Airsoft Action - June 2018

AIRSOFT ACTION

P L AY E R S ’

C H O I C E

B E S T

A I R S O F T

M A G A Z I N E

ARMOURY

VALKEN ALLOY MKIII M4 FABARM STF/12 SHOTTIE CYBERGUN DESERT EAGLE ASG SPORTLINE ARSENAL AK

IWA 2018 - CLOTHING & GEAR

EVENTS

ASG UK BLASTER TOUR

COMPETITION

JUNE 2018

EVOTEK LAUNCH

FEATURE

THE NAKED GUN

FEATURE

HELMETS 101

FEATURE

SV-98 BUILD

PROJECT CRETE | WARRIORS | THE LAST POST | MECHANIX GLOVES | GEEK

9 772047 348032

FEATURE

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PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS

JUNE 2018 - £4.50

>

WIN A FABARM STF/12 SHOTTIE CURTESY OF NUPROL!

EZ Distribution is now working in an exclusive partnership with Umarex to distribute Airsoft products to businesses within the UK. Umarex manufacture the highest quality officially licensed Airsoft products available anywhere in the world.

EZ Distribution – Creating a business account with us is quick & easy.

Receive 10% off your first order, and free UK delivery on all orders over £500.

Visit ezdistribution.co.uk for further details.

– +44 0 131 654 2452 info@ezdistribution.co.uk

– 44/1 Hardengreen Business Park Dalkeith EH22 3NX United Kingdom

AIRSOFT ACTION

P L AY E R S ’

C H O I C E

B E S T

A I R S O F T

M A G A Z I N E

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ARMOURY

VALKEN ALLOY MKIII M4 FABARM STF/12 SHOTTIE CYBERGUN DESERT EAGLE ASG SPORTLINE ARSENAL AK

ARMOURY: CYBERGUN DESERT EAGLE

IWA 2018 - CLOTHING & GEAR

EVENTS

ASG UK BLASTER TOUR

COMPETITION

FEATURE

JUNE 2018

HELMETS 101

FEATURE

SV-98 BUILD

PROJECT CRETE | WARRIORS | THE LAST POST | MECHANIX GLOVES | GEEK

9 772047 348032

FEATURE

THE NAKED GUN

06

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS FEATURE

EVOTEK LAUNCH

JUNE 2018 - £4.50

>

WIN A FABARM STF/12 SHOTTIE CURTESY OF NUPROL!

ARMOURY: ASG ARSENAL AR-M7T

30 FEATURE: THE NAKED GUN

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

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EVENT: ASG UK BLASTER TOUR

GEAR: MECHANIX WEAR

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2018 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.

Distributed by Intermedia Brand Marketing Ltd.

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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.

WARRIORS: EAST GERMAN BORDER GUARD

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80 FEATURE: LUMBER-TAC

Contents JUNE 2018

CONTENTS JUNE 2018 6 NEWS 8 ROGUE’S GALLERY Cool photos of Airsoft Action readers.

12 ARMOURY: FABARM STF/12 SHOTTIE With a lot of coverage appearing for the C02-powered FABARM STF/12 tactical shotgun, Jerry Noone delves a little deeper into the gun itself and the accessible spring versions that have hit the UK.

16 ARMOURY: CYBERGUN DESERT EAGLE Lez Lee is a self-confessed “pistol nut” but has big hands and finds some pistols a touch small. So how would he fare when one of the biggest landed on his desk for review?

20 ARMOURY: ASG ARSENAL AR-M7T Looking for an AEG that’s a bit different? Bill finds something that fits this niche but won’t break the Bank, in the form of the ARSENAL AR-M7T TACTICAL AK-47 from ASG.

24 PROJECT CRETE: 3RD LINE GEAR Having looked closely and “First and Second Line Gear” this month Bill brings us the final instalment before he and Kelly head to Crete.

30 FEATURE: THE NAKED GUN Just how many accessories do you really need to strap onto your Airsoft Blaster? Tom Hibberd gives us his thoughts and then selects his next military rifle.

34 EVENT: ASG UK BLASTER TOUR Gadge Harvey joins the ASG Crew on a very cold GB leg of their International Tour, as they continue to expand and promote their ever-growing range of products worldwide.

38 GEAR: LBX 0300s PLATE CARRIER Not all operators are mountainsized but Femme Fatale has found a company that caters for those with a lighter frame.

42 GEAR: SNUGPAK SLEEKA ELITE

67 COMPETITION: WIN A FABARM STF/12

In a “throwaway society” it is great to find items that last and last … and last. Frenchie writes about one such item that has served him well for many years and continues to do so.

Enter our simple competition to win the Fabarm STF/12 reviewed on Page 12. Gadge and Tom will even tell you the answer on Airsoft Action TV – all you have to do is watch and listen.

44 IWA: CLOTHING & GEAR

68 FEATURE: SV-98 BUILD

With the main “Airsoft at IWA” show report in the bag last month this time Bill takes us into his favourite territory, the aweinspiring Hall 9 where he takes a look at some of the clothing and gear coming our way soon.

72 GEEK: FIELD RATIONS

48 GEAR: MECHANIX WEAR If you have ever taken a close-range hit on a knuckle, you’ll know how important it is to wear decent gloves. Lez Lee gets his hands into the latest range of Mechanix gloves to find out if they “cut the mustard” when it comes to airsoft.

54 FEATURE: ASG EVOTEK Gadge has recently joined the army of ASG Scorpion EVO and was puzzled on hearing about players upgrading them internally. That’s when he discovered “EvoTek”…

56 FEATURE: HELMETS 101 Ever thought that you should protect your beautiful features from possible injury? Veteran player Tom Hibberd dives into the potted history of airsoft brain buckets and gives us some recommendations.

60 ARMOURY: VALKEN M4 “Valken” is probably not the name that first comes to mind when thinking of full metal M4 rifles, so we asked Scott Allan to check out their latest release.

64 FEATURE: SHOTGUNS IN AIRSOFT While they are the stuff of legends in movies and games, for a long time airsoft shotguns could almost be seen as a sort of “self-imposed handicap” if you were running one at an open day but, as Gadge finds out… the times they are a changing.

When Ian “Taz” Stokes decided he wanted an SV-98 and couldn’t find what he was looking for, there was only one thing he could do… build his own!

Military op preparation must include food/water, firearms/ training and medical supplies/ first aid know-how. But does this apply to airsoft and, if so, how? Bill Thomas investigates further…

76 WARRIORS: EAST GERMAN BORDER GUARD In his continuing “Warriors” series, Gadge goes behind “The Wall” as he looks at how East Germany kept “fascists” out - and their own people in!

80 FEATURE: LUMBER-TAC As the Operator “look” continues to grow, Kelly “Femme Fatale” Hardwick gives us the low-down on a new style of loadout that is making big inroads into airsoft.

82 THE LAST POST: MAPS In a world where we want to pay as little as possible for everything, Frenchie turns his attention to MAPs – but it might not be quite what you are thinking…

84 AIRSOFT ACTION STOCKISTS Where to buy your copy of The Players’ Choice Best Airsoft Magazine before it goes on sale in newsagents.

86 SITE DIRECTORY & PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUBS Looking for a skirmish site, or your local Airsoft Practical Pistol Club?

Then we may have the answer, with pages of sites and clubs throughout the UK.

s w e N t f o s Air

THE U.K. MASTERS UPDATE

APRIL 1st 2018 SAW THE inaugural day of a series of team events playing at DOGTAG AIRSOFT, just South of Gatwick airport in the beautiful woodlands of West Sussex.

The U.K. Masters 2018 consists of eight teams of five players that make up this dynamic and highly competitive tournament, culminating with the winning team claiming first prize and getting their team name engraved on the trophy shield at the end of the season.

Prizes to the value of £3,500 are up for grabs from U.K.A.M. sponsors VALKEN, NUPROL, AIRSOFT ACTION, SURPLUS STORE (Crawley) 308SNIPER, ENOLA GAYE & G.I. SPORTZ Ross Beare, owner/operator of Dogtag Airsoft created this summer season of games after concluding that many players wanted a more competitive challenge alongside their regular skirmish days, so a season of five tournament level games were developed specifically to stimulate a higher level of performance from the teams because not only would this give the winners bragging rights, some players will come away with prizes to endorse their achievements.

At the first event, teams included GHOSTS, Valken Storm, Valken Predators, Bravo OGx, Zero Bravo, Roffey Reds and Alpha OGx battling against each other.

Placings for event No1: 1st Storm 95 points 2nd Predators 71 points 3rd GHOSTS 64 points 4th Roffey Reds 59 points 5th Zero Bravo 55 points 6th Bang Bros 41 points The second game of the series is scheduled for Sunday 13th May and you can follow the tournament progress in future editions of AIRSOFT ACTION exclusively courtesy of yours truly, Lez Lee. To find out more, contact DogTag Airsoft on 01293 852314.

NEW COMMANDER The new Commander XP18 has landed in the UK. CO2 and Green Gas compatible, metal slide and nylon reinforced polymer lower with outstanding ergonomic shaping and contours. Compatible with marui-spec aftermarket upgrades and add-ons.

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June 2018

WINNERS!

BACK IN ISSUE 85 we ran not one but TWO competitions – well, you know how we just love to give stuff away!

On this occasion we gave away a fully-licensed Umarex Glock17 Gen 3, courtesy of LandWarrior Airsoft and an Enfield ENFL41 Laser System, courtesy of Armex.

AND THE WINNERS ARE! The Glock17 was won by Chris Fearn, from Cornwall, who commented: “Blimey! You jest?!

“Well I wasn’t expecting that, I’d completely forgotten about that, been so busy trying to set up our business that the world is passing me by!”

We asked our next winner “How often have you entered a competition while thinking “I never win anything but why not try?”” and on receiving the news that he had won the Enfield ENFL41, Gareth Semple, from West Sussex said: “Wow! You’re right – I never win! Haha! That’s awesome news! I might go buy a lottery ticket now!”

If you like winning stuff, then why not enter the competition in this issue? You never know, you might win a Fabarm STF/12 shotgun, courtesy of NUPROL. Turn to Page 67 for more details.

COMBINED ARMS

Combined Arms Tactical and Survival was developed

by Chris and Eugene, two former Military Instructors whose idea is to give skirmishers the chance to dip their boot into the MilSim pond – without COMBINED ARMS having to jump in with all TACTICAL & SURVIVAL their kit!

Based at Holmbush near Crawley (where Dog Tag Airsoft operate), Combined Arms Tactical provides monthly one day mission-based MilSim events for up to fifty players.

They also offer an extensive range of survival courses along with team building and corporate events.

As they expand, Combined Arms Tactical plan to offer full on MilSim events at MOD sites around the South East.

You can contact them at: admin@combinedarmstactical.com

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

ROGUE’S GALLERY

rtin at OTT s: “My mate Ma From Craig Davie down for ages ned pin re we m Anglesey. His tea . er” tow a in by one guy 8

June 2018

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

From Craig Walton/WA03 Media: “Op Saragoza hosted by Okto 8 Milsim and The MAW airsoft site – a great weekend”.

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June 2018

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

From Craig Walton/WA03 Media: Bristol Airsoft on a normal skirmish day

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.

www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury FABARM STF/12 SHOTGUN

WANT TO WIN THE FABARM SHOTGUN REVIEWED HERE? TURN TO PAGE 67 TO FIND OUT HOW...

TACTICAL SHOTGUN CHIC YOU MAY THINK THAT GAS-POWERED shotguns are quite a recent development in the world of airsoft but in truth, they’ve been knocking around for donkey’s years! TM set the market alight with their gas “870” variants quite recently but gas “shotties” have been around for quite some time. As well as a keen skirmisher and player I’m also a bit of a “magpie” collector of airsoft replicas and especially shotgun models and one of my favourites is a (very) old gas Tanaka shell-ejecting M1897 “Trench Gun”, which I bought second-hand back in 2009.

This is a beautiful shotgun but when all is said and done it’s a “wall hanger” as (for numerous reasons) I would find it hard to play a meaningful game with it! That is not to say that I don’t ever skirmish with a shotgun, especially on “gas and spring” days, as my trusty G&P springers are more than able to hold their own.

I know that gas tech has come an AWFUL long way in recent years but when it comes to shotguns I remain an out and out “springer” fan; many spring-powered shotguns are built like absolute tanks and with so little to go wrong inside them 12

June 2018

WITH A LOT OF COVERAGE ALREADY APPEARING ONLINE FOR THE C02-POWERED, VFC VARIANT OF THE ITALIAN FABARM STF/12 TACTICAL SHOTGUN JERRY NOONE DELVES A LITTLE DEEPER INTO THE GUN ITSELF AND THE ACCESSIBLE SPRING VERSIONS THAT HAVE NOW HIT THE UK MARKET.

armoury FABARM STF/12 SHOTGUN

they go on for years and years with very little maintenance.

There are numerous models available today that will suit your style of play and they are reliable, relatively cheap and in most cases insanely accurate; what you have in your hands with a decent “shottie” with a long barrel is essentially a pump-action sniper rifle!

Although there have been some great “tactical shotgun” models available I have to admit that with fancy external upgrades they are actually quite expensive bits of kit and when you move up to a gas-powered variant that price just goes up and up! Thankfully French airsoft experts BO Manufacture have recently moved into this area with licensed versions of the FABARMS STF/12 series, in both gas and spring guise.

HERITAGE AND INNOVATION COMBINED!

Headquartered in the northern Province of Brescia, the Fabarm S.p.A. company is one of Italy’s main manufacturers of tactical, defensive and police shotguns, along with sporting guns of all flavours!

The FABARM factory first emerged around 1900, set up by the Galesi family. The name “FABARM” comes from FABBRICA BRESCIANA DI ARMI, literally “Arms Manufacturer in Brescia”.

During the first part of the twentieth century, production was mainly in side-by-side shotguns and pistols. Just after the Second World War, production takes rocketed, with over-andunder shotguns added to their range.

During the 1970s the FABARM’s range continued to grow and grow. To the over-and-under competition shotguns FABARMS added pump-action shotguns and above all, the semi-automatic ELLEGI. A light firearm with an ERGAL 55 frame, the ELLEGI was hugely successful and paved the way for a massive expansion for FABARM. The same dynamism and entrepreneurial vision allowed FABARM to manage and anticipate the change of the 2000s.

The company made a massive investment in human resources and placed research and development at the centre of its product policy, being one of the very first businesses of its type to acquire machining centres, robots, and “just-in-time” production. In 2014, the company launched the FABARM Professional line, a specialised lineup of pump-action and auto-loading shotguns conceived mainly for military, law enforcement and private security customers.

Since late 2014, the STF/12 pump-action shotgun system has become the mainstay of the FABARM Professional line.

The STF/12 is not a standard tactical pump-action shotgun as it was the first modular pump-action shotgun system to have been completely conceived, engineered and manufactured in Italy. It is offered in six different factory variants, all based on the same hard-anodized black, ERGAL 55 lightweight aircraft-

“THANKS TO UNIQUE HIGH-END FEATURES, PERFORMANCE AND A THOROUGHLY MODERN LOOK, THE AIRSOFT REPLICA STF/12 IS A GREAT CHOICE FOR ALL US AIRSOFTERS, WHATEVER THE STYLE OF GAME WE MIGHT ENJOY!” grade aluminium alloy frame, to which all other components are installed and from which they’re easily removed without instruments, or with basic tools. This means that, given access to the right components, each variant of the STF/12 line can be converted to any other in a matter of minutes.

The core of the FABARM STF/12 shotgun is the monolithic receiver; the receiver design features a loading gate at the bottom, allowing for single-round feed of individual shells into the 5-round tube magazine located beneath the barrel. The shotgun operates on a familiar pump-action system but that’s where the similarities end when compared to other pumpaction shotguns on the market.

Other modular features of the FABARM STF/12 shotgun include the ability to add interchangeable barrel lengths and www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury FABARM STF/12 SHOTGUN

magazine-tube extensions. The company produces quickchange barrels in 11-, 14-, 18-, 20- and 22-inch lengths. The shotgun uses a free-float Picatinny rail running along the top of the receiver and includes removable ghost-ring iron sights.

A fore-end-mounted Picatinny rail located at the 6 o’clock position allows for the attachment of a foregrip and/or light and laser accessories.

A THOROUGHLY MODERN SHOTTIE!

The BO Manufacture STF/12 is a family of new tri- shot spring shotguns fully licensed by FABARM SpA, Italy. Thanks to unique high-end features, performance and a thoroughly modern look, the airsoft replica STF/12 is a great choice for all us airsofters, whatever the style of game we might enjoy!

Designed and developed from scratch by the highly respected BO Manufacture team in France who are very good mates with the NUPROL team in the UK that are now distributing the STYF/12, this replica offers good accuracy and shooting consistency in a truly compact design. It is made out of a high-density ABS materials matched to the anodised metal barrel. There are currently three versions of the shotgun in both tan and black; there’s an 18 inch Tactical, 11 inch Compact, and an 11 inch Short (pistol grip only model) which covers ALL the bases.All three variants are made from a mix of polymer, rubber and alloy, with alloy internals.

Detailing these out you’ll find a polymer receiver, stock, outer barrel and a distinctively-aggressive “breacher” flash-hider, with rubberised pump, pistol grip and buttplate. The shotguns feature a Tri-Shot barrel-set which of course means that they fire three BBs per pump, giving a simple yet effective “spread” to emulate the firing of a real shotgun. The shotgun is loaded using mock shotgun shells (all brands that I tried worked perfectly!) and each shell holds 30 BBs, allowing you to fire ten times before you have to swap out the shell for a fresh one!

“ALL THE STF/12 MODELS FEATURE MULTIPLE RAILS ALLOWING THE ATTACHMENT OF AFTERMARKET PARTS AND ACCESSORIES, WITH A LONG 20MM TOP RAIL FOR ATTACHING SIGHTS AND SCOPES, AND A LOWER 20MM RAIL FOR ATTACHING A FOREGRIP TO MAKE IT EASIER TO PUMP THE WEAPON.” 14

June 2018

All the STF/12 models feature multiple rails allowing the attachment of aftermarket parts and accessories, with a long 20mm top rail for attaching sights and scopes, and a lower 20mm rail for attaching a foregrip to make it easier to pump the weapon; more on this in a mo! All models feature a crosstrigger safety to prevent the weapon accidentally being fired whilst it is being used.

I had the middle “Compact” version of the STF/12 to take to the range and in the black and tan “livery” it certainly looks mighty smart, and the officially licensed “trades” just finish off a very attractive job. The build, although you could call the shotgun “all plastic”, is very solid and there are no “creaks and groans” that I found. The safety is simple yet effective and of course all you need to do is pump the action to make ready.

I did say that I would come back to the pump-mech and the fitting of a foregrip; this is something that I personally would do as the action is quite short and certainly quite stiff as new.

Adding a grip to the pump not only makes the STF/12 look even cooler, but makes using it easier too!

With everything ready to roll I ran the STF/12 through the chrono and measured a healthy 0.93 Joule/318fps using .20g NUPROL RZR BBs. The STF/12 comes with a sticker that states “MAX 1J” so .93 is certainly close enough for me, and that makes it perfectly usable at any site in the UK. The shotgun shoulders very nicely indeed; sadly, unlike the “real deal” this is not a fold-to-the-side stock, but the fixed nature does mean it feels really sturdy, which is a bonus.

The STF/12 comes with removable and adjustable “iron” (read plastic again) sights as standard, and these are actually very neat, featuring a single orange “fibre optic” at the sharp end and a twin green at the back. Putting these on target is simplicity itself and I’m pleased to say that at CQB distances the shotgun performs exceedingly well, just as a shotgun should!

At longer distances (25m+) the accuracy does tend to drop off a little but with three BBs flying with every pull of the trigger you only need to be “in the area” to get a solid hit.

The spring versions of the STF/12 have just hit stores as I write and, from what I’ve seen, between £90 and £100 is going to get you a great little shotgun. Price varies only between the models themselves and from what I’m seeing retail is pretty standard across the board.

If you’ve put off buying a shotgun due to them all looking a bit “dated” then the STF/12 could be just the thing you’ve been waiting for. Unlike the gas version it’s not going to empty your wallet and will perform time and again with little to no maintenance. The FABARM STF/12 is solid, shoots straight, and packs the punch of three BBs at a time…

Why are you still reading this? Go and buy one and find out for yourself!

My thanks got to new UK distributors www.nuprolairsoft. com for the test sample. Visit their website or your local NUPROL stockist for more details of the STF/12 models and much, much more!

armoury CYBERGUN DESERT EAGLE .50AE

DOES

SIZE MATTER? THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, that this beast-from-the-east is by far the biggest bad boy, firing hefty rounds from a handheld shooter. Its popularity has soared for a number of reasons and one could argue that it is a must-have handgun because it is most certainly a game-changer, a monster that can do the job …period! Or is it just another “compensator” for those with much to prove but little to prove it with?

It seems to be in a class of its own in every way; it’s bigger than the rest, certainly a heavyweight to wield, an intimidation factor off the scale and more potent than the morning after a vindaloo, but apparently size isn’t everything, because if it ain’t gonna get the job done then why would you want one?

So today’s question, ladies and gentlemen, is: does size really matter?

INTROUCTION The Desert Eagle came from the blueprint a little over thirty years ago in the hands of Israeli Military Industries (aka IMI), having been commissioned by American giants Magnum Research. Then came a series of moves back and forth where it finally ended up in the lap of Kahr arms in 2010, however the Desert Eagle is still produced in their original facility to this present day.

The Desert Eagle was originally produced in 1985 in .357 Magnum and features a six-inch barrel, nine-round magazine and Weaver-style accessory rail for mounting telescopic sights and red dot optics. The Desert Eagle is nearly eleven inches long, just over six inches high and weighs four and a half

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June 2018

LEZ LEE IS A SELF-CONFESSED “PISTOL NUT” BUT HAS BIG HANDS AND FINDS SOME PISTOLS A TOUCH SMALL. SO HOW WOULD HE FARE WHEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST LANDED ON HIS DESK FOR REVIEW?

pounds unloaded — more than twice as much as a loaded Glock 17! It was also chambered in .44 Magnum followed by the .50AE (Action Express) calibre that we typically see today.

