Introduction and Advice

[Chale]

Hello, time for another introduction!

Hiya everyone, I am Jacob. 14 years old and has been looking into airsoft for about a year now and have recently (last night) gotten the final package needed to get into the airsoft game/sport/hobby. Since school has started back up I want to play when I get back into the swing of it.

Now a couple of questions..
How will other (older, more experienced) people treat me on the field?

How will I look to others since I will be using pretty much all black gear (I was stupid and got a black vest and went from there)?

How will going on the field be like? How long are the games? How is the process overall (Getting out of the car I do what)?

What would be a good side-arm to get?

What are some fields around me? (Wayne-Westland area)

Thanks for you guys who answer! By the way here's my load out:
A&K Masada with red dot sight
Black Tactical vest with EoTech hydration carrier and dump pouch
1 P-mag high cap
3 Regular M16/M4 style mid-caps
Revision Desert Locus goggles
EoTech gloves

[Gimpalong]

Sept 12, 2012 14:45:33 GMT -5 Chale said:

Hello, time for another introduction!


Now a couple of questions..
How will other (older, more experienced) people treat me on the field?

I think you'll find that the majority of airsoft players are only a bit older than you. In general, there tends to be a good turn out from the 14-18 year old crowd, so you'll have company. Some events are 16+, or 18+, so obviously you'll have to wait to get it on those.

If you comport yourself with honesty and maturity you'll be fine.

How will I look to others since I will be using pretty much all black gear (I was stupid and got a black vest and went from there)?

Honestly, black gear isn't really the best for most outdoor environments. Black isn't a "natural" color and tends to stand out. In airsoft, however, it's more important how you use terrain and cover than what your camouflage is. I played an event a year or so ago where I wore a bright blue jacket and had no issues sneaking around by just keeping the majority of my body behind cover. Camouflage is certainly useful, but at airsoft ranges, it's more important to make use of the surrounding terrain to avoid detection than to rely solely on your uniform.

How will going on the field be like? How long are the games? How is the process overall (Getting out of the car I do what)?

There are as many game formats as there are different fields. Some games are recreational and tend to be quick, ten minute affairs. Others have objectives and might last for hours between official breaks.

Generally, airsoft games break down into three types:

Recreational - No story line or camouflage requirements. People are out playing to have a good time and a variety of different mini-games (capture the flag, defend the castle, rescue the downed pilot) might be tried over a period of several hours.

Scenario - The event will have objectives and camouflage requirements. Each team will be attacking or defending different objectives or trying to complete missions.

Milsim - Strict camouflage requirements, more complicated objectives. Teams are typically broken into squads and each squad is assigned a specific function. Radios tend to be a necessity.

The differences between what constitutes "Milsim" and "Scenario" get a little blurry, but in general milsim is a bit more "hardcore" than scenario.

Arrival at a game:

When I arrive at an event, the first thing I do is find the event host and register with them. This typically involves filling out a waiver and paying the entry fee. As soon as that is done, I head back to my car, load up a single magazine and plug my battery into my gun. I then head over to the chrono station, fire my gun over the chrono and get it tagged with the appropriate zip-tie.

Typically zip-ties are used to indicate what the gun's velocity and Minimum Engagement Distance (MED) is.

In general, you'll be good-to-go as long as your rifle fires at or below 400 FPS.

After I chrono, I'll head back to my car, load the rest of my magazines, check out my gear, test my radio, grab my goggles, etc. Once I'm more or less ready to play I'll typically break out a camp chair and relax until the event hosts gives their safety briefing and outlines the objectives for the event.

What would be a good side-arm to get?

Honestly, if you're a new player I would wait to purchase a sidearm. Attend a few games first and then decide if you must have a sidearm. It may be better for you to take the money you were planning to invest in a sidearm and invest that same money into purchasing more magazines for your primary rifle.

Asking yourself: Would I rather have more magazines for my primary so I can stay effective in a fight longer or a pistol which I might only use rarely?


