FPS for support gunners

[Pilcheck]

Alright, the AUG H-Bar im getting by spring (as long as the bank heists go well) has a upgraded gears and all that good stuff, and can be tuned from 328 to 450 fps, so xaos said to get it at about 350, but shouldnt it be a little more, like around 400? this question is aimed more torwards Jacko, DonACO, and the others who use their weapon in a support role.

[xaos]

Short version: 350FPS = no engagement limits. 400FPS = engagement limits.

Long Version:

350 is the most common limit, that's why I suggested it. If you want to play at any MiA sanctioned game, 350 is your max, unless you want a 400 fps single shot sniper rifle (aka, a disadvantage). If you stick with 350, you can play CQB with the gun, nobody will let you use a 400fps gun in CQB (yeah, I know, it's primarily an outdoor-focused weapon).

So, while 400 would give you more range, it'd also limit your ability to actually use the gun in games it'd really be useful...bigger ops. Why limit yourself if you don't have to? I seriously can't imagine an extra 50 FPS making that big of a difference...after playing a full summer with stock guns vs. upgraded guns, I can say that in my experience, you're not going to have a sufficient gain in range with 400 to make it worthwhile.

Anyhow...even though you already had my opinion, there's the reasoning behind it. Take from it what you will.

[Munin]

Ditto what xaos said. At Op:Rosenbaum (a CQB op) Jacko was able to use his M249 with no problems because it's under the 350 FPS engagement limits. Actually, the worst injuries at that game weren't from the SAW at all, but rather from "up close and personal" shots with regular AEG's and GBB's, and even those were minor (though the scabs on my arm looked really nasty).

The question you have to ask yourself is, "what am I going to use my support weapon in?" As xaos said, the difference in overall range between 350 and 400 FPS is fairly minimal, though accuracy does increase. So if you're looking to have "reach out and touch someone" potential in a fully automatic package, I'm afraid that the FPS rules and engagement limits don't really support it.

Which leaves you with the other use: suppression. Jacko's M249 isn't scary because it shoots far or particularly hard. It's frightening because its rate-of-fire is very high, and its box mag and Jacko's total disregard for the amount of money he's dishing out give it sustained fire capability in spades. When you can lay down a 30-45 second stream of solid pellets down a hallway, it's a safe bet that nobody on the other team is going to so much as stick their head out for fear of getting hit, which gives your team time to move, maneuver, get in position, etc. That capability is what support weapons (IMHO) are all about.

And if that's the case, 350 is better than 400 because you are not limited by engagement distances. SAWs and M60s are heavy, large, and unweildy, so the last thing you want to have to do is go for a secondary if someone pops out too close to you. And since the ROF is so high, lighting someone up inside your engagement distance is really unsafe.

Go with the lower FPS.

[Jacko]

I went for <350 because of engagement limits, pure and simple. That, and for the safety of my fellow players on the other team. I mean, it can sting quite a bit when you get nailed by an AEG shooting 400 FPS at 21 feet. But then multiply that by 24, because that's how many rounds I'm shooting in one second. That's a big ouchie.

My suggestion: Go for the lower FPS limit and use .25 BB's if you're looking to lay down accurate fire. Pikachoad over at Airsoft Players did a great little experiment showing how stock guns and upgraded guns can have similar results in accuracy using heavier BB's than the standard .20's. However, cost becomes a factor in that (Same amount of money for 1,000 less BB's if you're buying Excel's), but then, Munin already mentioned that I don't personally concern myself with that. ;D

[Pilcheck]

Well thnks for the info, like i said, i wont be getting it until around spring time, but i just wanted to work out the logistics of the whole thing. I didnt plan on using it for CQB, but now after taking it into consideration ill get it @350. thanks guys.

[sUpEr K-@Z2-K]

hmmmm... all very good points.

However, I myself am planning on buying a TOP in the near future. I figure if I'm going to use it in a platoon setting outdoors (no CQB ever) it should be at 400fps to act as an effective covering fire weapon and good for ambushes... otherwise I might as well forego the TOP and keep my two AEGs which both shoot at 345fps.

[Petary791]

A wee bit off topic, BUT, can an AUG use a c-mag or drum mag or something? Doesn't that make the support-ness?

[Jacko]

Well, in real life, the AUG H-Bar just uses extended AUG magazines, not any sort of drum or box mag.