Hello All! I would like to take this opportunity to make a public service announcement with regards to safety and responsibility both on and off of the field. Please remember to always use proper eye and face protection when playing airsoft to avoid serious injury. Airsoft is a fun sport, but like many sports, it can be dangerous and should be treated as such. Always observe the rules of the field at which you are playing. It's no fun if you don't call your hits or fail to follow 'dead men tell no tales' rules. Why cheat to stay in the game when you can just re-spawn? Besides, it's a good time to reload magazines and check your gear.
With regards to off the field, it is important to remember that airsoft guns are not toys. Always check your local and state laws before purchasing or using airsoft guns, and remember that individual townships may have specific ordinances even if the state does not. Do not assume that because your airsoft gun has an orange tip on the end of the barrel that it will not be seen as a weapon by bystanders and police (police being the more important of the two). Also, check to see if your township has specific rules for transportation of airsoft guns, such as requiring that they not be loaded while in the vehicle, or that they be in the trunk or otherwise out of the driver's direct control, as with some firearms ordinances. This can include being locked in a case or stored in such a way that the firearm is separated from the ammunition.
Airsoft is a wonderful sport, it brings people together and teaches responsible gun handling and discipline. However, it doesn't take much to ruin it for everybody. Know the rules before you start playing airsoft, and you'll have a much more enjoyable experience. But most importantly, Get Out and Play!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Condor Double Kangaroo Pouch (Black) Review
So, as promised, this blog isn't just about gun reviews. I also will take the time to review tactical gear on its usefulness and quality, to help determine if its worth the cost. I'm a college student, so I don't always have a lot of extra money laying around for airsoft, so when I can get a deal, I'll pass it on.
MOLLE gear (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) is very popular among airsoft players for many reasons. It can be modified to fit the players needs, whether the player prefers carrying a high volume of extra magazines, or would rather take a minimalist approach and carry as little gear as needed. Pouches can be arranged to suit the users taste, and can carry almost anything into the field; some pouches are specifically designed for magazines, others for grenades, while others simply serve as general purpose pouches. This review, as the title suggests, will focus on the Condor Double Kangaroo Pouch (Black) from Shorty USA. For the low price of $14.99, you get two M4/M16 style magazine pouches, along with two pistol magazine pouches. This combination is perfect for players who use hi-cap magazines and only need to carry a limited number, or for players who use mid-cap magazines and speed loaders, as the pistol pouches will accommodate the speed loaders perfectly. The rifle magazines are held in place by an elastic cord, while the pistol magazines are secured by Velcro. To get this combination of pouches separately would cost over $30 ($12 for the Double Open Top Rifle Pouch and $8 each for the Pistol Magazine Pouch).
Pros:
Saves valuable MOLLE real-estate by combining both magazine pouches into one unit
Allows for easy access to magazines for quick reloads in the field
Keeps speed loaders close to magazines for easy access
Cons:
None
Overall: Definitely a great piece of gear to add to a loadout. Well worth the $15, as you get twice the value for which you pay. Highly Recommended.
MOLLE gear (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) is very popular among airsoft players for many reasons. It can be modified to fit the players needs, whether the player prefers carrying a high volume of extra magazines, or would rather take a minimalist approach and carry as little gear as needed. Pouches can be arranged to suit the users taste, and can carry almost anything into the field; some pouches are specifically designed for magazines, others for grenades, while others simply serve as general purpose pouches. This review, as the title suggests, will focus on the Condor Double Kangaroo Pouch (Black) from Shorty USA. For the low price of $14.99, you get two M4/M16 style magazine pouches, along with two pistol magazine pouches. This combination is perfect for players who use hi-cap magazines and only need to carry a limited number, or for players who use mid-cap magazines and speed loaders, as the pistol pouches will accommodate the speed loaders perfectly. The rifle magazines are held in place by an elastic cord, while the pistol magazines are secured by Velcro. To get this combination of pouches separately would cost over $30 ($12 for the Double Open Top Rifle Pouch and $8 each for the Pistol Magazine Pouch).