A long barrel version and “baby” Desert Eagle (aka the Jericho 941) are both related family members and the clue is in their names.

HISTORY

In the mid-1980s, this powerful new handgun quickly achieved celebrity status in the world of firearms. The Desert Eagle was an innovative design that ported over heavy revolver rounds to the semi-automatic pistol platform. The “Deagle” was featured in dozens of action movies, and although expensive and not widely adopted by military services, the Desert Eagle gained a significant cult following.

Traditionally, heavy bullet calibres such as .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum were exclusively dispatched by revolvers because of the fewer moving parts, which are mechanically stronger and can withstand the pressures of heavy handgun rounds. On the other hand, semi-automatics were limited to .45 ACP or smaller calibres. If a gun enthusiast wanted a handgun in .357 or .44 Magnum, he or she was limited entirely to revolvers, then along came the head-turning Desert Eagle with looks that would scare the shed out of just about any bad guy that found themselves looking down the pipe. The aesthetics (or should I say the overwhelming presence) made a statement, a statement which didn’t need second guessing because this piece means business and even getting pistol whipped, chosen as a less-

armoury CYBERGUN DESERT EAGLE .50AE

than-lethal option by the wielder, would probably put you in intensive care with a fractured skull for a very long time.

THE AIRSOFT SPEC.

Cybergun commissioned one of the most respected airsoft manufacturers, Wei Tech, to build a high quality, ultra-realistic replica version and slapped on authentic trademarks to add to the credibility for us. It was felt that the infamy of this handgun wasn’t receiving the recognition that it deserved in proportion to its fame and glory, compliments of Hollywood-borne movies such as The Matrix, Last Action Hero, Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Scores more big screen, little screen and video games flaunted this lead-launcher with its distinctive angular design from muzzle to magwell. W.E. did what they do best and did indeed build one of the highest quality replicas to emerge from their factories to date and when Cybergun applied the finishing touches, such as the licensed trademarks, this extraordinary beast was unleashed into the airsoft community.

So what have we got then?

Well, to start with it is big, very very big and a true heavyweight to match the size. Weighing in at a hulking 1,340 grams (yikes) you wouldn’t want to drop it on your toe and if any of you know Big Pete from Red One Airsoft, then you will have some idea of the “comfort level” that you might want to aspire to - otherwise you might find yourself reaching for a bipod!

This is your typical 1:1 ratio gas blow back semi-automatic and can be stripped down just like the real steel, in fact its solid frame and internals are almost all steel throughout - just add plastic balls and gas. The slide runs super smooth with that crispy “clack-clack” robustness when you pull on the serrations and release and if you give it a shake to find some wobble, you will find that this is very minimal thanks to the impressive build quality and strong recoil spring. Whilst on the subject of recoil,

you will not be disappointed because it is most definitely in proportion as one would hope.

So, let’s take a walk through this all-steel deal from nose to heel, starting with the business end…

Now in all honesty, I’m not really sure how to describe this action, other than when you rack the slide it’s a reversal of the usual function whereas the front-upper remains in place and the side panels and rear hammer assembly section, which host the serrations, form the slide. An unusual but very functional operation. The basic fixed sights at the front remain in place whereby the rear sights move with the action. Another unusual feature, particularly for a handgun of this size, is that there is no rail underneath for flashlights or laser (just to add a bit more weight to help build your biceps) but there is scope for a scope on a picatinny rail subtly incorporated on the upper for a red dot, which is not immediately obvious but trust me, it’s there.

Being Cybergun, you will find full and accurate trademarks (just in case anyone didn’t know what it was - Oh really!!) plus a unique serial number. As we recede along the exquisite matt black finished body you will find that just about every function control lever, including a huge ambidextrous safety, trigger and hammer are seriously heavy duty but strong and very easy to use. The trigger squeeze is sweet and set inside a trigger guard which is adequate for a gloved finger. The adjustable hop-up unit is a pain in the butt to reach as it requires a complete takedown to gain access to the hex key adjustment socket, but it is achievable once disassembled.

Now I get to a part which, in my opinion, lets this pistol down.

The pistol grip surface is just questionable plastic which, in a gun as big and heavy as this, just doesn’t add up in my book as surely the ability to acquire and maintain a firm grip could easily be compromised, as the stippling is, again in my opinion, not as good as it could have been. I would without doubt replace this with some type of rubber surface because the last thing

“IF A GUN ENTHUSIAST WANTED A HANDGUN IN .357 OR .44 MAGNUM, HE OR SHE WAS LIMITED ENTIRELY TO REVOLVERS, THEN ALONG CAME THE HEAD-TURNING DESERT EAGLE WITH LOOKS THAT WOULD SCARE THE SHED OUT OF JUST ABOUT ANY BAD GUY THAT FOUND THEMSELVES LOOKING DOWN THE PIPE.”

www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury CYBERGUN DESERT EAGLE .50AE

“THE DESERT EAGLE IS NEARLY ELEVEN INCHES LONG, JUST OVER SIX INCHES HIGH AND WEIGHS FOUR AND A HALF POUNDS UNLOADED - MORE THAN TWICE AS MUCH AS A LOADED GLOCK 17!” that you would want is a sweaty palm losing purchase with a handgun as big and as powerful as this.

FIELD TEST & PERFORMANCE

After setting up the targets at the usual ten and thirty metres, I began a series “pre-testing”. I have found that this practice gives a more accurate appraisal because in almost all sports or hobbies, a better and more definitive conclusion is achieved by familiarisation. So, time to load up and begin some rehearsing with this monster as clearly the weight and size will have some effect on my shooting. After 5 clips I was starting to feel that I would not be in a rush to use this in a game for a lengthy part of the day, with the exception of CQB where good old adrenaline would come to my aid for sure.

At ten metres grouping was better than expected. Okay, I admit, I did cheat and shoot from a seated bench-rest position.

I didn’t want my physical stature to have a bearing on the test as everyone is different, so this would be an equaliser and thus more accurate because every shooter’s size, strength and stature is unique. So I was happy with a tea plate sized grouping at the ten and so to repeat this test at 30 metres would be quite a conclusive evaluation.

Same test - different distance but equally impressive and will quite easily impact a torso with good enough grouping.

Another anomaly that I found during the testing was that it isn’t the most gas efficient and although one fill will comfortably clear the 21 rounds from the magazine, you certainly won’t be left with much in the tank because driving that huge slide back and forth is using up more gas than a standard mid-sized GBB but personally, with this brute, I would choose recoil over gas mileage any day due to the sheer “hey look at me and my big weapon” factor!

FPS using .20 BBs averaged out at around 353/1.16J give or take, so as most sites have this as the limit you might want to consider your options, just in case.

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June 2018

TO CONCLUDE

This is, without doubt, in a class of its own!

Would I take it for a proper battlesim or skirmish? I doubt it.

Would I take it out for a fun run? Absolutely - if I could find a holster for it!

I love the sheer omnipresence of this fiendish firearm, the power of performance and without doubt the sheer overwhelming presentation of this hulking handgun. What I would change is that awful plastic grip cover for something more in line with performance. And finally, I’m a big fan of CO2 so if they ever develop a CO2 magazine, I’m going shopping!

The W.E./Cybergun Desert Eagle is undoubtedly the biggest and one of the most powerful recoiling gas blow-back semiautomatic bad-ass secondarys on the airsoft market today.

One of the most gratifying pistols to shoot indisputably and to surmise, my opening question seems to validate that the answer can only be found in the hands of the beholder!

Finally, once again I would like to express my most sincere thanks to the awesome team at JD AIRSOFT for supplying this unparalleled sidearm and if you are considering buying one, give the guys at JD a shout.

They may even help you carry it out to the car!

Les OUT!

Specifications Length: 274mm Weight: 1,340g Magazine Capacity: 21 Rounds Power Source: Gas Powered Blowback: Yes Shooting Modes: Semi Only Hop-up: Adjustable removing pulling slide back and using hex key FPS (Listed @ 355/1.17J on .20s) Test model averaged 353/1.16J over 20 rounds

0.20g

0.25g

3000pcs per bottle | 6mm | Precision Airsoft BB | www.hornettactical.com www.patrolstore.com/hornettactical

armoury ASG ARSENAL AR-M7T TACTICAL AK-47

ARSENAL AR-M7T:

TACTICAL AK-47

SO, YOU HAVE AN M4 REPLICA AND YOU’RE REALLY HAPPY WITH IT BUT YOU HANKER FOR SOMETHING JUST A BIT DIFFERENT? BILL FINDS SOMETHING THAT FITS THIS NICHE BUT WON’T BREAK THE BANK, IN THE FORM OF THE ARSENAL AR-M7T TACTICAL AK-47 FROM ASG.

YES, WE HAVE ALL BEEN there, haven’t we? You want a new replica, or perhaps you’re relatively new to airsoft and looking for a little change of direction and your Bank balance is screaming “No!” The fact of the matter is that in an airsoft market absolutely chock-full of “AR/M4” replicas that the first of many purchases for you is going to be some form of “the American Rifle”.

But what if you do fancy something different? Over the past couple of months Airsoft Action has looked at some really first rate AK replicas and each and every one most definitely has its merit but, as always, you’re looking at a significant outlay of your hard-earned pennies to get anything halfway decent… or are you?

I was speaking to Ben at ActionSportGames (ASG) quite recently and asking him about the AK models that they make under their “Arsenal” licence.

These are “Sportline” models allegedly for “entry level” players and, up until now, have been largely for

20

June 2018

the wider export market due to their higher power levels.

Thankfully, ASG have made the decision to create “Low Power” variants to cater for countries like the UK where our power limits are not quite so “warm”.

Although this could be looked at as an “entry level RIF” I would actually beg to differ as I truly believe that the Arsenal variants could play a very important part in moving the game forward for many players! There’s definitely some provenance in the “Arsenal” name and for those of you that are unfamiliar with the real-steel firearms manufacturer, this next bit is pretty interesting!

We all know that the “Automat Kalashinkova” in all its fine forms is one of the most widely produced firearms in the world and that many “AKs” are not actually made in Russia! If you look closely you’ll find production worldwide; although they were originally manufactured in the Soviet Union, primarily by Kalashnikov Concern, formerly Izhmash, these rifles and their variants are now manufactured in many other countries and one of the “early adopters” was Arsenal of Bulgaria.

ARSENAL JSCo. was founded in 1878 in Rousse, Bulgaria as the first factory catering for the newly created Bulgarian Army. In 1924, due to strategic considerations, the factory was transferred to Kazanlak by the law of the National Assembly and was given the name of “State Military Works” responsible for production of cartridges and repair of all military equipment for the Army.

Initially producing only artillery gun components and ammunition, the factory later began to manufacture gas masks

armoury ASG ARSENAL AR-M7T TACTICAL AK-47

“TAKE OUT OF THE EQUATION THAT A “PLASTIC GUN” COSTING PROBABLY LESS THAN YOUR EYEPRO IS SOMEHOW LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THE PRICIER COUNTERPART - AND ON THAT BASIS THE ARSENAL AR-M7T REALLY COMES INTO ITS OWN.” (1920s), nitroglycerin (1930s), machine tools (1940s) and finally assault rifles, optic sights and the B-10 recoilless rifles (1950s).

Their first assault rifle, a direct copy of the Soviet AK-47, was produced in 1958. By the 1960s a total of seven factories were under the company’s jurisdiction. Until the Fall of Communism in 1989-1990, the company was named Mashinostroitelen Kombinat Fridrikh Engels (“Friedrich Engels Machinery Works”) to conceal its activities as a military enterprise.

Fast forward to the present day and Arsenal continue to manufacture firearms and ammunition, although their wider remit has indeed seen them venture into other areas of civil engineering such as high-precision metalworking machinery, mobile robot manipulators and synthetic diamonds. At the heart of the company though is still the creation of military firearms such as the 9mm Shipka SMG and a whole clutch of AK derivatives including the R-M7, an- improved AK-47 with an AK-101-style folding stock.

For players like me, that have been playing airsoft for some considerable time, I have to ask just how many times you have been handed your rear-end by a new player armed solely with a plastic hire gun and a couple of HiCaps? There you are, dripping with Gucci kit, tooled up with the very latest full metal uber recoil AR and a super-fit, super-quick new player reams you royally with the plastic gun they picked up for the first time that very morning! It’s strangely one of the most humbling and enjoyable experiences in the game and, in my opinion, you

LICENSED TO THRILL

ASG have really been at the very forefront of licensed airsoft products, something that is very close to my heart as it means we get the very best replicas of both civilian and military firearms possible. Working closely with the original manufacturer of the real firearm ASG bring us replicas that are both true to life, and incredibly popular with players; you only have to look at what they’ve done with CZ and especially the EVO to see this!

What I really like about the Arsenal AK though, is that they’ve looked to one area of the airsoft market that is often woefully overlooked, one that I feel wrongly is often described as the “budget” end. To keep costs down the majority of socalled “Sportline AEGs” are built entirely from plastic and miss some of the “real” features of the parent model but ultimately they are fully-functional airsoft replicas that can easily stand their ground on the skirmish field against more expensive models! www.airsoft-action.online

21

armoury ASG ARSENAL AR-M7T TACTICAL AK-47

Specifications Colour: Black Weight: 2445gr/5.4lb Length: 925mm/36.5inches Barrel Length: 455mm/18inches Power: 0.84 Joule/302fps using Blaster .20g BBs

have to take your hat off to that new player and give them a hearty “well done” for getting the drop on you.

So let’s immediately take out of the equation that a “plastic gun” costing probably less than your eyepro is somehow less effective than the pricier counterpart – and on that basis the Arsenal AR-M7T really comes into its own. This is a fully licensed M7 AEG (the “T” standing for “Tactical”) featuring a full metal, fully tried and tested V3 gearbox and a short-type motor which are easy to work on an upgrade should you so desire. The M7 has a polymer receiver with authentic licensed Arsenal markings, a heavy weight barrel assembly, nylon fibre polymer RIS handguard, tactical pistol grip and stock. A front rail system for accessories, adjustable front and rear sights and a “tactical/PMC” buffer-tube/stock setup as standard; ASG even include a rather nifty folding “CAA-style” vertical grip at the sharp end to sweeten the package further still!

The M7 feels very solid and has those official Arsenal trademarks, which is superb for an AEG at this price-point.

There is an 8.4v rechargeable NiMH battery and battery

straight out of the box and I’m pleased to say that the M7 doesn’t differ. Okay, you are not expecting to get the same “out of the box” performance from a “Sportline” model as you would from a more “premium” RIF but let me assure you that the M7 is no slouch when it comes to chucking BBs. The 450 BB mags can be wound traditionally with the base wheel but you can also use a butterfly key that is included in the box to speed this up. With the mag safely fitted and for testing an 11.1V LiPo inside, it was time to check things out and first up the M7 chrono’d very nicely at 0.84 Joule/302fps using Blaster .20g BBs. This AEG has a 455mm inner barrel so I expected both decent range and accuracy and it certainly delivered, hitting Fig11 targets easily at 25-30m. Both the revised power level and the range make the M7 pretty bob-on for any site in the UK. So to recap, with the AR-M7T what we have is a thoroughly solid, polymer-bodied AK AEG that ticks all the modern “style” boxes. It performs more than adequately out of the box and is easily upgradeable as it features workmanlike, almost “CYMAesque” internals. And the best bit is that for the UK the price

“IF YOU WANT TO TRY A MILSIM THEN GO AS OPFOR! GRAB YOURSELF AN ARSENAL AR-M7T TACTICAL AK-47 FROM ASG, CHUCK ON A CHEAP CHICOM CHEST RIG AND SOME CIVVIES AND YOU ARE GOOD TO GO - AND YOU’LL BE WELCOME AT ANY MILSIM I CAN THINK OF!” charger included to get you going but I found that the M7 runs sweetly using one of ASG’s own 1300mAh 7.4V LiPo sticks.

The battery is housed under the dust cover in common with many AK replicas, and this is probably the only single thing I would change “from the box” as the cover is the only part that feels slightly flimsy compared to the rest of the build. The modern-looking “waffle” high capacity magazine holds up to 450 BBs and I found that the M7 is perfectly compatible with most brands of AK magazines such as JG, CYMA, MAG, LCT, E&L, and TM which means if you already own AK mags you are 100% set!

VERSATILTY BUILT-IN!

So far so good but of course the proof of the pudding as always is in the performance!

ASG have a great reputation for making AEGs that perform 22

June 2018

looks to be around the £100 mark! Yup, that’s right you can have a solid little AK for the same price as a GBB pistol.

Now you might think that the M7 is purely for “new players” and it would certainly make a great first AEG for anyone, but I’d say you’d be totally wrong if you discount it for that reason! The number of times I hear even seasoned players bemoan “I’d love to try MilSim, but that means buying a lot of expensive kit I can’t afford and might not use” makes me shake my head sadly. If you want to try a MilSim then go as OPFOR! Grab yourself an ARSENAL AR-M7T TACTICAL AK-47 from ASG, chuck on a cheap ChiCom chest rig and some civvies and you are good to go – and you’ll be welcome at any MilSim I can think of!

My sincere thanks go to ASG for supplying the test sample, and you can check out the M7 and a more traditionally styled Arsenal AK by visiting http://actionsportgames.com

TAKE COMMAND

Features:

Our all-new STRIKE SYSTEMS Commander XP18 and DP18 gas blowback pistols feature a high quality, fibre-reinforced lower and a machined metal slide. Ergonomic shaping, modern ”hybrid” styling and a familiar control layout, ensure they will be a hit on the Airsoft field.

• Metal slide with grip serrations

Chromed internal parts and a choice of green gas or CO2 magazines, ensure the pistols will deliver, whatever conditions you put them in.

• Red fibre optic front sight

• Tough and ergonomic polymer lower • Chrome-coated internal sears for durability and smooth operation

• Green gas or CO2 magazines

ActionSportGames® is a worldwide leader in the business of replica firearms and accessories manufacturing – including Airsoft guns, Airguns, CO2 guns and firearms replicas.

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All new STRIKE SYSTEMS Commander XP18 and DP18 pistols

19-03-2018 11:33:09

Project Crete THIRD LINE GEAR

AS WE START TO REALLY nail down our final kit preparations before we head off to WarZone, there are still two areas that really need addressing. We’ve got our basic clothing and loads ready to roll as detailed over the past couple of months but now we need to look at a critical area that is often overlooked by many, even at the highest level of MilSim. How the hell do we lug all our gear around and once we’ve decided on load carriers, what do we actually need to put in them?

I’ve seen some utterly terrible sights over the years, with guys turning up for a game absolutely overloaded with goodies that they “might need”. I’m sure we’ve all seen that meme with the guy hauling the ruc that is bigger than he is and had a good laugh at that but the truth is that there are many players out there who really shouldn’t be laughing but looking to their own personal admin and preparation of their load.

First up we need to look at Assault Gear. Basically this is a very light pack with minimum gear; think here some water, snacks, first aid, maybe spare BBs and gas and a couple of extra smokes/grenades. The idea is that you can still fight on with it in combination with your Second Line. To fill this need Kelly

and I have chosen the RAIDER pack from Helikon-Tex (although my favourite Grey Ghost Gear pack might make an appearance too). The RAIDER has an organiser pocket for small items situated at the top of the backpack, which is accessible without the need to open the main chamber. The front of the pack has a soft-lined eyepro/electronics pocket and velcro panels allow you to attach additional VIS-compatible inserts (Versatile Insert System) if you should so desire. Two open top side pockets could carry a windshirt or water bottle.

The front is covered with a “Beavertail” panel, which can easily accommodate a tactical helmet. If the backpack is used simply as an EDC item the flap can be rolled and secured, to avoid having to unbuckle it every time to take something out.

The backpack is fitted with comfortable, profiled straps, rigid back panel as well as a simple hip belt. All compartments close with YKK zippers, and there’s even a stowable rain cover should the elements go against you. Again, this design isn’t “rocket science” but it’s a solid, eminently usable pack that can be used in conjunction with other items from the Helikon-Tex lines to create a superb modular system for all your tactical loadcarrying needs.

OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS BILL AND KELLY HAVE BEEN WORKING UP THEIR PERSONAL KIT IN PREPARATION FOR WARZONE 2018, AND NOW THE CLOCK IS REALLY STARTING TO TICK DOWN! HAVING LOOKED CLOSELY AND “FIRST AND SECOND LINE GEAR” THIS MONTH BILL BRINGS US THE FINAL INSTALMENT BEFORE THEY HEAD TO CRETE!

GETTING IN 24

June 2018

Project Crete THIRD LINE GEAR

“SNIVEL GEAR FOR THE WIN!

Your real “Third Line” is your sustainment load. This is the gear that will keep you sparky and basically comfortable in the field but essentially it’s a good solid pack, more water, food, cooking kit, sleeping and hygiene kit, spare clothes and the like. How much you need depends on the AO itself and how long you plan to stay out.

I basically have a pack that serves for spring through to autumn and a dedicated model for Winter when I need to carry heavier and bulkier gear. The MKIII RAID from Tasmanian Tiger 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 the greater adjustability of the back length.

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 attachment 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 pack also 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.

Inside will be all the items that I need to sustain myself for multiple days and it’s just as easy to pack for a week as it is for an overnighter as much of the gear is the same. Waterproof gear,

N THE ’ZONE

“I’VE SEEN SOME UTTERLY TERRIBLE SIGHTS OVER THE YEARS, WITH GUYS TURNING UP FOR A GAME ABSOLUTELY OVERLOADED WITH GOODIES THAT THEY ‘MIGHT NEED’.” extra clothing, stove, cooking pots, fuel, water, hygiene items and of course food all go in and it’s definitely worth working out your own version of the packing “jigsaw” and working on how to best load your gear.

One thing that is totally worth the time researching though is your sleep system and by this I mean “gonking bag and mat”. Over the years I’ve tried numerous kip mats but I keep coming back to a lightweight selfinflating version as it gives the best comfort and thermal protection. I’ve tried numerous models from the outdoor pursuits sector and they’ve all worked very well indeed, whether they be full length of three-quarter - sometimes I try to save weight and pack size, especially in the summer!

