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AIRSOFT ACTION
NITE WATCHES ICS CXP M.A.R.S SPECNA H05 & H08 WINTER WARMERS THE CAGE: HELMETS TACTICS: STAIR ASSAULT BOLT 416 DEVGRU & M16A4 TORCHES: MINI GROUP TEST
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AIRSOFT ACTION
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ARMOURY: ICS CXP MARS > 33
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Editor: Nigel Streeter Graphic Design: Calibre Publishing Ad Design: Deadshot Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter Cover Photo: Courtesy ICS, featuring ICS L85A2 Carbine and ICS Captain Inzzen. Photo by Victor Karlund. UK 13-issue subscription rate: £46.50 UK 6-issue subscription rate: £24.00 For overseas prices email: subs@airsoft-action.co.uk
XMAS 2019 - £4.50
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XMAS 2019
NITE WATCHES ICS CXP M.A.R.S SPECNA H05 & H08 WINTER WARMERS THE CAGE: HELMETS TACTICS: STAIR ASSAULT BOLT 416 DEVGRU & M16A4 TORCHES: MINI GROUP TEST
ARMORY: BOLT RECOILS
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KIT & GEAR: GLOVES
KIT & GEAR: NITE WATCHES
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Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2019 All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print. Distributed by Intermedia Brand Marketing Ltd.
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THE CAGE: HELMETS
SKILLS & DRILLS: STAIR ASSAULT
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VERSUS: 1911 V HI-POWER
KIT & GEAR: TORCHES
LETTER , IDEA OR QUESTION? Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article or article idea? Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the Editor: nige@airsoft-action.co.uk, write to us at the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.
Contents XMAS 2019
CONTENTS 6 NEWS News from around the world of Airsoft. 8 GALLERY: ICS SPECIAL Some superb images featuring ICS products and ICS Captain Inzzen, taken by Victor Karlund. 12 ARMOURY: ICS CXP MARS Bill takes a keen interest in the latest models from ICS and when the chance came for him to get the newest addition to the CKP MARS line out on the range, he was keen to take the opportunity and tell us his findings on the Limited Edition Grey version, the “Komodo”!
46 FEATURE: MY FIRST AEG Bill kicks off a new occasional column from our contributors, looking at how times (and the game) have changed since he bought his first “proper” AEG, the much-maligned FAMAS from Tokyo Marui! 50 ARMOURY: SPECNA ARMS 416 Phil Bucknall is a self-confessed AR-lover and to make it into his collection, it has to be something a bit special. So what does he think of Specna Arm’s take on the “416”?
16 ARMOURY: BOLT RECOIL AEGS As an avid fan of recoil AEGs, Phil Bucknall was given the opportunity to check out two of the latest from Bolt Airsoft, curtesy of NUPROL. 22 ARMOURY: TIPPMANN M4 V2 Does a proven heritage in paintball make for a good airsoft RIF? Steve T tries Tippmann’s M4 V2 HPA. 26 KIT & GEAR: GLOVES When it comes to airsoft and protecting our hands, there is a huge choice of protection options available. Lez Lee takes a look at a few models from the massive selection available from Military1st.co.uk. 32 KIT & GEAR: NITE WATCHES Although all of us like to keep an eye on the time, sometimes this can quite literally mean the difference between getting things nailed or experiencing a complete “cluster f~~k”! Bill takes a look at NITE WATCHES, who offer a range of timepieces that mean you’ll always be on target, on time, every time!
54 THE CAGE: HELMETS This month Bill asked the team to comment on helmets… whether they use them, why and what type if they do. There are many different types of helmet on the market, from period to thoroughly modern but are they worth the hassle? 57 FEATURE: THIS IS MY M4 After years of making minor modifications to RIFs with varying degrees of success, Steve T goes all-in to find out just what an inept home tech can achieve. 58 SKILLS & DRILLS: STAIR ASSAULT Our resident tactical expert, Calibre Shooting’s Andy Nightingale, returns with the first in a new series of “Skills and Drills” articles, starting with that most tricky of situations, assaulting stairs. 62 VERSUS: 1911 v HI-POWER Heading back to handgun territory, Bill steps back in time to go “head to head” with two famous models that set the ground for modern development, in the form of the mighty Colt M1911A1 and the long-lasting Browning HiPower.
36 THE COLLECTOR: THE STEN Frenchie continues his “Collector” series with a weapon that came to symbolise the utilitarian, “mend and make do” times in which it was created. 40 KIT & GEAR: WINTER WARMERS It’s that time again, when we all need to contend with colder weather, so our “in house technical clothing guru”, Bill, turns his attention to some great kit which will help you to keep “snuggly in the safe zone” when the mercury plummets! 45 KIT & GEAR: ONETIGRIS GRIFFIN After using the OneTigris collection of face protection over the last couple of years and being impressed with the comfort and quality, Femme Fatale started to wonder about the rest of their gear collection and how it compares. This is where the GRIFFIN AFPC Airsoft Vest comes in!
XMAS 2019
66 FEATURE: WWII BRITISH RESISTANCE The Nazi invasion of Britain didn’t happen but it was a close call. Paul Yelland writes about a secret army of private citizens waiting to repel the invaders. 72 KIT & GEAR: TORCHES Winter is coming… and as the nights draw in, tactical flashlights become more useful once again. With that in mind, Steve T tests out three alternatives that might just fit the bill. 76 LAST POST: WHY??? It doesn’t take too much to get Frenchie’s blood pressure rising but some things are sure to make it climb… 78 SITE DIRECTORY & ACTION AIR CLUBS Looking for a skirmish site, or your local Action Air Club? Then we may have the answer, with pages of sites and clubs throughout the UK.
