Guide: What gun should I buy? START HERE

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Guide: What gun should I buy? START HERE

Post by Moondog »

What Gun Should I Buy?
by Moondog

Gas gun, sniper rifle, or AEG? Gas gun magazines can be expensive and unreliable. Sniper rifles are fun but limit your playing style/options. For a beginner, I recommend an AEG.

When choosing your first AEG, simply go to any airsoft retailer website or go into a real store and look around. Ask yourself what kind of weapon looks cool to me? Some guys want to look like the soldiers today and want the latest version of the M16/M4. Some guys love the classic look of an AK47 rather than 21st century designs like the G36. The shocking truth is, the performance of most AEG are roughly the same. In airsoft, an AK is just as accurate or fires just as fast as an M16 or a MP5 or an M14, etc. The only significant difference is the shape of the gun and the capacity of the magazine.


FAQ

Q: "What's Best AEG I can buy the lowest price?"
A: If could only choose 1 or 2 AEG's based on upgradability, performance in outdoor fields, and low price, these are the cheapest that I can recommend for a beginner:

Outdoor
• G&G Combat 16 Raider M4 CQB $150
http://www.evike.com/product_info.php?c ... s_id=34583
This is the a compact version of the M4 ideal for maneuvering with a crane stock which will allow you to use a butterfly type battery. It has full RIS front for easily attaching upgrade accessories for customizing its look.

CQB
• Umarex Competition Series G36C $150
http://www.evike.com/product_info.php?c ... s_id=38324
This is one of the few AEGs that is low power enough to use in indoor fields. The G36 family of rifles are some of the easiest to disassemble for gearbox access. Its hicap magazines hold 50% more BB's than an M16 hicap.


Q: "What's the Best AEG?"
A: There is no 'BEST AEG'. Everybody has an opinion that vary from person to person. It’s like asking, what kind what's the best car? Or what's the best shoe?


Q:What is the best AEG under $50 or $75
A: None. There is no reliable field ready AEG that sells for less than $120 (unless it's on sale or used.) The MP5K and MP5K PDW sell for under $80 but are made for CQB and have somewhat limited range and accuracy on larger outdoor fields.

There are LPEGs (Low Price Electric Guns) that sell for less than $50 but beware! They are a total waste of money for anything other than playing in your basement or a back yard. They have plastic internals and are glued together. They don't fire farther than a springer and don't last long.

If you don't have $150 to spend on an AEG and the required spare battery, gear, etc. then consider buying a bolt-action sniper rifle, pump shotgun, or simply saving up more money.


Q: "What about Gas Guns?"
A: Gas pistols and rifles are fun but magazines are expensive, require extra time to reload and refill and don't work well in cold weather. So I generally don't recommend them for beginners or as a first airsoft weapon for outdoor field games. If you want a gas gun recommendation, post here: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=802


Q: "What about Sniper Rifles?"
A: Sniper or bolt-action spring rifles are cheaper than most AEGs but require must more work to use effectively against players with full-auto rifles. Out of the box, they often do NOT fire further than an AEG and require significant upgrading. Learn more about snipers and sniper rifles here: viewtopic.php?f=77&t=790


Q: "What's the Best AEG for kids?"
A: I don't recommend airsoft guns of any kind for kids under 10. If your kids are mostly playing in your back-yard or basement, choose an AEG that shoots under 300fps for safety. Make sure they always wear eye protection. Springer pistols, LPEGs or AEP (pistols) are a good choice. viewtopic.php?f=16&t=55



If you have additional questions, please post them in the AEG FORUM thread: What AEG Should I Buy?
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List of events/games & selecitng gun(s) for 1st time buyer

Post by sk »

Hello,

I've compiled a list of events and requirements. As I currently own NO guns, I'm trying to decide what are the best purchases to make that'll be:

1) effective on the field
2) provide mid-high level reuse


350FPS .20g BB http://www.strikeforcesports.net/Articles.asp?ID=242 (Strike Force)
350FPS .20g BB http://nycairsoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=999 (Fallen Dawn)
366FPS .25g BB http://oplionclaws.com/redstormeast/indemnification.php (Lion Claw)
400FPS .25g BB http://nycairsoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1020 (Bad Blood)
400FPS .20g BB http://www.ambush-paintball.com/scenarios-airsoft.asp (Modern War)

