Issue 83 - January 2018

P L AY E R S ’

C H O I C E

B E S T

A I R S O F T

M A G A Z I N E

AIRSOFT ACTION

INTERNATIONAL AIRSOFT IN PORTUGAL

ARMOURY

VFC “SABRE” CARBINE DOUBLE EAGLE M63 SHOTGUN WE HEX 1911M HEX PISTOL KWA “RONIN” M SERIES

FEATURES

NUPROL UPDATE

JAN 2018

INSIDE AIRSOFT

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WARRIORS

GITAG

3D PRINTING

WWII GERMAN MP

THE LAST POST

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IT’S A CLASSIC

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AIRSOFT SKILLS

9 772047 348032

LOADED OR UNLOADED

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PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS

JAN 2018 - £4.50

>

ACTION CAMS ACCURACY 101 WHAT PRICE REALISM

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

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

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

Visit ezdistribution.co.uk for further details.

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

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

NUPROL HARD CASES

- LARGE CASES

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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

P L AY E R S ’

C H O I C E

B E S T

A I R S O F T

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M A G A Z I N E

AIRSOFT ACTION

INTERNATIONAL

ARMOURY: DOUBLE EAGLE M63

AIRSOFT IN PORTUGAL

ARMOURY

VFC “SABRE” CARBINE DOUBLE EAGLE M63 SHOTGUN WE HEX 1911M HEX PISTOL KWA “RONIN” M SERIES

FEATURES

JAN 2018

|

WARRIORS

GITAG

3D PRINTING

WWII GERMAN MP

THE LAST POST

|

IT’S A CLASSIC

|

AIRSOFT SKILLS

9 772047 348032

NUPROL UPDATE

01

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS LOADED OR UNLOADED

JAN 2018 - £4.50

>

ACTION CAMS ACCURACY 101 WHAT PRICE REALISM

INSIDE AIRSOFT

ARMOURY: WE 1911M HEX

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FEATURE: ACTION CAMS IN AIRSOFT

Editor: Nigel Streeter Assistant Editor: Gareth “Gadge” Harvey Graphic Design: Havoc Design Ad Design: Havoc Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter Cover Photo: Courtesy Scott Countrywide 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

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SITE: MID-WALES AIRSOFT

ONLINE/OFFLINE: FROM FPS TO AEG

Tel: 01684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2017 Distributed by Intermedia Brand Marketing Ltd. Copyright © Calibre Publishing Limited 2017. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.

FIND US ON… facebook.com/AirsoftAction

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LETTER, IDEA OR QUESTION? Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article or article idea?

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

INTERNATIONAL: PORTUGAL

SURVIVAL: EMERGENCY SIGNALS

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Contents JANUARY 2018

CONTENTS JANUARY 2018

40 ONLINE/OFFLINE: FROM FPS TO AEG Matt Flood writes about his very first airsoft experience, which was very different from his usual computer-based gaming!

70 FEATURE: WHAT PRICE REALISM?

72 THE LAST POST: POINTLESS!

16 ARMOURY: DOUBLE EAGLE M63

42 FEATURE: AIRSOFT ACCURACY “Accuracy” is the subject of much discussion in airsoft, especially what we can do to get a lightweight sphere of plastic to fly in a straight line. Tom Hibberd shares his thoughts with us.

There have been a few attempts to replicate the SPAS 12 and Frenchie thinks he has finally found a worthy clone of the Marui version.

46 LUL: NUPROL UPDATE Jerry Noone brings us an overview of the newest NUPROL products to arrive.

20 ARMOURY: WE 1911M HEX

50 INSIDE AIRSOFT: ALLSORTS AIRSOFT Like the Captain Kirk of airsoft, Lez Lee continues his journey to the furthest reaches of the UK to seek out new airsoft shops or, in this case, just down the road!

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

12 ARMOURY: VFC VR16 SABER Jerry Noone returns to a brand he holds dear by getting his mitts on the very latest “AR” model from Vega Force Company.

Lez Lee, gets hits mitts around this stunning-looking pistol from WETech, but does it perform as well as it looks?

24 ARMOURY: KWA RONIN M SERIES Jerry Noone takes a close look at the very latest from KWA, in the form of the “Ronin VM4 Series PDW”.

28 FEATURE: ACTION CAMS IN AIRSOFT With the ever-increasing use of action cameras in airsoft, as players record videos to post on Social media sites, Femme Fatale asks a simple question: “Do action cams affect the way we play?”

34 SITE: MID-WALES AIRSOFT Hailing from Wales himself it was only natural that Ioan “Iggy” Roberts should report from one of that Country’s most popular airsoft sites.

38 EVENT: AIRSOFT BOOT FAIR Twice a year the Southern Airsoft Boot Fair rolls around and this time Bill Thomas was interested to see what “first timers” would make of it.

56 GITAG: 3D PRINTING Bill Thomas is known as a selfconfessed “techno-luddite” but even he has taken notice of the recent rise and rise of 3D printed parts for airsoft and decided to look a little deeper.

It is a question that pretty much every airsofter comes across at least once. Tom Hibberd offers us his opinion on “two-tones”.

Frenchie starts a new column with free reign to have a go at (almost) anything that riles him in airsoft and he kicks it off with the things he thinks are pointless in airsoft.

Time to “duck and cover”…

75 IT’S A CLASSIC: CAMELBACK Synonymous with the ability to provide us with fresh water during a game, Gadge takes a look back at where this almost indispensable bit of kit came from.

76 SURVIVAL: EMERGENCY SIGNALS As with many of the subjects he covers, Paul Yelland hopes you never need use the advice he offers but it’s good to know you can if you have to.

80 REAL STEEL: M249 MINIMI Gadge “Stone” Harvey looks back at the history of this rapid-fire lead-slinger.

58 SITE: SKIRMISH AIRSOFT Tom Hibberd writes about a couple of sites run by a company with a name very much associated with paintball which, like many others, is finding a new lease of life in airsoft.

82 AIRSOFT SKILLS: CENTRE FLOOD

62 INTERNATIONAL: PORTUGAL Bill Thomas talks to fellow airsoft enthusiast and writer Rick G, in Portugal.

84 AIRSOFT ACTION STOCKISTS

66 WARRIORS: GERMAN FIELD POLICE Gadge “Stone” Harvey turns his attention to a German military police that was feared and hatred in equal measure by regular soldiers.

86 SITE DIRECTORY & PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUBS

Calibre Shooting’s Andy Nightingale gives us an overview of one of the techniques he has used in real situations to gain entry into a room.

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

Looking for a skirmish site, or your local Airsoft Practical Pistol Club?

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

s w e N t f o s Air

NUPROL TO DISTRIBUTE G&G IN THE UK! NUPROL IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE its ever closer relationship to G&G by distributing G&G to the trade in the UK.

STORM 360 GRENADE ASG is excited to introduce our new Airsoft grenade, the STORM 360.

With its innovating design and highly durable material, it is the best grenade to clear rooms with.

With its 360í rotation spin, the BBs are sure to hit all and every target within 3 meters. Its unique gas system is economical and both refilling and reload is fast and easy.

FEATURES: • High quality • Easy to load & re-load & …

• Low maintenance • Made in Europe • 165 BBs capacity • Very durable material The hard-to-kill, easy-to-use grenade will hit stores soon! http://actionsportgames.com/en-gb/ search?q=storm-grenade

Here at Nuprol we hope to make G&G even easier for the end user to have access to and also offer a wider variety of choice. This will ultimately benefit the players of our much loved sport.

Nuprol and G&G have a similar attitude to quality and innovative products, and we feel this is a perfect match for an ever-expanding and closer cooperation.

Distribution will start in January with Nuprol now taking preorders for the trade.

Nuprol will also be hosting events with G&G in the UK in 2018!

NEW AIRSOFT SITE IN BERKSHIRE

RED ALERT AIRSOFT & PAINTBALL BERKSHIRE is situated just five minutes outside of Thatcham. The site is built on 35 acres of natural woodland and has been open now for four months, as the building work continues to turn this site into a leading airsoft venue. The site boasts ample parking and runs games every two weeks.

Playing areas include a village, bridge crossings, military vehicles, watch towers, cottage ruins and a fuel dump. Games are played CQB style across the whole site and there are plenty of gullies and thickets, allowing snipers to pick a spot and hold the enemy at bay.

Darren & Dan welcome you to try Red Alert Airsoft.

Telephone: 07510 137249 or email: info@redalertpaintball.co.uk for more info.

Website: www.redalertpaintball.co.uk

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January 2018

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

ROGUE’S GALLERY

From Mark Sim: “My son ...and MY gun!”

Survival Airsoft, Torrington, North Devon

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JAnuary 2018

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

ke From Harry Shutler: Smo g screen acts as cover durin the final assault towards a the S.A.M site situated in small hill top village.

Dogtag Airsoft 29/10/17

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From Airsoft Bo december 2017

ot Fair

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

From Mid Wales Airsoft

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. n at Red rren and Da

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t (see New

Alert Airsof

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www.airsoft-action.online

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ARMOURY VFC VR16 SABRE

SABRE RATTLIN’!

BRANDS SEEM TO COME AND GO IN THE AIRSOFT INDUSTRY BUT SOME JUST KEEP PLUGGING AWAY WITH RELEASES OF NEW AND INTERESTING MODELS WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT! JERRY NOONE RETURNS TO A BRAND HE HOLDS DEAR BY GETTING HIS MITTS ON THE VERY LATEST “AR” MODEL FROM VEGA FORCE COMPANY. AH, VFC! VEGA FORCE COMPANY (VFC) are no newcomers to the world of airsoft replicas, but I have to admit that with all the aggressive marketing going on courtesy of a number of the “mainline” brands, they are often a company that somehow falls to the wayside. In reality though, VFC have always been there, quietly beavering away in the background, creating airsoft replicas that are actually real “diamonds” when you get to know and use them.

Some years ago (late 2004, early 2005 or so…) I was in search of a new AEG; to this point I’d been pretty much strictly a Tokyo Marui/Classic Army kind of guy and I really fancied something different to a “SOPMOD M4” for my US loadout.

Delta Force replaced its M4s with the HK416 in 2004, after tests revealed that the piston operating system significantly reduced malfunctions while increasing the life of parts, so it was a bit of a “no brainer” to go looking for that model, but at the time finding a “416” straight out of the box was a real problem. Sure, there were expensive conversion kits out there (with more to come from the likes of GB Tech and HurricanE) but those cost almost as much as a donor M4.

With the exchange rate at the time you were looking iro £900+ for a decent donor and the kit when shipping came 12

January 2018

into the equation!

Searching around my usual websites (yes, we did have the internet in 2004!) I came across a new release on the US “Airsoft GI” page, a pucker, ready to roll “416” from an outfit called “Vega Force Company”, so I emailed my mate Frank Chu in the States to find out more. Frank told me that Vega Force Company was recently founded in 2004 and were very enthusiastic and professional about making highly realistic airsoft replicas with custom grade performance internal mechanical design. What’s more was that every VFC Airsoft product was produced to “Collector’s” grade with excellent finishing, although even then “full trades” were still a bit of an issue.

The reputation VFC earned from their early models proved to be not only from the end users like me, but also from distributors and license holders around the world. I’ll tell you straight that after a couple of very, very minor “teething problems”, a couple of professional services over the last twelve or so years, and many, many days and weekends of skirmishing, the “416” is still very much alive and kicking and has a very special place in both my armoury and my heart. The VFC has been used both at home and abroad and just picking it up reminds me of places, games and friends that have featured in my “airsoft life”. Not too shabby for a bunch of metal parts and electronic components!

IT ALL TAKES TIME!

According to the guys at VFC there’s an old Chinese saying, “a decade whets a sword”, which means time, effort and focus on only one thing, making their products just a good as they can

ARMOURY VFC VR16 SABER

“ACCORDING TO THE GUYS AT VFC THERE’S AN OLD CHINESE SAYING, “A DECADE WHETS A SWORD”, WHICH MEANS TIME, EFFORT AND FOCUS ON ONLY ONE THING, MAKING THEIR PRODUCTS JUST A GOOD AS THEY CAN POSSIBLY BE.” possibly be. 2017 is the 13th year for VFC and as they approach their second decade of manufacturing the never-ending pursuit of perfection is still at the forefront of what they do. That’s their focus and, again in their own words, “we do focus and we will (continue to) focus”.

For any business though (and we as airsofters do tend to forget this sometimes), creating profits is the top priority.

However, for VFC, they do seem to like making cool things!

Before the first HK416 hit the market nobody else had done it as a commercial “out of the box” model and apparently the team at VFC said, “Hey, that’s cool, let’s make it!” – and it happened.

Following vast OEM experience, VFC raised the bar with a professional team, specialising in project management, inter cultural communication and quality control. Their premier products, launched by major distributors, earned a great reputation and market response. This is especially true of their AEG range, which has combined top quality licensed exterior parts to achieve and reach the high-end airsoft market. VFC also works with firearms makers via licenses these days and all the details and design are amazing. More recently, VFC has devoted itself to developing blow back gas operated airsoft replicas with the same ethos as ever; make it in highly realistic and simulate real firearms operation.

of my beloved and long-suffering “416”. Many manufacturers start out with the lofty ideal of “achieving perfection” and for a while they strive towards that. Sadly, in the real world, those darn “profits” do seem to get in the way though and all too many times I’ve seen quality and service fall away when the

“VR” GOOD

So you might say that I come into looking at VFC’s new VR16 with a bit of personal bias and I’d have to tell you that yes, I do indeed. I also come to look at a completely new AEG from the manufacturer with a VERY high benchmark in place in the form

www.airsoft-action.online

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ARMOURY VFC VR16 SABER

dreaded “commercial outlook” comes in the equation.

My first impression when the VFC arrived with me from RedWolf UK was pretty much a “wow!” though I’m pleased to say. On opening the box I was delighted to find an AEG featuring a metal receiver and high quality VR16 engravings. An extendable stock allows you to adjust the length of rifle to fit your reach and the AEG is rear-wired with a Tamiya type battery connector. One positive for me is that the VR16 comes as standard with a “Hex-style” 120 round Mid Capacity magazine, although Hi-Caps in the same design are available should that be your “thing”. The distinctive and quite unique metal flash hider can be screwed off for installation of a 14mm clockwise threaded silencer and the dust cover can be flipped open to reveal hop-up adjuster for swift and easy setting; the dust cover holds open and is released using the bolt release catch which is a nice feature .

It has an M-LOK style rail system with a monolithic top rail which offers ample space for mounting all sorts of sights and accessories. In the real steel world, this makes things much easier when it comes to stabilising yourself after each and every shot but in the airsoft world, it’s only for aesthetics, but boy, is it nicely done! Inside there is nothing particularly earthshattering as the VFC uses a tried and trusted V2 full metal,

“I HAVE TO SAY THAT GETTING MY HANDS ON THE VR16 SABRE THOUGH WAS A THOROUGHLY GREAT EXPERIENCE, AND I’M EXTREMELY GLAD TO REPORT THAT THE YEARS HAVE OBVIOUSLY BEEN USED WELL

BY VFC IN THEIR QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE.” fully upgradeable gearbox and long type motor housed in a rather tasty QRS ergonomic motor grip, but everything is neat, tidy, and very, very well achieved.

In the hand the VR16 feels stable and extremely solid and although you have a 363mm inner barrel and the associated outer, along with that metal rail system, the VR16 is very well balanced over the magwell, and shoulders smoothly and easily.

The rear QRS adjustable stock is of VFC’s own design, and not only works well but provides easy access to the battery compartment as you simply hinge the back-plate out and up.

Controls are fully ambidextrous and detachable front and rear “iron sights” come as a part of the package.

Overall the fit and finish of the VR16 is impeccable, right down to the tidy VFC trademarks; there’s no “trick trades” here as VFC are obviously proud to brand their products under their own name and in this instance I think the finished product is all the better for that.

However, all of this is well and good; yes it looks sweet but the performance of course, is the key to success. Having had such a positive experience with my own VFC I had very high hopes for the VR16, so with a NUPROL 11.1 LiPo installed and a bottle of .20g RZR BBs in hand, it was time to hit the range.

First off was the chrono test; VFC have a HUGE market in the USA so I did wonder if the test model would run a little hot for the UK, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it ran through the chrono at a lovely, consistent 0.95 Joule/320fps.

Now my “416” has never been lacking for range and accuracy (even though it’s the short-barrelled CQB variant) so again I expected the VR16 with its longer barrel to perform every bit as well. Moving up to .25g RZRs I was impressed when the new AEG easily cracked BBs out to the 30m extent of my range, with no fliers or drop-offs at all meaning that I got a nice solid “thunk” from the sandbags with each and every shot.

It’s not always a good thing to revisit a brand when you’ve had such a positive experience with one of their older models, as you do wonder if the hunt for the “mighty dollar” has caused degradation in either quality or performance. I have to say that getting my hands on the VR16 Sabre though was a thoroughly great experience, and I’m extremely glad to report that the years have obviously been used well by VFC in their quest for excellence.

In this case I’ll gladly tell you that this sword has most definitely been whetted!

Thanks to http://uk.redwolfairsoft.com for providing the review sample and you’ll find more details on the VFC VR16 Sabre on their website. This review models retails with them at £318.50.

Technical Details Colour: Black Main Material: Metal and Polymer Overall Length Retracted: 800mm Overall Length Extended: 890mm Inner Barrel Length: 363mm Weight: 2.96kg Gearbox: V2 full metal, fully upgradeable Battery: Tested using a NUPROL 11.1 50C 1450mAh LiPo Power (.20g BB): 0.95 Joule/320fps

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January 2018

吀攀愀 洀 愀 爀 洀 戀愀 渀 搀 猀 昀漀 爀 㔀 倀℀

䰀愀爀最攀 爀愀渀最攀 漀昀 䠀愀搀爀漀渀 瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀猀 愀渀搀 䴀䬀㈀㌀ 甀瀀最爀愀搀攀猀 匀漀 挀漀 洀 吀愀 挀琀椀 挀愀 氀 㜀 刀攀愀 搀 椀 渀 最 刀漀 愀 搀 匀漀 甀琀 栀 䘀 氀攀攀琀 䠀 愀 洀 瀀猀 栀 椀 爀攀 䜀 唀㄀ ㄀ ㌀倀匀 漀 渀氀椀 渀 攀䀀猀漀 挀漀 洀琀愀 挀琀椀 挀愀 氀⸀渀 攀琀 吀攀氀㨀 ㄀ ㈀㔀㈀ 㘀㄀ 㘀 㠀㘀㠀

䴀 椀 挀 爀漀 猀 栀 漀 瀀猀 漀 渀 最 愀 洀 攀 搀 愀 礀猀 愀琀㨀

⼀猀漀 挀漀 洀琀愀 挀琀椀 挀愀 氀愀 椀 爀猀漀昀琀 䀀猀漀 挀漀 洀琀愀 挀琀椀 挀愀 氀愀 椀 爀猀漀昀琀 䀀猀漀 挀漀 洀琀愀 挀琀椀 挀愀 氀 ⼀甀 猀攀爀⼀猀漀 挀漀 洀琀愀 挀琀椀 挀愀 氀

吀攀氀㨀 ㄀ ㈀㔀㈀ 㘀㄀ 㘀 㠀㘀㠀 䔀 洀愀 椀 氀㨀 漀 渀氀椀 渀 攀䀀猀漀 挀漀 洀琀愀 挀琀椀 挀愀 氀⸀渀 攀琀 眀眀眀⸀猀漀 挀漀 洀琀愀 挀琀椀 挀愀 氀⸀渀 攀琀

ARMOURY DOUBLE EAGLE M63

DOUBLE TROUBLE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW ATTEMPTS TO REPLICATE THE SPAS 12 AND FRENCHIE THINKS HE HAS FINALLY FOUND A WORTHY CLONE OF THE MARUI VERSION.

THE SPAS 12 (SPECIAL PURPOSE Automatic Shotgun) is probably one of the most iconic screen weapons - had it only appeared in the 1986 film The Hitcher and later The Terminator and Jurassic Park, it’s place in the pantheon of movie hardware would probably be assured, but it turns up everywhere, almost certainly because it is about the most bad-ass looking shotgun in existence. Sure the AA-12 has a certain automatic chic but let’s be honest, it’s bloody ugly. The SPAS on the other hand simply exuded menace which is just as well really because in real life, as I’ll discuss, the gun itself is found wanting in many areas. Marui make the most iconic replica of this shotgun and if you are very lucky (or very determined) you may just track down one of their original folding metal stocks for it as well - but even that would be a mixed blessing as I’ll explain. What has been missing from the airsoft market for years is a proper clone of the Marui version of this gun, things like the undersized Dong San don’t count and for the first time I have a worthy clone sat in front of me as I write - the Double Eagle M63.

