Category: Gear

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One of the most likely injuries to occur during an airsoft game is dehydration. This occurs due to airsofters getting in the “zone” during a game and forgetting to drink liquids, or through lack of having water easily accessible.  I’ve seen enough issues arise due to dehydration to avoid it at all costs.  No matter how short the game is, I always have water accessible.

According to STOPSportsInjuries.com, it’s recommended to drink 16 ounces an hour before a game.  During the game you should drink 4-8 ounces every 15-20 minutes.  If the game lasts more than an hour, you need to have some sports drinks with electrolytes to replenish the minerals you’ve lost.

As you can tell, that adds up to quite a bit of water during a game.  Here’s some of the best options I found to keep hydrated during a game without being overloaded!

Hydration Reservoirs and Packs:

The Hydration Pack is one of the best options out there for airsofters.  It allows operators to keep large amounts of water on them during a mission without being cumbersome.  The packs come in many sizes to fit the needs of different operations and length of games.

The part of the hydration pack that holds the water is knows as the reservoir (or bladder).  If you’re looking for a hydration reservoir, then it’s hard to go wrong with the market leader, CamelBak.  This company offers a great, quality hydration pack system.  You can start your search by checking out THIS link for their reservoir offerings on Amazon.com.

If you want a cheaper, but still functional option, try Outdoor Products’ 2L Reservoir (also known as the Cyclone Hydro Reservoir).  I’ve used it, and it works great! For $10-$20 USD, it’s hard to beat and is my go to option for on-a-budget hydration.

For those of you who are looking for a shiny, futuristic, terminator hydration system, look no further than the Geigerrig Pressurized Hydration Reservoirs. They use a pressurization system to allow you to use your hydration pack as an emergency, melee water thrower during games! 😉

Picking A Pack:

It’s easy to find a carrying system for your new hydration reservoir. If you use M.O.L.L.E. gear (like plate carriers or vests), many companies offer M.O.L.L.E. compatible packs to carry the hydration reservoir right on your gear!  One of my favorites is the Condor Hydration Carrier II.  Condor also offers versions that keep your water cool using a reflective insert.  CamelBak has many offerings (as you can imagine).  Check out their Mil Spec ThermoBak Antidote for a good, all purpose pack.

For a budget pack, check out THIS pack from Lancer Tactical. It allows you to carry a reservoir without attaching it to a M.O.L.L.E. system, and also gives you room to store extra gear, while being cheaper than most of the other options out there.

Water Bottles:

This is the cheap way to bring water to a game.  You trade off the ease of carrying the water on your back like a hydration pack, and risk it spilling all over you if you carry it during a game.  Keep in mind that it’s difficult to use them while wearing an airsoft mask.  The big benefits are that they’re easy to find and require zero prep time before a game.

I recommend using water bottles during CQB games where you can easily get back to the staging area for water.  This keeps you from carrying the extra weight of a hydration pack.  Consider getting a Nalgene bottle for a more durable (and reusable) option.

Water Purification:

This is probably the least used option of getting water during a game, but is a good option to consider if you attend large MilSim games.  Water purification allows you to reduce the amount of purified water you have to carry on you during long games (which equals reduced weight).

One of the best options is purification tablets.  Simply fill a container or Nalgene with contaminated water from a pond or stream during a game, add the recommended amount of purification tablets, and wait until they purify the water (time varies depending upon the amount and source of the water)!

I recommend Katadyn Micropur MP1 Tablets.  They’re tasteless and work great!

If you don’t mind the extra weight and bulk, and want purified water without the wait, then try a water filter.  I’ve used the Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System before.  It does a great job filtering water and comes with a ton of accessories.  There’s even an option to make it an inline filter for your hydration pack so it cleans the water while you drink it!

No matter which hydration option you choose to bring to a game, the most important thing to do is REMEMBER TO DRINK!  Make it a habit to drink water between rounds, or when there is a lull in the action during a game.  You’ll be able to stay in the field longer, fight harder, and avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital!

Awhile back, I got the urge to build something new to use at my airsoft games.  I wanted somthing effective, easy to build, and easy on the wallet.  After searching the airsoft DIY section of the internet, I found a great video on building a compressed air powered, airsoft bazooka.  The design was simple but effective.  Check out the video below to see how to build your own!

