgraded in the latest generation and some important components have been changed in the new model that considerably improves wear comfort and functionality. In the torso area, the mix of polyester and merino wool offers extraordinary durability, maximum comfort and odour-inhibition. The cut of the sleeve and the slide-in pockets have been ergonomically improved so that you will always land on their own D3O® elbow protection.

It’s a beautifully fitted and well-made shirt which makes the most of cutting edge technology in ALL ways.

Likewise the matching XT trousers; these give you a significant increase in fit and efficiency. Already a great design the latest version has been developed further. The stretch areas have been expanded and new and ergonomically perfected two component knee protection has been introduced. This is made using an intelligent combination of hard and soft technologies that enable highly efficient protection of the knee and tibia areas, without the use of a restrictive Velcro strap. The widthadjustable lower leg area enables the effective fixing of objects in the lower leg pocket, including during rapid movement and the large cargo pockets with inner compartments can be

accessed in two ways, from the top or side (which is great if you’re sitting in a vehicle). The stretch areas in the hip/buttock area and above and below the knee protection are made of an extremely resilient Schoeller®-dynamic stretch material and if you want to carry these over to the Winter months then a Gore WINDSTOPPER Lining can easily be zipped into the Striker XT Combat trousers, as in all UF PRO trouser models.

UF PRO also offer a very well detailed combat shirt and an excellent mid-layer garment called the “Hunter Sweater”. The Hunter is the perfect piece of equipment for cold, windy or wet days. It provides superb comfort during outdoor activities in uncertain weather conditions.

As it is light and nicely packable, it perfectly qualifies for longer outdoor activities and can be worn under tactical equipment or simply as “stand alone” whenever it’s getting cooler. If, like me, you want it to sling on over your gear then I’d advise going one size up as the fit is athletic. The majority of the Hunter is water resistant, whilst the side stretch panels offer great movement and breathability. The whole thing is very snug though, as it’s lined with 37.5™ COCONA microfleece. Overall this is a cracking bit of kit, to the point that I’ve actually bought one for myself after sending back the test sample!

With their superb, cutting edge Monsoon SmallPac waterproof shell jacket and pant, they show that they mean business from the very outset. This is a fully specified and featured jacket that offers the user full protection from even the worst of the elements, be it rain, sleet, or snow. In terms of features the jacket is ergonomic and minimalist; there is an upper arm pocket, reinforcement in the shoulder and buckle area and sleeve width adjustment and it comes in a very useful stowaway pouch with MOLLE straps. The Monsoon SmallPac jacket can easily be stowed away into this small pouch, which can be looped to any gear with a MOLLE system. This is how you can always find space for the jacket, no matter what gear you carry or the size of your backpack.

The jacket also benefits from some of UF PRO’s own “in house” innovations, as it incorporates their excellent HOOD/HARNESS system for precise fit around the head, letting the hood move perfectly wherever you look.

The complementary UF PRO Monsoon SmallPac pants have been thoroughly tested for overall reliability and their functional and comfortable rain protection qualities, even in extremely bad weather conditions.

The pants are made out of a lightweight and waterproof fabric with full reinforcement in all severe stress areas, such as the waist and the instep, to provide a better resistance against abrasion. The pants can easily be stowed away into a small pouch as well; when wearing the pants, the pouch can

www.airsoft-action.online

63

Loaded or Unloaded MODERN OPFOR

be looped onto the upper leg section of the pants and used as an upper pocket. The pants are also fully specified with long length side zips that allow them to be put on and taken off without removing boots.

Now I said that I’d come back to that distinctive black with white stripes Adidas top, which I wore over the combat shirt and oh boy, did this turn out to be a great choice - not only for “the look” but also in terms of performance!

A classic Adidas Originals look, this tracksuit top features the iconic “Firebird” stand-up collar and is made in slightly shiny tricot fabric with the contrasting 3-Stripes on the jacket arms.

The 100% polyester tricot proved to be quite warm and wind-resistant and highly breathable which meant it was great both on its own and when worn underneath the Monsoon waterproof. I picked this up secondhand online for a tenner!

GEAR LUGGING

Not so long ago the choice of load-bearing gear in GreenZone was extremely limited but I’m pleased to tell you this situation has changed completely!

If you’re after a plate carrier, pouches, or a chest rig then UR-Tactical have a good range to choose from and Tactical Tailor have some interesting pieces as well. Whiskey Two Four in the USA are making some absolutely stunning bespoke pieces of tactical gear too. When it comes to packs you can choose from Grey Ghost Gear, Wisport and Direct Action as they all offer multiple options.

In terms of packs, Tasmanian Tiger offer several models in GreenZone and two of them are absolutely perfect for a MilSim weekend. The MKIII RAID is their flagship “gear lugger” and it’s a classic military backpack with their new “V2 Plus” carrying system. It extends the application range and flexibility with a removable hip belt and greater adjustability of the back length. This is an absolutely superb pack if you need to carry all of your gear with you!

The MISSION Pack constructed in 500D Cordura is, at 37L, a bit of a classic patrol pack with enough space for a few days-worth of operational equipment. It offers a large main compartment, a large zipped compartment with an attaching point for a hydration bladder on the inside; an exit point for the hydration tube is found on the top, just beneath a sturdy carry handle. On the front is another large compartment with four antenna/ cable ports, three open compartments, a zippered mesh pouch and a clip for keys. A flat compartment on the back with zips on the sides has yet more antenna/ comms ports in both upper corners and an even flatter zippered pouch on the back is great for storing for notes, maps, or even a notebook computer. Last but not least, is a zipped compartment on the bottom which houses an OD Green rain cover.

The MISSION has acres of MOLLE webbing and some velcro patches for insignia on the outside.

The main compartment can be compressed with side straps for secure carriage of varying loads and there is a comfortably padded back with an internal support frame. The ergonomic shoulder straps are well padded and fully adjustable both at the top and bottom for a comfortable set-up.

There’s a sternum strap with a neat emergency whistle buckle and a padded waist belt with two small zippered pouches, also fully removable. The Mission stayed on my back for the duration of the Op and was insanely comfortable - even when fully loaded.

Keeping with the “Russian” theme, I carried an LCT AKMS as my primary, backed up with a WE Airsoft Europe Makarov and, as I wanted to stay with a “militia theme”, it was simply a case of picking up a black “ChiCom” chest rig which cost all of £14.99 for spare AK mags and a faux-leather holster for the Mak. Chuck on a “bump cap” and everything was in place.

I really have come to embrace the PenCott gear over the years and now there are so many manufacturers making kit in their patterns, it’s never been easier to put a full loadout together. The GrrenZone pattern particularly works well in the UK and gives a great, bang-up to date alternative to Multicam. In my mind it’s the perfect OPFOR camo and if you use a little imagination mixed with a combination of the right pieces of clothing and gear, it really looks the business!

www.airsoft-action.online

65

armoury WE M712

DIANE MONTAGNIER TAKES A LOOK INSIDE THE WE’S VERSION OF THIS FAMOUS MAUSER.

INSIDE OUT:

WE M712

THE BRAND NEW WE AIRSOFT gun is the famous M712.

Historically, this airsoft gun is the Mauser M12 Schnellfeuer machine gun, popularly known as M712. That gun is a Mauser C96 declination and has a full auto mode, besides the semi auto. It has also a modern removal magazine, 10 or 20 rounds.

This gun was very popular in China (Civil War and Japanese invasion), that’s why this airsoft gun has Chinese marks.

WE is a Taiwanese brand, very well known for its full metal GBB. The new M712 is very good for the WW2 lovers or the people who just want a very awesome airsoft gun.

This airsoft gun is delivered in a cardboard box. Inside, there are the airsoft gun, a 20 rounds magazine, a manual, the famous holster-stock. There is also a ring to fix a sling and a small piece to put the magazine inside that allows to continue shooting, even when the magazine is empty. This piece is only working with the 20 rounds magazine.

It’s possible to buy the short 10 rounds magazine in spare.

Firstly, the external parts have a really good appearance. The metal finish is clear, flash free and the black coating is smooth. It’s made of full metal.

The M712 has a fixed front view and an adjustable rear view. The hammer is besides a security lever, that prevent hammer and trigger from any action. The “S” letter means that the airsoft guns is on security, the “F” letter means you can shoot.

On the left side, the selector has a pushbutton in order to switch each fire mode. The trigger is made of metal, as

66

FEBRuary 2017

the frame. The bow and gear marks are the Tchang Kai-chek armament bureau and under Kuomintang.

On the right side, there is the mag catch. Concerning the marks, the “Yin-Yang” symbol belong to Taku Naval Dockyard.

Numbers are the serial numbers, and the Chinese characters would probably refer to the acceptance date of fabrication.

Grips is made of polymer, so as the holster-stock. The wood imitation is pretty good but it sounds made in plastic. That’s the only negative point but the wood imitation is good.

The hop-up adjustment is simple (photo A): pull the receiver, then a flat screwdriver is necessary to adjust hop-up.

Be careful, the screw is fragile.

The disassembly looks impressive, because it’s radically different from others GBB. But finally, after one or two disassemblies, it’s quite simple.

A

armoury WE M712

I

B

C

E

F

J

K

D

G L

H M

First, the pushbutton has to be removed from his place. Use a flat screwdriver. (photo B) Take away the screw from grips, at that time the selector can be taken out. (photo C & D) With a flat screwdriver, take away the big screw, just in front of the hammer (photo E). It will allows you to take out the piece under the rear sight (at the right side of the airsoft gun) (photo F). Then, the nozzle block is free to be remove (photo G). Notice that the nozzle is specific (photo H).

Next, on the frame, under the hammer, there is a small lever. Push it upward and pull the block (photo I). Be careful with the small springs. Now the block upper/barrel is able to be removed (photo J & K).

Inside the barrel, there is two screws, to take out the hop-

up block (photo N). The hop-up block is specific (photo M) but the inner barrel is a GBB type as the hop-up rubber. The barrel is made of brass and it’s a 125mm.

All the pieces are made of metal and look like strong.

The power is about 320 fps, depending on the temperature, gas and bbs. Shoot sensations are awesome, especially with the full auto: it’s around 20bb/second! A gas reload allows you to shoot 2/3 magazines, less in full auto.

In conclusion, this airsoft gun is a really nice piece to have!