Photo by Victor Karlund. https://www.instagram.com/victorkarlund
s w e N t f o s Air
October 17, 2019 – Brea, California, USA – KRYTAC® announced plans to release a new limited edition KRISS® Vector, an M-lok version of the Trident M4 PDW, and a 150 rounds capacity M4 magazine. All three new products will be on public display for the first time at Airsoftcon 2019, October 19th, at the Evike.com Super Store in Alhambra, California. The new Limited Edition close quarters battle AEG furniture adorned on Additional features include the Gen 2.1 upper receiver, 6.5” barrel
KRISS® Vector Alpine is a featuring the Alpine White the KRISS® Vector firearm.
length, Vector MK5 Modular Rail with preinstalled picatinny hand stop, and DS150 telescopic stock; which replicate the standard configuration of the Vector SBR firearm. Other limited edition features include the Vector AEG extended battery cap, two magazines (95 rounds extended size, and 50 rounds standard size), and a certificate of authenticity. Worldwide production of the Vector Alpine AEG is limited to 3,000 units. The second new AEG that KRYTAC® announce is the Trident CQB AEG. MKII-M PDW, an ultra-compact M4 style In addition to the new 5” free floating M-lok rail, this PDW features the newest version Compact Carbine Stock. When compared to the previous model, the new CCS offers several improvements, such as a larger battery
compartment with toolaccess. The CCS now extend deployment, to extend the stock one pushing any buttons sling attachment point has 6
XMAS 2019
less offers pull-toallowing the user handed, without or levers. Finally, a been added that is
reversible to accommodate left and right handed players. Internally, both the Limited Edition Vector Alpine and the Trident MKII-M PDW feature the new Airsoft T-Plug battery connector, with Tamiya adaptor. The Airsoft T-Plug is smaller, provides a more secure connection, and functions with substantially less resistance, versus the traditional Tamiya plug. The Limited Edition Vector Alpine and the Trident MKII-M PDW are the first KRYTAC® AEGs to supercede the the T-Plug over the Tamiya. Regarding the transition to the Airsoft T-Plug, KRYTAC Product Manager, Allen Lau states, “The
Airsoft T-Plug, commonly referred to as Deans Plugs, has been the connector of choice among top level technicians for decades, due to the performance gains and space savings for high performance AEG builds. We are very excited to offer this superior battery connector as an OEM configuration, and continue to exceed user expectations for out-of-box performance.” Finally, the KRYTAC® M4 rounds capacity magazine common gameplay M4
Magazine, a 150 designed to resolve perplexities. The Midcap features dual translucent
windows along the BB track and a high visibility orange follower. The bottom of the windows indicated 30 rounds between it and the feed lip, to quickly identify remaining capacity. The triangular button securing the baseplate is also made of high visibility orange, and acts as a forward indicator for orientation identification. In order to ease maintenance and cleaning, the KRYTAC M4 Mag features a multi-piece construction with a clear core, disassembly of the mag body, spring, and follower can be performed without any tools. The KRYTAC® KRISS® Vector Limited Edition Alpine AEG and the Trident MKII-M PDW will all be available for worldwide distribution beginning December 2019.
s w e N t f o s Air
New Product Announcement CXP-MARS PDW9 The CXP-MARS PDW9 is one of the highlights from ICS in 2020, featuring a 330 rounds capacity magazine, integrated metal upper receiver, ICS iconic split gearbox and lightweight M-LOK 6.5� handguard. Rear wire designed retractable stock presenting an extra battery compartment space. Additional features include SSS II E-Trigger and short-stroke flat trigger to improve the shooting responding time.
Now available in the UK for the first time are a great range of products from United States Tactical! United States Tactical offers American Made products such as; an Elite Retention system, tactical gun slings, tactical belts, tactical K9 accessories, American Made MOLLE pouches, and much more. All designed by a former Marine with the knowledge of what it takes to complete the mission. For more information visit www.ruag.co.uk or ask your local dealer to stock United States Tactical.
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This model is available with two colors matte black and urban grey. Equipped with shadow barrel extension tube and a new vertical style motor pistol grip. Not only it’s trendy look, the internals have been upgraded with the 6061 aluminum cylinder head and piston head, which can greatly upgrade its durability. CXP-MARS PDW9 will be available for worldwide distribution at the end of December 2019. Please contact authorized ICS distributor for more information.
AA GALLERY AIRSOFT ACTION GALLERY - ICS SPECIAL
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A huge thanks to ICS for supplying these excellent images and this issue’s cover photo, featuring ICS products and ICS Captain Inzzen. All the photographs were taken by Victor Karlund; you can see more of his superb work on instagram.com/victorkarlund All photos without eyepro were taken under photoshoot conditions with weapons safe. XMAS 2019
AA GALLERY AIRSOFT ACTION GALLERY - ICS SPECIAL
www.airsoft-action.online
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armoury ICS CXP MARS KOMODO SSS LTD EDITION
ENTER THE GREY DRAGON
AS AN ICS FAN OF OLD, BILL CONSTANTLY TAKES A KEEN INTEREST IN THEIR LATEST MODELS AND WHEN THE CHANCE CAME FOR HIM TO GET THE VERY NEWEST ADDITION TO THE CKP MARS LINE OUT ON THE RANGE, HE WAS KEEN TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY AND NOW LANDS HIS FINDINGS ON THE LIMITED EDITION GREY VERSION, THE “KOMODO”!