For the “Crete Op” we’ve been lucky enough to hook up with our long-term friends at Snugpak, who have sorted us out with some of their very latest sleep gear and the first of these is the Travelite Self Inflating Sleeping Mat - Full Length. This sleeping mat is designed to provide extra comfort so you wake feeling well-rested and refreshed for the next day’s tasks; it’s a self-inflating, non-slip sleeping mat that is designed to do just that, while keeping the weight of your kit down to a manageable level as it comes in at just 660g! www.airsoft-action.online

25

NUPROL HARD CASES

FEATURES: • IP67 dust & water protection.

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• L: Four easy closing latches. / XL: Six easy closing latches • Wheels on the bottom with a handle at the top to easily pull the case along.

• Side handle to carry by hand.

• Inner padding on the top and bottom to hold the contents secure and protected.

• L: Two padlock holes on front edge. / XL: Four padlock holes on front edge.

• Available in four colour options: Black, Tan, Green, Grey.

• L: External Size: 109×39×15cm (42.92*15.35*5.91 inch) XL: External Size: 137x39x15cm (53.9*15.3*5.9 inch) • L: Internal Size: 101×32×12.5cm (39.76*12.59*4.92 inch) XL: Internal Size: 130x32x12.5cm (51.1*12.59*4.92 inch) • L: Weight: 5.5kG / XL: Weight: 6.5KG

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DOMINATE THE FIELD

Project Crete THIRD LINE GEAR

When it comes to sleeping bags you really need to study what you’ll be needing for the particular area of operations or training environment you’re going to be in, then look to particular features of the sleeping bag to deal with this. For instance, there’s no point taking a heavier, large pack size down bag into a rain forest because once wet it will lose all its thermal efficiency. Luckily for us Crete in the early summer is still going to be largely dry and warm and as we’ll be sleeping in communal “Team Tents” a lightweight bag is perfect for the job. The latest version of the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin is an international bestseller for good reasons: The Softie Premier filling has great insulating properties, trapping heat and maximising comfort. The anti-snag zip has a full-length baffle; the mummy-style shape is designed for warmth and comfort and the quilted Snugfit hood has an adjustable cord, all of which ensure a comfortable night’s sleep, even when the temperature drops.

Durable, breathable and water-repellent, it’s also incredibly light and folds down into a compact stuff sack, so it’s perfect when out for longer periods. I’ve used versions of this bag over the years and it’s been top notch, so this is definitely kit I can rely on and the fact that they also make an “Extra Long” version for us tall chaps is just the ticket!

THE LAST WORD

I’m going to step back now to the very first article of this series to mention our “Fighting Gear”.

What do I mean by this? Our choice of RIFs of course!

After some discussion both Kelly and I decided to take along the new RAVEN EU18 as our secondary. Although it’s a new model we’ve been lucky enough to have had one right from the outset and it’s proved to be a solid performer! As we’ll also be transporting all our RIFs in NUPROL hard cases we therefore also decided to look amongst the brands they distribute as we wanted a good “Eastern Bloc” style AEG to complete our loadouts.

Having now looked at the terrain, scenario and our missions it’s pretty obvious that as members of the “UN Detachment” we’re going to be operating a lot from vehicles and at close quarters. We’ll be deploying to “hotspots” around the site on taskings, as well as safeguarding checkpoints, havens and supply/aid caches, so we’ve no great need for super long distance RIFs. To this end we’ve gone for E&L Tactical AKs with half a dozen MidCaps each to comply with the ammo restrictions for the game.

With all these considerations in mind Kelly and I have made our kit choices and in partnership with the likes of NUPROL, Helikon-Tex, UF PRO, Snugpak, and Military1st to name but a few, we’ve put together complete loadouts for “WarZone 2018” which we’ll report back on as part of our AAR following the game.

Apart from shaping our UN berets we are good to go!

“ONE THING THAT IS TOTALLY WORTH THE TIME RESEARCHING THOUGH IS YOUR SLEEP SYSTEM AND BY THIS I MEAN ‘GONKING BAG AND MAT’.”

www.airsoft-action.online

29

feature ACCESSORIES

THE NAKED JUST HOW MANY ACCESSORIES DO YOU REALLY NEED TO STRAP ONTO YOUR AIRSOFT BLASTER? TOM HIBBERD GIVES US HIS THOUGHTS AND THEN SELECTS HIS NEXT MILITARY RIFLE.

LOOK AROUND ANY SAFE ZONE at a game day and you’ll be struggling to find a RIF that’s still in stock configuration. Most airsofters can’t take their new gun out of the box before they start strapping optics, lights, lasers, bipods and grips to it (myself included). This is very different to military units where unit SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) govern what goes on a soldier’s weapon. Even in SF units it’s not the case that individuals can configure their gun anyway they like. Conformity and commonality of parts and accessories are much more important in these cases than individual freedom.

One of the main issues facing the modern soldier is weight. Western soldiers in combat areas such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan have been dubbed “Turtles” by insurgents due to how much they are carrying. This isn’t a new phenomenon though. Throughout history infantry have carried around a third of their body weight in equipment and weapons. It appears that this is the physiological limit for a fit, professional warrior to remain combat effective.

30

June 2018

The M16/AR series of rifles is a case in point. A large part of the design effort was based around reducing the weight to allow the soldier more mobility. Compared to the previous US Service Weapon, the M14, it was 1.5kg lighter and 15cm shorter. Eugene Stoner’s iconic design was a revolution in firearms design. The rifle got progressively heavier over the subsequent years and variants, to the point where the modern issued M4A1 carbine, complete with accessories, now weighs more than the wood and steel M14 at over 10lbs.

Given that airsofters are generally not “fit professional warriors” it would make sense for us to keep our personal blasters as light as reasonably possible. This is dependent on the battle space however.

For example, UKSF L119A2 assault rifles in a direct action role have many more accessories fitted than would be on a long deployment patrolling a jungle.

Feature ACCESSORIES

D GUN WEIGHT OF COMBAT RIFLES WW2 TO PRESENT DAY (APPROXIMATE) M1 Garand 4.5kg M14 4.1kg M16 2.9kg M16A2 3.8kg M4A1 (Naked) 3.5kg M4A1 (Accessories) 4.4kg Moisin Nagant 4.0kg

AK-47 3.5kg AK-74 3.0kg AK-74M 3.5kg 4.1kg Lee Enfield No.4 L1A1 4.4kg L85A2 (Naked) 3.9kg L85A2 (Accessories 4.8kg

Magnified optics limit your field of view

“ONE OF THE MAIN ISSUES FACING THE MODERN SOLDIER IS WEIGHT. WESTERN SOLDIERS IN COMBAT AREAS SUCH AS IRAQ, SYRIA AND AFGHANISTAN HAVE BEEN DUBBED “TURTLES” BY INSURGENTS DUE TO HOW MUCH THEY ARE CARRYING.” It’s easy to put too many accessories on your rifle!

WHAT TO AVOID

There are a few things to avoid in general, though there are also some situations where they would be appropriate. If you are intent on creating a 1:1 clone of an actual firearm then all bets are off.

Magnified Optics

You do not need a magnified rifle scope on an airsoft assault rifle. They are heavy and at our engagement ranges these inhibit target acquisition and will slow you down. If you absolutely must, then stick to 4x at the most. Personally I don’t see the use for them in anything other than looks. The eye relief for airsoft budget friendly scopes is generally very limited and you’ll need to hold your head in just about the right place.

Real Steel variables are beginning to be used in the military but for one that’s just about usable and will hold zero, prices will start around £400. Recoil and GBBs should also stay clear as they have been known to shake cheap scopes to bits.

Bipods Bipods are for precision rifles and machine guns. Your assault rifle is neither of these, it is designed for firing from the shoulder. They add a lot of weight in the worst place - towards the end of the barrel. This makes the weapon slower to bring to aim and you’ll tire faster. Leave it on your sniper rifle.

Bipods are for Machine Guns not assault rifles

Lasers In the most part, especially outdoors, these are completely useless. They also point both ways! If your weapon is correctly zeroed then your laser is redundant. There is also a risk to people’s eyesight, many lasers used by airsofters are too powerful and can cause damage. In the military lasers are used in conjunction with Night Vision and are only visible when using those devices. If you are one of the few airsofters with NODS then an IR laser on your gun makes a lot of sense! www.airsoft-action.online

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Feature ACCESSORIES

FITTING OUT

So what accessories make sense on an airsoft blaster? If we are being totally honest then there are only three - and they are all optional.

Red Dot These aid faster target acquisition if zeroed to your gun. Go for a lightweight one when available. Shooting with both eyes open and looking through the red dot towards your target gives you a much better field of vision and awareness of the battlespace than if you were using a scope. Most cheap airsoft clones are not capable of holding zero either due to the mount or the internals moving around, so be prepared to re-zero every game day and potentially again at lunch.

I’m experimenting with a mid-priced real steel red dot and will report back with the results.

Keep your optics small and light

Sling

I’ve lost count of the barrels full of mud, bent guns, broken stocks, cracked receivers and shattered dreams that occur when someone drops their pride and joy. You may have to experiment to find out whether you prefer a one-point or two-point sling (I’d avoid three-point). I prefer the modern two point that can be converted in the field to a one point. Keep it simple at first though and sling your weapon.

White Light IF you are playing in an area where there will be dark areas a white tactical light may be of use to you. If you are playing outdoors it’s probably better to leave it at home. The mounts themselves can be heavy so look for a practical solution that’s slim and lightweight. There are numerous Surefire M600 and

TOM’S MK18-ISH My Nuprol MK18 is set up for CQB and urban games.

It has an excellent M-Lok fore end (which SOCOM is moving to) that cuts down on weight over some of the conventional rails. Onto it I’ve placed several M-Lok accessories. The Surefire M600 Scout Light is attached directly to a polymer Magpul Offset Mount.

Its tape switch is housed in another Magpul M-Lok product to keep everything tidy. I use the Magpul vertical grip mainly as a hand stop and it is also attached directly to the fore end. For an optic I’m currently using an Eotech clone as I prefer the reticle for short range engagements, though I’m planning on replacing this with a real steel optic. Naked the gun weighs 2.5 kg and with the accessories it’s 2.8 kg.

M300 clones available on the market that are probably your first stop when looking. I’ve had very good results from a real Surefire G2X in a Magpul mount.

A PERSONAL SELECTION

A while back we printed a feature on Ghost Recon Wildlands.

In that I played the part of the team medic and carried a very simple M4A1 carbine with only an Eotech. During the photo shoot I became aware that the gun was very light and it got me thinking. I didn’t have a lightweight military issued rifle. I drew up a list of requirements and got looking.

Criteria 1) Military Issued Weapon 2) Limited or no opportunity to attach accessories 3) NOT a bull pup 4) Readily convertible to suit different time periods 5) Reliable and reputable manufacturer 6) Easy to work on with standard components 7) AEG 8) Woodland environment focus

Candidates 1) LCT AKS-74NV (1980s - Present) 2) G&P M733 (late 1960s - 1990s) 3) M4A1 (late 1990s - Present)

“YOU DO NOT NEED A MAGNIFIED RIFLE SCOPE ON AN AIRSOFT ASSAULT RIFLE. THEY ARE HEAVY AND AT OUR ENGAGEMENT RANGES THESE INHIBIT TARGET ACQUISITION AND WILL SLOW YOU DOWN”

AND THE WINNER IS…

After a great deal of deliberation I went for the LCT AKS-74.

I already have an AK but it’s an ultra- modern AK-104 variant festooned with Magpul furniture and rails. The triangle folding stock and wood furniture are retro by today’s standards but are readily changeable for more modern alternatives if needed.

The actual AKS-74 was first issued to Paratroopers in the Soviet-Afghanistan war and has survived largely functionally unchanged to the present day. It will allow me to take part in Cold War games and increase my options for playing as OpFor in Mil-Sims and Battlesims. I already have batteries and a large supply of suitable magazines. I’m very happy with the build quality and as my other AK is also an LCT the gearboxes are fully compatible in case of emergency.

The LCT LCKS74 NV is tough and a true Naked Gun!

LIGHT IS RIGHT

Speed is often vital in firefights and having a lightweight rifle will speed up both your movement and your ability to bring a target to bear. You’ll fatigue slower and enjoy your games more.

Think carefully about your weapon and what tools you need to bring to the battlefield and if you can, play with a gun in its naked state from time to time. It’s a lot of fun!

www.airsoft-action.online

33

feature ASG BLASTER TOUR

ON THE ROAD WITH

THE ASG BLASTER TOUR GADGE HARVEY JOINS THE ASG CREW ON A VERY COLD GB LEG OF THEIR INTERNATIONAL TOUR, AS THEY CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND PROMOTE THEIR EVERGROWING RANGE OF PRODUCTS WORLDWIDE.

34

June 2018

WHEN THE EDITOR ASKED IF anyone fancied going on tour with the ASG team I leaped at the chance but the wannabe rockstar in me knew it was not so much a case of “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll”, as “Guns, BBs and hardcore skirmishing” although, if the truth be told, I was happy either way!

Now to be fair, I was only going to two “dates” on the Blaster Tour because, quite frankly, it’s a huge international venture. Still, a game is a game and I was sort of hoping I’d be going to Germany or Denmark to see what ASG had to offer but alas I was covering some of the UK dates. So what exactly does a “Blaster Tour” entail? Well, sit back and I’ll tell you a little about it…

The Blaster Tour is ASG’s roadshow, designed to support and promote their specialist stockists around the world, putting on some excellent games and promoting the ASG Blaster range of BBs. At dozens of sites in a host of countries the ASG guys will be on site displaying a range of ASG goodies and giving a fair few of them away. Yep that’s right, at many of the dates on the Blaster Tour, ASG will be giving (and have given) away M15 Carbine AEGs, various pistols, Storm Grenades and other goodies in player raffles organised by the host site. As well as a chance to win, you can also get “hands on” with the products on the ASG stand and although they won’t be selling directly to players, approved stockists are close to hand and will be happy to take your orders.

Content to be getting some more gaming in, even if it was staying in the UK, I set of with a few of the team early on Saturday for “Day One” of the Blaster Tour. To say it was cold was something of an understatement; as I de-iced the car at 6am it was around -8 degrees (some have said it was the coldest day of the winter) and I was bitterly regretting my choice of kit within minutes of being on the road. This is because I knew the first day of the weekend was at the excellent “Urban Assault” site near Peterborough and I’d planned to be running around like a mad thing doing CQB airsoft madness - and so decided to wear some pretty lightweight ATACS kit and a tan soft shell.

Feature ASG BLASTER TOUR

If it was cold checking in and waiting for the game to start, it was going to get colder as it started to snow! The ASG guys were under cover with their stand in Urban Assault’s safe zone and sign in area but even they were starting to shiver and needing hot coffee from the burger van!

Before long the teams were divided up into red and blue and we went out into the impressive ruined urban arena of the Peterborough site. Urban Assault is the old grounds of the MOD base “RAF Upwood” and is a veritable warren of accommodation blocks, lecture halls, mess canteen and storage bays. All of this has been somewhat ravaged by time and graffiti artists and to say the the overall “look” of the site is “Downtown Grozny circa 1996” would be quite apt. You honestly feel like you’re in a real urban warzone. The games were like most CQB sites, fast and furious and while I was enjoying the great games disaster struck, as my beloved STAR XR5 struggled with its batteries in the extreme cold and my pistol was “venting” like crazy. Trekking back to base the ASG guys kindly lent be one of the guy’s own BREN AEGs and they also decided to join me for a game or two after lunch.

Lunchtime also saw the prize raffle and half a dozen players were delighted to win a bundle of prizes donated by both ASG and their local stockist, Fire Support. With a hot lunch inside us it was time to get stuck into the afternoon’s gaming but, within an hour or so something inside the BREN went (it turns out the extreme cold had aided the tappet plate snapping, not something that happens too often). Other offers were made by players to loan me a gun but I felt that bad luck comes in

threes and it would be safer to spend the last hour or so of the game huddled around a fire in the safe zone!

Travelling back to Nottingham freezing but still feeling like I’d had a good day I vowed to be better prepared for Day Two of the tour.

The next morning was slightly milder (it was a mere -5 degrees!) but the rise in temperature seemed to have brought a flurry of snow with it.

Now I don’t like driving in snow at the best of times but didn’t want to let the guys down so decided to see how bad it was once I was out of the city. I picked the guys up on the way and kept telling myself “the roads will get better”… by the time I’d realised they were not going to get any better it was easier to press on than go back. So press on we did at a conservative top speed of 20mph on the “good” bits of the journey!

Day two was to be held at The Gaol Events in Oakham,

“RAF UPWOOD AND IS A VERITABLE WARREN OF ACCOMMODATION BLOCKS, LECTURE HALLS, MESS CANTEEN AND STORAGE BAYS. ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT RAVAGED BY TIME AND GRAFFITI ARTISTS AND TO SAY THE THE OVERALL “LOOK” OF THE SITE IS “DOWNTOWN GROZNY CIRCA 1996” WOULD BE QUITE APT.”

www.airsoft-action.online

35

COVERT BOOT n Durable slip/oil resistant outsole n Suede/Cordura upper n Leather finish on Achillies and collar n Non metallic 7 stage eyelet lace fit

TACTCIAL ADVANTAGE

n Padded internals/tongue for added comfort n Heat treated Viper logo on ankle and rear BROWN

BLACK

TITANIUM

SRP: £49.95

vipertactical.co.uk

Feature ASG BLASTER TOUR

Rutland and as we got closer to the decommissioned prison the roads did get a little better as the sun began to melt the snow and ice. Now I’ve been to a few events at The Gaol but today would be different. The ASG stockist being promoted and supported on this date of the tour was the excellent “Combat UK”, based in Stevenage and they had tasked Tony and the guys from RIFT. As usual with any well-versed airsoft site team, chrono and game rules went through seamlessly and we got straight into the game with little messing about (and in the morning to make the most of the urban site, they had reserved one block purely for pistol and shotgun gaming).

I’d prepared well for this one! Not only had I invested in more layers than a Russian doll (and was wearing a Russian mountain suit as my outer layer) but I’d taken back up AEGs and was using my M4 as a primary. Now I “like” my M4 but I don’t “love” it. It’s never really been “me” and in between games standing around the stands from ASG, Viper, Vortex Optics and Combat UK, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the AEGs on the Combat UK stand. What I really wanted was something perfect for close quarter CQB and I made the fatal mistake of asking Phil if he had any EVOs in stock. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for my bank balance) he did… and I bought one right there and then! Clearly the Blaster Tour was working for ASG, being surrounded by their cracking range of AEGs and pistols for two days had finally made me relent and buy a Scorpion.

While I didn’t have enough mags and batteries to play straight away, luckily the ASG guys had some spares and the afternoon’s games were spent battling away with the EVO - and was delighted by the range and accuracy from such a small AEG. Gaming in The Gaol is always tense, there are some tight corners, dark corridors and brutal entries to breech but you don’t normally have the “hazard” of six inches of snow on the ground as well. However, the snow seemed to bring out the inner child in most airsofters and I saw a score of players delighting in the carpet of crisp white snow and taking on a few mad charges which ended up in ice slides towards their

opponents …or even just covering themselves with snow to keep hidden.

As usual it was all over far too quickly and soon it was time to pack up and head for home (and mercifully most the snow on the roads had thawed out by now) but I know if the chance to go out on the Blaster Tour comes up again I’ll jump at it… just send me somewhere sunnier next time please Ed. …I hear they have games coming up in Spain and Portugal!

“WHAT I REALLY WANTED WAS SOMETHING PERFECT FOR CLOSE QUARTER CQB AND I MADE THE FATAL MISTAKE OF ASKING PHIL IF HE HAD ANY EVOS IN STOCK. FORTUNATELY FOR HIM (AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR MY BANK BALANCE) HE DID… AND I BOUGHT ONE RIGHT THERE AND THEN!”

AIRSOFT ACTION TV If you’d like to see and hear even more on the Blaster Tour than head over to YouTube and catch Gadge and Tom’s “Episode 1 – The Blaster Tour” on Airsoft Action TV. For a full list of Blaster Tour dates check out: http://actionsportgames.com/blastertour

www.airsoft-action.online

37

gear LBX 0300S PLATE CARRIER

SMALL SIZE…

BIG

NOT ALL OPERATORS ARE MOUNTAINSIZED BUT FEMME FATALE HAS FOUND A COMPANY THAT CATERS FOR THOSE WITH A LIGHTER FRAME.

PROTECTION

38

June 2018

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, as a person of small stature in the sport, one of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced is finding tactical kit that fits - plate carriers! However, whilst in the US last year I discovered a brand that not only makes high quality, mil-spec kit but has created a carrier to cater for smaller operators! The brand is LBX Tactical and the carrier is the “Small Modular Plate Carrier 0300S”.

Firstly, who are LBX? LBX are named after their parent company, London Bridge Trading (or LBT as they are more commonly known), who are a Virginia-based tactical kit manufacturer. LBX stands for London Bridge “X”, the X in the name stands for the unknown variable and this represents the multitude of possibilities within the tactical world that their kit can be utilised for. LBX was conceived as a tactical brand that would create mil-spec gear that combines modern design and versatility. Whether you’re current or ex-military, a PMC or an airsofter like myself, LBX Tactical aims to offer a huge variety of products made for tactical situations that mix and match for endless custom load-out capabilities.

The Small Modular Plate Carrier, or “0300S” as it’s known in the community, is the smaller version of their popular Modular Plate Carrier. It has modular webbing on the front panel, back panel, and cummerbund, meaning you can customise the carrier on all sides with various pouches and panels. The top rows of webbing on the front have hook Velcro to allow operators to add their favourite patches (and we all know that airsofters LOVE their patches, myself included!).