Collectors will be happy but for re-enactment airsofters, this replica has unfortunately Chinese marks and not German/ Mauser marks. By the way, this is an atypical airsoft gun, rare on field, which has extraordinary performances. You will not be disappointed! www.airsoft-action.online

67

Badger Tac Tuesday - Friday 12:00 - 18:00 Saturday 10:00 - 17:00 01296-658600 | www.badgertac.com enquiries@badgertac.co.uk

Serving Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and beyond.

Dedicated Gas & AEG Showrooms

Accessories & Pre-owned Tactical / Survival Kit Services:

Sales Repairs Upgrades Custom Builds Advice

Game Days 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month Private Hire Corporate Events Team Building

feature CYALUME SURFACE TRIP FLARE

CYALUME TRIP FLARES

PAUL YELLAND SHEDS SOME LIGHT ON A REALLY NIFTY BIT OF KIT THAT IS GREAT FOR NIGHT GAMES.

THE USE OF “SIMULATED” booby traps in airsoft can add a more challenging element to a skirmish. There are numerous options available ranging from blank firing devices such as alarm mines to remote controlled pyrotechnic charges. One product that recently caught my eye was the Cyalume Surface Trip Flare, and I managed to get hold of one for a closer look.

The flare is manufactured by Cyalume Technologies, are an American/European based company that make a range of special purpose light products, including the military Chemlight Lightstick. The Cyalume surface trip flare allows an Ultra-high Intensity Lightstick to be used as a form of trip wire activated warning, providing night time illumination for perimeter defence. It is nonpyrotechnic and therefore safer to use than traditional flares. The device is supposed to be disposable but it is possible to reuse them as they are constructed from metal and rather The box with the set and instructions printed robust. on the underside of the lid The Surface Trip Flare comes in a box containing one trip flare, one six inch ultra-high intensity Chemlight, trip cord and two lengths of connecting wire with a “U” staple. It is easier to empty the kit into a small pouch and prepare the trip flare by tying one end of the trip cord to the trigger lever, whilst having the rest of the cord wound around a decent spool as the cardboard one that is supplied tends to bend, causing the line to slip off and become a tangled mess. The two lengths of wire that are used to secure the device to a post or tree are threaded through Trip flare kit contents a set of small holes located on the top and bottom of the trip flare metal plate.

It saves a lot of hassle if one end of both securing wires are prefixed through one side of the trip flare both at the top and bottom, therefore reducing the set up time when deploying the device, especially in low light conditions.

There are two arms on the trip flare. One is the trigger lever on which the trip wire is tied and the second is the directional control arm which needs to be bent forwards so that it is at a 90° angle with the ground when mounting the trip flare at a height above trip level. If choosing this method, the trip wire then runs from the trigger lever, through the hole in the directional control arm and downwards towards the ground.

The “U” staple is fastened into the tree/post below the trip flare at the desired height for the trip cord. The trip cord is then threaded through the staple, pulled across the track or path 70

FEBRuary 2017

Parts of the Cyalume Trip Flare

and firmly secured on the other side. I can see the benefits of having the trip flare mounted above head height as it reduces the chance of the opposing side finding it and the added elevation of the flare will light up a slightly wider area, making any activation easier to see from different friendly positions.

The trip flare secured to a tree with the wire. Note the zip tie used to hold the spring in place

When testing the trip flare, I opted for the simple method and planned to secure the flare at trip height. With the trip cord pre-tied to the trigger lever and the two lengths of securing wire tied off on one side (top and bottom) of the trip flare plate, setting up the flare on a track in the hours of darkness and without torch light was made easier. It is important to mount the trip flare up the right way and there are markings and an arrow indicating which end is the top. In the dark it is best to remember that the hammer/cocking arm is on the left and the Chemlight mount is on the right. I was using a tree as the mounting point for the flare and secured the metal plate into place by wrapping the generous 4ft lengths

Feature CYALUME SURFACE TRIP FLARE

of securing wire around the tree trunk. It is important to get enough tension on the wire when tying the metal plate off to prevent the trip flare from moving when the trip cord is pulled.

Next, the trip cord was stretched across the track and securely fastened to a tree on the other side making sure that the cord was taut.

Inserting the Chemlight into the holder

Pull the trip cord taut and secure it before cocking

When the trip flare is set off, the trigger releases a spring-loaded hammer that pivots across the metal plate and snaps the Chemlight, causing it to activate. This hammer first needs to be cocked so the cocking arm needs to be pressed downwards until the cocking arm catch is engaged. This requires quite a lot of force which is why it is important to make sure that the trip flare is firmly secured to its anchor point first. Once cocked, there is a considerable amount of tension on the hammer and cocking arm, so it is really important to keep your fingers clear of any moving parts to avoid injury.

Infra-red, standard and ultra-high intensity Chemlights

the infra-red Chemlight is for use with night vision equipment.

With the trip flare armed and Chemlight inserted, all that is needed is an unsuspecting enemy. A reasonable amount of tension needs to be applied onto the trip cord for the trigger to fire but when it does, there is a nice loud confirming “click” as the hammer strikes the Chemlight. This is followed by an almost instant bright light when using the ultra-hight intensity “A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF option.

One problem that I TENSION NEEDS TO BE APPLIED did encounter was the spring ONTO THE TRIP CORD FOR THE becoming detached from the trip flare plate after firing. I TRIGGER TO FIRE BUT WHEN solved this problem by fastening IT DOES, THERE IS A NICE a heavy duty zip tie around the LOUD CONFIRMING “CLICK” AS hook on top of the spring to keep it in place. I also found that THE HAMMER STRIKES THE it is not always feasible to tie CHEMLIGHT. THIS IS FOLLOWED the trip flare to anchor points.

BY AN ALMOST INSTANT BRIGHT If you need to mount the flare in a location that does not have LIGHT WHEN USING THE ULTRAanywhere to wrap the securing HIGH INTENSITY OPTION.” wire around such as a doorway, small screws can be used instead to secure the trip flare to door frames or other fixtures.

The Cyalume Surface Trip Flare can be picked up online for around the £20.00 mark from places such as Ebay and occasionally army surplus stores and only seems to be available as second hand, so availability can vary. Performance wise, the Cyalume Surface Trip Flare certainly will not be lighting up vast areas like traditional flares do but it is still great fun to use and adds something different to an airsoft scenario.

Depressing the cocking arm

The last task is to insert the Chemlight into the trip flare and this is done by sliding the Chemlight into the holder from the top. It is only possible to insert the Chemlight into the holder once the device has been cocked and can only be inserted one way with the hook end of the Chemlight The activated Chemlight going into the holder first.

The Cyalume Surface Trip flare will take a six inch Chemlight.

There are a number of options for the type of illumination: standard, ultra-high intensity or infra-red. The standard Chemlight is a useful indicator but will not light up the ground.

The ultra-high intensity will give off adequate light to illuminate the immediate surrounding area for around five minutes and

The ultra-high intensity Chemlight in action

The infra red cyalumes are invisible to the naked eye when activated, but can be seen through night vision equipment

www.airsoft-action.online

71

kit NUPROL MAGAZINES

HAVING TACKLED A PLASTIC ROD, FRENCHIE TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO ANOTHER NORMALLY UNREMARKED-UPON PIECE OF KIT THAT MANY OF US SIMPLY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PLAY WITHOUT.

ITS ALL IN THE

MAGAZINE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT of coverage recently of the new NUPROL AEGs and Airsoft Action is no exception; indeed I’ll be reviewing their Freedom Fighter in a future issue. Less notable are NUPROL’s range of N-mags, closely modelled on P-mags (but not too closely). Having discovered that I could actually write a page on the value and merits of a plastic rod, let’s see if can magic up some more words and examine whether or not these new magazines from NUPROL are worth consideration.

The N-Mags come in two colours; Black and Dark Earth and in three styles - high capacity, high capacity flash magazine and “adjustable” mid capacity. The overall design will be familiar to most players these days, a raised square moulding with a grip-friendly texturing between the raised ribs. All feature moulded base-plates, these being removable on the mid-caps 72

FEBRuary 2017

and flash magazines for reasons that will become clear. Their stated capacities are 30/140 for the adjustable mid-cap, 300 for the flash mag and 350 for the high cap, so pretty much what you would expect.

Construction is nothing too exciting either, there are no screws obvious on the outside of the magazines. The internals are kept in place with a single transverse pin in the flash and hi-cap mags, it’s missing in the mid-cap.

Given that these new magazines retail for £14.99 for the flash mag and hi-cap and £12.99 for the mid cap these are good value for money (if they work!) and it would be unreasonable to expect the sort of construction to be found in a genuine P-Mag retailing at twice the price (assuming that you can even find originals). That said, the quality of the plastic is

kit NUPROL MAGAZINES

more than adequate unto the task with the magazine case a wise they may suffer against single moulding, albeit with quite noticeable mould lines back the opposition however. and front. Elsewhere the quality of the mould is very good with You can buy a box of five the ribs and texturing well rendered. As with the original, they 120 round polymer G&G provide good grip when inserting and extracting from both the magazines, with a speedloader gun and from load-bearing kit. for £52.00, which works out Unlike their inspiration, these aren’t particular about what at about £10 per magazine. kind of AR-15 you stick them into. While writing this, the Personally I prefer the look and only rifle that I had immediately to hand was a Classic Army feel of the NUPROL offering M16E1. All of the magazines fitted and latched without any but as long as they work, problem although there is a noticeable amount of fore and aft a magazine is a magazine movement. This didn’t seem to affect feeding at all and there is a magazine and I’m not was absolutely no tendency to slip out of the mag well. When sure how fussy the majority unlatching the magazine they fail to drop clear, needing a bit of of airsofters are. I might be good old manual intervention to remove them. Having to pull so bold as to suggest that a magazine out of a gun is no hardship for airsofters, having NUPROL look again at the one that won’t stay in place is a major pain in the derriere! pricing of their magazines - it’s Having been taken with the idea of flash mags initially a tough market out there and price is regrettably often king (assuming you are a fan of hi cap magazines) I have cooled a where accessories are concerned. bit towards them. Yes they are fast to wind but they are pretty The high capacity magazines are probably closer to the noisy, far noisier than wind-up hi-caps and this could be an market norm as far as the asking price is concerned and both issue in game. That said, both the Flash mag and the hi-cap work very well. Price is a little less of an issue with hi-cap work very well. Both fed without a hitch in the guns I tested magazines as players tend to buy fewer of them given their them in and really that is the single most important factor in greater capacity. any magazine. So a thumbs-up for them.