I
CS never cease to amaze me! Just when you think some of their models and what goes on inside them is looking and feeling a bit “dated”, they do something that makes you stand back and just say “Wow!” I’ve had my greedy little hands of most ICS releases for the best part of twenty years and I have to say that they offer some of the most consistently reliable airsoft replicas out there. Whilst they have not always have been “cutting edge” in their overall design, they’ve certainly been functional and with an ICS AEG you’re certainly going to have something to help you rack up those “kill streaks” on the field! We are lucky to play airsoft in a time of constant improvement and no little innovation and, whilst some may say that there is “nothing new under the sun”, I would disagree to an extent as, although we are not seeing major leaps forward like the first ever airsoft motor or the development of a new way of instilling hop to our BBs, I believe that what we are seeing is incremental improvements and refinements to make the systems we rely
on even more versatile and durable. In my mind ICS are one of the companies leading the charge on this. I do bemoan the fact that ICS (as yet) haven’t developed their own full recoil system, although their Electronic Blowback function is a nice nod towards realism, giving some kinetic energy feedback but don’t expect any true felt recoil. Perhaps here I am being massively unfair but ICS are a brand that I love and I expect them to do things better and realistically they actually do, with constant improvements to their existing systems and the occasional leap forward as if from nowhere. Some airsoft companies seem content to just follow a single line of thought in relation to their designs but I have to say that ICS have not done this in any way. I’ve always been a fan of their split gearboxes, which are reliable and easy to work on should you so desire and personally I’ve never had an AEG from them that has been anything other than first rate. I’ve said this before but with the introduction of their “Gen 1 CXP” models I believe they really hit on something quite unique, in the form of a thoroughly
modern design with an Electronic Blowback function that not only looked great but performed superbly straight out of the box. It’s been my great pleasure to have had most of the variants of the CXP out on the range and new variants keep on coming through! ICS also continually look to the real firearms market and have consistently tracked the changes there; developments in relation to the “AR/M4” platform continually change, with many iconic designs, reduction in overall weight, more modularity and features that have been updated to get the best performance possible from all parts. With their more recent releases ICS have followed the firearms industry trend for lightweight, ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing designs, not only creating their own receivers and rails, but also bringing to market some fabulous designs for stocks, pistol grips and back-up “iron sights” - and the CXP range shows this completely. In my mind they have some really super designs which follow the trend away from out and out military models, instead following the creation of lightweight, slim-line, ergonomic sporting
“ALTHOUGH WE ARE NOT SEEING MAJOR LEAPS FORWARD LIKE THE FIRST EVER AIRSOFT MOTOR OR A NEW WAY OF INSTILLING HOP TO OUR BBS, I BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND REFINEMENTS TO MAKE THE SYSTEMS WE RELY ON EVEN MORE VERSATILE AND DURABLE.”
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armoury ICS CXP MARS KOMODO SSS LTD EDITION
rifles and carbines.
FADE TO GREY
For those of you that love the whole “urban grey” aesthetic, the latest Limited Edition Grey CXP Modern Assault Rifle System (MARS) “Komodo” from ICS is going to have you drooling and even for me, the deep coloration and superlative finish of the metal parts takes things up a notch! Although the grey of the aggressive CNC machined upper and lower receivers with laser engraved ICS trademarks and the grey of the equally well-finished rail is not 100% totally colour-matched, the overall feel of things is one of immense high quality. However, I will get my one gripe out of the way here, in that the MTR S1 adjustable stock, although a brilliant design that lets you change out your batteries in a flash, is just plain “Henry Ford Black” and I would like to have seen this in grey to complement the rest of the rifle. Overall though, the “Komodo” is a stunning looking rifle, well up to “custom standard” fit and finish and from that MTR stock, to the unique muzzle brake, it’s a quality item! At 880mm with the stock in its closed position, you get an AEG with a 375mm inner barrel that weighs in at just 3,200g, so not only does it feel good but it’s manoeuvrable and light enough to work extremely well both as a “field” gun and for CQB. Fitted with a
really nice ambidextrous charging handle, which seems to have become a bit of a fixture on the MARS range, there’s also an ambidextrous safety and magazine release as standard, which in sum total makes this a very attractive proposition from the user’s perspective. Add to this a comfortable pistol grip of ICS design, along with their excellent flip-up front and rear sights, an enlarged trigger guard with a “race” style trigger and a singlepoint sling attachment point, with the now tried and tested “T Mag” it’s already adding up to a very attractive package!
WHAT LURKS INSIDE…
As lovely as the externals are, and they are, and as useful and user friendly as the included accessories are, what REALLY stands the “Komodo” apart from its forebears though is the new SSS, or Self-Diagnostic Shooting System. Thanks to the SSS, the trigger is not controlled via a switch assembly but via a built-in micro-switch. This results in an extremely precise trigger, one that verges on “hair” territory to be honest! Although you have the usual “S/S/A” settings on the fire selector, you can also engage “three round burst” as well and this is achieved by pressing the trigger in semi-mode for about 10 seconds, until you feel a tactile vibration. To reset full-auto mode, simply repeat the process. When activated, the
trigger just needs to be tapped briefly and the “Komodo” automatically fires three BBs. A dual MOSFET design directs the full battery voltage directly to the motor, which allows it to deliver consistent full power, resulting in much faster trigger response time. You can also safely use an 11.1V LiPo as the system protects against overspeed / overtorque issues in the gearbox. Even with a 7.4V LiPo the shot cycle is completed, even if there is a problem with the trigger unit itself! Okay, so, programmable trigger, MOSFET protection, that’s been done before right? But there’s more! Thanks to integrated battery monitoring, you do not even have to worry about the state of your battery. The motor vibrates when you hit low voltage and a battery change should be performed and if you choose to ignore this and the voltage continues to drop, the system automatically shuts down to avoid over-discharge! The “Self-Diagnostic” part of the system continuously checks the functions of the trigger unit, fire selector, gearbox, MOSFET and battery voltage and if a problem occurs you can check the error via the built-in LEDs by simply splitting the receivers (this process is explained fully in the User Manual) and this will visually tell you what’s going on. • GREEN: All okay and ready to rock! • RED (blinking): One of the following components is having a problem; Gears, Motor, Cut-off Lever.
