Beginners Guide to Airsoft

Here are a quick list of things you need to have and do when starting up airsoft as a sport.

If you have never played airsoft before the best thing to do first is to find an airsoft site or a group of airsoft players and tag along with them and experience an airsoft game first hand. Airsoft players are usually very friendly, respectful and accommodating specially at beginners (checkout iplayairsoft.com). "Experience is the best teacher;" Nothing beats experiencing an airsoft game first hand. This way you have a good idea of what role you want to play and what gun you want to get.
By the time the whole game ends you will have a good idea if airsoft is for you or not. Specially for fist timers, your first game will be very tiring and physically demanding. So we advise you to stay at your own phase and don't overdo yourself, after all its is only a game.

Now that you know that airsoft is for you, it's time to figure out a budget for your new hobby. The cost of airsoft guns and accessories can soon amount to crazy figures and it's easy to get carried away so try to stick within your budget.

Now you need to decide your playing style and because you already played airsoft once, you now at least have a little idea on that. So you tired a couple of guns during your first airsoft game and you have a rough idea on what gun to get. We recommend you get the best quality gun that is within your budget.

Playing CQB is a very fast phased game. Going in with a team clearing each room door to door and getting up close and personal with your opponent. This can sometimes be painful because you are exchanging BBs at closer distances like around 20ft or sometimes closer. Your choice of weapon should be short and highly maneuverable like the MP5 and G3-SAS.

When playing field games, you usually engage your opponent at longer distances compared to CQB games, though sometimes it can get close. This involves playing at a large field with lots of walking and running and blending with the environment. More players are usually able to play in one field and games usually go with 30 or more players per side. Your choice of weapon should be able to reach your opponent at longer range and more magazine clips is needed like the M4, M16, AK47, etc.

Being a sniper or support gunner is a cool role. You usually work alone or in a 2 man team constantly within radio contact with the rest of your team. Your job is to take out target at longer distances or lay down cover fire for your teammates. The M14 is a good choice for airsoft sniper role and an M249 or M60 is great for support gunner.

Having the right gears and equipment will not only make you look cool, it can also help protect you from injury. Eye protection is a must when it comes to airsoft and make sure you wear the correct one.

Obviously, you need to wear eye protection when handling or playing airsoft. A full face mask is highly recommended as it will protect your eyes and face from injury. Some players go with wearing goggles or full sealed sunglasses, this offers least protection as your face is fully exposed. Players usually wear a shemagh to protect their face. Also make sure that the lens you are using is ANSI 87.1 or is made for paintball/airsoft .

It is important to have the right clothing for the right conditions and environment your are playing at. It should keep you warm and dry if you play during winter or keep you cool if you play during summer time. Long sleeved uniform is great as it offer s a bit of protection against hits and minor scrapes from branches and trees. In terms of camouflage pattern, it all depends on your preference, I prefer woodland or dessert BDU.
Boots are highly recommended. Your footwear should so above the ankle and strong enough to support your ankle from injury. You can get cheap military boots from surplus shops around your area.

A hat is great to have especially when out on the field without a shade. Helmets are important as it provides maximum protection for your head.

We recommend wearing a tactical vest because it provides additional protection. It makes it easier to carry your magazines, grenades, water, phone, radio and other tactical equipment and accessories that you might need in the field.

Depending on what role you are playing, most of the time you do not need to have a pistol. In the airsoft world, airsoft pistols are used when you're inside buildings clearing rooms on an open field games and not a lot of open field game area has a building or house you need to break in to. So best if you make it the last thing you need to purchase. Got to admit though, players always looks cool with all gears on specially with their pistol.

Your gun usually comes with a 1 mid capacity or 1 high capacity magazine, depending on brand and model. However you will still need extra magazines, try to have maybe 2 high capacity magazines and at least 8 mid capacity magazines.

Protect your hands and wear gloves. Being hit on your hand is painful, trust me I've done that.

Always have water with you at all times. All that running and shooting makes you perspire a lot so it's important to hydrate all the time. There are lots of military hydration packs available online but if you are out of budget, do what I do. I usually reserve one magazine compartment for a small bottled water.