“WHEN UNLATCHING THE MAGAZINE THEY FAIL TO DROP CLEAR, NEEDING A BIT The adjustable mid-cap would be my OF GOOD OLD MANUAL INTERVENTION TO REMOVE THEM. HAVING TO PULL A magazine of choice. The MAGAZINE OUT OF A GUN IS NO HARDSHIP FOR AIRSOFTERS, HAVING ONE THAT adjustment is achieved WON’T STAY IN PLACE IS A MAJOR PAIN IN THE DERRIERE!” by popping off the base plate, slipping out the inner magazine and sliding a limiting switch across from the 140 setting to the In simple terms I cannot fault the N-Mags. I like the look of 30. Make sure it has properly latched or the pressure of BBs them and they have all worked very well for me during testing. on the follower will cause it to slip back to the 140 setting (as I have concerns about the price although I have no truck with I discovered to my irritation). That was the only annoyance, the idea that driving prices endlessly lower is the only valid however and they were utterly dependable in their function. I business model. My concern is not that the magazines aren’t liked these a lot although for me the adjustable function is of worth the asking price it’s more that NUPROL may not make little value - I have run with 30 round magazines in the past and the impact they possibly deserve to with these magazines while we are all for reality, 30 rounds is nothing in the world of simply because the market is pretty cutthroat. airsoft, it literally disappears in a blink!

I have no hesitation in recommending these to any player, NUPROL N-mags are reasonably well made and reliable and they look good and the work well. It’s another valuable I personally liked them. I am conscious of the fact that priceproduct from NUPROL and they deserve to be a success.

www.airsoft-action.online

73

international SWEDEN

E: IL F O R P R E Y A L P

BJÖRN KLOCKAR HAVING SEEN SOME OF BJÖRN’S EXCELLENT PICTURES, WE THOUGHT WE’D ASK HIM ABOUT HIMSELF AND HOW HE GOT INTO AIRSOFT – AND AIRSOFT PHOTOGRAPHY. OK, WELCOME TO MY Player Profile. My name is Björn Klockar, I am age 40 and live in (and play) in Sweden. The field where I usually play is at Tjärnan (Camp Solbacken, located in the heart of Dalecarlia) and my weapons of choice are many but mainly VFC M4 as primary and Tokyo Marui Glock 34 as sidearm.

Sometimes I also play with Tokyo Marui 870 shotgun.

I have been playing for 2 years now, mainly CQB but also in the forest and am looking forward to visit some MilSim games during 2017. My future plan (my wish) is to go to US to play or UK at least.

I am Sponsored by Röda Stjärnan.com (http://rodastjarnan. com) First time I got in contact with airsoft were somewhere around 2000. Some friends of mine had their own local shop, selling airsoftguns and also arranging some games. They rented a huge old factory building not far from my home. It was perfect for CQB and at that time maybe the biggest CQB field in Sweden.

So we bought some MP5s, some cheap camo and started playing. And we did so for about two years or so. Then that field got closed and the team scattered. Guns started to collect dust and got sold after a while.

Then after a pause for about 12-13 years a co-worker dragged me to a nearby field after he heard that I used to play. This was around springtime in 2014 and I got hooked immediately!

Started out buying a cheap M4, a springer Glock and some Russian digital flora camo… Since then, things has just grown incredible fast. More games, more gear and most of all... more guns!

During 2015 a friend and I joined Team MIFFO Airsoft Sweden (@team_miffo_airsoft_sweden), a small local team we used to tag along with during games.

Shortly another friend joined and the team now consisted

of six players so we started a discussion group on FB to keep in touch. My private Instagram were now almost hundred percent airsoft and after a while I started our team page on IG. During 2016 the team grew in numbers and we ended up being 13 players. We love to be heavily equipped with a lot of grenades like TRMR, Tornados and 40mm. The “hog” in our logo is a symbol that has been used locally for centuries but also represent our game style to seem big and slow but suddenly attack with heavy force. But even if we look tough we like to play fair and in a good manners. That’s our golden rule as a team. After all it’s a sport built on respect and honesty and good sportsmanship!

As the followers increased, so did my interest for evolving my equipment and also to get better pictures of it and also to take more photos, both of my friends playing and arranging my own photoshoots.

My gear now looks nothing like 2 years ago except for still using a M4 and a Glock, there is always some changes going on. Moving or swapping some pouches on the battle belt or the vest, sometimes small tweaks depending on field or game you plan to go to. Changing and refining your gear is fun but can empty even the thickest of wallets!

I have also done a gear impression of “The Division” mainly because I liked the style and for creating something cool. I found out many people liked it a lot so perhaps there will be more projects like that in the future... Stay tuned!

I like to inspire and I love to be inspired and the airsoft community is a great place for such things, there are awesome people everywhere. I have so many things I want to do during next year. At least I would be happy to pull some of them off, it is just a matter of time ...and money!

Play fair and be true to your friends and your surrounding!

Björn Klockar

www.airsoft-action.online

75

Pocket Rocket TOKYO MARUI MAC 10

FOR HIS LATEST INSTALMENT OF “POCKET ROCKETS” JERRY NOONE STEPS BACK IN TIME TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT ONE OF THE VERY FIRST AEPS TO HIT THE SCENE, IN THE FORM OF THE INGRAM MAC 10 FROM TOKYO MARUI.

“ BIG MAC ATTACK” IF THERE IS ONE FIREARM that truly deserves the soubriquet “Pocket Rocket” then surely it is the diminutive Ingram SMG! Not only is it a stunning weapon capable of delivering a withering hail of short-range firepower in mere seconds but it has probably appeared in as many movies, TV series, Anime and even video games as any other SMG out there!

It first really came to my attention in 1981 when the movie “Stripes” came out in the UK and the Ingram was the “tool of choice” in the final battle sequence, being seen in the hands of Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and actress Pamela Jayne Soles as they exit the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle to rescue the members of their platoon who had strayed inadvertently into Czechoslovakia and been captured. This is actually one of my favourite comedy movies and if you’ve not seen it then you seriously need to give it a view even though it hasn’t aged particularly well.

But the Ingram dates back much further than that; Gordon Ingram, an American arms designer who previously developed several submachine guns under his own name, such as the Thompson-like Model 6, began work on a really tiny SMG in around 1964. Designed with special operations in mind, several prototypes were made by Ingram by 1965 and in 1966 at least one prototype gun was purchased by US Army for test and evaluation.

76

FEBRuary 2017

Pocket Rocket TOKYO MARUI MAC 10

In 1969 Ingram joined Sionics, who had previously manufactured silencers for small arms and it was as this point that the Ingram went into full production. In 1970 Sionics was incorporated into the Military Armament Corporation (or MAC), located in Powder Springs and production commenced with two versions of the Ingram, the Model 10 (M10), chambered for 9x19 or .45ACP ammunition and smaller Model 11 (M11), chambered for 9x17 (9mm Short or .380ACP). Both versions were available with suppressors developed by Sionics/MAC. MAC ceased production in 1976 and manufacturing rights for the Ingram M10 and M11 (nomenclature-wise it was never “MAC”) sub-machine guns were transferred to RPB Industries Inc, located in Atlanta.

Several versions of M10 were made with longer barrels, including the now-rare “carbine” version with a 450mm/18 inch long barrel which was partially enclosed inside a perforated barrel jacket. A number of “civilian” clones of Ingram models were made with minor differences in almost every detail. Cobray 9mm M11 “pistols”, for instance, were based on experimental models developed at RPB Industries in the late seventies; these variants had longer receivers which were necessary to increase the bolt travel and thus decrease the rate of fire, although Cobrays were regularly mistaken for the Ingram. Copies of the M10 were manufactured in Taiwan and Japan; original Ingrams were also sold to Chile and Yugoslavia during early 1970s and the South African Armscor BXP was based on the Ingram Model 10 design.

SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE

The Ingram M10 was a blowback, select-fire submachine gun that fired from an open bolt; the bolt itself was of a telescopic design, with most of its weight located in front of the breech face, around the barrel. The cocking handle was located at the top of the gun and can be used to lock the bolt in forward position, when it is turned 90 degrees, showing visually that the weapon is in “safe” mode. The receiver was made from sheet steel and simply consisted of two parts, an upper and a lower. The receiver parts were connected by a steel pin at the front of the weapon. The muzzle was threaded to accept the distinctive Sionics suppressor, whilst controls include a manual safety, made in the form of a slider located inside the trigger guard and a separate fire mode selector, made in form of a rotary lever located on left side of weapon, above the front of trigger guard. The shoulder stock was of telescopic design with a folding shoulder rest made of steel wire. To provide additional

stability, a leather or webbing loop was attached to the front of the receiver, which was used to hold the gun by the non-firing hand if the suppressor was not in place. Sights were basic but adequate being just a non-adjustable dioptre type rear and a protected front blade.

The M10 sadly didn’t generate a lot of interest from the U.S. Military due to its small size and high rate of fire (too high it turned out for most operational uses!). It was an awkward weapon to fire and was most popular when mated with the efficient Sionics Two Stage Sound Suppressor; the suppressor increased the length, muffled the sound signature efficiently and gave the user a stable point of rest for the supporting hand. It is rumoured that the CIA used the M10 in Vietnam and that it underwent evaluation by the SEALs and Special Ops units from other countries including Israel, the UK and West Germany also evaluated versions of the M10 during that time period. Unfortunately no major military customer ever formally adopted the weapon.

BIG MAC ATTACK!

I remember distinctly a T-Shirt you could buy from the American magazine “Soldier of Fortune” back in the mid-eighties, that proudly showed an image of the M10 along with the words “Big Mac Attack” and I so longed for one, although that was never to be (pocket money didn’t stretch to international mail order back then!). Up until now I thought that was to be the case with the Tokyo Marui Ingram MAC-10, as with many TM replicas stock always seems a bit thin on the ground once the initial launch has happened.

A couple of months back though I was doing my usual trawl of Fire Support’s comprehensive website and suddenly realised that they had stock of this elusive little SMG, so I was straight onto the email to Frank to request a review sample, which I collected from the shop a couple of weeks later. Now I’ve had a number of gas “MACs” over the years and I’m used to them arriving in a slightly oversized pistol box so you can imagine my surprise when I was handed quite a sizeable package.

