How much should you spend on your gun's accessories?

CpcRc

I bought an APS ASR101 a couple of weeks back,quite literally just as they were coming into the country.
It's a metal body M4 carbine with electric blowback and I love it. I've already picked out accessories for it. Some I've bought already and some I'm planning to buy over the christmas hols (perhaps some as gifts) and in January.

Right now,the things I'm getting are external and maybe down the line I'll save up for internal upgrades like a tightbore barrel and improved hop up if needs be. I've only shot it a few times for target practise and to get the hopup and iron sights right. I don't want to get internal mods until I've skirmished with it a few times and have an idea of it's performance and where it can improve.

Back to the point,I totted up the cost of buying these things and it's as much as the gun cost! Thats 200 euro more. Now I really like all the things I want to get and they will all make this gun my own and I really like the idea of what it'll look like when it's finished. On the plus side, these things are reusable in other AEGs or other M4s. I haven't got a load of money and have researched the cheapest I can buy these for. I should JUST about pay for this and won't have much money left over.

My question is, when is it enough? Should I not spend that much anyway, or should I go for it no matter the cost because of the joy once it's finished? I know this is a pretty basic project as it's only external at the moment, but it's the first time I'm going to spend this much money and time on a gun afterward purchase. I'm rabbling, but I really am stuck.

Witcher

As much as you want is the best answer. But don't put too much onto it a sight and a grip are really the only accessories you'll use on a gun. Peq boxes, lasers, lights, grenade launchers are all dead weight.

When your out in a skirmish going through a bush, having a lot of crap on a rifle snags everything. For practicality reasons anything on the gun should benefit you in every game but by all means put anything you want on it, it's your gun and nobody elses opinions matter:)

Markom5a

CpcRc wrote: »

I bought an APS ASR101 a couple of weeks back,quite literally just as they were coming into the country.
It's a metal body M4 carbine with electric blowback and I love it. I've already picked out accessories for it. Some I've bought already and some I'm planning to buy over the christmas hols (perhaps some as gifts) and in January.

Right now,the things I'm getting are external and maybe down the line I'll save up for internal upgrades like a tightbore barrel and improved hop up if needs be. I've only shot it a few times for target practise and to get the hopup and iron sights right. I don't want to get internal mods until I've skirmished with it a few times and have an idea of it's performance and where it can improve.

Back to the point,I totted up the cost of buying these things and it's as much as the gun cost! Thats 200 euro more. Now I really like all the things I want to get and they will all make this gun my own and I really like the idea of what it'll look like when it's finished. On the plus side, these things are reusable in other AEGs or other M4s. I haven't got a load of money and have researched the cheapest I can buy these for. I should JUST about pay for this and won't have much money left over.

My question is, when is it enough? Should I not spend that much anyway, or should I go for it no matter the cost because of the joy once it's finished? I know this is a pretty basic project as it's only external at the moment, but it's the first time I'm going to spend this much money and time on a gun afterward purchase. I'm rabbling, but I really am stuck.

to be totally honest mate its up to you! its what you feel comfortable spending! I have spent a crapload getting my aegs internals just perfect and after i got them to what i wanted i stopped spending money on airsoft for a while. Now though i feel its time especially since its christmas and iv work that i can start to do what i want externally with it.

basically its down to you, because one person wouldnt mind spending 500 quid on accessories and another could see 20 as a push.

CpcRc

Blay wrote: »

Peq boxes, lasers, lights, grenade launchers are all dead weight.

Well I'm actually thinking of getting a PEQ box, but I'm getting one with an adjustable working laser for the same price as one of the plain box ones here. And the laser doesn't cut into the battery space. Also it should be big enough to fit a spare 8.4v or 9.6 volt battery in case mine goes dead on a long days skirmishing.

Apart from that it's a special rail set,sight,grips and midcaps mainly. It's about 9 items over all (the mags are a set though).All removable quickly if needs be.

