New to Airsoft and looking for a sniper riffle

Edenavs

Hi all,

I am new to this airsoft sport and am looking to get myself a sniper rifle. I am drawn to both the L96 and the G&G SR25.

Unfortunately I have been given a few different stories on each of these items.

Could anyone help in this matter, all comments are appreciated.

Regards,

Malcolm

Shidosha

Not going to make any comments on which is the better rifle, but I think it's worth saying that you should think long and hard about getting a sniper rifle as your first airsoft gun.

Sniping in airsoft is very, very different to the typical skirmish game. You're going to end up facing off against people primarily armed with full-auto AEGs, and you won't have a significant range advantage. It's a slow game of patience and frustration, and you have to really want to play it.

My suggestion would be to look at an AEG that can be used in the DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) role. Put it in semi-auto and go a snipin', and you still have the option of full-auto hosing people out of a hi-cap magazine. Something like an M14 with a scope on it, perhaps, or there are specialised variants of M16's and G36's that make good sniping options too.

Anyway, just a bit of a warning, sniping in airsoft is difficult and can be incredibly frustrating, it's not something I'd ever recommend to someone starting out unless they're exceptionally sure of themselves.

Edenavs

Thanks for the info and warnings, it is appreciated.

I forgot to mention that I am ex forces (12 years), and want to pursue the sniping element rather than the skirmishing and section attacks (done to many of them to want to go for it full time again).

The issue I have is that I am just not up to speed on the BB element of the sport and the different manufacturers. I have heard lots of different views on Asian equipment.

Thanks again though, its nice to see that people do actually care and give fair and honest advice.

My main reason for going for the SR25 was the electric functionality and nor having to blot action every time for a shot.

Best regards,

Malcolm

ronan keane

Edenavs wrote: »

Thanks for the info and warnings, it is appreciated.

I forgot to mention that I am ex forces (12 years), and want to pursue the sniping element rather than the skirmishing and section attacks (done to many of them to want to go for it full time again).

The issue I have is that I am just not up to speed on the BB element of the sport and the different manufacturers. I have heard lots of different views on Asian equipment.

Thanks again though, its nice to see that people do actually care and give fair and honest advice.

My main reason for going for the SR25 was the electric functionality and nor having to blot action every time for a shot.

Best regards,

Malcolm

A TM VSR is a good bolt action out of the box and i heard its very quiet and very upgradeable that would be a good choice

MonkeyGuy

TM VSR is beast, as is the JG BAR 10 if you're on a budget like myself, but I agree that an AEG would be your best bet. SR 25 would be good, as would an m14 with a scope. You can put a scope on anything really, mostly it's down to what you'll like the look of. There's lots of options out there so I'd recommend taking your time with your decision.

Firekitten

Edenavs wrote: »

Thanks for the info and warnings, it is appreciated.

I forgot to mention that I am ex forces (12 years), and want to pursue the sniping element rather than the skirmishing and section attacks (done to many of them to want to go for it full time again).

The issue I have is that I am just not up to speed on the BB element of the sport and the different manufacturers. I have heard lots of different views on Asian equipment.

Thanks again though, its nice to see that people do actually care and give fair and honest advice.

My main reason for going for the SR25 was the electric functionality and nor having to blot action every time for a shot.

Best regards,

Malcolm

Well, youve got a hard time then, its ALL Asian kit. Nearly all the airsoft manufacturers are asian.

Ok, options...

Which l96?
Tm?
Maruzen?
Clone?

Price, quality, function and performance factor... maruzen and TM work better by far, but the clone is cheaper... a lot cheaper. If you intend to upgrade it, Maruzen is the way to go.

G&G sr25... its the same gig as an ares m110, or a CAsr25... its a big gun, with aeg functionality... essentially its an m16 in a new skirt... good long barrel, nice fast follow up shots... noisy mind.

If you want to be sneaky super secret squirrel, I recomend the bolties, they can be silenced, decently, where AEGs cannot. Fast follow up is negated by not having the first one heard

If i was to buy an sr25.. id go for the Ares myself, its far nicer inside.

Other options... G&P samR (usmc dmr) m14, scoped, (m21, g&g are great for this) or a regular old m16 with a scope tricked out... in airsoft, anything can do the job, sniping is more skill and drills than precision weaponry to a greater extent.

Oh the toys can factor in the end, but primarily, you will give yourself away, before the shot does.

Salaas

Probably a null point to mention but since all airsoft guns have to fire at or below the 1 joule limit your range is not going to be that vastly different using a dedicated sniper rifle than using a AEG with a decent barrel length.
And as most people said, bolt action is the most favoured, mainly due to it being the quietest and giving best results for accurate shots.

Edenavs

Thanks for the info and warnings, it is appreciated.