Upon opening the box (which bears the slightly misleading motto “Mac 10 Navy SEALs in Battle of Mekong Delta 19691973 VIETNAM”), I remembered why it was of such a size as

“I REMEMBER DISTINCTLY A T-SHIRT YOU COULD BUY FROM THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE “SOLDIER OF FORTUNE” BACK IN THE MID-EIGHTIES, THAT PROUDLY SHOWED AN IMAGE OF THE M10 ALONG WITH THE WORDS “BIG MAC ATTACK” AND I SO LONGED FOR ONE.” www.airsoft-action.online

77

Pocket Rocket TOKYO MARUI MAC 10

it contains not just the Ingram itself but also a replica of the Scionics Two Stage Suppressor, a webbing hand-strap, 65 BB metal magazine, loading tube and cleaning rod and, of course, the special 7.2V 500mAh NiCd AEP battery with charger that powers everything along.

The first thing to note is actually the size of the Ingram as, although it is indeed tiny, it is also very chunky and those with smaller hands might struggle with the hand-filling pistol grip that of course houses the magazine. The magazine itself resembles that of an M3 “Grease Gun” which is spot on, as old M3 mags were indeed re-purposed in the real deal. Mags for the Marui are available as standard 65 BB, or 480 BB HiCaps.

Now other than the magazine the Marui Ingram features

“ON SEMI WITH THE SUPPRESSOR FITTED IT IS QUITE SPOOKILY QUIET AND ON FULL-AUTO IT’S A WHOLE HEAP OF FUN!” some metal parts such as the extendable folding stock, trigger, fire selector and safety, cocking handle and muzzle (the outer part of the muzzle unscrews to reveal a 14mm CCW thread should you wish to fit another flash hider) but both the receiver and the suppressor are of classic TM high grade plastic.

These days we tend to expect everything to be of full metal construction but, in my opinion, the Ingram is no less a looker

78

FEBRuary 2017

by being plastic; you have to remember that this was a model that was first launched in the UK back in 2007!

As with the majority of TM replicas, the finish in general of the Ingram is absolutely first rate but as always the final question is how does it perform?

Tokyo Marui are renowned for their internals and everything in the Ingram is spot on, from the bespoke battery to the finish of the internal barrel. The plastic rotary hop-unit adjustment is accessed by pulling back on the cocking handle to expose the horizontal adjustment wheel under the bolt cover; it’s easy to adjust and once set, stays firmly where you want it. On semi with the suppressor fitted it is quite spookily quiet and on fullauto it’s a whole heap of fun!

Testing with the chronograph gave a mean power output of 0.53 Joule/238fps using .20g BBs. Now you may think this a little low but knowing TM AEGs I’ve had in the past, this was not totally unexpected. If you have had a TM with a lower power output I’m sure you’ll join me in a little head-scratching as somehow the clever Japanese boffins manage to still get range and accuracy; on the 30m range the little SMG was happily hitting the sandbags at the farthest extent.

At the end of the day I have to say that the Tokyo Marui MAC-10 really is a cracking little RIF and I am very happy that after all this time I have finally got hold of one. Suffice to say that I’ll be looking at buying this one to add to my collection and at £199 it’s seriously not going to break the bank.

If you fancy something for CQB with a LOT of history, that performs excellently and has a certain uniqueness to it, then the Ingram should be high on your list!

For further information on the range of Tokyo Marui AEGs offered by Fire Support please visit www.fire-support.co.uk

Tech Talk TRIGGER TRAVEL

GET SHOR FRENCHIE TAKES US THROUGH THE NOT-SO-SIMPLE STEPS HE USES TO SHORTEN TRIGGER TRAVEL AND IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHY THAT IS IMPORTANT, READ ON… GET SHORTY, OR HOW TO reduce trigger travel... AEG’s triggers are closing a switch and, as a result, the trigger pull on an AEG is very different to that of a real firearm. It is frankly a bit sloppy, although with a few notable exceptions. This is generally not a problem but if you are a fan of snappy semiauto shooting, a standard trigger can get quite frustrating.

Fortunately there are steps you can take to deal with this which will often bring additional benefits.

A standard AEG trigger switch is a simple beast, comprising a fixed block with two copper, brass or chromed contacts and a sliding sledge with a single contact pinned to it. As you pull the trigger, the sledge is pushed between the two contacts bridging them and completing the electrical circuit. Power

80

FEBRuary 2017

flows to the motor and the gearbox does its thing.

This simplicity tends to endow the trigger unit with longevity although you can get problems with carbon build up as a result of arcing. Despite the heavy marketing drive of MosFet manufacturers this isn’t really that much of a problem for the vast majority of players and trigger switches are cheap and fairly easy to replace. With the switch closed the gun runs in full-auto mode; semi-auto is achieved by a mechanical cutoff driven from the sector gear. On the underside of the gear is an elliptical cam which acts on one end of the auto-cut off lever. As this is depressed by the gear, the other end literally flips the trigger sledge clear of the track in which it moves and the small trigger spring withdraws it from the fixed contacts.

Tech Talk TRIGGER TRAVEL

ORTY! With the circuit broken, the motor stops until you release the trigger, thereby resetting it ready to pull it again. Although it is a fairly simple and reliable system it does have its drawbacks.

One of these is that the design, unchanged since Marui first used it, is not well-suited to tweaking to improve the trigger in any way. I know that there are some out there proclaiming that it’s simple and easy but I beg to differ. It is relatively simple but it is problematic and can be appallingly time-consuming to get right. It also carries with it the danger of adversely affecting the semi/auto function of your gun.

Essentially it involves shimming the top of the trigger where it presses against the sledge. This is usually done with a layer or layers of plastic card glued to the trigger and shaped to match the rear of the sledge. This pushes the sledge forward reducing the space between the fixed and moving contacts. If you do no more than this you will lose semi auto as the cut off level will be unable to drop below the tab on the side of the sledge upon which it would normally act. The solution is to carefully reduce this tab with a sharp knife blade and this is where you can chew up a lot of time. Get is right - great! Get it wrong and you can spend ages chasing the correct series of proportions to make everything work properly again. The other problem which can affect this modification is a failure of the trigger to properly reset when released, meaning that the switch is no longer being pushed by the trigger - an obvious problem. I personally have never felt that the improvement possible by this method justified the time and effort involved. If you’re doing this for yourself, time is probably less of an issue but for those of us who put a price on the time we spend and have to explain to our customers, this is a poor solution to improving the trigger.

Another alternative, which is really just the above in a different package, are the replacement triggers made by the Canadian company, Speed. These are beautifully made in aluminium but what they promise is beyond their ability to truly deliver. These triggers feature a small grub screw under the rear blade which allows you to alter how far forward the trigger pushes the sledge. For the problems with that approach, see what I have just written. They would work well with my preferred approach but, in fact, there is an even better option available once you follow that route.

If not this, what then? For me the preferred solution is either an ASCU (Airsoft Systems Control Unit) or the Jefftron Version 2 replacement switch. Both of these units bring a host of adjustable parameters in addition to making trigger tweaking a viable proposition but it is their use of a microswitch and the different way that they measure each cycle of the gearbox that makes them winners. The Spectre unit also falls into this category, I only omit it because although I have fitted them to recoils, I have never been asked to improve the trigger pull.

Before proceeding let me clarify a couple of points: When I refer to “trigger pull” I am really referring to “trigger travel”; how far you have to pull the trigger before the gun fires.

Strictly speaking trigger pull refers to the amount of force required to achieve that but in AEGs that is entirely down to the strength of the trigger return spring. I don’t think anyone

has ever asked me to change that, so we are talking about travel. For fast semi-auto you want a short, responsive trigger travel and highly predictable cycling of the gearbox. Both the ASCU and the Jefftron will give you that.

I will use the ASCU as the prime example and highlight where the Jefftron differs. In these units the switch is a simple, momentary push micro-switch, activated by the trigger. It does not rely on the physical intervention of the auto cut-off lever to disconnect the trigger; that is achieved electronically.

“IT IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE BUT IT IS PROBLEMATIC AND CAN BE APPALLINGLY TIME-CONSUMING TO GET RIGHT. IT ALSO CARRIES WITH IT THE DANGER OF ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE SEMI/AUTO FUNCTION OF YOUR GUN.”

www.airsoft-action.online

81

Tech Talk TRIGGER TRAVEL

however, is it is much harder to damage the switch as users cannot apply unreasonable force to it. The ASCU on the other hand can be damaged or destroyed by a carelessly heavy trigger finger and it’s important that customers are made aware of this. The current version of the ASCU has a much more robust switch but it is also much more difficult to replace if damaged (the earlier switches weren’t easy to replace but it could be done) - and by “more difficult” I really mean “not practical to replace”. You have been warned!

Another approach that works well with the ASCU is making the trigger adjustable. This is the logical extension of the Speed trigger but is achieved by drilling and tapping a grub screw through the gearbox casing beneath the trigger, allowing the trigger travel to be adjusted from outside the gun.

This is about as good as it gets, however, it obviously requires

“THE END RESULT CAN BE AN ASTONISHINGLY RESPONSIVE TRIGGER AND MANY PLAYERS FIND THAT ONCE THEY GO THERE THEY FIND IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GO BACK.” Straightaway this gives us a couple of major advantages over the standard setup. Firstly we are concerned only with reducing the distance between the face of the trigger thereby reducing trigger travel and secondly the electronic timing means we do not need to worry about the time-consuming business of getting the cut off timing right.

At its simplest you just need to shim the trigger to move the face of it nearer the switch. You can glue shims to the face of the trigger but personally I prefer to shim under the rear of the trigger, tipping it forward. The main reason for this approach is that the ASCU was designed to interact with the face of a standard trigger, since I don’t need to alter that, I prefer not to. How far you move the trigger towards the switch is up to you. I personally like a little movement in the trigger before the gun fires but some players like something very, very short. I have handled (and occasionally built) triggers with no movement other than the half millimeter of travel in the switch itself. It’s quite something - you almost think the shot rather than squeezing the shot off - and it is probably not for everyone. The Jefftron mounts its switch side-on to the trigger, the head of which passes over the switch activating it. In this case you have to shim the trigger face so that the activation occurs sooner rather than later. As a design it is harder to get a really short travel on the Jefftron. Where the Jefftron scores,

82

FEBRuary 2017

more work and more confidence as getting it wrong can get expensive quite quickly. The benefits are, in my view, worth the effort as you can set the trigger travel exactly where you want it. Be warned that not only does this approach require drilling and tapping the gearbox in the right place but also requires modification to the receiver, for that reason I’m not getting into it here.