As is my wont, a bit of history first - the gun’s and my own…

I’m 54 at the moment and I was given my first Marui SPAS 12 by my wife for my fortieth birthday. I say “first” because I have had a long association with this particular spring shotgun, picking them up when money and availability allowed and selling them to finance the next purchase, or because I was skint!

The original SPAS 12 was introduced by the Italian gunmaker Franchi, in 1979 and would continue in production until 2000. Franchi renamed it the “Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun” in 1990, in order to continue exporting to the USA market (which was then subject to various restrictions on “combat” firearms). It seems that from the start Franchi designed the gun to look “military”, few other shotgun

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January 2018

ARMOURY DOUBLE EAGLE M63

manufacturers have bothered to make their offerings look quite so imposing - as if being on the wrong end of a 12 gauge muzzle isn’t imposing enough!

Although it is almost always used as a pump-action shotgun in films, it is, in fact, a gas-operated semi-automatic weapon but, like the Benelli M3, the semi-auto feature can be disabled to allow the use of low-powered rounds which simply don’t generate enough energy to properly (or reliably) cycle the action. The tube magazine under the barrel could be isolated to allow for the loading of a single round directly into the chamber - for instance to load a tear-gas round when the tube was filled with rubber bullets or bean-bag shot.

By all accounts the gun worked well enough but the procedure for locking the semi-auto action was cumbersome and the gun itself is a behemoth, especially with the folding steel stock attached. It sold world-wide but I do wonder how many of those sales were made simply because it was looked so utterly evil.

Marui added the spring-powered SPAS 12 to their line up many years ago - it is a triple-barreled design which the company pioneered, having three barrels, pistons and cylinders contained within the gun’s receiver. It was fed from a thirtyround magazine designed to look like a shotgun shell and which is inserted into what is the ejection port on the real gun. Compared to simple, single shot spring guns, the three rounds fired by the SPAS 12 are very effective, especially indoors, however, much as I love it, I would confess that it is cumbersome (massively so) and not the easiest of pump actions to actually rack, thanks to that over-sized grip with its smooth sides. And then there is that stock…

It’s difficult to explain how rare they are in airsoft; I have owned just one in nearly twenty years and probably seen less than three mounted on SPAS 12s in the same period. There may have been a good reason for that - they are bloody horrible! Designed to slice fingers off when opening and closing it is the most unwieldy and uncomfortable stock I have

ever had the misfortune to use. One can only wonder what it was like to fire a real SPAS 12 with a heavy load using this stock - the shoulder “pad” is box section steel and is too small to properly support the gun and the angles seem all wrong. Don’t get me wrong - it looks phenomenal but if I had to choose between the Benelli and the SPAS in the real world, the Benelli would win hands down!

Right - onto the M63…

Notwithstanding all of the above I made a series of deeply unmanly noises when I opened this box. I love the SPAS 12 but good examples of the Marui are rare these days and they are accordingly expensive; this isn’t.

“FRANCHI DESIGNED THE GUN TO LOOK “MILITARY”, FEW OTHER SHOTGUN MANUFACTURERS HAVE BOTHERED TO MAKE THEIR OFFERINGS LOOK QUITE SO IMPOSING - AS IF BEING ON THE WRONG END OF A 12 GAUGE MUZZLE ISN’T IMPOSING ENOUGH!” It doesn’t have the grey/black construction of the Marui gun but it is full sized at 780mm long and weighs about the same at 2 kilos. Functionally it is identical and the differences are mainly of detail and are of little consequence. It shares a similar proportion of metal to plastic; the barrel, muzzle, shell tube, trigger, trapdoor and “safety” lever are metal and the rest is ABS plastic. It is uniformly black - I wouldn’t paint a Marui but this is more realistic when compared to the original gun.

The sling swivel on the pistol grip is a typical Chinese bent-wire affair and I doubt I would hang the gun from it - the sling loop on the magazine tube is plastic and the same concerns apply.

It lacks a fake cocking handle on the bolt but that’s fine as the Marui’s tended to loosen and fall off, never to be seen again.

Where it counts, however, the M63 has it all - three barrels, www.airsoft-action.online

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ARMOURY DOUBLE EAGLE M63

thirty round shotshell magazine loading into the bottom of the gun, the same difficult to cock forward grip and it shoots just as well as the Marui does. There is a small cross-bolt safety fitted behind the trigger - the larger lever safety of the original opens the loading trapdoor when pushed downwards.

The large ring rear sight and blade foresight are faithfully reproduced, as is the huge heat shield “cage” that makes up much of the front end.

I haven’t done a full strip down of this gun for one good reason - I can do it, but I really would rather not! These guns are quite complex for a spring gun and taking them apart is a time-consuming task, with the attendant risk of small parts (and there are a few of those) going astray. What I can confirm and what I expected, is that the cylinder/air nozzle is made of the same fibrous white plastic that DE used in their Benelli clones. This is genuinely good news and is the principle reason that I would recommend the Chinese made clones over the Marui guns as practical airsoft guns. This plastic is stronger than the ABS that Marui use for this part and is both more resistant to damage and has the possibility of being coaxed back into the correct shape if it does get damaged.

“ONE ADVANTAGE THE SPAS 12 DOES GIVE YOU IS FEAR - WE ALL KNOW IT’S JUST A PLASTIC AIRSOFT SHOTGUN BUT THESE THINGS LOOK LIKE ARMAGEDDON WITH A BARREL AND I HAVE NOT YET MET AN AIRSOFTER WHO DOESN’T REACT TO THEM IN SOME WAY”

The damage I’m referring to is unique to the triple-barreled shotguns. Namely, when cocking the gun it is possible for a BB to lodge between the air nozzles instead of feeding correctly into the chamber, this prevents the pump going fully forward and the gun will not fire. Too often I have seen players force it into battery and what happens inside the gun is that the upper air nozzle is crushed by the jammed BB. The correct way to fix this is to drop the magazine out of the gun and run the pump back, giving the gun a shake to dislodge the errant BB. Easily done and not time consuming but damaged air nozzles were the most common cause of the Marui guns failing and getting parts was, quite frankly, a nightmare.

With 0.2g BBs I saw between 225fps - 360fps (0.47J 0.89J) over the chrono. That’s a huge spread, explained by the fact that the three BBs confuse nearly all chronos. I had several shots register at around 250 - 280 and my educated guess is that the truth is nearer 280 fps (0.73J). Regardless, it shoots just like the Marui and will benefit from a good barrel cleaning.

I wouldn’t use anything heavier in 0.25g ammo or you will lose range quite noticeably.

Does the M63 have any place in modern skirmishing? For some time the SPAS 12 was my principle gun, often my only gun. Even then I was at a disadvantage with regards to range when I came up against AEGs but with a bit of cunning and reasonable expectations you can easily hold your own. Don’t

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go crazy with the shotgun shells, I found 6 were adequate as long as I had a speed loader to hand and avoid those terrible slings with shell loops - instead of shooting the other side you’ll spend most of your time trying to catch the swinging sling to extract a shell! Pockets always worked really well for me.

The one advantage the SPAS 12 does give you is fear - we all know it’s just a plastic airsoft shotgun but these things look like armageddon with a barrel and I have not yet met an airsofter who doesn’t react to them in some way. Never mind that their AEGs can spit out 30 rounds per second compared to your three, somewhere in their minds is the thought that there is a player out there with a SPAS 12. It’s worth it!

But I have saved the best until last… Land Warrior Airsoft are currently selling the M63 for £49.99. Yup, fifty quid - that’s the cost of a single magazine for a gas rifle or anything with “PTS” stamped on it. I think Mandy paid £140 fifteen years ago for a Marui and they are currently going for nearer £180 - if you can get hold of one. I cannot think of one good reason why every airsofter shouldn’t have one of these in their arsenal.

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www.vipertactical.co.uk

ARMOURY WE TECH 1911M HEX GBB PISTOL

AIRSOFT ACTION’S RESIDENT PISTOL-NUT, LEZ LEE, GETS HITS MITTS AROUND THIS STUNNING-LOOKING PISTOL FROM WE-TECH, BUT DOES IT PERFORM AS WELL AS IT LOOKS? OVER TO LEZ…

HEX APPEAL 20

January 2018

ARMOURY WE TECH 1911M HEX GBB PISTOL

IN THE EARLY 1980’S, WE-TECH was the biggest manufacturer for steel moulds for some of the major airsoft companies so it should come as no surprise that in 2003, WE decided to up the ante and launch their own line of GBB pistols and rifles. To pull a quote from their website: “From being a professional steel mould manufacturer over 30 years ago to creating our own line of full-metal airsoft pistols and rifles, the journey has been tough, but rewarding. The combination of experience, skills, and the relentless pursuit of excellence is what defines us in the airsoft industry today.”

In 2008, WE introduced their patented “Advanced Weaponry Simulator System” (AWSS) to professional bodies, such as the military and law enforcement, to provide a safe but highly authentic precision instrument and the highest standards of realism. This platform was a resounding success in both authenticity, reliability and cost to performance ratio for both professionals and of course, airsoft, and this commitment to excellence has taken WE to where it is today as one of the leading airsoft manufacturers in the world. WE have (to date) produced over 200 pistols and rifles in both GBB and AEG power format and I think it is extremely unlikely that you haven’t come into contact with a WE gun at some time during your airsoft career. WE typically overwhelm the glass cabinets, walls or shelves in all airsoft shops because, quite frankly, there is almost something for everyone in their extensive range, particularly the pistols. You would be hard pushed to find a pistol of such high quality at such an affordable price and the selection to choose from is enormous.

REAL STEEL

I’m going to bypass the history piece of the Colt 1911M because I want to focus more on the airsoft version in more detail, but I would urge any reader remotely interested in handguns to have a Google about this iconic piece of history.

THE HARDWARE

Where to start? I reckon by now you have a pretty good idea what a 1911 looks like but I’m gonna run through it anyway because visually, this one is like no other 1911 that I have ever seen.

It is without question a head turner, although whatever is going through that head is a matter of personal taste.

Available in brushed silver or matt black steel, this semiautomatic GBB pistol is going to turn heads at any event for any number of reasons depending on your style of play, your

allegiance to reality, your taste in elegance, your perception of beauty or beast and above all else, your recognition of quality craftsmanship.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE HEX

This particular model is new to the range (Gen 2) and is best described as “charismatic” and simply oozes “hex appeal”!

The muzzle end of the slide is shrouded by a series of 24 hex cut-outs, which are both striking in appearance and effective in weight reduction. There has been a couple of other manufactured “hex cut” pieces developed recently and it seems that this design has been well received, but is this the best yet?

Time and targets will tell!

The GI style steel cast sights are minimal and not going to win any awards but they do get the job done. The ejection port cover is metallic (in both the silver and black model) in

“NOW WE COME TO THE GRIP, WHICH IS A WORK OF ART IN ITS OWN RIGHT. BEING OF A DARKER GUNMETAL SHADE THE FULLY HEX-PUNCHED ONE PIECE SKELETONISED DESIGN CREATES BOTH A STRIKING APPEARANCE AND OF COURSE, A VERY TACTILE PURCHASE.” keeping with the 125 mm outer barrel (highly visible due to the numerous hex vents) and of course, the industry standard .45 ACP is stamped into the port cover because let’s face it, no 1911M is going to emulate the iconic original without this.

With a series of embossed non-slip hex designs at the rear, racking this slide is a cinch and as fluent as they come and ensured that a round was chambered every time in the test model. This new generation uses WE’s new tried and tested larger nozzle which allows for a much faster travelling slide and greater gas efficiency. The beaver tail safety, thumb safety, slide release and hammer are all forged in the same steel, along with the serrated surface trigger but be aware that the control features (mag. release, etc) are not ambidextrous, which may not be favourable to lefties. Access to the hop adjuster is the typical removal of the slide pin, detach the slide and the hop dial is quite prominent and easy access and there was almost zero slide to frame movement during the “wobble test”.

www.airsoft-action.online

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ARMOURY WE TECH 1911M HEX GBB PISTOL

Now we come to the grip, which is a work of art in its own right. Being of a darker gunmetal shade (on the silver test model) the fully hex-punched one piece skeletonised design creates both a striking appearance and of course, a very tactile purchase. Due to this feature, the chrome finished magazine remains visible and makes for one exclusive characteristic which also adds to the somewhat aggressive styling at the friendly end of the weapon. To add to the charm, a fearsome-looking skull is featured in the middle of the grips to add to the character and make a subtle and ever-so-slightly menacing statement.

The magazine is a simple 16+1 rounder but so user-friendly that I cannot understand why more mags. aren’t designed this way, after all, it isn’t rocket science. Simply compress the spring using the “reachable” plastic tab and it locks into place under pressure and from there you can simply fill through the loading hole at the base end until full, then release the tab and voila!

No more broken nails! Such a simple and effective method and I appreciate the fact that it’s a single stack but I’m sure the principle would work equally well in a double load format (with a bit of mag. wiggle)! To finish off the grip, an integrated lanyard loop sits at the base so that broken-hearted screams of “I’ve lost my new 1911!” can be easily avoided for just a few pounds.

Before I reveal the results from the field test, I really do need to offer a personal opinion on the facts so far. From the moment I lifted this puppy from the box it felt like it needed to be caressed, it is sensual to touch as the polished steel is simply mouth-wateringly silky smooth and every moving part is pure

“FROM THE MOMENT I LIFTED THIS PUPPY FROM THE BOX IT FELT LIKE IT NEEDED TO BE CARESSED, IT IS SENSUAL TO TOUCH AS THE POLISHED STEEL IS SIMPLY MOUTH-WATERINGLY SILKY SMOOTH AND EVERY MOVING PART IS PURE PRECISION.” precision. I found myself picking it up-putting it down, racking the slide and admiring this handgun from every angle and I was virtually begging for the performance to match the anticipation that had built up. Would I be honoured with equality?

OUT ON THE RANGE.

Now that my blood pressure has settled (sorry but I get all mushy over most pistols) I can reveal the results of the performance: As the weather was a little on the chilly side, I used NUPROL red gas and found that a decent fill will send about 30 - 35 rounds respectably down range - which I thought was fair.

Using .20s (which seems to be the industry test standard) the FPS was fairly consistent from around 280 - 325 FPS (0.73J - 0.98J), not bad considering the narrow magazine and cold climate.

features Material: Aluminium Alloy Overall Dimensions: Approx. 220mm X 135mm Weight: Approx. 770g Barrel Length: 112mm FPS (Listed): 320 RRP: Approximately £150.00 There was virtually zero wind which was ideal on the day, so with targets set at 10 metres and 30 metres, I fixed the grip gently in a workmate bench and began a slow trigger squeeze - which had minimal trigger travel followed by a fairly decent trigger break. However, as the round left the gun, the recoil was too powerful for the vice (and there was no way that I was going to risk damaging these remarkable grips), so it was back to the hand-held bench rest seated style for the remainder of the test. To my delight, the grouping at 10 metres was superb (about the size of a digestive biscuit) and out of 10 rounds there were just 2 flyers. This worked for me but the real test is around the 30 metre mark, so once again I am keeping everything crossed (except my eyes) because I truly wanted this to do the job… and it did! A dinner plate sized pattern emerged with just a few outsiders (must have been the BBs not my shooting!).

But I hear you questioning “What about the recoil?” I promise that you will not be disappointed at all. As the months and years go by, overall airsoft gun performance is improving at a terrific pace and I would say that the recoil on this pistol is the equivalent of what would have been felt from a CO2-powered sidearm a year or two ago. I would be very reluctant to use black gas unless it is a Siberian winter because there is plenty of power with red at the moment (although green gas is the recommended so please be aware).

So I was stoked with the test results because I so wanted to give this secondary a good review. There were a couple of negative points though, the first being cooldown was prominent during shots in quick succession (such as the favoured double-tap), the sights (which are not interchangeable) are quite a let-down as fast target acquisition is not easy at all and if I was to be picky, a lot of gunmen like to attach torches and lasers, so the absence of a rail kicks that idea into touch.

TO CONCLUDE...

You may have guessed by now that I like this piece - I like it a lot! Admittedly I like blingy guns and they don’t get much blingier (made up word!) than this shiny sidearm. Even when holstered, it is going to be turning heads at the site, with a few curious combatants asking, if not begging, to take a look... and a fondle... and God forbid you give them a magazine to empty!

This is one lovely butt-kicking beauty. It looks too fancy pantsy to cause any serious concern but concerned you should be because inside this outrageous facade is one very accurate and powerful semi-automatic.

LeZ OUT! 22

January 2018

ARMOURY KWA RONIN M SERIES

SAMURAI WITHOUT A MASTER

KWA ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR EXCELLENT “RECOIL” AEGS AND JUST KEEP UPPING THE ANTE WITH NEW MODELS AND NEW “LOOKS”. JERRY NOONE TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT THE VERY LATEST, IN THE FORM OF THE “RONIN VM4 SERIES PDW”.

MOST OF YOU WILL BE well aware of the term “Ronin” from the movie world, and the literal translation of this term literally means “wave man”. It is an idiomatic expression for “vagrant” or “wandering man”, someone who is without a home. The term originated in the Japanese Nara and Heian periods, when it referred to a serf who had fled or deserted his master’s land.

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January 2018

It then came to be used for a samurai who had no master.

What better a name for an airsoft carbine then? Many of us belong to teams, often with a strong team leader but there are times at any game when we all go a bit “lone wolf” and in this respect the term “Ronin”, a fighter without a commander, might well sit comfortably on our collective shoulders.

KWA have been cranking out variations of their classic “recoil” M4 models for a couple of years now, and last month I had the pleasure of looking at their “SR10” which is an out and out military variant. To date they have followed the Magpul path for a while whilst still making superb military style carbines, but the Ronin really shows a new direction, in that they feature parts designed by KWA themselves and both the Ronin and the new Avalon models look absolutely stunning in my opinion.

Since their inception, KWA has been one of the biggest names in Airsoft. From AEGs to gas blowback rifles, KWA has been providing reliable, realistic and high performing Airsoft training guns to the market for over a decade and has maintained their position by listening to customer feedback, and bringing new products to the market to meet those needs.

I won’t go into a detailed background of KWA themselves again as I did that only last month, instead I’ll focus hard on the new models and what they bring to the table for us as airsofters.

On October 14, 2017 KWA Performance Industries Inc. unveiled the new Ronin M-Series, its new line of modular AEG

ARMOURY KWA RONIN M SERIES

• Ronin Recon ML features M-LOK compatibility with Picatinny rail attachments • Custom mock suppressor • Front & rear PTS flip up sights • One piece rotary hop up Lower Receiver Highlights • An enlarged trigger guard for comfort • Tanker-style stock (Ronin PDW only) • PTS Enhanced polymer stock (Ronin SBR & Ronin Recon ML only) • Ambidextrous controls • Adjustable FPS is available on Ronin PDW and Ronin SBR only • Switch life extender to prevent burnout of trigger contacts • PTS Enhanced Polymer grip and stock

rifles, as the first airsoft rifles to hit the market specifically designed to provide an interchangeable family of products.

The Ronin M-Series have multiple variations for specific player needs and tastes and is engineered with KWA’s latest AEG 2.5 and AEG 3 gearboxes to combine the industry’s most reliable systems with more aggressive designs.

This release is the largest in KWA’s history as it makes two models available globally with a third on the way.

“KWA made a concerted effort to listen to feedback from the marketplace to deliver a line of rifles that would satisfy all types of play without sacrificing quality and performance and we’re very excited to introduce the new Ronin line to the world,” said Vice President of Sales and Marketing Albert Villalta. “We understand where the market is going and want to provide our fans and new airsoft players alike with the ultimate platform as it pertains to modularity, personal preference and performance – without the trial and error of DIY mods.”

Custom rails designed for weight-reduction and comfort dress up 6”, 10” and 16” lengths that provide a truly modular experience across current and future KWA AEG rifles. Available in PDW (AEG 2.5 with adjustable FPS), SBR (AEG 2.5 with adjustable FPS) and Carbine (AEG 3 with recoil) lengths to start, the full line of Ronin M-Series offerings will provide a platform that can be adapted to any style of play or taste.

The Ronin M-Series AEG rifles feature:

The look and feel of the new Ronins from KWA is absolutely superb given their full metal alloy parts, and all three variants continue the trend of absolute quality that I have come to expect from their latest models. The finishing throughout is absolutely impeccable right down to the finest detail, and simple unobtrusive trademarks give the whole package an real “top end” feel. This is definitely a case of “less is more” and the carbines are all the better for it!

