[Dreamer]

two tone kid, on 18 April 2010 - 12:11 , said:

just wondering but is it worth buying a helmet like a MICH or a m88 or should i stay with a bonnie hat? :dunno:

It depends. If you play CQB then it's possibly worthwhile as there is more to hit your head on in and around buildings but for woodland a boonie or a ball cap is probably enough.

[donkonious]

Another newbie question here then...

DPM: Check
Boots: Check
Boonie: Check
Gloves: Check

With regards to webbing/assault vests; I'm not fully decided which way to go with weapon of choice. I loved the M14 when playing, but aware of the cons versus 'assault rifles' etc. Is it worth waiting to decide fully before investing in the means to carry ammo?

Also, what are people's opinions regards an assault rig versus a platform (BOLLE/MOLLE etc.)?

I know it depends on what sort of 'load out' you decide to go with, but I'm at a complete loss as to which way to go... Customability, slightly cheaper option, or a mixture of both...?

[cider]

You know you want a vest like mine just in a smaller size. Molle vest are the future. anwway your misses is not going to let you have a gun! I can have a word with her if you want me to :o
P.S Rich k has got some lovely molle m14 mag pouchers in OD :D

Cider

[donkonious]

cider, on 19 April 2010 - 20:23 , said:

You know you want a vest like mine just in a smaller size. Molle vest are the future. anwway your misses is not going to let you have a gun! I can have a word with her if you want me to :o
P.S Rich k has got some lovely molle m14 mag pouchers in OD :D

Cider

She's already warned me about buying guns from dodgy East Midlanders (especially with their prices!).

Any other contributions that won't see me sleeping on the Dog Bed after next Sunday? :shtf:

[Jon L]

until you really get into the sport and persuade your other half that its a good idea to spend money on the sport, just use the pockets on your shirt/trousers, or a really cheap option is buy a PLCE belt(£5-£10) and an ammo/utility pouch (£10) and your done. Keep it simple and slowly build up once you have a better idea of what you want and need out of your kit. The only realy way of doing this is trial and error. I started off with a viper SAAV and bloody hated it, then moved onto PLCE found the pouches great but the yoke and belt uncomfortable, and now I am using a Bulle MLE Harness, which is perfect for my needs, and even better the PLCE pouches I had worked fine with the Molle loops on the MLE, so no need to buy new pouches.

[Pvt Daniel Jackson]

Bulle have a great little new vest. Two utility pouches on either side, covered in molle, at the front 6 M4 mag pouches (or equivalent) and all covered in molle. Its based on the MLE, and is only £25, i wish it had been out when i started, im tempted to get one even now....

Linkage

[donkonious]

Was considering a chest rig anyway as I spent most of my day on my face last time...

Don't think even 'Her Indoors' can roast me over £25; leaves me more to save up for that gun of yours Cider :D

Thanks for the help!

[mightyjebus]

I have 2 school's of thought on this:

One - the cheap way:

Spend your money on a good pair of boots
Spend the rest of your money on safety glasses, gloves, a AK chest rig and some cheap combats.
If you have anything left buy a dump pouch.

The reasons for this are simple. Good boots keep you on your feet all day. An Ak chestrig will hold 3 to 6 hicaps and is cheap, the glasses will stop you going blind, the gloves will stop the pain when your shot in the knuckles and a dump pouch has a multiple of uses from carrying piro to somewhere to stick your empty mags.

If your going to be playing CQB then get a hat or helmet and maybe a cheap torch which you can tape/bolt to your AEG. (also consider a full face mask for CQB).

As for AEG's try not to go down the middle of the road and by that I mean don't try to buy an AEG which you can use for woodland and cqb. If your going to be skirmishing at a woodlands site mostly then get something with a longer barrel...i.e a M14/M16/AKS74. If your site is going to be a cqb site then get something smaller i.e. MP5/P90/AK74SU. You will probably have to buy a 2 tone as your first AEG until your UKARA qualified (this isn't the only way to get an RIF but for this example it will do). When and if you buy the 2 Tone get them to downgrade/upgrade it to the limits of the site you will be visiting.

One last thing on the "cheap way" is buy your BB's online or locally before getting to the site as they will cost you more at the site (usually! and don't forget to buy decent .2g to start with)

Two - The expensive way:

Pick a loadout you like, be it the matrix/full metal jacket/cross of iron/ross kemp in afghan/bambi, and shop around to you find all the bits you need.
Most loadouts look good but just mean you end up carrying things that are no use and add extra weight.
If your looking to join a team don't go and get a fancy expensive Marpat loadout and find that the team your joining wears Flora.
Attention to detail is really important if your doing to go down the expensive route. for example doing a UKSF loadout and turning up with a bren gun just doesn't look right and would be inaccurate. If your happy to look like a UKSF person carrying a bren gun then by all means go for it but the idea is to try and get the "look" just right and this is why it's expensive. Thankfully the chinese have helped out by producing copies of most of the items that normally cost a packet but beware that you get what you pay for (most of the time).

An expensive loadout requires an AEG and you will still be tied down by the UKARA laws above. Best thing to do is hire a M16 if your doing a western loadout or and AK if its a eastern loadout. use the hire facilities until your qualified and then go get the AEG or your dreams.