Both the ASCU and the Jefftron allow the user to make a number of changes to the way their gun functions (burst fire, semi auto only, fast-start, pre-cocking etc.) but for me it’s the ease of improving the trigger and the added certainty of properly timed cycling in the gearbox that are the principal reasons for installing them. Neither are perfect and I know some players who fully appreciate the advantages of these units but who prefer the solid reliability of the original, simple trigger switch and its less-than-perfect trigger travel.

As with so much, it’s a case of “you pays your money and you take your choice”. The ASCU will cost you around £70, the Jefftron is cheaper at £50 and factor in tech fees if you aren’t going to fit them yourself. The end result can be an astonishingly responsive trigger and many players find that once they go there they find it nearly impossible to go back.

MINI MODULAR PACK

LAZER GARRISON PACK

A multifunction load carrier which can be attached to a MOLLE or used independently. Can also serve a civilian with the day to day practicality and features such as convenient sized pouches, bladder holder and general size.

Mesh helmet hammock located on front with compression straps for adjustment

n n n n n n n n n

Size: 19 ltr (approx) Material: 600D Cordura Colour: Titanium SRP: £45.00

Lazer MOLLE Panels on front/sides Fully mesh vented back Internal Nylon hood closure 2 x Main compression straps Sternum strap with QR buckle Padded shoulder straps Elasticated rim on lid 1 x Grab handle Velcro ID panel

LAZER SHOULDER PACK

LAZER RECON PACK

A lightweight and conveniently sized shoulder pack, ideal as a travel/grab bag. Its exterior and internal pockets are capable of bearing most personal belongings and padded straps add the comfort factor.

With padded shoulder straps and foam Ventex back panel this makes a comfortable load carrier. The pack can be reduced using the compression straps or added to with the LAZER MOLLE attachment panels.

Size: 10 ltr (approx) Material: 600D Cordura

Size: 35 ltr (approx)

Size: 35 ltr (approx)

Colour: Titanium

Material: 600D Cordura

Material: 600D Cordura

SRP: £34.95

Colour: Titanium SRP: £45.00

Colour: Titanium SRP: £27.50

>GET THE

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE

TACTICAL

STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE

www.vipertactical.co.uk

Book Review THE CALL UP

THE CALL UP A STUDY OF NATIONAL SERVICE IN PEACETIME BRITAIN

BY PHIL CARRADICE MATT LIMB OBE, WRITES ABOUT A BOOK THAT WILL BRING BACK MEMORIES TO THOSE OF A CERTAIN AGE, MEMORIES THAT ARE NOT ALL BAD. “IT NEVER DID ME ANY harm and it would do you a lot of good.” It is phase that you can still hear from an elderly gent wagging his finger at today’s youth on the High Street. “It made a man of me.” He is, of course, referring to “National Service”. Introduced soon after World War Two it was the Nation’s way of reinforcing the armed forces in the very early days of The Cold War but more importantly, it was the only occasion that a generation was expected to serve in peacetime.

National Service has long been a favourite with the media and produced some memorable films and books, one of my favourites being The Virgin Soldiers, which was inspired by its author Leslie Thomas’s own experiences during National Service in the army. But it is now over half a century since the last National Service soldier was discharged, many are now well into their autumn years and it was time to capture their thoughts before they were lost forever. So, I am delighted that it has been done so well in a recently published book; The Call Up – A Study of National Service in Peacetime Britain written by Phil Carradice.

Phil Carradice starts by looking briefly at the political decisions to introduce The National Service Act of 1948 and I am delighted he did not dwell for too long on the topic but gets quickly to the meat of the book, the many first-hand accounts from national service men as they recollect their lives over fifty years ago;

I was living in Derby when I received my call-up letter. I went along to the recruiting office, as I was supposed to and the sergeant asked me what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I said I wanted to drive. He nodded and said, “The Army’s the best place for you.” It was as simple as that.

Derek Grattidge (Army: Horse Guards) Starting with receiving the dreaded letter and being called up, the enlistment then basic and trade training, the half century old memories unfold into a treasure of knowledge and tales in a society that feels so very different from ours today; and yet this is a book you can pick up, read a couple of pages and put down, then pick later and repeat the process. In doing so you can capture and digest the many anecdotes and accounts that are told.

84

FEBRuary 2017

I did my basic training at HMS Raleigh, Torpoint. I had recently finished my apprenticeship as a joiner so I was twenty-one when I went in. I remember saying to the officer, “Look here mate, I’m not going to be a stoker. If that’s all you’ve got I’ll go to the Army instead.” And that’s why I finished up being – you’ve guessed it – a stoker.

Patrick Line (Navy) The author then continues looking at key political events during the period of National Service including the conflicts in Cyprus, Egypt and of course Korea, in addition to the many overseas postings in what was still the British Empire. It is also worth remembering that almost 400 national servicemen lost their lives on active service, plus as many as another 200 died in accidents whilst serving. In addition to this were the many that were maimed or suffered lifelong crippling injuries.

… We were showing a presence [in Cyprus]. At the top of the street was the border between the Turkish and Greek communities. I was a bloody dangerous situation. I can’t say any of us were particularly happy about it, but being there, driving down Murder Mile was just something we had to do.

John Williams (RAF Regiment) Despite this being a book of first-hand accounts it is also highly informative on many aspects of National Service, covering who was eligible and what the expectations were, which including young men who suffered from TB or clergymen. Then there were the “specified occupations” who were exempt National Service, which included scientists and certain engineers, farm workers and miners. Being at university did not exempt you from receiving your call-up papers, you were simply allowed to finish your course and obtain your degree first. But some young men, as National Service was known to be coming to an end, found it a good way to avoid their call up.

One area that has always caused grief for any soldier, sailor or airman over the years, if not centuries, has been the girls they left behind. It was no difference during National Service.

Book Review THE CALL UP

Again, this book captures the highs and the lows and some of the heart-breaking moments as a husband and wife are parted; but it also captures the humour.

I eventually married a girl who was the daughter of an RSM. I’d known her before I went into the Army, but we quarrelled. I told her I had been called up and she laughed – “Serve you right” she said. When I came out of the Army, we decided to get married and, as you did in those days, I went to ask her fathers for permission to wed his daughter.

“What’s she worth?” he asked. “Ten Woodbines?” “Done.”

Arthur Ainger (Army) All too soon, what the author describes as a social experiment, came to an end as Private Fred Turner of the Army Catering Corps returned to civilian life on 7 May 1963, the last conscript. For many it was two years they hated but many today look back on their time with fond memories.

I wouldn’t have missed the Army for anything. Even though as a merchant seaman [by civilian trade] I could have easily got out of it. I was happy to do my time. And now I’m glad I did. It taught me discipline and self-reliance.

John Cotton(Army) This is a comment I have listen too many times in my own family, with uncles and friends so often commenting “I wish I had signed on and stayed in.” - a point bought out in the book many times.

I was once told that between childhood and manhood are some twilight years in which many a young man will get up to no good. Those twilight years of National Service are captured outstandingly in this book, with first-hand accounts of the daily life of a national serviceman which is supported by a commentary given by the author putting it all into context and offering a depth of knowledge. It covers subjects as diverse as sport and drinking, to troop-ships and jail, plus over sixty contemporary images that picture National Servicemen, from all three services, across the globe.

Phil Carradice is no stranger to history, with many books to his name but here he has tackled a subject that has at times in the last fifty years been dismissed, if not brushed under the carpet. In this book he brings out the good and the bad of National Service - and exposes the ugly.

But is it a book on conscripted military service? Not at all. It is a book about a generation of young men, who either willingly or otherwise served their country; some six hundred having paid the ultimate price in doing so. The survivors are now retired and elderly and this book is a worthy tribute to them and what they did for their country and one I would highly recommend.

The Call Up – A Study of National Service in Peacetime Britain written by Phil Carradice is available from FontHill Media (http://fonthillmedia. com/). ISBN: 978-1-78155-526-2.

www.airsoft-action.online

85

kit RANGE BAGS

RANGE BAGS

ALTHOUGH NOT ON EVERY AIRSOFTER’S SHOPPING LIST, IF YOU ARE INTO ANY FORM OF TARGET SHOOTING A RANGE BAG IS A MUST. ANDY NIGHTINGALE EXPLAINS… Although this does the job of transporting your weapons and ancillaries, it does very little to protect either the items inside or the security of its contents.

So what exactly is a range bag and how much do they cost?

FLAMBEAU TACTICAL RANGE BAG £40 - £50 HARD CASE REMOVED FROM BAG AND OPEN.

Range bags do not have to be the latest £200+ all-singing and all-dancing transport and storage solutions. To be honest a range bag can be almost any bag that is large enough and suitable enough to protect the contents during transport.

Most specifically manufactured range bags have padded compartments and several pockets to protect and store all your essential shooting equipment whilst on the range and resemble most sports-like common holdalls.

The size and construction of the range bag is critical to your needs. I have quite a few range bags myself for different applications of fire. I have small bags for when I’m just shooting one pistol for a couple of hours on the range, maybe for sighting in or after I’ve just cleaned the weapon. A medium sized bag for when I’m on the outdoor range during the summer months and a large range bag that can carry all my essential shooting equipment and guns for a full day on the range.

IT HAS COME TO THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN when I take out all my shooting kit clean it, sort it and repair anything that needs repairing and replacing old and worn items. It wasn’t until I got everything out that I realised just how much kit I had, some of it is used nearly every day and some of the items have not been used for quite a while. The kit that I don’t use, so long as it is serviceable, will soon find its way onto the market.

The one piece of kit that I will always keep are my range bags.

Range bags are an essential part of everyday shooting, apart from CCW and duty that is. The range bag protects not only the gun but all your other shooting paraphernalia. Life without a range bag would indeed be a nightmare. I’ve seen many people turn up to ranges with their pride and joy and other kit in nothing more than a supermarket carrier bag!

FLAMBEAU TACTICAL RANGE BAG

86

FEbruary 2017

All my range bags are constructed from nylon and are black in colour. I’ve chosen black because it’s a neutral colour and looks like any normal sports holdall, rather than advertising the fact that I am carrying any kind of firearm (I have chosen not to carry bags with logos or the names of firearms on the bags for security reasons).

Don’t try to cram too much equipment into your bag either, as this will put stress on the seams and could also damage to contents inside. Likewise try not to use a huge bag for very little items. Again this can lead to items been damaged inside especially weapons if they are not in a hard case or padded slip.

The items you place inside your range bag really does depend on the type of shooting you do and equipment that you have.