“AS LOVELY AS THE EXTERNALS ARE, AND THEY ARE, AND AS USEFUL AND USER FRIENDLY AS THE INCLUDED ACCESSORIES ARE, WHAT REALLY STANDS THE “KOMODO” APART FROM ITS FOREBEARS THOUGH IS THE NEW SSS, OR SELFDIAGNOSTIC SHOOTING SYSTEM.”
www.airsoft-action.online
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armoury ICS CXP MARS KOMODO SSS LTD EDITION
“THE MOTOR VIBRATES WHEN YOU HIT LOW VOLTAGE AND A BATTERY CHANGE SHOULD BE PERFORMED AND IF YOU CHOOSE TO IGNORE THIS AND THE VOLTAGE CONTINUES TO DROP, THE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN TO AVOID OVERDISCHARGE!”
• RED (pulsing): An electronic problem has been detected or the MOSFET needs attention. • ORANGE (blinking): Malfunction of the Trigger Assembly • ORANGE (pulsing): Malfunction of the Fire Selector.
So, inside and out this is a real beauty of an AEG but ultimately you want all of things I’ve described going on without you even having to think about them and what you do need to think about is nailing your target! Thankfully you do indeed forget the majority of the clever gubbins inside the “Komodo” when it comes to range time! As I’ve tested a number of the CXP rifles and carbines the smooth operation and performance of the “Komodo” was a bit of a no-brainer and loaded up with .20g NUPROL RZR BBs and with a NUPROL 7.4 LiPo fitted it was time to take the rifle to the chrono, where it racked up a consistent and site-friendly 0.93 Joule/318fps. But oh, THAT TRIGGER! If you’re used to a regular airsoft trigger then this is going to put an absolutely massive smile on your face, as there is no take-up whatsoever and (to go into real firearm terminology) there is
zero reset! Basically, touch this trigger and you’re going to launch a BB downrange… and then do it over and over again. If, like me, you’re a fan of accelerated pairs, or the good old “double tap” in old money, then you are going to simply adore this trigger and for that alone the SSS is worth its weight in titanium! Accuracy was again as I expected, that being excellent once the hop was securely set. Shots out to 30m were absolutely bob-on, with BBs ranging out to the backstop beyond the targets. ICS AEGs have never been slouches when it comes to accuracy and the “Komodo” obviously follows that particular family tradition and to me the top rail just shouts out for a decent bit of glass to make the most of that. The ICS “CXP MARS Komodo 3S Limited Edition Grey” has a price tag of about £460 so is it worth the money? I’d have to say an absolute “Yes!” to that as the fit, finish, quality of overall craftsmanship and proven performance of accessory parts married up to the very latest in internal wizardry create a pretty unique package. I for one question to a degree what more you can do with current technology to make a better standard AEG out of the box! Well done again ICS! AA
For more information on the CXP line of AEGs and the rest of the extensive range of ICS AEGs and accessories please do pay a visit to www.icsbb. com, and as always my sincere thanks go to www.fire-support.co.uk where you can buy this super AEG right now.
“IF, LIKE ME, YOU’RE A FAN OF ACCELERATED PAIRS, OR THE GOOD OLD “DOUBLE TAP” IN OLD MONEY, THEN YOU ARE GOING TO SIMPLY ADORE THIS TRIGGER AND FOR THAT ALONE THE SSS IS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN TITANIUM!” 14
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SSS. II E-TRIGGER SYSTEM
Pre-Cocking Function Shooting Modes: Three-round Burst /Full Auto Battery Voltage Detection & Self-Protection Self-Diagnostic Shooting System: by different colors of blinking LED
IMG-304S3-1
Limited Color Scheme: Titanium Grey Short-Stroke Flat Trigger Lightweight M-lok Handguard
armoury BOLT AIRSOFT RECOIL AEG
AS AN AVID FAN OF RECOIL AEGS, PHIL BUCKNALL WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK OUT TWO OF THE LATEST FROM BOLT AIRSOFT, CURTESY OF NUPROL.
F
irstly, welcome to the second (or first depending on where the Editor puts the articles!) of my two gun reviews for this month. It’s been a busy few months firing an awful lot of BBs, both in game and on the range with my Attack Sense electronic targets and possibly the biggest selection of review guns I’ve ever had in at one time since I started doing this - and I still have a couple to do at a later date from this batch! As many of you regular readers will know, I’ve been a fan of recoil guns ever since I first had a go with a Marui one and I loved them from the very first trigger pull. At the time I couldn’t afford to stretch to the Marui 416 I really wanted but promised myself that, one day, I would have one and I did. In fact, over the last few years I have been very fortunate in that I have owned quite a few Marui rifles before settling on the ERG platform for my recoil needs and wants - even with the limited range on offer. For me, they offered better recoil, are easier to work on internally, are more solidly constructed, could use standard mags without any adaptor and finally, they were quite a bit cheaper to buy. At the time, I had heard of BOLT Airsoft and their own take on recoil guns but sadly, to say their rep wasn’t good was an understatement. Literally every post I saw about them, or every comment from owners was negative - either about them shaking themselves apart as the recoil loosened every screw in them, or just not working very well. As a direct result I didn’t even consider buying one and I never regretted that decision either.
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Earlier this year NUPROL announced that they were the new European Distributors for BOLT and they asked me if I’d like to review a couple. In all honesty though, I wasn’t keen to try them out (based on past knowledge) but they assured me that BOLT had taken all of the negative press on board and these new Version 2 models were a vast improvement over their first guns. So with that reassurance, a 416 DEVGRU and M16A4 were sent my way for some extended testing. I told NUPROL that I would probably be even harder on these guns than normal, just to make sure the claims of longevity hadn’t been overhyped. Given my negative bias I was intrigued to see if they could change my mind.