In conclusion:

Honestly, the best thing you can do is head to out a game. Michigan airsofters are a pretty friendly bunch and veteran players tend to be more than happy to help out newer players, make sure that they're comfortable and playing safely. People at games are usually pretty approachable so it's not big deal to fall in with a group of guys who seem to know what they are doing. Hell, I've been playing since 2006 and that's basically what I still do.

The most important thing is to play safe (keep your goggles on! Treat your gun like a real firearm!) and have fun.

[bobbunny]

Welcome bro. Nice to see someone younger on the forum instead of me XD

1. Most of everyone will treat you the same as long as you don't act like a jackass. Just be chill and remember, I'll be your friend if you'll be mine. Were all friends here.

2. Better than bright neon. Black can actually work for a scheme for CQB games. However, if you want some more use out of camo, I would recommend a nice pair of BDU's. It's like $25 for a set at a local surplus shop, and works well.

3. I have never played anything buy REC games, but there are some age limits on many MILSIM games (As far as I can tell). Outdoors, it's usually a large field. Not open or anything usually, but it depends on the field itself. Trees are common, as are brush. In a CQB area, it's all pretty generic. Plywood barriers and little "houses" to hide in.

Outdoor games can usually last 10 minutes to an hour. CQB games last 10-20 minutes usually. (Assuming it's just deathmatch for CQB indoor.)

It's really just, get out of the car, sign a waver (With a guardian), wait for the game to start, play, come back, chill, play, etc. etc.

4. Beginning wise, a secondary really is not important. Focus on shooting straight with your primary first, and getting your other pieces of kit together first. Once you have that, then you should consider a secondary.

Top range pistols would be Tokyo Marui for sure. After that, KWA (KSC?) pistols would take the crown. WE-Techs are good for the price and free mag, but they are more prone to breakage and malfunction. KJW can be good, because it is a straight up TM clone. Try and get pistols that can use green gas. Green gas is just propane with silicone, so once you get an adapter, the ammo is really cheap. Plus, any pistol from the companies I listed should be able to use it.

Most fields in the Events section should be within an hours drive from where you live. Most would only be half an hour (Approx from my guess). Check the section for their rules and times and stuffs.

Quick note on your gear though:
1. You need a face mask. Just by the MIA ruling, you need full face protection. I recommend the V2 mesh masks that protect your eats. They're like $25 and are from Matrix(Bravo?)

2. Knee pads are great. Kneel on a BB on Concrete and you will learn pain. Plus, it's good for all games.

[snafu]

Sept 12, 2012 15:11:33 GMT -5 Gimpalong said:

Sept 12, 2012 14:45:33 GMT -5 Chale said:

Hello, time for another introduction!


Now a couple of questions..
How will other (older, more experienced) people treat me on the field?

I think you'll find that the majority of airsoft players are only a bit older than you. In general, there tends to be a good turn out from the 14-18 year old crowd, so you'll have company. Some events are 16+, or 18+, so obviously you'll have to wait to get it on those.

If you comport yourself with honesty and maturity you'll be fine.



Honestly, black gear isn't really the best for most outdoor environments. Black isn't a "natural" color and tends to stand out. In airsoft, however, it's more important how you use terrain and cover than what your camouflage is. I played an event a year or so ago where I wore a bright blue jacket and had no issues sneaking around by just keeping the majority of my body behind cover. Camouflage is certainly useful, but at airsoft ranges, it's more important to make use of the surrounding terrain to avoid detection than to rely solely on your uniform.



There are as many game formats as there are different fields. Some games are recreational and tend to be quick, ten minute affairs. Others have objectives and might last for hours between official breaks.

Generally, airsoft games break down into three types:

Recreational - No story line or camouflage requirements. People are out playing to have a good time and a variety of different mini-games (capture the flag, defend the castle, rescue the downed pilot) might be tried over a period of several hours.

Scenario - The event will have objectives and camouflage requirements. Each team will be attacking or defending different objectives or trying to complete missions.

Milsim - Strict camouflage requirements, more complicated objectives. Teams are typically broken into squads and each squad is assigned a specific function. Radios tend to be a necessity.

