Airsoft Action - October 2018

AIRSOFT ACTION

WIN! WIN! WIN! A NUPROL JACKAL ALPHA

PG52

EVO-LUTION! ASG EVO UPDATES

WORLD CHAMPS

FEATURE

WAR & PEACE 2018

SITE

HUMBER AIRSOFT

EVENT

ENGLAND vs WALES

INVICTA WEEKENDER | PROJECT OPFOR | HEAVY BB ACCURACY | HYDRATION | WARRIORS

9 772047 348032

OCTOBER 2018

ACTION AIR

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PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS

OCT 2018 - £4.50

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LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT The UK’s largest supplier of Airsoft and Tactical goods.

Visit landwarriorairsoft.com or speak to the team on 0131 654 2452 for further details.

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LAND WARRIOR FIREARMS RFD Suppliers of firearms, shotguns, cartridges and ammunition.

Visit landwarriorfirearms.co.uk or speak to the team on 0131 654 2452 for further details.

NUPROL HARD CASES

- LARGE CASES

- XL CASES

AVAILABLE IN FOUR COLOURS

REVOLUTIONARY PRICE AND QUALITY

FEATURES: • IP67 dust & water protection.

• Pick/Pluck & Wave foam options.

• 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

DOMINATE THE FIELD WWW.NUPROL.COM

AIRSOFT ACTION

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WIN! WIN! WIN!

A NUPROL JACKAL ALPHA

PG52

ARMOURY: KWA KM4

EVO-LUTION! ASG EVO UPDATES

SITE

HUMBER AIRSOFT

EVENT

ENGLAND vs WALES

INVICTA WEEKENDER | PROJECT OPFOR | HEAVY BB ACCURACY | HYDRATION | WARRIORS

9 772047 348032

OCTOBER 2018

FEATURE

WAR & PEACE 2018

10

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS ACTION AIR

WORLD CHAMPS

OCT 2018 - £4.50

>

PG54

ARMOURY: MOSCART

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

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003

EVENT: IPSC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT: WAR & PEACE

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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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EVENT: INVICTA

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TECHNICAL: EVO UPDATES

REVIEW: BIG GAMES

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.

Contents OCTOBER 2018

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2018 6 NEWS 8 ROGUE’S GALLERY Airsoft Action readers in airsoft action!

12 ARMOURY: KWA KM4 CQB As an avid recoil AEG user, Phil Bucknall was intrigued to see what stepping back to a non-recoil rifle would be like, as he got his hands on the new KM4 from KWA. 16 ARMOURY: NEW KRYTAC RANGE Five new models from Krytac all dropping very close together. Scott Allan highlights what is what and what we can and cannot expect from them in the near future.

20 ARMOURY: ICS L86a2 Gadge is pretty familiar with the real steel LSW and was keen to see how the ICS version held up to close scrutiny.

24 ARMOURY: NUPROL MOSCART Bill takes us back to simpler days when the MOSCART was king and puts a case as to why it still is in certain situations!

28 INTERNATIOBAL EVENT: AAWS ONE During the last week of June 2018, 481 Action Air Pistol Shooters from around the globe converged in Hong Kong, to take part in the very first World Championships!

34 EVENT: WAR & PEACE 2018 Once again, Bill made his annual pilgrimage to this massive military show and fair - and this year proved better for airsoft than ever before!

38 FEATURE: AIRSOFT AK-47 & M4 “What’s better, an AK-47 or an M4?”

Tom Hibberd is pretty sure most people asking that question don’t actually know what either weapon really is…

40 EVENT: INVICTA WEEKENDER Graham Hoffman, of Airsoft Nation, reports from Invicta Battlefield’s Big Weekender, an annual “airsoft & social” event.

46 FEATURE: PROJECT OPFOR Last month Bill let us into his “mindset” for taking on the role of a dedicated OPFOR player. In this

instalment he uncovers the delights of “Team Three Stripe” and how you can go about creating a simple “civvy and concealed” loadout on a budget.

50 RANGE TEST: HEAVY WEIGHT BBs Armed with the result of their previous range test Anvil and Gadge head back to The Gaol to look into another big airsoft question… What effect does BB weight have on range?

52 COMPETITION: WIN A NUPROL JACKAL ALPHA! Back in Issue 84, Jerry Noone first got his hands on a NUPROL Jackal Alpha – and it put a huge smile on his face!

Now you can win one of these terrific AEGs courtesy of NUPROL. 54 NEWS: ASG EVO UPDATES We recently received a substantial Press Release from ASG, concerning the latest EVO upgrades and, knowing how popular the EVO is with players (and not wanting to leave anything out), here it is in its entirety…

58 EVENT: R.I.F.T. BIRTHDAY BASH Usually we prefer no gaps in our games… Last month Georaga experienced why a R.I.F.T. every now and then actually works…

62 ARMOURY: G&G “BLACK ORCHID” Having spotted it at SHOT Show, Kelly “Femme Fatale” Hardwick gets her hands on the Limited Edition “Black Orchid”, from G&G. 64 FEATURE: BIG GAMES Summertime brings many things; seaside holidays, ice cream, expanding rails and cancelled trains and most of the big games in the UK. Frenchie takes a look at what you, as a player, need to ensure that you get the best from whichever event you choose to attend.

66 SITE: HUMBER AIRSOFT A few months back the Airsoft Action team were invited to attend a fundraising day at Humber Airsoft to raise some cash for the magazine’s chosen charity, Pilgrim Bandits. Now Gadge and Tom return to sample a “normal” day’s airsoft.

70 EVENT: ENGLAND v WALES Bill brings us the lowdown on the now-annual England v Wales Game.

74 ARMOURY: S&T AVENGER PP-19 BIZON Bill get “hands on” with the latest, surprisingly affordable version to hit the UK market, from S&T. 78 GEAR: FAB DEFENCE MAKAROV HOLSTER Finding modern accessories for classic weapons can be a challenge but Gadge found something for his favourite Makarov pistol that fitted the bill perfectly.

79 GEAR: VIPER COVERT DUMP BAG Needing a compact yet full-sized dump bag, Femme Fatale discovered just what she was looking for from Viper Tactical.

80 GEEK: HYDRATION To stay switched on and in the game you need to keep a close eye on hydration and overheating and Bill is a real “Geek” when it comes to this topic…

84 WARRIORS: THE STAFFORDS In his continuing “Warriors” series, Gadge takes us to the middle east and the 1st Battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment, as part of “Operation Telic”.

88 SURVIVAL: FIELD DRESSINGS Although we hope they are never needed, many players, particularly MilSimmers, carry a First Aid Kit as part of their gear. Paul Yelland writes about one of their components: Field Dressings.

90 THE LAST POST: A GAME OF HONOUR Looking for inspiration for “The Last Post”, Frenchie took himself to a place he generally avoids like the plague… YouTube. And that got him thinking…

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

94 SITE DIRECTORY & PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUBS Looking for a skirmish site, or your local Action Air 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 NEW, FRESH THINKING AIRSOFT WHOLESALER OPENS ITS DOORS

Airsoft Wholesale UK, The new kids on the block in the airsoft scene opened their doors on the 2nd July 2018. They currently offer 30 brands and 1000 products but they have big plans to offer over 5000 products and 75 brands by the end of 2018.

Airsoft Wholesale UK are also launching and developing their own unique products including accessories and tactical equipment - Some of the names they have already added to their inventory include Tokyo Marui, SPEED, DTD (Double Tap Designs), Oper8 Tactical and Proball.

Laurence Kay, Managing Director of Airsoft Wholesale UK said: “After being involved with an airsoft store myself I know what it’s like not being able to get the products my customers were craving. I found that when I dealt with suppliers some of them were selling products that they had not tested and to be honest had very little knowledge about. I wanted to be able to pick up the phone and speak to someone who really knew the details of what they were selling and also who was as passionate about the sport as I was. Airsoft Wholesale UK is a true airsoft company, run by airsofters and dedicated to airsoft.”

Luke Eustace, Sales Director of Airsoft Wholesale UK said: “I’ve known Laurence for some time and after discussing the idea numerous times we both decided it was time to put our money where our mouths were and make this thing happen. We have big plans to bring some really unique products into the UK that we will not only be heavily involved in distributing but also ongoing development.”

As a wholesaler, Airsoft Wholesale UK will only offer trade accounts to genuine verified airsoft/paintball shops and sites, however, if you would like to find out more information about Airsoft Wholesale UK you can visit their website at www. airsoftwholesaleuk.co.uk or call them on 01252 615 977. The business warehouse is based at Unit 2 Avondale Business Centre, Avondale Road, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 3FL

EVERYONE’S A WINNER! It might sound a little clichéd but we really do like making players happy by giving away terrific competition prizes and in Issue 90 we had not one but two great competitions!

First up you had the chance to win one of four RAVEN Pistols, complete with a NUPROL retention holster and NUPROL NX400 laser/light module, courtesy of RAVEN AIRSOFT and NUPROL. In our second competition, one lucky winner got to walk away (quite literally) with a superb pair of HAIX BLACK EAGLE boots, courtesy of Patrol Store.

And the winners are…

Raven Pistols: Patrick Evans from Southsea, Robin Wilson from Coleraine, Dale Casali from Leigh on Sea and Matt Forey from Ashford.

Dale said, “Oh wow can’t believe it! So excited to try it out. I already have the 1911 Raven and it’s a great gun so this will make a great addition to the collection!”, while Robin told us, “I feel over the moon, absolutely delighted! Thank you so much for this. I never win anything and this has come at the perfect time! I don’t have a sidearm, so this is perfect!”

Patrick was equally delighted with his win and commented, “I am completely surprised and blown away. I have never won anything before! Love the mag and the new TV channel on YouTube. Keep up the great work and thanks to Raven, NUPROL and Airsoft Action!” and Matt remarked, “Thank you so much! I can’t wait to add the pistol to my collection. I never expected to win and am overjoyed that I did!”

The lucky player who will soon have his feet safely ensconced in the Black Eagles is Rob Butler, from Preston, who commented “I’d just like to thank the guys at Action Airsoft for a fantastic magazine with great competitions. I can’t wait to put these boots to the test at my local stomping ground. Thank you Action Airsoft!”

I think you can say that they are five very happy winners!

If you want to join them, turn to page 52!.

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october 2018

AIRSOFT ACTION TV GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. A few issues back we asked you to tune into Airsoft Action TV to get a little more from your favourite airsoft magazine in a different way.

At Airsoft Action TV we take a selection of each issue’s articles and give you a little “real time” action as we put that new AEG through its paces, look at some shiny new kit in the field or perhaps just discuss contentious issues in airsoft like “speedsoft”, “wearing rank and insignia” or “cheat calling”.

Well we asked … and you answered the call!

We’re pleased to say that in the couple of months we’ve been “broadcasting” on our YouTube channel we’ve already got many hundreds of you subscribing to the show for new updates as and when we launch a new video (which is at least once a week) and what is more, you’re not just clicking and having a quick look – you’re staying for the duration!

You readers are currently watching 25,000 minutes of exciting airsoft content every month and this is growing and growing every time we upload a new video. But remember, like Airsoft Action magazine, Airsoft Action TV is there to support YOUR hobby, so why not write into the magazine and tell us what sort of articles you’d like to see featured on the channel. Would you like to see more gun reviews, more site reviews, kit evaluations or perhaps some good old-fashioned, down to earth chats about the issues we all come up against in the hobby?

Either way, keep watching and if you think you’ve seen some good stuff from us already we’ve got some major surprises coming up later in the year - with world exclusives on several great new items.

If you’ve not already subscribed why not pop along to www.youtube. com/airsoftactiontv and take a look!

KIDS GO FREE AT THE NORTHERN SHOOTING SHOW KIDS GO FREE! We are excited to 15 YEARS & UNDER GET FREE ENTRY TO THE NORTHERN SHOOTING SHOW 2019 announce that KIDS GO FREE to the Northern Shooting Show, on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 2019.

BASC - The British Association for Shooting and Conservation - have kindly subsidised the cost of a junior ticket to make sure more juniors are able to attend the event. It’s a clear statement from ourselves and BASC that we need to support young shooters and make sure shooting sports has continuity which it desperately needs.

The show is very much geared to show let shooters and non-shooters try other disciplines they wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to try. We have Bushcraft, Airsoft, Rifle, Clayshooting, Archery and Airgun “have a go” areas.

Please bring your non-shooting friends to the show and show them just how dynamic shooting sports can be.

Adult advance tickets are £12 if you buy in advance and £15 on the day.

Tickets can be purchased here. www. northernshootingshow.co.uk/tickets COURTESY OF

The British Association for Shooting & Conservation

SAT 11TH - SUN 12TH MAY 2019 | YORKSHIRE EVENT CENTRE WWW.NORTHERNSHOOTINGSHOW.CO.UK

GKTACTI CAL PRODUCTSNOW AVAI LABLEATRETAI LSTORESBELOW

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

ROGUE’S GALLERY

From Jon Reed – Invicta Airsoft

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october 2018

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

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

Pics: Team GB IPSC World Championship

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october 2018

armoury KWA KM4 CQB

NO RECOIL? NO PROBLEM!

AS AN AVID RECOIL AEG USER, PHIL BUCKNALL WAS INTRIGUED TO SEE WHAT STEPPING BACK TO A NONRECOIL RIFLE WOULD BE LIKE, AS HE GOT HIS HANDS ON THE NEW KM4 FROM KWA. It is fair to say I haven’t really used any other AEGs in the last three years (at least) that weren’t either ERGs from either KWA or PTS or a Marui recoil AEG, so when I was asked to review the new KWA KM4 CQB I thought why not; I hadn’t used a non-recoil for so long I wanted to see what an entry level(-ish) AEG could offer.

I’m not going to wax lyrical about the packaging as it is only there to protect what’s inside and that it does admirably with gun held securely in polystyrene in a understated black and red box. You want to know how the gun is so let’s start with the externals.

The receivers are metal and the upper has a flat top railed section to which you can mount the optic of your choice if you so desire but it comes as standard with the usual M4 carry handle/ back up iron sight that can be adjusted for windage and elevation. Also metal is the outer barrel (which is 10.4” long so good for making a Mk18 or similar if you wanted to swap the plastic standard hand guard out for an aftermarket rail); the front sight post; the buffer tube; the sling plate and the carry handle.

The hand guard, A2 pistol grip and crane stock are made of a decent looking and sturdy plastic. It isn’t as good as the PTS polymer but its more than adequate for the job and will 12

october 2018

stand up to some abuse. This isn’t an AEG that you will need to baby around. One gripe I have with the plastic is that there’s a pretty obvious seam line running along the top of the crane stock. Whilst it doesn’t look great it doesn’t interfere with the function of the stock and it moves nicely along the buffer tube with a satisfying “click” as it engages positively in the six positions it has for adjustment. There’s a nice metal sling plate at the base of the buffer tube which means you can add a single point sling of your choice either on the right or left to suit your needs. From my own experience I know these are pretty tough too, so you don’t have to worry about losing your gun when slung.

Whilst talking about the stock; the battery is stored in there and the compartment is accessed by removing the butt pad, which latches in from the top and has two substantial clips to secure it to the stock. The gun is wired to a mini Tamiya connector on the end of a pretty stiff coiled wire similar to the old telephone cords and there is room inside the tubes for thinnish nun-chuck style batteries to fit. The ones I had were just a little too wide and I had to use a single stick 7.4v 1300MAH placed in the butt pad. This might be something you need to be careful of if you run high capacity batteries or even 11.1v LiPos, as they may not fit.

The finish on the metal is a nice and even almost satin black, with crisp white laser engraving of the KWA logo and the serial number. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the overall build quality and fit and finish on this replica. It is a sturdy, rock solid little gun with a decent but not onerous weight and you can field this with the confidence that it isn’t going to fall apart in your hands.

Finally for the externals is the magazine. It is made of matt black polymer and its styled very much in the vein of Magpul PMAGs but with KWA branding molded into it. It doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap and holds 120 BBs. The spring in it happily fed 0.25g BBs but unlike the ERG magazines that I’m used to, the

armoury KWA KM4 CQB

“I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY THE OVERALL BUILD QUALITY AND FIT AND FINISH ON THIS REPLICA. IT IS A STURDY, ROCK SOLID LITTLE GUN WITH A DECENT BUT NOT ONEROUS WEIGHT AND YOU CAN FIELD THIS WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT IT ISN’T GOING TO FALL APART IN YOUR HANDS.” follower doesn’t feed every last BB so you have the usual issue of the last few falling out of the magwell when you remove the magazine.

Internally the KM4 uses the proven 2GX gearbox and the 2G hop bucking to make it all go. The motor is more than up to the task of spinning everything up and it delivered a reasonable rate of fire of around 13 rounds per second. For me this is spot on; I’ve never liked insanely high rates of fire and much prefer a more realistic 600-700 rounds per minute, which the KM4 delivers on. I didn’t have a chance to strip this AEG down to its bare bolts as it was a loaner so I can’t comment on the guts of the gearbox. Suffice to say, that when I pulled the trigger in either semi or full auto, BBs came out the muzzle and sailed onwards to their target as they should. The gearbox and motor never sounded like they were struggling or that there was an angry wailing cat in there trying to escape - which is always a good thing but, in all fairness, having had several KWAs over the recent years (even though they are the ERG variety) I have come to expect that. In fact, I firmly believe that even in the lower to middle end of the market gearboxes should be fit for purpose out of the box and badly constructed ones should not be tolerated. At the price point the KM4 falls into I’d say it is slightly above budget and a little way below a premium model but feels and sounds more expensive than it actually is.

I do have a slight issue, if you could call it that, about the internals and that is the hop unit - more specifically the hop rubber. I found when using my preferred weight BBs of 0.25g, the hop, even when on fully, failed to lift them much further than about 25m. I do know that with virtually all of my KWAs the hop rubber was the single weak link and in all but my latest one, the C4-10 ERG I replaced them. With the new one I did notice that after a few magazines the hop performance did indeed improve and the same was true with the KM4. Whether this is a permanent improvement after a bedding in period or if it will happen every time you use it I can’t say but it is easy enough to access the hop unit to change the rubber if you need to.

SO, HOW IS IT TO ACTUALLY USE? Well, in a word - nice! I know it is another M4 in a market that is literally flooded with M4s and people tend to become a little immune to a new M4 being released but there is a reason for their proliferation. They are easy to use and customisable as heck and the vast majority of players are familiar with the layout of the controls as they are intuitively placed. If you’ve previously had an M4 in your collection there’s nothing here that you’d need to learn for manipulating the controls. It would’ve been nice to see an ambidextrous fire selector on it if I’m being picky but that probably would’ve seen a hike in the price.

With the KM4 CQB it was really nice to go back to a bare bones, rail-free, shorty M4 with no bells and whistles and yet still having everything you need to play. It shouldered nicely and the cheek weld with the crane stock was very good and comfortable - although if you run full face protection this isn’t quite so easy but that is a common issue linked more to the face mask, rather than the gun. There’s plenty of adjustment in the stock to allow for players of all arm lengths so finding one that suits isn’t a problem.

Being short and relatively light it was a breeze to transition from target to target and if shooting at a moving OPFOR player, tracking and leading them is very easy and very natural.

Being the CQB version it would be excellent for fighting in and around buildings but it didn’t feel out-gunned in woodland engagements either. It really is a great entry level AEG. It will happily do everything you need of it if you’re starting out but if you are an experienced player in need of a short gun, it would be remiss to overlook the KM4 CQB. I very nearly bought the review gun to keep as a spare to lend to friends if they wanted to have a go!

Overall it isn’t going to set the world on fire and there is nothing groundbreaking about it or what it does. Put simply though, it is a good dependable fun little AEG and could act as a perfect base for future upgrades both internally as parts wear out, or externally as your style of play develops. www.airsoft-action.online

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armoury KWA KM4 CQB

“INTERNALLY THE KM4 USES THE PROVEN 2GX GEARBOX AND THE 2G HOP BUCKING TO MAKE IT ALL GO. THE MOTOR IS MORE THAN UP TO THE TASK OF SPINNING EVERYTHING UP AND IT DELIVERED A REASONABLE RATE OF FIRE OF AROUND 13 ROUNDS PER SECOND.” Even though I am a die-hard ERG convert and swore blind I’d never use another AEG that didn’t recoil at the very least, I found myself strangely won over by this gun and its no nonsense feel. I even found myself enjoying the lack of recoil - for a bit anyway as since I had to get my right collarbone plated a full day’s shooting leaves it a little tender. My final thought is don’t discount it until you’ve tried it; I nearly did and that would have been a mistake!

I’d like to thank John at JTAC Custom for loaning me the KM4 for the duration of the review and if you want to get anything KWA AEG related then he is a great guy to deal with

and a veritable font of knowledge on all things KWA as well as custom work. His website is www.jtaccustom.co.uk Until next month, stay safe and have fun. AA

features Weight 3.04kgs Length stock in/extended

70.5cm/78.7cm

Inner barrel length

273mm

Barrel diameter

6.05mm

Magazine capacity

120rnds

Velocity 360FPS/1.2J with blaster 0.2g BBs (as tested) Battery Lipo or LiFe (tested with 7.4v Lipo)

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october 2018

FUG READING-UK

#ENOLAGAYE

LAS VEGAS-USA

ARMOURY NEW KRYTAC MODELS

KRYTAC: NEW RANGE OVERVIEW

THE KRAKEN HAS BEEN UNLEASHED BIG TIME! FIVE NEW MODELS FROM KRYTAC ALL DROPPING VERY CLOSE TOGETHER. SCOTT ALLAN HIGHLIGHTS WHAT IS WHAT AND WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT EXPECT FROM THEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE. Krytac is one of the most sought-after brands in the UK at present and you may ask “Why?” Well, truthfully there isn’t any major reason that I can see, other than they are very good and they look very nice. But so are many other brands, what is so different about Krytac?

Personally, for me I think it’s the attitude they have toward the market and to their players. They care in a way that Far East companies don’t normally seem to - and they listen!

Krytac is either from the depths of the ocean, or some corporate money-making machine, well this is 2018 …who are we kidding? Krytac is part of KRISS USA, the people behind the amazing KRISS Vector. So I guess the question should be: “Who are KRISS?”

KRISS USA KRISS USA is an extension of the Swiss-based KRISS Group.

They manufacture and develop products to distribute all over the country from Virginia to California. A lot of time and care goes into the designs and the materials used. When you manufacture firearms and Airsoft goods you have to be on your “A game” right from the start of production and KRISS employ a large team of industry experts to eliminate the chances of weak products.

KRISS manufacture a number of firearms based off the Vector platform but also the Sphinx pistol and the Defiance 0.22lr range, which has also proven popular in the UK. I’ve spent quite a bit of time with them at Shot Show and enjoyed their hospitality trying out the Vector. I personally have their Defiance 22 and I can vouch for them as being proper little nail drivers.

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october 2018

ARMOURY NEW KRYTAC MODELS

SO WHAT MODELS ARE COMING OUT?

Trident 47 SPR M Yes!!! Finally! I’ve been waiting for this model for a long time, ever since the demo version was shown years ago at IWA! Many of you might be aware that the only other ones to ever appear came out of Taiwan many years ago and were the Hurricane conversion kits. It was expensive and required a fully functioning donor gun to put inside it, they were rare as hell and very cool! Bolt Airsoft has since then released a complete version and they were okay - but not great. I showed a friend and he picked it up, he’s one of those grumpy guys who hates everything. He put the magazine in and said “Huh! That’s the first AK mag I’ve ever got in first time!” So I guess Krytac did that right! It looks and feels brilliant and will certainly be a big hit.