Once I had extricated them from the boxes and put
the barrel extension on the M16 and the
SECOND 1st IMPRESSIONS
I got the guns a couple of days later and was surprised to see that the boxes were the same size but on opening up the M16 box it soon became clear why. The final few inches of outer barrel was a threaded extension, which also means that the inner barrel doesn’t go all the way to the end of the outer, rather stops flush with the front sight post - not that this affected accuracy or range really but just so you’re aware if you decide to get one. Both guns were in nicely decorated boxes (if that’s important to you) and they are most definitely safely secured in said boxes with little Velcro strips in multiple locations. These aren’t going anywhere until you want them to, which is great.
suppressor on the 416, I started looking at the externals and how the guns were put together. One thing that’s common to both is the
armoury BOLT AIRSOFT RECOIL AEG
weight. Neither are light guns, which you’d probably expect with any gun that has a big old metal weight for the recoil and the extra engineering to enable the guns to take the recoil. The 416 is marginally heavier than one of my ERGs but not so much as to be noticeable. The M16 is hard to compare to anything similar though, because there just isn’t another full stocked, off the shelf recoil in the market but compared to a non-recoil version it isn’t too bad weight-wise.
416 DEVGRU
I’ll take the 416 first, as I’m a huge fan of this type of gun and I’ve owned a few over the years. Externally it looks good in the various different shades of tan and bronze with the metal work finished well and a good paint job. The fire sector markings are filled in in white and red on both sides, even though there is only a fire selector on the left but its a nice touch and looks good next to the light tan colour of the receiver’s paint. On the left side of the mag well there is the BOLT logo in very bright white paint and it does stand out a lot. Laser etching or engraving would’ve looked better in my humble opinion, as it is quite a big trademark. The outer barrel is all metal as is the faithfully reproduced gas block, which is a light grey compared to the darker finish on the barrel. There is no barrel extension to make this a 14.5” version, rather a mock suppressor that screws on using -14mm threads. I have to say I really didn’t like the
aesthetics of the supplied suppressor, so once I’d done a few games with it on just for completeness I swapped it for a Surefire fourpronged flash hider I had lying around.
This was just a personal preference but my inner self was once again at peace. Its only a small thing I suppose but it just didn’t look right! It would be nice to have a flash hider in the box as an alternative but if the inclusion of a suppressor was important to BOLT, including one that doesn’t attach directly would’ve been a better option, especially when you consider that this is a £400+ gun. Unlike more recent releases of the 416, BOLT have replicated the original one so you have, by modern standards, a rather chunky and weighty quad rail finished in a bronze anodising. Whilst this isn’t a
All of the plastics are finished to a good standard and look tough enough for the job but not as polished as some. The pistol grip is a Tango Down one, which is very comfy but has a more traditional rake to it akin to an A2 grip. Again, I much prefer grip or the modern the HK pistol gunfighter, or BCM even the PTS EPG. The stock is a tan polymer crane stock wired to a Mini-Tamiya connector and it is big enough to take a variety of batteries, so power shouldn’t be an issue for the day. Due to this being a recoil gun you can’t put a battery in the buffer tube as its full of the recoil mechanism, so having decent sized tubes as part of the stock is absolutely vital. Topping off the plastics is another Tango Down replica, in the form of a stubby vertical grip mounted to the rail. Externally then we have a very competent interpretation of the classic 416.
ON THE INSIDE
negative - how can it be when it is a copy of what the real gun came with back in the day - I would’ve thought, given who the
competition is, a more modern rail would’ve been a better option to entice potential buyers away from the mighty Marui. The final metal parts are a single point sling plate on the rear of the receiver and a set of HK back up iron sights on top.
Internally, there is a version two gearbox but even with a UK spec spring installed, which delivered around 300fps using a 7.4v Li-po battery and 0.25g BBs, the performance and RoF was sluggish at around 600rpm and I don’t say this as a negative, as really high speed guns are a pet hate of mine. I just don’t see the need, as I like my guns to be close to the same fire rate as their real steel counterparts. One interesting thing I did notice though, was that just switching to a Titan Li-ion pack, using the same voltage but less than half the C rating, did up the RoF and also the felt recoil. Changing it again to a 11.1v NUPROL pack was like giving it a shot of adrenaline though and made the whole package come alive. The RoF went up again to approx. 900rpm and the kick was much harder. This brought a huge grin to my face and the faces of anyone else who had a go whilst I had the gun. After the first game I only used a 11.1v battery and would suggest that this is the right option for this gun to get the maximum from it. Shooting the gun was a very pleasant experience. I didn’t think it would excite me having used recoil guns for so long but it genuinely did. The extra kick was great and the added weight of the overall gun added to this rather than diminishing www.airsoft-action.online
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armoury BOLT AIRSOFT RECOIL AEG
“THE OUTER BARREL IS ALL METAL AS IS THE FAITHFULLY REPRODUCED GAS BLOCK, WHICH IS A LIGHT GREY COMPARED TO THE DARKER FINISH ON THE BARREL. THERE IS NO BARREL EXTENSION TO MAKE THIS A 14.5” VERSION, RATHER A MOCK SUPPRESSOR THAT SCREWS ON USING -14MM THREADS” it, as is often the case I found with Marui and even ERGs to a lesser extent. Perhaps this is down to the recoil mechanism? The BRSS Hard Kick system is, I believe, based on the ERG Kinetic feedback system, which in turn is an evolution of the original Marui
mechanism. This is a very good recoil AEG but it also fulfils the requirements of any gun - and that’s accuracy over range. Here the BOLT delivers admirably as it ticks the both boxes. It also uses my favourite type of hop unit, which is a rotary one. I think this design offers much better finer adjustment of the hop over the traditional design and its something I’d like to see as standard in more guns. Before you think I’m overly negative here… I’m really not - but let’s move on to the M16A4.