Internally things are equally as impressive as all models feature a switch life extender to prevent burnout of trigger contacts, a reinforced radiused mechbox, and the AEG2.5 model gearboxes allow for FPS adjustment with the new VPS tool included with the package. Also included is the dualcapacity KWA magazine with cut-off capability that gives off more realism and lets you know when you are out of ammo.

“THE RONIN REALLY SHOWS A NEW DIRECTION, IN THAT THEY FEATURE PARTS DESIGNED BY KWA THEMSELVES AND BOTH THE RONIN AND THE NEW AVALON MODELS LOOK ABSOLUTELY STUNNING IN MY OPINION.”

Upper Receiver Highlights • Modular upper receivers that can be swapped among all Ronin models and across other AEG 2.5 and AEG rifles in as little as 20-seconds • Monolithic-style receiver • Custom, lightweight rails with a smaller diameter for speed and comfort • Ronin PDW and Ronin SBR feature KeyMod compatibility

www.airsoft-action.online

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ARMOURY KWA RONIN M SERIES

FANCY A CHANGE?

The thing that really leaps out at me about the Ronins though is their total modularity; all Ronin models feature modular upper receivers. You can swap full upper receivers with any AEG 2.5 or AEG 3 rifle. For example, you can put the Ronin Recon ML (MLOK-compatible) upper receiver on the Ronin PDW lower receiver and enjoy an aggressive front end with a tanker-style stock. Note that combining an AEG 3 Ronin upper receiver with an AEG 2.5 lower receiver would cancel out the recoil feature of the AEG 3 though.

Changing the receivers is actually simplicity itself, and very logical:

is set - and stays that way! The proprietary KWA magazine is easily set to 30 or 120 BBs at the slide of a switch on the mag base which makes it ideal for either skirmish or MilSim use straight out of the box. I’ve really mullered a couple of these mags, and even though the follower looks flimsy, it really isn’t.

Once adjusted the reading through the chrono was a consistent 1.04 Joule/335fps on a .20g BB. Now the power, as stated earlier, can be adjusted right up to 1.33 Joule/380fps so I think you’d need to keep a careful eye on “creep” to start out with but, like the hop, once the power level was set on the test model it did stay consistent. The inner barrel on the Ronin PDW is only 200mm but don’t let that put you off as it still spits BBs out accurately to the extent of my 30m range, so for a CQB environment this little beastie is going to be killer!

Once again KWA seem to have taken their sweet time to get things right but having now tried the Ronin PDW it’s an AEG that I would happily add to my personal armoury, and at £384.95 currently with J-Tac it’s honestly worth every penny. If you fancy being that “lone wolf with no master” then it really could be the very AEG you’ve been looking for!

My sincere thanks go to my good friend John for an exclusive first look at this new model. Please do visit www.jtac-custom.co.uk for more information on the Ronin and all the other great KWA models.

• Push front take down pin in from left side through the receiver until it stops.

• Close ejector port cover and ensure it remains in the closed position.

• Retract the charging handle latch and hold while simultaneously sliding the upper receiver forward and off of the lower receiver. Always ensure the mock bolt plate lies securely against the mechbox during entire disassembly and reassembly.

To reassemble is equally straightforward: • With the mock bolt plate held securely against the mechbox and the ejector port cover is in the closed position, pull the bolt catch release away from the lower receiver and slide the upper receiver on.

• Ensure there is no gap between the upper and lower receiver, then reinsert the front take down pin to secure the upper receiver in place.

It really is that easy, and the choice of being able to “chop and change” gives you an awful lot of scope from one base model!

ROCKIN’ ON!

I was lucky enough to receive one of the very first VM4 Ronin 6 PDW models to arrive in the UK courtesy once again of my mate John at J-Tac Custom, who is fast becoming “Mr. KWAUK” in my mind as he really has put in a huge amount of effort both to get the latest models into the country and ensure backup for the AEGs as well!

The PDW is the shortest by far of the new models and is packed full of very cool-looking features, including a monolithic-style receiver, custom lightweight KeyMod rail, an enlarged trigger guard for comfort, a slick two-position “tanker-style” stock, ambidextrous controls, a custom mock suppressor (the test model still had the “blaze orange” tip stipulated for the US market it was that new!), front and rear PTS flip up sights and a PTS Enhanced Polymer Grip. This is all in the standard package so it’s a very good deal indeed.

I’ve test-fired a number of the KWA M4 variants over the past couple of years so my expectation on performance was high, and I was not to be disappointed. The rotary hop makes adjustment incredibly precise and easy, and once it is set, it 26

January 2018

Technical Details Colour: Black Main Material: Metal and Polymer (mostly metal!)

Overall Length Retracted: 527mm Overall Length Extended: 647mm Inner Barrel Length: 200mm Weight: 2.49kg Gearbox: KWA AEG 2.5 Battery: Tested using a NUPROL 7.4V 30C 1200mAh LiPo Power (.20g BB): 1.04 Joule/335fps

feature ACTION CAMS IN AIRSOFT

WITH THE EVER-INCREASING USE OF ACTION CAMERAS IN AIRSOFT, AS PLAYERS RECORD VIDEOS TO POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, FEMME FATALE ASKS A SIMPLE QUESTION: “DO ACTION CAMS AFFECT THE WAY WE PLAY?”

PLAYING TO THE CAMERA OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, we have seen the rise of the airsoft YouTuber - with many airsofters gaining popularity on the internet for their reviews, “How-To” videos and, of course, “epic” gameplay. With this, we have seen the popularity of action cameras on the field increase dramatically and I want to explore whether using action cams in airsoft is a positive or negative influence on the sport.

Along with the amount of players wearing action cams increasing, the camera setups themselves have gotten way more advanced – now instead of one camera, we see players with helmet cams, gun cams, and scope cams all in the same setup to enable them to capture the day in more viewpoints than ever and create videos that are more akin to cinematics than your average run of the mill YouTube videos.

I will preface this by saying that I used to be an avid action cam wearer. After I saw all the cool footage online from airsoft personalities across the pond I was eager to get myself a GoPro and start recording my own footage, so I could show my mates all the cool things that happened after the game day and maybe post some footage online. I got my first GoPro in the winter of 2014, around 4 months after I started playing

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and recorded all of my games up until September 2017 – crazy right? Yet I have only posted maybe 5-6 gameplay videos in the last 3 years.

The reason I stopped wearing my action cam is very simple – when the camera isn’t running I have a much better game day! The reason for this is that I’m not constantly worried about whether the device is actually recording or not, the GoPro running out of battery or there not being enough space on the SD card. When I‘m not wearing the camera I’m not worried about capturing gameplay that looks good on camera (no unnecessary climbing through high windows to get a cool shot), running faster than I usually would and being obsessed with getting “killstreaks”.

Recording the day isn’t the end of the process though, once you get home then comes the part where you have to edit the footage into a snappy, quick paced and (most importantly) entertaining video! Although it’s really cool to go through all the footage later and relive the day, video editing is bloody hard work. Sure, I can edit a vlog or how-to video but I struggle to create the almost cinematic gameplay videos that we see from some of the big names in airsoft YouTube. Without the camera,

Feature ACTION CAMS IN AIRSOFT

cheater videos as well. These types of video draw far too much attention to the negative side of the sport and doesn’t portray it in the best light to those outside of it. I am a firm believer of “if you have an issue with a player on site tell a marshal, failing that, the site owner”. If you notice some questionable play whilst watching the footage back, send it to the site as they might recognise the player and have a firm word to prevent it happening in the future.

Heavily edited videos also give a skewed image of the sport and what a typical game day is like. We all know that if videos weren’t edited they’d be pretty boring, after all, who really wants to sit through 20 minutes of some guy walking through the woods and seeing 1-2 kills? No one! But watching videos where an airsofter gets a huge killstreak but edits out the 10-12 times he/she got hit doesn’t give an accurate representation of a normal game day. I really like it when YouTubers leave their hits and any funny mess-ups in their videos because it makes them more relatable and likable.

Realistically, the negatives all boil down to who is wearing them and what sort of player they are.

I asked the community what you thought about the use of action cams in airsoft and this is what you had to say!

Lt. Sandman says: “In my experience they create positivity.

Generally, when people see you with one they play to it and want to get something cool recorded. Honest play, for sure. No one wants to be shamed in a video for cheating. Power play?

Not sure about that, it doesn’t give you any tactical advantage.

Overall great influence on the game.”

Matt Furey-King says: “The one thing I find amusing in airsoft is hundreds of cameras in game but not that many people Photo: Dianne Montagnier

I can play at a comfortable pace, just enjoy the game for what it is and not have to spend hours upon hours editing a whole day into a 3-minute video.

One argument for the positive effect that action cams have on gameplay is that they promote honest play - as no one really wants to get shamed in a viral cheater video - and although I am not a fan of “cheater videos”, they are definitely a deterrent. When I was still wearing my GoPro and recording gameplay I found that one of my core reasons for wearing the camera was to protect myself and my reputation from cheating rumours. There was a noticeable trend, the more internet notoriety I gained, the more likely it was that I was accused of cheating and the camera became a way for me to disprove any cheating rumours that were thrown my way by disgruntled airsofters. I believe that airsofters are less inclined to bend the rules if they know there are players in the field recording the events. A few sites in the UK now also have their marshals wear body cams for this reason.

Another reason that actions cams have a positive effect on the sport is that they bring more people into it because they make airsoft look cool AF! Those of us who play know it’s an awesome way to meet people, make new friends and spend ALL of your money! People outside the sport don’t know this and these epic videos act as a great advert for getting new players into the sport.

Another reason I am for the use of action cams in game is that a select few airsofters have built pretty lucrative careers and businesses from editing/posting their gameplay. We live in an age where the internet is king and anyone can create content and monetise it. The monetisation of player’s airsoft content gives them a chance to make money doing what they love and, in some cases, being able to call it their full-time job/ career which is pretty amazing.

Overall, there are a lot of ways that action cameras affect airsoft in a positive way, from advertising the sport to new players, to promoting honest play within the community and even allowing players to make a career out of producing content. However, we also have to look at the negative side of action cams in airsoft: playing for the camera.

In the past I have heard a player say “I won’t stop a good run if I get shot in the back or sides, if the camera can’t see it I’ll carry on to get the footage.” Running an action camera can mean that players could be more likely to bend the rules of the game to enable them to capture “better” gameplay footage, which is obviously incredibly unsporting and not something we want to encourage on the field. This also leaves the flood gates open to another negative influence cameras have in game.

Next up? Cheater videos…

If it weren’t for action cameras we wouldn’t have the cheater videos that have become popular amongst YouTubers and their viewers. In most site briefs you will hear “cheat-calling is as bad as cheating itself” and this applies, in my opinion, to

www.airsoft-action.online

29

CYAN,, MAGENTA,, YELLOW, YELLOW, BLACK

Helikon-Tex @BUSHCRAFT LINE#AIRSOFT ACTION 11-2017

BUSHCRAFT

WWW.HELIKON-TEX.COM

Feature ACTION CAMS IN AIRSOFT

publishing the footage. They have become a little bit of a fashion accessory. Even saw a guy asking on Facebook if it was possible to buy an empty go pro casing so it looked like he had an action cam. Anyway, the headcam/scopecam vids on YouTube are drawing lots more people into the hobby which is great.”

Andrew Sanders says: “Filmed in game for ages now, people play up to the cams and do some awesome stuff. Think they’re great, the marshals at my local site have started wearing them, its lowered unsporting play apparently.”

Alisdair Wood says: “They don’t change the way the game is played as it’s fast paced, I couldn’t tell you who has them or not. Handy for reducing the air of doubt over cheats, but there are still film makers who cheat and don’t edit it out lol. It’s also good after a day you’ve been airsoft and someone has a film of it. Basically getting to see the whole day from someone else’s pov. I also think marshals should wear them to a reduce cheating, but also the marshals usually get into some great positions in fire fights could make for great game day footage.”

“I think helmet cams that are then uploaded to YouYube often include people unawares. Also while you might catch someone “cheating”, is a video on YouTube of cheating helpful to the sport? Likewise, heavily edited GoPro footage of someone’s “amazing kill-streak” in a game (where they edit out the eight times they got hit in between) creates a false representation of the sport. Just my view, I’d much rather if an event is filmed, it’s done by an individual separate from the game rather than some jumpy, erratic and motion sickness inducing helmet or gun cam!”

Overall, I do think that action cams do have both positive and negative influences on the game, but the negatives impact is pretty insignificant. Action cams can be a cool way to record the game to show your friends and family, a visual way of growing the sport and also a way to earn a tidy side stream of income.

I say, fill your boots!

Photo: Dianne Montagnier

Anthony Hague thinks: “For the average player they are fine.

Get some cool moments to show your mates etc. It’s when people start making a living off only gameplay, too much of an incentive to cheat/bend the rules to make sure you get that epic bomb plant or w/e.”

Basho Matsuo commented: “I think it really depends. The films that I made for Tier 1 really helped the company get its brand out there and people were more than happy to pay for them to see themselves in the events and to get a wider understanding of what was going on. On the other hand, if it’s just a film to boost the filmer’s ego then I don’t think they have much worth.”

Gadge Harvey said: “Personally I don’t really like in-game helmet cams and the like. For a start, if I’m shooting pics for an event I ask everyone before-hand if everyone is happy being in a photo - some people don’t want to be in shot. Sometimes it’s for a good reason like they have a sensitive job and can’t be seen doing a “war-like” game, other times it’s because they have lied to their partner about having to do something more important and are actually just playing airsoft etc. www.airsoft-action.online

31

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site MID WALES AIRSOFT

HAILING FROM WALES HIMSELF IT WAS ONLY NATURAL THAT IOAN “IGGY” ROBERTS SHOULD REPORT FROM ONE OF THAT COUNTRY’S MOST POPULAR AIRSOFT SITES – IF HE CAN FIND IT!

MID WALES AIRSOFT WHEN I GOT INVITED TO ATTEND a weekend event and also conduct a review of Mid Wales Airsoft, my first question was, where in Mid Wales is the site? Being from North Wales, I thought I knew most of the sites within that area, so I had to take a look.

After putting the postcode of the site into Google maps, I was off. It took just over three hours to drive there from Portsmouth where I am based ands once in the area I was driving down country lanes which were backed by rolling hills.

Good job I don’t mind running up-hill, this looked like it could be a tough little site.

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The post code took me to a farm that had nothing at all to do with airsoft. What I eventually realised (after contacting the chief marshal and admitting I was lost), was that I had missed a sign signalling me to continue on the main road. The next junction along also had a sign pointing me up another driveway. After an easy drive up to the top it was clear I was now in the correct place, with lots of cars parked with car boots laden with tactical kit! (The site is actually situated just 5 miles from the spa town of Llandrindod Wells.)

As soon as I had parked up, I was greeted by a marshal and shown where to walk to the safe zone, which is situated in the heart of the game zone and surrounded by high side construction fencing draped in hessian to protect all behind it. There is a small stone building with a log burner, creating a lovely “toasty” warm atmosphere. It is in this building where you keep your kit and charge your batteries etc. on the specially made tables. It’s also in this building where you pay and sign in, as well as chill out and socialise in the breaks on the sofas and chairs. There is a small tuck shop selling all the usual refreshments, however, tea and coffee is free all day. It was here where I sat down and had a chat with the team running the site.

It turns out Mid Wales airsoft has been running for 31/2 years and the site was also used around 20 years ago for reenactment.

The owners of Mid Wales airsoft are “Tish ‘n Tim” aka “Battle Axe & Ho Chi Tim”! They are aided in the running of the site by senior admin and head marshal, Liam Baker, aka “Long Shot”. Key to the site is John “The Reverend”, part airsofter, part bushman cum fountain of knowledge, and the newest admin is Connor with bags of energy and a fresh view, helping to keep the games up to date and bring new challenges to the regular players and newcomers alike.

site MID WALES AIRSOFT

The site itself is (as you might have already guessed) hilly.

There are open fields as well as dense forested areas that allow for a good use of tactics and challenges to meet. The day I visited was the first dry day in a few days, so the ground was.... well, not to dissimilar to the mud encountered in trench warfare in some areas. Mainly it made moving around at a pace a little harder because you spent half your time avoiding the deep pools, or slipping either in the mud or on the wet grass. These conditions made it perfect for the name of one of the key locations of the site “Hamburger Hill”. If any of you remember the Vietnam war film that the hill was named after, the film told the story of US GIs that had to slog it up one of the hills in the jungles of “’Nam”. Climbing up the slopes of thick mud and often sliding down as far as they had climbed only to be shot at by the Viet Cong. Back at the hill in Wales, only the fittest and most dedicated of players can crack this hill but once at the summit there are views reaching over 30 miles.

It’s a great test for any team, seeing how they react when the going gets tough.

Other features of the site include streams, the peaks and troughs of an off road track, a village, a selection of bunkers, trench systems, tank traps, an outdoor CQB area, a replica helicopter, flat areas and ... the hills. All this is spread out through the 100 acres of land.

One of the site’s schemes is the “Young Guns Course” for potential players aged 12 - 16, who are new to airsoft and is also available to anyone who is new to airsoft and would like a few pointers. There are two parts to the course; first is the indoor course all about site safety and on completion the students are then given a pop quiz style questioning on what they have learnt. The second part is outdoors. This section is all about safe gun handling and marksmanship, which includes target shooting. The youngsters are then given a certificate to give them a sense of achievement and let loose with the other players. If the marshals think any bad habits start creeping in they issue refresher courses to make sure that the safety points are fully understood and adhered to.

All this is done so the other players can be confident that the youngsters playing at the site have a basic site and gun knowledge when in game.

Lunch is not always provided, but anyone wanting a lunch to be provided can contact the site management team and they will set up a buffet lunch for them and sometimes there is cake or biscuits on go. Player and kit lifts are always available to and from the safe zone to the car park at no extra charge, just ask on a game day.

“THERE IS A SMALL STONE BUILDING WITH A LOG BURNER, CREATING A LOVELY “TOASTY” WARM ATMOSPHERE. IT IS IN THIS BUILDING WHERE YOU KEEP YOUR KIT AND CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES ETC. ON THE SPECIALLY MADE TABLES.”

Mid Wales Airsoft holds speedball events, skirmish days, MilSim and even the odd FilmSim, or computer game based skirmishes from time to time. The regular players mainly enjoy the skirmishes they run and as a result most game days tend to be the good old skirmish.

The sites FPS limits adhere to what the law states. They do not stick to 300FPS due to the site being outdoors and there

www.airsoft-action.online

35

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are no worries about the use of DMRs or snipers.

The basic walk on fee is £20. If it’s a game they provide lunch with or they have been given prior notice that lunch is wanted, then the game day is £25. The basic game day with rental is £30 making a game day with lunch and hire £35.

The rental package is for a gun, 1 mag full of bbs, eye protection or an optional face mask (under 18s have to have a full face mask), hat and jacket/trousers if needed. On game days there is a small selection of BBs and other consumables along with various airsoft guns and kit.

Mid Wales Airsoft are soon opening a shop which will be separate to the site.

Tish said “Everything has happened so fast, from making the decision, to signing the shop lease then to being in the middle of the refurb. It’s all happened in less than two weeks! We will have a target range, RIFS, accessories, plus clothing, mugs and tankards etc.

We understand that some players will travel far to pick up what they need so we are setting up a small social zone for players to have a cuppa and a catch up.”

Looking further into future plans Mid Wales Airsoft will be setting up a pistol club, they are currently looking into targets for this and intend on setting up leader boards and prizes.

Mid Wales Airsoft can be found on Facebook under Mid Wales Airsoft team and they are also on Instagram as Mid Wales Airsoft. The team are currently in the process of building a website, and are hoping to have this up and running to coincide with the opening of the new shop.

If you think you are fit, then you need to take on Hamburger Hill. Me? I am off home to put my feet up and clean my kit!

www.airsoft-action.online

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event AIRSOFT BOOT FAIR AUTUMN 2017

AIRSOFT BOOT FAIR AUTUMN 2017

TWICE A YEAR THE SOUTHERN AIRSOFT BOOT FAIR ROLLS AROUND AND THIS TIME BILL THOMAS WAS INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT “FIRST TIMERS” WOULD MAKE OF IT. PACKING TWO FRIENDS AND THE YOUNG SON OF ONE OF THEM INTO THE CAR IT WAS TIME TO FIND OUT! I HONESTLY CAN’T BELIEVE THAT the Fair this time was the 11th time it had been run! Sadly I’ve not managed to attend each and every one of them, but let’s just say my personal attendance probably rates as “above average!” In my time I’ve had my own stall and made some cash by selling off surplus gear or “projects”, but inevitably that gets spent before “home time” as there are some superb bargains to be had. For this particular Fair I invited two friends to come with me for a fresh perspective, James and Campbell, along with James’ son Dylan; now Dylan is still too young to be playing airsoft, but the chance of an exciting day out with Dad and “the lads” was just too much of an opportunity to pass up for him!