Features: Licensed DEFIANCE TR113 MLOK Hand Guard KRYTAC Metal Alloy Receivers Licensed DEFIANCE Pistol Grip Licensed CMC Trigger KRYTAC Battery Stock Ambidextrous Fire Selector MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny Top Rail Locking Bolt and Bolt Release Six-Position Numbered Buffer Tube Ambidextrous Sling Loops

TRIDENT MK II SPR M An updated SPR with a very nice new MLOK rail.

I really like MLOK and I find that odd because I wasn’t much fussed over Keymod, all my rifles still have full RIS front ends.

The SPR M is a very nice update and the newly developed billet receiver, pistol grip and trigger are nice touches that are starting to bring the Krytac brand firmly into its own for me.

The SPR and the shorter CRB are the most popular hitters for Krytac and with good reason. They are very reliable and excellent performers straight out of the box.

I like the extra length of the SPR but both perform near identically in every way that counts. The Mk II is athletically superior to the original versions, the new rails, triggers and pistol grip being the key points. Oddly enough the pistol grip was one of the few things I ever picked Krytac up on during my initial reviews.

although personally I’d steer toward the SPR, due to playing outdoors more and preferring something a bit longer.

Features: KRYTAC MK II metal alloy receivers Licensed DEFIANCE® TR213 M-Lok rail system Licensed DEFIANCE® flip-up front and rear sigh Licensed DEFIANCE® pistol grip Licensed DEFIANCE® forward assist KRYTAC battery stock Ambidextrous fire selector Locking Bolt and Bolt release Licensed CMC trigger MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny top rail Ambidextrous sling loops

“I SHOWED A FRIEND AND HE PICKED IT UP, HE’S ONE OF THOSE GRUMPY GUYS WHO HATES EVERYTHING. HE PUT THE MAGAZINE IN AND SAID “HUH! THAT’S THE FIRST AK MAG I’VE EVER GOT IN FIRST TIME!” SO I GUESS KRYTAC DID THAT RIGHT!”

Features KRYTAC MK II metal alloy receivers Licensed DEFIANCE® TR213 M-Lok rail system Licensed DEFIANCE® flip-up front and rear sigh Licensed DEFIANCE® pistol grip Licensed DEFIANCE® forward assist KRYTAC battery stock Ambidextrous fire selector Locking Bolt and Bolt release Licensed CMC trigger MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny top rail Ambidextrous sling loops

TRIDENT MK II CRB M Much like the SPR, the CRB is a more refined, more polished and updated version of its original self.

The MLOK rail keeps it bang up to date with cutting edge accessory attachment methods. I actually tried them out with the Magpul MLOK AFG and it might be the best handstop I’ve used to date, purely down to how close the AFG hugs into the rail.

The shorter CRB shouldn’t offer any real benefit other than the fractionally lighter and physically shorter size. Range and rate of fire are near identical between the two lengths

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ARMOURY NEW KRYTAC MODELS

WAR SPORT GPR CC The General Purpose Rifle Combat Competition rifle by War Sport leads on from the snub nosed LVOA, a well-loved rifle.

I like the GPR but do I like it as much as the LVOA? Bluntly, no I don’t! It is just not as cool for me. A flash hider makes or breaks a rifle and this one just looks a bit fat for my personal tastes. The rail is very nice and it is an exceptionally wellbalanced rifle, plus, like all of the other Krytac rifles, it shoots like a dream. It’s just not the prettiest of the bunch for me.

While it is a faithful replica to the “real steel” it just isn’t the good looking younger brother that I had hoped it would be - but it definitely packs a big punch like the LVOA and is less front heavy, which means you can point it much faster.

Features Licensed War Sport Manufacturing® LVOA Metal Alloy Receivers Licensed War Sport Manufacturing® GPR-CC Rail Licensed War Sport Manufacturing® Flash Hider DEFIANCE® Low Profile Flip Sights Licensed DEFIANCE® Pistol Grip KRYTAC Battery Stock Ambidextrous Fire Selector MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny Top Rail Ambidextrous Sling Loops

VECTOR TWO TONE Of the things that could’ve happened with the Vector this is one of the least exciting for me! Actually, I sprayed my gas blow back version like this years ago, so this arrival amused me slightly. I had hoped a new Vector would sport an M4 buffer tube, or different rail but we first off have this black and tan version and to be fair, I really like it. I almost wished there had also been a black and grey version too. Functionally nothing has changed (this can make it hard to review a new colour 18

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when nothing has changed) but it’s now just something a little different.

There is another new Limited Edition Vector due out very soon and details are sketchy at this point but I’m hoping a new rail front end at least.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE RADAR? The Origin 12 shotgun is continually asked about but, reading between the lines, I wouldn’t expect it anytime soon. The delays don’t seem to be from Krytac, so hopefully we can get an update soon and see another new and exciting project come to fruition! It just won’t be in the next 12-18 months, sadly!

CONCLUSION Krytac have expanded their range nicely and while still firmly in the AR15 camp, it does have a nice mixture of replicas and their own designs that I hope will continue to expand at a steady rate over the next few years, as Krytac continue to expand.

Coupled with the Alpha series that, in my opinion, is so closely priced that it is barely worth it, Krytac is covering all the bases nicely and the Origin 12 concept does open up a really big avenue for potential Three Gun stuff in the UK. Once Krytac have the design nailed, porting it over to new replicas would hopefully be fairly simple and we’d see a number of other new designs shortly afterwards. I would also like to see a full AK platform as some point too, it would be interesting to see where they could take that. AA

0.20g

0.25g

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

ARMOURY ICS L86A2 RETROSPECTIVE

ICS L86A2

“CROW CANNON” WITH UK FIREARMS LAWS AS THEY ARE, IT’S RARE THAT WE ON THE AIRSOFT ACTION TEAM HAVE ANY “REAL WORLD” EXPERIENCE WITH THE AIRSOFT REPLICAS WE REVIEW BUT, AS GADGE IS PRETTY FAMILIAR WITH THE REAL STEEL LSW, HE WAS KEEN TO SEE HOW THE ICS VERSION HELD UP TO CLOSE SCRUTINY. ICS’s SA80 range are by no means new guns but we recently had a couple in the office on loan for a “Warriors” feature (see Page 84) and we were so impressed with them that we thought it was probably only fair to give them a retrospective review, as they originally came out before the magazine’s very first issue.

Without a shadow of a doubt the “SA80” (small arms for the 80s) series of fire arms are perhaps the most maligned range of infantry weapons of the 20th century. They’ve had a pretty bad press since day one but that doesn’t seem to stop airsofters loving the British bullpup and they have been a common sight on airsoft fields around the UK ever since STAR

brought out the first truly skirmishable model in 2005 (before that there were some truly terrible plastic springers about and that was it!).

The SA80 “family” includes four main weapons: the L85 “individual weapon”, the L86 “Light support weapon”, the L22 “carbine” (often called the “tank crew” version) and a recently retired, single shot, bolt action cadet training rifle known as the L98. In reality the army only really used the L85 and L86 for years and only recently have L22s begun to see light of day.

Without getting into too much detail, the SA80 family had a fairly torturous development process and various spanners were thrown in the works as the designers had to continually revise the British Army’s new bullpup rifle of the 80s (and that they had wanted since the 1940s) to fit in with what the rest of NATO - well actually, with what the USA wanted!

BAPTISM OF FIRE By 1987 first production runs of the new 5.56mm rifles were being issued and in 1991 the rifles saw their first real “baptism of fire”, in the Persian Gulf on Operation Granby. As with all new weapons, the rifles showed their faults when up against a real enemy in a shooting war and many users had some catastrophic failures in action (nowhere near as bad as the M16 rifle faired in its first few years though!), which led to the rifle getting a LOT of negative press. The LSW got a particularly bad rep as, while it’s 80 per cent the same weapon as the IW, it was expected to fire far more rounds than the L85 between stoppages and given it was using the same bolt, firing pin and receiver, that was just never going to happen. Around the early 2000s, the British government realised that while some “quick fixes” had sorted out most the problems on the L85 and L86 a1 series (and I can tell you that from personal experience I never had an L85 or L86 a1 fail on me in three years), it was probably time for an upgrade. Renowned German firearms company Heckler and Koch (then a British-owned company based in Nottingham) were given the contract to overhaul the thousands of rifles to an “a2” standard and, to be fair, they did an excellent job. The SA80 series are perhaps one of world’s

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ARMOURY ICS L86A2 RETROSPECTIVE

best assault rifles now –but they still can’t shake off the “bad press” of the past. The irony seems that most the people who slate the rifle have never fired one but hey, that’s armchair generals for you!

THE ICS L86 For a start, the build quality is exceptional! Sticking a sling on it and popping on an aftermarket SUSAT sight I quickly got “flashbacks” to hot and uncomfortable training exercises where, as the new guy in the platoon, I was expected to lug the “crow cannon” around all exercise!

ICS have done an excellent job in recreating the “look and feel” of the L86a2 (I only ever used an a1 but the core parts are the same), it has a decent weight and it’s a bit unwieldly but you know you’re hefting a serious bit of kit. The only thing I didn’t like about it “cosmetically” is that while ICS have gone to great detail to get it “bang on” in nearly every respect, they seem to have forgotten to put the stamping for R (repetition) and A (automatic) on the fire selector. It’s a small omission that could so easily have been fixed. That said, the bipod is just like the real one (and just as fiddly to put away once you’ve finished having it deployed) and the pistol and rear grip feel great. All of the controls from the trigger (more of this later), through the safety catch to the bolt holding open device, feel just like the real thing. Regrettably it doesn’t have a functioning bolt release catch (the holding open device doubles for this) but other than that it’s great. One thing worth remembering is that again, just like the real steel, the sight rail is 19mm rather than the more modern standard of 20mm so if you’re planning on using optics other than a 19mm rail SUSAT, you’re going to need an adaptor.

One of the great things about ICS’s L86a2 is that it actually comes with a unique gearbox that lets you adjust the power

rating of your gun - without having to strip the whole gearbox to remove, or adjust the spring. Getting to the gearbox is simplicity itself: Simply push out the two pins in the trigger mechanism housing (again, just like the real steel) and the trigger and magwell lower detaches from the upper, allowing you access to the gearbox. Pop off a retaining clip, pull out the bar and then reset your spring to either high power (around 400fps with a .20), medium (350fps) or low (300fps) and then just clip it back together... absolute simplicity and a boon to those airsofters as “untechnical” as me! On the subject of simplicity, it’s worth mentioning the novel battery housing solution. On some SA80 family AEGs it’s a fiddly job of removing the entire front handguard or manoeuvring a battery around the fake gas parts. ICS have dispensed with this

“IT WAS EXPECTED TO FIRE FAR MORE ROUNDS THAN THE L85 BETWEEN STOPPAGES AND GIVEN IT WAS USING THE SAME BOLT, FIRING PIN AND RECEIVER, THAT WAS JUST NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.”

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ARMOURY ICS L86A2 RETROSPECTIVE

nonsense by making a split handguard that simply hinges open after clicking a small switch on the underside – again (and to quote a certain meerkat), simplez!

The last thing I’ll mention while delving about inside, is that the incredibly well thought out trigger unit has a mechanical “brake” which separate the contacts between shots and gives you a trigger pull almost like a real rifle. Once more, it’s a small detail but the devil is in the detail and this is a devil of a gun!

CROW CANNON So, with a full understanding of the “gubbins” within we took the “crow cannon” for a test day at our local site. Chronoing was pleasant and we found that the “medium” setting was giving us around 330 to 340 FPS with a .20g Blaster BB (around .75 - .78J). It’s worth noting that the hop up unit (a dial type adjusting hop similar to that found on many AR type AEGs) gave us a lot of over-hopping and “flyers” on a .20 and the L86 as a whole preferred .25s in use. Range was pleasing but no more extensive than a similar “assault rifle” type AEG. As the day progressed I found the AEG to be excellent for gaming

but the weight of the gun began to tell as time went on. I’m used to the real thing and this AEG weighs in at a pretty close call, which made me feel that if it were to be my “weapon of choice” I’d probably need to do a bit more work on my arms in the gym!

CONCLUSION

“THE INCREDIBLY WELL THOUGHT OUT TRIGGER UNIT HAS A MECHANICAL “BRAKE” WHICH SEPARATE THE CONTACTS BETWEEN SHOTS AND GIVES YOU A TRIGGER PULL ALMOST LIKE A REAL RIFLE. ONCE MORE, IT’S A SMALL DETAIL BUT THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL AND THIS IS A DEVIL OF A GUN!”

In conclusion I’d have to say that I’m really pleased with the ICS L86. If you’re a MilSimmer or re-enactor it’s probably a great buy but less so for the casual open day player. To be honest, given its mechanically the same as ICS’s L85a2, you can get exactly the same performance and carry a KG or two less weight by going for the “individual weapon” model. But, having said that, it’s a damn cool replica and certain to get you noticed!

Carrying the LSW is a labour of love though... it is heavy, it is cumbersome and, unlike other “support” weapons, you’re not getting any real advantage from carrying a box mag (and this is where the LSW is massively misunderstood – the real ones are not “light machine guns” they are support weapons designed to increase the accurate engagement range of a rifle section.. not to lay down massive amounts of fire!). However, if you want that sort of thing I can’t see you getting any better than this model. It’s built like a tank externally and internally it’s simply a thing of beauty but, and I have to stress this, it’s the sort of AEG you really have to WANT to have! It is not for everyone, especially younger, or smaller players.

Where I feel this replica will really excel is in MilSim and FilmSim games, where those equipped with a support weapon can carry more ammo than a standard rifleman and are allowed to use slightly higher energy levels. I feel in those environments that extra KG of steel is a fair trade off for the game advantage you will get. All in all though, I have to say that the moment I picked up the ICS L86a2 I was almost transported back in time to my days as a young “crow” in an infantry battalion. Yep, you’ve guessed it! It’s called a “crow cannon” as the new guy got given the really heavy things to carry and, well If you can convince an old squaddie… it must be a good buy! AA

Tech Specs Price : Around £350 Length of Gun 912.8mm Supplied with 2 metal hicap mags (450 rnd) Weight (not include battery) 6.5KG Barrel length 610mm Barrel Calibre 6.08mm Body Steel& Aluminium Magazine weight 200g Scope rail is 19mm width

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armoury NUPROL MOSCART

IN THE DAYS OF TAG ROUNDS AS A REGULAR GAME-DAY “FORCE MULTIPLIER” AND WITH THE “40 MIKE” STILL CAUSING GREAT DEBATE AMONGST THE UK AIRSOFT COMMUNITY, BILL TAKES US BACK TO SIMPLER DAYS WHEN THE MOSCART WAS KING AND PUTS A CASE AS TO WHY IT STILL IS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS!

THE MOSCART IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE MOSCART! A couple of weeks ago I was speaking to a chap called Marcus who is about to open an airsoft store in my home town of Dover (32 London Road if you’re interested and local!). Now some of you older players out there may remember Marcus from his days tech’ing at WOLF and it’s always a joy when you meet someone from the “old and bold” of UK airsoft.

Of course we got round to talking about people we knew in common and again, some of you may remember a character we all called “MOSCART Mick”.

Now bear in mind that we’re talking here about the original “40mm” MOSCART grenades, like the Mosquito Molds Cartridge that were selling back in the day for about £90 apiece. Mick, as both Marcus and I recall, had somewhere in the region of 28 of them and wasn’t shy about putting them to use in the field! Everyone thought he was slightly mad but we were also a little jealous if I’m honest!

Of course time moves on, the economies of scale kick in and prices fall which means that a decent set of MOSCARTs (and I use this here as a generic term) for the launcher of your choice isn’t going to need you to take out a second mortgage and with better build quality, more reliable performance and more consistent gas to power them there’s never been a better time to own a launcher and some grenades.

It seems to me though, that the humble MOSCART is now playing “second fiddle” to the likes of the TAG family of grenades but as I said last month in my look at the new N79 launchers, in some situations the gas-powered multiBB-chucker still has a very, very valid place in anyone’s airsoft armoury.

I still think of any 40mm MOSCART launcher as being essentially the airsoft equivalent of a shotgun; at medium engagement distances they can be devastating. Over the years I’ve tried and tried to run a proper Linear Ambush in a game and from time to time it’s even worked. Whilst I place a support gun in the “Kill Group” I still like to have at least one of my “Cut Off Group” guys at either end with a launcher.

If done right the ambush will trigger and you’ll catch the main body of your targets in the centre and decimate them.

Undoubtedly there will be a few stragglers at the back of the target group, or runners that try to make off from the front and having someone pop up at either end of the ambush to unleash perhaps 120 BBs in one “ploomp” usually solves either problem!

I’m not personally keen using MOSCARTs in building clearance as engagement distances can get very muddled, very fast but I have seen launchers used to great effect in this scenario too. If you’re at a medium engagement distance and use one against the building itself it’s a great deterrent to the other side popping their heads up at inopportune moments…

NP BOOMS! When I received the NUPROL N79s in for testing, they also very kindly shipped me down a selection of all their MOSCARTs to run through the launchers and as I said I thought this worthy of a standalone overview as I was very impressed with them.

“I LOVE THE “CAP” GRENADES AS IT’S A SIMPLE MATTER TO FILL THE MAIN TUBE WITH BBS, SLAP ON A CAP, RESET, GAS THE SUCKER UP AND GET BACK IN THE GAME FAST!”

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armoury NUPROL MOSCART

There’s a few models to choose from so here goes…

• 40mm Gold Cap Head Grenade – Large - A single large hole in the centre of the shell will hold up to 120BB’s and these are held snugly inside the metal tube using a rubber cap head. The BBs get fired out in one go when the firing button on the base of the grenade is pressed, with the cap flying forward too. The caps are large enough to find after firing should you wish to, but spare caps are available as accessories in packs of 10 or 50.

• 40mm Cap Head Grenade - Large - 3 Pack – As above but three in a pack, and I’m telling you now, you’ll want at least three of these bad boys  • 40mm Blue Shower Grenade – 120BBs - Multiple chambers inside the grenade hold up to 120BBs which all get fired out in one go when the firing button on the base of the grenade is pressed. Also available as a three pack.

• 40mm Copper Shower Grenade – 96BBs - Multiple chambers inside the grenade hold up to 96BBs which all get fired out in one go when the firing button on the base of the grenade is pressed. Also available as a three pack.

• 40mm Red Shower Grenade – 72BBs - Multiple chambers inside the grenade hold up to 72BBs which all get fired out in one go when the firing button on the base of the grenade is pressed. Also available as a three pack.

All the NUPROL grenades are very nicely machined and put together and the bases are easy to screw off when you need to do some maintenance. Note though that all have four ball bearings inside and my advice is to keep an eye on these if you take the grenade apart as they don’t react well to wood floors or deep pile carpets! NUPROL do offer a maintenance kit which contains both O-Rings and spare bearings if you need them!

All the grenades work efficiently and in game we discovered that the “Cap” models are good to 10-15 metres (“Break Contact!”), whilst the “Shower” models, especially the 72BB model will stretch out significantly further, which is good for keeping heads down if you’re engaged in a direct assault.

Personally I love the “Cap” grenades as it’s a simple matter to

fill the main tube with BBs, slap on a cap, reset, gas the sucker up and get back in the game FAST! As with everything, grenades will require some maintenance to keep them performing at their best and all the NUPROL grenades unscrew into two parts. Simply grab both parts (the obvious base and the “tube” where the BBs live) and begin twisting in opposite directions to reveal the inner parts. After some wiggling, the valve that sits inside the base chamber assembly comes out. It’s very simple; the valve has an O-Ring that supports a seal when the shell is filled with gas that needs checking from time to time. There are four ball bearings that fit within the valve; the NUPROL models have (almost!) captive bearings which makes life WAY easier than the older models on the market which had eight loose-fit bearings that inevitably would end up everywhere… After the valve and bearings comes the spring. The spring sits inside the “button” where the primer would sit in a real 40mm grenade and this is easily lifted free.

With all these parts laid out in front of you simply wipe them down with a lint-free cloth. You want to remove anything extraneous from the inside of the grenade and remove any dust or grit that could affect the plunger-style operation. Apply a thin layer of silicone lube to the O-Ring on the valve. It’s also worth applying a tiny amount to one edge of each bearing hole; this was a trick to keep the bearings from rolling out with old grenades and has just become habit for me and it certainly won’t do captive bearings any harm! And that’s really about it until you need to replace worn O-Rings, so when everything is clean just reverse the process to reassemble your grenade and screw the two halves back together until finger tight.

In closing I have to say that yet again I’m more than pleased with the grenades that NUPROL have brought to market and thus far they’re all running sweetly (unlike the grenades of the past)! I have found that they all perform perfectly in the dedicated NUPROL launchers (both 203’s and 79’s) but do check if you have a launcher from another brand as I found there was a little “wobble” in some that interfered with consistent firing.

For more information on the entire NUPROL grenade range including their new N79 launchers, and for stockist details, visit www.nuprol.com AA

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DURING THE LAST WEEK OF JUNE 2018, 481 ACTION AIR PISTOL SHOOTERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE CONVERGED IN HONG KONG, TO TAKE PART IN THE VERY FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! THIS IS THE STORY OF THE LEAD UP TO GETTING THERE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BRANCH OF THE SPORT THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THIS HISTORIC EVENT AND, OF COURSE, THE EVENT ITSELF! HONG KONG - 29TH JUNE TO 2ND JULY 2018 VENUE: KOWLOON INTERNATIONAL TRADE & EXHIBITION CENTRE (KITEC) WRITER: PAUL VAN DEN BOSCH. PHOTOS: CURTESY OF TEAM GB

R I A N O I T IPSC AC E N O T O O H S D L R O W 28

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International ACTION AIR WORLD SHOOT

Before the handgun ban in the UK, in 1997, I and many others now taking part in the Action Air version of the sport, were involved in the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) governed sport of Practical Pistol competition. Because of this ban various alternative pistol shooting sports started to spring up, using low powered air pistols and Airsoft pistols. The sport had its ups and downs but allowed people to continue with this dynamic shooting style. After a lay off from pistol shooting of 15 years, I came back into it in 2012; almost entirely due to the influence and guidance of the late and greatly missed Malcolm Dowding, at the East Barnet Shooting Club. The sport had started to grow, more clubs were starting up in various parts of the country and the competition calendar was growing steadily.

One of the real breakthrough events that has, in my opinion, led to the Action Air World Shoot 1, was the first “European Airsoft Surgeon/RedWolf Championships” held in 2013 in the West Midlands. This competition came about after discussions at a trade fair between, primarily this magazine’s Editor, Owner, Head Honcho and Chief Bottle Washer, Nige, Chris Kong from RedWolf Airsoft and Clarence Lai, “The Airsoft Surgeon.” At this time and indeed for a long time, Action Air IPSC style shooting had been very big in the Far East but was still very much a tiny sport in Europe. Even at this first event, which had around 50 competitors, there were shooters from Europe and indeed Hong Kong and it was a great ground-breaker. Over the next four years this competition was held each year, once more in the West Midlands and then for the last three years in Gloucester. In 2017 there were over 200 competitors taking part, from all over Europe, Hong Kong and indeed Brasil! The international camaraderie was incredible and was testament to what a sport can bring about without barriers.