If you are looking to purchase a range bag you need to think

511 RANGE READY BAG £95

kit RANGE BAGS

MAIN TOTE AND BRASS TOTE

about the items you already own and the items that you will be possibly purchasing in the future. It’s no good purchasing a range bag for the items you have now only to find it is too small for your needs in the near future.

The design and functionality of the bag is also important.

Normal sports holdalls usually come with a single zipped top opening. These are fine to use as range bags, however, it can be difficult to access the contents inside. A great solution to this is to have a double zip opening. A double zipped lid affords easy access into the bag when looking for contents. Another useful feature is a drop-down padded work surface. These are usually integrated into the side of the range bag. The padded work surface allows you to place the gun down on a hard surface without causing any damage to your weapon. These workstations usually have pockets to store tools and oils during any maintenance work and also magazines.

Some range bags have internal pockets. These are usually only small and suitable for targets, electronic tablets, score sheets and personal items such as wallet and keys. Most range bags have an array of exterior pockets. These can be large enough to store such items as safety glasses, ear defenders, a personal first aid kit, Ammunition and other personal items.

The main compartment in a range bag would usually contain the weapon itself, any electronic equipment such as shot timers and tablets, rangefinder and spotting scope. Other items could include a small toolkit, Sun screen, gloves and food and drink for a full day on the range.

Most of my bags have been specifically designed for use on the range, however, I did have one bag that I used for my son’s weapon. Because I carried the majority of the kit (my young son carried his own gun and ancillaries on the range) most range bags were too big. The solution was a tool bag from Halfords.

This bag was large enough for his handgun, safety glasses, hearing protection and even had internal pockets suitable to store five magazines.

Other items that are supplied with the more top of the market range bags are totes, brass bags and pistol slips. Totes are a small removable holdall that is stored inside the main range bag itself. This is used to carry the weapon, ammunition, safety glasses, hearing protection and targets on to the firing point. This allows you to keep any other items you have in your range bag off the firing point whilst you shoot. “Brass bags” are designed to fit onto your belt so you can deposit spent brass that is on the range floor into the bag for disposal later (this is an ideal piece of kit for airsoft shooters that use revolvers). Slips are nothing more that, a simple soft case that you store your handgun in. It protects your handgun from coming into contact with other items in your range bag that might damage it. Slips are common accessories that can be purchased from most Shooting suppliers and added to your range bag if it wasn’t supplied with one.

The cost of range bags, like most things in life depends on the design, size and quality, not forgetting the manufacturer’s name also. Don’t spend a fortune on a range bag if you are a casual shooter, however, if like me you shoot every day, a quality range bag is a must, so be prepared to shell out (no pun intended) a few quid on something that’s going to last you.

Shop around to find what suits your needs and pocket. Try eBay there are lots of different bags for all types of shooting to be found there.

www.airsoft-action.online

87

Famous Raids MOSCOW THEATRE SIEGE

THE MOSCOW (NORD-OST) S

MOVING TO MORE MODERN TIMES, BILLY WRITES ABOUT THE SHOCKING EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN MOSCOW DURING OCTOBER 2002.

88

FEBRuary 2017

RUSSIAN STATE AGGRESSION and their foreign adventures are all over the news these days. With tales of cyber-hacking to influence the outcome of Brexit and conspiracy theories about President-Elect Trump being the Kremlin’s man in Washington.

The Russians have a habit of doing things when the world’s fickle attention is distracted elsewhere by an Olympics or other main event. But it has always intrigued me, bearing in mind how brazen and callous they are, why they seem to suffer so few revenge attacks at home compared with the rest of the world.

Obviously, there’s the whole geography thing which I get.

Moscow is, after all, a long way from their enemies and it’s shielded by the other bordering countries that the bad guys

Famous Raids MOSCOW THEATRE SIEGE

OW THEATRE ) SIEGE 2002 would have to cross to get at them. This then is the tale of one of them that slipped through the net and although horrific in its execution, could form the basis of a re-enactment (indeed, it has already been made the subject of a play).

In 2002 a group of 40 Chechen terrorists/separatists entered a theatre, in the middle of a show, 4 km away from the Kremlin and subjected the Russians to a bizarre siege like no other that I have read about.

On the evening of the 23rd of October Muscovites were going about their business, it was snowing gently and tired workers were plodding home. Theatre goers were out in numbers, there was a performance of the play “Nord-Ost” in the crowded Dubrovka Theatre. During the intermission, a coach pulled up right outside the theatre, disgorging a large group of people in what surely must have looked like people in fancy dress. There were women clad from head to toe in bhurkas, with suicide vests strapped to themselves and men similarly clad all in black with ski masks. All carried weapons, surely this was a joke, or a Government drill… Terrorists don’t just turn up in a coach do they?

But this was no coach party; they cocked their AK47s and rushed into the theatre. Ten minutes later they had control of over 850 people, including citizens from numerous other countries. A group of actors from the cast fled out of the back of the theatre before the Chechens slammed the back-escape route. Vladimir Putin, who was about to go abroad on a state visit, cancelled his trip to take personal interest in the siege.

The terrorists had done their homework; due to the layout of the theatre, if the Spetnaz Alpha and Vega Group (who were to end the siege) had broken in guns blazing they would have to fight their way through 30 metres of narrow staircases and corridors to get to the theatre hall before getting the first terrorist in their sights. These choke points would have been easy to defend and led to heavy casualties for the Russians.

On the first day when the negotiations got under way the Chechens demanded the withdrawal of all Russian forces from the Republic of Chechnya. They agreed to let several groups of people go, pregnant women and some elderly theatre goers, normal stuff you’d think. But the Chechens made no move to confiscate phones to stop the hostages speaking to the outside world; one reporter even filed several stories from within the hall. They didn’t try and control what was going out or use it to their advantage, they just didn’t seem that bothered, which is pretty odd bearing in mind the hostages COULD have been revealing information crucial to the force coming in the end the siege which was surely coming. This was Russia after all, what were they expecting? During phone calls and communication those trapped inside confirmed that the Chechens were armed with an assortment of grenades, machine guns, suicide vests

and land mines as well as a couple of stonking great explosive devices.

Day Two of the siege began in a very odd way. At 01:30 a Russian woman, one Olga Romanov, a 26-year-old (with apparently no connection with the security services, acting on her own and unarmed) who lived near the theatre, broke through the police cordon and made a dash for the theatre door. She got inside and made her way to the auditorium where everyone was being held. At this stage the orchestra pit was being used as a toilet, she broke in and began immediately to berate the hostages for not taking on the Chechens and appealed to them to stand and fight. One of the Chechens decided to fight instead and emptied a mag into her chest. An odd tactic against x 40 heavily armed desperate terrorists, with little or nothing to lose.

It wasn’t all good natured of course, they were after all trying it on with Putin and his infamous FSB (the successors to the KGB), of which Putin was an old hand. The gunmen were led by a chap called Movsar Barayev, nephew of a slain Chechen rebel commander.

They threatened to kill the hostages unless their demands were met, the deadline was one week, after which they would start killing the hostages.

The clock was ticking. Outside, the theatre was being surrounded by truck after truck full of soldiers and police, one of the hostages made repeated calls to friends and relatives pleading with the authorities not to assault the building or do anything rash. Yeah!!

That’s going to work eh?

The Chechens released 50 people during the second day and (at their own request) talked to a bewildering array of characters that they’d asked to be involved in the negotiations. Mikhail Gorbachev volunteered his services but as Putin blamed him for the breakup of the USSR he was unlikely to get that gig. But opposition activist Boris Nemtsov and journalist Anna Politkovskaya were both involved to no avail (both died sometime later in suspicious circumstances having openly challenged Putin).

Later on in the evening of Day 2 an FSB Colonel tried to get into the theatre via the patio to engage in a bit of Jason Bournery himself but was shot at and made good his escape.

What was wrong with these people?

Day 3 saw more drudgery where nothing much occurred and then some brief frenzied action.

www.airsoft-action.online

89

Famous Raids MOSCOW THEATRE SIEGE

Another unarmed civilian ran past the police officers (how much of an effort do you think they made to stop him?) and into the theatre. This man, believed to be Gennady Vlakh, was looking for his son (who wasn’t in there as it turned out), he too was shot straight away. A few hours later one of those being held inside, a guy called Denis Gribkov, charged at the Chechens who opened up on him, they didn’t hit him instead killing two others in the cross fire. Gribkov was later found shot dead.

Outside, the Russians who were now hearing gunfire and seeing bodies more frequently, prepared to put their plan into action. The assault was to begin with (what looked like) a costly diversion. During the small hours of the 26th October two members of the Spetznaz Alpha Group crossed the police line and made their way stealthily towards the theatre. They were probably doing a recce of some kind, maybe looking for an alternative to going in the front, or maybe they were sacrificed as part of the plan.

Regardless, one of the Chechens on stag spotted them and let them have a grenade which landed between them. There was a thud and both men fell, badly wounded. The entire force of Chechens were now on their feet, weapons in the shoulder, yelling at one another ready to repel the Russians… But like lightening from Thor’s hammer, nothing happened for several hours and their body’s natural rhythm kicked in (after a shock and a release of a lot of adrenaline) and they started to nod off and get their heads down. Which was convenient (if actually a coincidence) bearing in mind what happened next.

Now unconfirmed reports suggest that the raid was bought forward because of the execution of two female hostages. But, as with much that happened that night it’s down to rumour, who knows what to believe?

But at 05:00 on October 26 the numerous search lights trained on the building from outside suddenly went out simultaneously, plunging the theatre into darkness. Moments later inside the theatre smoke began to appear, the Chechens and hostages first thought it was a fire somewhere in the building. A water pipe had broken on the second day of the siege in the rickety old theatre and there had been other problems, so a fire was not unexpected.

Quickly though, both hostages and terrorists began to pass out in the stalls and at their positions, falling to the floor or lolloping in their seats. The Russians were using a special type of anaesthetic gas to knock out both the terrorist captors and their hostages, pumped in through the theatre’s air ducts, the Alpha troops would then storm the theatre guns blazing.

The order was given after a short time to allow the gas to incapacitate most of those inside and the men of Alpha and Vega team swept into the hall. Despite their cunning plan, many of the Chechens had pre-empted their actions and emerged firing from within the theatre wearing gas masks.

Some had fashioned breathing filters from clothes and they put up a spirited resistance to the well-drilled and ruthless Spetznaz assaulters. Armed with silenced weapons and covered from the ground and at roof level by snipers, they engaged the Chechens in 30 minutes of vicious fighting in the corridors and pews of the theatre.

