Getting started

[Delmar32]

Ok I am really think about buying all the stuff i need to start playing with my tax money so I am going to link what I am looking at buying so you guys can tell me if its a good gun or what.

Ok here is the gun: http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=7527

the pistol:http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=6612

vest: http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=1509

Hydration Carrier: http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=2698

and some extra mags.

Will these mags http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=315 fit the gun. I am all new to this and would like to thank you guys for being nice and the help.

[Vesper]

It's generally a good idea to ditch the batteries that come with the gun and to buy a good battery.

[Ociffer Action]

I agree with Vesper...when I bought my first gun the battery didn't last the game before it crapped out. The crappy Chinese batteries that come with guns tend to short out very quickly. Look at getting a 9.6v with a decent size MAH. If you get a 9.6 try and get one that comes with a charger or get a smart-charger.

On the other note, the gun looks good for a starter. I haven't had much experience with ICS mags so I wouldn't be able to tell you if they fit or not.

[Esteban]

If I were you, I'd skip out on the pistol at first. I'd work on getting familiar with electric airsoft guns (AEG's) at first and then make another order for a pistol. There's a lot to learn first about AEGs if you want to play out in the field.

If you really start to like airsoft, a good deal of your money will go towards figuring out what you like to take onto the field and what you prefer to leave off the field.

When looking at a new gun, look for things like: company quality and reputation, FPS limits, country of manufacture, build materials, potential upgrades, and style. Most of it comes down to personal preference on what model of gun you want, but any model usually has several different manufactures that make the gun in various price ranges.

To get you started you probably will need:
-Goggles
-AEG
-Battery
-Charger
-BBs
-Clothes (BDUs, for example)

[Vesper]

If I were you, I'd skip out on the pistol at first.

I agree. Rarely do I play with a pistol.

[RedWolf]

yeah it is nice to start with just dealing with a primary then seeing how your secondary fits into the way you play  I also have that hydration carrier in tan and it's really good at holding a good amount of stuff but it is kind of challenging to get to the pockets by yourself, but what is nice about it since it can be a backpack too you can just slide it off your back get what you need and keep up with the rest of the team at the same time.

[Delmar32]

Thanks guys I am going to not get the pistol for now and I looked at a different gun because it looks easyer to upgrade the battery for it. http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=2572 does this one look ok and is it a good company compared to the other one?

[Esteban]

JG guns are clones of their more expensive counterpart: Tokyo Mauri. Being a clone means they are not as good of quality. I cannot speak for JG's AK lineup, but if you're looking around that price range you should look at G&G's Sportline series.

Look through these pages...

http://www.airsoftgi.com/index.php?cPath=139_24_237

http://www.airsoftgi.com/index.php?cPath=139_24_302

They all have plastic bodies, but they have Taiwanese internals. JG's internals are Chinese which are typically not as high quality.

Read some reviews before you decide on a gun.
Also, if you plan on buying from Airsoftgi.com, go ahead and use the website www.retailmenot.com to search for coupons. You can usually get 10% off and free ground shipping if you order from AirsoftGI.

[Ociffer Action]

Before I purchase a gun I usually look up videos about it on YouTube. They "sometimes" have detail reviews, inside and out, of guns. Look up reviews where the user has had the gun for a good amount of time and has put it through games. Those typically give you the best idea of how a gun will stand up.

[Chippy]

http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/a-p-s-ak-tactical-electric-blowback-rifle-black-ask-208.html

This one has a stamped steel body. They also have one with real wood and a full stock or if you want tactical, go with the one with a LE stock. I read a review on armies, I believe, and good things were said about this gun. If I can find it, I will post the link to the review. 

[Gabe]

I don't see eye protection on that list.  A quality set costs less, but is worth more than any of those things listed.

That aside, if you ever get stuck in the 'wut am best' situation, just buy the gun you think looks cool.  Just about anything can be upgraded and tuned to perform really well.  Gear is pretty much the same.  Every time I get a new rig (going on 6 years this summer) I think I've got the best there is, but something else always pops up and ends up being better.  With handguns, or any sidearm...get a Marui, lol.  Unmodified, they are the best choice in my opinion.  The only sidearms I've kept for more than a few months were TM, my 226 is actually my longest owned gun, having reached the 3 year mark this past January.

[Gambler]

Gabe, are you telling me you have bought more than 1 set of gear?  I just don't understand how anyone could have 4 or 5 different vests or even worse 6 or 7 guns.  That just seems insane.  Oh wait...  I would avoid the cross draw vest as that was the first one I bought and I only wore it once, I even still have it.  Come out to the SC vs GA game and I'll let you take a look at it. 

I couldn't agree with Gabe more on the TM pistols too.  A lot of guys like the gass blow back because of the kick back, but I love the electric pistols, either the Glock 18C or the USP that TM makes, they shoot amazing and are very quiet, and as consistant as you can get. 

No matter what you end up buying you will probably also end up upgrading, so don't overthing it too much.  A little warning too, this is only the first of many guns you will end up buying.  Airsoft is like crack.

[Esteban]

Are you looking at assault rifles? You could start out with a chest rig instead of a crossdraw vest. My first vest was a crossdraw as well, and I ended up using it only a little bit. You'll end up wanting to customise and change it, so a crossdraw is not ideal.

Have you looked into a G36 as a primary AEG?

[SteevoLS]

Something to bear in mind about starter guns is that any beginner gun worth buying (G&G Combat Machine, etc) is only going to be about $100-150 cheaper than a high end rifle like a VFC, KWA, or G&P.

If you think you're going to stick with airsoft for a while, start out with something along these lines.

VFC M4 E Series (About $250 from ASGI when you used the 10% off coupons)
Small chest rig or RRV (modular, much better than a crossdraw)
MAG midcap box set
Quality eyepro
7.4v lipo or 9.6v nimh battery
Smart charger

[Esteban]

Something to bear in mind about starter guns is that any beginner gun worth buying (G&G Combat Machine, etc) is only going to be about $100-150 cheaper than a high end rifle like a VFC, KWA, or G&P.

If you think you're going to stick with airsoft for a while, start out with something along these lines.

VFC M4 E Series (About $250 from ASGI when you used the 10% off coupons)
Small chest rig or RRV (modular, much better than a crossdraw)
MAG midcap box set
Quality eyepro
7.4v lipo or 9.6v nimh battery
Smart charger

I think Stephen has the right idea for a quality starter setup if you plan on playing a good bit. Go ahead and search "chest rigs" on ASGI.

Also, make sure you have some good hiking boots.