The events are run early in the year, around late March or early April and again later in the year around the end of September or beginning of October. Entry to the event is just £2 per person which includes a free Raffle ticket. A seller’s pitch is only £10 and includes entry for two people and pre-Booking guarantees a covered pitch roughly three metres long in the main covered arena. Children of 11 years or under, OAPs, serving members of the Armed Forces and Emergency Services get in for free, so that meant James could bring Dyl at no extra cost.

Back in the day the Fair itself was the first of its kind and was designed to be a place that both players and trade could 38

January 2018

event AIRSOFT BOOT FAIR AUTUMN 2017

meet on an equal footing to buy and sell new and used goods.

Obviously, as the event name implies, the day is centred around players setting up stalls and selling their used or unwanted kit, but there are now a number of trade sellers who bring lots of new kit for players to buy and look at and is a great way for those traders to get a sense of what their customers want in a less hurried environment than in the hustle of a game day safe zone. The main covered central area is devoted to the player’s pitches, whilst the trade stands have dedicated space on the adjoining courtyard. It was great this year to see trade friends like South Eastern Airsoft Supplies, Adriano, Sherrie and the gang from RDX Tactical with their tactical store, Chris and Lindsey returned with their excellent .308 Sniper stand, Zed from local site Zed Adventures was on hand to answer gaming questions, first time attendee Jip from Cold War Collectables brought a host of Russian loveliness, and of course Trent “The Man in the Red Van” from NUPROL was there proudly flying his many flags!

Anyone may attend the event regardless of age or experience so new players can mix and mingle with the more experienced. Whilst James and Campbell managed to pick up some very tasty bargains (TM Recoil MP5SD with rail system and extra mags for £150 anyone?), it was young Dyl who really got down to haggling! With his “show pocket money” of just £10 he managed to come away with a respirator, a toy M9 pistol, a nice accessories pouch - and still have money for

a cookie! The organisers actually have very few restrictions on what may be sold at the event, although the venue have asked them that they do not allow the sale or display of any “Nazi” memorabilia (still a touchy subject even after all these years ) and they also restrict the sale of bladed items to those with a military theme only. Apart from that if it has a military or Airsoft theme and is legal to sell in the UK, then bring you can take it along and place it up for sale!

As well as the buying and selling aspect there are always some competitions running throughout the day. First and foremost is the Big Raffle which is self-funding with the proceeds from one allowing some swish new prizes to be bought for the next. Everyone who visits the event gets a free raffle ticket upon arrival. The Raffle prizes are donated by the event organizers and in the past additional prizes have been kindly donated by the Trade attendees as well. These prizes are mostly made up of new guns and tactical equipment with a few surprises thrown in along the way.

Once again I had the honour of being appointed Head Judge for the “Best Loadout Competition”, ably assisted this

time by Jip who I mentioned earlier and Herman from RedWolf.

It’s a really nice contest in that we’re not looking for who has had the most money to throw at their loadout, but the he or she that displays the best knowledge and imagination in what they put together. I have to give a very honourable mention to the Sapsford family. Dad Paul and sons Josh and Finley ALWAYS put on a good show, showing a real depth of both military and airsoft knowledge, and I’m always somewhat disappointed when they don’t win, but each and every Fair they are there with a new loadout and I’m always impressed by what I see. A single winner is picked by majority vote and announced later in the afternoon. The winner is presented with a bag of Airsoft goodies usually worth around £200 so it’s well worth getting stuck in and this time the competition was won by Bandy Rogers, who’d spent much time and effort putting together a solid set of SBS “Black Kit”. Congratulations as always to those who took part!

The event organisers, fronted by my old mate Phil Bromley, are all long time proponents of Airsoft as trade suppliers, shop and site owners and as players themselves, so the event has a real feel of “for the players by the players”. The venue itself is excellent being held in school grounds with superb facilities.

Parking is free all day, the main sales area is covered and there are clean toilet facilities. There is a snack shack where the caterers prepare all food fresh and have the bacon and burgers on from the get go; the bacon bap especially is always high on my personal list of purchases for the day, although both Herman and I concurred this year that the “Camo Cake” was a real winner!

The event has gone from strength to strength, one again topping 500 attendees, and has inspired other events around the county, and I’m really pleased to report that newcomers James, Dylan, and Campbell all agreed they’d had a great day out. The organisers really do have a passion for the sport and the players and try to make the whole day about Airsoft, not just how much they can charge for coffee. In the words of Phil Bromley; “We are always looking for new trade customers who would like to show off their latest wares and all groups or teams are welcome.”

He also stresses, however, that they could not host the event without the amazing support of the volunteers who man the gates, direct parking and sell raffle tickets throughout the day, or the players who support the event and make the day what it is. If you’re looking for a bargain, or just fancy a cracking day out in the company of fellow airsofters then you really should put the Airsoft Bootfair on your calendar. The next event will be in April 2018 and more information along with booking forms can be found on the www.airsoftbootfair.com website with updates on the Airsoftbootfair Facebook page.

www.airsoft-action.online

39

Online/Offline FROM FPS TO AEG

MATT FLOOD WRITES ABOUT HIS VERY FIRST AIRSOFT EXPERIENCE, WHICH WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM HIS USUAL COMPUTER-BASED GAMING! Pictures by Gadge Harvey

FROM FPS TO AEG LAST MONTH AIRSOFT ACTION TOOK our work experience trainee, Matt Flood, to his first ever airsoft skirmish to see what he thought of the hobby. Matt’s a dedicated online gamer but could he take his gaming onto the airsoft field? Could Matt make the transition from First Person Shooter FPS to Feet Per Second FPS? Over to Matt to find out…

Running through damp, dingy terrain was pretty standard for me. Crawling through the grass and dodging fire, I do it daily. Shame is, I’ve only done it online - until now. I had heard about airsofting before as few of my family have gone in the past and to be honest, I thought the idea mad; exchanging digital shooting for real shooting seemed like a laborious task that was not worth the effort. But when a chance to do it for my GCSE work experience placement came up, I took the opportunity and went - but would I end up regretting it?

The day did not start off well, getting up at 5am was a pain, I’d never gotten up that early in my life and then proceeding to putting on new, tough, cold camo gear was not helping.

I was freezing and uncomfortable and had barely warmed up by the time we got there 45 minutes after setting off.

Despite feeling rather gloomy and miserable my mood was, however, uplifted by the staff who were perpetually witty, welcoming and friendly. This lightened my spirits and seeing

40

January 2018

how passionate they were about the sport was infectious which got me exited too. But all that left as we started setting up for the matches. After trying on the gear, holding the guns and having to load magazines I was already exhausted and I hadn’t even fired my gun yet. The face protection was uncomfortable to wear, it obstructed my face and mouth and it was very heavy - something I’ve never had to worry about in an FPS game.

This got me very worried as I couldn’t imagine how I would end up after actually storming the enemy and shooting people.

Towards the end of the setting up period, however, the staff started playing music and that got me pumped again. Songs like “Born to be Wild” and “Boom Boom Boom” really set the tone for how the rest of the day was going to pan out: fast, exciting and loud!

The time came for us all to start fighting, we all tested our guns to make sure that they complied with site safety limits (and some of them were much more powerful then I had anticipated) and I saw for the first time what kind of behemoths some people had brought with them. I had a simple, standard short barrelled AKSU sub machine gun which I thought was pretty cool but there were sniper rifles galore, huge, 4ft long weapons that looked as if they could knock a tree down, let alone blow some bark off. Once again, I was

Online/Offline FROM FPS TO AEG

terrified. After everyone had made sure they were loaded and charged we all went back into the safe zone for a briefing of the story and the teams. Everyone was given a band that was to be placed around the upper arm that had a number and a colour on it. The bands helped players quickly see what team someone else was on and the numbers allowed easy distinguishing between player who the staff don’t know by name, this would have allowed the staff to call out cheaters who weren’t declaring “hit” when they had been shot.

Thankfully there was no need for this due to the clarity and severity of the safety brief. It was simply outlined that cheaters would be permanently banned from the site and all others for life; this made the game much more enjoyable and meant that the games did not drag on for too long.

A NOOB GETS STUCK IN

Just before we set off to head to a battle are we were briefed on the story of the day, while it could have easily either been too in-depth or just be red vs blue, it was detailed enough to have some weight behind it and not bore the players. Instead of walking to the battle zones we got a lift in the back of a van, this (while being both crowded and uncomfortable) was comical as the staff played helicopter sounds and had decorated the interior. We stopped and were all told to charge out of the van which we did and were immediately lit up with bullet fire, there were people shooting from every angle and the only cover was behind the van. Being the noob that I was I didn’t shoot a single round during the first battle, I sat back, watched and was essentially the medic of the group, going around, trying not to get hit and holding player’s shoulders for 15 seconds. The most apparent thing was that everyone had a different way of counting to 15. Sometimes you couldn’t get to 12 before someone stood up, said “Thanks!” and ran off guns blazing only to shout “Hit!” a couple of seconds later. It wasn’t until the second round that I first got shot. Which wasn’t was bad as I first expected, it did hurt but only for a short second, following this I got a lot more confident and started to shoot. After while I realised that I wasn’t noticing the gear anymore, once I had grown used to it, it felt normal to have on.

Unfortunately the guns are not as reliable as they are in digital

“THE STAFF STARTED PLAYING MUSIC AND THAT GOT ME PUMPED AGAIN. SONGS LIKE “BORN TO BE WILD” AND “BOOM BOOM BOOM” REALLY SET THE TONE FOR HOW THE REST OF THE DAY WAS GOING TO PAN OUT: FAST, EXCITING AND LOUD!” games as they do not go through code like they do online and just fire how they want to. This made me spend a lot of time attempting to learn how to control the spread of the gun by compensating for how much the bullet went off centre but this didn’t work, I ended up having to just spray in the general direction of an enemy, this strategy may have got me a few hits but also made me run out of ammo pretty fast and I ended up having to borrow some from another player.

Rather than being mentally challenging in the way that FPS are, airsofting is a much more physically demanding activity.

It wasn’t even half way through day when sweat was building up atop my brow and my breath was condensing onto my mask.

Even such remedial tasks such as reloading are difficult, struggling to open a pocket in thick gloves and with cold hands was draining enough let alone pressing all the right buttons and correctly inserting the magazine.

The game zones were very well laid out thankfully. We had driven past a few on the way here, but I had thought them just to be abandoned trailers, but as it turns out they were the battle areas that we would be playing on. There were holes cut out of them to fire from and walk from room to room and they were stacked up on top of each other, orientated and arranged into a whole manner of different ways that formed choke points, open areas, cover and sniper towers.

All in all it was a great day out; I had lots of fun and really enjoyed it. Taking into account the entire day, the good and the bad, it was an overwhelmingly positive experience. The only negatives being the need to haul the gear around and getting shot… which is the nature of the game itself which cannot be helped. Would I do it again though? As I am still recovering from my previous session, it may be some time before I pluck up the courage to play again!

Matt

www.airsoft-action.online

41

feature AIRSOFT WEAPON ACCURACY

ACCURACY 101

“ACCURACY” IS THE SUBJECT OF MUCH DISCUSSION IN AIRSOFT, ESPECIALLY WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET A LIGHTWEIGHT SPHERE OF PLASTIC TO FLY IN A STRAIGHT LINE. TOM HIBBERD SHARES HIS THOUGHTS WITH US. Pictures by Jo Francis IT ALL STARTED AS A CONVERSATION in the office when we were discussing the relative merits of various RIFs we have owned, however, it appeared that none of us were actually 100% certain of exactly how accurate our guns were beyond “very” and “quite“!

So, here’s the question: “Just how accurate are airsoft weapons and what can you do to affect this?”

ACCURACY TERMINOLOGY Point of Aim (PoA): The area of the target that the sights are pointed at.

Point of Impact (PoI): Where the projectiles actually land. This is often not the PoA! Height Over Bore: The difference in height between the centre of the sights or optic and the centre of the barrel.

rest so that the shooter’s marksmanship (or lack of) wasn’t a contributing factor. The shots were fired on semi and a few seconds was allowed to elapse between each pull of the trigger to make sure that any vibrations had dissipated. This process was then repeated five times for each rifle to make sure we were getting consistent results. To keep everything as similar as possible we used all of the AK variants that were to hand and used even used the same magazine.

The results were very interesting, with 10-shot group sizes ranging between five inches and one and half inches. The tightest group was shot by a 15 year old, completely stock Tokyo Marui AK47! This was a bit surprising given the age of the gun but TM AEGs have a very good reputation for accuracy.

You can easily repeat this test yourself and see how your collection compares.

Tight Bore: A tight bore barrel, typically 6.03mm in diameter. Stock barrels are often around 6.08mm.

Flat Hop: A modification to a hop up unit that gives a bigger contact area between the BB and hop rubber.

Windage: The side to side adjustment of sights or point of aim.

Elevation: The up and down adjustment of sights or point of aim.

INITIAL TESTING

We devised a quick test to discover the inherent mechanical accuracy of some of our guns. We traveled to a local airsoft site (to avoid alarming the neighbours) and wore eye protection throughout our tests.

A cardboard target was set 10 metres away from the muzzle and all the AEGs tested were fired using the same bottle of ASG Blaster 0.25g BBs. 10 shots were fired from a

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January 2018

AK ACCURACY TESTING RESULTS Budget AK (stock) Budget AK (flat hop) Quality AK (stock) LCT AK (flat hop, tight bore) TM AK47 (stock)

5” 3” 2.5” 2” 1.5”

Feature AIRSOFT WEAPON ACCURACY

SIGHTING IN

Although the testing showed that airsoft replicas can be relatively accurate, it was obvious in many cases that although the group size was fairly small, the BBs were hitting the target nowhere near the actual point of aim. In four out of the five tests, when compared to the size of the group the sights were more than five times further off. In the case of the TM AK, using iron sights the point of impact was 14 inches left and 12 inches down from the point of aim!

A quick straw poll of those of us in the office revealed that most of us hadn’t set or zeroed our iron sights and this was also the same for the guns fitted with red dot sights. On further investigation it was found that most of the owners had simply taken their optics out of the box and fitted them straight to their RIF. In our testing the only AK where the point of aim corresponded with the point of impact was the LCT where the owner had zeroed the red dot to the rifle.

It might seem an obvious statement but this means one of the most (if not “the” most) important things we can do to improve our gun’s accuracy is set the sights correctly!

ZEROING YOUR GUN

Ideally this is done from a bench or a rest so that the only factor affecting the point of impact is the mechanical accuracy of the gun. Once the RIF is settled in place fire a few shots at a target and take note of the difference between the point of aim and the point of impact. The sights (or red dot) should then be moved to coincide (take height over bore into account) at the point of impact. This process varies with the model of the gun or sight so check your owner’s manual. Setting the iron sights on an AK variant, for instance, is all done at the front by moving the post left and right in the front sight block and screwing it up and down for elevation changes. This is a different process to an AR15 variant such as a M4, where the adjustments are usually made at the rear.

When setting your sights it is important to consider height over bore; the height of the sights above the centre of the barrel. If you are using a short range (such as 10 metres) to zero your gun it is important that you take this into account and you should have the same difference between your point of aim and point of impact as your height over bore. If your point of aim and point of impact coincide at 10 metres then you can end up shooting high at longer ranges.

Some experimental practice may be needed to discern which way the sights move relative to the point of impact but don’t be disheartened if you twist a knob and the accuracy gets worse, just move it back the other way.

The adjustment dials on optics can potentially work in either direction, experimentation may be needed.

If you have an optic, such as a magnified scope, on your gun it’s well worth zeroing both the iron sights and the optic itself. This will help you when you arrive on site and find that you forgot to turn your red dot off last time you played and the batteries have run out (we’ve all done it!). Depending on your set up you can coincide your iron sight zero and your optic zero, this is known as a “co-witness”.

MARKSMANSHIP

The next major aspect affecting accuracy is the marksmanship and firing position of the user and we put this to the test as well.

We followed the same protocol as above but this time changed the position of the shooter, rather than shooting off a bench. We tried prone, rested, kneeling and standing and then, as we were feeling especially cruel, we got the shooter to jog up and down a nearby slope in between each string of shots to see if that affected the results. We used the modified LCT AK as that had proved to have the most consistent results.

Our shooter followed correct marksmanship principles, such as breathing only between shots and resting as much as possible of the gun’s weight on their skeletal system.

Unsurprisingly, the worst results were from the standing position after the shooter had been for a quick run. The best results were shot from a rest without any activity. Like the effect of having poorly zeroed sights this showed that proper marksmanship and position has a bigger effect on shooting results than the mechanical accuracy of the RIF.

Changes to AK sights are made at the front. In most cases AR15 sights are adjusted at the rear.

This L1A1 and M14 can only be adjusted at the rear as the front sights have been fixed.

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43

Feature AIRSOFT WEAPON ACCURACY

CONCLUSIONS

There are other tests we are planning on carrying out, so look out for those in a future issue. These will include the effect of adding a tight bore barrel, barrel length, hop up types and the BB itself.

While spending a lot of money on modifying your gun can absolutely improve its accuracy there are several steps you should take first.

First, make sure that your sights and optics are correctly zeroed. This can make a huge difference and even at our short airsoft engagement ranges of 50 meters or less, can mean completely missing your shot.

Next, always take the best position possible when you fire your gun. Firing from a standing position after a brief sprint can make your shots much harder to connect than when compared to firing rested from prone. If it’s possible always look for somewhere to rest, or something to rest your RIF on.

It’s very common to see players using their BBs as “tracer” and correcting their aim accordingly between bursts in order to make a hit but just think about how much your game play would improve if you were able to connect with your target first time …every time!

SHOOTER’S POSITION ACCURACY TEST RESULTS Stationary Standing:

5

Stationary Kneel:

3.3

Stationary Prone:

2.5

Stationary Rest:

2

Active Standing:

6.5

Active Kneel:

4.2

Active Prone:

2.8

Active Rest:

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2

45

Loaded or Unloaded

NUPROL E T A D P U NUPROL UPDATE

A RECENT VISIT TO NUPROL HQ GAVE JERRY NOONE AN INSIGHT INTO JUST HOW BUSY THE TEAM HAVE BEEN SINCE HE LAST CHECKED IN WITH THEM. THIS MONTH HE BRINGS US AN OVERVIEW OF THE NEWEST NUPROL PRODUCTS TO ARRIVE!

I’VE GOT TO ADMIT THAT I do look forward to my visits to NUPROL HQ as not only will I inevitably get to see some super new airsoft products but I also get to see some great friends.

Ross Tucker and I go “way, way back”, but since my first visit to “HQ” in the south of England Danny, Mark, Hannah and the crew have all become very, very good mates. I seem to joke about something with Danny on an almost daily basis and of course Trent and his NUPROL Red Van are always on my radar, both online and in real life as he’s local to me!

I always say it, but I am intensely proud of what NUPROL have achieved in the global airsoft market. Utilising their hardwon contacts in the Far East (and beyond) and clocking up

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January 2018

horrendous hours of travel in the process, they really do search out what we as airsofters want and need and bring it to the UK while, most importantly, ensuring things are fully legal and supported. From their first modest stand at the IWA show in Germany I’ve seen them having more and more of a presence there and consequently their reach is now far beyond our native shores, with a regular attendance at SHOT in the USA just concreting their place in the industry.

Ultimately though, NUPROL are a business and the decisions they make are business-like ones. This may not always sit well with the so-called “experts and purists” of the airsoft “community” but I believe those are both terms which are

Loaded or Unloaded NUPROL UPDATE

often misused these days. I accept that we all like to think we know what’s best (and we certainly don’t like to think that someone is trying to pull a fast one on us) but more and more I seem to see people online just making trouble apparently for the sake of it!

Two things here my airsoft friends…

1) If you have an opinion be 100% sure of your facts - and all the background facts - before you start shouting and 2) If you’re not trying to be part of a solution you are part of the problem! That may sound harsh but a select few out there seem to revel in “NUPROL-bashing” for no real apparent reason and to be honest, it kind of hacks me off. With all the stupid stuff our once-great country seems to be embroiled in right now, is it too much to ask that we get behind a British company doing superb business on an international stage and as a “community” give them our support? Or is it simply that because we actually know (and can put faces to the NUPROL team) we somehow feel we can take a sly pop at them?