The differences between what constitutes "Milsim" and "Scenario" get a little blurry, but in general milsim is a bit more "hardcore" than scenario.

Arrival at a game:

When I arrive at an event, the first thing I do is find the event host and register with them. This typically involves filling out a waiver and paying the entry fee. As soon as that is done, I head back to my car, load up a single magazine and plug my battery into my gun. I then head over to the chrono station, fire my gun over the chrono and get it tagged with the appropriate zip-tie.

Typically zip-ties are used to indicate what the gun's velocity and Minimum Engagement Distance (MED) is.

In general, you'll be good-to-go as long as your rifle fires at or below 400 FPS.

After I chrono, I'll head back to my car, load the rest of my magazines, check out my gear, test my radio, grab my goggles, etc. Once I'm more or less ready to play I'll typically break out a camp chair and relax until the event hosts gives their safety briefing and outlines the objectives for the event.

What would be a good side-arm to get?

Honestly, if you're a new player I would wait to purchase a sidearm. Attend a few games first and then decide if you must have a sidearm. It may be better for you to take the money you were planning to invest in a sidearm and invest that same money into purchasing more magazines for your primary rifle.

Asking yourself: Would I rather have more magazines for my primary so I can stay effective in a fight longer or a pistol which I might only use rarely?


In conclusion:

Honestly, the best thing you can do is head to out a game. Michigan airsofters are a pretty friendly bunch and veteran players tend to be more than happy to help out newer players, make sure that they're comfortable and playing safely. People at games are usually pretty approachable so it's not big deal to fall in with a group of guys who seem to know what they are doing. Hell, I've been playing since 2006 and that's basically what I still do.

The most important thing is to play safe (keep your goggles on! Treat your gun like a real firearm!) and have fun.

This should be stickied!

+69

Sent from my SCH-I510 using proboards

[Chale]

Thanks you guys, I think now I have the courage to go to a game! I might go to one of the more recent events on the Events section once I get my full face mask. Kinda bummed about that since I waited and payed for my eye protection, but oh well.

[snafu]

Sept 12, 2012 21:32:01 GMT -5 Chale said:

Thanks you guys, I think now I have the courage to go to a game! I might go to one of the more recent events on the Events section once I get my full face mask. Kinda bummed about that since I waited and payed for my eye protection, but oh well.

Keep your goggles bud, you just need a lower mesh mask that fits underneath them.

[lanman]

How will other (older, more experienced) people treat me on the field?
You will be treated according to how you act.

How will I look to others since I will be using pretty much all black gear (I was stupid and got a black vest and went from there)?
Haha, noob (just kidding)! I started out with a black vest too. Try to phase it out as soon as you can. It doesn't really work well in wooded areas and in my and many other peoples opinion it just doesn't look good. Get tan/khaki or coyote brown. Those colors work and look much better.

How will going on the field be like?
Awesome!

How long are the games?
Some games can last a few hours (Rec Games) to a few days (Lions Claws events)
Usually they last about eight hours.

How is the process overall (Getting out of the car I do what)?
1.Pull up and find a parking place.
2.Check in and pay.
3.Chrono.
4.Gear Up.
5.Stand around, socialize, show off your super awesome gear and wait for the late people.
6.Briefing.
7.Start the game.

What would be a good side-arm to get?
Tokyo Marui makes awesome guns right in the middle price range.

What are some fields around me? (Wayne-Westland area)
Check the "Events" section.

[Ghast]

Tokyo Marui are easily the best value-for-money pistol.

[Fear Roback]

Welcome Brother.

[Chale]

Thanks you guys! Also, I've been looking for a mesh mask that would fit my goggles (Desert Locus) but I'm not too sure. Any one know of a mesh mask that will fit them?

[Impulse]

Not exactly... Bitter End would do it, but it's probaly more expensive than just getting a new pair of mesh goggles from him. Of course, they're not allowed in MIA events.

edit: durr, you meant a lower face mask. Any of those should be fine.