Underlying the two loadouts above is the need to have good boots, good eye protection, gloves,somewhere to carry your mags and an AEG. The only other thing that needs serious consideration is hydration. Make sure you have water when you go or you end up with a sore head the next day at best or in hospital at worst.

Lastly I will finish with my do's and don't:

Do:
play fair
enjoy yourself
talk to people - everyone wants to talk about their AEG :)
if you find a problem - talk to a marshall.
take your hits - even if your not sure as your only normally out the game for 5 minutes.

Don't:
Shout your head off -"take you hit - take you hit!" it's very annoying - get a marshall
cheat
sit in the safe zone sharpening your knife - that just scares people
abuse anyone
wear white trainers :)

[donkonious]

Again, many thanks for the advice... Especially the knife sharpening! Lol

As I said I'm already ticked with regards to boots and glasses (although looking back I didn't say I already had them, so cheers for that), it was just being hung up on not wanting to look like a bit of a tool where I'll probably be skirmishing.

Also, on a further note, does anyone know of any sites that may operate during the week/summer evenings? Job makes weekends rare...

[heroshark]

First vest I got was a hong kong police vest. I've use it for 8 years solid up untill recently .Its fairly cheap. Low profile .It comes in a range of colours .Varying size mag pouches .2mp5, 2pistol, 2large m4/aug/g3/g36/m14/small ak mags. Ideal for hi-cap use as most beginners do. large pocket for a bag of bbs. Shell loops. 2 small utility pockets. Theres also another 3 pockets on the back left .1 m4/ect size pouch, 1 medium utility, an large radio pouch (I think).What I did was link the radio into the utility to fit a hydro in which works great .Theres also some loops on the back but I never found a use for them .Heres a link http://www.google.co...=prsugg&show=dd

When upgrading from my old vest, which still has its uses might I add. I looked for something that suited my needs. Looked around to find the cheapest chinese copy version to try it out for a few games to see if I like it. Then splash out on the better model ,and shift the cheap one.

The other thing I would like to add is don't buy 2tone, not because I dissagree with it. Its because most new players will think they want a particular gun the realise theres something that there a better option for them. So hire ,or even better borrow a friends loaners if possible .Play the field so to speak ,get your ukara then get you weapon. A bit of patience will save in the long run.

[Coldgunner]

Anyone else carry a multitool into the field? I tend to as it helps jimmy open handguards and magazine lids. I also always carry an extra battery, unless its a 3300mah+ battery. Small/lipo batterys go into arm/jacket pockets easy enough.

Oh and during the game try not to give team members away, I've seen it often enough where a group of us are sneaking around the flank only for someone to cock it up by shooting at the enemy from well out of range.

Which brings me onto another point, get to know your guns limitations. Fire a few shots and make a mental note of the range.

[heroshark]

Coldgunner, on 22 April 2010 - 17:58 , said:

Anyone else carry a multitool into the field?

yep, and a role of black tape.

[Warrior]

Yes, leatherman in my rig, oh and a roll ;) of tape too, just in case I need to replace the cap on a mk5

[Mindz_i]

Aye, always carry a leatherman with a selection of allen bits in the sheath. To be honest most of the time it gets used to open the dust cover on my m4 as i'm a bit of a spaz with gloves on.

Also a bit of ducttape wrapped around an old credit card. Mostly ends up being used to hold on the buttplate's of newbie's rifles, or close bags of ammo that i've ripped the thingies off.

This post has been edited by Mindz_i: 22 April 2010 - 21:22

[El Toro loco]

on the subject of gloves i have found that armoured gloves (usually marketed to paintballers), especially with fingers cut off, offer a good balance of protection and dexterity, as well as being fairly cheap and durable.

I have also found that with eye protection you may prefer to buy a full face mask then remove/cut away parts to make it easier to, for example, use sights on the gun. i have done this and it works brilliantly

basically, what i am getting at is hat with basic tools and a litlle imagination you can tailor anything to suit your tastes.

Harry

This post has been edited by El Toro loco: 04 May 2010 - 20:52

[JEZZ]

Having read the last 2 pages of this, one bit of vital kit if you want to get on has not been mentioned.IE a radio (Coms.)
To be honest after boots,camo and Bang stick this can seriously help you in the field of play and make the day far more enjoyable.

Airsoft is basically a team sport using guile and coordination to achieve an objective.

Example 1.
You'r out and back to Regen. By the time you'r back in play the game has moved forwared and you have now lost all your team mates.... Where are they? What's now going on? Where to go?

Example 2.
Getting ready for attack / ambush .... Are all in place? Intel? When to go?

ETC.

Basic PMR radios start form £10 up to what ever you can afford.

One thing to check when you are going to get one is will it take an earpiece.

Nought worce than getting into position as opposition is close and someone calls over the net and the opps. hear it and slot you.
(Note throught mikes suck unless you pay big buck for a desent set that works)

I do not know any serious airsofter that does not have one... they are that inportant.

My 2 pence worth.
(Please ignor any spull chuks ...tis a running battle with this bloomin gizzmo)
JEZZ.