Sorry, rant over! But I believe you’ll appreciate my line of thought here. Some airsoft manufacturers, actually pretty major ones, couldn’t give “R-S-One” about us as customers as long as we buy their products and yet many users take them as the epitome of “good practice and product”. Do they ever get it wrong? Darn right they do but they don’t care as long as money changes hands. I am not saying for a moment that NUPROL are perfect in everything they do but I for one am going to support both my friends and a successful, homegrown business based on good old-fashioned hard work and bucket loads of integrity.

Well, if you’re reading Airsoft Action I guess you wanted an opinion and like it or not, this is mine!

NEW AND NEWER!

With that all aside let’s look a little more closely at what the NUPROL team have brought to market right now, starting with AEGs. Since my last visit their initial range of “DELTA” AEGs has continued to grow and there are some great new models that are hitting the stores right now!

The first of these (and I have to admit a model that I personally like immensely and will be reviewing in full next month) is the “Jackal” series. All models are available in black or tan and come in two lengths, and all are thoroughly up to the minute full metal AEGs. In the case of the “Jackal” the

longer variant is designed as a replica of the 14.5 Barrelled KAC SR-15 MOD.1 assault rifle, complete with URX-3.1 RIS Railed Handguard, which is ideal for airsofters looking for a modular M4-type AEG. The “Nomad” series has all the same features internally as the “Jackal” but changes out the overall “look” of the AEG with a really tasty rail system. Designed on a unique M4 MK18 SFW with M-LOK system, it’s is ideal for those in need of a compact, CQB or field-friendly AEG. Straight out of the box the “Nomad” has a fantastic list of high quality features not usually seen on AEGs in this price range and is thoroughly worth a look!

Last but by no means least, is the “Enforcer”. Based on the short 14.3 Barrelled “Special Forces” M4 SOPMOD Block II, this is an ideal model for players seeking a full length modern “SF” style carbine and I can definitely see it forming the base for many “custom” builds.

These are all great additions to the existing NUPROL line, and whilst they do use common parts, they all have something different and interesting about them. In all the models you’ll find; • V2 Based QD Spring Gearbox • 6.03mm QPQ Steel Tightbore Barrel • Full Steel Toothed Piston and Gears

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47

Loaded or Unloaded NUPROL UPDATE

• Reinforced V2 Metal Gearbox Design • Metal Reinforced Selector Plate • QPQ Treated Metal Receiver • SAFE - SEMI - AUTO Firing Modes • LiPo Battery Ready • Metal Sling Plate Included • Flip-Up Iron Sights Included • Sliding Stock houses the battery If you’re just starting out in your “airsoft career” then fear not! The initial run of “DELTA” AEGs has been so successful that everyone wants one. New players are seeing the existing models at their local skirmish sites, and feedback from retailers has resulted in NUPROL providing a Two Tone version of their entry level “Defender” model. Benefitting from all the great internals of its bigger and bolder siblings, this polymer AEG is lightweight but tough enough to handle the rigors of any airsoft skirmish, and it’s superb to see NUPROL catering for even the very newest of players.

Why don’t NUPROL do shotguns I hear you ask? In fairness to date it’s genuinely something I feel that’s been missing from their range and I’m pleased to report that this omission has now been rectified! Enter stage right the new “Sierra” shotgun models.

Again, to be blunt there is currently only one model in “the range” but the “Raider” is now in stock and ready to ship. This model is classic polymer construction and uses 30 BB Shotgun Shell Magazines. It’s a single barrel shotgun firing at around 310FPS, and comes complete with two shells in the box. It’s a great addition to any armoury and at an amazing price as it looks to be coming in around the 25 quid mark - and I sincerely hope this is just the first of many shotgun models to come from NUPROL (I like shotguns, okay?)!

GETTING YOUR EYE IN

NUPROL have had a solid range of different optics for some time now, although most of those have been in the “tactical” style. You might argue that given the realistic range of an airsoft replica this is really all that’s needed, other than on a sniper rifle. NUPROL have, if you’ll pardon the pun, looked at this long and hard and come up with a neat, compact range of magnified optics, of decent quality, at a sensible price.

I’ve been running a 1.1-4x25 MilDot optic on my DMR for a while now and recently tried using this on my gas AR, and I’ve been pretty happy with the result. However, this is a “real steel” model and therefore was not a cheap buy! In

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January 2018

the new range NUPROL offer a real cracker in the form of the NP Optics - 1.25-5x26 IR; this is a super-clear optic that boasts some excellent mechanical features not often seen on such an affordable sight. The windage and elevation dials can be popped and locked into place to avoid any accidental changes made to your zero. The mount is also included and bolts straight onto the sight tube with twelve bolts in total, so the whole unit becomes rock solid once mounted on your top-rail.

The illumination is great too, thanks to the variable brightness and with three (RGB) colour options you have very crisp outlines of the main central dot and outer ring that does not distract from your target, be it at 1.25 or the optional 5x max zoom.

This excellent sight really works very well and everyone I’ve shown it to thus far has been impressed!

In relation to more “traditional” optics there are three new models: The NP Optics - 4x32 IR, 3-9x40 IR and 3-9x50 IR, so you can really find the ideal airsoft sniper scope that works for you should you wish to take out a target at distance. Thanks to the wide selection of colour and brightness modes on the reticules you can take out your target in any lighting condition, be it outdoors or built up urban environments. The NUPROL scopes all come with 20mm rail mounts and airgun mounts too. They’re very easy to setup, rock solid once fitted and add very minimal weight to your rifle.

In terms of illumination there’s a couple of upgrades to the NUPROL Taclites which are now available in a rather fetching “SF Tan” colour.

The NX200 is a VLI designed to be fitted to a range of railed Pistols, giving you the ability to quickly acquire targets in low light conditions whilst allowing you to keep both hands on your pistol. The light is made with a tough alloy body and head, a solid Polymer toggle switch at the rear, and features a high power 200 Lumens CREE LED Bulb. The light’s rear switch features an ambidextrous textured toggle, allowing the activation of the torch by both left and right-handed shooters.

The NX400 light is again made with an alloy body and head, a solid Polymer toggle switch at the rear, but in this instance features a high power 400 Lumens CREE LED Bulb allowing some serious “glare!” and mounted on the base is an adjustable laser. The back of the laser also holds the controls for several lighting options, including the torch and laser being on at the same time if you so desire. This is perfect for any night game as you can easily light up an entire corridor or sweep out corners in any room with added accuracy and visibility.

Loaded or Unloaded NUPROL UPDATE

In terms of night games (and bearing in mind NUPROL do some righteous green and red tracer BBs) they’ve added a couple of tracer units to their “Bocca Suppressor” range.

The first, available in black or tan, is their very own unit and is a 14mm CCW compatible tracer unit that will illuminate your BBs as they leave the barrel. The 14mm CCW thread guarantees that it will fit most RIFs apart from models which have a non-standard clockwise thread. The “Bocca” tracer unit takes 4 x AAA batteries (sold separately) and is activated by pushing the easily located on/off toggle switch located on the user side of the tracer. This will ensure that any time a BB is detected entering the unit, two bright UV LEDs flash to charge the fluorescent material in the tracer BBs and your shot will leave an easily visible red or green streak - depending on tracer ammunition purchased. This tracer can happily illuminate up to 35 rounds per second, so it will work consistently with high speed AEGs. The NP1000X Tracer Unit is also a new addition that resembles a “Surefire” suppressor if you’re looking for a certain style and is a cracking unit too if you’re after that “look”.

CARRYING ON!

I’m going to conclude this update with an item that many of us have been screaming out for since we saw the very first models - and that’s the new Extra Long Hardcase.

NUPROL had an absolutely undoubted success on their hands with the original case and not only in the UK as these have been shipped worldwide. I heard through the grapevine that at SHOT 2017 they were even approached by a very wellknown US “real steel” retailer for these!

I’ve been using one of the standard hardcases since they were launched and I’ve got to say that it is far superior to any of the others I’ve had in the past. The new Extra Long version builds on the success of the original by adding yet more space

and length. The original measures 101cm long by 33cm high and 9cm deep internally and the eggshell foam in the bottom and lid sandwiches any items stored inside and wraps them securely with no movement at all preventing any damage during transit or storage. The new model increases the internal volume to 133cm x 33cm x 9cm (long enough for my Dragunov by far!) and you also have a choice of eggshell foam or “pick and pluck foam” so that you can mix and match to create the perfect bespoke storage solution for your personal kit. The latches have also been upgraded from the original, which frankly wasn’t necessary, but does show NUPROL constantly have their eye on new solutions!

That about wraps up MOST of what I saw when I visited NUPROL HQ, but sadly, at this point in time I’m sworn to secrecy about what’s next in their pipeline. Suffice to say that there’s more (a lot more!) still to come, and rest assured you’ll see it in Airsoft Action as soon as I can talk about it!

For more information on all the great NUPROL products please do visit www.nuprol.com, and check your favourite retailer as the new items are already hitting the stores as I write!

www.airsoft-action.online

49

Inside Airsoft ALLSORTS AIRSOFT

ALLSORTS AIRSOFT LIKE THE CAPTAIN KIRK OF AIRSOFT, LEZ LEE CONTINUES HIS JOURNEY TO THE FURTHEST REACHES OF THE UK TO SEEK OUT NEW AIRSOFT SHOPS OR, IN THIS CASE, JUST DOWN THE ROAD!

ONE OF THE UNPARALLELED PLEASURES I appreciate as a reporter for Airsoft Action is being a subtle and sometimes covert part of something new in airsoft, an indulgence which probably wouldn’t register to others but a unique privilege to a journalist. Over the years I have seen an abundance of “behind the scenes” airsoft activity that others won’t get the chance to see and probably don’t want to anyway. What our thriving community may not take into account is that without the passion of the entrepreneurs, there may not be as much ease of finding somewhere to play, a place to meet and opportunities to make their purchase.

So when a new dedicated airsoft shop opened up in my neighbouring town I did get somewhat excited because as you know, being a niche activity, airsoft retailers are few and far between and creating an ”Inside Airsoft” feature usually involves being up and at it at the crack of dawn and heading towards a new county.

But this was different, not only was it in the same county, it was in the next town and just a few miles away, so a ten minute drive and I was parked up outside West Sussex’ newest airsoft shop, namely ALLSORTS AIRSOFT in Littlehampton. A nice, easy-to-find shop in a prime location on a busy thru road with acres of parking bang opposite and if you pop into the local newsagents, you can pick up a free-of-charge two hour parking permit, which means even more time to peruse the goodies.

50

January 2018

Inside Airsoft ALLSORTS AIRSOFT

There is no mistaking what this shop sells because the quirky name stands out and as this is located on the main coastal road, I’m pretty sure that it is only a matter of a very short time that the word will spread throughout our county and beyond.

Elizabeth Arnold is the owner and full time Manager, and her husband Ray, daughter Jade and son-in-law Ollie make up the team of staff. They are joined by Ian Dinsmore as gun technician on Saturdays to complete this formidable team of super-enthusiastic members of our beloved game. Liz tells me that Ollie introduced them all into our glorious pastime/ sport/hobby - call it what you will - but it is certainly addictive (perhaps there should be another AA in the world of acronyms – Airsofter’s Anonymous) but as addictions go, it has more of the feel-good factor than (almost) anything else.

Allsorts Airsoft also operates the site shop once a fortnight at the long established *Worthing Airsoft (formerly Elite Action Games Worthing) where the range of airsoft equipment is extensive, not just consumables but guns, gear and gadgets of every type and which, on a recent visit, I saw numerous brothers and sisters-in-arms drooling over the goods on offer.

I managed to catch Elizabeth during a quiet moment and asked her how it all began; “We’ve been players of airsoft for the last few years.

Our regular site is Worthing Airsoft. Back then, the late Tom Andrews (RIP) still ran the site and we always remember from our first game, he welcomed us as new players and treated us no differently from the regular players that had been playing for years.

“I remember when my husband bought his first airsoft gun from Tom, it was a P90 as he was on a bit of a “Stargate kick” back then. He started playing and had to take it back halfway through as it stopped working. The reason was a basic new player malfunction (numptiness) but Tom didn’t make him feel stupid, he took him through the basics of how to use the gun again, as I’m sure he did this when he bought it and explained “that’s Airsoft”. Now we try and treat our customers exactly the same way.

“From that time on we became avid airsoft players through rain and shine, offering assistance to help and support the site i.e. site clearing days, etc. We started in airsoft retailing due to the sad and unfortunate event of Tom’s passing.

“We’d had previous history in market stalls and steam fayres. Through general conversation and our passion for airsoft, it was by mutual agreement that we took on the site shop. Simply by natural progression and listening to the players, as to what they wanted, we started stocking a larger range, with more product lines. At this time we had to rent out a storage container to keep our ever growing stock lines in.

After many months an opportunity arose with the closure of a local store. I initially went in just to see what I could pick up on clearance and in a moment of madness, I thought it would make the perfect airsoft shop. The day after the previous tenant

closed I picked up the keys and Allsorts Airsoft was born.”

Allsorts Airsoft stocks a range of products from (alphabetically) A&K to Zonex and a favoured brand for many reasons is NUPROL. As we all know, NUPROL is a company that is growing fast in every direction and their customer service is second to none here in the UK, so if a shop or site customer wants, for example, a particular RIF in time for the next game then the chances are very favourable that this will be accommodated with ease and “Red Van Man” Trent will be traversing the UK keeping his customers fully stocked.

One speciality that Liz explained was their interest and subsequent stock of camos from around the world. Of course, MTP and DPM are always favoured and available but quite often some rather unusual and often unique designs can be sourced and offered to customers which is a rather interesting variation and of course, a “new” style of camouflage can often influence a whole new image and style of play. A change is as good as a rest? Maybe!

Ian, the on-site gun tech has many years of experience behind him and can be found at the shop on Saturdays. He is happy to carry out repairs and some modifications plus two-toning but upgrades are not facilitated, however, you can be assured that his wealth of knowledge is invaluable so definitely a man worth listening to for advice and guidance, especially if you are new to airsoft and looking to invest in your new piece of hardware as he will confidently make recommendations for you to consider for your particular site, terrain and style of play.

During our chat, I asked Liz what she believes is a favoured attraction at Allsorts Airsoft and without hesitation she replied “Our customer service and social atmosphere”. Numerous airsofters travel many miles to engage in the second most preferred activity, the inevitable social gathering

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51

TACTICAL

get the tactical advantage PATROL GLOVE

RECON GLOVE

VENOM GLOVE

n Polyester/spandex n Micro fibre palm n Webbing finger pull

n Polyester/spandex n Padded micro fibre palm n One piece rubber knuckle guard n Rubber/Velcro wrist fastening n Thumb/finger grip

n Polyester/spandex n Micro fibre palm with reinforcing n Rubber finger impact protection n Hardshell knuckle protection n Rubber/Velcro wrist fastening n Glove puller

Colours: V-Cam, Titanium, Coyote, Black, Green Sizes: S-XXL SRP

Colours: V-Cam, Titanium, Coyote, Black, Green Sizes: S-XXL

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Colours: V-Cam, Coyote, Black, Green Sizes: S-XXL SRP

£29.95

WEBBING FINGER PULL

UPDATES / STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE

www.vipertactical.co.uk

Inside Airsoft ALLSORTS AIRSOFT

associated with our passion. We all love to talk guns and gear and what better place to assemble than an exclusive airsoft shop that not only has such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere but a hot drinks machine to keep those caffeine levels topped up. I could feel the warmth the moment I walked in (no the heating wasn’t switched on especially for me) but some shops are so receptive to their fellow ‘softers, it’s nice to see that their motives are not all about making a profit from visitors but it’s also about making new friends, connecting with present ones, sharing views, opinions and of course, everyone’s favourite, banter! Yes, Allsorts Airsoft has already become a hub for meeting fellow warriors of the 6mm family (and probably some chairsofters, just because...).

A question that I always ask during an interrogation for Inside Airsoft pages is “what is trending at the moment” and I was enthused when Liz said “new players”! Not quite what I was expecting but nevertheless a valid and plausible answer.

It’s a reflection on just how popular airsoft is becoming and to hear this from somebody that has been trading for some time endorses what we most likely perceive and is indicative of the sheer growth of airsoft in the U.K. Liz explained that more often than not, a passing car or pedestrian glances over at the shop and being curious, a person or persons will walk in for a nose around and are somewhat mesmerised by the RIFs and start asking questions. On many occasions this curiosity has led them out into the tactical woodlands of Worthing Airsoft where they not only meet Liz again, but also Ray and of course, the site team in full battle readiness and if they take one more step, they can be renting a gun and out in the field in no time.

As they say, “from little acorns...”

Off the cuff, I was curious to find out what their best-selling item was. “Our best-selling item at the moment hands down is the NUPROL Pioneer Defender. It is an absolute diamond of a gun for both new and intermediate players. I don’t think you will find a better AEG on the market at the moment for both a wallet friendly price and reliability. For our new players it gives them a fighting chance against the rest of the field.

My daughter has one and we even use them on site as rental guns!” I am reliably informed that if you buy in December, you will qualify for 10% discount in January so it’s worth checking

out the offer methinks - sounds like a good deal to me.

The shop is split into two levels, the ground floor has all the good stuff, the shooters, the tactical hardware, ammo, gas... the list goes on, whereas on the upper level there is wall to wall combat clobber of many types and that all important hot drinks machine hides Ian’s discreet workbench where he can fiddle with his nuts and bolts relentlessly.

So now that the shop is fully stocked and the site shop at Worthing Airsoft is thriving, what does Liz have up her sleeve for the future of Allsorts Airsoft?

“Our plans for the future are to grow the business, in particular the online side. We have a website, but it is currently not live at this stage. We feel we need to deliver 100% customer service and at this time we feel that we are not in the position to deliver this with online sales and if we can’t deliver something well, we would rather not deliver it at all. This is something we are working on for the development of the company. We will always deliver honest advice to help you choose the gun that is best for you, depending on how you play and where you play. I often tell new players that just because you are a good sniper on COD, it doesn’t mean you will be a good sniper in the field as it is totally different. It’s not always about the biggest and most expensive, it’s how you use it that counts.”

Now where have I heard that before?

LeZ OUT! *Airsoft Action will have a complete up-to-the-minute site review featuring Worthing Airsoft in the next issue, including a tribute to one of our lost airsoft masters, the late Tom Andrews.

Contact Details: Allsorts Airsoft 9 Arundel Road Littlehampton West Sussex BN17 7BY 01903 714688 www.allsortsairsoft.co.uk

www.airsoft-action.online

53

GITAG 3D PRINTING FOR AIRSOFT

3D PRINTING FOR AIRSOFT AMONGST THE AIRSOFT ACTION CREW BILL THOMAS IS KNOWN AS A SELF-CONFESSED “TECHNO-LUDDITE” BUT EVEN HE HAS TAKEN NOTICE OF THE RECENT RISE AND RISE OF 3D PRINTED PARTS FOR AIRSOFT AND DECIDED TO LOOK A LITTLE DEEPER. THIS IS WHAT HE FOUND OUT… A LITTLE WHILE BACK NOW, Paul from ASG put a post online saying (and I paraphrase) “one day there would be a 3D printer in every home” which kind of got my attention. Although I am the very last person in the world “to embrace technology” (I still think that a toaster is a bloody miracle!) some of what I was seeing online in terms of parts and accessories was pretty breath-taking to say the least!

It got me thinking about what was REALLY out there when it came to 3D printing and what could be achieved; how did it work? What was the technology behind it? Could you REALLY just “print” usable parts in the comfort of your own home?

I looked across my personal hobbies and discovered that not only was 3D technology pertinent to airsoft, but also to many other pastimes. With the correct printer I could have rail systems, a whole spectrum of accessories, and even nozzles and pistons for my AEGs at the touch of a button - and when it came to printing terrain and even vehicles for my miniature wargaming the sky was the limit!

Searching online I found the definition that “3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), refers to processes used to create a three-dimensional part in which layers of material are formed under computer control to create an object. Objects can be of almost any shape or geometry and typically are produced using digital model data from a 3D model or another electronic data source such as an Additive Manufacturing File (AMF) file. Stereolithography (STL) is one of the most common file types that 3D printers can read. Thus, unlike material removed from a stock in the conventional machining process, 3D printing or AM builds a threedimensional object from computer-aided design (CAD) model or AMF file by successively adding material layer by layer.”

I’m lucky enough to have friends that have really embraced the whole 3D Printing “thing” and I am constantly amazed at what they produce, so I asked some of them the question

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January 2018

“What printer are you using and why? As a fan, what do you see as the benefit of 3D printing to you and to your respective hobby communities?” and these are just some of the answers I received; Arthur (USA): “I have a Seemecnc Rostock Max V2 that I built in 2014. What printer to get really depends on what size parts you want. Mine can print 10 inch diameter by 14 inch height, but I always find myself printing well within the build envelope of smaller 6x6x6 inch machines.”

