The Case For Mid-Caps

There are three types of magazines available to the airsofter, High-Caps, Mid-Caps, and Low Caps.  High-Cap (High Capacity) magazines usually hold 300+ BBs depending on the gun type and require you to wind a mechanism (usually a wheel) to produce the tension that feeds the BBs into you airsoft gun.   Mid-Cap (Mid Capacity) magazines typically hold 90-180 rounds (again, this is based on the gun type).  They do not require winding because the BBs are propelled into the airsoft gun by a spring that runs throughout the magazine (For more on how Mid-Caps work check out this video).  Low-Caps (Low Capacity) magazines  are designed to hold a realistic amount of BBs (approx. 30 round based on gun type).   Their BB feeding system is like Mid-Cap magazines.  They require no winding.

You may be asking, “Other than those airsofters looking for ultra realism, who would want to use anything other than High-Caps?  They hold the most BBs, so I can carry the most rounds with me.  Wouldn’t carrying more rounds make me a better airsofter?  And, won’t I be reloading all of the time if I use Mid-Caps”  Today, I will answer those questions.

I want to talk primarily about Mid-Caps, because they are the middle ground in airsoft magazines.  Mid-Caps allow you to have more rounds than real weapons; but less rounds than a High-Cap.

To answer the first question “Other than those airsofters looking for ultra realism, who would want to use anything other than High-Caps?”: 

• Mid-Caps aren’t just for realism.  They have great qualities like easy feeding (no need to be constantly winding) and the ability to control how many BBs you carry.  With a mid cap you can load any amount of BBs up to the maximum the mag can carry.  This allows you to get the most out of your simulations.
• Another benefit (for those who like realism) is that some Military Simulation (Mil-Sim) games will require Mid-Caps or Low-Caps.  If you want to get in on the Mil-Sim side of airsoft, Mid-Caps are the way to go.
• As I mentioned before, Mid-Caps don’t require winding.  Nothing can be more frustrating than thinking your out of rounds in your High-Cap and finding out after the round that you just forgot to wind the mag.  Mid-Caps trade off the winding for a little more difficulty when loading (since they require a speed loader).

The second question is “Wouldn’t carrying more rounds make me a better airsofter?”.  Here is why this is not the case:

• Airsoft is a sport that is designed to challenge and improve you.  Although High-Caps do hold the most rounds, they don’t present a challenge like Mid-Caps do.  With Mid-Caps you have to be a little more selective about how you use you BBs.  This improves you as a tactical warrior.
• Mid-Caps also require you to refine your airsoft skills.  You have to practice reloading on the field and switching mags.  You can’t just double stack two mags, like you can with High-Caps, and get going.  You have to have good ammo and magazine management.  All of these skills are essential if you want to become a true airsoft warrior.
• Mid-Caps also add to you stealth by not rattling in the field like High-Caps.

The final question is “won’t I be reloading all of the time if I use Mid-Caps”.  That is not the case if you have some good tactical airsoft skills.

• My load out, when using Mid-Caps, consists of 6 magazines in three double-stacked magazine pouches.  Each one of my KWA K120 magazines carries 120 rounds.  With one magazine in the gun, this gives me 840 rounds!  In a recent battle involving 40+ players, in a field environment (lots of full-auto action), I only used about 4.5 of those mags during the 1.5 hour game (3 scenarios)!  I like to conserve ammo; but 840 rounds should be more than enough for any airsoft player who practices BB conservation.
• Reloading a single Mid-Cap takes a maximum of about one minute.  It is easy to load all of you mags in between rounds or while in the field.  Get several Mid-Caps and it will take a while before you have to reload again.

I hope this post gave you some insight into the usefulness of the Mid-Cap magazine.  I personally enjoy using them.  They have added to my game play.  Let me know your thoughts on Mid-Caps and what you opinion on them is.  Thanks for reading AirsoftWarrior.net!