Although the 0300S doesn’t come with plates included, it can accommodate 8x10 plates. I have chosen to run both of mine without plates so far, but I am thinking of picking up a couple of foam SAPI plates to help keep its shape when not in use. The carrier also has a heavy-duty drag handle (which I feel

Gear LBX 0300S PLATE CARRIER

is more applicable for real-world application than airsoft) and which isn’t always the case with hydration/comms guides on the front and rear panels to keep gear manufacturers. The price, in your drinking system and communications looking tidy and to my opinion, is really reasonable prevent any loose cables being snagged during use. for the quality and fit, especially The carrier is fully adjustable with the cummerbund being when compared with other adjustable between 32” and 46”, my waist is 29” and it fits manufacturers. pretty snug but still gives me enough wiggle room to wear it My LBX MultiCam 0300S over a softshell or hoodie. The cummerbund has Velcro closure has replaced my Warrior Assault so the carrier can be securely fastened. The 0300S also has Systems Recon PC in the Shooters adjustable shoulder straps so you can adjust where it sits on Cut as my go-to tan team tactical the torso. The straps both have padded strap coverings which vest because of how well it fits! So makes them comfortable to wear for extended periods of time far I’ve customised it with a Warrior even when the carrier is loaded up with mags and other gear.

Assault Systems One point sling, a So it’s adjustable - but how does it fit?

Warrior Assault Systems Triple Open This is the main selling point for me, I’ve found very few plate “I THINK LBX HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB ON THE 0300S IN REGARDS TO carriers that can comfortably fit my small frame and contour my waist THE RANGE OF COLOURS/CAMO THAT IT IS AVAILABLE IN, THE QUALITY OF and chest but the 0300S does the THE MATERIALS USED, ITS OVERALL SIZE AND VERSATILITY.” job. As I’ve said, the cummerbund fits my waist pretty snug but still leaves me enough room to be worn over a light jacket or hoodie. The overall size looks/feels Mag Panel and also the Ferro Concepts Dangler pouch. Like I right on my torso and without plates it fits the contours of my said, I’ll more than likely be adding SAPI training plates to the body. Would it fit as well with plates? I think if SAPI training carrier too in the next coming months. I really like the aesthetic plates were inserted and worn in, the carrier would still fit the of the carrier and its versatility! contours of my form but it could be a little bulky when they Overall, I think LBX have done a fantastic job on the 0300S were fresh. in regards to the range of colours/camo that it is available in, The 0300S comes in a variety of different camouflages and the quality of the materials used, its overall size and versatility. block colours including MultiCam, MAS Grey, Black, Coyote I’m also ecstatic to see brands catering to smaller players as and Wolf Grey. It retails for $159.95, which is around £114 to finding well-fitting tactical kit is something that I and others us Brits from LBX - although it is worth noting that shipping have struggled with. My only complaint with the LBX range and customs charges are applicable when it reaches the UK, is that it can be quite hard or expensive to get a hold of in so that is another element to think about. What is great is that the UK, I would love to see the LBX brand and products more the camo options are the same price as the block colourways readily available in the UK for our player base!

www.airsoft-action.online

39

BUY ONLINE AT WWW.FIRE-SUPPORT.CO.UK - VISIT US - CALL: 01733 247171

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Gear SNUGPAK SLEEKA ELITE

GOING

SOFT THE SNUGPAK SLEEKA ELITE– THREE YEARS ON… IN A “THROWAWAY SOCIETY” IT IS GREAT TO FIND ITEMS THAT LAST AND LAST …AND LAST. FRENCHIE WRITES ABOUT ONE SUCH ITEM THAT HAS SERVED HIM WELL FOR MANY YEARS AND CONTINUES TO DO SO.

THE “SOFTIE” HAS BECOME AN invaluable piece of military kit, windproof, warm and capable of being stuffed into unfeasibly small spaces, it has protected troops from the elements for decades. Snugpak have made their version of this classic for many years and the Sleeka Elite is an improved version of the basic jacket. I have owned one of these for over three years (possibly longer) and it just refuses to give up in the face of a complete lack of care on my part. I have washed it a few times (more of that later) but I wear it and don’t think about it. Leaving aside its military provenance it is the perfect jacket for airsofters; providing warmth, protection from wind and a degree of water repellency. Read on for a bit of unabashed product praise!

As a company, it was sleeping bags with a winning combination of insulation and small, compressible size that established Snugpak’s reputation. From there they have moved slowly and steadily into performance clothing, although, and I say this as a compliment, when paging through their website I never think “performance”, I think “practical”. There is an established trend to make performance clothing, especially at the more affordable end of the market, look all whizzy and exciting. That’s not really Snugpak’s way; their clothing emphasises all that is necessary to fulfill its intended function.

This is true in spades of their long-serving Sleeka Elite jacket.

For various reasons I own a Trabant, that icon of East German engineering and socialist chic. Leaving aside the quirks it has this going for it - if you asked a child to draw a car, they would draw something that looks very like a Trabi, three boxes and wheels. The same is true of the Sleeka Elite; ask a child to draw a jacket and this is what you’d get, one zip, two 42

June 2018

Gear SNUGPAK SLEEKA ELITE

side pockets, and that’s it. The Sleeka isn’t the most stylish or attractive jacket out there either but that really doesn’t matter because it delivers in a way that too few jackets of similar price do.

As a brief aside I’m going to use Sleeka and Sleeka Elite interchangeably here. The Elite is essentially the basic jacket reinforced at all possible abrasion points with a hard-wearing material. The Sleeka is made from Paratex Thin, a wind proof, water repellent and breathable material and insulated with Snugpak’s patented “Softie” insulation. This combination makes it light, warm and windproof. In use this means that the Sleeka is ideal anywhere you might need access to a bit of additional insulation, so, anywhere on the planet really. The jacket weighs only 880g, which is pretty much negligible, and will squash down to not very much - you can use the supplied stuff bag or any other convenient storage. Snugpak claim that the Softie insulation retains its insulation even after being compressed for lengthy periods, although they don’t say what they regard as lengthy. I have owned my Sleeka for over three years and it’s been used and abused, so far there is no sign of it losing its insulation properties.

Paratex, the outer material, is soft to the touch and one of the most distinctive features of the Sleeka is the way you will start to feel warmer as soon as you put it on. Plunging your hands into the deep, zipped pockets is an instant hand warmer as the combination of materials work their magic. Others have suggested that the Paratex shell is pretty soft and perhaps not sufficiently hard-wearing but I can assure you that this isn’t the case. Yes it is deliciously soft but in all my years of ownership I haven’t yet managed to do it any damage - no tears, no holes, nothing. Can it be damaged? Of course and I’m no longer a reckless youth (if I ever was) but I have always treated my

Sleeka as a practical jacket, not something to be assiduously cared for and coddled. Totally tough? No, but definitely tough enough.

The cuffs are elasticated and unless you have wrists the size of my thighs they’re functional and comfortable. There are elasticated drawstrings at the hem and at the back of the neck, both utterly invaluable for retaining all that lovely warmth. I use both regularly and strongly suggest you do the same.

Snugpak claim “water repellency”, not “waterproof” - if it’s pi**ing down, you will get wet …I have! The jacket retains a reasonable amount of its insulating properties when wet and it dries quickly. That is also true of washing - whack it into the washing machine at 40 and air dry. In all those years I have had no problems with the insulation clumping up after washing, I wish I could say that about some other jackets I have owned

“THERE IS AN ESTABLISHED TREND TO MAKE PERFORMANCE CLOTHING, ESPECIALLY AT THE MORE AFFORDABLE END OF THE MARKET, LOOK ALL WHIZZY AND EXCITING. THAT’S NOT REALLY SNUGPAK’S WAY; THEIR CLOTHING EMPHASISES ALL THAT IS NECESSARY TO FULFILL ITS INTENDED FUNCTION.” and thrown away. If you want improved weatherproofing, I would use NikWax or suchlike although I have never bothered. The Sleeka serves as an admirable mid-layer under a waterproof outer and is intended as such.

While the Sleeka Elite isn’t army issue it embodies all the virtues of the issue jacket and then adds some more.

It’s available in Olive green. That’s it, so if you want camo or something a little more vibrant you’ll have to look elsewhere.

The reinforced panels run the full length of both arms and over the yoke and shoulders, adding valuable abrasion resistance where it’s required, without adding weight where it isn’t. It is astonishingly simple and astonishingly practical. Snugpak give a temperature rating of -5 degrees celcius, that is only ever a guide and I wouldn’t use the jacket on its own if it were that cold. The temperature guides, if I recall correctly, indicate the lower limit at which the garment should prevent you suffering serious harm hypothermia or even death - but are just that, guides. I have layered this with other Snugpak insulated items and it was like wearing a sleeping bag.

In many respects this is the perfect jacket for the British climate which is not one of extremes (well, not normally) but can be cold and damp and often windy. When you are resting between games, this is a perfect way to keep chills away and it’s also perfect for travelling to and from the site. In fact, it’s basically perfect for many things that have nothing to do with airsoft!

The suggested RRP is £89.95, not cheap but considering its sheer usefulness and longevity that’s a worthwhile investment I reckon. I don’t use mine every day but it is one of the few jackets I have that I would definitely miss, fortunately it’s going nowhere in a hurry.

www.airsoft-action.online

43

: A IW

IWA Show Report CLOTHING & GEAR

WITH THE MAIN “AIRSOFT AT IWA” SHOW REPORT IN THE BAG LAST MONTH THIS TIME BILL TAKES US INTO HIS FAVOURITE TERRITORY, THE AWEINSPIRING HALL 9 WHERE HE TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE CLOTHING AND GEAR COMING OUR WAY SOON.

R A E G & G N I CLOTH

NOW AS MUCH AS GADGE and I looked at all the shiny shooty and sharp things, my other aim at IWA was to concentrate on the “soft” side of the industry, namely clothing, gear, and footwear. Having worked alongside some of the “big names” in the performance gear market, I do tend to be quite hard on people, especially when they try to blind me with the “science” I’ve worked with for many, many years!

I have absolutely no clue (they say it takes 100 inklings to get a clue, and I don’t even have an inkling…) why some manufacturers assume that they can get away with quoting spurious performance statistics/ numbers in the tactical world when those very same “facts” have been debunked in the outdoor performance market years ago. Because we work with pyro that goes “bang” very loudly I’m assuming that they somehow feel this erodes our mental capability to “call BS”; the last time I looked most of the guys I know in the tactical world are also pretty solid outdoor practitioners…

Sorry, rant over, but I do hope that some of the “names” will stop trying to beat us up with numbers and actually get round to creating new and genuinely useful designs… which of course leads me neatly into UF PRO who REALLY do get it, but are humble enough to not shout about it. This is a really great shame, because in my opinion these guys do have something to holler about and their design guru, Armin, totally understands every stitch and every piece of technology they use to achieve their outstanding clothing; new IR technologies will be part of the company’s products going forward . UF PRO keep adding

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June 2018

new technologies and tweaking their designs, and their latest iteration of the “Striker” series is simply superb.

Staying firmly in Eastern Europe, Helikon-Tex are always on my “must see” list at IWA and in the last couple of years they have really been making some headway, not only a “re-branding” in terms of their product categories but in the uniqueness of their designs; they’ve also shown a massive step up in their quality control which in my mind is placing them high in the “tactical rankings”. This year saw them adding new colourways to existing lines, whilst at the same time adding some neat extras throughout each of their categories, like the Summit ruc and the Pilgrim Anorak. As always, I look forward to working closely with them during the rest of this coming year as the new products roll out.

:

R

IWA Show Report CLOTHING & GEAR

Claw Gear are another manufacturer that I love to visit as, once again, they do tend to think “out of the box” when it comes to putting together their gear. Their “Enforcer and Defiant Flex” pants looks to be a bit of a winner and their “Blue Denim Tactical Flex Jeans” are right on the money when it comes to “tactical trends”. They’ve also been working on extending their range of products for the Steyr AUG - which may seem odd for what is basically a clothing company, but when you consider they are Austrian it all makes perfect sense!

Leo Koehler have been around for a while and are very well respected by “those who know” for their quality. Whilst they’re not going to set the world on fire with new and exciting designs (they already have some crackers anyway!) they do always have a stunning stand when it comes to the sheer number and variety of camo patterns that they use, adding this year CONCAMO which I’ll look at in more depth at a later date.

Once again Pentagon were pushing on with their “Tactical Athlete” concept and they are a brand that, as an outdoorsman, I’ve come to appreciate more and more! Whilst their designs are not quite as “overt” as some, they do make a superb finished product and their VORRAS tactical climbing pants and ROGUE tactical jeans (yes, more jeans!) certainly took my eye. Speaking to them at length they have some great plans for 2018/19 and I’ll be updating on these as soon as is feasible.

Our friends at First Tactical were really rocking it up a storm this year and twelve months down the line from their first show they are really making their presence felt and obviously bringing in new customers! Dan, the founder, must be well pleased with how things have moved on for them, and having their head designer, Corey, present meant that we got to hear all the latest from them. It looks as if there’s going to be a major shake-up of

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45

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IWA Show Report CLOTHING & GEAR

their line later this year, so watch this space!

No trip to a show would be complete without seeing old campaigners 5:11 and although I’ve not been “wowed” with any of their designs for a little while, it is good to see them firing all cylinders again. Not only had they upgraded their clothing and footwear line, but they were also showing their own new camo pattern, “GEO 7”. This new camo pattern was allegedly developed in conjunction with Veil Camo and is going to be offered in two different styles. The “GEO 7 Terrain” is more earth-based with natural tones while the “GEO 7 Night” is darker in tones. This looks very interesting indeed and I look forward to finding out more!

MILES TO GO BEFORE WE SLEEP!

With most of Days 1 and 2 spent in the airsoft halls the miles were taking their toll (not to mention a bit of a late “business meeting” in the ever-popular Finnegans and a memorable trip to Burgerista for MEALSIM)! IWA is a VAST show and one day I’ll take a step-counter…

The start of the third day took our steps to the stand of Direct Action. These former “special” guys from Poland have been making some serious headway in the “nylon gear” market and rightly so, as their designs are cutting-edge yet solid and workmanlike. I just laid hands on their “MUSTANG” belt system which I’ll be reporting on in due course after a few sessions but their new “TEMPEST” chest rig is something that I’d like to get my mitts on!

Sticking with “Euro” gear folk I always drop in to see Tasmanian Tiger. The company introduced a new line of navy blue equipment for law enforcement this year along with some new designs in the lightweight, low-profile chest rig market which look very slick.

Their TAC Flightcase looks a very interesting concept too!

Going “small but beautifully formed” we couldn’t help but stop by the stand of the awesomely named “Badass Tactical” from Italy, and once again they put a smile on our faces with a demo of their two piece shooters belt and “tear-away” medical pouch. They especially have some neat designs in terms of medical packs and I hope we’ll be able to bring more of their gear into the spotlight soon.

Before I wrap up, as usual I have to make a couple of “honourable mentions” of things that I saw that I thought to be first rate. Out of Russia, Gienna Tactics had some great new clothing designs to show us and I’ve already been speaking to Sergey about some gear for test. I really liked their pant models which showed a new and innovative design for

knee protection and the fact that they work with some properly “old skool” camo patterns gave me the hugest grin! Our old friends from Warrior Assault Systems had a smaller stand than before but this is mainly because they have really “cracked the market” with solid gear and were just showing their newer pieces. VIPER of course step outside Hall 9 but were still there “loud and proud” with some new additions to their line in the form of clothing and some great pouches which I believe will be massively popular with the EVO users out there!

In terms of footwear there was not a huge amount to report, although the new OPUS boots from Magnum look pretty darn sweet! US brand Belleville, who have been quiet in the past couple of years, look to have upped their game with a HUGE range of boot models, and I personally love the look of their DELTA series. Seasoned campaigners ALTAMA also seem to be having a real push, and who couldn’t love their Multicam low-cuts! Salomon and Lowa are still forging forwards, taking their excellent “mountain heritage” and incorporating it into their tactical ranges, but for them it was mostly colour updates rather than new models.

One thing I would observe in relation to footwear is that there definitely seems to be a trend towards the more “performance-related” models from the outdoor market. Sales of regular Salomon, Asolo, and Mammut (boots to name but three) seem to be healthy in the airsoft world largely due to their use in the real world by “Spec Ops” units, and personally I think that this is no bad things as it just increases choice for the user. This is an area I’ll look at in more detail in a future issue of Airsoft Action.

All in all IWA 2018 was a magnificent show and I for one am certainly looking forward to 2019. I hope to see some of you there, and for those that can’t make it rest assured that Airsoft Action will continue to keep you updated on the very latest developments!

www.airsoft-action.online

47

Gear MECHANIX WEAR

THE TOOL THAT FITS LIKE A

GLOVE

®

IF YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN A CLOSE-RANGE HIT ON A KNUCKLE, YOU’LL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO WEAR DECENT GLOVES. LEZ LEE GETS HIS HANDS INTO THE LATEST RANGE OF MECHANIX GLOVES TO FIND OUT IF THEY “CUT THE MUSTARD” WHEN IT COMES TO AIRSOFT. THEY’RE HERE!! THE NEW RANGE of tactical gloves from the world’s favourite “glove for every occasion” manufacturer have landed at one of the UK’s biggest tactical apparel outlets, Military 1st. I must say that my first impression of this range looks rather good, however, always the sceptic, I also know that many imported clones and market specials can look equally as good and cost a fraction of the price... and of course, last a fraction of the time notwithstanding the possibility of a serious compromise and at worst, cause injury. So, for the following six pairs of gloves it’s judgement day ...AIRSOFT ACTION style!

Manual dexterity is critical - it’s as simple as that. When you think of just how much use and abuse your hands encounter, they really must be protected to challenge whatever threat they may face and I’m sure by now that you would have seen on TV documentaries, movies and news features, thousands of members of the military can be observed wearing MECHANIX WEAR gloves and there are obviously good and warranted reasons for that.

Whether you’re Military, PMC, Special Forces, Police or other emergency service, or indeed any end user where your hands are your most precious commodity, gloves are the one piece of kit that has to do its job flawlessly otherwise a simple mishap can become a deciding factor in whatever you are doing, or whether you win or lose.

When it comes to your “tools” it’s all about trust, and your confidence in your trust. Mechanix Wear’s commitment to hand protection has earned the respect of millions of hardworking hands around the world. It is Mechanix’s commitment to precision design, industry leading material technology 0.5mm High Dexterity

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June 2018

Recon

and robust and solid testing standards that place them in an elite league of their own. A commitment to looking beyond conventional ideas with the drive to innovate the most advanced tools for working hands. A Mechanix Wear glove is a testament to skilled hands and with each new market, there’s an end user ready to adopt Mechanix Wear gloves.

This brings me back to this new range of gloves, which are clearly intended for the applications as listed above. With so many disciplines in our sport/activity, I have no doubt that many would perform better with a glove that identified with its use. For example, would a Sniper prefer a hard knuckle breacher-type glove, or a fine skin with dexterity that makes one even question if they actually put gloves on in the first place. At the opposite end of the spectrum, a fast paced, balls-out fence-jumping athlete intent on reaching point B from point A without any hindrance or fear of falling fowl of hard barriers or obstructions would need protection in line with his/her style of play, so that they can keep their skin where it belongs and their knuckles where they’ve always been.

Military 1st cater for our community like no other. They may not sell RIFs, or gas, or BBs but we need more than just those items (unless playing naked is your thing) so as well as selling a huge range of kit and clothing, they specialise in accessories with as much enthusiasm. So it’s hardly surprising to find that they also sell the biggest range of Mechanix Wear gloves in the U.K. (to the best of my knowledge).

In the true character of Military 1st, as soon as I hit the “send message” button agreeing to conduct this review, a few Fastfit

Gear MECHANIX WEAR

Main image: Breacher

moments later Mr Postie came-aknocking with a “Package for Mr Lee from Military 1st.” Within minutes I was tearing open the parcel and one by one, six pairs of tactical gloves were positioned in front of me just asking to be the centre of my attention.

BREACHER

The Breacher is a flame-resistant tactical glove designed to protect the hands of military and SWAT team members during forcible entry and high-risk operations. A one-piece knuckle guard moulded with dense thermoplastic rubber protects the back of the hand and D3O® palm padding absorbs impact to reduce hand fatigue in the field. When handling lethal and non-lethal explosives, military and SWAT team members are protected by flame-resistant Nomex® and high-dexterity FR goatskin leather. The Breacher’s 0.6mm FR goatskin leather palm maintains connectivity in the field with touchscreen capable technology in the palm of your hand.

INTENDED USES: SWAT, MILITARY. AA APPRAISAL: As one might expect, these are very strong and wellconstructed gloves. A tremendous amount of design and innovation has aligned every panel with double row stitching and reinforced areas of high wear. The thick padded rubber knuckle guard provides enhanced protection for aggressive performance when needed. I did find a minimal amount of creasing in the palm and the fingers are slightly longer than most but these gloves are all about high impact and performance so I feel that in this case, more is better than less. This is one very tough, comprehensive glove with high performing capacity.

AZIMUTH

The Azimuth takes aim to protect military and SWAT team members with critical flame resistance during hard-charging operations. The glove is constructed with FR Nomex® and FR goatskin leather to protect operators exposed to heat and flame when handling lethal and non-lethal explosives.

The Azimuth features a Nomex® gauntlet cuff that provides extended flame-resistance beyond the wrist. The back of the hand is protected by EVA foam to absorb impact and protect against abrasion. The palm features high-dexterity 0.6mm FR goatskin leather to provide the perfect blend of dexterity and durability. The Azimuth tactical glove maintains connectivity in the field with touchscreen capable technology in the palm of your hand.

INTENDED USE: SWAT, Military.

AA APPRAISAL: This has changed my opinion about gauntlet-style gloves.

These are able to offer a higher level of protection without compromising on comfort. Again, the fingers are slightly longer than a typical size 8 (medium) glove but we are only talking millimetres. The protective and unobtrusive ribbed padding on the back of the hands give plenty of protection without restricting dexterity. The additional fabric above the wrist offers significant lower arm security.

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49

Gear MECHANIX WEAR

FASTFIT

The next generation of FastFit tactical gloves are here. Take control with high-dexterity 0.6mm synthetic leather and stay connected with full touchscreen technology in the palm of your hands. The FastFit delivers an unmatched fit with TrekDry™ evaporative cooling, and rugged carrier loops for storage in the field.

INTENDED USES: Military, Law Enforcement, Shooting Sport, Maintenance Repair.