The design’s genius lies in the air compression system and the removable shells.  This makes it safe on the field and easy to reload.

In testing, I found that the effective range is about 30 feet with a horizontal spread of around 20 feet when the bazooka was charged to 40-60 psi.  FPS was around 100 (no need to worry about going over field FPS limits!).  Each shell holds approximately 70 BBs.

It only took me about an hour to get everything cut (using hand tools) and glued together.  Total cost was $30-$35 and I have enough PVC to make another one after I buy the extra fittings.

Another awesome feature of this type of airsoft weapon is the endless modifications and improvements that can be made.  I could easily see adding on a better trigger system, dual air tubes for fast follow up shots, and some cool paint schemes.

Although this bazooka is more of  a “just for fun” weapon than a serious battle winner, it’s a lot of fun to make and use.  The kick I get out of using it was well worth the effort and money I put into it!

Let me know in the comments what modifications you’ve made to this design when you build it!  Be sure to share this with your team members or battle buddies!

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Airsofters love their sidearms.  All you have to do to realize this fact is look at the wide selection of pistols that can cost as much, if not more than, a primary airsoft gun.

But, if you don’t own one, you may be wondering if it’s worth the money to invest in a sidearm (not to mention spending the time required to master the different methods of using it).  I hope I can answer that question in this post.  If you already own a sidearm, consider the points I make in this post to determine whether you really need to carry it (and use green gas or CO2) every time you play.

Before we hop into this post, I want to make sure that everyone understands that pistols are NOT the only sidearm out there.  Everything from the TF11 (based on the MAC11) to the MP9 or VZ-61 Scorpion are available for purchase in an airsoft variant.  You can also get conversion kits to make a pistol into a carbine-style weapon.  They each have their benefits and disadvantages on the field, but are important options to consider when purchasing, or upgrading, a sidearm.

Why You Should Own A Sidearm

The first step to understanding the airsoft sidearm is to understand why these sidearms even exist.

Although sidearms have been around for hundreds of years, they serve a tactical purpose on the modern battlefield that goes deeper than being just a “backup” weapon.  Sidearms serve the purpose of defending operators from close quarters assaults when their primary weapon isn’t suitable.  They give the operator a second, potentially higher rate of fire option (especially for snipers) when it comes to sending rounds down range, as well as letting the operators stay in the fight when their primary goes awry (which always seems to happen at the worst of times).

Sidearms are also more maneuverable than most primary airsoft weapons.  For example, a DMR will never be as easy to run-and-gun with as a pistol or other lightweight sidearm.

Shooting offhand (using your non-dominant side to shoot around a corner or bunker) is also made much easier with a pistol because there’s no need to switch the weapon to a different shoulder and spend time lining up your sights.

And last, but not least, pistols are COOL!  Running through a room at your local field, dual wielding pistols with extended mags and silencers couldn’t be cooler (or more intimidating if you’re good with them!).

Entry level sidearms can be bought for as little as $35, making them a lot cheaper than buying another primary weapon.

(Note: If you choose a pistol as your sidearm, be sure that it’s gas operated (most electric and spring pistols are useless for competitive airsoft games due to low FPS and unreliability).  CO2 cartridges are easy to find at sporting goods stores, while green gas allows you to get lower FPS levels for CQB games.)

So, sidearms are great because they give you options on the field, can be more effective in CQB, look cool when used properly, and are relatively inexpensive.  Sounds like a good investment, right?  But, this post wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t explain….

Why You Don’t Need A Sidearm

When I airsoft at a field, I don’t carry a sidearm on me most of the time.  Here’s why:

I often play with a CQB-legal, primary weapon (KWA SR7) at CQB fields.  My primary weapon has 8+ TIMES the capacity as my sidearm’s (in this case a pistol) magazine when I use my K120 (120 round) mid caps.  My primary’s range will never be matched by a standard sidearm, and the Rate Of Fire (ROF) is as good on semi auto as a gas pistol (because I use 9.6v batteries) and far exceeds my pistol’s ROF when on full auto.  The stock and red dot sight system allow me to be more accurate than I could be with a sidearm; and the cost to BB ratio is much lower than if I was using CO2 cartridges rather than rechargeable batteries.