No quarter was given to the terrorists unsurprisingly, some of whom lay unconscious with bombs still strapped to themselves and thumbs still poised on their detonators, so rapid was the onset of the gas. The Spetznaz commandos shot nearly 40 Chechen terrorists and captured several more.

While most of the hostages were rescued, more than 130 eventually died from poor care after the assault, the gas causing many to suffocate. There was uproar amongst medical staff when the FSB and Spetznaz officers refused to reveal what kind of gas had been used in the assault, thus denying the doctors a chance to administer a rapid antidote and save some of the unconscious casualties. Some of the Alpha troops also suffered injuries due to exposure to the gas.

The raid to lift the Nord-Ost siege was aggressive, cunning and was the first known major commando assault to use a still unknown gas to suppress the target before the assault.

www.airsoft-action.online

91

HALO MILL

SITE DIRECTORY

Taking you beyond 350fps!

Tel: 01484 840554

FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

Sponsors of the AIRSOFT ACTION Site Directory

SYMBOL KEY

IS IT WOODLAND OR URBAN? CHECK THE KEY! UKARA MEMBER

SHOP ONSITE

WOODLAND

PYROS ALLOWED

URBAN

BATTERY CHARGING

DESERT

REPAIR SERVICE

Email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk to add or change a site listing

ATROOP AIRSOFT

AIRBORNE 101 AIRSOFT CLUB

ALL ARMS AIRSOFT

ARENA AIRSOFT

ABER AIRSOFT – THE BUNKER

AIRSOFT ASYLUM

ALPHA 55

AWA HERTS

Clocaenog Forest, LL16 4SP Tel: 07967 394976 www.atroop.co.uk

Allt-lywd Wood Farm, outside Llanrhystud, nr. Aberystwyth, Wales.

Tel: 07511554740 www.aberairsoft.co.uk

ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT

Maidenhead, SL6 3SS Tel: 07871 314951 www.absolute-airsoft.co.uk

ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES

Holbrook Coppice, Buidwas Bank (A4169), Buildwas, Telford, Shropshire, TF8 Tel: 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk

ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES

Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 Tel: 07718 032541 robinsonm24@btinternet.com

North Lanarksire, ML7 5 www.airsoftasylum.webs.com

AIRSOFT COMMANDOS Sutton, near Ferrybridge Tel: 07723 061386 andyace@ntlworld.com

AIRSOFT KGB

Porkellis Moor near Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0 Chef1322@hotmail.com www.kgbairsoft.com

AIRSOFT PLANTATION

Goatsmoore Lane, Billericay, CM4 9RS Tel: 07534 636289 / 07771 556395 www.theofficialairsoftplantation.co.uk theofficialairsoftplantation@gmail.com

Tong Wood, Newport Road Wolverhampton TF11 8PN Tel: 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH

ACE COMBAT

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH CQB

Kent, TN12 7DG Tel: 01303 814803 www.acecombat.co.uk

92

February 2017

Stoulton, WR7 4QW Tel: 07764 587410 www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk

Studley, B80 7LY Tel: 07764 587410 www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk

Near Trawden, BB8 8SN Tel: 07909 683464 www.allarmsairsoft.co.uk

Halkyn Wood, North Wales CH8 8DF Tel: 0845 257 6937 www.alpha55.co.uk

ALPHA ELITE GAMING

Le Mont de Rozel, Jersey, JE3 5 Tel: 01534 733697 www.aegairsoft.je

AMAZON EVENTS

Hellingly, East Sussex, BN27 4HL Tel: 0844 2570433 www.amazonoutdoorevents.co.uk

AMBUSH ADVENTURES – CHOBHAM Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8SL Tel: 01252 315225 www.ambushadventures.co.uk

Grimsby, DN31 3JD Tel: 07752 404060 www.arenaairsoft.com

Sawbridgeworth, Herts, CM23 4BJ Tel: 07732 184957 www.awaherts.com

BADLANDS AIRSOFT

Rowlands Castle, Hamps PO9 6DP Tel: 07534 465589 www.badlandsairsoft.co.uk

BARNSLEY AIRSOFT

Shafton, Barnsley, S72 8RE Tel: 07779 236166 www.barnsleypaintball.co.uk

BATTLETEC AIRSOFT

La Couture, Guernsey, GY1 2 Tel: 07781 104068 www.battletec.co.uk

AMBUSH ADVENTURES SOUTHAMPTON

BETTER BATTLES

New Forest National Park, SP5 2DW Tel: 01252 315225 www.ambushadventures.co.uk

Ravenshead, Notts, NG15 9DH Tel: 07967 940043 www.better-battles.com

APOCALYPSE AIRSOFT

BLACKDAGGER AIRSOFT

Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7QP Tel: 07872 348 576 www.apocalypseairsoft.com

Grasscroft Wood, Barlow Lees Lane, Dronfield, S18 7UR www.blackdagger-airsoft.co.uk

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT

Westcott Venture Park, Westcott, Aylesbury, HP18 0XB Tel: 01296 658600 www.bluestreak-airsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE SANDPIT (DESERT)

Bolton Wood Quarry, Bolton Hall Road Bradford, West Yorkshire BD2 1BQ Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, CM14 5 Tel: 01438 368177 www.thefightschool.demon.co.uk

COOL UNDER FIRE BORDERLINE AIRSOFT

51 Green Road, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim Northern Ireland, BT39 9PH Tel: 028 9303 7030 or 07729219341 www.borderlinecombat.com

BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport. PR46JX Tel: 07790 715059 www.bravo22airsoft.com

BRISTOL AIRSOFT Bristol, BS1 2HQ Tel: 07776 288826 www.bristolairsoft.com

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – RIVOCK EDGE Keighley, BD20 0LS Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – SHEFFIELD WOODLAND Sheffield, S6 6JE Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE WORKS (URBAN)

Off Badger Lane, Hipperholme, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 8PL Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT Sheffield, S2 5TR Tel: 07795 631331 www.brittacairsoft.com

CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT

Brimington, Chesterfield, S43 1DQ www.cia-airsoft.co.uk

Doddington, Kent, ME9 0JS Tel: 07960 532613 www.coolunderfire.co.uk

CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT

Truro, Cornwall, TR2. Tel: 07863 240153 www.cornwallseliteairsoft.co.uk

COTSWOLD AIRSOFT

CLOSE ACTION AIRSOFT Corby, NN17 3BB Tel: 07740 165787 www.close-action.co.uk

BUSH VALLEY AIRSOFT

Runham Woods, Lenham ME17 1NQ Tel: 07786 448608 Email: bushvalairsoft@gmail.com

COMBAT ACTION GAMES

Combat Street, Felthorpe, Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 4DR. Tel: 07748 023832 www.facebook.com/combatactiongames

C3 TACTICAL

Longhope, Gloucestershire, GL17 0PH Tel: 07597 938011 www.c3tactical.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE OUTPOST (WOODLAND) HPC, York Road, Flaxby, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG5 0XJ Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

DOG TAG AIRSOFT

Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4SE TEL 01293 852 314 www.holmbushpaintball.co.uk/airsoft

ELITE ACTION GAMES – WORTHING

Worthing, BN13 Tel: 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

ELITE BATTLEZONE

CUMBRIA AIRSOFT

EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT

Dumfries, DG12 cumbria.airsoft@virgin.net www.cumbria-airsoft.com

Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 0AN Tel: 01380 728982 www.experienceairsoft.co.uk

DANGER CLOSE AIRSOFT

FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS

Ellough Lark Raceway, Benacre Road, Ellough, Norfolk . Tel: 07455 906132

Bexley, Greater London, DA5 1NX Tel: 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

Lewisham, SE13 5SU Tel: 07973 240177 www.firefight.co.uk

DARKWATER AIRSOFT LTD.

Mobile: 07947 558433 www.darkwaterairsoft.co.uk Email: darwaterairsofthythe@gmail.com DARKWATER AFTER DARK C.Q.B, (Battlezone Building), Britannia Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, TN23 3NA facebook.com/afterdarkcqb DARKWATER SITE, Dering Wood, Church Lane, Shadoxhurst, Ashford.

TN26 1LZ facebook.com/darkwaterairsoftdarkwater

FIFE WARGAMES

St Andrews, KY10 3XL info@fifewargames.co.uk www.fifewargames.com

FINMERE AIRSOFT Buckingham, MK18 4JT Tel: 07976 184897 www.finmereairsoft.com

COMBAT AIRSOFT

Just off the A11 outside Thetford Norfolk follow signs for Combat Paintball Tel: 07703 045849 www.combatairsoftgames.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE COMPLEX Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RP Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

Caerwent Training Area, South Wales, NP26 5XL Tel: 07921 336360 www.dragonvalley.co.uk

Bourton Woods, On the B4479, Blockley Near Bourton-on-the-hill www.cotswoldairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07724629140

BUNKER 51

Charlton, SE7 8NJ Tel: 0870 7549653 www.wolfarmouries.co.uk

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT

COMBAT SOUTH URBAN Portsmouth, PO6 3LS Tel: 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND

Fareham, PO17 5ND Tel: 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

DELTA TEAM 3

Skelmersdale, Lancs WN8 8UT Tel: 07986 053076 www.deltateam3.co.uk

FIREBALL SQUADRON Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA Tel: 07582 684533 www.fireballsquadron.com

DOGS OF WAR

FIRST & ONLY: ANZIO CAMP

DRAGON’S LAIR

FIRST & ONLY: BUNKER WOOD

Houston, Renfrewshire, PA6 7BP Tel: 07853 195290 www.dow-airsoft.co.uk

Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA Tel: 07703 530189 www.dragonslairairsoft.co.uk

Leek, ST13 8 Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

Kidderminster, Worcs, DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

www.airsoft-action.online

93

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

FIRST & ONLY: KHE SANH

WOODS

Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: MANCHESTER

WOODLAND

Bolton, BL7 9TS Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: THE HIVE

Middleton, Manchester, M24 1AZ Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE ARMOURY

GASS AIRSOFT – PENN Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT Leicester, LE9 9FP www.gingerliberationfront.com

Co. Armagh, BT60 1NE Tel: 07772 919974 www.greenzonecombat.com

FIRST & ONLY: THE ACADEMY

GUN HO AIRSOFT

FIRST & ONLY: THE ASYLUM Kidderminster, DY10 3PT Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE OUTPOST Kidderminster, DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: SLEEPY HOLLOW Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 5LS Tel: 0161 727 8863