AA APPRAISAL: Surprisingly, these were one of my favourites! A super comfortable close fitting adherence removed any palm crease and eliminated raised seams, resulting in a truly fast-fitting and highly comfortable wearability. Yes, I liked these a lot as they allowed for easy donning and removing, a great asset when speed is a factor.

SPECIALITY VENT

Beat the heat wherever your mission takes you. Extremely hot or humid conditions can cause sweaty hands leading to the loss of valuable control in the field. Specialty Vent Coyote shooting gloves provide evaporate cooling when the heat is on with a fully ventilated design. Breathable mesh combines with a perforated 0.6mm palm to allow cool air in and circulate throughout the glove. Specialty Vent shooting gloves feature perforated trigger fingers and touchscreen capability so you’re always connected in the field.

INTENDED USES: Shooting Sports, Law Enforcement, Military.

AA APPRAISAL: These are going to be very popular when the temperature rises as the clue is in the name. Nobody likes sweaty palms at the best of times and these are set to keep your comfort levels in check. A superb fit and strong panelling all-round allows the perforated skin to get on with the job “in hand”!

RECON HIGH DEXTERITY

The Recon is a performance leather tactical glove designed to provide law enforcement officers with versatile hand protection when responding to calls for service and making arrests. The glove is anatomically designed to conform to the natural curvatures of the hand using three-dimensional patterning. The palm features 0.6mm goatskin leather to deliver the perfect blend of dexterity and durability when performing frisks. The Recon glove is touchscreen capable so you’re always connected to your touchscreen devices.

AA APPRAISAL: Beautiful and highly sensitive second-skin type feel. It’s easy to forget that you are wearing gloves, such is Azimuth

the silky smooth and delicate hide. Dexterity is maxed-out with these and you could probably feel an ant fart in the palm of your hand …if you so choose!

0.5MM HIGH DEXTERITY

Precision feel and high dexterity are synonymous with 0.5mm palm protection. Specialty 0.5mm Coyote shooting gloves are built to deliver natural feel and lightweight hand protection in an anatomical design. 0.5mm AX-Suede™ provides the perfect blend of tactile control and protection in the field or at the shooting range. Breathable TrekDry®conforms to the back of your hands to reduce heat build-up and expandable Speciality Vent flex joints improve trigger finger mobility for smooth manipulation.

AA APPRAISAL: Again, another highly sensitive and tactile layer of skin to protect your epidermis and offer uncompromising purchase to almost every surface.

Half a millimetre is barely noticeable but almost like a spider’s web, superior in its relative structure.

AND TO CONCLUDE. All of the gloves featured are category 3 PPE and machine washable at 30 degrees.

By all accounts, the Breacher was hands-down the dominant player in the collection. It features just about every element of safety, support, structure and sheer functionality that anyone could need (with the exception of water proofing) and most certainly strong enough for any game of pew-pew. In fairness though, none of this range claimed to be water proof or resistant - that’s for another review perhaps.

I’ve never been a great fan of gauntlets, ever since I broke a nail whilst jousting in medieval times but the Azimuth is really pretty good and comfortable enough to remain unobtrusive.

Clearly these gauntlet style mitts provide greater protection for the wrists and the lower arms which again, in our hobby may be favoured by some but this is one of those personal choice things. The FastFit is great for, erm... fast-fitting and I found this to be to my liking because I am always taking my gloves off to fiddle with something or other. The Speciality Vent will undoubtedly be very popular throughout the warmer days and nights when sweaty palms are not welcome and the Recon High Dexterity bridges the gap when it comes to a compromise between naked skin and a lightweight protection. This leaves just the 0.5mm High Dexterity model which is the penultimate in sensitivity and tactile equation and can only be described as the finest sheath to be found in a pair of gloves.

Once again we At the moment, these designs must thank our are mostly available in either black very good friends and/or coyote and I am currently at Military 1st for unaware of any plans to expand on supplying the review this colour range but, of course, this samples. is Mechanix Wear and they do not rest Visit www.military1st. on their laurels so I should imagine it co.uk for more is simply a case of suck it and see what information on the transpires as time marches on. entire Mechanix Wear One thing is for sure, if Mechanix Wear range - and thousands gloves are good enough for those brave upon thousands of warriors fighting overseas then I’m pretty sure other products, all they will cut it in the world of plastic death. “under one roof”.

Lez OUT!

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51

feature EVOTEK AT JD AIRSOFT

JOIN THE

GADGE HAS RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY OF ASG SCORPION EVO USERS AND WAS PUZZLED ON HEARING ABOUT PLAYERS UPGRADING THEM INTERNALLY. THAT’S WHEN HE DISCOVERED “EVOTEK”…

R-EVO-LUTION

Evotek ASG’s Ben Webb talks a customer through the upgrade package

54

June 2018

I’LL ADMIT I’M A LITTLE late to the party, having bought an ASG Scorpion EVO only recently. It’s a cracking AEG platform that’s been wowing players for a while and it has taken me until now to take the plunge and buy one for my more modern games.

I have found mine to be frankly amazing straight out the box but over the last three years or so I’ve seen a lot of EVOs that have had some pretty major work done to them… and I just don’t mean all the Gucci external stuff like aftermarket stocks, paintjobs or RIS accessories. No, I mean internally and this also surprised me… Why would you want to mess about with such a brilliantly balanced AEG in the first place?

Being a new EVO owner I was somewhat intrigued by this and spoke to the guys at ASG about the nature of upgrading the AEG and was surprised to find out that some ASG Approved Technicians they were rolling out a package of specific performance enhancing upgrade for the platform. My local Airsoft shop is JD Airsoft in Staffordshire and their take on upgrading the EVO takes place under the banner of “EvoTek”.

Knowing the JD Airsoft chaps pretty well it was easy to get some one-to-one time with Nathan, the resident gun tech, who explained to me exactly how the EvoTek package worked. For a start it’s worth noting that there is nothing “wrong” with the gun out of the box but the package (or packages as we shall see) are designed to rinse out the

absolute maximum of the AEG’s capabilities. To this end they include some of the simpler upgrades that even a luddite like me could do themselves, like a new spring and bearing spring guide. Some of the parts you need to be comfortable taking the gun apart to fit, like the short stroke trigger and then the more complex gearbox upgrades that most of us wouldn’t try at home. Nathan also explained that EvoTek came at two levels, a “Professional” upgrade scheme and then the “Expert” set of upgrades and tweaks that truly squeezes every ounce of peak performance out of the Scorpion.

The “Professional” package consists of: ASG ULTIMATE Gear Set Original 90-130 ASG ULTIMATE Mil-spec AEG Spring / M95 - Blue ASG ULTIMATE Piston Polycarbonate M170 Red ASG ULTIMATE Piston head, polycarbonate ASG Scorpion EVO Steel Spring Guide with Bearing The “Expert” package contains: ASG ULTIMATE Gear Set High Speed 100-130 (16:1) ASG ULTIMATE Piston Polycarbonate M170 Red ASG ULTIMATE Cylinder head, aluminium, ver. 2 SG ULTIMATE Piston head, aluminium, ventilation, A hexachrome black ASG Scorpion EVO Steel Spring Guide with Bearing ASG ULTIMATE 8mm Ceramic Bearings ASG ULTIMATE Motor, Boost 30K , short axle CNC short-stroke trigger (hairline trigger mod) Madbull Precision 7075 6.01mm tight barrel Prometheus Purple Hop Rubber with Flat Hop Mod ASG ULTIMATE Mil-spec AEG Spring / M95 – Blue Like I say, I’m pretty impressed with the stock EVO out the

Feature EVOTEK AT JD AIRSOFT

A fair few players turned out to either get their AEG upgraded or just find out exactly what all the fuss was about

“THE UPGRADES IN THE EVOTEK PACKAGE ALLOW YOU TO RUN AN 11.1V LIPO IN A LIGHTNING FAST GUN WITHOUT RISKING AN IMPLOSION OF GEAR AND PISTON TEETH. IN SHORT, THE BURSTS WERE COMING OUT AT A BLISTERING RATE THAT WAS TRULY IMPRESSIVE TO BEHOLD.” box so wasn’t sure exactly how much better this would make it, so it was time to get to JD’s indoor range for a “baptism of fire” and see what difference (if any) I’d notice between a fresh, out the box Scorpion and one that had had the “full monty” done to it. Visually the two looked different but apart from the short stroke CNC trigger, all the differences were purely cosmetic, it was clearly a case of actually getting some trigger time to find out what was going on inside the machine.

Firstly to get back to grip with how the standard AEG performs I put around five mid-capacity (approximately 70 rounds) magazines trough the stock model on the various fire modes and, as usual, I was not disappointed. The trigger was crisp, the Blaster BBs fed well and as much as you can tell on a short indoor range, the rounds flew true and straight. I put down the factory fresh model and shouldered the upgraded EVO. Clicking in a fresh magazine I flicked the fire selector to single shot and gave the trigger a squeeze. The difference was clearly noticeable from first contact. While the EVO doesn’t An Evotek upgrade have a heavy trigger pull out the box with the short stroke in progress trigger I only needed a gentle tap of the finger to send rounds on their way… and on their way they went with an impressive A lot of players will be somewhat naturally cautious about zip! Moving the selector to fire BBs in both three round burst the AEG being subjected to undue stress, or equally, worried and full auto I was instantly struck by the difference in rate about voiding their warranty by fitting upgraded parts but of fire the new motor and the 11.1v battery fitted to the worry no longer; all of this is neatly sorted. upgraded model gave, compared to In addition to upgrading the internals the “out the box” EVO. The upgrades of your Scorpion, the EvoTek package in the EvoTek package allow you to also comes with its own 6 or 12 month run an 11.1v LiPo in a lightning fast warranty and in the case of newly bought gun without risking an implosion of AEGs given the upgrade before any gear and piston teeth. In short, the “standard use”, this warranty period is bursts were coming out at a blistering added to the original 12 month warranty. rate that was truly impressive to Even more, if you’ve still got your proof behold. of purchase they will add the warranty It’s quite hard to explain in print to your AEG even if it was bought from exactly how much of a difference the someone else – something that should put EvoTek upgrade made to the AEG, even the faintest heart at ease. so to that end we’ve uploaded an In short I thought I’d bagged the instalment of Airsoft Action TV on to ultimate SMG when I bought my Scorpion the internet to show you the two AEG EVO but now I’m left wondering if it’s not firing against each other. Viewers lucky time to join the evolution and upgrade enough to have the internet (I think it with EvoTek? is safe to say that’s most of you) can watch this video and many more on For more information about EvoTek at JD Airsoft, our Airsoft Action TV YouTube channel head over to Unit 5, Virage Park, Green Lane, Wallsall and see for yourself what a beast Road, Cannock, Staffs., WS11 0N, or call them on the scorpion becomes with the full A happy customer with a selection of ASG 0845 600 5144 upgrade package installed. upgrades www.airsoft-action.online

55

Gear HEAD PROTECTION

EVER THOUGHT THAT YOU SHOULD PROTECT YOUR BEAUTIFUL FEATURES FROM POSSIBLE INJURY? VETERAN PLAYER TOM HIBBERD DIVES INTO THE POTTED HISTORY OF AIRSOFT BRAIN BUCKETS AND GIVES US SOME RECOMMENDATIONS.

HELMETS 101 I’VE GOT TO ADMIT THAT I don’t really get on with helmets!

Ever since I started playing I’ve generally relied on my trusty Boonie Hat rather than putting on a “bone dome”. There’s a few reasons for this, I tend to find them hot and uncomfortable to wear and also find that my hearing isn’t as good (more on that later). I’ve got quite a big head so suffer from “looking like a mushroom” when wearing one. So with that being said why will you usually find me with a helmet on at game days now?

Before we answer that question lets have a look at what’s available.

STEEL POTS

The German Stahlhelm was based on Medieval Sallets

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June 2018

Since the time when humans first decided that trying to kill other humans was a good idea, head protection has been the first bit of armour that people have put on. And as armour goes, nothing has been more ubiquitous than the steel helmet.

These days you’ll find these most commonly worn by players taking part in events such as the Cold War series, or by individuals recreating a particular historical loadout. The design of helmets hasn’t especially changed since the medieval times, for instance the British Mk1 owes much to the ancient “Kettle Hat”, whilst the German Stahlhelm resembles the “Sallet”. The suspension systems of these WW1 helmets weren’t far removed from their medieval equivalents either.

Steel helmets continued to be used through the 20th century by the major world powers and are still in service in conflict areas the world over. They are primarily designed to stop fragmentation but will not stop rifle, or even powerful pistol rounds at close ranges. For airsoft use they tend to be too heavy for extended use and are not comfortable to wear. We wouldn’t recommend that you choose a steel helmet unless you are portraying a specific unit. They do make a lovely “bong” sound when shot by a BB, as my team mate Alexander knows well…

The East German M56 was probably the ultimate steel helmet

Gear HEAD PROTECTION

KEVLAR, THE WONDER POLYMER

Steel was the predominate form of armour in the years following World War 2, however, in the 60s new materials began to be developed and the most famous of these is “Kevlar”. This was incorporated into the famous PAGST Helmet (Personal Armour System for Ground Troops) in the mid 1970s and adopted by the US in the early 1980s. Most of NATO quickly followed suit, by either creating their own version or by simply adopting the US design. The new helmet featured better ballistic protection than the old steel M1 and had a more modern suspension system. Following a couple of decades of service, further developments at the end of the 1990s led to the adoption of the MICH (Modular Integrated Communications Helmet). This version was higher cut, better armoured and allowed users to wear radio headsets and night vision devices more easily.

For airsoft use there are light weight plastic versions available that will save your neck muscles and, once a helmet cover is fitted, it’s virtually impossible to tell them apart from any distance.

They offer a great deal of protection from BB impacts and will probably help if you bang your head off a door frame as well. They are bulky, however, and you may find your hearing and vision impeded to some extent. Although the suspension systems are improved from their medieval cousins, they are still somewhat rudimentary compared to their more modern offspring and, in addition, depending on the model it can be difficult to fit communications equipment under the helmet.

Kevlar helmets were widely adopted throughout NATO

We would recommend a good quality plastic replica as the weight of a full Kevlar helmet is generally too much for a days skirmishing.

BUMP HATS

Pictures of tier 1 Operators wearing polymer lightweight skate and surf helmets emerged in the 90s and after the release of the film Black Hawk Down it quickly became fashionable for players to wear these on the airsoft field to emulate the Delta Force soldiers. The operators wearing these helmets were using them to attach strobes and night vision devices and were less concerned about ballistic protection. Indeed, at the short engagement ranges in Somalia a Kevlar helmet wouldn’t have stopped a rifle bullet anyway. More important to them was moving fast and not being encumbered by a heavy bone dome. The high cut and lack of ear protection allowed for better vision and hearing

Delta Operators wore Protec Helmets in the 90s

“PICTURES OF TIER 1 OPERATORS WEARING POLYMER LIGHTWEIGHT SKATE AND SURF HELMETS EMERGED IN THE 90s AND AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE FILM BLACK HAWK DOWN IT QUICKLY BECAME FASHIONABLE FOR PLAYERS TO WEAR THESE ON THE AIRSOFT FIELD TO EMULATE THE DELTA FORCE SOLDIERS.”

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57

TACTICAL

get the tactical advantage FLEECE HOODIE n 250 gms polyester fleece n 1 x Front pocket n Drawstring hood Colours: V-Cam, Titanium, Coyote, Black, Green Sizes: S-XXXL

SPECIAL OPS FLEECE JACKET

SRP

n 250 gms polyester fleece n 2 x Zipped sleeve pocket with Velcro panel n 1 x Zipped chest pocket n 2 x Zipped lower front pockets n Elasticated waist draw string n Elasticated cuffs Colours: V-Cam, Titanium, Coyote, Black, Green Sizes: S-XXXL

£23.95

SRP

£29.95

THUMB HOLE

RUBBER ICON PATCH VELCRO PATCH

UPDATES / STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE

www.vipertactical.co.uk

Gear HEAD PROTECTION

I use an FMA FAST Helmet shell with aftermarket suspension and padding. I found that the stock padding and dial system gave me headaches after wearing the helmet for a couple of hours so I replaced them with pads and straps from a Crye Airframe Helmet. My mesh face mask is attached to goggle swivels so it can be quickly removed and reattached allowing me to take a drink or eat mid-game. I also use a red “dead light” which is useful for showing I’m dead in dark areas and when I’m photographing for the magazine it also alerts players that I’m not in game. I have a bungee system that not only looks “operator” but is handy for stowing cables and attaching foliage.

The cut doesn’t interfere with my vision or hearing and I can attach an active hearing protection radio headset if wanted as well. I’ve had a couple of BFGs and thunderflashes sail down stairs and hit me since I’ve started wearing it and cracked my head getting into and out of tight areas so I’m glad I got it.

EVERYONE LIKES A SHINY HELMET

FAST Helmets allow the wearer to carry equipment in one convenient package

So, like most things in life, what helmet to use is largely down to context. Are you trying to create a specific loadout? If that’s historical then most likely you’ll end up wearing a steel pot.

If you just want a helmet for general playing then one of the many FAST helmet replicas is probably your best bet. For other eras there are plastic versions of the various Kevlar helmets available.

Bear in mind that the replicas are often only good for stopping BB hits and may not be impact rated. If that’s really important to you then a skate or surf helmet may be your best bet, just like the Delta Opearators back in the 90s!

which was a priority in CQB situations.

Spurred on by this, manufacturers created military-specific versions. The most prevalent of these is the Ops-Core FAST Helmet used by operators from many countries.

These are available in both ballistic and bump Tom’s mask can be versions and so can be tailored to the mission. easily removed and reattached to his Typically, they are much more comfortable to helmet wear and are better ventilated than full size ballistic helmets. Part of this is the modern strapping systems that secure the helmet to the wearers head and many have dials that allow the user to tailor the fit exactly on any given day.

These helmets generally feature side rails and night vision mounts attached directly to the shell. This allows for communication equipment, lights, strobes and goggles to be carried in one convenient package but, much like rails on guns, it can mean that way too much gear is used.

There are many airsoft replicas available from different companies and the suspensions systems vary in quality and adjustability as well, so we recommend trying them on before you buy. Something else to bear in mind is that shell sizes differ between manufacturers, so it can be problematic finding a camouflage cover that fits properly. Most of the helmets are not sold as offering any impact protection so if that’s what you are after it may be worth looking at one that does; that may mean buying a real one, however!

TOM’S SETUP

As I mentioned above, I never used to wear helmets. This was partly due to the lack of a decent lightweight lid when I started playing 15-odd years ago and also down to the fact that I mainly used to play in woodland. Now, however, I spend most of my time in urban and CQB fields and I wanted something to help if I cracked my head off door frames or barricades.

Another factor was face protection, in that I had started using a wire mesh mask but didn’t like the straps that it came with.

www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury VALKEN M4

VALKEN ALLOY MKIII “VALKEN” IS PROBABLY NOT THE NAME THAT FIRST COMES TO MIND WHEN THINKING OF FULL METAL M4 RIFLES, SO WE ASKED SCOTT ALLAN TO CHECK OUT THEIR LATEST RELEASE. WHEN VALKEN ANNOUNCED THEY were releasing a second range of AEGs, a full-metal rifle based on an AR15/M4 platform, I raised an eyebrow. The polymer series was a nicely styled entry level AEG and what I was concerned about was whether it was just going to be a metal body slapped onto the same rifles? Should Valken stick to paintball or have they got their foot in the Airsoft door with the Alloy MK III (I really hope it’s better than the name)…

I wasn’t surprised that it was an AR15/M4 platform, what did surprise me is how nice the Mk III seems.

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WHO ARE VALKEN?

Valken are massive in the paintball industry (insert joke about paintball here). Based in the USA, they’ve cast an eye over the Airsoft market and have made inroads to carve their own share of the very crowded market. With a variety of well-known faces, such as ex-RedWolf USA Robert “Kaiju” Manore, they have a great staff and their own take on products. Having met them more than a few times at IWA and Shot Show it’ll be very interesting to see how they develop the brand for Airsoft over the next few years. They are a “one-stop shop” brand, from BBs to AEGs they do it all, as well as a few funky vests and rigs.

It was no shock to me that the first full metal rifle was announced from Valken was an M4. Almost any airsofter could now predict these types of releases, so why bother? The reason, players still favour the M4 over every other platform. Valken only had to do one thing with this rifle – to do a good job!

I’ll not lie, the polymer range was mildly surprising to me on the quality and design side. There were a few really

armoury VALKEN M4

“BEING SLIGHTLY LONGER THAN SOME RIFLES BUT BY NO MEANS A MEGA M16, IT’S GOING TO BE WELL-SUITED INDOORS AND OUTDOORS BUT IT’S NO SPEEDSOFT CQB MACHINE. FOR ME PERSONALLY, IT’S ACTUALLY THE PERFECT SIZE AS IT’S VERY LIGHT TO FLICK AROUND WHILST NOT TOO LONG AS TO GET IN THE WAY IN TIGHTER CORNERS.”

nice touches and this has been carried over to the Alloy series but that isn’t always enough. I need to see what makes it really tick inside to see if it’s worth the price tag over the many, many other brands.

THE REAL M4

The M4 platform is an unsurpassed legendary weapon, dozens of companies manufacture the platform and even more countries purchase them for use. As a 5.56mm rifle it uses the standard NATO ammunition in a gas operated, magazine fed, selective fire weapon. Few weapons have ever been so adaptable with as many replacement stocks, barrels, grips and aiming devices. This versatility is undoubtedly the key to the success of the platform and why that more and more airsoft versions appear every year. More recently Magpul released their MLOK series front rails, this is an open source system that is a competitor or alternative for RIS and Keymod. At the moment there seems to be slightly more Keymod systems still but I expect to see this change over the next few years in favour of MLOK.

THE AIRSOFT VERSION

I was quite intrigued when I lifted the Mk III, it is far nicer than I ever expected it to be and with an excellent finish and feel straight out of the box. The MLOK rail is really nice, lightweight and a good size for gripping without any rough or awkward parts to deal with. I took a number of items from PTS and a real steel Magpul grip to try and the Mk III took all

attachments and held them perfectly as you would hope. The crane stock is a little cheaper looking but works well enough overall. Personally I would swap it out either for a Magpul MOE or a PTS EPS-C. The flash hider is odd and I’m not a fan of it but it works with the look, for me it would definitely be getting swapped out as I don’t think it suits my personal tastes.