M16A4
I can say, hand on heart, that I was actually very excited to give this beastie a blast! It’s the only recoil full stocked M16 one on the market and with it being that much bigger than all the other recoil guns, I wanted to see how it did. I also have a few friends who do a very accurate 90’s USMC layout so I asked them to have a play with the
M16 as well, just to get their feedback. Suffice it to say they came back into the safe zone grinning like loons having loved it! Obviously, there is a recoil mech in the stock but there
is still ample battery storage space so that’s good news for longer games, or even weekenders. Externally, like the 416, the finish is good and the gun is a menacing all-black affair,
with a very nicely done full length quad type RIS rail. For some reason BOLT opted to not include any rail covers, or a vertical grip with the M16 and you are going to want them, so bear that in mind and factor the costs of those into your decision-making process. It’ll come as no surprise to hear that the plastics are identical in quality and finish to the ones found on the 416, so I won’t dwell on that here. What you really want to know is how it shoots and on that front you won’t be
disappointed. You can really feel the kick with the full stocked M16. It was so strong that it managed to
dislodge one of the adjustment turrets on my scope! I have never experienced this with any of the recoil guns I’ve owned over the years and I include my GBBRs in that statement too. That’s high praise from someone that doesn’t dish it out willy or indeed nilly. FPS and RoF are virtually identical to that of the 416 and, like the 416, it gave its best performance using an 11.1v battery. The range was slightly further but not a huge amount and with that I did notice the BBs spread
“CHANGING IT AGAIN TO A 11.1V NUPROL PACK WAS LIKE GIVING IT A SHOT OF ADRENALINE THOUGH AND MADE THE WHOLE PACKAGE COME ALIVE. THE ROF WENT UP AGAIN TO APPROX. 900RPM AND THE KICK WAS MUCH HARDER.” 18
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armoury BOLT AIRSOFT RECOIL AEG
“I ALSO HAVE A FEW FRIENDS WHO DO A VERY ACCURATE 90’S USMC LAYOUT SO I ASKED THEM TO HAVE A PLAY WITH THE M16 AS WELL, JUST TO GET THEIR FEEDBACK. SUFFICE IT TO SAY THEY CAME BACK INTO THE SAFE ZONE GRINNING LIKE LOONS HAVING LOVED IT!” out slightly more. If you were to stick a decent magnification scope on it and a bipod then it would make a good DMR platform - and that’s exactly what I did
for some of the testing. To get the most from it in this guise you would need to make a few tweaks to extract every last drop of performance from it but if you play at a site where the fps is limited to the one figure regardless of what the gun is, it can give you an edge even in its stock configuration.
SUMMARY
Overall, I was impressed with the two guns - more so with the M16 than the DEVGRU however.
Both performed similarly and both had a great felt recoil but the M16 left me and those that tried both guns feeling far more
shooting satisfied with the experience it delivered. I’ll confess to initially being a little confused as to who BOLT were pitching the 416 to but over the course of the review I had to adjust my perspective, to someone new to recoils and hence things like last round cut off (which need special mags to activate) could actually be seen as a negative and another cost. So all of a sudden, the savings are quite a bit more than just the difference in list price of the gun on its own. This is where I see the 416 doing well; not trying to covert current recoil users but
in bringing new players into the recoil family without the need to change multiple things at once. The M16 is slightly different in that I believe it can write its own story due to it being a unique product and with the right push, it could completely own the segment of the
market that wants a full stocked recoil AEG before anyone else does it.
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM Now to address the elephant in the room… I am glad to report that the issues
that beset first gen BOLT recoil guns didn’t manifest themselves with these and I made sure to put thousands of BBs through each. Nothing had shaken itself loose on the guns and they were working great when I put them back in their boxes for the last time. Do I think differently about BOLT now after spending some time with these guns? Yeah, I do and I think they could become much bigger in this sector, especially if the improvements are across the whole range including the MP5 another one with no competition presently. I hope that with my review I can help convince players that there is a viable alternative for a recoil platform in BOLT and that they did listen and they did make
changes. I hope so as everyone deserves a second chance and as second chances go, BOLT has grabbed it with both hands, fully embraced it and done what was needed. AA
“YOU CAN REALLY FEEL THE KICK WITH THE FULL STOCKED M16. IT WAS SO STRONG THAT IT MANAGED TO DISLODGE ONE OF THE ADJUSTMENT TURRETS ON MY SCOPE! I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY OF THE RECOIL GUNS I’VE OWNED OVER THE YEARS AND I INCLUDE MY GBBRS IN THAT STATEMENT TOO.” www.airsoft-action.online
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armoury TIPPMANN M4 V2
DOES A PROVEN HERITAGE IN PAINTBALL MAKE FOR A GOOD AIRSOFT RIF? STEVE T CHECKS OUT TIPPMANN’S M4 V2 HPA.
O
h good!” I hear you say, “another M4 review!” Bear with me - this one’s a little different. Most airsoft M4s are AEGs, with a smattering of GBBRs bringing up the rear. Many of them may be brilliant, if not exactly noteworthy. But what we have here is a High Pressure Air (HPA) RIF designed from the ground up to recreate the experience of firing an actual gun as closely as possible, thanks to its purely mechanical system. Most airsoft M4s are AEGs, with a smattering of GBBRs bringing up the rear. Many of them may be brilliant, if not exactly noteworthy. But what we have here is a High Pressure Air (HPA) RIF designed from the ground up to recreate the experience of firing an actual gun as closely as possible, thanks to its purely mechanical system. The M4 V2 HPA from Tippman comes in at £435 for the CQB variant on test here, from suppliers such as BZ Tactical - who provided our review sample. The longer conventional carbine is £30 more. Neither model needs batteries, both will hit you in the shoulder and you can buy replacement uppers to swap barrel lengths in a matter of moments on the day.
AREN’T YOU A LITTLE SHORT?