AA: Thanks Arthur, are there specific things you print?

Arthur (USA): “Nope, entirely grab bag! Being able to draft and print things to your needs will cause you to print a large variety of things. I will say though, having moved more to laser cutting and CNC-ing, that 3D printing is not the one-size-fits-all “best” solution for most projects. However, in absence of other manufacturing capabilities, it is definitely “a” solution.”

Alan (UK): “Hi! My name is Alan and I’m a 3D Printaholic!

I currently have 4 Printers in hand; 2 XYZ Da Vinci’s single extruder models (1.0 and 1.0 Pro with additional Laser Engraving Head) plus a Zim and a small Resin Printer, both of which I backed on Kickstarter. I also have another XYZ Da Vinci 2.0 Dual Extruder coming soon from eBay, plus another resin printer I backed on Kickstarter which works with a cellphone.

3D Printing allows for manufacture of single items and small runs of replacement parts and also home prototyping and testing of ideas. What else would you like to know?”

Jessie (USA): “I have an XYZ AiO ABS Printer and the Form2 Resin Printer. My number one reason that started this was getting everything I needed for printing non-existent things for my gaming.”

Jez (UK): “I use 2x Reprap mono mandels; they are a bit old now and aren’t made any more but I loved the fact they were made by other machines, mine are replicators so they can make

GITAG 3D PRINTING FOR AIRSOFT

themselves. I use mine for stuff I can’t make myself or am too impatient to wait for!”

Other responses I got back (thanks everyone!) followed a much similar pattern in that people were both creating things for their own use and for the use of others, and that in turn got me looking at the “commercial business” side of the 3D Printing phenomenon. Following up on this I was lucky enough to be able to speak directly to one of the industry “leaders”, Shapeways who work with individual designers to create some stunning products, meaning you don’t have to actually own your own printer to benefit from the technology.

THE (3D) SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

Once again online sources tell me; “Shapeways is a Dutchfounded, New York-based 3D printing marketplace and service startup company. Users design and upload 3D printable files, and Shapeways prints the objects for them or others. Users can have objects printed in different materials and finishes, and these include plastics, precious metals, steel and food-safe ceramics, which were discontinued and have been replaced by porcelain materials.”

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in New York, Shapeways also has factories and offices in Eindhoven, Queens, and Seattle. Shapeways is actually a creative community of makers, designers, and entrepreneurs using digital manufacturing (3D printing) to bring their ideas to the physical world. Designers can use Shapeways to manufacture products with complex designs in over 58 different high-quality materials and finishes, enabling people to expand their limits as designers and makers.

The Shapeways Marketplace allows the creative community to explore entrepreneurship and inspire others to do the same.

It’s also a treasure trove for discerning shoppers that value supporting independent designers. By visiting their marketplace you can easily explore the whole new world of creativity enabled by the digital manufacturing era; in their own words, “Shaping the future in infinite ways. Or as we like to say around here, Shapeways.”

directly to the creator or shopper!

How It Works for the Customer 1. Find a product you love on Shapeways.com.

2. Select your favourite material for the product.

3. Complete your purchase. You’ll be supporting an individual designer.

4. Shapeways 3D prints the product just for you.

5. Receive and enjoy your new 3D printed product!

That’s pretty much as simple as things get, even for someone as tech un-savvy as me! Just searching through the “Airsoft” section of the website gives you almost immediate access to a whole plethora of interesting and unique product designs that can be delivered to your door complete!

When you look at some of the Shapeways stats it becomes glaringly obvious that they do things on a major scale!

• 1,000,000+ Shapeways community members • 190,000+ unique designs are uploaded every month • 185,000+ products are 3D printed and shipped every month • 60+ materials and finishes offered, including 14k gold, sterling silver, brass and stainless steel, ceramic and plastic • 140 countries represent Shapeways global customers • 250 employees in New York City, Eindhoven, and Seattle • 10 employees are involved in 3D printing and manufacturing each product.

• 40,000+ shops on the marketplace

Component part images courtesy of www.shapeways.com

And that, my airsofting friends, is a whole new level of “Geek” to me, but one that is obviously of huge benefit to OUR community as a whole! No longer need we wait for “that part” to become available from the major manufacturers when a file can be downloaded for sometimes quite a modest fee and a bespoke part created in your own home. If you’re not keen on investing in a printer yourself then you can still benefit from the technology itself by simply visiting websites like Shapeways.com

How It Works for Designers 1. Upload your 3D design to Shapeways.com.

2. Select the material in which you’d like to 3D print; Shapeways offers 40 materials and finishes, including ceramic, plastics, and even metals such as 14 carat gold, sterling silver, steel and bronze!

3. The designs are reviewed by the Shapeways 3D print engineering team to ensure that they are viable for 3D printing.

Once confirmed, the design is sent to a 3D printer.

4. 3D printers build products one layer at a time, slowly building up to the final product.

5. This process can take anywhere from hours to days depending on the size and complexity of the design. The industrial machines Shapeways use can build thousands of parts at the same time, enabling scale production.

6. Once complete, products are removed from the printer and cleaned.

7. Printed products may be polished or dyed depending on the material and order.

8. The finished product is packaged by Shapeways and shipped www.airsoft-action.online

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site SKIRMISH AIRSOFT

SKIRMISH AT SKIRMISH TOM HIBBERD WRITES ABOUT A COUPLE OF SITES RUN BY A COMPANY WITH A NAME VERY MUCH ASSOCIATED WITH PAINTBALL WHICH, LIKE MANY OTHERS, IS FINDING A NEW LEASE OF LIFE IN AIRSOFT. I’VE BEEN PLAYING FOR A fairly long time now, just over 15 years. When I started there wasn’t a huge choice of sites to play at and types of event to choose from. Most of the companies running airsoft games were “hobby businesses” and operated more for the fun of it rather than turning a profit. This could be exciting as health and safety wasn’t taken quite as seriously as it maybe should have been. It also meant that the quality of the service could be lacking. I remember turning up to many a site that was working out of the back of a Land Rover, with bathroom facilities that consisted of being handed an entrenching tool and pointed towards the nearest clump of bushes!

I had a hiatus from the sport but decided to give it a go again when I found out that a few of the girls and guys at work were starting up the old team again. My first game with them was at Skirmish Airsoft near Budby, in Nottinghamshire. This is a paintball site primarily that also operates as an airsoft site and as such, it has all the “luxuries”… covered safe zone, proper bathroom facilities, electricity, lighting, tables and seating.

Quite a change from my formative years. It was interesting that my team mates took this for granted as it was the only place that many of them had played at.

It’s a site that takes safety of its players seriously. The marshals are professional and get around the game areas to manage the action and make sure that everyone is having a good time and play the way intended.

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The games tend to be short with defined boundaries as it’s in an area of managed woodland. It is reasonably flat and open which reduces the potential for sneaky beaky attacks but there are also a number of areas (or “maps” as they are known in paintball) specially built for playing over and around. This is great for the novice and intermediate players but does tend to limit the scope for more experienced players. I did enjoy myself immensely, however, and quickly got back into the swing of things.

Address: Skirmish Airsoft Kitchener Plantation Ollerton Road Budby Nottingham NG22 9FG Booking: www.airsoft-nottingham. co.uk Rates: £30 non members £25 members

Site Limits: AEG/GBB 350fps DMR 400fps (20m+ range) Sniper rifles 500fps (20m+ range) Full face protection, and boots with ankle support are recommended.

Food: Light refreshments, hot dogs and pot noodles.

The team played there once a month or so and after a year or so I felt that they were getting into a bit of a rut. Looking in the back of Airsoft Action magazine and online there were many more sites operating than there used to be back in my day. We tried a few and the chaps had a good time but missed the structured games and marshals of Skirmish Airsoft.

Luckily Skirmish operate a few sites, one of which is “Skirmish: The Stan”. For those not in the know, “The Stan” is the site of the old Stanley Tools factory and offices and offers a multitude of floors and spaces to fight across. The Stan is located in Sheffield and is easily reached from the M1 and there is plenty of off-street parking, which is a bonus for a City Centre location. The team have recently ventured up to play and love it.

The Stan carries on the Skirmish tradition of a comfy Safe Zone, with comfy armchairs, seats and tables ready to lay your kit on - and there are proper sit down china toilets available too!

Something I really like about Skirmish Airsoft is the safety brief, as I find that this sets the tone for the days play. Some sites put their focus on what you shouldn’t be doing and spend a lot of time talking about poor hit taking, cheat calling and bad behaviour. What I much prefer is laying out a positive expectation for how you should play; it’s a small difference but one which makes a lot of difference, especially to new and visiting players. I’ve seen many a group of players looking dejected and downhearted right at the beginning of the day. I helped set up and worked at the original First & Only site and starting off the day in a positive manner is something that we decided on right at the beginning. I’m pleased to say that Skirmish’s is uplifting, relatively short and sets out how they want people to play. Bonus!

The site consists of two large buildings, one is the offices and the other a five-storey factory.

They are interconnected by a skybridge. There is a small outside area but, in general, most of the action takes place inside and is great for bad weather days and fans of CQB. The team at Skirmish have spent a lot of effort building barriers and internal walls into the large open factory spaces, to allow movement and more flowing games. Like most UK CQB sites The Stan operates a single shot only policy to avoid overkill at short range. I also find that this makes games run better, especially in areas with lots of choke points where full auto fire would make movement virtually impossible. There are hardly any areas where the limited range of a BB blaster is apparent, although users of snipers and DMRs may find their options limited!

The games at the Stan are more complicated than at the woodland site which reflects the more experienced player base.

Generally the games are objective based and don’t have any boundaries other than those of the site itself. It might be worth taking radios if you have them as it’s easy to lose track of team mates.

I’ve touched on the professionalism of Skirmish but I wanted to discuss it with Wallace the owner of Skirmish Airsoft.

I asked him why they placed so much emphasis on this and why it was so important to him. He told me: “I played and marshalled Paintball before I joined the Army and continued to help out when I was home on leave.

“When I left the forces I tried Airsoft out, I was a bit surprised at the “hobby-business” nature of the site I was playing at and it was apparent that I could take what I had learned from my former paintball experiences and apply it to Airsoft.”

Something that was very apparent through the day was the energy and enthusiasm of the Skirmish Marshalls, they

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site SKIRMISH AIRSOFT

were constantly moving to the sound of the guns and chased thrown pyro to see if there were any “kills” from the resulting explosion. I asked Wallace about this. “Skirmish doesn’t use voluntary or player marshals, all of our marshals are paid and trained by us so we know they are of a high standard. We find it makes a big difference.”

Skirmish Airsoft have recently acquired their first shop, “Ops-7”, located in Sheffield quite near to the Stan site and

Address: Skirmish Airsoft Rutland Road Sheffield S3 9PD Booking: skirmishthestan.co.uk Rates: £30 non members £25 members

Site Limits: AEG/GBB 350fps (semi auto) DMR 400fps (20m+ range) Sniper rifles 500fps (20m+ range) Full face protection, helmets, knee and elbow protection and boots with ankle support are recommended.

Food: Light refreshment only, either bring lunch or local fast food restaurants are available.

they had bought a wide selection of RIFs and accessories along for sale, along with the normal site staples off BBs, gas and pyro. Many of the players spent a lot of time between games browsing what was on offer. Wallace told me: “We wanted to offer a complete experience to our customers, this way they can order a gun from us and pick it up on site saving the postage. What’s more, if they have any issues we can deal with it straight away rather than them having to send it away to be rectified. Having a brick and mortar shop gives us a physical presence that our customers can come to and get the same great service that we offer on site and during our games.”

I’m racking my brains really to think of any constructive criticism, other than I guess the site might be a bit much for newer players and Skirmish itself doesn’t recommend The Stan for the “novice or the faint hearted”. The action is fast and the ranges can be very short and I had a great day’s play. Those looking for an authentic MilSim experience should possibly look elsewhere but for everyone else it’s great.

If you want a well-run and organised day’s airsofting, in interesting locations, then I whole heartedly recommend giving one of the Skirmish Airsoft sites a visit. My girlfriend and her daughter are coming for their first day soon to Skirmish Nottingham and there isn’t anywhere I would rather take them.

Personally, I can’t think of a greater compliment than that.

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international PORTUGAL

PORTUGAL

THE INTERNET CAN BE AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE OF USELESS INFORMATION, HOWEVER, IT IS ALSO A FABULOUS TOOL FOR KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT TOO! BILL THOMAS REGULARLY TALKS TO FELLOW AIRSOFT ENTHUSIAST AND WRITER RICK G, IN PORTUGAL. MUCH LIKE THE UK, LIKE or not Portugal has a fine and rich colonial heritage. Officially, the Portuguese Republic and it is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, being bordered to the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north and east by Spain. The Portugal–Spain border is 1,214 kilometres (754 miles) long, making it the longest uninterrupted border within the European Union!

Being the oldest state in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the oldest European nation-states, the territory of modern Portugal has been continuously settled, invaded and fought over. In the days of old, again like the UK, Portugal established a global empire, becoming one of the world’s major economic, political and military powers. After the Carnation Revolution in 1974, the Portuguese Colonial War ended and democracy

prevailed. Shortly after, independence was granted to almost all its overseas territories and the handover of Macau to China, in 1999, marked the end of the longest-lived colonial empire.

Portugal has left a profound influence across the globe and a legacy of over 250 million Portuguese speakers today!

With this rich heritage, especially in relation to military endeavours, it’s not at all surprising that airsoft is alive and well in Portugal, although again like us they have numerous “hoops to jump through” to stay on the right side of the law. I asked my good mate Rick to give me the lowdown.

AA: Hi Rick! Please can you tell me a little about how airsoft has developed in and the current state of things in Portugal?

Rick: “In Portugal, Airsoft more or less started in the late 90’s early 2000’s and started to gain strength thanks to players in the centre and the northern parts of the country. Personally I started playing in 2006 and since then a lot has changed, both in the laws regarding the sport/hobby and the number of players that as grown massively since I started.”

AA: Do you have many established outdoor sites in Portugal now? Could you tell me a little more about them?

Rick: “Over here, we never adopted the “pay-to-play” model in Airsoft and because of that we don’t have Airsoft sites like we see on YouTube videos from Airsoft in the UK or USA. “When we come across abandoned sites or fields we track the owner and ask for written permission as a team or club to play Airsoft there, when it’s granted the team or club basically becomes the owner of that space (to the Airsoft Community) so others don’t go there without asking permission first.”

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

Rick: “As a player, by law, you must be registered in one of the Portuguese Airsoft Associations and have your player card.

We are also required to have certain airsoft gun parts painted

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bright red or yellow. The stock and 10cm from the muzzle back in the case of long guns (rifles, carbines, etc.) or the grip and 5cm from the muzzle back in the case of short guns (pistols, smg, etc.).”

Tokyo Marui and ICS. Nowadays most new players go for the cheap ACM brands like Cyma, Dboys, APS, Jing Gong, Specna Arms, etc. The polymer G&G Airsoft guns also have a strong presence in Airsoft games here.”

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

AA: Do Portuguese sites have rental facilities if someone is visiting from overseas?

Rick: “I usually get all my gear checked and ready to go the day before, but I always end up carrying more gear than I’ll really need lol! My team leader or a team member picks me up ( I don’t drive) and we go where the game is. During the game itself I always try to have as much fun as I can because due to my (real) work as I can’t go to airsoft games every weekend.

I really enjoy the team I’m a part of, the Blood Ravens and I don’t get to be with them all that often anymore so I always enjoy the brotherhood more than the game we’re in.” (Bill: Sounds all too familiar to me!)

AA: What is a popular style of play in Portugal, regular skirmish, MilSim or both?

Rick: “Both Skirmish and MilSim are really popular, although it’s more common to find Skirmish games due being easier for teams to organise those. But you can still find good sized MilSim events here with some regularity.”

AA: Do airsofters train either as individuals or teams? What avenues are there for training?

Rick: “It’s illegal to rent Airsoft guns in Portugal. If you’re visiting Portugal try to contact one of our Airsoft Associations so they can guide you on how to proceed.”

AA: If anyone is visiting Portugal and is interested in visiting a site for a game day, or wish to attend a larger game, where should they head for information?

Rick: “The easiest way to get in touch with the Portuguese Airsoft community is through the PT Airsoft Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/230063915508/ ) and if you’d like to know more about what I do personally in relation to airsoft please feel free to check https://www.airsoft-milsimnews.com/author/rick/ ” AA: Thanks for answering all my questions Rick, and as always I look forward to speaking with you soon, and as always I’m certain what you’ll have to tell me will be as entertaining as ever!

Rick: “Some teams do train by themselves or with another team to sharpen their skills, but as far as I know there isn’t any tactical training school in Portugal or at least one that is open to the Airsoft community.

“However, a few years back I attended a great course in tactical shooting/movement organised and taught by a police officer but I think he stopped promoting those courses.”

AA: Like us you have an unusual range of annual temperature and weather conditions to contend with; what’s important to you in relation to your gear?

Rick: “Well I would say it’s important to have appropriate kit for the weather, in the sense that you will be using it for hours and moving around constantly so it needs to not only make you comfortable but also allows you to move around freely in all directions. Personally I have too much and because of that...

I always have options lol.”

AA: What is the situation with airsoft and tactical gear in Portugal? Is it easy to get hold of?

Rick: “Yeah it’s quite easy to get good gear here, we have a decent number of stores in Portugal and most players also know to go and check European gear stores to get stuff we can’t find locally.”

AA: Are there other particular brands and models of airsoft replica that are important to you? What brands do players like?

Rick: “Personally I have weak spot for G&P, ARES (Amoeba series) and ASG; I don’t really know why, I just like the way they work and the fact they very rarely fail on me. But the first brands to really make a name for themselves in Portugal were www.airsoft-action.online

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Warriors of WWII GERMAN FIELD POLICE 1943

CHAINED DOGS IN HIS CONTINUING “WARRIOR” SERIES GADGE “STONE” HARVEY TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO A GERMAN MILITARY POLICE THAT WAS FEARED AND HATRED IN EQUAL MEASURE BY REGULAR SOLDIERS. SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL ARMED FORCES have needed rigid discipline in order to keep a force of trained killers under control, be they the strict MPs of the US army, the feared “Red Caps” of the British Army or in this case, the brutal field police of the Wehrmacht In the German armed forces of WWII the military field police were titled the “Feldgendarmerie” but to the “front-schwein” of the infantry they were known as “kettenhunde” or “chain dogs” due to their distinctive gorget of office worn on a chain around their neck. The gorget had once been a piece of a knight’s suit of armour but by the 19th century had become a purely symbolic piece of equipment used to denote standard bearers, particular kinds of officers and military police. In the case of the Feldgendarmerie it became a feared symbol of power.

Squaddies throughout history have always presented a problem for both their officers and the civilian populations around them. Whenever hundreds of young men are garrisoned in close proximity, with little to do and opportunities to make mischief, they invariably will and it’s usually the job of the military police to keep them in line. The problem is hard enough in peacetime with bored brawling soldiers seeking a diversion from the routine of military life but in wartime the job of the military police often took a darker turn.

Rather than reprimanding recalcitrant soldiers or incarcerating them in the garrison guardhouse, more drastic measures would take place in the field with even minor infractions such as looting or being absent from duty punishable by an immediate death sentence. “Drumhead” court marshals could find a solider guilty with no recourse to appeal and the field police would carry out the grim sentence, earning the hatred of the sentenced soldier’s comrades.

While feared as disciplinarians the field police were also respected for their other vital war time role, that of essential traffic direction and keeping lines of communication open, often under direct fire from the allies or under constant harassment from partisan or resistance groups.

FULLY TRAINED SOLDIERS

All members of the Feldgendarmerie were fully trained infantry soldiers but in addition to their combat training were also schooled in police operations and a basic knowledge of civilian and military law, to allow them to hold the authority to arrest both soldiers and civilians on the frontline and behind the lines.

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Warriors of WWII GERMAN FIELD POLICE 1943

The Feldgendarmerie were responsible for the aforementioned tasks of traffic control and arresting malcontents but also for more mundane tasks such as the control of cattle diseases, fishing and agriculture use and general police duties. At many times during the war, especially in the war in the east, they earned a certain notoriety for taking part in anti-partisan operations , seeking out and destroying bands of resistance fighters and putting down any armed uprisings against the occupying German forces.

Perhaps the darkest part of their history - and one that cannot be overlooked - is their role in rounding up Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals and political dissidents for transport to ghettoes, prisons and concentration camps. While “warriors” focuses on the combat role of each unit we feature, it would be disrespectful to the victims of the Holocaust not to acknowledge the role the Feldgendarmerie had in these awful events.

