Airsoft - Is it worth it?

UnknownSpecies

Hey, I'm very interested in starting up skirmishing. The only thing stopping me right now is the thought of spending all the money to get the right equipment, tac gear and paying for the venue also. I just want to know, from the mouths of experienced airsofters, is it really worth spending all the money? I don't want to go spending lots of money an then regretting it!

Witcher

The key is to just buy the bare essentials first, infact you don't even need bare essentials..rent first, play and if you like it make the gradual move to buying your own guns/gear as you see fit:)

J.D.R

Blay wrote: »

The key is to just buy the bare essentials first, infact you don't even need bare essentials..rent first, play and if you like it make the gradual move to buying your own guns/gear as you see fit:)

By bare essentials, he means AEG, Face protection and Footware. After that comes the camo, vests, pistols, etc, but these are all extras that you can easily do without.

But you will need a good AEG, good footware, and exceptional eye/Face protection.

But like Blay said, you will be able to enjoy a brilliant day out with 50 quid. That will get you all the rental stuff you need and a days skirmishing at all the sites in Ireland.

UnknownSpecies

Thanks, yeah I would love to go out for the day, but none of my friends are anywhere near interested enough to pay €50 and I don't want to be there alone looking like a noob How much would I be spending on decent face protection? I will probably buy my own CQB AEG because even if I don't skirmish, I'll find fun with it! Another thing is, I havn't heard of many places in Cork to skirmish.

Rhinocharge

dorgasm wrote: »

I havn't heard of many places in Cork to skirmish.

www.corkairsoft.ie Ask for Rob.

Silent Death

Simple answer to the question is Yes, once you get even knee deep in Airsoft your stuck there but you will love it. Buy the gun first or do some rentals, they will never be as good but you can get a feel, then once you have the gun its up to you, camo, tac-vest etc all come later

bru.wicklow

you will love it m8.you wont be alone there will be plenty of other people there;)its a really friendly sport with lots of guys and gals that have no problem giving advice,tips etc.my biggest regret is taking it up so late(38):(

McGilla

Hey mate,

I had the same thoughs before I started playing, I tried to organise a group of mates to go, but never got any interest. I didnt want to fork out on gear to find out it wasn't for me!

So I bit the bullet, booked myself in (alone) to my local site. And got a rental gun!

I turned up all noobish, in a pair of green combats (fashion not millitary) with my rental, and felt awkward on site, till the marshalls brouht me over to a group of freaquent players.

I had an amazing day gaming, getting advice from what were strangers, but are now an unofficial team I play with week in week out!

I bought a second hand AEG here for €100, its done me goo service and I played for 8 weeks in those old combats, you dont need to look like your going to invade Iraq single handedly! -

Just get out there, enjoy it and let the bug bite!

- If you want any advice PM me any time

Genghiz Cohen

McGilla wrote: »

Just get out there, enjoy it and let the bug bite!

- If you want any advice PM any of us any time

fixed.

UnknownSpecies

Thanks lads I think I might just start sometime this year. I tried to go to the corkairsoft website but it seems to be broken? Does anybody else have this problem.

My mother isn't happy at all, she can't understand the idea of a 19 year spending money on a replica gun

Don't worry anyway, I'll be PM'ing some of ye no doubt

MerryDespot

McGilla wrote: »

you dont need to look like your going to invade Iraq single handedly!

You don't...
Aawwwwwww...
I wish someone had told me that before I sold my kidney to fund gear.

Spooky-Vinny

no no, it's not worth it, we'r all just addicted to talkin' about airsoft ya know? haha JK :P

Deffo try it out, you won't regret it! every site provides rentals!

-SpOoKy xXx

darman28

Hi dorgasm best thing is just get out on a skirmish to see if its your thing or not, going with friends is good because they can show you the crack and maybe lend you gun for the day.As the lads said all you really need in airsoft are A.E.G, facemask, camo and boots all the rest is decoration and bling.Have to say it is a good sport/hobby because it keeps you fit, socially its great gets you meeting alot of good people and make long term friends.Also man you have to spend your money and time at something to keep yourself insane, it cant be sex,drugs,booze and rocknroll the whole time.:D

UnknownSpecies

darman28 wrote: »

Hi dorgasm best thing is just get out on a skirmish to see if its your thing or not, going with friends is good because they can show you the crack and maybe lend you gun for the day.As the lads said all you really need in airsoft are A.E.G, facemask, camo and boots all the rest is decoration and bling.Have to say it is a good sport/hobby because it keeps you fit, socially its great gets you meeting alot of good people and make long term friends.Also man you have to spend your money and time at something to keep yourself insane, it cant be sex,drugs,booze and rocknroll the whole time.:D

That's basically what my money goes on until now

Just another question lads, does anybody have any experience of buying AEGs from online stores outside of Ireland? What are the more trusted sites? I'm looking at AEGs on gunnerairsoft.com, are they reliable does anybody know?

Leftyflip

Don't bother lad, you'll end up paying way more, it looks cheaper but it's not.
Buy Irish and you'll get far better service and a warranty to fall back on.

Inari

Lefty speaks the truth!