Sporting a set of 1 o’clock sights that do look cool but aren’t really useful for airsoft – actually 11 o’clock sights would be more suitable for right-handed players. If you mount a red dot or scope the sights really set the look off brilliantly.

At 340fps/1.07J with a RZR 0.20g BB the power is in a nice sweet spot although maybe a little warm for some indoor sites. www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury VALKEN M4

“I TOOK A NUMBER OF ITEMS FROM PTS AND A REAL STEEL MAGPUL GRIP TO TRY AND THE MK III TOOK ALL ATTACHMENTS AND HELD THEM PERFECTLY AS YOU WOULD HOPE.” For the most part it should be suitable for all over the rest of the UK. Once we got into the guts of the Version 2 gearbox we found a number of nice touches that let the quality shine through. The piston has a full rack of metal teeth, polymer vented piston head, vented cylinder, sector delay clip and an 8mm gearbox case, all pointing toward a solid and reliable system that will give you long and reliable service. The gearbox also has a quick change spring guide to make it just that little bit more user-friendly for players.

The trigger system is the same type as the Ares microswitch trigger, they are good but it does mean you cannot use a drop-in trigger units such as ASCU or Titan. The hop up unit is a bog-standard M4 classic type which is fine and the inner barrel is a steel tightbore with a black coating (needed a bit of a clean mind you).

While it may have seemed like I have been a little harsh on the Mk III earlier in the review it has surprised me on many levels. There is nothing truly Earth-shattering about it but what it does really well is all the basic stuff and it does all of that for a very reasonable price too. So it’s not an all-singing, all-dancing electronic marvel but then it costs you less than half of some of the big name brands. Really this rifle is a bit of a steal overall.

Everything about this rifle ticks the boxes… the look, the feel, the weight, the performance and the price are all nice.

With a tightbore barrel your groupings are going to be good and with the microswitch trigger the response will be fairly sharp, everything a player needs.

Being slightly longer than some rifles but by no means a mega M16, it’s going to be well-suited indoors and outdoors but it’s no speedsoft CQB machine. For me personally, it’s actually the perfect size as it’s very light to flick around whilst not too long as to get in the way in tighter corners.

CONCLUSION

For the price tag the Valken is a sure-fire winner for players old and new; great out of the box performance at an extremely wallet-friendly price. I think we’re going to see some really nice things from Valken over the next year or so and I can’t wait to see what’s just around the corner.

The Mk III, despite having a “vanilla” name, is a greatlooking rifle and Valken have really got themselves off to a great start.

features EXTERNAL FEATURES: Aluminum Alloy upper and lower receiver set

INTERNAL SPECIFICATIONS: One piece hop up

Metal 15” Free floating Keymod rail

Micro switch trigger

HDP* 6-position crane stock

SHS 18:1 ratio gears

HDP* dual profile flip-up front and rear sights

All steel piston teeth, 2nd tooth removed

14” metal outer barrel 14mm CCW “left hand” thread

Steel 6.03mm inner barrel

Metal Mil-Spec buffer tube

8mm v2 gearbox

Metal ambidextrous rear sling mount plate

Quick change spring

Heatsink vented motor plate

RRP £230

Low resistance wiring

11.1v LiPo ready 340fps/1.07J with a RZR 0.20g BB *HDP – High Density Polymer (Nylon Fiber)

www.airsoft-action.online

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Image: Scott Allen

feature SHOTGUNS IN AIRSOFT

HAVING A BLAST: SHOTGUNS IN AIRSOFT WITHOUT A DOUBT SHOTGUNS ARE AN ACQUIRED TASTE. WHILE THEY ARE THE STUFF OF LEGENDS IN MOVIES AND GAMES, FOR A LONG TIME AIRSOFT SHOTGUNS COULD ALMOST BE SEEN AS A SORT OF “SELF-IMPOSED HANDICAP” IF YOU WERE RUNNING ONE AT AN OPEN DAY BUT, AS GADGE FINDS OUT… THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING. LET’S LOOK AT SHOTGUNS objectively for a minute. In essence, at a basic and most simple level, it’s really a “springer air soft rifle”. The cheapest shotguns you can get fire one BB from a single “pump” or cocking action and differ little in the mechanics of a cheap springer pistol, it’s just a lot more unwieldy and heavier. But, at the other end of the scale, you have things like Marui’s SGR12 and you’re looking at (essentially) a triple-barrelled airsoft AEG (with independent hop ups!) so it’s not quite so simple.

In between the £20 market springer shotty and the £500 Japanese, top of the range auto shotgun are a host of weapons of a bewildering variety and with an equally variable price range. It still has to be said though, unless you do invest in the “quasi aeg” and go down the auto shotgun route, running a “shotty” is really a labour of love. You’re often outgunned by an AEG as even with a three shot “burst” to a shotgun, it’s often hard to win the firefight against a highcapacity, magazine-fed budget AEG. So why are shotguns so popular?

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I think primarily it is about the cultural legacy in films and games we’ve touched upon earlier. Shotguns are baddass and all the best heroes and villains have em, from Mad Max’s sawn off side by side, to Ash’s “boomstick” in the Evil Dead films on the “basic level”, to the mercenary wielding an AA12 in “Predators”. They just look really cool, do loads of damage in films (and also seem to be the ultimate short range weapon in any first person shooter game), make a lot of noise and are often distinctive and stylish. You can see the appeal in a game like airsoft where “style over substance” is often the driving force for a lot of players… and let’s face it, we all like looking awesome on the site and while a great game is amazing, a great game that looks good is unforgettable! Sure a lot of the movie tropes don’t really equate to airsoft (you can’t blow locks off doors, they don’t make much noise and a pistol is just as good in close quarters) but damn, they are stylish!

Perhaps the other appeal though is price. As I’ve already mentioned you can get a “serviceable” shotgun for much less than an AEG and so it’s often many player’s second gun

Feature SHOTGUNS IN AIRSOFT

Airsoft Action’s Tom Hibberd recalls his shotgun days…

“Some of my favourite airsoft memories are shotgun-related. Many moons ago when I was a marshal at First & Only’s original site in Matlock we used to run player vs staff games at the end of the day.

Off we went with our trusty Marui Mk 23s and shotguns. My personal blaster of choice was a pump action fixed hopped springer with no stock.

The satisfaction of getting a hit on a regular with that was immense as was their reaction. It had a range of about 30 metres at best so you had to use your knowledge of the game area and field craft to close the distance. I don’t know what happened to that shotgun but I’m going to have a look in the attic and see if I can find it...”

who know that the satisfaction of getting a great player elimination from a shotgun is so satisfying its worth having to work that little bit harder to win the gunfight. Knowing that you can’t rely on full auto to put their heads down and that your magazine capacity is only marginally higher than some pistols means that you’ve really got to play to your best if you’re going to win. Of course with really high end auto shotguns it’s a different kettle of fish. AEGs like the AA12 and SGR12 are a little more like playing with a triple shot assault rifle and so perhaps not quite the challenge that more traditional pump action and semi auto shotgun wielders experience.

Without a doubt, however, from the cheapest springer to a beautiful shell-ejecting gas gun, playing with a shotgun is a real experience that all airsofters should try at some point. So why not have a look around and see if you can pick yourself up a shotty and give this dynamic style of playing a shot.

Trust us…it’s a blast! www.airsoft-action.online

Image courtesy of Wyvern Photos @wyvern.airsoft (Instagram)

when collecting their armoury. It’s the polar opposite of the AEG but cheaper than going down the “sniper” route and I can’t think of many of my airsofting chums that didn’t buy a cheap shotgun at some point in their early airsofting days.

Of course, you get what you pay for and I soon found my cheap shotgun off the internet was “cheap” for a reason and is now in several pieces in the spare parts box. A decent mid to high end shotgun should last you forever though, as there is frankly a lot less to go wrong than there is with more “mechanical” airsoft guns.

For many players wielding a shotgun at an event is about style. I don’t just mean “visual style”, as we’ve established that they look great but in a “this is my playstyle” sense.

While a lot of sites run separate “pistol and shotgun only” games (or even entire events), rocking a shotgun in an open day is very much a personal challenge akin to playing a FPS shooter on “ultra-hard” mode. In much the same way that some players love gas blow back RIFs, or the thrill of the “stalk” as a sniper, there are also some crazy players

If playin g like som with a shotgun ething y in airso ft o in luck.

We’re g u’d like to try th seems iving aw from NU ay a Fab en you’re PROL in arm th have to do is tu is month’s issu shotgun ne in to e! All yo YouTube Airs u , li of the F sten to Tom an oft Action TV o abarm a d Gadge n nd let u ’s this mo review s know nth’s pri th ze comp e answe etition! r to

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Competition WIN A FABARM STF/12

A Fabarm STF/12 Shottie!

So you’ve read Jerry Noone’s review of the Fabarm STF/12 and are sitting there thinking: “That actually sounds pretty cool!” but you’re still not sure whether to invest your heard-earned dosh in something you may only play with a few times (even though the retail price is likely to be less than £100!). Alternatively, you really, really want one but have to pay the bills first.

THE ANSWER IS:

Well stop worrying, enter this month’s awesome competition and you may end up winning one for the price of a postage stamp - or less!

As Jerry said: “If you’ve put off buying a shotgun due to them all looking a bit “dated” then the STF/12 could be just the thing you’ve been waiting for. Unlike the gas version it’s not going to empty your wallet and will perform time and again with little to no maintenance.

The FABARM STF/12 is solid, shoots straight, and packs the punch of three BBs at a time…

Name:.................................................................................................

Why are you still reading this? Go and buy one and find out for yourself!”

Telephone:..........................................................................................

If you’ve ever entered an Airsoft Action competition before, you’ll know how simple we like to make them and this one is no exception – because all you have to do is answer the one, very simple question below and, best of all, we’ll even TELL you the answer!

All you have to do is watch Gadge and Tom’s video about the Fabarm STF/12 on Airsoft Action TV (search for it on YouTube) and listen out for them telling you the answer. All you then have to do is send the answer to us using the form below, or by email, or via the Airsoft Action website. It could not be easier!

If yours is the first correct answer drawn out of the Ed’s hat, you’ll win a Fabarm STF/12, courtesy of NUPROL. This is the question: How accurate is the STF/12?

What are you waiting for… head over to YouTube, watch the video and get your answer in!

Email:.................................................................................................

I am 18 years old or over [tick box]:  Calibre Publishing would like to keep you informed of other offers and publications.  Please tick here if you would NOT like to be contacted by post or email.

Post your entries to: Airsoft Action FABARM Competition, Airsoft Action, Calibre Publishing, Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Malvern, Worcs, WR13 6PL, or email to: competition@airsoft-action.co.uk with “Airsoft Action FABARM Competition” in the subject line. You can also enter online, via the Airsoft Action website (www.airsoft-action.online).

Entries received after midnight on 30th May 2018 will not be valid. One entry per person. The winner will be the first randomly drawn from all the correct entries.

www.airsoft-action.online

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feature SV98 BUILD

WHEN IAN “TAZ” STOKES DECIDED HE WANTED AN SV-98 AND COULDN’T FIND WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR, THERE WAS ONLY ONE THING HE COULD DO… BUILD HIS OWN!

PROJECT SV-98 A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

THE SV-98 IS A RUSSIAN bolt-action sniper rifle designed by Vladimir Stronskiy. (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Model 1998) using the Record 300 m full bore sport shooting rifle series as its basis and made by Izhmash, who produce Record target rifles chambering both the .308 Winchester, 7.62×54mm and .338 Lapua Magnum.

The SV-98 sniper rifle is manufactured with a view to hitting targets at a range up to 1,000 m (according to the manual) and is designed to have bipods at front and underside of the weapon.

The SV-98 is the sniper rifle preferred by the Russian VDV and is also seen with Russian law enforcement units and counter terrorists forces like the FSB, MVD and FSO. It is also very popular with sniper units throughout the Russian armed forces.

THE PROJECT

Back in 2016 I was interested in getting an SV98 for airsoft and looked around heavily at what was already available. “AntiSniper”, based in Moscow, manufactured a version which is both expensive and made of polymer and also, at the time, “Taring Carving” were making hand-crafted, solid wood stocks for the SV98. Unfortunately, these were not true to correct dimensions and involved fitting the donor weapon yourself, plus “tweaking” the stock to fit. The original SV-98 was made from a laminated plywood stock, with an adjustable butt plate and cheek plate.

At the time I was heavily involved with “Northern Pact” community page and my personal blog, which is predominately dedicated to Russian Forces equipment past and present. I made extensive investigations into getting schematics and furniture for the SV98 and stumbled across some of the work carried out by Mick Holden, a gentleman based in Eire making bespoke stocks and decided to investigate.

THE BEGINNING OF THE SAGA

13/02/2016: Message to Mick – “I have a challenge for you…”

Initially we had to decide which weapon would be best as a donor weapon to make things as simple as possible and, as Mick said at the time: “The L96 bolt is more like the SV98 and the L96 also has the rubber butt stock that can be used, plus the bipod mount. I’d be leaning towards the L96.”

So this is what we did.

The options or variables were a Maruzen L96, Well L96 and the TM L96 and we decided a brand new rifle would be the safest bet.

Having never worked on a TM we did not know the layout for sure but obviously the magazine and the mechanism of getting the BBs from the mag forward and into the hop up differed from both the Maruzen and Well. Of course it can 68

June 2018

Feature SV98 BUILD

be done for a TM but we did not have one to build around at the time, although Mick did have a Maruzen and the Well is a clone of that.

On both the Maruzen and Well the magazine fits in further forward than on real weapon, whereas the TM is in the right place but the wrong shape for an SV98.

The most glaring issue using the TM was the size of the mag. On the SV98 Maruzen/Well variant the mag would be a dummy not even needing to be removable, whereas the TM would have to be removable and using the TM mag would make it longer and the wrong shape.

Don’t get me wrong, Maruzen is as good as they get but the Well, as a shooter out of the box, is rubbish and the TM would, of course, be better. I would never advocate to anyone to buy one if skirmishing was the end use. As a wall hanger yes, shooter no. You could leave the mag out for pics or even make a dummy non-functioning one to pop in for pics or when on display but if you want it to shoot as well as it looks then there is only one choice.

THE FIRST BUILD

We discussed how much it would cost to make the SV-98 stock and Mick in his usual fashion said…

“Have no idea! Both versions I will have to make dummy mag for and I don’t know how I’m going to do that yet. Going to be a lot of man-hours in it to start. Material will be cheap, it’s the time fitting and working out how it’ll all go together.

“COMING BACK FROM A WEEKEND AWAY THE WORKSHOP HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO AND TOOLS, GUNS AND PAINTS WERE STOLEN. LUCKILY MY SV-98 WAS NOT THERE BUT SO MUCH WAS LOST, INCLUDING DYES AND STAINS FOR THE WOOD AND WORK PROGRESSED A LOT SLOWER AS WE HAD NO POWER TOOLS FOR A SHORT WHILE.“ I’ll just have to build one and see. I only do this with airsoft as a hobby I don’t make a lot of money out of it. Don’t invest in anything yet let me give it a try and see how feasible it is. There must be a reason those guys built one and never made more to sell!””

And did we not find out the truth of this? So what next?

So the wood was glued. Internal spaces were cut from the middle sheet. Templates were made and we will be able to transfer the shape of the SV98 into the wood. Cut the general shape out, then the hard part – shaping the wood into the rifle stock. Fitting the donor working parts, figuring out the mag and trying to match the paint.

In May 2015, ten stocks were made for sale and to learn the foibles of making the SV98 stock and adapting it to the donor rifles. These were designed for the Well L96 and Maruzen but the other biggest issue was the colour – and l am talking about 40 shades of green. Trying to match and make the correct shade of Green for the SV-98 was a nightmare!

I came across an article discussing wood colouration and

www.airsoft-action.online

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tactical

CROPS Tactical specialises in ‘Small Team Tactics’ for operations within high risk environments.

Delivering our enhanced training packages to Military, Law Enforcement, Government agencies and civilians within credible security positions, from both foreign and domestic communities.

Our training facility is based in the United Kingdom, close to the midlands and within 350 acres of private countryside. It’s at this location we conduct our ‘craft’ away from the general public. We fully understand the discreet nature of work our candidate’s undertake in their daily operational roles.

We ‘the instructors’ come with decades of operational experience within high stress theatres, working as small teams and individuals. We are current, and still, very much an operational organisation. Over the past twenty years, we have operated in 42 countries.

For more information please contact us at: info@crops.uk.com

www.crops.uk.com

Feature SV98 BUILD

chance it’s the only TM SV-98 in the world! A rare item indeed!

Coming back from a weekend away the workshop had been broken into and tools, guns and paints were stolen.

Luckily my SV-98 was not there but so much was lost, including dyes and stains for the wood and work progressed a lot slower as we had no power tools for a short while.

Then things started to speed up and as I was promoting the work through Northern Pact page enquiries for the SV-98 started to come in. The net result being that Mick has enough work now to last into 2019.

Finally the weapon was completed but then we had the saga of the postage - trust me, this was so bad we both could have committed murder. I will not elaborate here but will say that Parcel Force in the UK were spot on - so all’s well that ends well.

THE RESULTS

emerald green seems to be the colours used by the border guards for their AK furniture and looking at every picture for the SV-98 I would say it was pretty close.

MY PROJECT WEAPON

My project got shelved as the sight in my right eye was failing fast, so I worked with Mick to get the SV98s as good as we could.

Jump forward in time to 28/05/2017 …I could see again and so decided to take the plunge and get an SV-98 made for myself using a TM L96.

Once again and in typical Mick fashion…

“I’m sure I could make a TM work. Never had one but I’ve looked up the internal layout. You’ll have to send me the rifle and I will build the stock for it. Depending on the layout or donor parts needed once it’s built you probably won’t be able to convert it back into the L96 stock.”

I asked Mick to put it through its paces before despatch and he took it out on the range the Saturday before dispatch and this is his feedback, which is not bad considering such a low fps…

20 head shots out of 20 at 28m.

290fps with hop off.

3 clockwise clicks for flat trajectory with 0.2g BBs. 5 clockwise clicks for 0.25.

Not enough power for 0.3 or 0.4g BBs Range and accuracy are 100% head size (4inch) at 28M. Body hits are achievable at 40m at about 75% but the BB doesn’t have much power at that range and is very susceptible to the wind, plus no hitting power (kinetic energy) at that range.

THE FUTURE

So the next step maybe to up the power; not to the extent it compromises reliability but that is definitely the next step.

I will close with a great vote of thanks, patience and tenacity to Mick Holden. He is making more and can be contacted through Facebook, although the cost depends on the donor weapon and his timescale is “not for a while”. With pictures and reviews in Northern Pact added to other work commitments means he is very busy …but you can always ask.

“THE ONLY DRAWBACK OF A TM L96 IS WHILE IT WILL HAVE GOOD RANGE AND ACCURACY IT DOESN’T HAVE THE SAME “HITTING POWER” KINETIC ENERGY AS A 500FPS RIFLE USING 0.43G BBS. THEY’LL BOTH HIT THE TARGET BUT ONE “HITS” THE OTHER “HITS!”.”

The only drawback of a TM L96 is while it will have good range and accuracy it doesn’t have the same “hitting Power” kinetic energy as a 500fps rifle using 0.43g BBs. They’ll both hit the target but one “hits” the other “HITS!”.

The TM L96 was ordered and sent to Mick, now the TM L96 is in pieces and the stock is being built. The advantage of using the TM is also the two points for bipods among the other transferable parts.

Trying to get a flash hider and foresight out of Russia is proving difficult to finish off the project. Talking to Vitaly at Anti Sniper, they use 3D printed versions to get around the firearms laws and I am still hoping he will manufacture a set for me.

Fast forward to 31/10/2017…

Mick had a guy in the workshop looking at the SV-98 stocks and he offered 1,000 euro for my TM SV-98. There is a good

www.airsoft-action.online

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gitag FIELD RATIONS

THERE IS A FAMOUS SAYING, REGARDING THE BASICS OF PREPARATION FOR ANY MILITARY OPERATION, THAT YOU MUST FACTOR IN “BULLETS, BEANS AND BANDAGES”. IT STANDS FOR THE PROPOSITION THAT YOUR INITIAL STEPS IN PREPARATION MUST INCLUDE FOOD/WATER, FIREARMS/ TRAINING AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES/FIRST AID KNOW-HOW. BUT DOES THIS APPLY TO AIRSOFT AND, IF SO, HOW? BILL THOMAS INVESTIGATES FURTHER…

FEEDING THE BEAST

IN MY FORMER PROFESSIONAL LIFE as an outdoor instructor and practitioner, one of the major considerations I had to take into account for any group I took into remote areas was that of what they ate and drank. Any of you that know me personally will also know that whilst I’m not a heavy chap, I am quite a big one, so food and drink rank pretty high on my list before I undertake any outdoor expedition; I don’t like being hungry!

In terms of “Bullets, Beans and Bandages” I hope that we all remember to pack sufficient BBs, batteries and gas before we head off to play and I also hope that many of you will have taken time to brush up on your first aid skills and carry at least a rudimentary kit amongst your gear. When it comes to those all-important “Beans” though, it’s an area that I believe we all neglect to some degree and a recent comment that came up online REALLY got me thinking.

I’ve been looking into what type of food to take with me to Crete next month for a three day MilSim, and initially I was going to include this within the “Project Crete” series of articles but when I discussed this at some length with Nige, it struck me that this was probably a topic that needed addressing on its own. This thought was further reinforced when I saw a post from the guys at Pine Tree MRE (ptmre.com) in relation to their new pre-packed ration packs, when one of the replies stated “10 quid for rations, that’s a rip-off!”

But is it?

KNOW YOUR NEEDS!