Pros:
Saves valuable MOLLE real-estate by combining both magazine pouches into one unit
Allows for easy access to magazines for quick reloads in the field
Keeps speed loaders close to magazines for easy access
Cons:
None
Overall: Definitely a great piece of gear to add to a loadout. Well worth the $15, as you get twice the value for which you pay. Highly Recommended.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
UTG M324 Gen 5 Spring Sniper Rifle Review
Near the end of the spring semester (some time in April) I took a short road trip into Delaware and decided to stop at Shorty USA's walk-in store before heading home. I had been looking for a new spring sniper rifle after getting ripped off by a 'friend' who claimed the gun he was selling me was 'brand new' and 'barely used.' When I was actually able to put some rounds through it, I found that it was broken internally and mostly just good for parts. I have since decided to use it as a practice weapon for doing custom cammo paint jobs, since if I mess up, it's not like I'm losing an expensive gun in the process. Anyway, back to the story.
After looking at some of the rifles on display, I decided to take a closer look at the UTG M324 Gen 5 in Olive Drab and was very impressed with the quality of its construction. I had read a few reviews online for the Gen 3, which was upgraded internally to the Gen 5, and users seemed dissatisfied. Many were disappointed to have to pay extra in order to upgrade their rifle to shoot on par with most spring sniper rifles, rather than just being able to take it from the box to the battle field. I can assure you that UTG has really stepped up to the plate and pulled out all the stops with this rifle. The Gen 5, which came with everything shy of a scope, shoots at around 450 FPS with .2 gram bbs, and has an effective range of over 200 feet, making it perfect for sniping right out of the box. One noticeable downside is a lack of iron sights, meaning a scope must be used in order to aim. Having owned the UHC Super 9 PRO for a number of years, I had gotten used to being able to use iron sights for backyard shooting. I didn't get terribly caught up on this little detail, as it is common for sniper rifles not to have iron sights. The distance shooting they are designed for would make a scope a necessity anyway.
Feeling a little impulsive, I decided to go ahead and buy it, and I am very satisfied with my purchase. As with most sniper rifles, some assembly was required. The upper receiver is attached to the stock with a series of screws, which are different sizes. It is very important to read the instructions carefully for which screws go in which location as to not damage the gun. This rifle features two rail mount platforms: one for a scope and one for a bi-pod. Each are a good size for various accessories. There is a sling mount on the left side of the stock, and a swiveling mount just below the barrel at the front of the lower receiver. The bolt action functions smoothly, making this gun easy to operate. As with most sniper rifles, a safety switch is located to the right of the bolt assembly just behind the bolt handle and can be operated by the right thumb. The hop-up lever is located on the left side of the barrel near the fore grip.
The rifle came with two magazines, each with a 25 round capacity, an extendable bi-pod, a sling, and three stock extenders, which give the gun an extra inch and half of length. The stock extenders make this gun ideal for shooters of different body sizes and builds. After attaching and sighting in a scope, I tested the rifle in my backyard with a series of cans, and it performed consistently and accurately, taking out each aluminum assailant with ease. I would highly recommend this gun to anyone looking for a well built, quality sniper rifle for a reasonable price tag (This gun retails for $99.99 on ShortyUSA's website). My advice would be to carry a small AEG, such as an MP5 or an MP5K, as a backup weapon if you plan to use this rifle as a primary, or carry it in conjunction with your primary weapon, using it when necessary for those long distance shots.
Pros:
Price (Only $99.99 with no sales tax - I love Delaware)
Magazine Capacity (25 rounds each. If you need 50 rounds to hit a target, maybe sniping isn't for you)
Accessories Included (Bi-pod, Sling, Spare Magazine, Stock Extenders)
Fully upgraded from the M324 Gen 3
Minimal Assembly (ready to shoot almost right out of the box, all necessary tools included)
Solid Construction (High quality plastic, quality internals)
Cons:
Doesn't come with a scope (But very few guns do, and if it did, it would cost somewhere around $150)
Not threaded for a silencer/suppressor (minor detail, but if you like the look of a suppressor, you may want to consider a different rifle)
Overall: Great Quality Gun. Highly recommended for new and experienced players, ready to use right out of the box without needing to spend extra money on upgrading. The rifle is available in four different color options (OD Green, Black, Digital Camo, and Army Camo).
Available from both Shorty USA and Airsoft GI, as well as other retailers at very affordable prices.