When you import an AEG, you have to pay for the product, the shipping, VAT, possibly import duty, custom fees, and the courier's own administration fees. So what appears to be cheap, and a bargain, is not so. It may still work out a few euro cheaper (I bought a GBB pistol from Redwolf, and it worked out €2 cheaper...literally), but you've got a longer wait time, and no real warranty. Buying in Ireland gives you a longer warranty (most retailers have a 3 month warranty), supports the local stores (which allows them to stock more) and gives you peace of mind - you can walk out with it on the day!

Have a look in some of the stores, see what you like the feel of, and ask about prices. Do the research, see if it's cheaper elsewhere, and even enquire about maybe knocking a few quid off. You never know

I'd thoroughly recommend buying Irish though

UnknownSpecies

Will do, thanks for the advice!

I'm in the middle of looking for an MP5 SD6 secon d hand now on boards airsoft adverts, hope I can get a good deal and start soon

Another question for ye lads, what's the best face protection I can get for maybe under €30? I'd like a full face mask but I've heard they get in the way when aiming down the sights!

Dogwatch

Dont skimp on face protection.Get the best you can afford.

I am not going to recommend a particular type as you will probably try a few before settling on which suits you best.

UnknownSpecies

Good stuff, any websites you could point me towards that has a good selection?

Dogwatch

dorgasm wrote: »

Good stuff, any websites you could point me towards that has a good selection?

Any IAA affilited site has different selections. Drop in to the one nearest to you or phone them if too far away. They all post/courier goods.

http://irishairsoft.ie/

CaptainCook

Dogwatch wrote: »

Any IAA affilited site has different selections. Drop in to the one nearest to you or phone them if too far away. They all post/courier goods.

http://irishairsoft.ie/

One cheap essenial especially if you prefer goggles to a afce mask, is a gum shield youll get em for about 10 quid, even if you wear a full face mask itll stop you biting your tongue.

SOCOM

dorgasm wrote: »

Good stuff, any websites you could point me towards that has a good selection?

Tell ye what I'm gonna do. You pm me your address and I will send you a pair of Bolle goggles to get you started, their not the greatest looking but offer great eye protection. I owe boards a favour as I received a free battleaxe mag from Shiva several months ago, so I am paying it forward as the yanks say!
Don't forget it's not just about guns and gear, as far as I am concerened the airsoft community is by far the closest and freindliest your likely to come accross, I have met and made some real mates through it, so make sure you let your mum know that if she is worried about the growing arsenal in your room, don't forget to pm me!
And enjoy yourself!!

UnknownSpecies

Ah man , absolute legend Thanks a million for this, really encouraging seeing such sound fellas around! :D:D

SOCOM

dorgasm wrote: »

Ah man , absolute legend Thanks a million for this, really encouraging seeing such sound fellas around! :D:D

Not a bother dude, as I said a lad on boards did a good deed for me so I am passing it on, I will try and whack them in the post this evening, if not first thing in the morning.
See you on the field!
John

Shiva

SOCOM wrote: »

Not a bother dude, as I said a lad on boards did a good deed for me so I am passing it on, I will try and whack them in the post this evening, if not first thing in the morning.
See you on the field!
John

Fair play to you John....thats made it worthwhile

Stercus Accidit

dorgasm wrote: »

Ah man , absolute legend Thanks a million for this, really encouraging seeing such sound fellas around! :D:D

They will be sound until you get your first bdu, then when you either get multicam or some normal camo, you will be a member for life of one clique or another, the rivalries are bitter.

Word of advice, if you join the multi-cammers, dont get an AK, your own kind will shun you!

SOCOM

SOCOM wrote: »

Not a bother dude, as I said a lad on boards did a good deed for me so I am passing it on, I will try and whack them in the post this evening, if not first thing in the morning.
See you on the field!
John

Ha ha just made the last post for today!! Apologies for my fowl handwriting on the jiffy bag!! You should them before end of week, let me know!
John

UnknownSpecies

Thanks a million again man, well on my way to starting now Hope to see some of ye when the time comes

SOCOM

Shiva wrote: »

Fair play to you John....thats made it worthwhile

Hey Tony! You started it fellah!

UnknownSpecies

Got the googles this morning, they are sooo comfy , I love em Thanks a million again SOCOM, can't wait to try them out Some day in the future I'll pay it forward, starting a big chain haha

SOCOM

dorgasm wrote: »

Got the googles this morning, they are sooo comfy , I love em Thanks a million again SOCOM, can't wait to try them out Some day in the future I'll pay it forward, starting a big chain haha

Can't believe you got them already! Glad to hear you like them, got them off eBay, apparently they came from a British MOD auction, unissued military goggles, SAS was also mentioned in the discription. And they could withstand a shotgun blast at five metres, don't try that by the way!!!
Anyway best of luck to ya!

Spitfire_24

dorgasm wrote: »

I tried to go to the corkairsoft website but it seems to be broken? Does anybody else have this problem.

still have problems getting in touch with cork airsoft?? try their facebook page, just type in cork airsoft. i play there most sundays, great site and a great bunch of players, newbies very very welcome. PM me if you want contact number for rob. cork airsoft does rentals too so you don't have to worry about kitting yourself out day one.

and as for is it worth it?? its the most addictive thing i've ever done, been playing for 18months and am just back from my first big weekend event in wales that could only be described as the best holiday of my life, the craic was unbelievable!