Top 10 Newb Mistakes

[Moondog]

Top 10 Airsoft Newb Mistakes
by Moondog


1. Never use .12g BB’s in your AEG.
They are made of weaker plastic than .20g (or heaver BB’s) and can deform and jam in the barrels of AEG’s.


2. Continuing to fire after your AEG jams.
If your AEG jams, stop using it immediately. If a BB is stuck in the barrel, don’t be lazy and try to shoot it out. You will likely make the problem worse or even damage your gearbox. Use a Moondog D-Jam clearing rod to gently push the BB out through the loading nozzle in the magwell. If it’s a gearbox problem, pulling the trigger after a jam can damage your gearbox further or fry your motor. Switch to a back-up or borrow a friend’s and have your AEG repaired at home or by a professional.

2b. Also, never put your hand in front of the barrel to feel for air. To your surprise, your gun may magically "unjam" itself and wreak ~350fps+ of plastic on your unprotected hand. Instead shoot it a leaf, loose piece of fabric, or your an open BB bag.


3. Never use WD-40 to lube your AEG.
Petroleum based lubricants will damage and degrade the silicone (O-rigs and hop-up buckings) and plastic parts of your AEG. Only use airsoft or ‘food grade’ silicone spray lubricants and grease, which use alcohol based solvents.


4. Don't wear hunting camo
Don't wear RealTree, Mossy Oak, etc., paintball gear or blue jeans* to an airsoft game. Airsoft is a mil-sim, military style BDU’s and clothing is expected. If it's your first airsoft game, simply wear a tan or black sweater and pair of kahki pants. At least you'll look like a Blackwater contractor. *Unless the scenario calls for civilians.


5. Never call an airsoft game a 'War'
Only children call their backyard skirmishes a 'war.' There are huge 300 player airsoft events that go on for multiple days and these are called OPs (operations) or simply games, but never wars. Calling your backyard game a 'war' only shows you've never played in a large organized game. It's as silly as calling three guys an 'airsoft army'.


6. Reset your spring after a game.
After firing your AEG in full auto, your piston may still be partially or fully cocked in your gearbox. A compressed spring kept in that state will weaken it permanently. After a game, empty your mag and fire two shots in semi-auto. There may still be a BB in the chamber, so be careful!


7. Call your hits. Make it obvious.
This is an honor based game. There's no shame in getting hit. Only shame to those that don't call them. You need to make it obvious, because if the other player(s) doesn't see that you've called yourself out, they may think you're just sneaking off. If you get hit, yell "Hit!" loudly and repeatedly. Carry a red rag/bandana that you can wave to show you were hit.


8. Avoid Dry-Firing
When your AEG first a BB, the BB is creating an partial air plug which slows down and cushions the piston. Firing full-auto without BB's in the chamber causes extra stress on your air nozzle, piston, and piston-head and will cause those parts to fail earlier than normal. If you want to 'play', buy a toy gun.


9. Mag-Dumping/Hosing
Mag dumping is when you unload the contents of an entire mag in one shot in full-auto. Also known as "BB Hosing" or "Spray and Pray". Excessive continuous fire causes heat to build up in your motor and gearbox which will reduce the life of your gearbox internals. Firing in bursts lets your gearbox cool between shots. Also, when you 'Spray and Pray' it shows you have no marksmanship skills and earns you little respect.


10. Maintain your Weapon
AEG's are not indestructible. They will break if dropped or abused or normal wear-and-tear. Let me repeat that, AEG's will break. Clean the barrel after every game. Like a car, you need to lube and inspect your gearbox, ideally every 30,000 rounds fired. Bring your AEG to an experienced airsmith or learn to work on it yourself. Google the web for step-by-step primers. http://mechbox.com is a good place to start.