In combat, however, perhaps their most unpopular duty (and the one that most earned them the nickname “chained dogs” by the regular army) was that of picking up stragglers and deserters during the army advance. Units of Feldgendarmerie would travel closely behind the line of march rounding up enemy prisoners of war, refugees and any of their own troops that had deserted or strayed from their own units, or were thought to be “malingering” and feigning illness to avoid fighting. For many of their comrades, particularly when the tide of the war had turned against the Germans, harsh measures were needed to maintain discipline and there was just one sentence… death. This harsh attitude to crime and punishment, especially if they executed wounded men accused of pretending their injuries were worse than they were, earned

them a further grim nickname Heldenklauer (English: herosnatcher).

In the more secure areas of the German Reich the Feldgendarmerie would take on the duties of organising civilian labour and the fabrication of military and civil signs. While acting generally as “police” they would also be constantly vigilant for saboteurs, allied raiders and escaped POWs. The Feldgendarmerie would also work closely with the secret police and the civil authorities and assist in the detection and arrest of the enemies of Nazi Germany Feldgendarmerie units were organised as battalions in much the same way as regular infantry soldiers. In the case of the military police, however, each battalion would have three companies of three platoons each with a total strength of 116 officers, NCOs and men. Almost all of the men also had NCO or officer rank to give them a modicum of authority when rounding up unruly enlisted men.

DRUMHEAD COURT MARTIALS

As the Red Army advanced on Nazi Germany and morale in the Wehrmacht and SS began to crumble, the Feldgendarmerie were incorporated into the new Feldjägerkorps who were directly controlled by the German High Command (OKW – Oberkommando Der Wehrmacht). Recruited from battle hardened soldiers and NCOS, the three battalions of the “Feldjager” had the power to arrest and trial and execute officers and men from any of the armed services on the spot.

Each unit of the Feldjäger had command over a “Fliegendes Standgericht”, or “flying drumhead court martial” which composed of three judges and was able to issue a death

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Warriors of WWII GERMAN FIELD POLICE 1943

known as the “ringkragen” and marked the wearer out as holding the authority of military law. The eagle and the words “Feldgendarmerie” on the gorget are painted in luminous paint so that the wearer’s status would be apparent even on dark nights.

This months “warrior” is somewhat “specialist” and perhaps more suited to themed WWII events than open days, given the possible controversy over the darker duties of the Feldgendarmerie. Make no mistake, however, it’s a unique look that will set you aside from the others if you take part as axis forces in a sea of field grey!

sentence or other immediate punishments.

With the defeat of Nazi Germany, the former Reich was in chaos and so some Feldgendarmerie and Feldjägerkorps units were allowed to retain their weapons to assist the allies in managing the huge numbers of German POWs, looters and criminals left in the lawless former Nazi state and for this reason the Feldgendarmerie were among the last units to officially surrender to the allies.

Our warrior this month represents a young conscript pushed into the military police role to try and keep order behind the lines. As with most Feldgendarmerie he wears a standard German army uniform of feldgrau (field grey) wool tunic and trousers with high leather marching boots. While the “jackboot” was rare, by this time photos from the battle for Arnhem in 1944 show some soldiers and especially some very young-looking recruits, still wearing them. Personal protection from shell fragments (and potentially the fists of soldiers he’s about to arrest) comes in the form of a 1935 pattern “stalhelm” steel helmet; a fantastic design of the time and considered to perhaps be the best combat helmet of the 2nd World War. Field equipment is relatively simple but contains all he needs for maintaining law and order. His leather belt and y-straps support a single three-cell magazine pouch for his 9mm MP40 sub machine gun, while on the other side he has a leather documents case to keep important paperwork in order and away from the elements. Secured to the back of the belt are a cloth bread bag (to keep rations and eating equipment in), a cloth covered metal water bottle with attached cup and lastly, his camouflage rainproof “zeltbahn” poncho/raincape is tightly rolled and secured to his belt (several zeltbahn could be combined together to make tents and other shelters). Slung over one shoulder is his metal respirator canister. While many soldiers had dispensed with their gas masks by this point in the war the canister was often used as a waterproof and resilient storage container for other more perishable items. Finally, a simple torch with green and red filters is attached to his y-straps at the front. This basic design would remain in service with German armed forces in both the East and the West for decades after WWII. Most notable, however, is the metal gorget hanging around his neck. The German military policeman gorget of office was www.airsoft-action.online

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feature WHAT PRICE REALISM?

WHAT PRICE REALISM? IT IS A QUESTION THAT PRETTY MUCH EVERY AIRSOFTER COMES ACROSS AT LEAST ONCE. TOM HIBBERD OFFERS US HIS OPINION ON “TWO-TONES”.

DO TWO-TONE AND BRIGHTLY COLOURED guns have a place in Airsoft games?

It’s an emotive topic for some players but before we get into my opinion, it would be good to have a brief look at where they came from and how we got to where we are now. It all started just over 10 years ago…

The VCR Act in 2006 laid down definitions for Imitation Firearms and Realistic Imitation Firearms and then restricted the sale, manufacture and import of them. This was a piece of legislation that threatened to end Airsoft as we know it,

by restricting players to using Imitation Firearms rather than RIFs. Reenactors, museums, film and TV companies were given a defense to allow the continued use in those activities, but Airsoft wasn’t on the list...

An awful lot of work and campaigning took place to create an amendment to the act that created a defense for the sport of Airsoft. When our amendment to the VCR act was being written there were discussions about whether we could use brightly coloured imitation firearms, transparent bodied guns and even Airsoft weapons that look nothing like an actual firearm, much like paintball markers. However, thankfully it was decided not to go down this route.

This was based on a few reasons: 1) The realism needed to suspend disbelief and accurately replicate military and combat scenarios. This wouldn’t be possible with brightly coloured imitation firearms.

2) Airsoft was a relatively small activity and there was an inclination not to pick on the little guys.

3) The sport would self-regulate and wouldn’t require home office attention and resources.

PRETTY COLOURED GUNS

Without going into the “whys and wherefores”, the amendment allowed for players to become members of an insured Airsoft site to purchase RIFs. They could, however, purchase an Imitation Firearm if over the age of 18 and that is where ‘two-tones’ come from. They allow retailers to sell Airsoft weapons to those that don’t have a defense. “Twotones” are either a specially manufactured item or a painted RIF with the predominant colour (usually considered to be more than 51% of the surface) a bright, non-military colour such as bright red or blue. For many players this is the start of their 70

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Feature WHAT PRICE REALISM?

route into collecting Airsoft guns.

For old school types like me though, brightly coloured guns such as two-tone RIFs are a bit of an anathema.

They break immersion and aren’t “realistic” (that’s kind of the point) and they certainly don’t look like the weapons we see in movies and online. One minute I’m pretending to be a Russian 45th VDV Scout bearing down on the OpFor and the next some dude with a bright orange sniper rifle is trying to shoot at me!! However, let’s be quite honest, at most skirmish days you’ll be fighting alongside a US Marine, UKSF, SS, WW2 Paratrooper and a chap in a hoodie, so we can’t really claim too much realism.

It’s normally a bit more like cosplay unless you are at a MilSim! What’s more, it could be argued that two-tones threaten the very existence of our defence. If Airsoft can be played with brightly coloured Imitation Firearms why do we need RIFs? It’s my understanding that this very question has also been asked at the highest high levels of the Home Office, which is both alarming and could potentially be very counterproductive. Some sites have even gone as far as banning the use of twotones at their game days and some retailers simply don’t sell them.

Recently (and partly due to there only being so many military weapons to make replicas of) we have seen a lot of competition or “race” guns and weapons from computer games coming onto the market. These also stir up some discussion amongst us old-timers, as strictly speaking they also don’t have a place in a military simulation sport (unless it was a Russians attacking a US 3-gun competition scenario).

It could also be argued that these might also threaten the defense. There has also been a trend for using civilian parts and accessories on Airsoft gun. There are numerous US manufacturers that are making very lovely bits and pieces to attach to your gun. I’m also guilty of this as my personal LCT AK has civilian Magpul furniture on it, not military issue at all. This is particularly prevalent in pistols as there is even less choice and room for personalisation than with long guns.

Many of the civilian weapons and computer game guns are in themselves very brightly coloured. Flicking through the skins

An Imitation Firearm means ”anything which has the appearance of being a firearm whether or not it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile•. These can be brightly coloured or not a scale replica.

A “Realistic Iimitation Firearm” is ”an imitation firearm which has an appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable, for all practical purposes, from a real firearm”.

In general to determine whether an item has the appearance of a firearm the law assumes that the person that thinks that it’s a firearm has no specialist knowledge. i.e. if Mrs Miggins down the street thinks that it’s a gun and is alarmed then that’s sufficient! in Ghost Recon Wildlands most of the harder to obtain (and therefore desirable designs) are themselves vibrant and not military orientated. Is it possible that RIFs of these are just as viable as replicas of a military issue weapon?

The defense was created in the spirit of military simulation but there isn’t any specific legislation demanding this. Speaking to a young female player at a recent game she mentioned that she would much rather have a pink rifle than a “boring black one”.

Maybe it’s time to split the sport? Maybe a “speedsoft” arena-style game and a more traditional combat mission type affair. The modern trends in games for fast pace, loud music, flashing lights and bright coloured equipment would all suit the former and maybe also have a more presentable and publicly acceptable face.

Maybe.

Perhaps that’s a topic for another article...

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The Last Post THINGS THAT ARE POINTLESS IN AIRSOFT

HAVING PESTERED NIGE OFF AND ON FOR A WHILE ABOUT THIS, IT’S TIME TO RUN IT UP THE FLAGPOLE AND SEE WHO SALUTES BUT A LITTLE BACKGROUND FIRST…

THE

FOR MANY YEARS IN A DIFFERENT place, far far away, I was given free reign to write about anything airsoft-related in any manner I chose. This allowed me to lampoon anything I saw as ridiculous and to occasionally highlight matters of importance to airsoft and airsofters. I hope that wherever I got the boot in, I did so with solid good humour, after all I was writing about foibles I had most likely exhibited during my years of playing and I would be dismayed if I was ever misinterpreted as being genuinely vicious. Think of it, if you will, as a basically decent bloke holding forth in the safezone and hopefully causing a few laughs along the way. Accordingly I would welcome feedback on this feature almost as much as I would appreciate suggestions for future attention.

Right, that’s enough of that, onwards with the fun, normal caveat - your mileage may vary - these are just my opinions!

THINGS THAT ARE POINTLESS IN AIRSOFT

I’ll start with one of my favourites - shotgun slings with shell loops!

If, and it’s a big “if”, you are using a real shotgun (you’re obviously not airsofting in this scenario) these things might be useful but for airsofters?

Picture it…

You have a strap secured at either end which contains your precious ammo. Every time you move, or the gun moves, the damn thing starts swinging about like a stoned snake at an eighties reunion disco and you have literally no chance of grabbing one of those cartridges when you need it. You reach for a shell, the gun swings, the strap swings, the world swings... you might as well throw the thing into the air and hope that when it lands one of the shells is jarred loose and ends up within twenty metres of you, or, better still, hits the opposition and they call their hit. Obviously as a neophyte airsoft shotgunner I had one of these - thankfully I also had pockets - one for full one for empties. That’s the solution I’ve stuck with ever since. As for the sling, it’s probably slowly rotting into the soil somewhere in Scotland, abandoned for eternity.

READY MAG SYSTEMS

Really? Who thought of this? Who actually thought these were a good idea? Load bearing equipment is a good idea, tacos are a good idea, a friend to run beside you handing you magazines 72

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LAST POST

is a good idea, even a worn carrier bag is a good idea compared to these satanic monstrosities. Firstly they put your next magazine in a lousy place - I know it looks smart, there on the gun, but really? No! It is much faster to either drop or remove and dump pouch an empty, than it is to fiddle with one of these things. I think as a player you become very attuned to the idea of grabbing the next magazine from a pouch and I have never been able to get away from the sense that having the magazine on the gun made any sense. That’s assuming you don’t overdo the mag release and just drop both of them at the same time. Do yourself a favour and leave your spare magazines in the safezone and go back for them one at a time, it has to be easier than this trickery.

STRANGE CAMO

This falls into two categories for me; inappropriate and just plain weird. The former is best exemplified by what is incorrectly called “Alpenflage”, the Swiss camo that looks like someone drank too much beer, ate way too many pizzas and then threw up on your kit. I had some, I still like it, but really? It was, I read, designed to blend into an environment of broken bricks and masonry and I can kind of see that but given the scarcity of substantial amounts of broken masonry on your average woodland airsoft site, it’s just a bit naff.

The weird, for me, is stuff like Kryptec. I kind of understand the thinking behind it but one thing all these innovative new camos share is a tendency to be really fussy. I know I’m a bit old school but good old US

The Last Post THINGS THAT ARE POINTLESS IN AIRSOFT

Woodland still rocks, Flecktarn is awesome, especially when washed and faded and multicam does actually work. Anything else is a bit like wearing black in the dark. Unless it is truly pitch black (which is rare) black really sticks out nicely against a complex mix of dark hues, urban multicam might be a better shout. The underlying issue is that all of these were designed to assist in concealing troops from an enemy who would be several hundred metres away, not several feet - at which point the ability to stay very still and very quiet probably counts for much more.

AIRSOFT LANDMINES

Oh Lord! I could write a book about these!

In the real world you sow these by the hundred, if not the thousand, thereby massively increasing the probability of some poor soul standing on one, to the immediate detriment of their day. No one in airsoft has either the time, the money or the inclination to actually go to the effort of doing this, especially when you might have just 45 minutes for a game. You need hours to do this effectively, maybe days. Very occasionally you might get lucky and deploy one in a real choke point but I can’t help feeling it would be more cost effective to hide in a bush and shout “bang!” at passing players.

A fine money spinner for someone, otherwise as useful as a return ticket on the Titanic.

These are just a few of my favourites, you’ll no doubt have your own pet peeves. Next month I’ll train hard and work myself into a mindless fury about something - I just don’t know what yet.

Til then, happy ‘softing!

Frenchie.

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It’s a classic CAMELBACK

CAMELBACK HYDRATION BLADDERS IT’S ALL TOO EASY THESE days to take it for granted that a new daysack or webbing system will have a hydration system integrated into it but it’s not all that long ago that thirsty soldiers (and airsofters) simply lugged around plastic and metal water bottles as standard.

Sure, water bottles work fine and canteens made of wood, metal, glass or even clay have been around almost as long as we’ve had people fighting wars but let’s be honest, even the best of them are a bit of a faff. WWII was the era of the metal water bottle, which had its advantages (well apart from the god awful Soviet model) as they could be used to boil water as well as carry it, but by the 90s most armies were using large capacity rigid plastic water bottles – usually able to carry a couple of pints of H20. Some armies were particularly ahead of the game and made even larger canteens, like the US army’s “2 Quart Collapsible Bladder” canteen, a water bottle where you could literally squeeze the last drop out and crush it down when not full. At around the same time, systems had been put in place to allow soldiers in chemical warfare gear to drink without removing their masks by attaching a hose and drinking straw to the water bottle… you’d think somebody would combine these ideas right?

The answer would not come from any military research and design lab though, it would come from the world of competitive cycling. A racer came upon the novel idea of putting a hose on an IV drip bag and putting it in a sock and filling it with water - allowing him to drink without stopping to unfasten a pouch and pull out a water bottle. Eureka (as they say) and before long this enterprising cycle fan had patented and marketed “Camelbaks” (as we now know them) to the sporting world. Not usually slow to miss a trick, the US army bought up huge stocks of Camelbaks to issue to their troops taking part in Desert Storm in 1991 and, unsurprisingly, the

SYNONYMOUS WITH THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE US WITH FRESH WATER DURING A GAME, GADGE TAKES A LOOK BACK AT WHERE THIS ALMOST INDISPENSABLE BIT OF KIT CAME FROM.

Camelbak was a great hit with the troops. Now combat soldiers could stay hydrated without messing around in their pouches and as an added bonus moving their, now much larger, water reservoir to their backs meant they had more free space for ammo on their belt kit.

While Camelbak pioneered the hose and bladder hydration system, it has since been copied by numerous companies and almost all decent military and outdoor suppliers have their own clones of this novel system. Compared to the early models, newer hydration bladders have easy cleaning facilities, quick release removable hoses and bite valves and better insulated carriers. But in essence it’s the same system that was jury-rigged for a bike race.

As airsofters we’re pretty much used to Camelbaks as our go to hydration source (unless you’re doing retro themed gaming) but for those of you who haven’t got around to getting one yet... do yourself a favour and pick up a Camelbak, it’s a classic!

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Survival EMERGENCY DISTRESS SIGNALS

AS WITH MANY OF THE SUBJECTS HE COVERS, PAUL YELLAND HOPES YOU NEVER NEED USE THE ADVICE HE OFFERS BUT IT’S GOOD TO KNOW YOU CAN IF YOU HAVE TO.

EMERGENCY DISTRESS SIGNALS EMERGENCY DISTRESS SIGNALS

There may be occasion either through work or recreation when a group or an individual gets into difficulty. This could be during leisure activities like airsoft and hill walking, or through exposure to hostile environments and conflict zones if serving in the military.

It is always sensible to have a few different methods to raise the alarm in an emergency and a way to attract the attention of any rescue teams who may be out looking for you. The way in which a distress signal is sent can vary from the extremely basic whistle to the more technically sophisticated GPS location beacon. I am going to take a look at a range of different signalling devices and also some improvised methods that are commonly taught on survival courses.

How you signal will depend greatly on what equipment that you have at your disposal, the type of environment that you are in – including enemy held areas, and what natural resources there are available. The weather and time of day will also influence how you signal, for example, flashing a torch on a bright and sunny afternoon is not going to be as effective as using a heliograph to aim and reflect the sunlight which will appear much brighter.

RECOGNISED DISTRESS SIGNALS

A whistle is a vital item in any survival kit 76

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There are a few different distress signals that are recognised as a sign for being in need of help. Six blasts in succession from a whistle or another sound source such as a road horn followed by a one minute silence and then repeated is the international distress signal. An alternative to this is six flashes of a torch light followed by a one minute pause before repeating.

The reply to this type of signal is a blast of three whistle or flashes of light.

Another well known distress signal is ‘SOS’ which stands for ‘Save Our Souls’. The abbreviation ‘SOS’ can

be drawn out as a ground to air signal using very large lettering in sand or marked out with stones or other objects instead. The letters ‘SOS’ can also be signalled by using morse code. Again either a noise or a light source can be used for this.

Morse code for SOS

In sunny conditions, a reflective surface such as shiny metal or a mirror can be used to reflect the sunlight to catch the attention of any possible rescuers. A purpose designed signal mirror called a Heliograph can be carried and allows for accurate signalling to rescue teams and aircraft.

A Heliograph is used to reflect sunlight and attract attention

Right: How to use a heliograph

Survival EMERGENCY DISTRESS SIGNALS

SIGNAL FIRES

The next distress signal that is internationally recognised is a group of three fires that are equally spaced in a line or triangle formation. Signal fires are very effective but can be time

STROBES

Strobe lights are a very effective way to signal in dark conditions. Strobes are extremely bright and can be seen for many miles. The military use strobe markers such as the MS 2000M and there are also civilian equivalents. A standard camera flash can also be used as an improvised signalling strobe. Although strobes are great for marking your position, once a rescue aircraft arrives in the area the strobe should be turned off to avoid dazzling the pilot and crew. A basic torch can then be used to continue marking your location – whilst not pointing it directly at the aircraft.

GROUND TO AIR SIGNALS A group of three fires is a recognised distress signal

consuming and labour intensive to collect enough material to build. Signal fires also need to be lit at the right moment to catch the attention of any potential rescuers. If you are not able to build three fires, a single fire will still be effective as long as it is sited in a clearing where it will be easily seen and not have the flame and smoke obscured by a dense tree canopy. The general rule for using any fire when signalling is that you use more smoke by day and a brighter flame by night. A smoky fire is created by burning A signal fire green vegetation or plastic and rubber objects. It is more effective if the colour of the smoke contrasts against the background.

So for darker backgrounds, a lighter grey / white smoke will stand out better and is achieved by burning green foliage such as evergreen boughs. In lighter conditions such as snow, darker smoke will stand out better and is given off by burning man made or oil based items.

BRIGHT OBJECTS

Bright coloured objects which stand out from the surrounding area can be laid out in a suitable position soon after getting into difficulty. These items could range from light coloured parachutes, metal from wreckage or orange survival shelters and reflective foil blankets. These improvised signalling items are not reliant on a power source and will mark your position continuously until removed.