While the standard issue M4 carbine
typically had a 14.5in barrel - represented by most common “M4” AEGs - you’ll notice that the CQB rifle on test today is considerably shorter, with a barrel of just 10.3in. But that’s not without real world precedent. It just so happens to be the exact same measurement of the Close Quarter Battle Receiver (CQBR) upper that the US Navy developed for the M4A1 Carbine lower for use by special forces. Originally proposed for inclusion in the SOPMOD Block II kit, it was further developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Centre, Crane Division (NSWC-Crane), when it became classified as the now infamous Mk 12 Mod 0/1. With a revised gas port, ring and spring, the MK 12 has seen service with everyone from Navy SEALs to NCIS, the Coast Guard and law enforcement. Keyboard warriors might insist the shorter barrel reduces lethality but former SEAL operatives have reported fatally shooting targets at 500m+ during engagements. We include this history because this 10.3in barrel version of Tippmann’s V2 M4 would make a great basis for a fun gasdriven Mod 0/1-inspired build.
DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP
heritage as one of the best makes in paintball. That may be a dirty word to some but TIppmann Arms originally manufactured replica machine guns before they entered the paintball market in 1986, with innovations including the first semiautomatic and fully-automatic paintball markers. If you can make a good high-pressure air marker for paintball, there’s no reason that technology can’t transfer to airsoft, so the US company released the HPA M4, building on its legendary 98-model paintball marker. The company has since expanded further into airsoft with AEGs and unlike most RIFs, Tippmans are manufactured in the good ol’ US of A. It’s a huge draw for their domestic market but it also means the company is geared to support Western territories - including the UK. TIppmann has long enjoyed a reputation for excellent customer service, aftermarket support and building strong relationships with its customers - and that remains true for airsoft. The first version of its HPA-powered M4 earned many plaudits but also some criticisms from customers that the Fort Wayne, Indiana company not only took onboard, but also addressed for its all-important second incarnation - which is what this review is all about.
TIppmann may not be a familiar name for airsofters but the brand has a strong
“KEYBOARD WARRIORS MIGHT INSIST THE SHORTER BARREL REDUCES LETHALITY BUT FORMER SEAL OPERATIVES HAVE REPORTED FATALLY SHOOTING TARGETS AT 500M+ DURING ENGAGEMENTS.” 22
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armoury TIPPMANN M4 V2
“JUST PULL THE TRIGGER AND EVERY SHOT HAMMERS OUT UNTIL THE MAG IS EMPTY. UNLIKE A GBBR, THERE’S NO DROP IN ROF, NO GAS VENTING, NO COMPROMISE. IT’S LIKE AN AEG AND A GBBR ENJOYED GROWN-UP TIME TOGETHER ONE NIGHT AND PASSED ON ALL THEIR BEST GENES TO THE OFFSPRING.” THE SECOND COMING
Tippmann’s first version of this gas M4 was set up for the included CO2 magazine using disposable bulbs, with the parts included to make the move to HPA with a line into the grip. Responding to consumer feedback, this revision is prepped for HPA from the get-go. With that comes an adjustable rate of fire of between 8-15RPS as standard more in line with real steel than an AEG - as well as the ability to vary the FPS. Both are adjusted by splitting open the receiver after pushing out just one pin. Tippman assures us that consistency has been improved over the original but we still encountered more variance than we’d like in both FPS and trajectory between shots. The M4 V2 also features an all-new TDC hop-up - much as owners had previously modified - still with easy access through the top rail and adjusted via the ejection port. The tactical pistol grip has been revised for better comfort while still more closely matching a real M4/AR15 than the more familiar - and fatter - airsoft AEG handle. It’s well contoured, with light stippling and ridges to avoid slippage and the thick walls seem robust. Real steel grips can be made to fit as long as you’re willing to dremel out the internal cavity to accommodate the gas feed,
but we’d love it if Tippmann released a more contoured and texturised version as an accessory. We wholeheartedly approve of the less intrusive brand markings to the left of the lower receiver on the V2 versus the original - now engraved, but not coloured - but wish they’d also left the mandatory WARNING text on the right side uncoloured. Or moved it to a less prominent location, such as under the trigger guard. But that’s a cosmetic blemish common to most airsoft manufacturers.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This might be the second time around for Tippman’s airsoft M4, but first impressions out of the box are that this is a solid M4a-like, which is accurately proportioned and well made, even if it is just a little light in the hand. Where the Mod 0/1 typically weighs in at just over 3kg before adding kit, the Tippy weighs in a kilo lighter at 2.2kg including the magazine. Anyone looking for an authentic handful might see that as a negative, but it’s a lot easier to wield a lighter RIF for a full day in the field. Both the upper and lower receivers are metal, which makes it all the more questionable that the handguard is polymer, albeit M-Lock. They had to keep costs down but it works with all the accessories we fitted and at least it’s easy to change, although it does cheapen the overall feel. There are Magpul style flip-up sights that also feel low rent but work just fine, as well as a full-length RIS rail for optics and more. The fire selector is crisp and precise putting more established airsoft brands to shame - and there’s no wobble on receivers or full-length rails, even if the included 120-round mag and five-position adjustable stock do rattle around a bit. Tippmann has designed this RIF to take milspec parts as a training tool, so you can use the same parts as your real world M4. That said, I can’t remember the last time I received a RIF from within the UK that came with an Orange flash hider! That’s down to the TIppmann’s US origins, but I wish they’d address that detail for overseas markets. At least that 14mm CCW obscenity is easy to replace.