During these years UK shooters had greatly increased their shooting and gunsmithing skills and were becoming very successful in competition. We also started travelling regularly to Belgium and The Netherlands to compete in their Championships. Talk had been taking place about the growing prospect of an Action Air Pistol World Championships and the regional governing bodies of IPSC were being bombarded by their members about this prospect. So, it was with great delight that in October 2015 the Action Air global community

received the news that the very first World Shoot was under serious consideration! People were genuinely excited at the prospect of being able to take part in an event as historic as this. In March 2016 it was announced that the proposal made by the Hungarian Region had been accepted and, tentatively, they would host it in Budapest in November of 2017. However, over the coming months, due to a raft of issues, it became clear that Hungary would not be able to host this event after all and the joy turned to a bit of despair. Then in January 2017, IPSC announced that Hong Kong had stepped up to the plate and had been accepted as the new host of the AAWS! It was back on and people were again engaged with the prospect - and with the additional challenge of travelling to the other side of the world. Because of the late change, however, it was not possible for Hong Kong to do the job required within 2017 and a few weeks later it was announced that the dates were set from 29th June to 2nd July 2018. Game on!

No sporting event of this magnitude and complexity can take place without raising logistical issues for the competitors and this was no exception. There was the large time difference, the climate, temperature, time of travel, time to acclimatise sufficiently to be able to be competitive and of course the cost of flights, hotels and the other costs of being away for 10 www.airsoft-action.online

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International ACTION AIR WORLD SHOOT

days or more. This, undoubtedly, was a direct cause of the fact that out of the 481 registered competitors, a total of only 31 came from just six European Regions, with another 49 coming from Russia and Mongolia. The other 401 competitors were from the Far East, with 277 from Hong Kong alone!

Any team or individual taking part in such an event needs to have sponsors to ease some of the logistical and financial pressures.

We had many pistols, spare parts, tools and holster rigs to get safely shipped to Hong Kong, ensuring all customs requirements were met, and that it was all shipped in good time for our arrival.

One of our generous sponsors, RedWolf Airsoft, handled all of this aspect for us, and we are indebted to them for this. In the UK we were very grateful to receive valuable sponsorship from our regional body (UKPSA), Shield Sights, Airsoft Surgeon, RedWolf Airsoft UK , RedWolf Airsoft, Carlisle Small Arms Club, X Arms and last but definitely not least, from this magazine, Airsoft Action.

And so the preparation began and those people that had totally committed to competing in the event set about readying themselves and the “tools of their trade.” This included finding and watching videos of the Hong Kong shooters in action at their numerous club nights and competitions and getting to grips with the totally necessary inclusion of the use of electronic “stop plates”. A great deal of practise was taking place in various clubs, utilising all the information we had gathered to make sure we were all as prepared as we could be. Most of the European shooters had established contacts with Hong Kong-based shooters and airsoft retailers and they provided a great deal of advice on all aspects of the Action Air scene and equipment used in Hong Kong, plus why their setups were often very different to those used in the UK. For example, a lot of shooters in the UK were using Guarder Power Up Gas (the most powerful on the UK market) because of the level of performance in our cold, damp climate, however, this would not be available to us in Hong Kong. Even the very stable and consistent gases like Abbey Predator would not be available. On a personal level my preparation included experimenting with Green Gas that we could get easily over there and even stepping the weight of my usual .30g BB’s down to .28g. Then I had to reconstruct my main match gun and re-tune it to work efficiently with the new set up. However, because you can never ever have too many guns, can you…. I also decided to build a new gun from scratch, buying every single major and minor component then assembling and tuning it to function on my final choice of propellant and BB, Airsoft Surgeon Green Gas and Airsoft Surgeon .28g match grade BBs. I finished the build in early April then had just two months to thoroughly put it through its paces, continuing to adjust it as wear and settlement took place.

By January of 2018, nine UK competitors had been submitted for inclusion in the Championships, through our regional governing body, the United Kingdom Practical Shooting Association and were duly registered as the Great Britain Teams, in the Open and Standard Divisions and individually. The nine people were Tim Wyborn, Matt Wyborn, Paul Wyborn, Mark van den Bosch, Paul van den Bosch, Aryan Alipour, Alasdair Mustard, Luis Emerson and Chris Ho. By 26th June all of Team GB had arrived in Hong Kong, although with hindsight, I personally would have given myself at least another three days to acclimatise before the competition started. A lesson learned for the future!

Hong Kong is exactly as everything you have ever heard about it. Vibrant, exciting, exotic, and constantly on the move. There was certainly no chance to get bored! After arrival all of Team GB gravitated to RedWolf’s HQ and nervously collected their pistols and kit. For me it had almost been like being separated from a child for nearly a month. Then over the next few days there was sightseeing www.airsoft-action.online

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International ACTION AIR WORLD SHOOT

done, totally compulsory visits to a variety of the magnificent Airsoft shops, where even more money was spent on the fantastic variety of parts that we don’t get to see at home.

With previously made friendships, we were also able to visit some of the local clubs for some pre-match practice alongside some of the great Hong Kong shooters and we could not have been made more welcome.

On Friday 29th June, we attended registration and equipment checks at KITEC. The kit check caused a great deal of consternation over interpretation of rules and led to many competitors having to make very last-minute changes to their pistols in order to pass inspection. The jury is still out on some of the decisions made but we just had to suck it up… We’d come too far to do anything else.

It is an appropriate point to say that there were issues that presented over the three days (on a decreasing scale) and it was apparent that some of the incredible Range Officials who oversaw this massive event were from the “Real Steel” world of shooting and some of the nuances and differences between that and Action Air were obvious.

In the afternoon, everyone turned up in the Official Team strip and with National flags proudly displayed, took part in the Opening Ceremony. This was a lavish affair, as rightly befitted such an historic event and apart from addresses from the big names in the World of Practical Shooting, the Lion Dancers were very visual and the combined schools traditional Chinese Orchestras featured absolutely incredibly talented young musicians. It all finished around 6pm and then it was back to hotels for food, final kit checks and sleep; for some anyway!

We had been supplied with full schedules of the order of shooting and from around 7.30 am on Saturday hundreds of shooters from all over the World started gathering, nervously, meeting up with friends, finding the other 15 or so members of their squads and then heading onto one of the three ranges, to find their first stage. Many hands were shaking as magazines were being primed and loaded and many rigs positioned and then repositioned - and there was a lot of deep breathing going on! I was in Squad 30 and it consisted of a father and son from Spain and another singleton from The Netherlands, all of whom I knew from shooting together in the UK and mainland Europe.

There were also four shooters from Hong Kong and eight from

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Russia, who were all new to each other. It was very pleasing to see that the Russian team consisted of either Ladies or Juniors.

Great to see the strength of those categories, especially the Juniors. In fact, out of a total of 41 competitors from Russia, 25 or 60% of the team were Juniors! They are our future.

It is important to state, now, that the 30 stages had EVERYTHING that a World Competition should have! There were short, mid and quite a few long range targets; the long range targets being as testing as ANYTHING I had previously encountered. They were simple but testing, complex but logical, requiring speed, marksmanship and strategy to be applied liberally. The Latin words “Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas” (DVC) meaning accuracy, power and speed are IPSC’s motto, form the foundation for competition and were entirely appropriate in the context of this event. It is further necessary to state that the Range Officers, from all corners of the world, and all the Range crews of assistants, scorers and target patchers and restorers worked tirelessly for 3 days and the completion of the competition in three days would have been impossible without them.

And so it began…

Even at nearly 66 years old I was nervous; not helped at all by the severe jet lag and lack of sleep I was suffering from.

The first 10 stages were a blur and the close analysis of my stage scores and those of my category opponents proved that I lost my chance of a medal on the first day. If my scores on the second half of day two and the third day had been mirrored on the first day and a half, a second or third place would have been likely. But hey-ho, lesson learned! The camaraderie between shooters from all countries was incredible and even though there was a great deal of serious effort and competition going on, there were lots of smiles on show. Within our squad the Hong Kong shooters were very helpful and informative and talked us through tactics they used on similar stage layouts, to achieve the best balance of the skills required. The first day finished over an hour later than scheduled, due to initial hiccups and everyone settling into the system, although the last two days finished on schedule.

When the shooting was over, there was a palpable release of tension and then spontaneous expressions of happiness and appreciation of what we had all been involved in. Many

National Squad shirts were exchanged, along with badges, pendants and other paraphernalia and arrangements made to meet up for dinner and drinks that evening.

The Closing and Awards ceremonies were held on the following day and were an impressive and lavish affair. There was a great deal of liaison going on between everyone involved and many names and contact details were recorded for the future.

So how did we, the team from Great Britain fare? Well I may be biased but I think we did extremely well up against the quality and experience of a lot of the other competitors. Specifically, this is what we achieved.

Open Division Matt Wyborn, 24th in the World Luis Emerson, 89th in the World Tim Wyborn, 92nd in the World and 4th in Senior Category Chris Ho, 108th in the World Paul van den Bosch, 143rd in the World and 4th in Super Senior Category Standard Division Paul Wyborn, 28th in the World and 2nd Junior Category Alasdair Mustard, 44th in the World Aryan Alipour, 48th in the World Mark van den Bosch, 174th in the World and 2nd in Super Senior Category Open Team Team GB, 4th in the World Standard Team Team GB, 4th in the World The overall results are shown alongside this article. It must be said that shooters from Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei took the top three places in all four Divisions.

And so this hugely important and successful event ended but I have no doubt that the future of Action Air shooting will prosper and grow on the back of it.

Was it one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had? Yes! Would I go through it all and do it all again? In a heartbeat! DVC!!

MATCH RESULTS IPSC ACTION AIR WORLD SHOOT I Open 1. Wu, Chun Ki 2. Sio, Chi Man 3. Yau, Chun Sing 4. Lau, Yiu Fung 5. Leung, Ping Kei Standard 1. Lau, Warout 2. Lee, Yin Tai Yenty 3. Lai, Pak Lam 4. Chin, Chun Hei 5. Li, Tsz Wai Production 1. Chan, Yik Man 2. Li, Chak Sang 3. Chan, Teng Hsiung 4. Ng, Chun Keung 5. Leung, Kwan Kit Classic 1. Chan, Ka Chun 2. Chan, Chun Hin Justin 3. Ng, Kwok Wai Ringo 4. Chan, Lai Hong Samson 5. Kung, Chun Wai Ben

July 2018

Open Lady 1. Tam, Wing 2. Loo, Yuen Ting 3. Lau, Yuen Chong 4. Pong, Cynthia 5. Cheung, Tak Wai Helen Standard Lady 1. Fong, Lei Kei 2. Wong, Ka Yee 3. Wan, Sin Yee Cindy 4. Yu, Sau Yan Iris 5. Suen, King Yan Production Lady 1. Lau, Ying Tung 2. Mok, Ka Yan 3. Ku, Ling Kiu 4. Gordeichuk, Elena 5. Arsenieva, Anastasia Open Junior 1. Lee, Sze Yuen 2. Honrubia Ruiz, Francisco Javie 3. Navarro, Jerico 4. Kimezhuk, Timur 5. Bedereu, Elvira Standard Junior 1. Wong, Tsz Him 2. Wyborn, Paul 3. Tarasov, Alexsandr 4. Chou, Ming Kun 5. Ko, Chi Hang

Production Junior 1. Semenov, Kirill) 2. Dorofeev, Mikhail 3. Iakimova, Ekaterina 4. Li, Hon Yiu Matthew 5. Orlov, Aleksei Classic Junior 1. Marcos, Allen Paul 2. Shmelev, Maksim 3. Fedorova, Alena 4. Ievlev, Alexander 5. Kimezhuk, Milana

Open Super Senior 1. Wong, Ping Shing 2. Lai, Kwong Sang 3. Tsang, Man 4. Van Den Bosch, Paul 5. Szeto, Wing Standard Super Senior 1. Lau, Chuen Tak Alex 2. Van Den Bosch, Mark 3. Lo, Ki Kan 4. Chu, David 5. Tong, Kwok Kwong

Open Senior 1. Lo, Kwok Fai 2. Woo, Wai Leung 3. Lau, Chi Wai 4. Wyborn, Tim 5. Cheung, Pak Wan Standard Senior 1. Leung, Ka Ming 2. Hung, Ping Ki Norman 3. Tam, Nai Yee Tom 4. Wong, Chi Fung Eric 5. Van Der Meulen, Marco Classic Senior 1. Au, Io On 2. Leung, Hui Wo 3. Chang, Chi Keong 4. Ho, Weng Hei 5. Law, Wai Kin Nilson

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event WAR AND PEACE REVIVAL 2018

WAR AND PEACE REVIVAL 2018

FIRMLY ENTRENCHED BACK AT ITS ORIGINAL HOME, AT THE HOP FARM IN PADDOCK WOOD, ONCE AGAIN BILL MADE HIS ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO THIS MASSIVE MILITARY SHOW AND FAIR - AND THIS YEAR PROVED BETTER FOR AIRSOFT THAN EVER BEFORE! It may not have escaped your notice but we seem to have been going through somewhat of a “warm spell” and this year saw the temperature climbing and climbing further for “War & Peace Week”! The War & Peace Revival, or simply “W&P” as most of us refer to it, for me is a massively social event and given its standing as probably the biggest event of its kind in Europe, it’s a show that brings friends from all corners of the UK and further afield to my home county of Kent. Not only are there huge displays of tanks, armoured and soft-skin vehicles (the biggest gathering in Europe or so they say!) but there are also some excellent static living history areas that give a real insight into the “Soldier’s Lot” from WWI, WWII, through Vietnam into the Cold War and even some that bring things bang up to date “modern day”.

If you’re an enthusiast of things military then “W&P” is most certainly worth the effort, even though the ticket prices do seem to rise inexorably! The Hop Farm is not the easiest place to get to but once you left the M20 this year the organisers really had things nailed, as there were no major

tailbacks on the access road and parking was an absolute doddle. When you do get into the show though, all the pains of the journey will seem 100% worthwhile as the vehicle owners and exhibitors put massive effort into their vehicles, equipment and uniforms to ensure that as much as humanly possible is totally period correct. So if you’re in need of inspiration, or need reference pictures for a certain loadout, this is most definitely the show to visit!

To recap for those that are unfamiliar with the War & Peace Revival, it’s a five-day military and vintage festival that is packed full of education and entertainment. Visitors to W&P will be able to catch up with friends while watching the incredible action-packed battle re-enactments; these are not just groups of people running around playing soldiers but fullscale choreographed battles that give you a taste of the action, with blank firers and heaps of pyro helping to create some absolutely amazing spectacles!

The “Living History” encampments are superbly impressive too and provide a unique picture of life in conflict, with depictions from WW1 to the present day; you can see the British “squaddies” living in trenches and “bashas”, GIs in Vietnam with their “tracks” and helicopters, Russians relaxing with an accordion after a hard day in Afghanistan, or “Rhodies” on patrol in their “Buffel” APCs and, if you’re really lucky, you can even get a ride!

AIRSOFT FRONT AND CENTRE Trade stalls give collectors and shoppers the opportunity to browse through marquees packed full of treasures, including De-Acs, militaria, antiquities, vehicle parts, books, memorabilia, clothing and uniforms and all manner of essential finds for the discerning enthusiast - quite literally everything from a shirt button to a tank! This year, after the change of venue in 2017, the airsoft scene was growing again and it was great to see “regulars” like of Dave from TAG Airsoft, along with Airsoft 34

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event WAR AND PEACE REVIVAL 2018

World who are there each “THE VEHICLE OWNERS AND EXHIBITORS PUT MASSIVE EFFORT INTO THEIR and every year.

VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS TO ENSURE THAT AS MUCH AS It was really encouraging HUMANLY POSSIBLE IS TOTALLY PERIOD CORRECT. SO IF YOU’RE IN NEED OF this year to see that a new airsoft area is starting to INSPIRATION, OR NEED REFERENCE PICTURES FOR A CERTAIN LOADOUT, THIS emerge, with Trent and the IS MOST DEFINITELY THE SHOW TO VISIT!” NUPROL stand front and centre, ably flanked by Chris have cast history and much, much more. You could smell the and his family team from years gone by as battle worn merchandise of every type baked “308 Sniper” quite literally going “great guns” on the retail in the blazing heat, which enhanced an added effect to this side. The new S&T “870” style shotguns that were on show market of warriors and their wares. were selling fast and I’ll be taking a look at one of those soon I asked myself why, over and over, when around every (when they come back in stock)! corner was something old but new to me and just an hour On the other side of the NUPROL stand was SAS veteran “Big Phil” Campion’s “Try CQB” arena, which was busy (and noisy!) all the time and gave folk not only a chance to try airsoft but also an opportunity to speak direct to the man himself. Phil was gracious enough to give me a guided tour of the arena which was small but mightily impressive and I hope that this will become a regular feature at the event each and every year.

I hope that others will be encouraged to join next year and truly give airsoft a “home” at the show!

I also had a chance to get together with other members of my airsoft OPFOR group “Guerillas in the Mist” and no War & Peace would be complete without visiting the stand of Cold War Collectables for AK parts, even if we did have to wake Jip up when we got there! There was also a meeting which took place that gathered a number of seasoned MilSim players in one place at one time and I have to say I was really thrilled by some of the new ideas I heard being discussed.

I’m a bit of an “old-timer” to the show these days so it was interesting to see what “first timer” Les had to say about things, and I’m certain that you’ll find his thoughts on “W&P” just as entertaining as I did!

Over to Les…

THEY SAY YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST TIME… …and I do indeed concur! I had absolutely no idea of the sheer scale of this event as I entered The War and Peace Revival on Tuesday 24th July, the first and apparently, the lesser attended day of this mahoosive gathering of like-minded people from many countries around the world.

To say that I was overwhelmed would be an understatement at best. In a way, I’m quite glad that I had forgotten to wear my Fitbit monitor because I think that it may have just blown up at some point! I felt like I had yomped across the Gobi Desert in temperatures up into the mid 30’s, maybe more, amongst row after row of metal military machines and remnants of eras that

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event WAR AND PEACE REVIVAL 2018

and a half stood between my door and the biggest slice of yesteryear. This was my first visit to the greatest celebration of military history and vintage lifestyle in the world!

As I parked my rucksack at the NUPROL trade stand, courtesy of my good mate Trent, the infamous Red Van Man, I turned around to see a giant of a man who I recognised to be Born Fearless “Big” Phil Campion, retired D Squadron 22 SAS trooper and I was humbled to be invited into the “Killing House” training arena that Phil and his team had created for such events. A custom-built compound where, under the guidance of the big man himself, a shooter can take an airsoft rifle around a timed course of obstacles, adversaries (static targets) and of course, friendlies, with the goal being to achieve the most enemy kills in the fastest time (with penalties if you shoot one or more of the good guys).

As I left this living legend (and feeling a whole lot smaller than I did when I arrived) I began my trek around this cast of history and nostalgia and wondered to myself “Is this journey ever going to end”? My mind said “I hope not” but my body was telling me otherwise, however, being as headstrong as I am, I continued my trek past countless points of interest, including the likes of Airsoft World who had travelled the length of the UK to support the show, along with 308Sniper and a handful of other airsoft retailers. Ultimately though, this was all about history, the history that puts us where we are today but all designed to educate and share treasured memories of years gone by. This is a celebration that brings so many enthusiasts together for a retro-revival of bitter battles, countless conflicts and worldly-wise warriors to remember the fallen, to pay tribute to so many and forge friendships otherwise never made without such a festival of remembrance.

So, now no longer a War and Peace virgin, a visit every year is commanded in my list of annual attendances.

Lez OUT!

A LITTLE BARGAIN HUNTING! Aside from visiting some excellent re-enactment groups like Three Sixty History and their award winning Black Hawk Down display, Modern Forces who this year had an excellent stand featuring a mock-up of the “Son Tay Raid” and a number of new groups who had gone to town on more modern themes like “Team Six”, I spent most of my time ogling military vehicles of all shapes and sizes. At W&P you will see pretty much everything from folding bicycles made for paratroopers, to the largest of Main Battle Tanks, from mine resistant trucks to amphibious jeeps and everything in between!

As usual one of the highlights for me is the traders area, with massive marquees like that of Soldier of Fortune, down to the small lean-tos of the “one man bands” with their splendid “rummage piles” of gear. The number of stands appeared to be up again from last year but many of the traders from across the channel really seem to be charging top dollar for their wares. I still think W&P is a great place to pick up some super bargains if you know what you’re looking for and boy, do I like to find a bargain but I have to admit that this year I came away with only a mint-condition ’44 Pattern waterbottle cover ,to complete a set of ’58 Pattern webbing I have in my Cold War collection!

I said last year that The Hop Farm is a bit of a “faff” to get to but the 2018 show was obviously a huge success and clearly indicates that W&P is back to stay. A high point for me is undoubtedly the Spitfire fly-by which is so evocative of the Battle of Britain and this year I was not disappointed as, once heard, the sound of those Merlin engines resounded around the entire showground!

Next year’s War & Peace Revival is already scheduled for 23rd to 27th July 2019 at The Hop Farm Family Park, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent - and I hope to see even more airsofters there than ever before! AA www.airsoft-action.online

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feature AIRSOFT AK-47S & M4S

NO SUCH THING AS AN AIRSOFT AK-47 OR M4!

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU HEARD THE QUESTION “WHAT’S BETTER, AN AK-47 OR AN M4?” TOM

HIBBERD IS PRETTY SURE MOST PEOPLE ASKING THAT QUESTION DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT EITHER WEAPON REALLY IS… SO THE QUESTION IS… “WHAT IS AN AK-47?“ There have been many production versions built on the venerable AK but there has only ever been one type that was designated an AK-47.

“AK” stands for “Автома́т Кала́шникова” (westernised as Avtomát Kaláshnikova), which means “Kalashnikov’s Automatic Rifle”. After many prototypes and trials, the AK-47 was first manufactured in 1947 and formally adopted in 1949.

It featured a stamped and riveted receiver, a long stroke gas system, selective fire and used a 30 round detachable box magazine. The 7.62x39mm cartridge was an intermediate design halfway between a full power rifle round, like the 7.62x54R fired by the Moison-Nagant and pistol calibers. The AK-47 was originally intended as a longer ranged sub-machine gun and was accompanied into service by the longer barreled SKS to be used by riflemen.

As precision stamping was a relatively new technology (rumours persist that captured German Engineers were used) there were numerous quality control issues in production which reduced the number of guns made. Very quickly a replacement version was created which used more traditional gun making technology of forging and milling.

This is a more expensive technique and uses much more material, the rifles were also a lot heavier. These new AKs were designated “AK-49” by the Soviets, however, in the West they are called “AK-47 Type 2”. A further modification was made to the manufacturing process resulting in what is known as the “AK-47 Type 3”.

Due to all of the changes and problems, AK pattern rifles weren’t widely issued to Soviet troops until the mid-1950’s, with the introduction of the AKM. After 10 years of research and trials the AKM returned back to the stamped steel receiver and is the quintessential “Bad Guy Gun”, along with the Chinese version the Type 56.

THE AK-47 IN AIRSOFT What does this all mean for the AK-47 in airsoft? To put it simply there isn’t one available! There are a few AK-49s (AK-47 Type 3) replicas and numerous AKMs. It would be awesome if a manufacturer would 38

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produce a truly authentic early AK-47 but I’m not going to hold my breath!

So if you ask “What is the best AK-47?” then you are only going to get one answer from me.

THE M4 Perhaps more frequently used in airsoft conversations is “M4”! This is just as specific as AK-47 and also refers to one model of firearm.

The M4 was developed as a carbine (shorter) version of the US service rifle the M16A2. It was intended as a personal defense weapon for rear echelon personnel, with the full-length rifle staying in front line service and has a lineage dating back to the inception of the M16 program in Vietnam. Short versions of the M16 were created for special forces and to replace WW2-era submachine guns. These were never formerly adopted and so retained their experimental or civilian names.