400FPS .25g BB 15ft Eng Assault http://www.cousinspaintball.com/index.c ... ar.airsoft (Cousins)
450FPS .25g BB 50ft Eng Support http://www.cousinspaintball.com/index.c ... ar.airsoft (Cousins)
500FPS .25g BB 100ft Eng Sniper http://www.cousinspaintball.com/index.c ... ar.airsoft (Cousins)
550FPS .25g BB 150ft Eng Bolt Action http://www.cousinspaintball.com/index.c ... ar.airsoft (Cousins)


Thought #1: It seems I'll need a gun that shoots 350FPS or less for use at CQB @ StrikeForce and events like Fallen Dawn & Lion Claw. For this I'm leaning towards: 330-350FPS KWA SR7 DEVGRU http://kwausa.com/products/aeg/km4-sr7-devgru/

Thoughts #2: For the remaining events that can take guns closer to 400FPS, I'm thinking of either using the same gun in #1 or buying another gun that shoots VERY close to 400FPS.

Question #1: Will playing games where most people are close to 400FPS with a 350FPS gun put me at a disadvantage? In other words, can 350 guns go evenly against 400 guns? If so, maybe a single gun will work for now. If not, I guess I'll be buying two guns.

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
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Re: List of events/games & selecitng gun(s) for 1st time buy

Post by Moondog »

Will you be at a disadvantage with a 350fps gun? Slightly but it all depends on your style of play. If you're used to being the anchor man in a PB speedball squad, then yes, because you're used to playing in back and firing from long range. If you're used to being point assault, then no.

Bear in mind that stated FPS of a gun on any website is a rough estimate at best. Any AEG you buy may end up with a different FPS from the same gun bought at the same time from the same retailer because there are so many moving parts and QC can be spotting on most direct from china models. If you end with a gun that's 460fps out of the box, don't worry.

It is far easier to lower an AEG's fps permanently then raise it. Read this: http://nycairsoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=39
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Re: List of events/games & selecitng gun(s) for 1st time buy

Post by Shogun Mitsu »

I would say to start with, you should get an aeg with an estimated fps of 380-400 max. This would allow you to take advantage of field games where the engagement range is greater than in a cqb arena. Also, as Moondog stated there are ways to lose fps so you can use it in most indoor cqb arena's. Cqb is HIGHLY addictive & you'll want to select a gbb for indoors carefully as the choices & options for something are great & only getting better.
sk wrote:Hello,

I've compiled a list of events and requirements. As I currently own NO guns, I'm trying to decide what are the best purchases to make that'll be:

1) effective on the field
2) provide mid-high level reuse


350FPS .20g BB http://www.strikeforcesports.net/Articles.asp?ID=242 (Strike Force)
350FPS .20g BB http://nycairsoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=999 (Fallen Dawn)
366FPS .25g BB http://oplionclaws.com/redstormeast/indemnification.php (Lion Claw)
400FPS .25g BB http://nycairsoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1020 (Bad Blood)
400FPS .20g BB http://www.ambush-paintball.com/scenarios-airsoft.asp (Modern War)

400FPS .25g BB 15ft Eng Assault http://www.cousinspaintball.com/index.c ... ar.airsoft (Cousins)
450FPS .25g BB 50ft Eng Support http://www.cousinspaintball.com/index.c ... ar.airsoft (Cousins)
500FPS .25g BB 100ft Eng Sniper http://www.cousinspaintball.com/index.c ... ar.airsoft (Cousins)
550FPS .25g BB 150ft Eng Bolt Action http://www.cousinspaintball.com/index.c ... ar.airsoft (Cousins)


Thought #1: It seems I'll need a gun that shoots 350FPS or less for use at CQB @ StrikeForce and events like Fallen Dawn & Lion Claw. For this I'm leaning towards: 330-350FPS KWA SR7 DEVGRU http://kwausa.com/products/aeg/km4-sr7-devgru/

Thoughts #2: For the remaining events that can take guns closer to 400FPS, I'm thinking of either using the same gun in #1 or buying another gun that shoots VERY close to 400FPS.