After looking at some of the rifles on display, I decided to take a closer look at the UTG M324 Gen 5 in Olive Drab and was very impressed with the quality of its construction. I had read a few reviews online for the Gen 3, which was upgraded internally to the Gen 5, and users seemed dissatisfied. Many were disappointed to have to pay extra in order to upgrade their rifle to shoot on par with most spring sniper rifles, rather than just being able to take it from the box to the battle field. I can assure you that UTG has really stepped up to the plate and pulled out all the stops with this rifle. The Gen 5, which came with everything shy of a scope, shoots at around 450 FPS with .2 gram bbs, and has an effective range of over 200 feet, making it perfect for sniping right out of the box. One noticeable downside is a lack of iron sights, meaning a scope must be used in order to aim. Having owned the UHC Super 9 PRO for a number of years, I had gotten used to being able to use iron sights for backyard shooting. I didn't get terribly caught up on this little detail, as it is common for sniper rifles not to have iron sights. The distance shooting they are designed for would make a scope a necessity anyway.
Feeling a little impulsive, I decided to go ahead and buy it, and I am very satisfied with my purchase. As with most sniper rifles, some assembly was required. The upper receiver is attached to the stock with a series of screws, which are different sizes. It is very important to read the instructions carefully for which screws go in which location as to not damage the gun. This rifle features two rail mount platforms: one for a scope and one for a bi-pod. Each are a good size for various accessories. There is a sling mount on the left side of the stock, and a swiveling mount just below the barrel at the front of the lower receiver. The bolt action functions smoothly, making this gun easy to operate. As with most sniper rifles, a safety switch is located to the right of the bolt assembly just behind the bolt handle and can be operated by the right thumb. The hop-up lever is located on the left side of the barrel near the fore grip.
The rifle came with two magazines, each with a 25 round capacity, an extendable bi-pod, a sling, and three stock extenders, which give the gun an extra inch and half of length. The stock extenders make this gun ideal for shooters of different body sizes and builds. After attaching and sighting in a scope, I tested the rifle in my backyard with a series of cans, and it performed consistently and accurately, taking out each aluminum assailant with ease. I would highly recommend this gun to anyone looking for a well built, quality sniper rifle for a reasonable price tag (This gun retails for $99.99 on ShortyUSA's website). My advice would be to carry a small AEG, such as an MP5 or an MP5K, as a backup weapon if you plan to use this rifle as a primary, or carry it in conjunction with your primary weapon, using it when necessary for those long distance shots.
Pros:
Price (Only $99.99 with no sales tax - I love Delaware)
Magazine Capacity (25 rounds each. If you need 50 rounds to hit a target, maybe sniping isn't for you)
Accessories Included (Bi-pod, Sling, Spare Magazine, Stock Extenders)
Fully upgraded from the M324 Gen 3
Minimal Assembly (ready to shoot almost right out of the box, all necessary tools included)
Solid Construction (High quality plastic, quality internals)
Cons:
Doesn't come with a scope (But very few guns do, and if it did, it would cost somewhere around $150)
Not threaded for a silencer/suppressor (minor detail, but if you like the look of a suppressor, you may want to consider a different rifle)
Overall: Great Quality Gun. Highly recommended for new and experienced players, ready to use right out of the box without needing to spend extra money on upgrading. The rifle is available in four different color options (OD Green, Black, Digital Camo, and Army Camo).
Available from both Shorty USA and Airsoft GI, as well as other retailers at very affordable prices.
UTG M3 Shotgun Review
A year and a half ago, I was browsing Airsoft GI's website and came across the UTG M3 Multi-Shot Spring Shotgun. This gun uses three independent barrels to fire three rounds with each trigger pull. Most spring shotguns on the market fire only one shot for each trigger pull, essentially making them a rifle that looks like a shotgun, rather than a shotgun designed as a shotgun. After reading through the description and comparing a few other models, I decided to go ahead and buy one. I decided on the pistol grip style (the one in the link above) rather than the full stock style. It was a purchase I would not regret. Combining Airsoft GI's free shipping on orders over $150 (Christmas special, and I had a few other items in my order, but that's for another post) and a free T-shirt with the order, I was happy to be getting a good deal. Since that order, I have learned that Airsoft GI is known for quality service and great prices.
