Airsoft gear from the practical to the insane...

In  my short time of playing Airsoft, having transitioned from "Real Steel", I have seen gear and accessories that have ranged from the spot on perfect to the over the top ridiculousness.  The question that I would pose today is:

What is the best gear to use?

First of all, assuming that you don't have a rich uncle that has unlimited funds to provide the very best that money can buy, know that all gear is an expensive investment. So you need to find that balance between what you can afford, what is required by your team, what looks cool, what is REALLY practical and works. 

I'm sure every one of us can think of an airsoft player that uses real body armor complete with the ballistic plates that will stop everything short of a .50 cal. Those are also the same players that have to have someone help them get into and out of their gear because it is so heavy. Also how many of us (myself included) have mounted flashlights and lasers on our replicas but have never used them in a game. On the other end of the spectrum are those who will go out on the field with nothing but a airsoft rifle and a pair of sunglasses and are surprised when they run out of BB's or get shot every time within the first seconds because they stood out in the forest. 

 So it really comes down to you asking yourself the following questions:

1) Will it (the gear) do the job that you intend it for at that game?
2) Do you have sufficient supplies each time you go out during the game to support your role?
3) Will YOU be able to move quickly and without noise AND have everything you need within reach?
4) Will you blend into the environment that you are playing in? White t-shirt and desert camo pants do not work in dark forest...
5) Will it sufficiently protect you? Not just from the BB's but also for scratches, insect bites, sunburn ect...

Just some thoughts...

Don't go hog wild and buy everything that you see - build on what you have and purchase a little at a time as you develop your playing style and/or role in the game.

Ask the veteran players for advice - they have all learned the hard way too..

IT'S A GAME NOT A FASHION SHOW! You are out there to have fun, don't loose sight of that.

One of our great local fields - SimTac

One of our great local fields in Washington is found in Rochester just 22 minutes south of Olympia WA or 1 1/2 Hours from Seattle WA. Having played this field a few times I really feel that it has the best of both worlds. It has fast paced CQB (Close Quarters Battles) and has now expanded to include forest trails that add to the variety. Eric aka Troll really works hard to make sure that no two games are alike and he really does a great job. So if you're looking for a place to get out and enjoy Airsoft, than this is a field that we really recommend... 

 

 Link: SimTac - Airsoft - Rochester

Video Directions to field

7712 Prather Rd SW, Centralia, WA 98531

A picture can generate a thousand opinions

The old saying is that "A picture is worth a thousand words." When you look to this picture, what do you see? As I took this picture, what I first saw was Scott and Keoni comparing the look and feel of their respective airsoft pistols but it was after I got home that I noticed that Keoni was no wearing any eye protection!

It didn't matter that they were not shooting, because the perception will always be that safety rules were not being followed at that moment or perhaps even that whole day. We should always practice gun safety, finger off the trigger unless we are read to fire, mag out when off the field, making sure that the chamber is clear when passing off a weapon and of course wearing eye protection when in the close proximity to weapons 'cause we are also taught to treat every weapon as if it were loaded.

So we need to always remember that we can set an example with our actions that can be the fuel for a debate in the sometimes cruel world of public opinion. So let's not just "look safe" but be safe...

Be prepared

How many of us wait till the last minute only to realize that our equipment isn't "quite" ready? In the days following a game did you clean and lube your rifle? Did you wash your uniform so it doesn't have that "funky" smell the next time you put it on Did you check to make sure that you have all your stuff so you don't have to scramble to find everything? If you take care of business after the game, it won't be such a big deal getting ready for the game the next time...