The issue I have is that I am just not up to speed on the BB element of the sport and the different manufacturers. I have heard lots of different views on Asian equipment.

Thanks again though, its nice to see that people do actually care and give fair and honest advice.

My main reason for going for the SR25 was the electric functionality and nor having to blot action every time for a shot.

Best regards,

Malcolm

Firekitten

What do you want to know about the bb element? and the manufracturers?

Ask thy question, get thy answer...

T4RGET

90% of airsoft guns if not more are made in Asia, it's all about where in Asia you choose. G&G, G&P, T&M, are a few good ones, while A&K, Dboys and JG are Chine made although i find the A&K gear pretty decent still.

Salaas

For the BB element you'd have the wieght of the BB to factor in, the quality and then wether to use bio degradable bbs or not.

For a sniper rifle your getter to get a heavier BB as it holds the kinetic energy better so when you hit someone at range they will actually feel it as a hit rather than it lightly hitting them and they not knowing if it was a hit or their imagination.

The downside to a heavier BB is that it lowers the FPS and hence the power of it lowered but you'd gain less power loss the farther the distance it travels.

For the quality of the BB brands and wether to go biodegradable or not I'll leave to other people in the know.

All I know is that most sites tend to require people use biodegradable BBs and I myself then to go with them for my own personal choice.

I have heard there is a difference in quality between biodegradable and non but again someone else would know this.

Firekitten

bios can expand when its humid, or wet, causing jams in tight barrel setups... but its rare enough it happens.. just dont swim with a magfull, you should be grand.

There can be a difference, but ive found Bioval and madbull bios better than a lot of non bio bbs.

Troyad21

Usually i would say go for an AEG for your first airsoft rifle but seeing as you have experience in the army you would probably be grand going straight for a bolty. Ie. You'd have an idea of tactics and taking your time :P It can be extremely frustrating playing as a sniper at times in a regular skirmish but for me, nothing in airsoft beats a single headshot from range and no one having a clue where it came from. The reactions are priceless
The only real tactical advantage of being a sniper in airsoft is the silent/unseen aspect or in a team situation, relaying info to team mates on enemies and that.

I'm coming from experience with a Tokyo Marui VSR G-Spec(Silenced version) and a mash up of a G&G GR25/Classic Army M16A4 SPR which i turned into a DMR.

I use the VSR every time i play, it's by far my favorite rifle and has never given me trouble. I have used alot of different sniper rifles but in my opinion nothing comes close to the VSR. There are so many things you can do to it internally and externally. It is probably the most upgradable sniper rifle out there. It is cheap enough to buy standard but parts and upgrades are not.

To be honest, all you need to get for a VSR to make it even better is a longer tight bore inner barrel(you will have to drill out a lip on the silencer with the gspec to fit it), a 1 joule spring and maybe a nineball or firefly hopup rubber. The standard hopup unit itself is topnotch and easy to use on the go.(Saying that, i do have a PDI hopup unit which is unreal but finicky) but for starting out you'd really just need the above.

Also make sure you get a good reliable pistol for when things get hairy. TM in my opinion also make the best and most reliable pistols. I carry a TM Silenced Mk23 SOCOM(Actually works ) and a PX4 at all times. Both are expensive but amazing pistols. Well worth the money.

If your looking for a sniper rifle that works great out of the box and wont let you down, i'd advise you to get a TM VSR. You can get clone versions like the JG Bar10 for cheap but you'll spend as much making it reliable.

As for BB weights, the rest of the lads/ladies pretty much covered it. Once you upgrade the spring to 1 joule start using heavier BB's. Personally i use .25g's, which for sniping are actually quite light but thats just me, also i prefer to have all my guns using the same weight to save hassle but a friend of mine has used .36's and higher in his PDI upgraded Mauser/Well L96 with great results. You really feel them trust me :P

Sorry that was a bit all over the place but i hope it helps in some way.
PS. Im not being paid to advertise TM stuff or anything, i just think it's the business :P

Edenavs

Thanks for all the info. I have decided to go with a MAUSER SR PRO TACTICAL BY WELL, 4 x 40 sight and a silencer. Think that this is a good enough starter to get me into it.

I am really looking forward to getting into this lifestyle, it seems that you all have a real vested interest in what you do.

Thanks again,

T4RGET

Edenavs wrote: »

Thanks for all the info. I have decided to go with a MAUSER SR PRO TACTICAL BY WELL, 4 x 40 sight and a silencer. Think that this is a good enough starter to get me into it.

I am really looking forward to getting into this lifestyle, it seems that you all have a real vested interest in what you do.

Thanks again,

it's an amazing sport and the people you meet are so sound, just watch the bank account :rolleyes: