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Post by ldouce90 on Jun 30, 2014 15:51:47 GMT -5
Hey all, I'm Jake, I just moved back to Michigan and am looking to get into the world of airsoft again! I played a few times in Virginia with an ICS L85, but I sold it before I moved and have a few quick questions:
1. I'm looking to get an AK-47/74 that will be easily upgradable (foregrips, scopes and all that jazz). I'm most likely going to get the Echo 1 Wolverine after doing some research. Will I be able to put external mods on that pretty easily?
2. What kind of gear should I be getting, like goggles and stuff? I have tons of left over MARPAT camis, but what else should I invest in to begin with? I know that full seal goggles are required, but in your experience which is best? Or which ones did you prefer?
3. Where should I go to start playing? I'm more interested in MILSIM outdoors stuff then CQB. I'm in the Lansing area, but have no problem with driving a few hours for a good match.
Thanks in advance for the help! (edited for clarification)
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Post by Red (Eazy-E) on Jul 2, 2014 16:53:24 GMT -5
Hello Idouce! Glad you are deciding to get back into the world of airsoft, and its a better time than ever as the sport just keeps getting bigger and bigger, but I will do my best to give you my personal advice, and things I wish I knew when I was joining to try to make the re-entering into the community as smooth as possible. 1.) AK-47/74 are a great platform, and will always give you a unique look. From my experience with them, AK platforms are harder to do external modifications to than say an M4 platform(which you can attach everything and the kitchen sink to, and still have room to add more) but are not impossible. When I was first joining the community, I was the most anti M4 platform guy of them all because I wanted to look "unique", and I did just that, I got a long barrel full metal FAL and it was great, I had the only one on the field, but it also had its down sides, it is so long it felt like I was carrying one gun short of an L96, and when you have a gun that big, running around a field for 5 hours, it gets very, very heavy. Anther great side of me switching over to an m4 platform, while there may be 5-6 people using an AK at any given event, there will be 20x that using m4 platform, and its really nice when you are running low on ammunition and can look over to your buddy and ask for a mag. By all means I am not hating on the AK, and if you have your heart set on an AK, the Wolverine is a decent model, but the one I would personally recommend would have to be the Echo1 AK700(which should be in your price range as it is abit cheaper than the wolverine at $200) or if you want to spend abit more, I also recommend the G&G AK RK103 EVO(abit more money at $330) both guns already have rail attachments out of the box, so you wont have to add as many rails to the gun after market. Echo1 AK700: www.evike.com/products/42048/G&G AK RK103 EVO: www.evike.com/products/29648/2.)Goggles are the one thing that I cannot stress enough, and I made another post a few months back on this same topic, When I was starting out, I read countless threads saying "Dont buy cheap eye protection, dont waste your money!" so what did I do? Went and got myself the first pair of $10 full seal goggles I could find, and called it a day. Needless to say, I showed up to my first rec game, and about an hour in, I was miserable, I had to stop to de-fog every 5 minutes(literally, the refs knew me on a name by name basis by the end of that day because of how many times I had to stop and de-fog) and I ended up making friends with someone who let me barrow their spare pair of bolles for the rest of the day (thank god!) So please, learn from my mistake, and dont cheap out in this department! My personal recommendation on goggles would be the ESS Profile. They are super comfortable, have interchangeable lenses(Clear,shaded,yellow), and I RARELY fog, even on the most humid of days. They retail for $100, but if money is tight a lot of people sell them used on Ebay for around $20-$30 in almost new condition(thats how I got mine). As for other gear, Its always good to get a multiple sets of camo just to fit the situation, especially if you're looking to get into MILSIMs, a set of Woodland MARPAT and a set of Desert MARPAT will get you into almost any Milsim in terms of color requirements. Things like Flecktarn/Multicam/Digital/ECT are cool to have, but dont really ever fit in anywhere and are normally just divided up onto whichever team(green or tan) has less people. ESS Profile: www.esseyepro.com/Profile-NVG_1_detail.html?color=233.)In terms of where you should start playing, start out playing a few REC games and get to know some of the people here from MIA(which is the most friendly group of people I can say I have ever had the privileged to be apart of). As for RECs, Ive been to a lot of different places to play, but hugeeeeeeee shoutout to Pagan and the rest of the guys from SK at NoLimits park in Taylor, as they have hosted some of the best REC games that I have ever been to. Normally the turn out is in the 100+ range, their fields are very well upkept, and they continue to get better every year. Since you said you were in Lansing, its about an hour and a half drive, but I can tell you it is worth it. In closing, the number one thing that I cannot stress enough, ASK QUESTIONS!!! if you are unsure about something, need some advice about something, want a recommendation, there is ALWAYS someone on these forums who has the answer, all you have to do is ask! I hope my advice has helped you out, and if you have anymore questions, Please just let me know, and I look forward to seeing you on the field! -Red
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Post by ldouce90 on Jul 2, 2014 17:21:36 GMT -5
Thanks! Yeah I'm not interested in the m4/m16 platform for the same reason: I like to be unique, that's probably why I got the L85 in the first place!
I'm also trying to go for a Russian look, which is another reason for the AK. All I plan on attaching is a scope, so all I need is the side rail attachment which I'm pretty sure the Wolverine has!
I'll look into the ESS goggles, those were issued to me before I ended my service but I had to return them. Didn't even think about using them for airsoft!
I'm start looking into those fields and REC games you mentioned. I'm going to try and make it to the Maelstrom event this next Saturday. Thanks for the response!
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Post by Chapy (Tupac) on Jul 2, 2014 22:20:18 GMT -5
So if you're looking to play Milsim games you should probably get another set of camo one tan and one green(your marpat) just because if you ever want to play with certain people or one team is full. Now onto gear I don't believe you gave a price range so I'll do a reasonable 2-400 dollar range. Head-depending on what you like maybe a fast helmet or just a hat your choice
Torso- a cheap cross draw vest probably won't do as you want an ak so maybe a flyye 6094 or jpc. As to pouches it's all up to you if you're running ak mags then asgi tacos could work we'll i think, a hydro is a plus.
Belt-this is up to you I personally don't run one but a condor battle belt is a cheap and good option to go with
Shoes-up to you
This is fairly vague as I don't know really what you want or your price range but if you had one i could go a bit more in depth if you wana pm me but other then that good luck mate this sight has endless wealth of knowledge. (Edit) eye pro: ess you can't go wrong with them
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Post by ldouce90 on Jul 2, 2014 22:54:33 GMT -5
Not too worried about the camo, I've got tons of desert and woodland MARPAT! Got a few pairs of USMC Bates too.
I've been looking at the SMERSH system belt mostly, I prefer having my pouches to the sides and rear as opposed to the front so I can operate in the prone more easily. Something that straps over the shoulders but with a belt to hook stuff up to.
Headgear, I've got a Russian Armored Crewman helmet I'd like to use, possibly with a green flight suit I have for a dismounted Crewman look.
I also have a Safariland drop holster for my TM Samurai Edge, I'll probably stick with that for awhile.
Thanks again for the advice!
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Impulse
New Member
Ayatollah Rock n' Rolla
And on the third day, God created the Remington bolt-action rifle.
Posts: 534
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Post by Impulse on Jul 15, 2014 2:21:06 GMT -5
The Condor battle belt system is comparable to the SMERSH. Both use harness copied from the British PLCE. SMERSH is sold, reliable, comfortable gear which I'd fully recommend IF:
A) Money is not an issue. The components aren't expensive, but combined and with shipping it really adds up.
B) You plan to stick with the AK and similar platforms. Even the MOLLE version that's available only has a small amount of webbing, it does not accept Western-made magazine pouches.
Otherwise you can look at the Condor harness (cheap, repro, sturdy, full MOLLE compatibility), or the HSGI originals that Condor copied. Tactical Tailor also makes a similar product, and then there are a host of more distant models by other manufacturers.
Congratulations on your choice to use livable field gear, I'm sure I'll see you down in the dirt someday.
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Post by ldouce90 on Jul 15, 2014 10:13:22 GMT -5
Oh most definitely! I took a gander at the systems you mentioned, and they look exactly like what I'm going for!
And after my first MILSIM, I've realized I really like the Kalashnikov systems! I'm already looking at purchasing an RPK.
One final question, what makes a good support player? After my last match I noticed there is a severe lack of people lugging around LMG's, and I've always preferred the look and capabilities of those weapons. I also prefer to support my teammates rather than lead or "lone wolf" it.
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Post by X on Jul 15, 2014 10:30:03 GMT -5
I didn't see this mentioned but if you're into MILSIMs team RAGE has one coming up at the end of August. They are hosting the best MILSIMs for the price in MI right now. Black sheep in Grayling is a big one also in August.
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Post by ldouce90 on Jul 15, 2014 10:35:54 GMT -5
Yeah I was at Maelstrom last week and had a great time!
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Post by X on Jul 15, 2014 10:45:12 GMT -5
Oh yeah! Sorry, I didn't even look at your name haha.
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