Witcher

CpcRc wrote: »

Well I'm actually thinking of getting a PEQ box, but I'm getting one with an adjustable working laser for the same price as one of the plain box ones here. And the laser doesn't cut into the battery space. Also it should be big enough to fit a spare 8.4v or 9.6 volt battery in case mine goes dead on a long days skirmishing.

Apart from that it's a special rail set,sight,grips and midcaps mainly. It's about 9 items over all (the mags are a set though).All removable quickly if needs be.

I was mainly talking about those hollow peqs you can get that are just for show:)

As long as you're happy with how the gun looks with the accessories thats all that matters:)

CpcRc

Thanks Blay.
I was also thinking that the laser could be useful for quickly targeting people when doing CQB.

CpcRc

Nothing wrong with a bit of "tacticool" is there?

evilrobotshane

I wouldn't go mental buying top-notch kit, because once the novelty value wears off you'll probably find the unnecessaries get relegated to the bits box. Reusable or not, if all they actually do for you is make the gun heavy and catch on branches, they'll get removed and not reattached.

This is on the assumption your gun is for using, rather than just looking at.

CpcRc

evilrobotshane wrote: »

I wouldn't go mental buying top-notch kit, because once the novelty value wears off you'll probably find the unnecessaries get relegated to the bits box. Reusable or not, if all they actually do for you is make the gun heavy and catch on branches, they'll get removed and not reattached.

This is on the assumption your gun is for using, rather than just looking at.

The majority of the money is going on a set of mid caps and a sight. I can see one item being more aesthetic,but thats a silencer(I'd like to have one anyway, and it's universal). I'd only use that for woodland and can easily change with the original flashider.
They rest shouldn't get in the way or snag on branches.I'm not getting a grenade launcher as they make your gun front heavy and they have handheld launchers now that are way more useful(and cheaper).
For the most part, these are functional mods. I'm not weighing it down with flashy parts that I don't feel will improve the gun in more than just simple aesthetics. There are lots of people out there willing to fill that role. They all will play a small part.
Like I said I don't have a lot of money so this gun is for go, not just for show(I don't think I'll have enough money for a long time to have a purely "show" gun, I'm a student).

Inari

When you start airsoft, you will end up buying many things that you didn't want, and don't need...and you'll only realise a few months down the road. You'll realise that you didn't need that extra cool red dot sight, or that cheap sling etc.

Accessories are what they are, but my advice is to post what things you're looking for so that we can help with brands etc. I mean, for example, when buying a sling you want to make sure that it's rugged and durable so that you're protecting your equipment. I'd strongly recommend the Magpul MS2 sling (circa €30).

But to answer your question; accessories in Real Steel can cost more than the gun e.g. RS ACOG. It really depends on what you're willing to spend, and what you need. Decide what you want now, and then wait and see if you want the rest. As your playing style develops, so too will your gear requirements

CpcRc

Here's the list:
Battleaxe PEQ box with functioning and adjustable laser (should be able to fit a 8.4v or 9.6v NiMH spare battery)
Gemtech 5.56 mm Halo silencer
Bi-level rail(I have a carbine so have to buy rails)
Eotech 552 Holographic sight
8 x MAG midcap 130rd M4 magazines
Element G27 pistol grip
FAB defense Magwell grip

And I've bought 4000 G&G 0.25g BBs and something for my loadout.

Lemming

CpcRc wrote: »

Here's the list:

Whatever you feel both comfortable with spending money on, and can afford to spend money on is your answer really. Maybe add in whether or not you're willing to accept the added weight and encumberance that all of those goodies will bring when you start to lego-brick your AEG.

Personally, I have almost no gun accessories other than a couple of slings that I don't even use sometimes. But that's me, not you.

And I've bought 4000 G&G 0.25g BBs and something for my loadout.

You can never have enough BBs. When I put in orders, I usually order in at least 9+ bags (4000x .25g per bag at 1kg each) as I get the largest amount of discount on 9+ bags. Given that I frequently run support guns, bulk discount purchase may cost more short-term, but I save money in the long run.