The only time I really see airsofters whip out a sidearm during a game is if their primary is down, the scenario requires it, or if they just want to have fun and add an extra challenge.

I have rarely been in a situation where I considered switching to a sidearm during a game because it would be more effective.  Pistols just can’t match the abilities of a solid primary weapon.

Now, of course, there are exceptions.  A KWA KMP9 has a 48 round magazine, a stock, and the ability to mount optics for better aiming.  But with all of these features, it almost becomes a second primary and not a backup sidearm.  The MP9 is better suited for use at fields that require a different FPS for indoor and outdoor play and you want to have a more powerful outdoor gun.

So in conclusion, consider whether you need a sidearm for every battle or scenario.  If you can get tools to fix your primary weaponry easily, your primary is suitable for almost all combat situations you’re likely to encounter, and the field doesn’t require a sidearm (for FPS or scenario reasons), you may be able to leave it at the staging area as a backup and save money on gas.  Let me know in the comments why you would leave behind, or carry, a sidearm with you on the field!

There are tons of different airsoft BB options out there.  BBs come in every weight from 0.12 gram to 0.43 gram and more.  They come in white, black, tan, neon yellow, and many other colors.  There are even BBs designed specifically for certain types of combat situations. With all of these options, you may be wondering which kind you need for your airsoft gun.  Here’s how to pick the right BB to get the job done on the field!

Don’t Go Cheap:

Cheap BBs can damage your airsoft gun by breaking apart inside the barrel or jamming the internal parts.  Although you can get away with using cheap BBs in inexpensive spring guns or AEGs, it’s smart to make the switch to more expensive, professional BBs when you begin using a skirmish-ready weapon.  Seamless precision 0.20g BBs are the minimum specs recommended by airsoft manufacturers and sellers for quality weapons.

Go For Precision:

You wouldn’t try to fit a 2 inch bolt into a 1 ¾ inch hole, right?  Then why would you try to shoot a BB that’s too big for your airsoft gun’s barrel?  Airsoft gun manufacturers make all types of inner barrel with various inner diameters.  Most quality inner barrels are tight bore (under 6.05 mm) and require precision BBs to work properly.  Buy a BB that is small enough (around 5.95mm), and has a very high precision (+/- 0.01 mm) to prevent problems with your gun down the road.

Buy The Right Weight

Buying the right BB weight for your airsoft gun will improve your ability to take down the enemy.  You’ll have an increase in accuracy because the heavier a BB is, the less likely cross wind (wind blowing the BB left or right) will affect it.  Range may also be increased because the hop up is able to better transfer backspin to the BB.  However, if the BB is too heavy, you’ll get less range because the FPS is lowered too far.  Pick the right BB weight to take maximum advantage of your gun’s accuracy and power.

(Note: Remember that for each 0.05 grams the BB weight increases, FPS will drop by 20-40.)

Here is a break down of the BB weights and the recommended FPS for each:

Pick A Color, Any Color!

Well, maybe not any color!  White is the standard color used by most airsofters.  It is easy to see while in flight (making aim adjustments easier if you aren’t into using your sights 😉 ).

Other options include a variety of florescent colors (yellow, orange, green, etc.), tan, black, and glow-in-the-dark.  Here is a quick list of the pros/cons of each color option:

White: Standard and simple.  They’re easy to find and hard to go wrong with.

Florescent: I almost never use, or recommend, florescent BBs.  Usually they’re cheap, but very unreliable.  If you have trouble seeing the white BBs in the air you might consider this color option (but only if you can find some quality ones).

Tan and Black: These BBs are very hard to see when in flight.  This can be great if you’re going for maximum stealth and can use your sights effectively.

Look At The Unique Options:

BBs are not just offered in different colors, they are also manufactured to meet the needs of different missions!

Bio-degradable:  Bio-degradable (or BIO) BBs will eventually decompose into the ground. (To alleviate your fears, they won’t melt away in the bag.  It requires lots of moisture and time to get them to decompose.  This is coming from a guy who left them in a glass of water for a few days to check 🙂 ).  Many outdoor fields and MilSim game producers require you to use BIO BBs, so it’s a good idea to at least have a bag or two on hand.  I personally use Lancer Tactical 0.25g BIO BBs because they work great on the field.  Just keep them away from moisture and you’ll be rocking airsoft games, environmental style!