When you’re at a day skirmish everything is pretty simple. You stop at “Mickey D’s” on the way in for some breakfast, or you snarf a bacon buttie as soon as you arrive on site. You might actually drink some water but more likely than not it’s a coke

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gitag FIELD RATIONS

or a Red Bull. Most sites these days provide a decent lunch and you’ll no doubt supplement this with a few choice snacks and some choccy bars. At the end of a fine day shooting your mates you can head home to a solid meal. Sound familiar so far?

Although personally the “meal plan” outlined above would not be what I would eat, or indeed drink (although I like a “Big Breakfast” as much as anyone!), it’s a mix that you can easily get away with for a day’s play. Even a weekender won’t tax you too much as usually you can access all the goodies in your car and the likelihood is that someone will crack up the BBQ after play has ceased.

But what happens when the period of the game goes beyond 24/36/48 hours and what happens when you need to actually carry in all your nutritional requirements as part of your kit? Then you are into a totally different game that takes some basic knowledge and a good bit of pre-planning to pull off well!

When you’re out in the sticks on a multi-day MilSim, with no breaks, putting in full day of activity, you want food that will nourish you, strengthen you, revitalise you and possibly even taste really good. When pondering how much or little to carry, err on the side of taking a little more than you think you need.

A reasonable goal is 2,500 to 4,500 calories per person, per day, depending on your size, weight and exertion level. On the other hand, you need to not overdo it and a common blunder is to pack too much food, forcing you to lug unwanted bulk and weight. Experience will teach you what amount of food works for you, but there are easily-found guidelines.

Estimates range from 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day for adult women and 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day for adult men, with these heading upward when you factor in extreme levels of activity. Within each age and sex category, the low end of the range is for sedentary individuals, and the high end of the range is for active (read here “going about your daily business”, NOT playing airsoft!) individuals. They say that due to reductions in basal metabolic rate that occur with aging, calorie needs generally decrease for adults as they age; “generally” is the key word here as believe me, if I’m without food at the end of a long day I’ll probably eat your bloody arm off!

Other considerations to take into account when planning are: • Taste: Eat what you like. Don’t try to convert your taste buds to new types of food during an Op! • Calories: Don’t inaugurate a diet program during a multiday Op! You’ll need ample calories (and water) to fight off fatigue and headaches.

• Nutrition: It’s fine to tear into a choccy bar during a game, but for the long haul you want to rely on complex carbohydrates and proteins. Intelligent quick snacks such as nuts and dried fruits provide more stable energy for your muscles than that choccy treat.

• Weight and bulk: Stick to lightweight and low-bulk food as much as possible, especially if you’re going to cover some

ground. Consider repackaging foods into re-sealable plastic bags to minimise bulk and garbage. Be sure to clearly label the bags and include cooking instructions.

• Ease of preparation: Unless you are an experienced outdoor chef, keep things simple and choose easy. Always include no-cook food items in case your stove malfunctions.

• Availability of water: This can vary greatly depending on where you’re going and can influence what pre-packed food you choose to bring.

• Fuel: Check the cook time for foods such as pasta, potatoes, rice, quinoa and the like and either make sure to plan for enough fuel and water (some of these dishes take a deceptively long time to cook) or choose foods with fast cook times.

• Cost: I’m back to my “10 quid” here, as convenience has its price! Freeze-dried meals and energy foods can be expensive, but at the end of a long day when your weary body only has enough energy to boil water, such luxuries are justifiable.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

When it comes to preparing for an immersive, longer-duration airsoft Op there are always regular things that I carry. First is my “Brew Kit” which is a simple Ziploc bag containing (of course) tea and coffee, salt, pepper and sugar, some waterproof matches, plus more often than not a couple of stock cubes for hot drinks. All of these items are easily available and individually packed in their own little “baggies” for ease. Around my kit I’ll also carry some museli bars for a quick snack on the go, and most importantly in one of my thigh cargo pockets will be my “Nosebag”. This little Ziploc bag of goodness is made

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After years of operating in hostile territories, including the deserts of Iraq and mountains of Afghanistan, we know how it feels to be desperate for a great cup of coffee. Travelling over 40 miles through southern Afghanistan just to drink a good coffee at Kandahar Airfield is one of the many experiences that enabled us to develop such appreciation and passion for the black stuff.

The ideas and concepts born in these terrains are what led us to establish the Lincolnshire-based Bolt Action Coffee Co, so we won’t apologise for our roots. We’re proud of our ethos and background and we enjoy loud music, tattoos and guns, but our biggest passion is coffee and making it available to those keeping the UK and her interests safe and secure. That said, we do recognise that the UK has many warriors and not all wear a uniform.

In keeping with our background, every sip will support the brave. We work with organisations, charities and people of the same mind-set and are closely aligned with the Pilgrim Bandits, a charity which counts our founder among one of its trustees.

Bolt Action is run by the long-suffering wife of the Founder whose ears have been filled with endless poor coffee tales from overseas and whose kitchen holds evidence of the Founder’s unwavering coffee quest, in the form of remnants of various beans and blends from around the world. Determined to take back her kitchen and her sanity, and to demonstrate her appreciation for the sacrifices made by her husband and people like him, she made the decision to set up Bolt Action Coffee Co. and now runs the day to day regime.

www.boltactioncoffee.com | orders@boltactioncoffee.com

gitag FIELD RATIONS

up of different types of nuts and dried fruit along with some crumbled digestive biscuits for a bit of extra sweetness and was “the gift of knowledge” to me many moons ago from a “special” friend I trained with!

For main meals I absolutely love, and swear by the prepacked meals offered in virtually every outdoor shop in the UK

by Wayfarer. These individually packaged, super tasty and filling (they’re designed for trekking so calorifically they’re spot on), and pre-cooked so you can eat them hot or cold (here I come back to availability of water…). If you have water to cook with Wayfarers can be simply “boiled in the bag” to heat them up and you still have clean water for a brew left over.

However, with my beloved Wayfarers there are two considerations. One, they are relatively bulky and heavy, with each individual meal sachet weighing in at 300g. Secondly they are also pricey to buy, with each meal costing £4.50 at full retail.

As you can see I’m coming back to those pre-prepared ration packs offered by Pine Tree, and suddenly they’re not seeming do expensive are they? For my daily intake at a minimum I’d be looking at three Wayfarers so I’m already carrying 1100g (dessert sachets are 200g), and that has cost me £13.50 before I even start to put together a “Brew Kit” or “Nosebag”, and to eat them hot I also need a cooker. These days I’ve moved on to an MSR “Pocket Rocket” which takes up minimal space and only weighs 73g, but then of course I need to factor in fuel as well…

WORTH IT!

Pine Tree MRE packs contain all the daily calories and nutrition you may need for a multi-day event. For one PT MRE main course you will need just few millimetres of water to warm it up in just 12-15 minutes to enjoy a hot meal in places where it is not usually suitable to cook with a gas stove.

Weighing in at 500-800g for the entire pack (dependant on the type) the Pine Tree MRE packs are priced at £9.99 (one meal) and £15.99 (two meals) and contain a full day’s rations.

There are numerous “main course options” such Chicken Tikka Masala with Chickpeas, Meatball Pasta in Tomato sauce, Beef Steak & Vegetable Stew, Lamb Casserole, Beef Chilli Con Carne, and Chicken and Mushroom Pasta in Creamy sauce, but a sample £15.99 pack will contain:

• Two large main courses pouches • Two FRH heater • Light breakfast (Biscuits and jam) • Chocolate bar • Water purification tablets • Matches • Wet wipe • Dry tissue • Coffee sachets • Tea bag • Salt and pepper sachets • Sugar • Chewing gum or sweets All the packs come with full instructions, and the “FRH Heater” included is an awesome addition!

The flameless ration heater, or FRH, is a wateractivated exothermic chemical heater included with Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs), used to heat the food.

US military specifications for the heater require that it be capable of raising the temperature of an 8-ounce (226.8 g) meal by 100 °F (56 °C) in twelve minutes and that it has no visible flame. The ration heater contains finely powdered magnesium metal, alloyed with a small amount of iron and table salt. To activate the reaction, a small amount of water is added and the boiling point of water is quickly reached as the reaction proceeds; full instructions for use are given in each Pine Tree MRE. In a nutshell, you can prepare yourself for a longer Op by taking a lot of time, spending a lot of money and adding a significant amount of weight and bulk to your load. For one day this is not particularly significant but if you start talking about multi-days, those grammes are going to start to stack up and begin to degrade your overall performance, your personal enjoyment and the enjoyment of those around you.

My advice is to be smart; you’ve already probably spent a fair amount of money for the event/game, so why scrimp on something that will directly affect that in a negative way? Be smart, listen to the experts, buy the right thing, eat well, and you know what? It won’t really cost you a penny more!

For more information on Pine Tree MREs please visit http:// ptmre.com. If you’d prefer classic US MREs or military rations from other countries then drop them a line as they’ll be able to help you out with those too!

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Warriors EAST GERMAN BORDER GUARD 1980S

IN HIS CONTINUING “WARRIORS” SERIES, GADGE GOES BEHIND “THE WALL” AS HE LOOKS AT HOW EAST GERMANY KEPT “FASCISTS” OUT – AND THEIR OWN PEOPLE IN! Pictures: Ben Webb

ON THE “ MODERN ” FRONTIER EAST GERMAN BORDER GUARD 1980

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Warriors EAST GERMAN BORDER GUARD 1980S

NBC survival, map reading and first aid. After their initial four TO READERS UNDER THE AGE of 30 the idea of modern week training they undertook five months of specialist border Germany being a divided country, almost at war with itself, troops training which included checking vehicles for contraband, is unthinkable but to airsofters of a certain age the Deutsch being able to detect forged ID passes and documents and Democratic Republic (DDR), or “East Germany”, was a very real training in setting up minefields and other security barriers. hotspot in the tense cold war years.

“Grenzer” had to be exemplary shots and be able to hit two While most of us know (and have probably seen photos) of moving targets at 200m with four shots, both in daylight and the Berlin Wall that divided the traditional German capital, a night conditions. Failing to hit a fleeing target could land the much lesser-known but far more extensive barrier between East soldier a jail sentence of his own as it could be considered and West was the “Intra German Border” (also known as the “aiding an escape”.

“Inner German Border”), a deadly and vast tract of land which A DDR border guard spent a high proportion of his training few people were allowed to live near and in which a stranger, or being politically motivated, even indoctrinated, which would suspected spy could be shot on sight. have been necessary given that his duties would force him to The Berlin Wall itself was very much the focus of the west and impressive in its own way but the IGB presented a much vaster obstacle to potential escapers (and incursions “LEAVING THE COUNTRY, OR “REPUBLIK FLUCHT”, WAS

by NATO agents). Almost as soon as MADE A CRIME IN ITSELF AND WHILE MANUALS ISSUED the state of East Germany had been TO GUARDS AT THE TIME ALWAYS SHOWED ILLEGAL created many of its more educated and skilled citizens sought to move to the BORDER CROSSINGS AS BEING FROM WEST TO EAST, IT west. Before long this exodus of skilled WAS CLEAR TO ALL THAT THE BORDER DEFENCES WERE young professionals was unsustainable DEIGNED TO MAKE ESCAPE DEADLY, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE.” to the DDR and its rulers sought to keep its population captive – under the pretence of protecting them from act against his own people. In fact the key listed duties of the western saboteurs and spies. Leaving the country, or “Republik frontier soldier actually explicitly state he is to prevent escape to Flucht”, was made a crime in itself and while manuals issued the west: to guards at the time always showed illegal border crossings as being from West to East, it was clear to all that the border Duties of the border guard defences were deigned to make escape deadly, if not impossible.

• Deter, detect and arrest violators of restricted zones Proclaimed as an “anti-fascist protection barrier” the border • Prevent citizens, work details and guards escaping to the West fence was of almost no military value but a significant barrier • Collect intelligence information on west german and Nato to those trying to leave East Germany. The area taken up by forces and border activity the border fencing and the land kept barren around it was • Collect domestic intelligence on citizens in the frontier zone huge. It ran from the Baltic Sea to the Czech border - just over • Check the condition and maintenance of the border fences 1,380km long - cutting through roads, railway lines, towns and and security devices. villages and even individual houses! When the IGB went up, families could find themselves separated from relative only a few hundred metres away and forbidden from visiting them. Those living in the “restricted zones” on the East side would be forcibly resettled into other areas of the DDR. Early IGB barriers were simple chain link and barbed wire fences with ploughed earth “control strips” in front of them to enable the guards to detect any escape attempts by monitoring footprints. By the 1980s, however, much of the early fencing had been replaced with a new generation of border fence known as the “Modern Frontier”, consisting of difficult to climb steel mesh fencing. This “modern frontier” was faced on the East German side by a 5km “restricted zone”, which meant that a staggering 6,900 square kilometres of East Germany was essentially left barren; a substantial proportion of such a small country’s land mass and, in its own way, this made East Germany struggle even more to support itself by reserving valuable farming land for “security”.

POLITICAL ELITE

In “Warriors” this month we show a junior officer of a border guard unit, known as “Grenztruppen” (literally “frontier troops”). He is tasked with manning a border crossing point and looking after the small squads of “grenzers” that would man these check points and patrol the restricted area.

Training and selection for border service was somewhat rigorous and, unlike the army, almost 50 per cent of border troops were volunteers, rather than conscripts serving their obligatory national service period. Service in the frontier troops was made more attractive by promises of easy access to education and better jobs once a recruit had served his time but even so, only those who were considered “politically reliable” were chosen as there was too much danger in stationing a man unhappy with the political system so close to the border.

Border troops recruits undertook basic military training almost identical to that of an army recruit, which included building up their physical fitness, foot drill, weapons training,

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Warriors EAST GERMAN BORDER GUARD 1980S

“‘GRENZER’ HAD TO BE EXEMPLARY SHOTS AND BE ABLE TO HIT TWO MOVING TARGETS AT 200M WITH FOUR SHOTS, BOTH IN DAYLIGHT AND NIGHT CONDITIONS. FAILING TO HIT A FLEEING TARGET COULD LAND THE SOLDIER A JAIL SENTENCE OF HIS OWN AS IT COULD BE CONSIDERED ‘AIDING AN ESCAPE’.”

Our “Grenzer” wears the border forces standard summer field uniform. Superficially the uniform resembles that of a typical East German infantry soldier but features a few subtle differences as we shall see.

This young officer’s summer weight “Felddienstanzug” (field service uniform, or FDA) uniform is cut in the same pattern as the army issue fatigue but stamped with the Interior Ministry’s MDI stamps, rather than the National Volksarmee’s NVA stamps.

The FDA itself consists of button fly baggy trousers with attached braces rather than belt loops, cargo pockets on the thighs and hand warmer pockets on the hips. The trousers are traditionally worn over the jack boots (in an attempt to look less fascist) and the trouser’s hem contains eyelets which plastic buttons on split rings can be attached to in order to “blouse” the bottom of the leg. A matching blouse jacket with a button front, sleeve pockets, two lower pockets, a concealed Makarov pistol pocket and similarly adjusted wrists is worn in the same “strichtarn” camouflage pattern.

Strichtarn superficially looks like it would be somewhat ineffective but actually has a fairly decent camouflage effect.

Although it means “dash camouflage” (and is known alternatively as “rain camo”) in German, the men of the border troops and army often called it “Ein Strich - Kein Strich” (“one dash - no dash”).

STRIPPED DOWN FIELD KIT

In comparison to an NVA soldier our Grenzer officer has much more minimal field equipment.

While trained to act in an NBC (nuclear biological and chemical) warzone the border guards did not carry the chemical protection suit of the infantry or the respirator haversack.

Furthermore, “Grenzers” are rarely seen wearing the East German stalhelm when patrolling the IGB (although they were sometimes seen wearing them in the Berlin sector during times of increased political tension) and, in this case, wears the

garrison side cap known as a “schiffen” (boat). In contrast, however, he does carry a map case to contain his patrol’s paperwork and area maps (including marked positions of mines in his sector of the IGB) and a Praktica L2 camera, to take pictures of the West and any suspicious individuals in that area.

Praktica cameras were perhaps one of the few successful exports of the DDR and used in large numbers by the frontier troops. Far more standard are the officer’s belt and y straps, made of the DDR’s own form of “tactical nylon”, called “Dederon” and his attached pouches and equipment; namely a magazine pouch for his AK47, a water bottle in a strichtarn pattern carrier and a bayonet for the rifle. In some photos border guards can also be seen with raincoats rolled up and attached to their webbing belts, which replaced the bulky army “zeltbahn” shelter segment/rain cape for the Grenzers.

Personal armament for most border guards would vary by year. Initially they were issued with old Soviet stocks of PPSH sub-machine guns and SKS carbines but, by the 1970s, they were receiving AK47 and AKM assault rifles and beginning to produce their own East German made variants, known as the MPiK and the MPiKm. Towards the end of the State’s history a limited amount of AK74s would be issued, although mainly to the army.

Due to the difficulty on sourcing an actual airsoft or deactivated MPiK or MPiKm, we have opted to use a standard AK47 for this article and astute readers will spot that the sling and bayonet carried are actually the models issued for the later AK74.

As with all “political” armed forces, the border guards of the former DDR might be a somewhat topical choice for an airsoft impression but for those of you willing to take the risk, it is an eminently skirmishable loadout. While it might not be the most “modern” of outfit, it is oddly practical and comfortable to wear (well the webbing can be a bit tricky!) in the field and despite its looks, strictarn isn’t that bad a camo.

For “Cold War” airsofters it’s also not a terrible choice as, in the event of a major conflict, Border Guards recce companies were tasked with disappearing into the border regions and becoming guerrilla fighters, conducting a “special forces” war against NATO rear areas… …and that is excellent gaming material if ever there was!

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feature LUMBER-TAC

OVER THE LAST YEAR, UNLESS you’ve been living under an airsoft rock, you’ll have noticed the lumber-tac loadouts that have been taking over our social media feeds like wildfire!

What is “lumber-tac”, as it’s known? It is wearing flannel shirts in tactical loadouts - and airsofters can’t seem to get enough of it!

I first donned a flannel shirt loadout for a MilSim-style event called “Uprising 3”, at Hill 559 in California, USA back in April 2017, in lieu of a traditional insurgent loadout. It rapidly became a favourite of mine after I donned a green variation of that flannel shirt loadout for another MilSim style event called “Tora Bora Raid”, hosted at The Rock in Dorset, UK by PAST & Spec Ops Airsoft in August 2017.

The reason I decided to start utilising flannel in my loadouts is very simple – on MilSims where I was asked to play on the insurgent side I needed a loadout that stood out from the traditional insurgent loadout so I took my inspiration from one of my favourite video games: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands! I loved the look of the operators in the game and as there are so many patterns, style and colour variations, it’s pretty certain you’ll find a shirt that goes with your camo of choice.

Whilst flannel shirts are pretty commonplace on the high

street, brands such as 5.11 have cashed in on the popularity of this by creating their own line of flannel shirts, with “All Luck No Skill” going even further to create a flannel combat shirt!

It’s clear that flannel has been taken to a whole new level.

What do airsofters love so much about flannel?

They’re casual! One thing I personally really like about wearing my flannel shirts for airsoft is just how casual they look. You can wear them on the way to the field, or at the Pub after a long day’s skirmish with your camo trousers and not look too out of place in the real world. They also give a loadout a really effortless look.

They’re great for team identification. I like being able to recognise my team mates at a glance on the field so when me and the lads are running around a CQB site at the speed of light, seeing that flash or red/green/blue flannel in my peripheral vision tells me I’ve got back up.

Camouflage isn’t necessary in CQB because of the nature of the environment so if you’re playing a CQB game donning a colourful shirt is a none-issue! I’ve seen a lot of comments saying that there is nothing tactical about flannel and it doesn’t camouflage well but from my own experience, the right colour/ pattern can go unnoticed in dense, thick woodland areas.

Through trial and error I’ve found there’s a flannel for every

LUMBER-TAC: THE RISE OF AS THE OPERATOR “LOOK” CONTINUES TO GROW, KELLY “FEMME FATALE” HARDWICK GIVES US THE LOW-DOWN ON A NEW STYLE OF LOADOUT THAT IS MAKING BIG INROADS INTO AIRSOFT.

FLANNEL SH IRT LOADOUTS

Backgrond images: Snook Snaps

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LUMBER-TAC

camo, my green flannel goes great with Ranger Green, Olive Drab and M81 whilst my red flannel goes really well with MultiCam Black, Desert Marpat and AOR1. I’m still trying to find the right colour/pattern for my MultiCam loadout but I figure it won’t be long until I track one down!

They’re cheap as chips! One of the awesome things about flannel shirts is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on them or buy the big name brands - my green flannel shirt that I wear the most often is a £10 shirt from Primark (that came in an extra small so bonus!) and I picked up my red flannel shirt for $3 at a Goodwill store on my first visit to the States. Bargains that work as well as their expensive counterparts!

Are there any downfalls?

Heavy flannel is hot and takes a while to dry so it’s important to get the right kind of shirt for the weather/climate you’re playing in – if it’s sunny and warm out, wearing a heavy flannel shirt will be really uncomfortable to play in and take ages to dry the sweat out. Too thin and you’ll be cold during break periods.

Bright colours are unsuitable for some game sites. In the UK, we don’t tend to use “dead rags” so red flannel isn’t an really an issue in this respect, but I feel it would be discouraged at a game site abroad where red dead flags are used because players could mistake you for a dead player. Of course, in CQB camouflage doesn’t really matter too much but red shirts in say, a woodland environment could also make you stand out like a sore thumb - which can either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on whether you want to be seen or not!

I asked the online community what you think about tactical flannel on the Airsoft Action and Femme Fatale Airsoft Facebook pages and here’s what you said:

Tacmastermike: “Love it! It’s what I wear 90% of the time!”

Scot Mackenzie: “Tactical lumberjacks are the future.”

Chris Fearn: “Not for me. Though I’ve seen a few pull it off well. It’s a tactical bush for me!”

Nate Gains: “Doesn’t a company make flannel combat shirts now? Would definitely rock one!”

Aryan Alipour: “I think only Robo can pull it off, being Canadian Lumberjack and all. Sorry (RWA) Marck!”

Ole Blomgreen: “There is nothing tactical about flannel. It’s just plain stupid.”

Kieran Sifford: “Tac flannel is always a winner.”