J.D.R

If you are worried about the silencer being more for aesthetics, and want to be able to remove it quickly if needs be, have you thought about a QD silencer? One that just slides onto the flashider?

I have gotten this one for myself (cause it's cheap) and it actually looks, feels, and did I mention looks brilliant on my M4 and Sig 556

http://www.rsov.com/express/product.php?langId=1&currencyId=1&manufacturerId=10&prodId=6717&cateId=0

Inari

Nice choice on silencer, as they're pretty much regarded as the only Airsoft ones with any suppression qualities. But do you need it for your playing style? Is it something you need instantly, or would you be able to wait to see if it's necessary in the future?

The PEQ box; the laser is cool, no denying that, but if you're getting a dot-sight, then you really do not need both. The dot sight and laser sight serve the same purpose; quick target acquisition - the only advantage of the laser is pure intimidation. The advantage of the spare battery is virtually non-existant as you'd have to change the connection anyway, in which case you could just carry a spare battery in a pouch/pocket and save money.

The Bi-Level rail I've never seen before, but I bought a carry handle rail to attach a scope I never use, and now I no longer use the carry handle. If you're looking to put a dot-sight or scope on your gun, then just take off the rail and buy a back up iron sight; you can get a Dboys one for buttons.

EOTech's look cool, and I'm after one myself - but not yet because I'm just not sure I need it. I will own one for the looks eventually, but at the moment I don't need it for my playing style, and because of that (and the fact I'm usually broke), I haven't bought it yet.

MAG Midcaps - can't go wrong; midcaps are awesome, so are the brand you're planning on using.

Pistol Grip - are you really that pushed on changing the grip at the mo? Really? If you find your rifle awkward to use after a few days games, then I'd say buy the grip...but if not, then wait until money is more plentiful. Alternativley you can buy materials to make your current grip more ergonomic - I saw a post over on arnies about some putty-type material, I'll try dig it up for you.

As for the magwell grip, I'd once again ask; do you find it awkward to grip your gun by the mag well? Do you think you need this grip at this point in time, or do you think you could survive without it to see if it's really necessary?

What I'm getting at is all these things look great on paper, but you'll probably find yourself removing more and more of them as time goes on. You're far better off finding out what you'd like to attach from usage, than from browsing the internet. I hope this helps

CpcRc

I want to have one silencer in my collection that I can use on other guns I might get down the line. Silencers are pretty universal.
The silencer is already paid for but is a striaght screw on so I can easily take it back off and screw the original flash hider back on in a few seconds. Also it was only 30 euro and the friend who ordered it owed me the money so I just put it towards that. It was a couple of euros cheaper than irish prices for the exact same silencer as well.

Inari, I was probably going to take the holo off for CQB and use the laser so that the lense in the eotech won't get smashed by a BB. Plus I found it for 50 euro with shipping,cheaper than any Irish retailer. I'm getting the bi-level rail so I don't have to pay for two separate rails and it costs the same as a carry handle rail let alone adding the price of a handguard rail as well.
I'll admit that I just love the look of that grip combination,but I'm getting the two for 15 euro so it's not breaking the bank for a quality product. A magwell grip is cheaper than the foregrip(and I don't have to buy a special rail too) and easy to use. The pistol grip might be part of a future project I'm doing and it's cheaper to order it now than pay for it later. Thanks for the advice. I'm doing this on the cheap.

The gun is only 3 kg(a little bit under) so these won't massively weigh it down. But I see everyone's point.

At this point now, I'll probably go through with it and track my progress. Thanks to everyone for the advice. I found that it caused me to think more about what I was buying and what I have to gain or lose with each component. Fortunately, these aren't big heavy accessories and I can handle the small bit of extra weight that they can entail. Also I was looking for the best quality at a good price and everything I'm getting is good quality and cheaper than anywhere else. I have a sling already anyways. Thanks again for the help.