These will be familiar to many as the “CAR-15” and “XM177E2”. The carbine program rumbled on for another couple of decades but never being formerly adopted until resurfacing in popular circles with the Colt 723 and 733, as well as prototype XM4s used by special forces in conflicts such as Operation Gothic Serpent (known to many as Black Hawk Down).

The carbine was adopted by the US Army as the “M4”. It received this designation as it succeeded the M1, M2 and M3 carbines used in WW2, Korea and early on in Vietnam. It was essentially a short, 14.5”-barrelled M16A2 and featured a safe-semi-burst fire selector. Very early M4s retained the carry handled A2 receiver before switching to the railed upper receiver we are familiar with today. When used by special forces on full auto lowers, it ran into feeding and over-heating problems as it was being pushed way past it’s original design specifications. This led to the SCAR program and the eventual adoption of the M4A1 and it’s SOPMOD variations. The M4A1 most notably features a full auto, rather than a burst fire setting, as well as a modified buffer and feed ramps. It eventually replaced the M16A2 as the standard service rifle of the US Army. All of the M4/M16 family of weapons are governed by

feature AIRSOFT AK-47S & M4S

very strict manufacturing standards that are documented in a Technical Data Package.

The M4 IN AIRSOFT

RESEARCH PLEASE What I’m really getting at here is, please do some research before you ask a question online.

What is it you are trying to learn or buy?

It makes it much easier for those who are trying to help if you have an idea what you are after. If you really want an M4 or M4A1, then that’s great and we’ll try and point you in the right direction and please, don’t be offended if when asking for an AK-47 that you’re told there isn’t one!

Some simple “Googling” and use of the “search” function will save everyone a lot of time.

I may be sounding like a stuck record but guess what… There is NO M4 in airsoft! Just like the AK-47, no one actually makes one!

What’s more, the M4A1 is also a very specific model. When someone asks about an M4 what they actually mean is an AR/ AR-15 pattern rifle or carbine. It’s become a shorthand for an AR pattern weapon, much like “Hoover” instead of vacuum cleaner. The other issue is that it makes it really hard to know what question is being asked. Do they want an accurate replica of a military service weapon, a clone “DUE TO ALL OF THE CHANGES AND PROBLEMS, AK PATTERN RIFLES of a semi-auto US civilian rifle or WEREN’T WIDELY ISSUED TO SOVIET TROOPS UNTIL THE MID-1950’S, something that would only work as an airsoft rifle?

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AKM.”

WITH

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39

Event INVICTA BATTLEFIELD WEEKENDER

INVICTA BATTLEFIELD WEEKENDER TWO PICS: JOHN REED

WHEN ANDY WARDLEY, OWNER OF INVICTA BATTLEFIELD, ASKED AIRSOFT NATION’S GRAHAM HOFFMAN IF HE WAS RETURNING TO THEIR ANNUAL WEEKEND EVENT, HE COULDN’T REFUSE. HAVING ATTENDED LAST YEAR’S, GRAHAM KNEW HE WAS GOING TO BE IN FOR AN AWESOME WEEKEND OF SHOOTING AND SOCIALISING… AND HE WASN’T WRONG! The Big Weekender is the site’s annual event where they host two days of skirmish games, competitions, raffles and, of course, the social side of airsoft. Just imagine a more intimate version of the National Airsoft Festival specifically for players who visit Invicta Battlefield throughout the year.

If you’ve not heard of Invicta Battlefield, it is based just outside Maidstone in Kent, a short trip from Junction 6 on the M20. A woodland site with about 40 acres of woodland covered in a variety of terrain and structures that continue to expand month after month. I was last here 3 months ago and

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EvenT INVICTA BATTLEFIELD WEEKENDER

still required a review of the large site map to identify areas of the site which had been moved around to provide fresh games and an overall better flow of gameplay.

This is one of the key aspects that continues to impress me about Invicta Battlefield, which is still under 2 years old. Andy and the rest of the team continue to grow into what I consider one of the must-visit sites in Kent. So I didn’t need convincing to return for the Big Weekender 2018!

With glorious weather set ahead for the weekend, I jumped on my motorcycle on the Friday evening to get an early start and find out what had changed since my last attendance.

Upon stopping on the gravel car park, I could already see half a dozen tents in the designated camping field. A giant Scottish flag hanging from the tent guide ropes was a sign that the Scottish players had arrived from their trip down for this annual occasion. Surely that itself is enough of a testimonial as to how enjoyable the last year’s event had been for two Scots - but this time had grown into a team of 6, with next year the promise of a coach load!

Grabbing my kit, I headed over to the safe zone which was bustling with manufacturers setting up their stands for the weekend. In last year’s review I commented how the safe zone left a standing impression on me, since then it has expanded again for the additional capacity, allowing up to 100 players.

The Invicta Battlefield safe zone provides a permanent wooden shelter, all fitted with lighting and power sockets to ensure players can charge batteries, mobiles and other accessories throughout their stay. Even the site shop (run

by Platoon Stores) has a structure built with wall racks and accessory stands for players to peruse around and stock up on consumables.

As I just mentioned, this event had a great selection of manufacturers in attendance. We saw the familiar faces from Nuprol, Viper, Valken, Vortex Optics and Longbow BB, each with their own stands. Not only were they showing off their latest products to the players but also providing prizes and goodies throughout the weekend. More on the prizes shortly…

Saturday morning came around and just under 100 players had turned up ready to go. You could hear discussions between players who are reminiscing about last year’s event, along with new players checking the site map to find out the layout changes and site features. Breakfast is being served and the atmosphere is excitable.

After checking in, getting the special event patch and pitching up tents, the marshals organise players into teams, chronograph them and prepare for the first set of games. One of the other major improvements since last year has been at the chronograph station and range, which is now accurate to 150ft and they’ve made the transition to measure in both FPS and Joules.

The Invicta marshals really know the importance of “game tempo” and began with some warm up games of “Infection”. You can hear the shouting as attacks come in from all directions, until the last small group of players get overwhelmed in the Fuel Depot; the metal sheeting tinging away as every shot lands closer and closer to the defenders until an incoming thunderflash hits the mark and the players know there is no way out!

With all the players having explored the site, both preand-post infection, the games were followed up by Capture the Flag, Domination and other familiar skirmish games.

Throughout this time, we saw players stocking up on water, visiting the trade stalls and making the most of the safe zone when breaks were taken.

By 4-5pm the players started to unwind, the hog roast was well underway and two different competitions were open for players to participate in.

The first was “Bolt Action: Pontoon”. This is where a sniper, along with a spotter had to use their rifle to hit playing cards at 40m making the best combination of 21. For this competition, Vortex Optics put a Solo 8x36 monocular up for the winner. www.airsoft-action.online

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Event INVICTA BATTLEFIELD WEEKENDER

A challenge that clearly looked easier than it was, we saw 8 pairs of players competing head to head while using the most popular brands of rifles. After 45 minutes a winner was found, Dan Rae; and since I’m sure you’re asking… he was using the Ares Amoeba Striker. Congratulations Dan! The second competition was far more suited to the close-up environments of Invicta Battlefield; a pistol or rifle speed run.

The objective was simple: Run up to 3 stations, fire 1-2 shots through the target (without hitting the innocent) and get back

to the starting point in a timed event. The starting time on the Saturday was about 32 seconds but many players rose to the challenge, the final times coming in at 16.69 seconds for pistols and 18 seconds for the rifles. Congratulations to both winners, Chris Clay and Ciaran Higgins.

With the day’s competitions and skirmishing completed, the caterers (Kings Head, a local pub) served an amazing Hog Roast, the bar opened and a DJ began playing music while displaying a cool laser show, late into the evening.

Andy had one last task to complete before he could sit back and check up on his players; the Invicta Battlefield raffle. Over £1,000 of prizes were contributed towards the raffle, which every player was automatically entered into upon attending the event. Prizes included Viper VCam Elite rig, Spec Ops rig both with pouches and a belt system, ASG guns (an MSX Carbine and Comander pistol), Valken Gun bag, NUPROL gun cases, a Raven pistol, hydration packs and much more.

There is nothing better than getting out of a bivi bag to the smell of cooked breakfast and fresh coffee and I swiftly got my kit squared away while players moved through the safe zone.

Some were on the pistol speed run area, many were browsing through the trade stalls and the rest were just sitting down, preparing for the day.

Once again, the marshals took the pace easy to begin with and the games continued on until late into the afternoon, when players slowly drifting off and departed for home. Tired, worn out but smiles from ear-to-ear; another successful Big Weekender run by Invicta Battlefield!

I got home late Sunday already to see 500+ photos taken throughout the event, a reminder of the great times and memories to keep which demonstrates what a fantastic player community Invicta Battlefield has created over the last 22 months.

Now, as I finish off my review of the weekend, I am left with two final questions…

What are the dates of the Big Weekender 2019 - and will you be there? AA

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feature PROJECT OPFOR

“TEAM THREE STRIPE”

LAST MONTH BILL LET US INTO HIS “MINDSET” FOR TAKING ON THE ROLE OF A DEDICATED OPFOR PLAYER. IN THIS INSTALMENT HE UNCOVERS THE DELIGHTS OF “TEAM THREE STRIPE” AND HOW YOU CAN GO ABOUT CREATING A SIMPLE “CIVVY AND CONCEALED” LOADOUT ON A BUDGET. I hope that last month’s article got some of you thinking more seriously about taking on the role of OPFOR, not just for bigger games and MilSim events but for your regular skirmish days as well. As always with any loadout, you need to use the kit and wear the clothing on a regular basis to get “comfy” with it and that invaluable “muscle memory” will start to come into play as you do, making you even quicker and more effective on the field!

I believe it was my good mate (and now fellow contributor), Phil Bucknall, who first coined the moniker “Team Three Stripe” when I started to incorporate an Adidas tracky top into my regular “OPFOR field wear” to get a more “civvy” look. Without wishing to cause offence to anyone, the “Three Stripe” look originates within Russian criminal subculture, where folk are known as “Gopniki” (Gopniks or Gopniki in Russian); the obsession with Adidas started at the 1980 Moscow Olympics when sportswear for the Soviet team was manufactured by the German company and has been popular since then.

During in 1990s especially, cheap counterfeit clothing, mostly from China, Turkey and Caucasus filled the market in Russia. People were generally poor and had little idea about Western fashion, so they went for cheap, comfortable and practical clothes, which often meant track suits. Track suits were (and still are) commonly worn by prison inmates because they are comfortable and relatively cheap. The fact is that there were no “official” prison uniforms available and more expensive “status” clothes weren’t allowed. Gopniks, being “gangster wanabes”, took it from there!

Wanting to step away from the obvious “Pakol/Kameez/ Waistcoat” look of the Middle East (this “look” has started to make me personally a little uncomfortable unless it’s in the 80’s “Mujahideen” context) that has always been popular amongst the “OPFOR Crowd”, I looked around for easily sourced and relatively cheap alternatives and the “Gopnik Look” fitted perfectly. It was modern, indeed almost timeless, easy to source, and of course worn all over the world, not just in Russia!

What this meant was that acquiring just a couple of key pieces of clothing would make creating an cheap and effective, yet good-looking loadout eminently possible and give an obviously different look on the field to that of the BLUEFOR “operator”. If you will, call it my stab at “counter culture”…

BUILDING UP YOUR GEAR PILE Just like any airsoft loadout you still need to think ahead before you set up your “to buy” list and unless you’re unlike any airsofter I’ve ever met, the first considerations will inevitably be driven by what primary and secondary you want to use!

When it comes to OPFOR work of course the AK is king and, thankfully, there seem to be more choices in terms of airsoft AKs than ever before. Just last month in Issue 91, Gadge and Tom ably put forward the case for the excellent range from LCT (yes, I own one as well!) but there are also excellent models out there from the likes of GHK, VFC, E&L, G&G, TM… 46

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feature PROJECT OPFOR

I could go on and on now, which for me is sheer heaven!  My personal choice for “civvy, concealed” OPFOR work is either the WE GBB AKS 74U (for MilSim events) or the E&L AKS74UN-A Tactical (for everything else!). I use RealCaps in the gasser and MidCaps in the AEG, so I need to carry six mags in total for either variant. My choice of “secondary” is usually a WE Makarov, just as a backup. If my DO-18 team-mates and I are running “ambush heavy” then there’s also usually an ASG B&T GL06 launcher with a few MOSCARTs in the mix too, although the new N79 “shorty” from NUPROL fits the “concealed” bill even better!

The reason I run with this particular mix is that it all fits neatly into a pack. On many occasions as an OPFOR player you’ll need to ditch your guns and operate in “civvy or dicker” mode, so having everything neatly concealed in a pack means that this is easy to achieve. For most day games I use a sling pack, specifically the Switchback Sling Pack from Hazard 4.

This is the largest of their sling-style packs and features lots of storage capacity and a generous size yet is still nimble enough to be swiftly rotated from the back to the chest. It neatly holds my AKSU, grenade launcher and shells, chest rig, a windproof or waterproof shell, plus water and food. The pack can also be rapidly taken on or off when needed, which allows for quick access to frequently used gear while carrying heavier loads on the back the rest of the time.

It also has a 3D thermo moulded back panel which allows for easy air-circulation and comfortable wear even when bag is fully loaded, which has been a godsend this summer. Behind the padded back is a separate hydration bladder compartment and a Velcro secured channel for a hydration tube. Numerous compression straps allow the bag to be very easily adapted to the size of carried kit and prevent it from shifting inside, which may cause unnecessary noise, discomfort and disturbance to the balance. In terms of my Makarov I use a Level 2 Polymer Retention Paddle Holster from IMI Defense; this allows me to securely attach my pistol to my belt whilst at the same time making everything quick and easy to remove and store in the pack.

underneath a plain coloured waterproof as, being an athletic garment, it has inherent performance characteristics like wind repellency and breathability. For the summer months I recently picked up two black Adidas “Climalite” wicking performance t-shirts from my local sports shop, just £20 for the two in the

CLOTHING… AND HERE’S WHERE THE FUN STARTS! For my personal setup I have my aforementioned and muchloved black Adidas tracky top. This works surprisingly well in the winter months either on its own, or as a layering garment www.airsoft-action.online

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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 PROJECT OPFOR

sale. My mate James also found a really nice polo version in blue for much cheapness online!

In terms of trousers it’s easy enough to marry up a pair you already own, a pair that you might already use in another loadout and find comfortable. I took my First Tactical “Defender” pants in plain black, added a simple belt, and job done! The Defender Series pants offer a total of 28 (yup, you read that right, 28!!!) specialised pockets which give ample space for oversized gear, magazines, and all other equipment.

Articulation is at the forefront of design as articulated knees, running gussets throughout and vented mesh pockets provide superb freedom of movement and breathability. Ventilation in multiple key areas makes these the ideal warm weather pants.

The Defender Fabric features a breathable cotton and Cordura Nylon blend. The 2-way mechanical stretch Nyco, is one of the first in the market and has double ripstop fabric that is moisture wicking and perfect for warm weather, so just the very thing to marry up with the “Climalite” shirts. Once again, if you’d like a cheaper option James found a simple pair of black combats locally for next to nothing!

ROUNDING THINGS OFF So basically, that’s my normal gear for “civvy” OPFOR play and all I really add to what I’ve outlined above is a chest rig, black gloves (in my case First Tactical again…) and some form of hat.

I do like a simple BUFF worn “pirate style” as this is very low profile and also helps to mop up any sweat before it gets down

into your eyes. At a recent game where the sun was out full force I wore the “Partizan” Boonie that I got from Giena Tactics recently; not only did that shield my face and neck but the Russian pattern also gave a nice OPFOR feel to the whole outfit.

My chest rig is usually just a cheap canvas ChiCom but again in black to fit in with things, although I’ve recently dug out a superb “lo-pro, lo-drag” rig that was designed by my good mate Ben at www.crops.uk.com. Ben is immersed in the real world of covert concealment and surveillance and his design is awesome, sitting really close to the body, holding my AK mags snugly and when not in use it folds down into my pack perfectly.

This article is really to give you an idea of what you can create quite cheaply if you want to give OPFOR a bash and where I’ve used “Gucci goods” you could easily change that out for garments and kit that are more keenly priced. I’ve also chosen to go with a largely black scheme but obviously any and all plain colours (along with Tacticool Plaid!) are equally valid for that “civvy” feel.

In the next issue I’m going to move things up to the next level and look at a loadout that’s valid for “Militia” and will give those who like a bit of gear more to work with!

If you’re interested in finding out more about the brands I’ve mentioned in this article then you’ll find most of them in one place at www.military1st.co.uk AA

WITHOUT WISHING TO CAUSE OFFENCE TO ANYONE, THE “THREE STRIPE” LOOK ORIGINATES WITHIN RUSSIAN CRIMINAL SUBCULTURE, WHERE FOLK ARE KNOWN AS “GOPNIKI” (GOPNIKS OR GOPNIKI IN RUSSIAN)

www.airsoft-action.online

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TECH

ARMED WITH THE RESULT OF THEIR PREVIOUS RANGE TEST ANVIL AND GADGE HEAD BACK TO THE GAOL TO LOOK INTO ANOTHER BIG AIRSOFT QUESTION… WHAT EFFECT DOES BB WEIGHT HAVE ON RANGE?

HEAVY WEIGHT BBS

DO HEAVY BBS INCREASE AEG RANGE? PREVIOUSLY AT THE RANGE… The last time we were at the Airsoft Action TV range (The Gaol Events in Oakham) we were having at look at the maximum flat range of an average stock UK legal AEG. Using ASG 0.20g Blaster BBs we discovered that 55m was about as far as you could shoot without “lobbing” the BBs like a mortar.

We then progressed to investigate at what range could you reliably hit someone! As human reaction time is roughly 0.25s we thought that a good test of Effective Accuracy would be to make 5 out of 10 shots onto a torso sized target. After some success at shorter distance and then completely failing to land any shots at 50m, we settled on around 40m as the effective range of our stock AEGs using 0.2g BBs.

HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDERS We were really pleased with the response to our tests and lots of you got in touch to ask us to test some heavier BBs than before. In the last range visit we used the 0.20g ASG Blasters as that’s what many people start with and many sites chrono with.

However, we thought investigating heavier weight BBs would be really interesting and got planning…

A couple of weeks later we set off to The Gaol Events armed with a whole bag full of different weight BBs. Our friends at ASG were kind enough to help us out with an extensive range of projectiles to launch from our AEGS. For our test guns we erred on the side of consistency and took both

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Anvil’s LCT LCKS74 (AKS-74 replica) and Gadge’s ASG Scorpion EVO 3 that we had used in the previous tests.

In order not to get very confused with all the different BB weights we carefully labelled all of the magazines we would be using with the respective ammo that would be going into them. It would be all too easy to load the wrong BB at the wrong time and make a total mess of the testing. Neither of us is the most organised player in the world, so we had the able assistance of our Work Experience student, Erin Flood.

Another factor we wanted to check was “Joule Creep”.

This can happen in some airsoft guns where by increasing the weight of the BB you also increase the overall energy of the RIF. In most guns this doesn’t really matter too much and an AEG firing a 0.20g BB at 1J will also be firing a 0.3g at 1J. The speed of the BB drops to counter for the increased mass keeping the energy constant and in order to check this we would chrono everytime we changed BB weight.

MAXIMUM WEIGHT, MAXIMUM RANGE 0.20g BB Echoing our previous trip we tested maximum range first.

To make sure our prior results were valid we started with ASG Blaster 0.20g BBs. The LCT AK shot at 1.1J and the EVO was 1J. We quickly found that around 55m was again the maximum

TECH HEAVY WEIGHT BBS

“TOM SQUEEZED OFF 10 BBS AND MANAGED TO HIT THE FAR AWAY TACTICAL CHAIR 4 OUT OF 10 TIMES! ANOTHER COUPLE BOUNCED OFF THE SURROUNDING WOODWORK OR WENT THOUGH THE LEGS OF THE TARGET. THIS WAS SERIOUSLY IMPRESSIVE!”

range we could achieve. To check this we took turns firing near each other and having a look at where the BBs landed. This isn’t devoid of danger and even at this distance they sting a bit if your aim is off and you “accidentally” shoot your team mate…

0.25g BB With that done and feeling reassured that our protocol was about right, we loaded ASG 0.25g Devil Blaster BBs. These clocked in at 1.06J for the LCT and 0.99J for the EVO. Heading back down the range we quickly noticed two things and one was that the BBs were significantly more accurate! The other was that there wasn’t a significant increase in range. We both felt that at most the 0.25g BBs were travelling 1 to 3m more than the 0.20g ammo.

0.28g BB Then it was time for Anvil’s personal favourite BB, the ASG 0.28g Devil Blaster. In his previous testing on a 10m range he had found this product to be extremely accurate and was really interested in finding out if this would correlate to longer ranges.

After setting hop-ups we headed to the chrono and found that the LCT was now doing 0.85J whilst the EVO was still doing 1.0J. In order to lift the heavy BB we needed to use a lot of Hop on the LCT AK and this was starting to reduce the speed at which it left the barrel! This didn’t seem to reduce the effect much, however and we were soon putting BB after BB onto target. A remarkable change from the 0.20g BBs we had loaded earlier and Gadge also noticed a large change to his accuracy. When we got back together for a chat though we still hadn’t noticed a real change in maximum range; they were running out of steam at around 55-58m.

0.30g BB Flushed with success we moved onto 0.30g BBs. These chrono’d at 0.52J in the LCT and the EVO was also starting to struggle to lift them reliably. We had so much hop-on in the LCT AK that Tom was starting to worry about jams and after a few shots that went no where near the previous ranges we had obtained we stopped the test!

The EVO faired better and could feed the heavy BBs well though it struggled to lift the 0.30g BBs and again couldn’t make the maximum range we had previously obtained.

www.airsoft-action.online

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N I W

competition NUPROL JACKAL ALPHA

A nuprol

jackal alpha Back in Issue 84, Jerry Noone first got his hands on a NUPROL Jackal Alpha – and it put a huge smile on his face!

This is what he said about it: “In action the Jackal Alpha is an absolute snarler, chronoing at 1.13Joule/350fps absolutely on the nose using NUPROL’s new RZR .20g BBs. Moving it up to slightly heavier .25g RZRs the range was extremely consistent too, sending the BBs right to the extent of the 30m range. On semi I was able to achieve a 50mm grouping at that distance and switching up to fullauto delivered a stream of BBs straight to target.”

This excellent AEG comes ready-to-go, just add a battery and BBs and, courtesy of NUPROL, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a JACKAL ALPHA in Tan! All you have to do is head over to their website and find the answers to these five, simple questions, then get them into us before the closing date. You can enter by post, email and via the Airsoft Action website, so if you want to win this superb prize, what are you waiting for…?

Here are the questions about a Jackal Alpha…

1) What type of gearbox will you find in a Jackal Alpha?

THE ANSWERS ARE:

1 2 3 4 5 Name:.................................................................................................

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

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

2) What is the recommended voltage for a LiPo battery?

3) How many magazines are supplied in the box?

4) What is the Flash Hider made of?

5) Where is the battery housed?

To be in with a chance of winning, send your answers in before the closing date using the form, or by email, or via the Airsoft Action website and if yours is the first correct entry drawn out of the Ed’s hat, you’ll win a NUPROL Delta Jackal Alpha in Tan, courtesy of NUPROL.

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Post your entries to: NUPROL Jackal Alpha Competition, Airsoft Action, Calibre Publishing, Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Malvern, Worcs, WR13 6PL, or email to: competition@airsoft-action. co.uk with “NUPROL Jackal Alpha Competition” in the subject line.

You can also enter online, via the Airsoft Action website (www. airsoft-action.online). Entries received after midnight on 19th September 2018 will not be valid. One entry per person. Entrants must be at least 18 years old. The winner will be the first randomly drawn from all the correct entries.

