I've learned a lot, but I still need help.

[iiWolf]

About 2 weeks ago my friends and I decided we should all buy an airsoft gun as something to do over the summer. I thought hey, drop 50-100$ on an respectable airsoft gun just to mess around with. After reading all these forums, I realize that is the wrong thing to do.

Brand new to airsoft, I decided the best thing to do would be find a forum about airsoft and just read, read, and read. I've read several threads about starter brands and what to look for in a starter gun. Now, I have several brands in mind, but I'm not sure that even those are right for me.

So now I find myself targeting the brands like TM, JG, and CA. I've read forums on all of them, however, some people say TM is the best, others say CA is the best etc. So I want an good, solid MP5 (preferably but will take other suggestions). However, all my friends are new to the game as well, and basically we are just shooting at each other in the back yard. So I don't want anything that will destroy them, cause for the time being we are just playing in shorts and T-Shirt, while I might take the game further later on, this is all we are aiming for, a fun time with guns that are reliable with dropping 300$+ for a gun.

Also, I would like to know about batteries and BB's. I see many people talking about what batteries to use, some talking about them lasting 9 hours. I don't really need them to last 9 hours, but I still want power and reliability out of them. As far as BB's go, I've heard some will ruin your gun, and well, I don't want that to happen.

Thanks a ton,
And sorry for noobness
-iiWolf

[slink182]

First off, I'd like to say "THANK YOU" for an intelligent, grammatically correct, (reasonably) insightful introduction. We don't get enough of this from the "fresh meat". Also, for posting in the noob section, so you don't get excessively flamed for a new poster.

Second off, people are not likely to help you purchase a decent gun. As you probably read through the thread, a common element for noobs is to GET AGE VERIFIED (AV'ed). If you're 18+, this will be a painless process. Also, please fill out your profile.

Thirdly, if you live in an urban area, DO NOT HAVE BACKYARD WARS - you will likely alarm your neighbours, and cops will usually show up armed for bear when a gun is involved in an incident report. If you live in a rural area and still want to have backyard wars, DO IT OUT OF SIGHT OF PUBLIC VIEW - again, in the event that someone spots you running around with a gun shooting at others. Also, play safe - wear full eye protection, such as paintball or ballistic goggles. Worker's safety glasses, prescription glasses, sunglasses, etc. are NOT recommended - a BB at speed will take any of those out pretty quickly, and then you can say hello to the surgeon attempting to save your eyesight.

To your questions: TM and CA are generally considered "the gold standard", although other manufacturers have greatly closed the gap. For example, VFC and G&P are both great manufacturers, and their costs run about the same as TM and CA. There are lots of options out there, even more once you're AV'ed and have access to the buy & sell section of this forum.

Batteries - pretty much anything will do, as long as it fits your battery compartment. An 8.4V or 9.6V battery running 1100 mAH to 1600 mAH will run most of the day. They're available from a number of different makers, so pick what you want.

BBs - BB Bastards are the current "gold standard" - double polished, tight tolerances, consistent manufacture, and available in a wide range of weights. However, most BBs from a reputable maker will work for your application. The only caveat is STAY AWAY from the Walmart/Canadian Tire crapsoft BBs - they're only good for one thing... messing up your gun at a record rate.

Welcome to the forum. Read lots. Have fun, and play safe.

[L473ncy]

If you're looking to do it relatively on the cheap JG and CYMA aren't bad but then again aren't the greatest either they're respectable starter guns (if you know anything about paintball consider them the standard "Tippmann 98 or A5").

It's ideal if you're going to seriously get into it to get higher quality right off the bat (ie. DLX, Dye, Invert, Empire, Palmer Customs, etc.) but the cheaper clones are good stepping stones.

There is a point where they do get too cheap though and those guns are cheap for a reason. ie. Most Crosman guns as well as those Wally World/Canadian Tire package specials you see. That said there's nothing wrong with them if you understand that fact and use it for the right purpose. ie. I bought a cheapo springer while I was in the UK and just used it for target practise. When it broke I just tossed it in the garbage since it wasn't worth it to dick around with it and repair it (and I was going back to Canada anyways and couldn't take it with me).

[iiWolf]

Thanks a lot guys, this information really does help, and I will look into getting age verified =D

[Eeyore]

Originally Posted by iiWolf

Thanks a lot guys, this information really does help, and I will look into getting age verified =D

Do get verified.

Do wait until you are verified before buying a gun, as your options increase ten fold once you can see the ASC goody bag.

Do read the faq's

Do re read the faq's.

Do continue to ask intellegent questions and have fun with this great hobby.

DO NOT have "back yard wars".