Use bright objects such as a survival bag to make your location more obvious

A storm shelter offers instant protection and is highly visible

A civilian emergency strobe (left) and the military MS 2000M strobe

Signals such as ‘SOS’ can be marked out on the ground. Any ground to air sign will need to be large enough to be seen clearly by aircraft flying above. A suitable clearing should be selected to mark out the sign. The shapes and lettering - as with smoke from a signal fire, will need to stand out from the background and can be marked out by using purpose ground to air markers, debris, parachutes, rocks or wood / branches. If the ground is soft enough to dig (like with snow and sand) any shapes and lettering can be carved into the ground which will create a shadow around the characters making them stand out even further.

TECHNOLOGY

A mobile phone is probably the first thing that you will try and use to call for help. Mobile phones are great The military MS 2000M strobe in action when there is a phone signal, but coverage can be non-existent in some areas. You still might be able to call 999 if you have no signal from your service provider as other networks may be available for making emergency calls. If you need assistance after getting into difficulties when out on the hills and are able to do so, dial 999 ask for the police and once through ask for mountain rescue.

Give information such as your location (grid reference), injuries, number of people in the group, mobile phone numbers for others in the group (as an alternative if your phone fails). Some mountain rescue teams are now using the ‘SARLOC’ app. SARLOC allows the Ground to air signals rescue team to send a text message to someone who requires assistance and has a smart phone that is in signal. Once the message is opened by the casualty or lost individual, a web page is opened on their smart phone. Information about the smart phone location is then automatically sent back to the rescue team.

Personal locator beacons (PLB) are now widely available on the civilian market. When activated the beacon transmits a radio signal on 406 MHz to the Cospas-Sarsat network.

The distress signal is then relayed to ground terminals which then send the distress signal to the National Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (if in the UK) who activate search and rescue resources. The military have used PLB’s for a number of years. These include the Tactical Beacon (TACBE) and the Search and Rescue Beacon Equipment (SARBE). Personal locator beacons have been responsible for saving countless lives over the years – both on land and at sea.

No matter how dire the situation – there is always hope.

Rescue is only a signal away.

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Real Steel M249 “MINIMI”

REAL STEEL:

M249 MINIMI SAW “

”

SEEN IN FILMS AND ON TV IN COUNTLESS SHOWS, THE “MINIMI” IS A POPULAR CHOICE FOR WHEN THINGS GET “HOT”. GADGE “STONE” HARVEY LOOKS BACK AT THE HISTORY OF THIS RAPID-FIRE LEADSLINGER.

WHILE ORIGINALLY SEEN WITH US troops in the 1990s, the failing of the L86 LSW soon meant that British forces felt an urgent need to adopt this excellent light machine gun into their arsenal.

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (popularly known as the “Minimi”) was the original Belgian variant introduced to the Belgian army in the 1970s. The M249 has only superficial differences to the parent model, mainly a slightly different foreguard and buttstock but mechanically it is the same weapon from 1974 created by FN Herstal.

The weapon operates on a gas operated, open bolt, air cooled principle and as with most light machine guns designed for sustained fire, has a quick change removable barrel to help

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alleviate over-heating or clear stoppages. The M249 is fed from a 200 round disintegrating link belt of 5.56mm NATO ammunition and is capable of an impressive “regular” rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute, but can be easily adjusted with a selector switch to fire at its maximum rate of a withering 1,000 rounds per minute. In situations where ammunition is scare or there is not time to construct new belts of disintegrating link, the M249 can also be fed from standard NATO M4/Sa80 STANAG magazines by slotting them directly into a magwell underneath the weapon. To aid stable firing the M249 has an attached bipod but can also be fitted with a tripod if needed, although this is hardly ever seen.

As aforementioned, US forces were very quick to adopt the M249 into their infantry squads in an effort to replace the aging M60. British doctrine had been for an infantry section’s L85a1 IW 5.56mm rifles to be supported by two L86a1 “light support weapons”. While the LSW was in no way intended to be a “light machine gun”, many people assumed it would fulfil this role. In reality its intention was to provide more accurate and further reaching fire to assist the section at longer ranges, but as it was over 80 per cent compatible with the L85a1 assault rifle and fed from the same 30 round box magazine, it was incapable of providing the amount of firepower required to supress the enemy in an attempt to win the firefight. The intermediate solution was to equip squads with the venerable GPMG 7.62mm machine gun. A weighty beast, firing a different ammunition calibre to the rest of the section and requiring each man to carry belted 7.62 to help feed it in action... sure it could fulfil the suppressive fire role but at a massive cost in logistics and sheer weight. The obvious solution would be to learn from our US allies and so the UK military adopted the original Belgian “Minimi” in both standard and paratrooper variants (known respectively as the L108A1 and the L110A2) as an “urgent operational requirement” in 2004 for the war in Iraq.

Ironically, most UK rifle sections fighting later in Afghanistan would find themselves lugging around a chunky GPMG

Real Steel M249 “MINIMI”

Minimi and M249 Variants Original Minimi Length: 1,040mm Weight: 6.85kg Effective Range: 1,000m Maximum Range: 3,600m Rate of Fire: 7501,000rpm (Practical rate 250rpm) Calibre: 5.56mm Feed: Belt or box fed 5.56x45mm NATO

Para Minimi Length: 914mm Weight: 6.56kg Effective Range: 1,000m Maximum Range: 3,600m Rate of Fire: 850rpm (practical rate 200rpm) Calibre: 5.56mm Feed: Belt or box fed 5.56x45mm NATO

Minimi SPW

M249

Para M249

7.62 Maximi

Length: 775mm Weight: 8.77kg Effective Range: 450m Maximum Range: 3,600m Rate of Fire: 850rpm (practical rate 200rpm) Calibre: 5.56mm Feed: Belt fed 5.56x45mm NATO

Length: 1,040mm Weight: 6.85kg Effective Range: 1,000m Maximum Range: 3,600mm Rate of Fire: 7501,000 rpm (practical rate 250rpm) Calibre: 5.56mm Feed: Belt or box 5.56x45mm NATO

Length: 893mm Weight: 7.1kg Effective Range: 1,000m: Maximum Range: 3,600m Rate of Fire: 850rpm (practical rate 200rpm) Calibre: 5.56mm Feed: Belt or box 5.56x45mm NATO

Length: 1,015mm Weight: 8.17kg Effective Range: 1,000m Maximum Range: 4,000m Rate of Fire: 800rpm (Practical rate 250rpm) Calibre: 7.62mm Feed: 100 or 200 round belts 7.62x51mm NATO

alongside one or two “Minimis”, as while the weapon can “brass up” an area in record time with its impressive rate of fire, it still has the same range and penetration of an assault rifle firing the same ammunition. In order to “reach out and touch” an enemy firing at them with an old soviet marksman’s rifle they would still need the range and stopping power of 7.62!

Because of this need for greater range and stopping power FN Herstal began to offer a 7.62mm variant of the Minimi (often referred to as the “Maximi”). While there is still a need for a section to carry multiple small arms calibres the Maximi is a fraction of the weight of comparable 7.62 General Purpose and Medium machine guns.

Both the original Minimi and the US M249 come in both a standard fixed stock variant and a “para” version with a shorter barrel and a collapsible telescopic stock. All variants are capable of mounting optics on a 20mm rail and have fixed iron sights. In addition to the previously mentioned variants

there is a further “special forces” variant of the M249, known as the M249 Special Purpose Weapon (SPW) which attempts to reduce as much weight as possible without damaging the weapon’s essential functionality. Part of this weight saving is achieved by removing all non-essential items, such as the vehicle mounting lugs and the magazine well that normally allows the M249 to fire standard STANAG magazines.

A SOLDIER’S VIEW: JOHN CHROBAK, US PARATROOPER 82ND AIRBORNE “While a battalion scout we spent two weeks at The National Training Center Ft. Irwin, assigned as red force (bad guys).

We were tasked to stage a raid on a Cav TOC. Nifty thing about this was there were eight of us free to take this opportunity on, and we were given free reign on what we would carry, we had access to six 249s and rounded that out with two M203s The great thing was being red force we knew exactly where the Tactical Operations Centre was and trucked in as close as possible without being compromised. We had at best a two click hump to contact this meant we also carried more ammo than usual, about four hundred rounds for each 249.

The only defence we encountered was a single HUMVEE with three people inside, the TOC was located in a ravine with a berm to the front the six of us went right up the berm and opened up, then split left and right and completely eliminated the blue force personal.

With our standard weapons there should have been at least a small fire fight, but with six 249s and flanking it was short work. I will mention that prior to departing we thoroughly cleaned every weapon as the 249 doesn’t like desert dust in the least bit!”

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skills METHODS OF ENTRY

CALIBRE SHOOTING’S ANDY NIGHTINGALE GIVES US AN OVERVIEW OF ONE OF THE TECHNIQUES HE HAS USED IN REAL SITUATIONS TO GAIN ENTRY INTO A ROOM.

CENTRE FLOOD MOST OF THE CQB AND URBAN arenas that I have had the privilege of skirmishing in are well designed and have plenty of game play opportunities but I have found that the method of entry, by most players, into the building or room, is just a case of throwing a flash bang in through a doorway and follow it after it has gone bang! In most cases this is all that is needed and in most cases is very effective. There are, however, a few things that we must take into consideration when we actually enter the room. Where do you enter, what part of the room do you cover and what part of the room do you occupy once inside?

During my time as a CQB/CQD instructor, I have noticed and practiced many different methods of entry. Most of them are almost foolproof (there is never a completely perfect entry) and if executed properly will result in a devastating win for you.

Situations on the ground dictate the type of method of entry that an assault team will choose to use. Considerations during the planning phase should include the type of access into the building, the threat level, your own assault team numbers and experience, as well as other important considerations such as communications, equipment and medical. Once a certain method of entry has been perfected, it is important that the team keeps on top of the training and includes the method in its training schedule at regular intervals.

I’ve seen all too often, teams excel in tactics only to fall

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short when the time comes to execute the technique because they have not kept up with training. All shooting skills are perishable so keep on top of them.

Apart from the main method of entry (MOE), there are a few that don’t really get used, almost forgotten in fact. Here I want to have a look at one of those, the “Centre Flood” technique.

THE CENTRE FLOOD

The centre flood technique is designed for a 4 person entry team, however, it can be used for any even number of persons up to 8 (depending on personnel and the size of the room).

Just like the standard Wall Flood technique, the centre flood utilises the wall. This technique ensures that the team has good communication with the team leader at all times, it doesn’t allow the entry team to be out-flanked by the enemy and also affords the team safety. This method can be executed either silently or dynamically, depending on the operational situation at the time.

The entry team, as always, will advance to the entrance via the most secure avenue of approach and stack up outside the entry point prior to the insertion. Once in position, the team will then, on the word to go, execute the centre flood technique. Depending on the structural integrity of the building this may include flash bangs, explosive detonation, master key or just a good old fashioned size 10 to the door!

A standard wall flood requires the team to enter the room and spread out along the rear wall, alternating left and right as they enter. The centre flood requires the first 2 members of the entry team to enter and take up position to the left and right and slightly forwards of the entry point (just enough room to have a team member be able to pass safely behind them). Their areas of responsibility will be from the centre of the room to hard corner. The third and fourth person will enter the room and move behind the first two team members and into the deep corner positions. Their area of responsibility is from the centre of the room to deep corner. In some cases, if the room is large and the team is small, the third and fourth person may only advance to the centre or two thirds along the rear wall and cover the centre of the room to deep corner from there. In any

skills METHODS OF ENTRY

“DEPENDING ON THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BUILDING THIS MAY INCLUDE FLASH BANGS, EXPLOSIVE DETONATION, MASTER KEY OR JUST A GOOD OLD FASHIONED SIZE 10 TO THE DOOR!” case, the areas of responsibility provide overlapping arcs of fire for maximum security.

Once the entry has been executed, this method is sound in communication and control. The team leader can then make the next appreciation and plan the next move passing his commands to the team with ease.

As with all methods of entry there are pros and cons concerning the technique. During the planning phase these should be taken into consideration and play a major part in the choice of method.

PROS • The entry team has clearly defined areas of responsibility.

• The direction into the room of each member of the team is determined before entry.

• Clear and defined fields of fire from all members.

• Good command and control all round.

• The team cannot be out flanked by the enemy.

• Effective in structures where there is not normally obstacles along the walls.

the fifth person as part of the initial entry team. If a member of the entry team goes down, once they have been evacuated from the scene, the fifth person can then be inserted into the entry team as a replacement. As you can appreciate, if this is the case, then all members of the team need to be crosstrained in other job roles.

This is a very easy and effective method of entry that I have had success with in the past. It is fast and simple to execute.

Take your time when learning this technique and once you are happy with its flow make sure you keep on top of it.

Until next time stay safe and happy shooting.

CONS • Numbers one and two can be out flanked if they venture too deep into the room.

• Some barricades cannot be cleared as easily as with some other methods of entry.

• Usually not effective in residential structures due to furniture and other obstacles along the walls.

The Pros and Cons must be looked at when planning and deciding whether the Centre Flood will be the preferred method of entry. Never sacrifice the operations security when performing this method. Always include team security. This can be done by utilising a fifth (or more) team member. This fifth member can also be used for other roles within the team, not just security. This can include such jobs as breacher, medic, distraction device and searcher to name but a few. Never use

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Airsoft Zone Unit 2, Detection House Brooklands Approach Romford, Essex.

01708 733275 www.airsoftzone.co.uk

Land Warrior Airsoft 44/1 Hardengreen Bus. Prk Hardengreen Lane Dalkeith, EH22 3NX 0131 654 2452 www.landwarriorairsoft.com

Airsoft Sniper Parts UK Unit 2, Old Station Drive Sheffield S7 2PY www.airsofsniperparts.com

Xsite Airsoft Fryers Farm Lane High Wycombe Bucks, HP14 3NP 01494 881430 www.xsiteairsoft.co.uk

Bomb Up Airsoft 22-23 Arkwright Court Arkwright Road Runcorn, WA7 1NX 0800 131 3012 www.bombupairsoft.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sell Airsoft Action in your shop or on your site and get a FREE ADVERT on these pages!

Contact Nige on 01684 878003 or by email: nige@airsoft-action.co.uk for details.

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

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

Phoenix Airsoft Gleadthorpe Breck Plnt.

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

Stormforce Airsoft Longbarn Farm Bardy Lane Rugeley, WS15 4LD 07515 937633

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

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

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

Gunman Airsoft Tuddenham, IP28 6DF Eversley, RG27 0PX 07711 774461 07711 774401 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

www.stormforceairsoft.co.uk

www.leicestershireairsoft.co.uk

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

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

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

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

SYMBOL KEY

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

SHOP ONSITE

WOODLAND

PYROS ALLOWED

URBAN

BATTERY CHARGING

DESERT

REPAIR SERVICE

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

ABER AIRSOFT – THE BUNKER

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

Tel: 07511554740 www.aberairsoft.co.uk

AIRSOFT ASYLUM

ALPHA 55

AIRSOFT COMMANDOS

ALPHA ELITE GAMING

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

Sutton, near Ferrybridge andyace@ntlworld.com

ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT

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

ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES

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

ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES

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

AIRSOFT KGB

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

AIRSOFT PLANTATION

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

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH

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

ACE COMBAT

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH CQB

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

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

AIRBORNE 101 AIRSOFT CLUB

ALL ARMS AIRSOFT

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

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January 2018

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

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

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

AMAZON EVENTS

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

AWA HERTS

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

BADLANDS AIRSOFT

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

BARNSLEY AIRSOFT

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

AMBUSH ADVENTURES – CHOBHAM

BATTLETEC AIRSOFT

AMBUSH ADVENTURES SOUTHAMPTON

BETTER BATTLES

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

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

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

ARENA AIRSOFT

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

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

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

BLACKDAGGER AIRSOFT

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

BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT

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

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

BORDERLINE AIRSOFT

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

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – RIVOCK EDGE

COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND

Keighley, BD20 0LS Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – SHEFFIELD WOODLAND

CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL

Sheffield, S6 6JE Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

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

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE WORKS (URBAN)

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

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

CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT

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

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

CLOSE ACTION AIRSOFT

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

COMBAT AIRSOFT

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

COMBAT READY CQB

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

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

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT

CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT

ELITE ACTION GAMES – WORTHING

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

COTSWOLD AIRSOFT

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

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

DANGER CLOSE AIRSOFT C3 TACTICAL

DRAGON’S LAIR

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

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

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

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

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

COMBAT ACTION GAMES

DOG TAG AIRSOFT

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

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

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

DARKWATER AIRSOFT LTD.

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

TN26 1LZ facebook.com/darkwaterairsoftdarkwater

FIFE WARGAMES

DELTA TEAM 3

FIREBALL SQUADRON

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

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

DOGS OF WAR

FIRST & ONLY: ANZIO CAMP

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

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

COMBAT READY OUTDOOR

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

COMBAT SOUTH URBAN Portsmouth, PO6 3LS Tel: 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

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

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

www.airsoft-action.online

87

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

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

FIRST & ONLY: KHE SANH

WOODS

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

FIRST & ONLY: MANCHESTER

WOODLAND

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

FIRST & ONLY: THE HIVE

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

FULL METAL AIRSOFT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wrexham, Denbighshire, LL13 9RG Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE ACADEMY

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

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

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

FIRST & ONLY: THE ASYLUM Kidderminster, DY10 3PT Tel: 0161 727 8863

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

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

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

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January 2018

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

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

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

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

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

LAC SITE 2 Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

MIA

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

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

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

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

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT

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

LAC SITE 3 Saxillby, LN1 2JW Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

NORTHFLEET CQB

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

LAC SITE 5 Kirton Rd, North Lincs, DN16 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

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

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

LAC SITE 1

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/

MAW

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

GUN HO AIRSOFT

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

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

MIDWALES AIRSOFT

GRANGE LIVE GAMING FIRST & ONLY: THE ARMOURY

MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES

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

NPF AIRSOFT, NPF BASSETTS POLE

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

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

NSC AIRSOFT

RED1AIRSOFT

NTAC

RED1AIRSOFT CQB

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

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

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

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

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

RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3 Chipping Warden, OX17 1LZ Tel: 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com

STIRLING AIRSOFT

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

STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

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

RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM) Cambridge, CB24 8RL Tel: 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com

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

PLATOON 1HQ

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

PLAYERS OF WAR

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

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

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

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

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

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT

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

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

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

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

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

THUNDER PARK AIRSOFT

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

TA EVENTS

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

TORRENT WARFARE

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

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

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

TECH BRIGADE

Newgate Street, Hertfordshire.

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

TROJAN AIRSOFT

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

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB

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

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

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

UCAP GREEN OPS THE BUNKER

RAVEN’S NEST

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

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

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

RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT– THE ROCK

THE DEPOT

Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

THE EX SITE

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH

Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ Tel: 01900 85645 www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk

Redford, DD11 Tel: 07751 878175 www.thedeserters.co.uk

SUSSEX AIRSOFT

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

THE DESERTERS AIRSOFT

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

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

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

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…

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

URBAN ASSAULT

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

VIKING AIRSOFT

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

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

PRACTICAL PISTOL DIRECTORY AIPSC

The Grange, Frog Lane, Balsall Common, West Midlands, CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532384 www.aipsc.co.uk Facebook: A.I.P.S.C info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk.

Every Monday night 7pm– 9pm (except bank holidays). £5 or £10 with pistol and shooting rig hire. UKPSA-qualified coaches. UKPSA-qualified Range Officers.

COBRA ONE ZERO AIRSOFT Unit 9 Imperial Buisness Centre Mortimer Road, Hereford, HR4 9SP www.cobraonezero.co.uk Facebook: cobra one zero Airsoft

WATFORD PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB

XSITE AIRSOFT OUTPOST

WatfordPPC@gmail.com

XSITE AIRSOFT – LANE END

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

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

High Wycombe, HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

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January 2018

DOUBLE TAP PSC

EBSC

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

HALO MILL

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

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

SOUTH WEST PRACTICAL SHOOTERS (SWPS)

Action Air IPSC Club Based at The Tunnel Target Sports Centre near Charmouth The Tunnel, Axminster Road, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6BY Contact: SWPSClub@Outlook.com

WETHERSFIELD AIRSOFT TARGET SHOOTING CLUB (WAT SIC)

Wethersfield Village Hall, Braintree Rd (B1053), Wethersfield, Braintree CM7 4EB. https://www.facebook.com/WATSiC/ Open Thursday & Friday evenings.

Set-up from 6:30pm.

Club shooting commences by 7:30pm.

Pack-up starts at 9:30pm if you can stay to help.

Contact via FB or 07939557029.

Indoors.

Club offers Action Air plus 2 & 3 Gun training and events.