Guisborough, TS7 0PG Tel: 07525 435696 www.gunhoairsoft.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – CAMBRIDGE

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 Tel: 07854 277264 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS

RAF Honiley/The Grange Frogmore Grange, Frog Lane, Balsall Common, West Mids CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532 384 info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk www.shop. suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk

GROUND ZERO WOODLAND Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2DF www.groundzerowoodland.com

FREE FIRE ZONE

Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH Tel: 01733 247171 www.freefirezone.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT– NORWICH Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 Tel: 07854 277264 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk

HILTON PARK AIRSOFT Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU Tel: 08000 354490 www.paintballuk.com

FRV AIRSOFT

Annacloy, Downpatrick, BT30 8JJ Tel: 07730 586926 www.frvairsoft.com

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

MILSIM UK

LAC SITE 1

NCIS AIRSOFT

LAC SITE 2

NOMAD AIRSOFT

LAC SITE 3

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT

Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30 Tel: 07964 751047 www.islandrecon.co.uk

Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4LG Tel: 0131 654 2452 www.airsoftedinburgh.co.uk

Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

Saxillby, LN1 2JW Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

LAC SITE 5

Kirton Rd, North Lincs, DN16 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

LINDSEY AIRSOFT

Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8HE Tel: 07955 487983 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk

Wrightington, WN6 9PL Tel: 01942 514724 www.militaryoutdooradventure.co.uk

Checkley, Staffordshire, ST10 4NS Tel: 07523 916607 www.milsimuk.co.uk

Edinburgh, EH14 4 nick@ncis-airsoft.co.uk www.ncis-airsoft.co.uk

HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT Spanby, Lincs, NG34 0AT Tel: 07971 560249 facebook.com/HomelandTacticalAirsoft

North Lincolnshire, DN21 www.humberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07792 680297

Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LQ Tel: 01845 565465 www.northernallianceairsoft.co.uk

NORTHFLEET CQB

Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AA Tel: 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

NSC AIRSOFT

Hetton, Sunderland, DH5 0 Tel: 07983 333521 www.nscairsoft.co.uk

NTAC

MAW

OBAN AIRSOFT – ILL ARGYLL

Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5FW Tel: 07974 507166 www.matlockcombatgames.com

Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 Tel: 07793 404346 1midaw@gmail.com

Cornwall, EX23 9JL Tel: 01288 331748 www.airsoftsouthwest.co.uk

MIDWALES AIRSOFT HUMBER AIRSOFT

Fenwick, Ayrshire, KA3 6AY Tel: 07904 998250 www.nomadairsoft.com

MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES

MIA

FULL METAL AIRSOFT

Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, Ammanford, Camarthenshire, SA18 3JG Tel: 01269 850404 www.fullmetalairsoft.co.uk

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

GREENZONE COMBAT

Wrexham, Denbighshire, LL13 9RG Tel: 0161 727 8863

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6QF Tel: 0161 727 8863

ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT

Abbey Cwm-hir, Midwales, LD1 6PG Tel: 07497 480243 www.facebook.com/Midwales-airsoft

Durham, DL4 2ER Tel: 01642 281220 www.ntac.co.uk

Argyll and Bute, PA37 1 Tel: 07967 710185 www.argyllsurplus.com

OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT Tel: 07964 990831 www.op-tac.co.uk

OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB Anglesey, LL71 www.ottairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07731 744471

www.airsoft-action.online

95

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

PATHFINDER GROUP AIRSOFT MILITARY SIMULATION Former RAF Camp Sopley/Merryfield Park, Hants, BH23 Tel: 02380 899369

PHOENIX AIRSOFT

Welbeck Airsoft, Academy, Budby Road, Notts NG20 9JX Tel: 07956 587213/01623 812483 www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk

PLATOON 1HQ

Rochester, Kent, ME1 1 HQ Tel: 01634 829063 www.ptt-1hq.co.uk

PLAYERS OF WAR

High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD Tel: 07767 203979 www.playersofwar.co.uk

PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF Tel: 02897565651 / 07825169631 www.predatorcombat.com

RAVEN’S NEST

Suffolk, IP8 4 Tel: 01473 831563 www.ravensairsoft.co.uk

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

TA EVENTS

TORRENT WARFARE

SG1 COMBAT GAMES

TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT

TROJAN AIRSOFT

SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY

TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB

Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB Tel: 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com

Co. Londonderry, BT45 8NA Tel: 07713 273102 www.sg1combatgames.co.uk

Billericay, Essex, CM11 2TX Tel: 01277 657777 www.airsoft-billericay.co.uk

SKIRMISH EXETER Exeter, Devon, EX4 5 Tel: 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT

Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LR Tel: 07766 770830 www.southdownairsoft.com

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH

Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7EU Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

Hemel Hemstead, Herts, HP2 7QB Tel: 07894 059794 www.ta-events.co.uk

Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AS Tel: 01792 473336 www.tacticalwales.co.uk

Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL Tel: 020 8665 1299 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk

Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ Tel: 01900 85645 www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT– THE ROCK Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ Tel: 07428 024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com

Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP Tel: 07428 024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com

TECH BRIGADE

Newgate Street, Hertfordshire.

SG13 8NH Tel: 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org

UCAP AIRSOFT

Portsmouth, Hants, PO17 6AR Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

TASK FORCE SKIRMISH Cowbridge, S Glamorgan, CF71 Tel: 02920 593900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk

UCAP GREEN OPS

Linch, West Sussex, GU30 7 Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

THE BUNKER

Aberystwyth www.aberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07841 462806

THE DEPOT RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA

Co Tyrone, BT71 4DY Tel: 07922 377131 Facebook: search ‘Torrent Warfare’

Glasgow, G45 9SB Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.thedepotglasgow.com

UCAP SANDPIT

Bean, Kent, DA2 8 Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY Tel: 01268 796130 www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

THE DESERTERS AIRSOFT RED1AIRSOFT

Chislehurst, Bromley BR7 6SD Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

RED1AIRSOFT CQB

Red1 CQB. Kings Langley, WD4 8RN Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3 Chipping Warden, OX17 1LZ Tel: 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com

RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM) Cambridge, CB24 8RL Tel: 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com

96

February 2017

STIRLING AIRSOFT

Coventry, CV3 6NX Tel: 07831 429407 www.stirlingairsoft.com

STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4LD Tel: 07515 937633 www.stormforcepaintball.co.uk

SUSSEX AIRSOFT

Redford, DD11 Tel: 07751 878175 www.thedeserters.co.uk

Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

THE EX SITE

Mold, CH7 4 Tel:07840 001975 www.theexsitewales.co.uk

URBAN6AIRSOFT – ZONE 13 Stone, Staffordshire ST15 0QN Tel: 07432 291729 www.urban6airsoft.com

THE WARGAMES CENTRE

Slinfold, RH12 Tel: 020 8150 9284 www.sussexairsoft.co.uk

Lundholm Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN www.thewargamescentre.com wargamescentre@gmail.com

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT

THUNDER PARK AIRSOFT

Boathouse lane, South Wirral, Cheshire, CH64 3TB www.swatairsoft.eu Tel: 07703 177756

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD

Luxulyan, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL305FA Tel: 07751808055 www.thunderparkpaintball.co.uk Food & drinks available on site.

URBAN6AIRSOFT – THE BLOCK

Wood Street, Burton-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3AB www.urban6airsoft.com

URBAN ASSAULT

Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE26 1 Tel: 01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

VIKING AIRSOFT

Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0UN www.vikingairsoft.co.uk

WARMINSTER AIRSOFT

Warminster, BA12 7RZ www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk

XSITE AIRSOFT OUTPOST Dunstable, LU6 2EE Tel: 01494 881430 www.xsiteairsoft.co.uk

XSITE AIRSOFT – LANE END

PRACTICAL PISTOL DIRECTORY AIPSC

The Grange, Frog Lane, Balsall Common, West Midlands, CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532384 www.aipsc.co.uk Facebook: A.I.P.S.C info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk.

Every Monday night 7pm– 9pm (except bank holidays). £5 or £10 with pistol and shooting rig hire. UKPSA-qualified coaches. UKPSA-qualified Range Officers.

COBRA ONE ZERO AIRSOFT Unit 9 Imperial Buisness Centre Mortimer Road, Hereford, HR4 9SP www.cobraonezero.co.uk Facebook : cobra one zero Airsoft

High Wycombe, HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

DOUBLE TAP PSC

Email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk to add or change a site listing

StrikeForce CQB, Morelands Trading Estate, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL1 5RZ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Double-Tap-Practical-Shooting-Club979585958732937/?ref=hl doubletappsc@gmail.com

HALO MILL

The Penthouse, Colne Valley Business Park, Manchester Road, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QG Tel: 01484 840554 www.halomill.com

NORTHERN PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB (NPPC)

Tanner Street, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 1NA Tel: 07816 992417 www.northernpracticalpistol.co.uk 4 indoor ranges

SOUTH WEST PRACTICAL SHOOTERS (SWPS)

Action Air IPSC Club Based at The Tunnel Target Sports Centre near Charmouth The Tunnel, Axminster Road, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6BY Contact: SWPSClub@Outlook.com

WETHERSFIELD AIRSOFT TARGET SHOOTING CLUB (WAT SIC)

Wethersfield Village Hall, Braintree Rd (B1053), Wethersfield, Braintree CM7 4EB. https://www.facebook.com/WATSiC/ Open Thursday & Friday evenings.

Set-up from 6:30pm.

Club shooting commences by 7:30pm.

Pack-up starts at 9:30pm if you can stay to help.

Contact via FB or 07939557029.

Indoors.

Club offers Action Air plus 2 & 3 Gun training and events.

XSITE PRACTICAL SHOOTING Fryers Farm Lane, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

WATFORD PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB WatfordPPC@gmail.com

www.airsoft-action.online

97

DEALER LISTINGS

ADVERTISERS INDEX Land Warrior Airsoft Airsoft Zone JD Airsoft NUPROL iWholesales ActionSportGames Fire Support TacTree Viper Tactical

2014

7 + Inside Back Cover 9 + 49 + 94 15 19 + 64 23 28 + 29 36 40 + 83

Valken Airsoft

45

FubarBundy

52

Platoon Stores

55

Helikon-Tex

60

BadgerTac

68

Crawley Surplus Store

69

Dragon Valley Airsoft

69

Military Outdoor

69

Pro Airsoft Supplies

74

ASPUK

79

Armex Members Club

97

Military 1st

106

Inside Front Cover + 3

Outside Back Cover