When my order arrived, I was very impressed with the weight and quality of the shotgun right out of the box. The pistol grip and fore grip were a comfortable non-slip plastic, and gave the gun a dual-tone appearance, which is a bit more realistic than most all-black spring guns. Despite being plastic, it felt heavy and solid, having no rattle or wobble in any of the moving parts. My only concern was that it only came with one shotgun shell style magazine(loaded much like a real shotgun shell, making it very realistic), but luckily I thought ahead and added a six pack of them to my order (decently priced, and coming in 3 different colors). Each magazine hold 30 rounds, which may seem like a lot, until you factor in the three barrels that fire simultaneously when the trigger is pulled, thus each shell only gives the user 10 shots. With the additional magazines, a player can fire 70 shots (210 rounds) before having to reload any shells.
I set up some targets in my backyard to test out the range and grouping of the shotgun. At approximately 15 yards, the distance of my yard, I was able to consistently knock down a soda can with each shot. The shot grouping was much tighter than expected, making this gun ideal for both close and medium range. At 15 yards, the grouping was approximately one to one and half feet in diameter on average, which, combined with the accuracy, would make this gun a decent primary weapon or a back up to an AEG. As it is a spring gun, it would work great for 'pick up' games when batteries might not be charged, and it will outlast an AEG in an all day game.
Pros:
Decent Weight (not too heavy, but not cheap plastic)
Magazine Style (adds realism)
Sling Mounts (Front mount can we switched to three different positions: right, left, and center)
Three Barrels (good for close or medium range)
White Sights for easy target acquisition
Funtional Safety
Pump action - Does not need batteries
Can only be cocked once (can't accidentally double feed the chamber)
Cons:
Magazine Capacity (Realistic, but not very practical. Easily remedied by carrying more shells)
Overall: Great quality gun, good both as a back up and a primary. Strongly Recommended for New and Experience Players.
Retails for $60.00 on Airsoft GI (Ships from California), also available for $59.99 at Shorty USA (a Delaware Based Distributor). Shells are available in six packs for $14.00 on Airsoft GI and $14.99 on Shorty USA. They are highly recommended.
When my order arrived, I was very impressed with the weight and quality of the shotgun right out of the box. The pistol grip and fore grip were a comfortable non-slip plastic, and gave the gun a dual-tone appearance, which is a bit more realistic than most all-black spring guns. Despite being plastic, it felt heavy and solid, having no rattle or wobble in any of the moving parts. My only concern was that it only came with one shotgun shell style magazine(loaded much like a real shotgun shell, making it very realistic), but luckily I thought ahead and added a six pack of them to my order (decently priced, and coming in 3 different colors). Each magazine hold 30 rounds, which may seem like a lot, until you factor in the three barrels that fire simultaneously when the trigger is pulled, thus each shell only gives the user 10 shots. With the additional magazines, a player can fire 70 shots (210 rounds) before having to reload any shells.
I set up some targets in my backyard to test out the range and grouping of the shotgun. At approximately 15 yards, the distance of my yard, I was able to consistently knock down a soda can with each shot. The shot grouping was much tighter than expected, making this gun ideal for both close and medium range. At 15 yards, the grouping was approximately one to one and half feet in diameter on average, which, combined with the accuracy, would make this gun a decent primary weapon or a back up to an AEG. As it is a spring gun, it would work great for 'pick up' games when batteries might not be charged, and it will outlast an AEG in an all day game.
Pros:
Decent Weight (not too heavy, but not cheap plastic)
Magazine Style (adds realism)
Sling Mounts (Front mount can we switched to three different positions: right, left, and center)
Three Barrels (good for close or medium range)
White Sights for easy target acquisition
Funtional Safety
Pump action - Does not need batteries
Can only be cocked once (can't accidentally double feed the chamber)
Cons:
Magazine Capacity (Realistic, but not very practical. Easily remedied by carrying more shells)
Overall: Great quality gun, good both as a back up and a primary. Strongly Recommended for New and Experience Players.
Retails for $60.00 on Airsoft GI (Ships from California), also available for $59.99 at Shorty USA (a Delaware Based Distributor). Shells are available in six packs for $14.00 on Airsoft GI and $14.99 on Shorty USA. They are highly recommended.
Welcome
This blog will hopefully guide new and experienced airsoft players when selecting guns and gear through reviews, pictures, and videos. I have provided a list of distributors, and I will post a link to the site where each of my products was purchased.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)