[Ulala]

I'm considering buying an airsoft gun as a group of my friends go at least once each weekend, and a new airsofting place opened up nearby. I was looking that this one, thinking it's a pretty decent deal, but if anyone knows more than I do (and I know little) please let me know if I'm buying a dud or missing out on another deal.

http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_91&products_id=298

Thoughts?

[Deepblue]

Start with a springer?

[MrBig101]

You should get a M1911A1, and file the trigger guard for a higher grip.  Then, fit it with a knife, ala.

[Eishtmo]

I wish my friend (who's into airsoft) wasn't so damn busy planning his wedding.  I could probably get some hints from him.  I know there are certian brands to avoid, but I don't know which ones then are.  I also don't know if $305 is overpriced or under.

I do know you need to plan to pay for batteries and bb's, which I'm sure are extra.  If you're going to be playing a lot, make sure you look at getting an extra clip or two.  The best advice I can give is find some players and ask.

Actually, try here.  This is the group my friend belongs to.  As long as you don't act like an ass, I'm sure they'll be helpful.

[Unknown Target]

Basically, avoid CYMA and/or other Chinese knockoff brands. The notable exception to this is...well, I forget the name. They make $100 copies of Tokyo Marui (the best airsoft gun maker around), and they're a good deal. If you want 99.9% guaranteed quality, go for a TM, they're about the same price as that one, although they are made of plastic as opposed to the metal that that might be (but the TM plastic is thick and heavy, so don't worry about it ).

It's been awhile since I played airsoft, though, so that's about as much as I remember

[Polpolion]

I'd say no. It's got a really good FPS for an electric gun, and good clip capacity. But you see, it's an electric, so the FPS drops as the batteries charge drops. Also, it is only accurate for 120 feet. For $305 you can get a much better deal. If you want to spend that much money, buy a sniper rifle (spring) that gets >400 fps, and get lots of premium (white) BBs. Premium BBs are heavy so they are a lot more accruate. They don't go as far, but if you have enough FPS to begin with, it dosen't really make a difference. Also, premium BBs are more expensive.

[Unknown Target]

Sizzler, that's not all true. Of course the FPS will drop when battery charge drops, but if you don't want to be a sniper, then why would you get a sniper rifle? Electric airsoft guns are great choices. If the only thing that disqualifies them is that their FPS drops as charge drops, then that's a pretty dumb way to exclude the most widespread class of guns on the field.

Also, premium BBs are not always white, and they have different weights. For an electric, you want a .2 to .25 gram BB, and for a sniper rifle with +400 FPS, you want a .25 to .3 BB.

[Polpolion]

For $305 you can get a much better deal.

Expensive.

And anyway, who says you need to be a sniper with a sniper rifle? Some sniper rifles don't come with scopes (buy seperatly), and personaly, I don't think scopes for an airsoft gun would do very much good. Sniper rifles are usually very accurate and have good FPS, and don't you want guns with those qualities?

[Unknown Target]

Because they're slow-firing, long, cumbersome, and tell me; if you're not a sniper with a sniper rifle, what are you? You go up against an electric head on and you're toast - it's a waste of money to get a specialized weapon like that and use it out of it's element. Plus, high quality sniper rifles cost about $200-$300 anyway, more if you upgrade them (which is what you basically have to do).
And scopes for an airsoft gun do a lot of good, obviously you haven't played a lot of airsoft - some upgraded sniper rifles can shoot 100+ feet.

[Colonol Dekker]

Well i know what to spend my next $1600 equivalent £'s on...
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=1507

[Ulala]

Oh if only I had an extra $1600...   

Thanks for the input guys. $305 does seem kinda steep. My friend got a decent Mp5 for $100 so I dunno. I figure I'll go to the airsofting place once or twice and barrow a friends gun, maybe get a better idea of what I'm looking for. I imagine I'll meet some people there with knowledge as well.

[Unknown Target]

That Mp5 is probably the Chinese brand I was talking about. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it though

[Ulala]

His is a UTG (Under The Gun, I believe). Ring a bell?

[Unknown Target]

Yep, that sounds like the one.

[Colonol Dekker]

You bought one yet?  My ASGI EBR M14  is on its way.   

[Ulala]

Yep, that sounds like the one.

Yeah, for a hundred bucks I can see why it's cheap. I just hope he doesn't trip and fall and break it in half or something.

I still haven't purchased my gun yet. Going airsofting with some friends this weekend, gonna try a few different ones out to get a feel for what I like.

[Unknown Target]

That's a good plan. Also, ask your friend what he thinks of his UTG gun. IIRC, it's an exact copy of the reigning Airsoft brand, Tokyo Marui, but costs $200 less.