Stefan Heymann: “Myself and my team mate have been rocking flannel for a few weeks now, we love it!”

Viktor Urban: “Hmmm... me likey! My friends too!”

Chris Fitzgerald: “Hipster airsoft!”

Dustyn Ates: “I’d be down to use it for a speedsoft loadout.”

Inset image: Airsoft Caroline

T

Feature

So there you have it. Whether you love it or loathe it, “LumberTac” looks like it is here to stay - and that’s 100% OK with me!

“I NEEDED A LOADOUT THAT STOOD OUT FROM THE TRADITIONAL INSURGENT LOADOUT SO I TOOK MY INSPIRATION FROM ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VIDEO GAMES: TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON WILDLANDS!“

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The Last Post MAPS

WHO NEEDS

MAPS? IN A WORLD WHERE WE WANT TO PAY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING, FRENCHIE TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO MAPS – BUT IT MIGHT NOT BE QUITE WHAT YOU ARE THINKING…

MAPS. THEY’RE GREAT THINGS, they allow you to survey the world in all its glory without leaving your seat. They help you find your way through difficult terrain, or if you are reading them correctly, allow you to avoid that difficult terrain altogether. Everyone needs a map. Only this month I’m not writing about cartography but rather, something I’m hearing quite a lot about and that is MAP - Minimum Advertised Price. Yes, it’s all about the money - what you pay, why you should pay it and why the majority of us go well out of our way to avoid doing so.

I have a number of passions and as a result, I have rather more of a number of things than I strictly need… Airsoft guns - check. Guitars - check. Watches - check and I’m going to use the last of those three as an example this month, but fear not, I’ll be back onto airsoft almost before you notice!

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Like pretty much everyone I don’t want to pay more than I have to for anything. I have a few watches (where “few” represents a ridiculous number given I only have two wrists) and a lot of them were bought online.

My most recent acquisition was done in store, face to face with the people selling it and I paid the full asking price. There were a number of reasons for this and I shan’t bore you with most of them. It was, by my standards, an expensive purchase and I could have saved much cash by going online. I was willing to pay extra though because I wanted the security of dealing with a bricks and mortar business. I don’t anticipate any problems but if there are, I know I can go back to them and ask that they make things right. I also appreciated the experience of buying; of discussing my purchase and having the opportunity to examine the watch I wanted before pulling the trigger on the sale. I’m not going to say it was entirely worth the money I could have saved but it was worth a bit; to me.

What has this got to do with airsoft? Some of you know where this is going I’m sure… The internet is a wonderful thing and for all of us it has made shopping almost too easy. It has also enabled all of us to very easily and quickly compare prices and if price is the sole factor that matters to us, to get the best possible value available. But are we?

Price fixing is illegal in the UK - a company can sell an item at any price it chooses, even if that price is less than what it cost the retailer. Obviously that is a poor business model but it is one I see increasingly inflicted on airsoft retailers. MAP is

The Last Post MAPS

meant to level the playing field. MAP represents the lowest price a manufacturer believes their goods should be sold for, while RRP (Recommended Retail Price) is what they think they should actually cost the purchaser.

Unfortunately (and I do believe that it is unfortunate), the wonderful world of online retail means that there are sellers out there whose overheads are so low that they go straight to MAP and don’t even bother with offering stuff at RRP. I know this looks like a complete no-brainer if you are buying - lowest possible price equals “win” for you, but this approach has a number of fundamental problems.

It forces all retailers, more or less, to offer the same goods for the same price. This is regardless of the fact that some may have invested far more in a shop, staff, technical services and customer service than others. All those things cost money and if there is frankly little money to be made from the goods that are sold, then something is going to have to give.

If you, as a consumer, have a problem with your goods, your recourse is to the seller - but what if the seller doesn’t have the ability to put things right? They have no technical backup, or worse, what they have is their mate John who is great with a four-pound lump hammer but not so good with delicate electronics. Sure, they can refer the matter and your purchase to their supplier but that is going to increase the amount of time that you are without your new shiny. Retailers who have invested in stock can effect a quick replacement - they have stock after all and then they can deal with their supplier, if you are a small business operating on minimal overheads, you may

not hold the stock that allows that option.

It’s a balance and a difficult one at that.

The free market is good at regulating the prices of goods but as a consumer you have to be aware that when you are looking only at prices you may not be comparing like with like. It’s cheap and relatively easy to make and host a nice website but it is harder to see exactly what is behind it. We all have “favourites” as far as retailers are concerned, for a whole host of reasons but it is worth the time doing research that goes beyond “who’s cheapest”. Hopefully things won’t go wrong and airsoft guns especially are more reliable now than they’ve ever been, but the cost of a gun to you may represent very different things should you need the retailer to support you and your purchase.

With technical labour running at around £30 an hour these days, saving £3.27 on the purchase price only to have to pay someone to resolve a problem when the seller proves unable or unwilling, doesn’t seem like such a bargain after all.

“IF YOU, AS A CONSUMER, HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR GOODS, YOUR RECOURSE IS TO THE SELLER - BUT WHAT IF THE SELLER DOESN’T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT THINGS RIGHT? THEY HAVE NO TECHNICAL BACKUP, OR WORSE, WHAT THEY HAVE IS THEIR MATE JOHN WHO IS GREAT WITH A FOUR-POUND LUMP HAMMER BUT NOT SO GOOD WITH DELICATE ELECTRONICS.”

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DTW Airsoft B23 Moorside Business Prk Colchester Essex, CO1 2ZF 01206 790046 www.dtwairsoft.co.uk

Surplus Store Unit 2, Access House Stephenson Way Three Bridges, RH10 1TN 01293 525880 www.surplusstore.co.uk

The Gaol Events Oakham Enterprise Park Ashwell Road, Oakham Leics, LE15 7TU 07976 457602 www.thegaolevents.co.uk

JD Airsoft Unit 5, Virage Park Green Lane, Cannock WS11 0NH 0845 600 5144 www.jdairsoft.net

Invicta Battlefield Airsoft Pook Hill Wood Farm Wilden Park Road, Staplehurst, TN12 0HP 07876 263290 www.invictabattlefield.co.uk

Johnsons of Leeds 2, Vulcan Foundry Haigh Park Road Leeds, LS10 1RT 0113 277 5237 www.johnsonsofleeds.co.uk

TacTree Unit 3, Stag Business Park Donnington Wood Telford, TF2 7NA 01952 565670 www.tactree.co.uk

Looking for somewhere to buy Airsoft Action? Your local Newsagent sold out?

Then why not visit any of the fine airsoft companies listed here?

They all keep Airsoft Action in stock and while you are there, don’t forget to have a good browse round to see what else they can tempt you with...

Buy Airsoft Action from any of these shops or sites - and get your copy before it goes on sale on the High Street!

Combat-UK 13-15 Market Place Stevenage Herts, SG1 1DH 01438 362922 www.onlyairsoft.com

Phoenix Airsoft Gleadthorpe Breck Plnt.

Budby Road Cuckney, NG20 9JX 07956 587213 www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk

Tazball Airsoft Feyglas Woods, Farr Inverness IV2 6XB 07848 448408

Leicestershire Airsoft Unit 3 Melton Road Industrial Est. Queniborough, LE7 3FP 07526 372108

308 Sniper 66 High Street Chatham Kent, ME4 4DS 01634 921278 www.308sniper.co.uk

Socom Tactical 70 Reading Road South Fleet Hampshire, GU52 7SD 01252 616 868 www.socomtactical.net

Eagle6 Airsoft Sutterton Enterprise Park Sutterton, PE20 2JA 01205 460385 07944 904604 www.eagle6.co.uk

Airsoft Plantation Goatsmoor Lane Stock, Billericay Essex, CM4 9RS 07771 556395 www.airsoftplantation.co.uk

Badlands Airsoft Woodberry Lane Rowlands Castle Hants, PO9 6DP 07534 465589 www.badlandsairsoft.co.uk

BBGuns4Less Unit 1, Keepers Cottage Buckles Lane South Ockendon, RM15 6RS 01708 853232 www.bbguns4less.co.uk

Allsorts Airsoft 9 Arundel Road Littlehampton BN17 7BY 01903 714688 www.allsortsairsoft.co.uk

Red Alert Airsoft Hartshill Copse Burdens Heath Bucklebury, RG7 6SX 07941 087070 www.redalertpaintball.co.uk

Facebook: /TazballAirsoft

Eton Guns 103 High Street Eton, Nr. Windsor SL4 6AF 01753 800009 www.etonguns.co.uk

www.leicestershireairsoft.co.uk

Sell Airsoft Action in your shop or on your site and this space could be yours ...completely FREE! For more info, email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

SYMBOL KEY

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

SHOP ONSITE

WOODLAND

PYROS ALLOWED

URBAN

BATTERY CHARGING

DESERT

REPAIR SERVICE DISABLED FRIENDLY

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

ABER AIRSOFT – THE BUNKER

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

AIRSOFT ASYLUM

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

AIRSOFT KGB

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

AIRSOFT PLANTATION

Goatsmoor Lane, Billericay, CM4 9RS Tel: 07534 636289 / 07771 556395 www.airsoftplantation.co.uk Email: apairsoftplantation@gmail.com

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH

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

ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES

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

ALPHA ELITE GAMING

BADLANDS AIRSOFT

AMAZON EVENTS

BARNSLEY AIRSOFT

AMBUSH ADVENTURES – CHOBHAM

BATTLETEC AIRSOFT

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

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

Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8SL Tel: 01252 315225 www.ambushadventures.co.uk

AMBUSH ADVENTURES SOUTHAMPTON

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

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

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

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

BETTER BATTLES

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

BLACKDAGGER AIRSOFT AIRSOFT SKIRMISH CQB Studley, B80 7LY Tel: 07764 587410 www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk

APOCALYPSE 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

BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT ACE COMBAT

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

AIRBORNE 101 AIRSOFT CLUB Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 Tel: 07718 032541 robinsonm24@btinternet.com

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June 2018

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

ALPHA 55

Halkyn Wood, North Wales CH8 8DF www.alpha55.co.uk

ARENA AIRSOFT

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

AWA HERTS

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

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

BORDERLINE AIRSOFT

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

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT

Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport.

PR46JX Tel: 07790 715059 www.bravo22airsoft.com

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE WORKS (URBAN)

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

BRISTOL AIRSOFT

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

BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT

Sheffield, S2 5TR Tel: 07795 631331 www.brittacairsoft.com

BUNKER 51

Charlton, SE7 8NJ Tel: 0870 7549653 www.wolfarmouries.co.uk

BUSH VALLEY AIRSOFT

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

C3 TACTICAL

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE COMPLEX Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RP Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

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

CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT

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

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

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

COMBAT ACTION GAMES

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

COMBAT AIRSOFT

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

COMBAT READY CQB

38 Full Street, Derby DE1 3AF Tel: 01332 493258 Email: info@combatreadyairsoft.co.uk www.combatreadyairsoft.co.uk

COMBAT READY OUTDOOR

Middle Wildpark Farm, Wildpark Lane, Brailsford, Ashbourne DE6 3BN Tel: 01332 493258 Email: info@combatreadyairsoft.co.uk www.combatreadyairsoft.co.uk

CUMBRIA AIRSOFT

FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS

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

Fareham, PO17 5ND Tel: 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

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

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

DANGER CLOSE AIRSOFT

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

FIFE WARGAMES

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

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

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

DARKWATER SITE, Dering Wood, Church Lane, Shadoxhurst, Ashford TN26 1LZ facebook.com/darkwaterairsoftdarkwater

FIREBALL SQUADRON

DELTA TEAM 3

FIRST & ONLY: ANZIO CAMP

Skelmersdale, Lancs WN8 8UT Tel: 07986 053076 www.deltateam3.co.uk

Houston, Renfrewshire, PA6 7BP Tel: 07853 195290 www.dow-airsoft.co.uk

DOG TAG AIRSOFT COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND

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

EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT

DOGS OF WAR Portsmouth, PO6 3LS Tel: 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

ELITE BATTLEZONE

Bourton Woods, On the B4479, Blockley Near Bourton-on-the-hill www.cotswoldairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07724629140

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

COMBAT SOUTH URBAN CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE SANDPIT (DESERT)

CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT

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

Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA Tel: 07582 684533 www.fireballsquadron.com

Leek, ST13 8 Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: BUNKER WOOD Kidderminster, Worcs, DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: KHE SANH

WOODS

Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

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

Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA Tel: 07703 530189 www.dragonslairairsoft.co.uk

FIRST & ONLY: MANCHESTER

WOODLAND

Bolton, BL7 9TS Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT COOL UNDER FIRE

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

Caerwent Training Area, South Wales, NP26 5XL Tel: 07921 336360 www.dragonvalley.co.uk

FIRST & ONLY: THE HIVE

Middleton, Manchester, M24 1AZ Tel: 0161 727 8863

www.airsoft-action.online

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SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

FIRST & ONLY: THE ARMOURY Wrexham, Denbighshire, LL13 9RG Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE ACADEMY

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6QF Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE ASYLUM

GRANGE LIVE GAMING Bravo One Birmingham, 93–99 Holloway Head, B1 1QP Tel: 0121 643 2477 info@grangelivegaming.com www.grangelivegaming.com

GREENZONE COMBAT Co. Armagh, BT60 1NE Tel: 07772 919974 www.greenzonecombat.com

Kidderminster, DY10 3PT Tel: 0161 727 8863

GUN HO AIRSOFT FIRST & ONLY: THE OUTPOST Kidderminster, DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: SLEEPY HOLLOW Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 5LS Tel: 0161 727 8863

GROUND ZERO WOODLAND

Guisborough, TS7 0PG Tel: 07525 435696 www.gunhoairsoft.co.uk

ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT

Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30 Tel: 07964 751047 www.islandrecon.co.uk

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

LAC SITE 1

MILSIM 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

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – TUDDENHAM

Cavenham Road, Tuddenham, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6DF Tel: 07711 774461 (Doug) or 07711 774401 (Josh) www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk/gunmanairsoft-tuddenham/

LAC SITE 2

Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

LAC SITE 3

Saxillby, LN1 2JW Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

The Grange, Frogmore Grange, Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532 384 info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk www.giairsoft.co.uk/Skirmish-days

LAC SITE 5

Kirton Rd, North Lincs, DN16 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

LAGAN AIRSOFT CLUB FRV AIRSOFT

Annacloy, Downpatrick, BT30 8JJ Tel: 07730 586926 www.frvairsoft.com

FULL METAL AIRSOFT

Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, Ammanford, Camarthenshire, SA18 3JG Tel: 01269 850404 www.fullmetalairsoft.co.uk

GASS AIRSOFT – PENN Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – EVERSLEY The Welsh Drive, Fleet Road (A327), Eversley, Hants RG27 0PY Tel: 07711 774461 (Doug) or 07711 774401 (Josh) www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk/gunmanairsoft-eversley/

Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU Tel: 08000 354490 www.paintballuk.com

HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT

Spanby, Lincs, NG34 0AT Tel: 07971 560249 facebook.com/HomelandTacticalAirsoft

HUMBER AIRSOFT

North Lincolnshire, DN21 www.humberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07792 680297

GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT Leicester, LE9 9FP www.gingerliberationfront.com

88

June 2018

17G Stationview, Dunmurry, Belfast BT170AE Tel: 07733128484

LEEDS AIRSOFT: THE FOUNDRY CQB

Haigh Park Road, Stourton, Leeds LS10 1RX Tel: 0113 277 7707 / 07968 258952

HILTON PARK AIRSOFT

GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

Wrightington, WN6 9PL Tel: 01942 514724 www.militaryoutdooradventure.co.uk

Checkley, Staffordshire, ST10 4NS Tel: 07523 916607 www.milsimuk.co.uk

LINDSEY AIRSOFT

Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8HE Tel: 07955 487983 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk

Fenwick, Ayrshire, KA3 6AY Tel: 07904 998250 www.nomadairsoft.com

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT

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

NPF AIRSOFT, NPF BASSETTS POLE

Trickley Coppice, London Road, Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA Tel: 0121 323 1000 info@npfairsoft.com www.facebook.com/npfairsoft

NSC AIRSOFT

MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5FW Tel: 07974 507166 www.matlockcombatgames.com

MAW

Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 Tel: 07793 404346 1midaw@gmail.com

INVICTA BATTLEFIELD

Wilden Park Road, Staplehurst, Kent TN12 0HP Tel: 01622 831788 / 07876 263290 www.invictabattlefield.co.uk

Edinburgh, EH14 4 nick@ncis-airsoft.co.uk www.ncis-airsoft.co.uk

NOMAD AIRSOFT

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH Tel: 01733 247171 www.freefirezone.co.uk

Abbey Cwm-hir, Midwales, LD1 6PG Tel: 07497 480243 www.facebook.com/Midwales-airsoft

NCIS AIRSOFT

Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2DF www.groundzerowoodland.com

FREE FIRE ZONE

MIDWALES AIRSOFT

MIA

Cornwall, EX23 9JL Tel: 01288 331748 www.airsoftsouthwest.co.uk

Hetton, Sunderland, DH5 0 Tel: 07983 333521 www.nscairsoft.co.uk

NTAC

Durham, DL4 2ER Tel: 01642 281220 www.ntac.co.uk

OBAN AIRSOFT – ILL ARGYLL Argyll and Bute, PA37 1 Tel: 07967 710185 www.argyllsurplus.com

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS

RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM)

OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT Tel: 07964 990831 www.op-tac.co.uk

Anglesey, LL71 www.ottairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07731 744471

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

Cambridge, CB24 8RL Tel: 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com

Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB Tel: 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com

Co. Londonderry, BT45 8NA Tel: 07713 273102 www.sg1combatgames.co.uk

SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY

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

SOUTH COAST CQB

PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT

RAVEN’S NEST

Suffolk, IP8 4 Tel: 01473 831563 www.ravensairsoft.co.uk

Browndown Road, Lee-On-Solent PO13 9UG Tel: 07533 434203

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

RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ Tel: 01900 85645 www.airsoftcumbria.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

TA EVENTS

Hemel Hemstead, Herts, HP2 7QB Tel: 07894 059794 www.ta-events.co.uk

TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AS Tel: 01792 473336 www.tacticalwales.co.uk

TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT– THE ROCK Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

STIRLING AIRSOFT

Coventry, CV3 6NX Tel: 07831 429407 www.stirlingairsoft.com

STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4LD Tel: 07515 937633 www.stormforcepaintball.co.uk

Slinfold, RH12 Tel: 020 8150 9284 www.sussexairsoft.co.uk

Co Tyrone, BT71 4DY Tel: 07922 377131 Facebook: search ‘Torrent Warfare’

TROJAN AIRSOFT

Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ Tel: 07428 024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB

Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP Tel: 07428 024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com

UCAP AIRSOFT

TAZ AIRSOFT

UCAP GREEN OPS

Farr, Inverness, IV2 6XB Tel: 07848 448408

TECH BRIGADE

Newgate Street, Hertfordshire.

SG13 8NH Tel: 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org

Portsmouth, Hants, PO17 6AR Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

Linch, West Sussex, GU30 7 Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY Tel: 01268 796130 www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

TASK FORCE SKIRMISH Cowbridge, S Glamorgan, CF71 Tel: 02920 593900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

THE BUNKER

Aberystwyth www.aberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07841 462806

Glasgow, G45 9SB Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.thedepotglasgow.com

THE EX SITE

Mold, CH7 4 Tel: 07840 001975 www.theexsitewales.co.uk

URBAN ASSAULT

Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE26 1 Tel: 01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk

VIKING AIRSOFT

Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0UN www.vikingairsoft.co.uk

WARMINSTER AIRSOFT Warminster, BA12 7RZ www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk

THE WARGAMES CENTRE Lundholm Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN www.thewargamescentre.com wargamescentre@gmail.com

THUNDER PARK AIRSOFT SUSSEX AIRSOFT

TORRENT WARFARE

Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL Tel: 020 8665 1299 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk

THE DEPOT

RED1AIRSOFT

Chislehurst, Bromley BR7 6SD Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

Boathouse lane, South Wirral, Cheshire, CH64 3TB www.swatairsoft.eu Tel: 07703 177756

SG1 COMBAT GAMES

High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD Tel: 07767 203979 www.playersofwar.co.uk

Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF Tel: 02897565651 / 07825169631 www.predatorcombat.com

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT

Luxulyan, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL305FA Tel: 07751808055 www.thunderparkpaintball.co.uk Food & drinks available on site.

WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT

F O B (Woodland), Hollington Road, Upper Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT On site parking, HPA Top ups, covered safe zone, male & female toilets, hot lunch included, free tea and coffee available all day. Site memberships.

Tel: Paul – 07861427553 Email: paul@wmairsoft.co.uk www.wmairsoft.co.uk

www.airsoft-action.online

89

SITE DIRECTORY

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

FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT

High Command (CQB), Doulton Trading Estate, Doulton Road, Rowley Regis B65 8JQ On site parking, HPA top ups, secure safe zone, male & female toilets, hot lunch included, free tea and coffee available all day. Site memberships.

Tel: Paul – 07861427553 Email: paul@wmairsoft.co.uk www.wmairsoft.co.uk

WORTHING AIRSOFT Arundel Road, Worthing Tel: 07877 210898 www.worthingairsoft.co.uk

XSITE AIRSOFT OUTPOST Dunstable, LU6 2EE Tel: 01494 881430 www.xsiteairsoft.co.uk

XSITE AIRSOFT – LANE END High Wycombe, HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

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June 2018

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

WATFORD PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB WatfordPPC@gmail.com

DOUBLE TAP PSC

StrikeForce CQB, Morelands Trading Estate, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL1 5RZ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Double-Tap-Practical-Shooting-Club979585958732937/?ref=hl doubletappsc@gmail.com

EBSC

MOD-approved gun club PP, IDPA, IPAS, IPSC, 3GUN UKPSA Coaches UKPSA-qualified Range Officers Equipment hire available www.ebsc.co.uk ebpracticalpistol@gmail.com 07752 713 970

HALO MILL

The Penthouse, Colne Valley Business Park, Manchester Road, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QG Tel: 01484 840554 www.halomill.com

XSITE PRACTICAL SHOOTING Fryers Farm Lane, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

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.