GDPR: By entering this competition you are giving explicit consent for Calibre Publishing Ltd. to retain personally identifiable information for the purposes of contacting the winner of this competition. All entries will be destroyed after the closing date.

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 n

TECH HEAVY WEIGHT BBS

MAXIMUM RANGE CONCLUSION Although we didn’t get the range increases we had heard about with heavy BBs, we did get significant increases in accuracy. We suspect that when people talk about increasing range what they actually mean is a change in “effective range”, i.e. the ability to make hits at range. There was possibly a small increase in range but it was probably less than 5m and more likely to be around 1-3m. However, we were using stock airsoft guns with standard hop units. This was especially the case with the LCT AK which was really starting to struggle.

EFFECTIVE RANGE OF HEAVY BBS With those results stored away in the notebook we moved onto effective range. Just like last time we define this as the ability to make 5 out of 10 shots onto a torso sized target. This is based on the 0.25 second reaction time of the average human so you’ll probably be able to make a follow up shot if you miss before they duck away.

For this test we removed some variables and chose the most accurate gun and most accurate BBs from the maximum range test. These were the LCT AK and the ASG 0.28g Devil Blaster BBs. Anvil took over the firing duties and Gadge headed downrange with our “Tactical Chair” target.

30 Metre Range At this distance Anvil had no problems hitting the target 10 out of 12 shots (he lost count!) he still hasn’t got around to zeroing his iron sights so needed a couple of shots to establish his holdover first. This is compared to the 5 out of 10 he achieved with 0.20g BBs in the last set of tests.

40m Metre Range Gadge then took the target back to 40m. Previously Tom had managed to hit the paper 5 out of 10 times but reckoned that he had got a bit lucky so this would be very interesting.

Firing away he managed to tag the target 7 out of 10 shots.

Again, once he established his holdover this was an easy process and he was confident that eliminating a player at this distance would be pretty easy. Next was the tough one…

50m Metre Range The last time we were at the Gaol we managed to achieve no hits on the target at this range.

This time Tom squeezed off 10 BBs and managed to hit the far away tactical chair 4 out of 10 times! Another couple bounced off the surrounding woodwork or went though the legs of the target. This was seriously impressive!

EFFECTIVE RANGE CONCLUSION By using heavier BBs and also a type that has higher quality control we managed to increase our effective range from 40m back to 50m or more. This is a significant difference and also means that you can take much more marginal shots at a closer range with some chance of a significant result.

This really is one of the cheapest and easiest upgrades you can make to your airsoft games. We highly recommend doing some experimentation with your own guns and finding out what works for you.

These results are only valid for a stock UK legal AEG though.

For our next set of tests we will be upgrading the hop units in our AEGs and seeing how that effects BB ballistics. What’s more we’re hoping to meet up with one of the UKs top gun techs who will be bringing some heavily upgraded AEGS to test for you.

You can watch more from this episode on the official Airsoft Action YouTube channel as well as a whole host of other content. www.youtube.com/airsoftactiontv

www.airsoft-action.online

53

NEWS EVO UPDATE

WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A SUBSTANTIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM ASG, CONCERNING THE LATEST EVO UPGRADES AND, KNOWING HOW POPULAR THE EVO IS WITH PLAYERS (AND NOT WANTING TO LEAVE ANYTHING OUT), HERE IT IS IN ITS ENTIRETY…

THE NEXT STAGE OF EVO-LUTION IS HERE… ER THE BEST JUST GOT BETT ASG’s CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1 has consistently exceeded the benchmarks for what is expected of an AEG, offering a combination of faithful realism, realistic construction and unparalleled shooting performance – right out of the box. Summer 2018 sees the unveiling of the next stage of the evolution of the first and only Airsoft gun to be designed and manufactured in Denmark.

Originally, ASG set out to create the EVO 3 Product Family under license from CZ Firearms, with a goal to create an all-new Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) from the ground up, as a 1:1 replica of CZ’s EVO 3 A1 sub-machine gun. This much was easy but the aspiration was to go further…

A proprietary gearbox configuration was designed to prioritise performance and simple, straightforward assembly and maintenance.

Essentially, the EVO was to be manufactured in Denmark and assembled in-house at the ActionSportGames’ Headquarters in Espergaerde.

This meant that the EVO product could be continually “evolved” and improved – since its launch several revisions to the EVO production have taken place, including updates to the Trigger Control Unit and the Spring Guide components.

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With each revision the EVO has proven to consistently perform even better and has ensured it continues to eliminate all competition. Now though, after nearly 2 years of development and testing, ASG are proud to introduce the most significant updates to the EVO yet – changes that will redefine the standards of AEG performance…

THE BEST EVO YET… Not content with making the best AEG on the market, ASG are committed to making the best AEG they can make. The Updated 2018 EVOs are now assembled using a refined, robust and rugged gearbox shell, specifically designed to ensure smooth operation, powerful performance and an unsurpassed shooting experience – all still proudly made in Denmark. In addition to this, a revolutionary new cylinder head has been manufactured using a design unique to ASG, offering close to perfect air seal and making assembly and disassembly easier than ever. This is complimented by a specially designed steel cylinder, recognised by its unique “ASG-logo”-shaped porting and an all new high-strength polymer piston and piston head.

The end result is an EVO that feels better, shoots better and sounds better than ever before. Thanks to the new gearbox shell the gear meshing is tighter and the operation is smoother.

Combined with the increased casing weight and the new cylinder and piston head, the EVO now sounds deeper and more intimidating than ever before – your opponents will know when they are facing off against an EVO, now more than ever before!

news EVO UPDATE

In operation, the EVO is now ultimately precise. Thanks to CNC machined selector plate guides, the ambidextrous selectors now more perfectly in unison allowing you to switch between safe, semi auto, burst and blistering full auto fire modes with an accuracy that matches that of the weapon itself.

ASG have always been confident that the EVO represents the very best in performance, quality and value in the Airsoft gun market and these new revisions are set to confirm its dominance and put the EVO even further ahead of the competition. As soon as you shoot one, you will understand why they are “The Player’s Choice”.

Issues with pre-engagement of the piston are eliminated, even when abusing the gun with excessively heavy BB ammunition, excess hop, high voltage batteries and low powered springs. No matter how tentative the trigger pull, or how long the burst of fire, the EVO reliably and infallibly completes every cycle giving the user more confidence than ever before.

Please note that ASG recommend the use of 9.9v LiFe batteries in sub-1Joule guns.

THE DETAILS OF PERFECTION From the outside, 2018 Revision EVOs look almost identical to previous versions, indeed they are fully compatible with previous revision parts, both internally and externally. There are a couple of tell-tale signs to help you to identify the 2018 spec parts though. If you look inside the magazine well you can see the new, enhanced and reinforced gearbox shell and you can see the ASG logo proudly in place through the bolt cover.

GEARBOX SHELL/CASING In order to improve the performance and tolerances of the EVO gearbox, the shell/casing has been redesigned to give the ultimate in shooting experience and performance.

The revised casing now uses a zinc-based alloy rather than aluminium alloy previously used and several improvements have been included in the design. The different material has

resulted in a slightly heavier gearbox making the overall weight of the EVO slightly heavier and even more realistic compared to the real weapon.

The heavier gearbox shell also results in a smoother overall operation with a reassuring and satisfyingly deep muzzle report.

The shape of the gearbox has been simplified and the casting features rounded apertures to minimise the risk of cracking. More bracing surface has been added to make the gun more rigid and robust.

ASG have improved the cable routing and simplified it, a small change that gun tech and upgrade enthusiasts will no doubt relish. Wear and tear on wiring and errors during assembly are minimised thanks to this revision.

The position of each gear inside the shell is now slightly closer, allowing for improved meshing (more material contact) between the gears and the sector gear also sits closer to the piston. This will improve the lifespan and make the most of the mechanical strength of the gears installed allowing users to push the EVO even harder than ever before, leaving no doubt that it will keep up with your demand, no matter what the situation.

The selector plate guides have also been refined using a precise CNC machining process resulting in a more positive and definite, but slightly lighter feeling selector lever action, for faster, more accurate shooting whether you are left or righthanded or rapidly switching between the fire modes.

CYLINDER SET ASG have designed and produced a new and original cylinder set in order to further improve performance. The Cylinder set includes Cylinder, Cylinder Head and Piston Assembly.

CYLINDER The new cylinder is a high precision steel cylinder with a black finish and ASG logo-shaped porting. It’s been designed to make an efficient seal with the accompanying Cylinder head and Piston, as close to perfect as can be achieved, resulting in incredibly stable muzzle velocity and amazing efficiency when teamed with the already proven great EVO air seal components.

CYLINDER HEAD A new design of cylinder head has been produced with a revolutionary new seal system to replace the traditional O-ring arrangement. The new system uses a flanged rubber cup seal that interfaces with the cylinder head and provides not only a more efficient seal under higher pressure but also impact absorption (similar to “sorbo” pads commonly fitted in custom work). Combined with the gearbox shell, this makes the EVO sounds more formidable and exciting than ever and also eliminates the risk of failure, no matter how hard the EVO is pushed.

PISTON A high strength, nylon reinforced piston has been designed and manufactured, bearing the ASG logo.

The piston features 6 metal teeth and comes with the second pick-up tooth already removed for flawlessly smooth engagement. The guide rails are slotted and the geometry has been specifically designed to work precisely inside the 2018 Revision gearbox casing.

www.airsoft-action.online

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2018 Scorpion EVO upgrade

A4 ad 4 Airsoft Action.indd 1

11-07-2018 12:22:07

news EVO UPDATE

COMPATIBILITY The new cylinder set is compatible with other 3rd party Version 2 and Version 3 (M4/AK/G36) gearboxes and ASG intend to make it available as a separate upgrade component in the near future.

All 2018 Revision specification parts are 100% inter-compatible with previous revisions.

WARRANTY PROCEDURE The existing ASG warranty support will continue to be provided. In the event of warranty issues arising with 2018 Revision guns, parts will be supplied in a like-for-like fashion. Because these components will replace the prevision revisions, 2018 Revision parts will be used to replace previous specification parts in the event of only valid failures in workmanship.

It is important to note that only specific parts that have failed due to ASG workmanship or production defects will be replaced via the warranty scheme. No gearboxes, cylinders, cylinders heads or pistons will be exchanged for 2018 Specification parts unless they have failed in operation under accordance with ASG’s previously published warranty guidelines. Issues will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

ASG intend to make the 2018 Revision components available for ASG Account Holders to purchase as spares in the event that their customers wish to update existing guns.

For more information visit www.actionsportgames.com

www.airsoft-action.online

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event RIFT BIRTHDAY MEMBERS GAME

Y A D H T R I B Y HAPP USUALLY WE PREFER NO GAPS IN OUR GAMES… LAST MONTH GEORAGA EXPERIENCED WHY A RIFT EVERY NOW AND THEN ACTUALLY WORKS…

!

T .

F .

R.I

No matter where you play, whether that’s the scorchingly, unbearable, roasting desert heat of Nevada USA or the... scorchingly... unbearable... roasting desert heat of Chipping Warden UK (who would’a thought)… site owners everywhere know that the most important thing to running a successful airsoft site is to have a customer base that keep coming back time and time again.

So, when you have a company that are celebrating their 6th birthday by throwing a private game for their members like RIFT Airsoft did last month, it’s good to see the near 200 players turn up to show their ongoing support (it always gets awkward if it’s just you and the marshalls pointing guns at each other...) - not to mention Jake from ASG chose to stop by on their 2018 Blaster Tour and he always brings some goodies to look at.

Events like this, where the focus is on making a great day specifically for members, brings about the opportunity to have things run slightly differently to a normal day at Com’s Site 3.

Throughout the event there were chances to step out of the gameplay and do something a little bit different, like a pistol duel or a 2-Gun time trial. Plus, there was a draw for a charity raffle led by RIFT in aid of Macmillans with a ton of prizes from CombatUK, ASG and RIFT themselves.

Also check this out... there was an ICE CREAM TRUCK on site (the salted caramel... OMG!!) and with the heat being what it was, IT WAS NEEDED! Add a Pick’N’Mix truck, and a TANK (okay it was a people mover really) and I just had to talk to Tony (owner) about how different it was.

He said: “The Birthday Game was an ideal time for us to “let our hair down”.... do something out of the norm, without fear of being judged in terms of “too much going on!” The Events we ran were to add a bit more excitement and Fun to the day and also create a bit of Competitiveness between Players! I called the day “A Festival of Airsoft” and that’s what it was.”

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ARRIVAL @1legion.uk_FierceFox (who was attending to help as my photographer for the event) and I drove onto the site and considering the number of players that were there, we were easily funneled in behind the HQ. The safezone was already full but it was actually quite refreshing to be close enough to the area to a set up our kit from the boot of the car.

The first port of call? Get the kit sorted. The second? As all regular players know, is to “go say “Hi!” to everyone” and so off we went to see who was about.

As the burning heat started to bare down upon us, the tin covered, plastic walled safezone was surrounded by the ASG gazebo, Combat UK’s little hut of weapons, a drinks and food

RIFT BIRTHDAY MEMBERS GAME

tent and a stall of Vortex optics, making it look like a scene from a dystopian future where mercenaries stop off to restock at a solitary black-market style watering hole, to barter for food, firearms and ammunition; all it was missing were some heads on pikes to ward off trouble-makers looking to ransack the place!

Ironically, all of the floggers on the stalls were the total opposite of that and were in fact, the most welcoming folk to us lowly mercs. Over at Combat UK, Ed, Ida, Jason, Jack and the Airsoft Monkeys Phil and Reece were busy arming the overheating population with all the BBs and repairing guns, while Jake at the ASG booth was showing off some of the latest ASG gems, including the new Strike Systems ATS QD barrel extension (which I’m going to get for my EVO FYI) and sat beside him, sheltering from the sun under Jake’s gazebo was Chris from Vortex displaying his vast array of optics for wandering souls to happen upon, look at/through and realise what the world looks like through Ultra-High Definition. Pro Airsoft Supplies also made an appearance and Chewie and Hutch brought along the new DAS recoil AEG for players to take a look at and try on the range. (it’s the one with the full bolt travel… I have thoughts but they’re for another time).

MAIN GAME As I mentioned, they ran this day slightly differently to the regular skirmishes at RIFT games. Tony gave us his incredibly in-depth legendary 20minute long RIFT safety brief (it’s long but I actually sometimes miss this level of detail at other sites, especially when it also covers basic sportsmanship) and he explained that this game was going to run all the way through to lunch, at which point, the objectives would reverse.

There were 3 objectives for the Red team and 2 objectives for the Blue team (I was on the Red team): Red: 1. Capture 36 bars of gold from an outpost 2. Capture the 3 mortar placements 3. Dominate areas in the AO by lowering the enemy flag and raising the friendly flag Blue: 1. Transport ammunition to the 3 mortar placements and capture them 2. Dominate areas in the AO by lowering the enemy flag and raising the friendly flag Com’s Site 3 is one hell of a site to rock a sniper, with the vast stretches of open woodland, the variety of cover created by

buildings, mounds, woodland and structures; I’d had the Striker serviced but I’d not rectified a slight Hop unit issue which was throwing my BBs waaay off to the right so I opted for the evertrusty EVO. As is the case with many events, you often run into players you met elsewhere in airsoft and this was no different as I rock out with Adrian who I met a few years ago at a Bolshoy Bolschevik’s MilSim. As we moved out and engaged the enemies that were surrounding one of the mortar turrets I realised very quickly... with the heat, unfamiliarity with the site and my lack of playing for a few weeks... this was not going to be my best performance. HIT! After several back and forth trips to the respawn point, I finally started to find my groove again and along with a group of around 10 we managed to push up, through the buildings and out the other side to capture one of the mortar sites.

As I looked around I was impressed with the sheer potential presented to both defend but also attack this location; there were a mickle of opportunities to make ground and get an angle on my location behind the mortar. If I didn’t have backwww.airsoft-action.online

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event RIFT BIRTHDAY MEMBERS GAME

up on my six, covering from the corner of the building, they could’ve definitely gotten the drop on me.

Seemed like we were doing alright by the time we got to lunch so after some ice-cream, fajitas and a hotdog, I made the call to step out of the game and experience the rest of the activities.

2-GUN TIME TRIAL I do love taking part in time-trials, there’s an adrenaline that really gets your blood pumping when you know you’ve got to use your trigger discipline and muscle memory to practice, fast paced precision shooting and you also know, one minor slip-up could cost you incredibly important seconds.

This 2-Gun run consisted of loading, cocking and shooting three targets down with a pistol (your own or the loaned ASG CZ P-09), transferring over to the right side and shooting the remaining three targets down with an ASG spring tri-shot shotgun (I have a real dislike for spring shotguns).

I ran this once... it didn’t go smoothly... and due to my addictive airsoft nature (I once spent 3 hours in CombatUK on their range until I got the record) I decided to leave it there and let everyone else rock it while I checked out the other activities.

DUEL – RUSSIAN ROULETTE I won’t lie, there are times when I want to throw down the gauntlet and challenge someone to a good ol’ fashioned duel, like the cowboys of the old West. Interestingly then, it was fun to watch players pick up a six shooter each, stand back to back,

step away from each other until the call from a marshall and even more fun to watch them spin on the spot and try to shoot each other before the other hits them. Impressively, there was one player who managed to take out 5 consecutive opponents, like some Billy the Kid wannabe!

MARKSMAN COMPETITION For those that were less close-quarters inclined, set up in the chrono-zone were targets (images of RIFT marshalls) set out from 20 metres to 60 metres for skilled marksmen/women to take part in a competition of pure, unadulterated accuracy. Of course, I wanted to take part in the sharpshooter challenge considering I’d just had the Striker serviced, however, it turned out that I had a misaligned hop rubber and my BBs were flying waaaay off to the right so... no go fo’ tho’ snipe-show.

IN THE END Congratulations to the RIFT team for such a successful day, keep doing what you’re doing and “putting PLAYERS first!”.

I’d recommend anyone to go and check out their gamedays, also to email me at GEORAGA@Airsoft-Action.com and let me know when you’ve sat through their brief.

Until then, as Tony said, “Roll on 2019”.

RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3, CHIPPING WARDEN, OX17 1LZ CONTACT: WWW.RIFTAIRSOFT.COM www.airsoft-action.online

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ARMOURY G&G ARP9 “BLACK ORCHID”

“BLACK ORCHID”

HAVING SPOTTED IT AT SHOT SHOW, KELLY “FEMME FATALE” HARDWICK GETS HER HANDS ON THE LIMITED EDITION “BLACK ORCHID”, FROM G&G. When the G&G ARP9 and ARP56 were released in the spring of 2017, they were a big hit with airsofters around the world but could they get any better? At SHOT Show in January 2018 G&G revealed two new colourways; “Battleship Grey” and the one that REALLY caught my eye, the limited edition “Black Orchid”. The team over at G&G and NUPROL (the UK distributors for G&G) kindly sent one over from the States so I could have a play and here are my thoughts: The G&G Black Orchid ARP9 is a PDW style AEG airsoft gun that features a high-quality polymer billet style receiver, which features the anodised pink parts we’ve seen in the previous “Black Rose” models and a metal M-LOK rail system.

It is limited to just 1,000 pieces worldwide and has proven to be a big hit amongst airsofters that like a pop of colour in their loadouts. It has a GOS-V5 PDW stock and a 9mm style magazine. Usually it comes with a pink crown amplifier but as mine is from the US stock, it had an orange crown amplifier to

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conform to California regulations. I wasn’t overly keen on the orange so Tom from Airsoft Action TV kindly helped me dremmel it off and we installed a new flash hider.

What about the internals? It has a version 2 gearbox, the G&G electric Trigger Unit and a preinstalled mosfet. It has a rotary style hop up dial that makes changing the hop up quick and easy just in case you need a little tweak during a game.

It has semi-auto and full-auto fire with a really snappy fire selector, along with a straight, speed style trigger.

On a 0.20g 6mm BB the ARP9 Black Orchid is expected to chrono in at around 330FPS (1.01J), when I chrono’d mine for the first time it was around 310FPS (0.89J), which is lower than the advertised FPS but means that straight out of the box it is UK site ready, even for sites that run a lower limit.

SO HOW IS IT TO USE? The Black Orchid is as easy to use any other AEG out of the box. Pop the battery in, fill the mags, lock and load. The hopup is easy to adjust and when set right the groupings are pretty good. For such a compact little gun, the range is great and I had no issues using it in an urban environment where the engagement distances are typically a little further than what you would expect in CQB. One thing I really like about the ARP9 is just how compact it is! With a maximum length of 580mm when the stock is extended and weighing in at just 2.3kg it is a weapon that screams CQB. Even without the crown amplifier it is a loud little gun – sounding very snappy and aggressive which I love – not as loud as the Firehawk but close. Its mag release reminds me of the AK platform mag release and it is easy to use and reload.

ARMOURY G&G ARP9 “BLACK ORCHID”

THE BLACK ORCHID IS AS EASY TO USE ANY OTHER AEG OUT OF THE BOX. POP THE BATTERY IN, FILL THE MAGS, LOCK AND LOAD.

I like that fact the mags are the 9mm style and the extra length helps with reloading for sure! At the minute there are 3 mags available: 1,500 round drum mag, a hi-cap mag and the new midcaps which are 70 rounds – my preferred mag is the midcap and I usually carry around 3-4 per game just in case things get a bit lairy. With the drum mag attached the ARP9 looks a little crazy but the ammo count would be great for an extended skirmish that didn’t have an ammo limit imposed.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I DON’T LIKE ABOUT IT? Honestly my only gripe with the ARP9 line of AEGs is the lack of battery space in the stock and the amount of wiring. The GOS-V5 PDW stock only has a small amount of battery space in the compartment, which is reduced by the excess wiring.

Companies have made 3D printed extensions to combat this.

In the future, I will definitely be looking at getting the wiring shortened, an M4 buffer tube and PTS syndicate stock installed to give me more battery space and give me more options of stock length as the current stock only has two locking positions.

The stock is where the sling point is, so if you do decide to

ever change the stock be sure to pop on another sling plate. I did also find that the hicap mag included was quite difficult to open when filling because of my long nails – a user issue not a design issue!

These are mostly out of stock in the UK now because of how limited they are so it would be a wee bit of a scramble to get one but they retail anywhere between £187.95 from Zero One Airsoft up to £249.99 from JD Airsoft so they are affordable. They are also readily available in the black and battleship grey at airsoft retailers up and down the country.

Overall, I’m really happy with the ARP9 – especially in the Black Orchid colourway because it adds a fun pop of colour to my loadout! It’s a compact and lightweight SMG weapon that is perfect for CQB. The internal specs are good and it is easy to use and has good range and groupings straight out of the box. Although I think the battery space in the stock could be improved by either getting rid of the excess wiring or installing an M4 stock – the GOS-V5 stock itself is a pretty cool design and does look mean and goes well with the modern looking M-LOK rail system. The price point is extremely affordable.

G&G really have done a great job on the ARP9.

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feature BIG GAMES

SUMMERTIME BRINGS MANY THINGS; SEASIDE HOLIDAYS, ICE CREAM, EXPANDING RAILS AND CANCELLED TRAINS AND MOST OF THE BIG GAMES IN THE UK. FRENCHIE TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT YOU, AS A PLAYER, NEED TO ENSURE THAT YOU GET THE BEST FROM WHICHEVER EVENT YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND.