Question #1: Will playing games where most people are close to 400FPS with a 350FPS gun put me at a disadvantage? In other words, can 350 guns go evenly against 400 guns? If so, maybe a single gun will work for now. If not, I guess I'll be buying two guns.

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
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viewtopic.php?f=68&t=379

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Re: Guide: What gun should I buy? START HERE

Post by Moondog »

Another option is to buy a Ares built Umarex G36K which has a quick spring change design so the same gun can be easily be turned from a 330fps CQB gun to a 400fps field gun in less than 5 minutes.

Ares also makes an M4 but the gearbox is not as easily changed as the G36. You can also get the shorter G36C but the G36K will yeild you better FPS:ROF because of its longer barrel.
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Re: Guide: What gun should I buy? START HERE

Post by sk »

Will you be at a disadvantage with a 350fps gun? Slightly but it all depends on your style of play. If you're used to being the anchor man in a PB speedball squad, then yes, because you're used to playing in back and firing from long range. If you're used to being point assault, then no.

Bear in mind that stated FPS of a gun on any website is a rough estimate at best. Any AEG you buy may end up with a different FPS from the same gun bought at the same time from the same retailer because there are so many moving parts and QC can be spotting on most direct from china models. If you end with a gun that's 460fps out of the box, don't worry.

It is far easier to lower an AEG's fps permanently then raise it. Read this: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=39
Yeah, in paintball I'm used to being in the front of the action nearly all of the time. I'm not sure if the same tactics will translate into airsoft ...
I didn't realize it was *easy* to downgrade a gun - that's valuable info. Thanks for the thread link, I read it all.
I would say to start with, you should get an aeg with an estimated fps of 380-400 max. This would allow you to take advantage of field games where the engagement range is greater than in a cqb arena. Also, as Moondog stated there are ways to lose fps so you can use it in most indoor cqb arena's. Cqb is HIGHLY addictive & you'll want to select a gbb for indoors carefully as the choices & options for something are great & only getting better.
Sounds good - I'll be playing tomorrow so after play I'll probably go peruse the guns at the shop. I really do like the KWAs, either the DEVGRU or the SR10. DEVGRU would be perfect for indoor and probably handle pretty well outdoor too.
Another option is to buy a Ares built Umarex G36K which has a quick spring change design so the same gun can be easily be turned from a 330fps CQB gun to a 400fps field gun in less than 5 minutes.

Ares also makes an M4 but the gearbox is not as easily changed as the G36. You can also get the shorter G36C but the G36K will yeild you better FPS:ROF because of its longer barrel.
Very cool - I'm not feeling the design/style of that gun, but it seems like a solid gun (watching the reviews/videos) and the ability to swap out is really slick.
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Re: Guide: What gun should I buy? START HERE

Post by Moondog »

There's also the very popular Systema PTW which is designed to be able to switch out the spring/piston/cylinder easly. But it's over $1000 making it the Bugatti Veyron of airsoft guns. Evike and other local shops can special order them from Japan but few stock them in any qty: http://nycairsoft.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=90
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Re: Guide: What gun should I buy? START HERE

Post by sk »

I ordered the KWA SR7 DEVGRU!
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Re: Guide: What gun should I buy? START HERE

Post by Shogun Mitsu »

sk wrote:I ordered the KWA SR7 DEVGRU!
GREAT buy for your first aeg, you will not be disappointed with your purchase. Now all you will need to do is pick up some sights & accessories to dress your baby up, you cant take her out into the world naked can you? :lol:
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Re: Guide: What gun should I buy? START HERE

Post by sk »

Mitsukai wrote:
sk wrote:I ordered the KWA SR7 DEVGRU!
GREAT buy for your first aeg, you will not be disappointed with your purchase. Now all you will need to do is pick up some sights & accessories to dress your baby up, you cant take her out into the world naked can you? :lol:
Hell no I cannot! I'm going to play a 1/2 day of PB on Sat @ High Velocity (Would love for you guys to come out, heheh) and after I'm going to stop by and get some accesories for her from Strike Force: Battery, charger, sight, gloves, mags, etc!

Thanks gun is on delivery truck as I type!
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