Marking:  These BBs are designed to leave a small, colored mark on your opponent upon impact.  This can take away the honor rule part of airsoft (although I hope everyone you battle with is honorable!).  It’s questionable how well they actually work in a game (imagine walking up to a guy during combat and telling him you’re searching for the 6mm speck your BB left on him!).

Glow in the Dark (or tracer):  These BBs are often used with a tracer unit.  They’re able to light up and be seen in the dark.  This is a good option if you play night games or indoor CQB.  Here is a cool video from AirsoftGI.com on how tracer units, and tracer BBs, work:

I hope this guide gives you a basic knowledge to select the best BBs for your airsoft armament.  If you have any questions, be sure to ask in the comments.  I would also love to hear about the type of BBs you use and why you prefer them!

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One of the questions I get asked by other players is “Do I need to buy an outdoor gun and a CQB gun?”.  A common belief is that each of these weapon systems are necessary to enjoy various fields and combat environments.  I currently use a KWA SR7.  This weapon isn’t a big, DMR-style gun, doesn’t have 400+ FPS, and will never have the same range as an airsoft sniper rifle.

But…

I still use it for field, and woodland, battles.  It performs on the field as well as at the short ranges of a CQB battle, due to the way I use it.

In order to use a CQB weapon on the field, you need to implement some basic tactics to keep yourself effective while in battle.  Here are some tactics that I use when I take my SR7 to a field game.

Know The Range

Oftentimes, airsofters don’t fully appreciate the short range that airsoft weapons have.  Depending on the combination of internal parts, BB weight, and FPS, your gun may only be able to reach 150-200 feet (which is actually a great range for a standard outdoor weapon).  My SR7, combined with 0.25g BBs, can get an effective range of 125 feet.  This is a bit less than most field-style AEGs and snipers.

Through testing, sighting in, and using the weapon at games, you learn what the range of your weapon is and how to judge the distances you can engage targets at.  Use the known distance of your weapon to move up the field and engage players who are within range.  Never try to fight a smart player who has a longer range gun if you aren’t in a position that gives you an advantage.  These players will just move to a range that suits them, and take you out or force you to move.

(TAC Tip: Practice judging distances with your battle buddies. Have a friend lay out a course with targets (which can be as simple as buckets or pieces of scrap wood) at various distances.  At least a few of these targets should be man-sized. When your friend tells you to start, stand in place and identify the distances to the various targets.  To make it even more difficult, have some of the targets near objects that are larger or smaller than the target, in the shade, or partially around a corner.  This will change the way you perceive distance and make the training harder.)

Move Up

While using my SR7 at a field battle, I chose to move up the flank.  After being engaged by players with weapons that outranged my own (and eventually getting hit), I decided to head back up to that flank and see if I could push up and gain some ground.  Working with my team, I was able to rush up to a good spot, locate an enemy, and take him out at a range that was well within my weapon’s capabilities.  It turned out that he was THE ONLY enemy on that flank and was holding up around 15 players! (Great job to that guy, by the way)

The point of the story is that you need to move up to a position that suits you and your weapon, while helping your team.  Don’t stay behind and try to fight the enemy at a range that you can’t reach.  Use that CQB weapon for the purpose it was made for – fast moving, in-the-enemy’s-face combat!

Be A Team Player

When you have a CQB weapon at an outdoor game, you can’t “do it all” while on the field.  Each weapon (and airsofter) works better in different environments and situations.  Use the strengths of a team to outweigh the weakness of individuals.

Focus on directing teammates and their weapons to achieve the goal of that specific game or scenario.  Snipers can stay 15+ feet behind other teammates and provide overwatch while being protected from enemy operators with higher ROF (Rate Of Fire) weapons.  Operators with CQB guns can focus on being breach-and-assault elements for buildings or bunkers on the field.  Again, make the weapon work for you and your team.

Never be afraid to take a CQB gun to an outdoor field.  Just go to the field, learn the terrain, and be a tactical airsofter.  You’ll be a great operator if you adapt to the environment and avoid being concerned that your weapon will slow you down.  Let me know what you think is the best way to play at an outdoor field with a CQB gun in the comments!