IT’S SUMMER - LET THE (BIG)

GAMES BEGIN! A bit of research and preparation goes a long way where airsoft events are concerned; knowing what to expect and being properly equipped can make the difference between a great weekend and wishing you’d gone to the dentist! I speak with a reasonable amount of experience from the other side, having organised and run the game play for a number of

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national games and, as a result, I’ve been on the receiving end of praise and brickbats as appropriate!

The internet is your friend here, I absolutely guarantee that there will be acres of posts regarding what people did and didn’t like about any given event. Make a coffee, take a very deep breath and start trawling through the posts. You will find positives and negatives - try as best you can to balance them. No matter how well an event goes, there will always be someone who didn’t enjoy it and wants the world to know that it was absolutely the worst organised, worst provisioned, worst run piece of s*** ever attempted. On the other hand you may find posts that are far more useful - “basically well run but toilet facilities weren’t adequate”, “great game play from all concerned, but the site is a bit boring” - these will give you a far more useable idea of whether it’s for you.

These events aren’t cheap, a weekend will generally cost you around £100 just to attend, maybe more and then there’s travel, food, accomodation, drink and that’s all before you get to the important stuff. It is well known that you cannot possibly go to a big game without investing in a new spare gun, reusable grenades, backup pyro, plenty of ammo - 200,000 rounds should cover it - new load carrying gear, spare load carrying gear, new boots, old boots for when the new boots crucify your feet. A telescope, thermal imaging, Gen. 4 night vision, Gen 3 night vision as a backup or to lend to your mates.

140 Mars bars, pot noodles, energy bars, toilet roll, wet wipes, deck chair, sun shade for the deck chair, camp bed, sleeping bag, new super-cool eye protection, a selection of hats…

There is nothing like a good airsoft event for bringing out the very worst in our spending habits, I think it’s just that it gives us a reason, no matter how weak those reasons are!

Much more practically, find out what restrictions there are on muzzle energy and make sure your gun is going to be acceptable. Are there any pyro rules you need to be aware of? Are there restrictions on the use of comms, or the type of comms. What are the arrangements for accommodation if

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you are staying on site - buildings or camping? Are there any facilities; toilets, showers etc? Will you be faced with a row of portaloos?

Have arrangements been made for on-site catering? A well balanced diet is a boon to all but it’s a well known fact that airsofters generally prefer bacon rolls for breakfast and burgers at any other time of the day. I have never attended a game at which wholesome, ethically sourced, vegan food was an option. If that’s your bag make sure you bring your own.

It’s worth checking to make sure that there are no restrictions on the use of cooking equipment if you intend to cater for yourself. There generally isn’t but the more unique the site, the greater the chance that there might well be some peculiar rules in place. As a rule of thumb, if a venue is used to hosting airsoft events you will probably encounter far fewer restrictions; if it is something of a one-off there is a greater chance that the owner will have imposed more onerous conditions.

Don’t forget the really obvious stuff like water. You may not choose to run a Camelbak or even a IT’S REALLY FRUSTRATING TO DISCOVER WEEKS AFTER AN EVENT THAT water bottle in game, but sorry, gallons of Diet THERE WAS AN ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY DEALT WITH BUT Coke is not an approved WASN’T BECAUSE NO-ONE TOLD THE ORGANISER. MARSHALS ARE THERE rehydration solution, so check that water’s TO ENSURE THAT PLAY PROCEEDS APACE, THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE AND available or take your ENJOYING THEMSELVES. own. If a bit of in-game photography is your thing it’s worth checking with the organiser that they are alright with that. They most likely will be but you never know and some events held on military sites can have quite hefty photography restrictions in place.

Hopefully all will go swimmingly, although it is axiomatic that no plan survives first contact with the enemy, or in this case the whistle to start the game! If there are problems, take them to the organisers as soon as possible, that way there is the best chance that they can be addressed. It’s really frustrating to discover weeks after an event that there was an issue that could have been easily dealt with but wasn’t because no-one told the organiser. Marshals are there to ensure that play proceeds apace, that everyone is safe and enjoying themselves. Talk to them, they’re almost always players themselves and let them know what’s working and what isn’t.

Do not take up their entire weekend with your thoughts and wisdom on airsoft, they really aren’t that interested and

they have work to do. Likewise, don’t use them for target practice unless you’re planning on going home early.

If things go badly wrong I’m afraid your options are limited, assuming that you haven’t suffered a grievous injury as a result of someone’s negligence. Seeking a refund for an event that didn’t meet your expectations is difficult (for which read: nigh on impossible) so the best option is to try and ensure that you choose well before you commit. I add that simply to be thorough and the overwhelming experience of players is positive.

Big games are a great way to meet and play with airsofters from around the country and often beyond, and I cannot think of a single good reason why players shouldn’t add at least one to their yearly mix. I have been very lucky to meet a whole bunch of cracking lads and lassies over the years and fortunate to meet very few total plonkers.

Do your homework, talk to other players with experience of the events you’re considering and set forth determined to fight hard and have a hell of a good time! AA

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A BRIDGE (NOT) TOO FAR HUMBER AIRSOFT OPEN DAY

PICS: TOM HIBBERD

A FEW MONTHS BACK THE AIRSOFT ACTION TEAM WERE INVITED TO ATTEND A FUNDRAISING DAY AT HUMBER AIRSOFT TO RAISE SOME CASH FOR THE MAGAZINE’S CHOSEN CHARITY, PILGRIM BANDITS. NOW GADGE AND TOM RETURN TO SAMPLE A “NORMAL” DAY’S AIRSOFT. As regular readers will know, we had a cracking day out as Nige, Bill, Tom and myself played in the team of guerrilla “OpFor” insurgents or “Bandits” against a crack team of NATO operator “Pilgrims”. As you can read in Bill’s earlier review of the event a great day was had by all and the site seemed ideal for the scenario but I really wanted to know was, was it a one off or could their open days match up?

So the boys from the Airsoft Action “Outside Broadcast Unit” (as we like to call our small team) got our kit together and undertook a long drive one morning up to Hull to revisit the site and see if they could strike gold with us a second time.

For those of you that missed the review of the Pilgrim Bandits game I’ll give you a quick summary of the site. It’s located almost at the foot of the Humber Bridge and is super easy to find even for sat nav challenged types like ourselves, although it’s hard to see from the road as most of it is well below ground level!

Humber Airsoft is a disused quarry you see and so it is sunk well into the surrounding countryside and flanked by some quite pleasant woodland. Given the dry and dusty nature of the quarry part, the site makes a great “desert” environment and is ideal for Iraq and Afghanistan type scenarios and to capitalise 66

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on this, the guys at Humber Airsoft have built a truly exceptional NATO style firebase complete with Hesco barrier walls, observation towers and the like on the main “plateau” of the central quarry. Surrounding the “firebase” are a number of sandbagged gun and mortar pits, to let the attacking force have a fighting chance of getting close… so that in itself is a cracking field to play on and worth a trip up alone but Humber Airsoft has a lot more to offer than that.

The site covers just under 40 acres and while the arid “desert” (I say desert as there is a little bit of scrubland cover as well as manmade bunkers dotted about) take up about half of it, the site itself is a bit “teardrop” shaped and the “point”

site HUMBER AIRSOFT

of the tear drop is a lightly wooded and hilly area that’s almost a small site in its own right. The woodland area has plenty of undulating terrain to make fire fights interesting and a small “village” takes up the centre of the wood. Moving between the woods and the firebase players can make use of substantial shrub and bush cover (in the summer at least, I’ve yet to see it in winter) so on the whole it’s a really varied game area in a fairly small package.

WELL STOCKED SITE Arriving at the site we unloaded the car in the pretty large car park in the safe area and signed in. All players are required to wear trousers to cover the knees (due to the nature of the site) and boots are mandatory. Like most sites Humber have a full range of hire kit including eye pro and hire guns and overalls but, unlike many, also offer a choice of boots that can be hired, combat webbing and (if you don’t fancy overalls or perhaps only lack a shirt or trousers) you can hire individual items.

Alongside the necessary hire equipment, the check in office also had a fairly well stocked shop with all the airsoft essentials (and snacks and drinks) so if you go there and realised you’d lost your gloves or shemagh, it’s easy to buy a replacement at reasonable prices.

Quite quickly the site began to fill up and, as the sun rose overhead, it was clear it was going to be a blisteringly hot day.

We were divided into “banded” and “non-banded” teams and the marshals undertook the safety brief. The guys were clear and concise with the brief and with no “waffle” but a little bit of humour. All the players appeared to stay focussed as the rules for the day were explained. A further nice touch was that the marshal team had all elected to wear plain olive drab fatigues and orange his-vis, so not only could you could tell at a glance who to go to if you needed help but it also portrayed quite a slick and professional image.

With the safety brief over it was time for a warm up game around the firebase area to allow everyone to make sure their kit was working fine. The quick warm up game was over quicker than expected as one of our team got a little confused and after recovering the suit case bomb he managed to head off to our own HQ with it, rather than taking it to the enemy base to blow up! Oh well, no plan ever survives contact with the enemy (or an over-zealous team mate)!

Our next game moved into the wooded area, which was a welcome relief as it was starting to get really hot. This was a pleasant change of pace as well as temperature and for the next hour or so we tried to dominate the woods by securing clearly marked control points. I’d dropped out of this game to take pictures and observe the players and staff and it was great to see decent game play all around and that the marshals were really “on the ball” (or should that be on the BB), as they moved about to where the action was heaviest and, overhearing their radio chatter, it was clear that their coms discipline was great. No messing about but using the radios to let a fellow marshal know where to be if they could spot a firefight about to happen.

This was followed by a short couple of attacks on the firebase and by this time the heat was starting to get to people and when lunch was called after these battles (which were incredible fun and, seriously, you really have to experience this fort to believe it) we headed back for lunch.

It was good to see that, responsibly, the site handed out free bottles of water to every player to make sure everyone was hydrated but hot temperatures had caused hot tempers and a few players had had enough and started to drift off. Now,

“A FEW PLAYERS HAD HAD ENOUGH OF THE FRANKLY LUDICROUS HEAT AND GONE HOME, SO THE HUMBER GUYS RE-SORTED THE TEAMS TO KEEP BALANCE AND GOT US OUT AGAIN AND BACK INTO THE WOODLAND WHERE IT WAS A BIT COOLER.” in over a decade of reviewing sites I can categorically tell you that by lunch time (and particularly after) there is always a bit of grumbling that “player x isn’t taking his hits” or “red team are cheating” but I have to say this wasn’t something that any of our team saw. What we did see, however, was the marshal team calmly address any issues and if two players were having a “disagreement” over who shot who, it was great to see the team not only make a call but also get the players to shake on it afterwards to keep the good will going.

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site HUMBER AIRSOFTT

FUN SCENARIOS Lunch itself was not part of the walk on fee and while I settled down to eat a ration pack meal (I’m currently testing different Nation’s rations for a future article) my comrade, Tom “Anvil” Hibberd, went for the cheeseburger meal and gave it a solid “thumbs up”!

Over lunch we got chance to talk to the site team and a few of the players and found there to be a pretty friendly atmosphere on site overall. With piping hot meals inside us (I’d actually cooked my ration pack by placing it under my car windscreen - so that gives you an idea how hot the day was), it was time to get going again.

As I mentioned, a few players had had enough of the frankly ludicrous heat and gone home, so the Humber guys re-sorted the teams to keep balance and got us out again and back into the woodland where it was a bit cooler. I’m not going to bore you with a “then we did this, then we did that” account of each game but it’s fair to say every scenario was well thought out and clearly the guys were able to adapt to changing numbers, which doesn’t sound like much but I’ve been to too

many sites where the owners have a set idea of what they will play that day and can’t change their attitude if it’s clearly not working because of numbers. By the end of these games, however, the whole team were, to use an army phrase, “on their chinstraps” and looking forwards to a pint on the way home (except muggins here, who was driving!).

IN CONCLUSION I’d heartily recommend Humber Airsoft to any player wanting a fun day out among some pretty chilled out players and staff. If you’re an aficionado of modern desert kit it’s probably ideal for you and short of doing a tour of duty in Iraq, you’re unlikely to get to hang around a more realistic looking firebase.

Walk on fees and shop prices were more than reasonable and facilities were great having fully plumbed in inside toilets (rather than portaloos), decent sinks and plenty of chairs and tables to have a sit down between games.

It’s a bit of a trek from the Nottingham office but I know that won’t stop us going again! AA

CONTACT DETAILS HUMBER AIRSOFT LOCATION: LEGGOTTS QUARRY, SOUTH FERRIBY CLIFF, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE, DN18 6BF WWW.HUMBERAIRSOFT.COM WALK ON FEE: £20 HIRE PACKAGE £35 (£20 DEPOSIT REQUIRED PRIOR WITH REMAINDER PAID ON THE DAY) MINIMUM AGE: 9 YEARS OLD (UNDER 12S MUST HAVE AN ADULT PLAYER CHAPERONE), UNDER 17S MUST WEAR FULL FACE PROTECTION.

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event ENGLAND V WALES

ENGLAND V WALES 2018

IF YOU HAPPENED TO FIND YOURSELF IN “AN AREA SOUTH OF NEWTOWN AND NORTH OF LLANDRINDOD WELLS” IN JULY, TRAVELLING ON THE MAIN A483 ROAD, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN SIGNS FOR AN EVENT THAT IS ATTRACTING PLAYERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER. BILL BRINGS US THE LOWDOWN ON THE NOWANNUAL ENGLAND V WALES GAME. In the past year or so I’ve been having a right laugh with Tish and Tim from Mid Wales Airsoft, which has led to a growing friendship and I certainly have great respect for what they are trying to achieve, both in terms of their shop and their games.

This year was the 3rd Annual England v Wales event. It’s always been a fairly small event and not very well known, although I’m certain this will change in the future. Tim told me…

“The game was an idea that myself and Nathan Ganley came up with because our team is Welsh and the team he played for at the time, DY ASSASSINS, was English. We were in an alliance together, along with other English and Welsh teams, which were called the BAATS (British Airsoft Alliance Teams) so it made sense to have both sides of the border defend their pride in a battle for their countries. Sadly, since starting the England v Wales, DT ASSASSINS have disbanded along with the BAATS alliance.”

Tim, Tish and the team are still trying to perfect the set up for the game, especially on the social side. They’ve made a few changes each year away from the gaming area and found that a charity gig night on the Saturday, complete with with 70

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hog roast, went down very well so that’s being kept under consideration for future events.

They extended an invite to me to attend this year’s event and when I heard that my good mate, Trent from NUPROL, would also be attending to support the event that made things even better! I made plans to travel with Trent as he lives close to me and was taking the “Big Red Battle Van” but, as with many things, circumstance got the better of me and I had to pull out at the last minute due to personal reasons.

I continued to follow the game online via the regularly updated Facebook page and when I saw the scenario for the game I was even more gutted that I was going to miss it. On June 30th Tim posted the following to all interested parties…

“Reports are coming in that Russian military scientists have been working on converting two lethal toxins, BATRACHOTOXIN & TETRODOTOXIN. If successfully combined these neurotoxins would be the most deadly known to not just mankind but released would cause an extinction level event.

“The combined toxins being called LECTIYDETOXIN is still in the stage of being combined.

“Unconfirmed reports from MI6 claim that British Special Forces were deployed to the region a week ago to monitor the military base and intercept any personnel who attempted to remove the toxins from the location. The team sent out have not reported in for over 48 hours and concerns are growing.

Along with unconfirmed reports that two of the scientists have fled with the toxin already combined and are heading to the U.K. We understand that U.K border forces have been put on high alert and security tightened at all airports, ports and Channel tunnel.”

This somewhat chillingly correlated with real world events at the time and set the scene for a thrilling airsoft encounter!

Further “Intel” went on to tell me…

“We can confirm that two Russian scientists have illegally entered the U.K. We have not been able to ascertain if their intentions are hostile at this time. We cannot confirm exactly what toxins the scientists are in possession of, what form it’s in or how much of the toxins they have. The public are to regard them as highly dangerous and not to approach in any circumstances and to contact the authorities immediately.

“We have received reports that the Special Forces team were all killed in an ambush half a mile from the Russian base. We are still waiting for a statement regarding this from MI6.

“WE ARE ON HIGH ALERT. “We are deploying troops to the countryside in mid-Powys, where we understand the Russian scientists are in hiding.

Hostile agents are reported to be already searching for them to take the toxins for themselves. It is now a race to find the scientists first and to “stabilise” the toxins until they can be taken to British scientists to be “made safe.”

“Your team is to report to EVW in mid-Powys, Wales for immediate deployment.”

Again, Tim told me that they came up with the scenario because of what was happening in Salisbury and thought it was a good basis for a game or MilSim. In reality the game struggled due to the heat, with players overheating in the very hot (read sweltering!) temperatures and the fact the game was set over a large area of the site only added to their discomfort.

The marshalling team had to change tactics so players could have their trigger time and not be running round such a large area, by pulling the game together into a much smaller area.

The varied terrain meant there was a wide range of gaming areas and different paces of games. At different times of the year the site totally changes; during winter the site proves a challenge with some muddy areas and lack of greenery for cover, so players have to rely on trenches, bunkers and tree trunks for hard cover. During mid-summer though, the ferns are all up and you can hide in a forest of greenery - you can literally get from one gaming area to another without being seen, ideal cover for “sneaky snipers”. The biggest challenge for the team on site is how far the car park is from the safe zone. It’s a few minutes walk but if you have a lot of kit or you have anything heavy you will need a ride!

Tim explained: “The event is always centred around the English and Welsh players and their drive for winning for their country, although the best player award seems to be something they would all like to win. We do our best to change some things on site by adding buildings, so each year the gaming is different in certain areas. The wide range of terrain makes the site great for this kind of event and Hamburger Hill will test the best of any airsoft player!”

England v Wales on tour and hire the Sennybridge Training Area and they also spoke to another site about splitting the game. For various reasons none of this came about and with starting up the shop Tim and Tish ended up not having much time to sort the event out. This year they put the event together in just a few months and didn’t advertise as much as they have done in the past, in a busy Summer of airsoft where many plans are made far in advance this is bound to have an effect on numbers. Trent commented that the heat at this year’s event was unbearable at times and some players suffered as a result. On reflection Tim said told me…

“Thinking about it now I would of changed things around where I had the games starting Friday evening, have the charity gig during the day on Saturday and start playing at 5pm Saturday afternoon until dusk, then play again early on Sunday until lunch time. In spite of low numbers this year we had a good bunch of players and friends were definitely made!”

Any good “weekender”, unless it’s a full-on, hardcore Milsim affair, is as much about the social side and all the banter as it is the gameplay itself and although England v Wales 2018 did struggle a bit in terms of player numbers, the entertainment that was laid on was right up there!

OFF THE FIELD OF HONOUR! Earlier this year Tish told me that they had wanted to take

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“Where do I start with the artists and bands we had?!

All of them were fantastic performers and everyone enjoyed them, from joining in with the singing to jumping around at the songs, the players had a great time. One of the bands did the “Hokey Cokey” with players and did some star gazing after the gig. One of the bands had a guitarist who wants to take up airsoft which is great!”

Tim and Tish have asked me to express their thanks to all the players who came and made it a great weekend…

“We have to say a huge thank you for Nick Jones bringing his own PA system and working so hard to make everyone sound so good on stage; we’d like to thank him for his gig and say... you’re sounding great bro!

“Also our thanks go to The Jamie Porter Band who came all the way from Colwyn Bay in North Wales to play and we’d like to give a big shout out to Revanant Dead who came from the Midlands; those guys smashed it and we hope they take up airsoft. We’d like to thank Lewis from Parasitology for his guitar solos, we’d love you to play for us again.

“We’d also like to thank Karen Nelson for being our onsite nurse for the weekend, and all our marshals who did a great job, you guys were key to this event. Thank you all for everything, you all made the event great. It would never have been the same without you all!”

Mid Wales Airsoft seem to have taken a similar direction to Airsoft Action in that they support Pilgrim Bandits. Terry “Tez” Arnett is a great fund raiser and they love having him visit! For the last two years Tim and Tish have had Tez with them at the England v Wales event and this year the total raised was over £500!

In closing Tim told me: “The future holds a lot for the England v Wales. We are still looking for large sites to host us, for our “on tour” events. We would also like to split the game into two parts, hosting the English here in Wales and then take the game to England and host the Welsh there. I’m sure Tez would be up for coming on tour with us so we would continue to raise funds for Pilgrim Bandits. We would still be the home of the England v Wales but while we develop the site we would

love to take the event on tour. We are currently working to improve the site and the safe zone for future events.”

I spoke to Trent after the game and his response to my enquiries was that a great time was had by all, things went smoothly and that the event benefitted from “great players, with a really super team of nice people at the helm”. For me you can’t say fairer than that and I shall certainly be keeping my eyes open for the dates of England v Wales 2019!

For more information, head to: https://www. facebook.com/NationalEnglandvWalesairsoft/ for the very latest updates and who knows, perhaps I’ll see you at “an area south of Newtown and north of Llandrindod Wells” next

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ARMOURY S&T AVENGER PP-19 BIZON

HELICAL

HERO

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN SMG THAT TICKS ALL THE BOXES FOR BEING UNIQUE, WHILST RETAINING OPERATING FEATURES OF AN AK, THEN THE PP-19 BIZON MIGHT BE JUST WHAT YOU NEED! BILL GET “HANDS ON” WITH THE LATEST, SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE VERSION TO HIT THE UK MARKET, FROM S&T. What if you want a concealable primary that will fit neatly under outer clothing or disappear easily within a pack? In my “Project OPFOR” article this month I talk about exactly that scenario, where I’ve been happily using an E&L AKS74UN-A Tactical. The only modification being to change the flash-hider to a super-stubby “Zenitco” style DTK-2 to make it even shorter.

This is a great AEG that fits the role well but for some time I’ve had my eye on a PP-19 Bizon to make my packing even neater. The AKSU still uses a regular AK mag, which when fitted makes it tricky to secrete it in my pack and it’s certainly not the easiest AEG to deploy from concealment either. I’ve tried most Bizon models, some of which are “okay” and some of which are downright dogs but even the “okay” models still go for a big chunk of dosh, certainly more than I’m willing to spend on an AEG that will see only very occasional use!

Unlike some of my Airsoft Action colleagues, my “Modern Russian” loadouts are pretty paltry affairs in comparison, so the

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Bizon is not the obvious choice for an AEG that I’ll field on a regular basis but due to its unique nature it’s still a model that I’ve returned to time and again. I was therefore quite excited when I discovered that NUPROL would be distributing a select number of models from S&T and that one of them would be a “Sportline” PP-19!

SMART TEAM INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL LTD, or simply S&T, was founded in 2009, with their headquarters office located in Hong Kong and a subsidiary company in Japan.

They are licensed to legally manufacture airguns and airsoft replicas in their factory in China. They also happen to be a group of airsoft enthusiasts themselves, so as with many Hong Kong-based outfits they do actually “get” airsoft! As well as manufacturing, sourcing, and distribution, their stated mission is to supply a wide range of quality products with the most competitive pricing for dealers and consumers.

Until recently they’ve been quite “low profile” in the UK marketplace but they came to my notice thanks to the release of a “Cold War” Sterling SMG (that now sits in my personal collection). Although this needed a touch of fettling to really get it performing to its true potential it was (and still is) a very, very nice AEG. S&T make a full range of great looking Spring, AEG and GBB models, both historical and bang up to date. Trent had a selection at War & Peace this year and they all looked spot on and according to Chris from 308 Sniper, who was selling at the show, the ST870 spring shotgun models were flying off the shelves! When NUPROL gave me the chance to try the new “Sportline” Bizon you can bet your bottom dollar that I snapped their hands off!

ARMOURY S&T AVENGER PP-19 BIZON

“WHERE S&T HAVE BEEN REALLY CLEVER IS TO REPLICATE THE “HELICAL” MAGAZINE, WHICH LIKE THE REAL DEAL IS MADE OF ABS PLASTIC AND MOUNTED UNDER THE BARREL. IT MOUNTS BY WAY OF TWO FORWARD LUGS AND THEN LOCKS IN A SIMILAR FASHION TO A REGULAR AK MAG AND IS SOLID AS A ROCK WHEN IT’S FITTED.” SHORT AND VERY SWEET In the early 1990’s the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) made a request for a new, lightweight weapon primarily intended for counter-terrorist and law enforcement units that would provide fast and accurate fire at close ranges. The Bizon (“Bison”) was designed during 1993 in Izhevsk, home of the

famous IZHMASH state arms factory, by a team of engineers headed by Victor Kalashnikov (Mikhail Kalashnikov’s son) and Alexei Dragunov, youngest son of Evgeny Dragunov (creator of the SVD sniper rifle… yup, that Dragunov!) who was also a member of the design team. You might say that IZHMASH brought out their “A Team” for the development of the Bizon and those boys certainly took things in a very unique direction!

The Bizon was heavily based on the AKS-74 and was actually built on shortened AKS-74 receivers, with an AKS-

74 pistol grip, trigger unit and folding butt. Later models introduced a somewhat improved shape of pistol grip, with better ergonomics. What made the Bizon unique though, was the combination of a high capacity “helical” magazine with the more conventional appearance and layout of the AKS-74. The large capacity 64-round (9×18mm Makarov)

magazine was located directly under the barrel and served as a forestock, resulting in comfortable firing position and a neat, almost streamlined profile. The controls were similar to those on all Kalashnikov rifles and therefore familiar for all Russian troops. In keeping with the initial MVD brief though, the Bizon weighed in at just 2.1kg (4.63lbs) thanks to the use of modern, lightweight materials (the magazine was made from a durable glass-reinforced polyamide) and components.

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ARMOURY S&T AVENGER PP-19 BIZONT

Prototypes were trialled by the Special Equipment Research Institute in 1995 where they outperformed several competitors and the weapon was accepted into service on December 28, 1996 as the PP-19. The Bizon was initially issued to armed response units of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Ministry of Justice but was also used in combat operations against separatists in the volatile North Caucasus region, namely Chechnya and Dagestan, as well as in South Ossetia.

Initially produced to use 9×18mm Makarov ammunition, the Bizon later appeared chambered for 9x19mm and even 7.62x25mm ammo. The AKM used a 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge and the thought of something even vaguely similar to that being used in a far shorter firearm makes my shoulder hurt just thinking about it! Subsequent versions appeared in more traditional fettle with a cylindrical magazine holding 45 rounds, or a curved box magazine holding 35 rounds and it’s said that even vintage magazines from PPSh-41 and PPS-43 were used!

COVERT ROCK N’ ROLL! For me, the Bizon ticks all the boxes in relation to the firearm I would want for a more “covert” role in an airsoft game; it is easily concealable and the “helical” magazine makes it far more streamlined and less likely to catch on outer clothing or straps inside a pack. I was pretty excited when the box arrived from NUPROL and I was immediately pleased with the lack of weight; the “Sportline” Bizon weighs in at just 4050g so it’s perfect for carrying all day long.

Let’s look at the phrase “Sportline” for a moment and think what this actually means in terms of the S&T “Avenger” Bizon. Yes, there is a plastic lower, sight block and side-folding stock and the gearbox casing feels a little “flimsy” but overall it’s a sturdy little AEG. Most of the other parts, including the dust cover, that are supposed to be metal are metal, and the “polyamide” parts are solid ABS plastic. Internally it’s all pretty standard but let’s not forget that this is a really tried and tested “AK” design and that in many models the V3 gearbox and short-axle motor have given good service for years!

The “Sportline” Bizon is essentially a shortened AKS-74, although where S&T have been really clever is to replicate the “helical” magazine, which like the real deal is made of ABS plastic and mounted under the barrel. It mounts by way of two forward lugs and then locks in a similar fashion to a regular AK mag and is solid as a rock when it’s fitted. The Hi-Cap magazine itself (the blurb says 300 BB capacity but it feels way more than that) is as unique in airsoft form as it is in the real world, in that you fill it via a hatch in the top, holding back a plunger affair with the hatch while you pour in BBs. With the hatch/plunger released, winding the magazine is pretty standard and once fully wound it feeds well.

The Bizon is capable of semi and full auto fire, with a typical AK-type safety with the lever on the right side of the receiver.

Although sturdy, the skeletonized buttstock folds to the left side when not needed but you can’t lock it in this position as it fouls the magazine; I certainly wouldn’t want to take a tumble on it! Sights are similar to those found on the AKS-74U, with hooded front post and sliding rear. There is a rear sling point on the folding stock but one omission is the sling-ring on the foresight post which could make slinging the Bizon a little tricky. Again, I wouldn’t want to run a singlepoint sling on this given the construction.

As a so-called “Sportline” I wasn’t expecting superb performance from the little Bizon out of the box but oh my, how things have changed! One upon a time you’d be “fettling” any entry-level AEG to get it anywhere near full performance but the Bizon has a smooth operation and its performance came as a bit of a shock! Loaded up with .20g NUPROL RZR BBs and with an 11.1 Stick LiPo fitted it was time to take the rifle to the chrono, and it delivered a consistent and site-friendly 1.07 Joule/340fps! Accuracy was again a pleasant surprise given the short 230mm brass inner barrel but it was spot-on once the hop was securely set. Shots out to 25m were hitting my sandbags with ease on both semi and full!

All things considered I think that a Bizon may finally be finding a home with me, specifically for “sneaky-beaky” MilSim work. At the time of writing the 160BB S&T MidCap was not available for testing, but Frank at Fire Support kindly loaned me a Silverback version of the same capacity which worked and fed just fine. These are in stock at £24; just head to www.firesupport.co.uk and pop “Bizon” in the search box!

I already had a PP-19 suppressor in hand for some reason (my “box of bits” is a mystery even to me!) and this fitted perfectly on the S&T to give it a real “covert” look which, of course, is what I was after - with the suppressor and MidCap fitted it’s a proper undercover SMG. I mentioned earlier that the one thing putting me off a Bizon was the price but this is where the S&T version really becomes attractive as I’m seeing them in the stores online for as little as £150! Now that’s a “sportline” price for something that is far, far from an “entry level” AEG so I think it’s time to part with some pennies to add another great option to my OPFOR armoury! AA Technical Details Weight: 4050g Length: 485mm folded/540mm unfolded Materials: Steel, ABS Plastic, Zinc Alloy Colour: Black Gearbox: V3 Gearbox Motor: Short axle Muzzle Velocity: 1.07Joule/340fps For more information on the S&T Airsoft range and for stockist details visit www.nuprol.com

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gear FAB DEFENCE MAKAROV HOLSTER

FAB DEFENCE MAKAROV HOLSTER FINDING MODERN ACCESSORIES FOR CLASSIC WEAPONS CAN BE A CHALLENGE BUT GADGE FOUND SOMETHING FOR HIS FAVOURITE MAKAROV PISTOL THAT FITTED THE BILL PERFECTLY. One of the problems with being a bit of an “old school” historical airsofter and having a collection of retro RIFs, is that it can sometimes be a bit tricky getting accessories for a more modern game.

A classic example would be my beloved WE Makarov. I love the Makarov, it’s got classic lines, it’s as easy to conceal as it is easy to wield as it’s so small while still packing a punch – the only problem was finding a decent holster. The original Soviet era ones were of the type often known as “widowmakers” as their closed flap construction makes them very slow to draw from and “post-Soviet” Russian shoulder holsters were not much better as they were still leather and used press studs to secure the pistol.

So imagine my delight when I discovered Israeli firm Zahal and their FAB Defense MX “Scorpus” range of holsters and noticed they made a modern holster for the classic Makarov.

Now this is actually even trickier than it sounds given that the WE Makarov is actually a Makarov PMM rather than the classic PM but luckily the holster takes both types, although it’s worth noting the WE Makarov PMM won’t fit in the holster with the barrel extension and suppressor fitted.

The MX Scorpus holster is constructed from fibreglass reinforced plastics and uses a trigger guard, two stage locking system. Sliding your “Mak” into the holster results in a satisfying “click” and the pistol is firmly locked in until the release catch is depressed AND the pistol is pulled backwards. It is so secure you can actually hold the holster upside down with the latch depressed and the pistol won’t fall out until it’s pulled firmly!

The holster comes with a 360 degree swivel “paddle” type trouser clip/belt loop and using this the operator can adjust the holster to any desired cant. Not only does it come with this excellent attachment but for those wanting a more conventional belt loop or a Molle attachment system, both of these are included as part of the package. The Molle

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attachment is in itself interesting being an X-shaped Molle adaptor that simply slots onto your plate carrier or vest with little in a the way of “fiddly” attachments.

For those of you that don’t use an old school Makarov, don’t despair the MX holster is available for a variety of handguns and if your airsoft replica has the same external dimensions as the “real steel” these should be a good fit.

For just over £30 posted, this is an excellent holster for the money. It’s both versatile and practical and thoroughly recommended by myself. While I found this example on eBay it’s worth checking online for other suppliers of Zahal and FAB Defense equipment, in this case the holster and accessories cost only £32 including postage from Israel and arrived to the UK in a week.

FEATURES: • Excellent handgun protection in a slim and streamlined design • Special finger channel design, keeps index finger safely positioned during draw • Holster supplied with three interchangeable belt adapters; MOLLE, Paddle and Belt-Loop • Available for Right Hand or Left Hand configuration • Durable fiberglass reinforced polymer composite construction • Available in Matte Black, Olive Drab green or Flat Dark Earth THE MX IS AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING HANDGUNS: Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 31, 32, 34, 35, 41 Glock 20, 21, 29, 30 SIG SAUER P226 models excluding the MK 25 models H&K USP 9mm/.40/.45 Full-size and compact models 1911 5” Barrel, including Colt government models Railed and non-railed

gear VIPER COVERT DUMP BAG

VIPER COVERT DUMP BAG NEEDING A COMPACT YET FULL-SIZED DUMP BAG, FEMME FATALE DISCOVERED JUST WHAT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR FROM VIPER TACTICAL. Whilst preparing my kit for Warzone 6 in Crete this year, I put together a low profile and lightweight olive drab shooter’s belt setup that later became my go-to belt for all of my green loadouts but there was one thing missing – a dump pouch. I needed something that was not only compact, as not to take up too much room on the belt but one that would also fold out to a full-sized dump pouch, so I didn’t compromise on space or carrying capacity. That’s when I discovered the Viper Tactical Covert Dump Pouch.

The Viper Tactical Covert Dump Bag is a zip-away function dump pouch that is lightweight and has a minimal design.

It can be attached to plate carriers and battle belts using the MOLLE attachment that secures with a snap button. When the dump pouch is empty, zipped and closed its approximate measurements are 14 x 10 x 3cm and when unzipped and empty it is around 25 x 21cm, which makes it compact when not in use (and not flapping all over the shop) but still gives you enough space to hold field essentials and has a draw string closure. The Viper website says that the dump bag will hold approximately 4 x rifle mags or 6 x pistol mags. The outer is made of a Cordura fabric and the pouch itself is a thin, synthetic material.

During the game day I managed to fit in 6 x EG25 smoke grenades, 5 x EG MK5, 2 x ARP9 mags and 1 x HK45 pistol mag which was pretty impressive and there was still a wee bit of room for a few more gubbins. It didn’t feel burdened or too heavy when it was loaded up.

Are there any downsides to this piece of kit? To be honest I noticed only one… When I was playing at Xsite: The Outpost with my new G&G ARP9, I found myself crawling along the floor to get to move between low cover. I’d forgotten to pull the drawstring on my dump pouch which meant long items such as the ARP9 magazines and my EG MK5s left a trail where I had crawled because they had fallen out! Definitely a user error on my part but, as we all know, gameplay can move so quickly you just shove things in your kit and go. It’s really important to pull the drawstring to make sure all your gubbins are kept safe.

It’s available in V-Cam, Coyote, Olive Green and Black and retails for £8.45 from our friends over at Military 1st which

is a reasonable price and, as it comes in the standard Viper colourways, you can find one to go with any loadout. I think Viper have done a great job with this bit of kit, I just need to remember to pull the drawstring in future *face palm*!

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GITAG HYDRATION

HYDRATE TO THRIVE!

HYDRATION: THE PROCESS OF CAUSING SOMETHING TO ABSORB WATER

TO STAY SWITCHED ON AND IN THE GAME YOU NEED TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HYDRATION AND OVERHEATING AND BILL IS A REAL “GEEK” WHEN IT COMES TO THIS TOPIC…

If you’ve been out to “get your airsoft on” in the past couple of months then you may have noticed it’s been “quite warm” to say the least and, as I write, the end of this week is set to be a real scorcher around the UK, with possible highs (again!) of 30C+ expected in some places in the south of England.

While a bit of sunny, hot weather often brings out the best in us (especially the MEALSIM crowd), the hoofing temperatures aren’t so great for airsoft unless you’re completely prepared to not only deal with the conditions but totally thrive in them!

As many of you that know me will recall, I spent four years living in Florida and airsoft was a major part of my life while I was there. Not only did I get along to skirmishes and weekenders but I also played a fledgling version of speedsoft (yes, I actually did, it’s nothing really new!) ”under the lights” most Wednesday nights.

I got completely acclimatised to playing in a high heat/high humidity environment and the lessons learnt during my years as an outdoor pursuits instructor and team leader really served me well. Very quickly the “3L Camelbak” in my mountain biking gear got incorporated into my airsoft kit and I always made

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sure to have a big (5L) bottle of water in the car. Although my OC-16 team-mates and I made sure we stayed “sloshy”, we often saw instances of those who didn’t - and it wasn’t pretty!

One memory I have is of being at a big weekend game at the MOUT facility at Camp Blanding. This sits in the middle of a mechanised Company manoeuver area and is sandy, dusty, and dry as a bone. The temperature inside the buildings would often creep well into the high 30’s and the humidity hovered around 90-95%. Basically, you would start sweating heavily as soon as you stood up and that was without kit!

During the first day of that game I measured my intake/ output and I actually took on nearly FOURTEEN litres of water (plus electrolyte/supplement powders) during that 24 hour period! I vividly recall one guy who didn’t hydrate at the game; I didn’t see him fall but I certainly heard the drumming of his heels on the tarmac as he convulsed…

Whilst this scenario is one I never hope to see again, last month I saw players REALLY suffering due to the heat and dehydration; some did the sensible thing and left early as they realised they weren’t prepared but others “soldiered on” and

GITAG HYDRATION

suffered the consequences. One guy I saw that actually had sufficient water did the classic thing of necking an entire bottle when he had chance - and inevitably threw it all back up, with the resulting ZERO impact on his hydration levels!

PROTECT AND SURVIVE! We all know that if we don’t drink enough, then we’re going to have a dog-dry throat and feel thirsty but what is actually going on and exactly how do high temperatures impact the body, especially during times of high activity?

Without wishing to sound gruesome, here we go…

When it’s hot for an extended period of time the body’s internal temperature may rise, making the heart rate increase and vessels expand to bring more blood to the outer layers of skin, where the heat is then released. If this heat isn’t released fast enough or the surrounding air is warmer than the body, your sweat glands will try to cool you down. So far so peachy… but sweating means a loss of fluids which can lead to a drop in blood pressure causing the heart to beat more rapidly, making the heart work harder to maintain a cooler body. Part of the brain, called the hypothalamus, controls our core body temperature and is also responsible for sending signals to the skin to start sweating. However, when it becomes too hot these signals may not get through properly. In extreme cases where your body temperature goes over 40°C, this allegedly can stop nerve fibres from working properly, which means the messages may not get through to and from the brain. When the body temperature goes higher than normal it can lead to dizziness, feeling weak and tired, poor coordination, and even problems with balance or thinking!

Another tell-tale is breathing more quickly. Extreme hot weather and high activity levels can put more strain on the lungs, especially if you already suffer from conditions such as asthma. The hot weather can also be “dangerous” for the liver, which is another thermo-sensitive organ. The medicos tell us that serious conditions such as heatstroke can damage liver

cells. Heatstroke is when the core body temperature rises above 40°C and the body’s internal systems begin shutting down.

This can impact the nervous system and, if left untreated, can harm specific organs too. Dehydration and a drop in blood pressure can also harm the kidneys. In hot weather the body’s energy requirements can exceed its ability to produce energy, causing muscle cells to break down and release a protein called myoglobin and other products into the bloodstream. Again, the medicos tell us that some of these break-down products (including myoglobin) can be toxic to the kidneys and can directly damage them.

So, although I’m trying not to be alarmist (and I’m certainly no doctor), even the most basic research will show you that becoming overheated and dehydrated can be potentially much more dangerous than you probably think and I hate to point it out but severe heatstroke can even be life-threatening. Let’s face it (and I don’t mean to be rude), many of us that play airsoft (myself included right now) are far from our physical peak and this only exacerbates the issue.

HYDRATE TO THRIVE! If you look at even the most generalised advice for maintaining hydration levels and dealing with hot weather you’ll often find comments like this (I found these on an online travel page); • Drink plenty of fluids.

• Don’t stay out in the sun for too long, especially during the hottest times of the day (11am-3pm).

• Stay in cool, well-ventilated areas where possible.

Don’t over exert yourself in hot weather – exercising • at cooler times of the day is preferable.

Fine, right? Nowhere close is what I’ll say! If we avoid the hottest part of the day (11-3) then that’s pretty much a skirmish day over. Staying in “well-ventilated” areas is not an option when it comes to MilSim taskings, and “over-exertion” is often a given when we’re hooning about wearing plate carriers and packs!

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GITAG HYDRATION

Knowing that dehydration and overheating can be a (major) problem should at the very least forewarn us that (as with all things) we need to prepare properly.

How much should we be drinking? There are no exact rules for how much water to drink while exercising because everyone is different. You need to consider factors including your sweat rate, the heat and humidity in your environment and how long and how hard you are pushing yourself.

Looking at numerous sources, a general consensus seems to be: • Drink .5 to 1.0L of water 2 to 3 hours before you start “exercising”.

Drink .25 to .50L of water every 10 to 20 minutes • during “exercise”.

• Drink .25L of water no more than 30 minutes after you “exercise” and top this up at regular intervals as needed.

Again, I’ll stress I’m not a doctor and that you need to take notice of your own body, but this seems largely in line with what I drink during a game but, of course, in extreme conditions you may need to notch these levels up higher. Buy a bottle with volume markings on it if possible to keep track of your intake (Nalgene and Camelbak both make excellent models).

For most people, water is all that you need to stay hydrated.

However, if you’re pushing along at a high intensity for longer a sports drink may be helpful. The calories, potassium and other nutrients in sports drinks can provide energy and electrolytes to help you perform for extended periods.

Choose a sports drink wisely though! They are often high in calories from added sugar and may contain adverse levels of sodium. Some sports drinks contain caffeine; if you consume a drink that contains caffeine, be careful as it may cause a diuretic effect on your body. This means that you may have to “take a leak” more often and that you don’t fully benefit from what you’re taking on board.

A good sports drink or supplement to your “on-board”

water supply that is easily metabolised will help with hydration but electrolytes are the key. For optimal hydration choose a drink/supplement that is easily tolerated and digested but, most importantly, one that has a well-balanced electrolyte profile. Electrolytes are tiny particles that carry electrical charges and they serve many roles to help the body maintain proper function. When you sweat, electrolytes play key roles in keeping water balanced both inside and outside your cells so that your muscles and organs can continue to serve you properly.

Replenishing electrolytes via your drink helps to replenish your mineral losses; electrolytes also help make the most of your water, which is the key to proper hydration. Drinks with the correct balance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium can help retain fluids and proper fluid balance contributes to optimal performance. My advice here is to speak to an expert on this and many high-end running, cycling, and outdoor pursuits stores should be able to help you with this.

So, yes, dehydration and overheating can be really dangerous but with the correct preparation they don’t have to be. Be prepared and look to your own personal admin; don’t be “that guy” that your mates or potentially the site medic have to look after when you crash through lack of preparedness.

As the saying goes “Hydrate or Die” but in my mind it’s a case of “Hydrate to Thrive” to make the very best of your airsoft experience …even on the very hottest days! AA www.airsoft-action.online

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Warriors STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT, OP TELIC 2005

“THE STAFFORDS” IN HIS CONTINUING “WARRIORS” SERIES, GADGE TAKES US TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE 1ST BATTALION OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT, AS PART OF “OPERATION TELIC”.

Photography: Tom Hibberd 84

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Warriors STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT, OP TELIC 2005

Ministry of Defence budget cuts and were amalgamated into In 1991 a massive allied coalition took to the Persian Gulf to the “Mercian Regiment” as its 3rd Battalion in 2007. kick Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait and restore order in Iraq.

Having left Saddam in power they once again found themselves travelling to the Middle East almost a decade later to take him LESSONS LEARNED down for good.

Our warrior represents a private from the ill-fated C Company While many will debate the ethics of the 2003 Iraq war and and is clad superficially in a similar way to his comrades who the search for “weapons of mass destruction” believed to be took part in the 1991 invasion before him – albeit with some owned by Saddam’s forces, no one can doubt that the second subtle differences. invasion of Iraq was a mammoth task and just taking out the The British Army had learned its lessons from Operation dictator was only the start of it – unlike 1991 a proper “end Granby. The 1st Gulf War had come as something as a surprise game” where democracy and order were restored to the Iraqi to the army and, as a result, the troops were very ill-prepared for people had to be factored in and this would take a long, long time. desert combat (a rumour had abounded that the MOD had (in The 2nd Gulf War was known to British forces as “Operation a short-sighted decision) sold all of its desert combat uniforms Telic” and, as aforementioned, once the initial defeat of the Iraqi army was accomplished along came the more PERSONAL PROTECTION IS MAINLY AFFORDED BY THE lengthy tasks of training a new army ECBA (ENHANCED COMBAT BODY ARMOUR) VEST OUR up to defend Iraq, improve its police MAN WEARS. ECBA WAS AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE forces, providing vital infrastructure for the country and creating education for EARLIER CBA KEVLAR VEST BODY ARMOUR BY ALLOWING its people. All of this sounds (relatively) CERAMIC STRIKE PLATES TO BE CARRIED TO PROTECT simple on paper but insurgent forces THE MOST VITAL ORGANS FRONT AND CENTRE would continue to attack and harass Iraqi and allied forces long after the main battles had been fought.

In 2005 the 1st Battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment to a middle eastern country only a few years earlier) and desert (one of Britain’s oldest infantry formations) was assigned to disruptive pattern material (DDPM) was in very short supply.

Iraq as part of the 12th Mechanised Brigade on “Op Telic 6”.

Whether or not this was due to the large numbers of troops Iraq was familiar territory for the men of the Staffords as the mobilised, or due to an ill thought out “sale” by the MOD is battalion had previously been the “tip of the spear” (the leading hard to determine but it is clear from photographs that many UK infantry unit) in the 1991 invasion, known as “Operation troops, especially those not on the front line, had to make do Granby” with temperate woodland DPM uniforms or tropical jungle The battalion undertook a six-month tour of Iraq and came uniforms – with some units even using the old SLR rifle, Sterling under attack from insurgents with sniper fire, explosive devices SMG and ageing 58 pattern webbing, instead of SA80s and and petrol bombings while they were there, sadly losing three modern nylon rigs. of their number. The Regiment also received national publicity Our soldier’s uniform is the “Soldier 95” cut of the DDPM in the September of 2005 when soldiers were pictured leaping from their burning Warrior troop carriers in the city of Basra, after the vehicles had been targeted by petrol bombs. Many in the regiment felt they had had one of the most difficult postings the British Army had in 2005, with regular daily attacks by insurgent bombs and mortars and enduring no less than 44 rocket attacks alone over the course of the tour.

BUILDING A NEW NATION Part of the role of the Staffords in Iraq was, as well as providing stability to the area, to train the new government’s soldiers, police and border forces in up to date military and security skills.

In addition, regular patrols were sent out to arrest terrorists in the southern region of Maysaan, to reduce attacks on military and civilians and, lastly, the men of the battalion were tasked with helping to reconstruct the severely damaged public services such as water, electricity and sanitation.

As we have touched upon, however, many extremists resented the allied involvement in rebuilding Iraq after the invasion and took advantage of the power vacuum left by Saddam’s death to take part in sectarian violence and seize areas of the country for their own tribe, religious group or political party. Soldiers of the allied forces were constantly attacked in ambushes by the guerrillas or killed and wounded by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the terrorists. It was once such “roadside bomb” that would claim the lives of three of the Staffords. As a patrol of three “snatch” land rovers left their base early one Saturday morning a huge explosion rocked the city of Al Amarah as the blast went off.

The patrol commander Second Lieutenant Richard Shearer and his top cover sentry Private Leon Spicer were killed instantly.

The driver, Private Phillip Hewett, died of his wounds at the scene whilst receiving first aid from members of the patrol. All three men were from “C Company” of the 1st Battalion.

Telic 6 would be one of the last engagements in the 500year history of the “Staffords” (although they would return to Iraq on Telic 9) as shortly afterwards the regiment fell afoul of

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Warriors STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT, OP TELIC 2005

combat uniform and while from a distance it looks similar to the 1991-era suit, the larger “Canadian buttons” (which were easier to repair or use with gloved hands), front rank slide loop and the baggier cut are evident on close inspection. The S95 DDPM uniform was a lightweight in tone (sand and cream) camouflage uniform that was popular with the troops in the oppressive heat of the Persian Gulf. The uniform is relatively simple, consisting of a shirt with breast pockets, rank slip loop and a button-up front, while the trousers are a baggy cut with hand warmer pockets, one rear pocket, two large cargo pockets on the thighs and a zip fly and a drawstring closure on both the waist and trouser cuffs. The suit was often issued with a DDPM boonie hat (seen here with the regiment’s insignia stitched to it) and while many soldiers cut down the brim of the sun hat to look more “warry”, many others valued the protection from the sun that the hat provided. A final part of the uniform is a sand coloured desert “shemagh” scarf that can be pulled up around the face in the event of a sandstorm. The shemagh had been popular with British Army soldiers in Europe for decades and really came into its own when back in a desert environment.

Personal protection is mainly afforded by the ECBA (Enhanced Combat Body Armour) vest our man wears. ECBA was an improvement on the earlier CBA Kevlar vest body armour by allowing ceramic strike plates to be carried to protect the most vital organs front and centre. Other improvements over CBA included strapping to prevent the webbing shifting around the vest and a rank slide loop fixed to the front. Less “ballistic” protection is provided by a pair of sturdy private purchase desert boots, some cut down green leather pilot gloves to protect his hands from both sharp stones and debris (and from burning his hands on metal equipment heated up by the desert sun), plus a pair of sunglasses.

Combat equipment is carried in an “Ops Vest”. For decades soldiers have tailored their load carrying equipment to suit their needs within their unit’s allowable framework and many solutions have come and gone over the years with belt kits, chest rigs, cop vests and the like all having their moment of being in “fashion”. By the early 2000s the “Ops Vest” was very popular.

The concept of a “combat waistcoat” is nothing new, however and even on D-day British Assault Troops went ashore wearing similar (if much heavier) equipment but modern fabrics and technology now allowed assault vests like this to have the carrying capacity of a full set of PLCE webbing (and its durability) without any increase in weight but with a perceived “drop” in the weight of the load as the Ops Vest spread out the equipment’s weight more evenly. This model of Ops Vest allows the easy

carriage of six loaded STANAG magazines in its two (three cell) ammo pouches, while other kit such as mess tins, water bottles, rations and the like can be carried in the many “utility pouch” size pocket. Additionally, clips for the issue day sack are on the shoulders while a respirator pouch can be clipped to the side. Inside the vest itself are map pockets and a concealed pistol holster and while the vest has no provision for a bayonet, (and as an LSW gunner our Pte. has little need for one!) it is possible to secure the bayonet to the size adjustment straps at the rear.

Improvements were not only seen in the field of combat equipment, the army had also drastically overhauled its personal weapons too. The original SA80 (Small Arms for the 80s) family had performed sub-optimally in their first encounter with the harsh desert environment in 1991 and had had a “bad press” ever since. Around the early 2000s a massive project to refit all the army’s rifles to the “a2” standard by Heckler and Koch was undertaken and part of the result of this endeavour was the L86a2 5.56mm Light Support Weapon that our Stafford carries here (see the L86 review starting on Page 20 of this issue for more information on this firearm).

Once again, rather than giving you a weird and wonderful - but expensive and obscure- “Warriors” we’ve presented you with a loadout you can really do on a budget! DDPM Soldier 95 can be sourced for as little as £5 for a shirt or pair of trousers! Ops Vests used to cost a fortune but can now be got for as little as £20 and if you don’t mind creating the “Kevlar” yourself with a roll mat, you can fill an ECBA vest out for a tenner.

What’s more the Sa80 series is a popular AEG platform with several airsoft manufacturers so there is little to stop you if you fancy a loadout perfect for this year’s heatwave! AA

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Image: Scott Allen

feature FIELD DRESSINGS

FIRST AID:

FIELD DRESSINGS

ALTHOUGH WE HOPE THEY ARE NEVER NEEDED, MANY PLAYERS, PARTICULARLY MILSIMMERS, CARRY A FIRST AID KIT AS PART OF THEIR GEAR. PAUL YELLAND WRITES ABOUT ONE OF THEIR COMPONENTS: FIELD DRESSINGS. A field dressing is a sterile absorbent pad with an attached bandage that is used to cover a wound. The dressings are designed to be used in battlefield trauma scenarios like blast injuries, gunshot wounds, and amputations. There has been a huge advance in field dressing design over the past fifteen years, mainly due to the conflict in Afghanistan. There are various types of field dressing available today, but all have the same purpose – to control bleeding and protect the wound. I am going to take a look at different dressings and discuss each of the design features, which I hope will be useful for anyone who is thinking about carrying a field dressing as part of their first aid kit.

About Dressings

BRITISH JOINT SERVICES DRESSING

The idea of an emergency first aid dressing for use by the military has been around since before the First World War. Also known as a first field dressing or shell dressing, one or more are usually carried by each soldier for use should they become wounded. The materials that are used to make the dressing have developed over time and additional features have been added to make the dressings easier to apply and be more effective in haemorrhage control. During both World Wars, there was a shortage of materials to manufacture field dressings, so sphagnum moss was actually used as a widely available natural alternative because of its absorbent and antiseptic properties.

Sphagnum moss Field dressings need to be easily and quickly accessible, so for many years military uniforms have been designed with a specific pocket to keep a field dressing in. The rule is to use a casualties own field dressing first, so by keeping the dressing in a place where everyone knows where to look makes sense.

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Joint services field dressing Available in different sizes, the Joint Service dressing has been used by the UK military for many years but is now being succeeded by the new ‘Israeli Dressing’. The joint services dressing is sealed in a material outer wrapper that is lined with a plastic film on the inside. There are also instructions printed on the outer wrapper on how to apply the bandage. To open

Feature the dressing, tear the wrapper where indicated from one of the edges. This will reveal a second inner wrapper that contains the dressing. The pad on the field dressing that I have opened is 20cm x 19cm and the securing bandage is a non-conforming (not elasticated) type. This makes it quite difficult to bandage around limbs and to apply equal pressure over the dressing to control bleeding. When opening the dressing, it is important not to touch the sterile pad. The correct side of the dressing to use is clearly marked on the upper side of the pad. The wrapper of the field dressing can be used as an improvised seal that is placed over a sucking chest wound. On opening, I found signs of water damage to the dressing, probably due to the fact that the outer wrapper is not that waterproof, so the dressing would ideally need to be sealed inside a waterproof bag – but ensuring that the dressing can still be accessed and opened easily when needed.

thread has been stitched into the bandage to prevent accidental unravelling when dropped during application and this thread is simply snapped to release the remaining bandage. There is a pressure applicator located on the top side of the pad. This is an important feature that allows extra pull on the bandage resulting in more pressure being directed downwards onto the wound. Use the clip on the end of the bandage to secure it in place instead of using safety pins. As with the joint services dressing, the wrapper can be used as an occlusive dressing in the treatment of a penetrating chest wound. (above) Israeli dressing with pressure bar (above) and absorbent pad (bottom)

FIELD DRESSINGS

OLAES MODULAR BANDAGE

Joint services field dressing pad and bandage

TRAUMA WOUND DRESSING – (ISRAELI DRESSING)

This modern field dressing is the replacement for the joint services dressing and comes with some significant improvements in the design. The ‘Israeli Dressing’ as it’s also known is available in two different sizes – a four inch and six inch pad. The dressing comes sealed inside a small vacuum pack which is waterproof and easy to tear open from one end. There is a second waterproof inner wrapper so there shouldn’t be any issues with the dressing getting wet. Also, easy to follow application instructions are printed on the outside of the wrapper. The Israeli dressing comes with a compression bandage attached to the pad. This bandage is elasticated and great for bandaging around the contours of the body to hold the dressing in place. An anti-unroll

The Olaes Modular Bandage has some great features.

The dressing is available in two different sizes and like the Israeli dressing, comes vacuum packed in a robust waterproof wrapper that has instructions printed on the reverse side. The dressing pad is very absorbent and like the other modern field dressings, has a compression bandage attached. A pressure cup is positioned on top of the pad and allows extra pressure to be directed downwards onto a wound when bandaged over. A small compartment between the pad and bandage stores a plastic sheet that is used as an occlusive dressing for the treatment of open chest injuries. Also included with this dressing is three metres of gauze that is used to pack deep wounds. The compression bandage has Velcro strips sewn into the length to prevent accidental unravelling and helps to secure the bandage.

BLAST BANDAGE

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

The Blast Bandage is designed for treating large traumatic injuries and limb amputations. The dressing pad is 47cm x 47cm so is big enough for covering large surface area burns and multiple penetrating wounds to the torso and abdomen. The pad can also be wrapped around the stump of an amputated limb and secured with the compression bandage.

There is no pressure cup built into this dressing, but in the case of an amputation, a tourniquet can be applied above the injury site to control bleeding. As with the Modular Bandage, a large plastic sheet is supplied that can be used to seal sucking chest wounds, cover burns or protruding abdominal organs. The compression bandage also has Velcro strips to stop the bandage from unrolling if dropped.

So as you can see, there are a number of different options available when it comes to choosing a field dressing.

The modern bandages that I have looked at here are all very good and it is certainly worth considering carrying a few in your medical kit. Check out SP Services (spservices.co.uk) or Prometheus Medical Ltd (prometheusmedical.co.uk) for more information. AA

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last post A GAME OF HONOUR

THE SCOURGE OF AIRSOFT! LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION FOR “THE LAST POST”, FRENCHIE TOOK HIMSELF TO A PLACE HE GENERALLY AVOIDS LIKE THE PLAGUE… YOUTUBE. AND THAT GOT HIM THINKING… There are a load of reasons I stay away from airsoft videos; I’ve seen a lot of them over the years, too often they’re not very good - wide angle cameras generally don’t capture any useful detail, few of them are well made or edited and I know that many videos that seem to be “good” are heavily edited.

I mean, exactly how do you capture both the shot and the hit at the same time with one camera? However, none of this was relevant, what struck me was the sheer volume of titles screaming about cheating: “WORST CHEATER EVER!”; “AIRSOFT CHEAT GETS WHAT’S COMING”; “AIRSOFT CHEATER’S FAMILY PUT IN STOCKS AND PELTED WITH OLD FRUIT”. You get the idea, revenge and hysteria all rolled into one neat package. I’m less interested in the rabid nature of YouTube than I am in the continuing phenomenon of cheating and what, if anything, can really be done about it.

“Airsoft is a game of honour.” On one level that is entirely true; we all rely on other players to take their hits but on another level it’s an expression that has always sat uncomfortably with me - apologies to our cousins over the pond - but it’s a bit… American…

Most of the time a hit by a BB will leave no evidence of it’s passing whatsoever. We’ve all had hits that cannot be ignored but they are few and far between - after all, airsoft makes a thing about how relatively safe it is. The potential for cheating is really high.

The problem is how to ensure that a hit is taken. There is considerable peer pressure but I am struggling to think of a single instance when I have sanctioned a player for hit-dodging. I mean seriously sanctioned, not just told them to play the game or go home.

Your experience may vary but it is rare for players to be excluded from sites for simple cheating and that’s because it is so difficult to police.

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Marshaling and ethos go some way to enforcing the rules but both have serious limits. You cannot force a player to observe the accepted rules, or even the explicit rules, of a site and I have never seen a situation where marshals were in a position to oversee everything that was happening all of the time. Without the intervention of technology I’m not sure it’s possible; I’ll come back to that. Most sites make marshalling difficult and the best that can be expected is that marshalls ensure that no-one suffers serious injury, gets into a fight or commits egregious acts of bad gamesmanship. To be dealt with, cheating has to be seen and seen conclusively - and that’s really difficult.

I have lost count of the number of cheat calls I have investigated on woodland sites; many of the disputes dissolve in the face of a BBs inability to penetrate any meaningful thickness of brush and grass will deflect BBs. From 50 or 60 metres away, it’s difficult to see exactly what’s happening and too easy to call someone a cheat. One of the problems I have with cheat videos is that too often they are as clear as mud the poster sees what he believes to be there, the rest of us?

Maybe not quite so clear. That’s also true for marshals - what seems crystal clear to a player may not be nearly so obvious to an observer. The result is that you get an unsatisfactory stand off - the marshal tells everyone to take their hits, the shooter feels cheated and the accused player feels aggrieved.

The underlying problem is twofold: There will always be players who cheat and there is no reliable way to force players to take their hits. I’m not a psychologist so I can only hypothesise as to why players cheat. Some will genuinely not know that they’ve been shot; ghillie suits would soak up the impact from a small car, so a BB has no chance! Load carrying equipment can easily cushion the blow from a small piece of plastic, as can loose clothing. My experience is that I heard a hit as often as I felt it unless it struck an exposed (or at least thinly covered) area of my body, the the chances are near certainty that I have quite innocently ignored hits over the years purely because I was unaware of them.

Then there is the frustration I think is felt by some players who spend time and effort to get into what they think of as a winning position only to get shot, either because another player is better (or better placed) than them, or if airsoft

last post A GAME OF HONOUR

“I’M NOT A PSYCHOLOGIST SO I CAN ONLY HYPOTHESISE AS TO WHY PLAYERS CHEAT. SOME WILL GENUINELY NOT KNOW THAT THEY’VE BEEN SHOT...’’ teaches you just one thing, it is the importance of the random shot. My personal feeling is that many “ignored” hits fall into this category - the player affected quickly concludes that the shot wasn’t really aimed and can be ignored because the shooter had a low expectation of a result.

In the real world that obviously holds no water - a random 7.62mm round is every bit as deadly as a well-aimed one but airsoft is a game and that unpredictability should be embraced.

But how?

Over the years there have been a raft of technological offerings designed to take the unpredictability out of the game and each one has failed miserably. Since we agree that a hit anywhere is sufficient to take you out of the game, any system based on sensors has to cover the whole body. That’s difficult.

At best, therefore, you get something that covers the players chest and back, an approach negated by the simple expedient of lying down. The technical challenges are only part of it - the other problem is cost. None of the proposed solutions are cheap, so who is going to pay? The sites? The players? The answer..? No-one! It’s a cost that is regarded as unnecessary for a solution that is at best half-baked and in which no-one is interested.

Which leaves us with cheating. I think as a pastime we are stuck with it. No amount of hysterical, inconclusive videos will stop it. No number of game briefs and intrusive marshalling can counter it and technology has no workable solutions.

If that sounds negative I apologise, I’m not. We need to be realistic about just how important cheating is within the game and the effect it has on the outcome of an event. This is the key to this conundrum - I may have given the impression that cheating was a serious problem and that calls to”honour” were ineffectual but that isn’t entirely true. I reckon that the majority of players have ducked or missed a random shot at some point during their playing careers, I also suspect that the advantage they gained for themselves and their team were minimal, possibly non-existent. There will be someone reading this who may be able to point to a case where cheating made a significant difference to an outcome but I would be surprised if the numbers were large.

Cheating is to be discouraged, it is to be called out and it is to be marshalled against but it is unlikely that the amount of howling about it online is justified in terms of the overall effect it has on airsoft.

No one likes a cheat, certainly not in airsoft, but it’s not going away anytime soon.

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BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT

ALPHA 55

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

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

Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport PR46JX Tel: 07790 715059 www.bravo22airsoft.com

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

BRISTOL AIRSOFT

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

BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT

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

CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT

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

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

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

COMBAT ACTION GAMES

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

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE SANDPIT (DESERT)

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE WORKS (URBAN)

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

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

CUMBRIA AIRSOFT

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

DANGER CLOSE AIRSOFT

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

ELITE BATTLEZONE

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

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

FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS

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

FIFE WARGAMES COMBAT AIRSOFT

C3 TACTICAL

COTSWOLD AIRSOFT

DARKWATER AIRSOFT LTD.

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

Mobile: 07947 558433 www.darkwaterairsoft.co.uk Email: darwaterairsofthythe@gmail.com DARKWATER AFTER DARK C.Q.B, (Battlezone Building), Britannia Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, TN23 3NA facebook.com/afterdarkcqb DARKWATER SITE Dering Wood, Church Lane, Shadoxhurst, Ashford TN26 1LZ facebook.com/darkwaterairsoftdarkwater

COMBAT READY OUTDOOR

DELTA TEAM 3

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

COMBAT READY CQB

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

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

DOGS OF WAR COMBAT SOUTH URBAN

Portsmouth PO6 3LS Tel: 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

FIRST & ONLY: ANZIO CAMP

Blackshaw Moor, Nr Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8TL Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: DOG TAG AIRSOFT

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

CROSSFIRE WOODS – PRESTON Moss Lane East, Preston PR4 3SP 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

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

COOL UNDER FIRE

DRAGON’S LAIR

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

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT

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

CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT

D.T.W AIRSOFT

Truro, Cornwall, TR2.

Tel: 07863 240153 www.cornwallseliteairsoft.co.uk

Colchester, Essex CO1 2ZF Tel: 01206 790046 www.dtwairsoft.co.uk

STEALTH WOODS – OTLEY

Stealth Woods, Dob Park, Norwood Bottom Road, Otley LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY:

THE MILL CQB – WIGAN

Unit S2 Mill 1, Swan Meadow Industrial Estate, Swan Meadow Road, Wigan Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY:

THE OUTPOST – KIDDERMINSTER

Drakelow Tunnels, Kingsford Country Park, Near Kinver, Kidderminster DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863

www.airsoft-action.online

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SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

FIRST & ONLY: SHELL SHOCK WOODS – BRIDGNORTH

Uplands Coppice, Off B4363, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 5LS Tel: 0161 727 8863

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

STEALTH WOODS – OTLEY

Stealth Woods, Dob Park, Norwood Bottom Road, Otley LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863

MIA

Wilden Park Road, Staplehurst,

Cornwall, EX23 9JL :

Kent TN12 0HP Tel: 01622 831788 / 07876 263290

GRANGE LIVE GAMING FIRST & ONLY:

INVICTA BATTLEFIELD

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

Tel: 01288 331748 www.airsoftsouthwest.co.uk

www.invictabattlefield.co.uk

MIDWALES AIRSOFT ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT

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

Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30

FIRST & ONLY:

THE JUNGLE – HARBURY

Bull Ring Farm Rd, Leamington Spa CV33 9HJ Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY:

THE ARMOURY – WREXHAM Oak Road, Wrexham, Denbighshire LL13 9RG Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY:

THE BASE CQC – YATESBURY

1 Jugglers Ln, Yatesbury, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 8YA Tel: 0161 727 8863

GROUND ZERO WOODLAND Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2DF www.groundzerowoodland.com

FREE FIRE ZONE

Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH Tel: 01733 247171 www.freefirezone.co.uk

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

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

GUN HO AIRSOFT

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

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS

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

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/

HILTON PARK AIRSOFT

GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON

HUMBER AIRSOFT

october 2018

Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4LG Tel: 0131 654 2452 www.airsoftedinburgh.co.uk

LAC AT COMBAT ZONE Saxillby, LN1 2JW Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

17G Stationview, Dunmurry,

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

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

MILSIM UK

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

NCIS AIRSOFT

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

NOMAD AIRSOFT

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

Belfast BT170AE Tel: 07733128484

LEEDS AIRSOFT: THE FOUNDRY CQB

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT

Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LQ Tel: 01845 565465 www.northernallianceairsoft.co.uk

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

NORTHFLEET CQB

Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AA Tel: 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

LINDSEY AIRSOFT Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8HE www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk

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

HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

Tel: 07955 487983

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

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www.islandrecon.co.uk

LAGAN AIRSOFT CLUB

Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

Tel: 07964 751047

MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES

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

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

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

NSC AIRSOFT

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

NTAC

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

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

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

OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT Tel: 07964 990831 www.op-tac.co.uk

OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB Anglesey, LL71 www.ottairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07731 744471

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

RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3

SUSSEX AIRSOFT

TORRENT WARFARE

RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM)

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT

TROJAN AIRSOFT

TA EVENTS

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB

Chipping Warden, OX17 1LZ Tel: 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com

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

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

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

Rochester, Kent, ME1 1 HQ Tel: 01634 829063 www.ptt-1hq.co.uk

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

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

SG1 COMBAT GAMES 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 PLATOON 1HQ

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

Exeter, Devon, EX4 5 Tel: 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk

PLAYERS OF WAR

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

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

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF Tel: 02897565651 / 07825169631 www.predatorcombat.com

RAVEN’S NEST

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

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

RED1AIRSOFT

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

RED1AIRSOFT CQB

Red1 CQB. Kings Langley, WD4 8RN Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LR Tel: 07766 770830 www.southdownairsoft.com

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

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

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

UCAP AIRSOFT

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

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

UCAP GREEN OPS

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

TAZ AIRSOFT

Farr, Inverness IV2 6XB Tel: 07848 448408

TECH BRIGADE SOUTH COAST CQB

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

Newgate Street, Hertfordshire.

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

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

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

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

URBAN ASSAULT SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH

Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7EU Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

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

THE BUNKER

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

THE DEPOT

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

VIKING AIRSOFT

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

THE EX SITE

WARMINSTER AIRSOFT

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

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

THE WARGAMES CENTRE

WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT

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

STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

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

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

THUNDER PARK AIRSOFT

Luxulyan, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL305FA Tel: 01726 858613 or 07590 030887 www.thunderpark.co.uk Food & drinks available on site

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

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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

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.

WATFORD PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB WatfordPPC@gmail.com

DOUBLE TAP PSC 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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october 2018

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

FPS ACTION AIR IPSC

24 Scarrots lane Newport Isle of Wight PO30 2JD 07964 751047 Open five nights a week 7pm-10pm Info@islandrecon.co.uk

www.4dsportsclubs.co.uk Facebook:@fpsiow

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

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.