Paintball to airsoft is it for me?

[chadlh]

I've been playing woodsball for a few years on and off but am finding the cost of paint a little much to justify. Also I can't just go out have a game anywhere because there has to be air available. I've got my own marker (Automag) but am just not really enjoying the game because even though I'm light on the trigger it's still to easy to spend $100 for the day. I'm also not having much luck with marker accuracy (paintball vs bb ?) and I know this is partially a barrel issue but don't want to spend a bunch more money if I can get into airsoft by selling off what I have already.

My question to others is (mainly those that have made the same move I'm considering) are you finding your game costs lower including AEG maintenance? For the money spent are you getting a gun that is shotting more accurate compared to paintball? I'm mainly interested in outdoor airsoft so are those that have made the change finding it challenging finding fields to play at (I'm in calgary)? I can probably sell my gear for between $500-700 can I get a basic setup like a CA or G&G M4 or M16 for that price range? Lastly what's up with the our AEG's in Canada... I'm confused on what we can purchase here... I see some stores selling AEG's with smoke colored parts so they don't look real and others selling the same (brand and model) AEG full metal or black plastic?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm really wanting to get into the game to get better and have a good time at less of a per game cost.

[L473ncy]

It's your decision to make the switch.

I've only played recball with rentals and I jumped directly into airsoft. In all I think it depends on the type of person you are, you could save money on BB's but if you are a gearwhore you'll spend the money you save on gear that you probably don't need. I probably spent $1000 over the last year on airsoft stuff so it's not really cheap ($450 gun, ~70-80 on mags, ~60 on BB's, clothing, protective equipment, etc.).

Contact the fine people over at JOC (Joint Operations Calgary) for AV and such. They have closed the outdoor season however you can still play indoors to keep your skills sharp at Laser Trek (south side I believe it is. The place where the car crashed through the wall) on Monday nights (and other nights too). Some nights are JOC sponsored so there will be an AV rep there to take down your info so you can get a user bar like mine.

At Trek the nights are open as they can't deny people to play as long as the people pay the entrance fee (minimum age however is 14+ with parent waiver). Outdoor games though are limited to 18+ with some concessions made to 16+ (again with parental waiver signed).

As with the black and smoke or clear AEG's. It's mainly a import issue. When a retailer says "Canadian Legal" it just means it's legal for import (however I don't suggest you importing a clear gun yourself as that introduces a world of headache) you can't import a "black gun" without a BFL (Business Firearms License) and with that they are only supposed to be used to import for LE/Mil (note it has to be like the chief of police or the military training centre who gets permission from the CFO to get the business to import if you're just a regular front line/gopher LE or Mil guy you can't just go out and order it yourself) and for movie props. After the guns pass the border it's all fair game you can own anything you want.

Note: I've simplified the explanation however that's the gist of what the laws and how they are applied work.

EDIT: Also thank you for using a larger vocabulary than most newbies who join this forum ("lo00l w0t 6un ar3 b3st") and actually making the effort to type in coherent sentences with proper grammar. I assume you're probably well over 18 (because of the maturity I detect in your post) so things shouldn't be a problem for you, you'll be welcomed to the community with open arms because you're probably the kind of player that we like and want.

[Outcast569]

Personally other then initial cost I find airsoft to be cheaper over all.

After spending you 100 a day on paintballs do it for a week and there is a gun in the value there.

I used to PB quite a bit when I was younger and when I made the swap that was my justification to my girlfriend. Even with the 2200+ purchases it was still cheaper over the 4 years then playing PB the same ammount.

Yes the accuract is a whole lot better and if your in Calgary then check out JOC (http://www.jocairsoft.com/forums/index.php) They are the Calgary group. There are a few others but they are the larger one.

They have a very active group.

[Kit]

I played paintball for 3 1/2 years and it costs way more then airsoft. When you get your guns, mags protective equipment and gear it will be alot of cash. But once you have everything all your spending money on is admission and BB's. Comparing to spending 200 to 300 for a marker then equipment and then paying admission with paintballs tends to be alot of money. When I played a day of paintball I was at least going to be spending over 100 bucks witch to me was insane! But if your 18 sell the paintball equipment and get your Airsoft equipment!

[diamond_SEA]

The MAA scrims here are free, some of our smaller ops are $2, $5 or 2 canned goods that go to winnipeg harvest (local food bank).

So beyond bbs and the price of electricity/propane its an almost negligable amount.
Most people are distracted by the high initial price, but then again when i tried paintball that cost me just as much to get into, only to abandon it to remain airsofting.

That, and i find the people are so much better to hang out with than 14 year old brats who paintball supa l33t!

[af122]

chadlh, these guys definately know what their talking about, and im sure you'll here more from the other regulars.coming from pb myself, i was kinda shocked at the start up cost (mainly the guns), but after a couple of games, noticed right away,the cost difference between a day of paintballs compared to bbs (for me it was HUGE haha(although gear is pretty much the same depending).only other real issues i've heard after converting pb'ers was (of course depending on the gun) not shooting as far/through certain brush, and the fact that you can't see your hits.

[chadlh]

thanks for all the responses. Suppose this could get answered on another post but since I already sort of asked.... from what I gather the AEG's we can purchase in canada will have the clear smoked lowers. This will be of course plastic. Are the U.S. versions metal lowers? I just don't really want to get ripped off on quality and strength. As I mentioned I'm looking at the CA or G&G m4 or m16. I'm wanting strong and accurate. I don't care so much about ROF.

[Kokanee]

You should check out your local airsoft associations/boards. Airsoft is huge in Calgary and the best way for you to get information would be to attend an event in person, or at the very least find players who are geographically closer to you.

If you get age verified on these boards you will have access to all the FMU "full metal unit" AEG's you want.

Welcome to the sport, cheers.

[AngelusNex]

If you get age verified All the full black metal guns are available on the ASC classifieds. The clear lower ones are of course plastic, while their none clear versions are some plastic, some metal.

And I suggest attending a game, either as observer or rent a gun to play, And get age verified then, while holding other peoples guns (with permission) so you find out exactly what you you find comfertable.

[m102404]

All manly hobbies are freakishly expensive.

Just like with paintball...it's not just the gun that you need to get. There's batteries/mags/pouches/charger/etc...

Take a poke through THIS.

[RaisinBran]

Originally Posted by m102404

All manly hobbies are freakishly expensive.

Just like with paintball...it's not just the gun that you need to get. There's batteries/mags/pouches/charger/etc...

Take a poke through THIS.

lol, RC Vehicles are freaking expensive.