NUMBERS DON’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY
The numbers don’t impress as standard, ranging between 252-298FPS/0.59-0.82J on 0.20 BBs and averaging 270 even with the FPS adjustment at max. Even given the inclusion of the low-powered valve for CQB, that still falls short of the advertised adjustable 300-400 FPS, so you might want to look at the high-power valve to achieve bigger numbers. We’re told Tippmann’s own buffer spring spacers add about 25 FPS too. We also found that for all its 800PSI specs, the M4’s effective range was about the same as a mid-range AEG, with .20 BBs effective to about 40 metres. That range dropped to nearer 30m using .25s and we wouldn’t suggest using .30s beyond 20m, which is about the same range as a good green gas pistol. But pure performance isn’t what Tippmann’s M4 is about. It’s about putting the fun back into airsoft that’s all too easy to lose sight of in the endless pursuit of that last per cent. Once you get it up and running - and there is some fettling to be done - the first pull of the trigger lets you know that this is one fun gun. In semi-auto, the felt recoil is on par with a GBBR costing half as much again and there are aftermarket parts to make it even stronger, such as the R.E.D. or Heavy Bolt mods from the likes of Advanced Airsoft. Fitment of these may invalidate Tippmann’s industry-leading 12-month warranty though. Tippy owners are happy to spend both time and money fettling their M4s simply because there’s really nothing else out there quite like it. Even without any mods, this thing is already a proper beast in full auto. Just pull the trigger and every shot hammers out until the mag is empty. Unlike a www.airsoft-action.online
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armoury TIPPMANN M4 V2
GBBR, there’s no drop in RoF, no gas venting, no compromise. It’s like an AEG and a GBBR enjoyed grown-up time together one night and passed on all their best genes to the offspring. As an open-bolt design, the physical motion may be forwards - unlike in a real gun - but it would take a discerning player to notice that detail. Most of us will just enjoy the sensation. It’s just a shame this M4 doesn’t lock on empty.
A LINE IN THE SAND
Let’s talk about “the line in the sand” - that external line. No, it doesn’t look cool and yes, it’s a pain in the arse. While it seems a minor imposition to begin with, it’s just one more thing to get snagged on kit or your surroundings. Tippmann’s own version is slimmer than most - and you can also get curled remote lines to further reduce friction - but it’s still another thing to consider. But once you get over the need to carry a cylinder with an external line,
STIPPMANN M4 CARBINE LOW ENERGY AIR GUN V2 Price: £435 Available from: bztactical.co.uk Weight: 2.2kg inc mag (Tested) Length: 76cm max (Tested) FPS: 270 avge, 252-298 adjustable (Tested) Power source: HPA (CO2 optional) Magazine type: STANAG Compatibility: Most AEG magazines Construction: Metal and polymer Recoil: Yes (Oh my, yes!) Full auto: Yes
you’re left with one fun gun. You really can get the physical sensations of a GBBR combined with AEG versatility of magazines including high-caps - and decide that capacity for yourself, rather than have it dictated by the lower ammo count of gas mags. It sounds like a small distinction, but it’s easy to forget how fast a 40-round mag hits empty. Hint - it takes no time! Oh, and if your local field just happens to have a lake in the middle, the UK distributors at BZ Tactical assure us that the Tippy will work underwater in case you want to plan those SEAL team moments rising slowly out of the water.
PERFORMANCE AND COCKTAILS
You could easily spend half as much again buying a donor RIF and adding HPA functionality to create an end product that will beat Tippmann’s M4 in terms of range and accuracy. If you’re looking for outright performance, then that’s probably the route you should take. But you still won’t get that satisfying thump in your shoulder with every shot even on full auto. It’s an addictive cocktail and in a sea of me-too products, this HPA M4 is a refreshing experience. The question is whether you want your airsoft weapon to perform to the nth degree, or feel amazing. If you don’t play airsoft as a results-driven sport and just want to get the most fun out of every Sunday, then Tippmann’s HPA M4 V2 might just impress. AA
“OH, AND IF YOUR LOCAL FIELD JUST HAPPENS TO HAVE A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE, THE UK DISTRIBUTORS AT BZ TACTICAL ASSURE US THAT THE TIPPY WILL WORK UNDERWATER IN CASE YOU WANT TO PLAN THOSE SEAL TEAM MOMENTS RISING SLOWLY OUT OF THE WATER.” www.airsoft-action.online
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KIT & GEAR GLOVES
HAND PICKED PROTECTION WHEN IT COMES TO AIRSOFT AND PROTECTING OUR HANDS, THERE IS A HUGE CHOICE OF PROTECTION OPTIONS AVAILABLE. LEZ LEE TAKES A LOOK AT A FEW MODELS FROM THE MASSIVE SELECTION AVAILABLE FROM MILITARY1ST.CO.UK.
T
he first thing that I want to say is this… I’m no stranger when it comes to buying “accessories” which, in this instance, is gloves but for as long as I can remember, I don’t ever recall a time when there was so much choice available! I would urge you to take a quick look at the monumental collection of man mittens on the Military 1st website. The choice is phenomenal and if you cannot find a pair of gloves that match your needs for airsoft, then perhaps you should buy a Nerf gun and your paws will live happily ever after. With the cold season rapidly approaching, it’s time to consider keeping our digits warm and weather resistant. We could, of course, stay in bed all curled up and cozy on a Sunday morning OR we should (and more likely to) man-up and face whatever mother nature throws at us. However, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link and with this in mind, from the moment you step out of the car on a cold, wet morning, our hands are most likely to be the first body part to succumb to exposure from the prevailing conditions and unless you keep these essentials in tip top order and they are, of course, fit for purpose, your ability to perform effectively will be handicapped before you can say bacon butty! Our good friends and gear gurus at Military 1st dispatched a variety of preventative measures, six pairs to be
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precise, from their huge stockpile of tactical gloves to scrutinise and keep you in the game. “Hand picked” (pun intended) from various manufacturers to help us choose from a carefully selected variety factoring in the “Five F’s”: Funds, Fabric, Functionality, Form and Fit. All of the following review samples are a size medium, which will enable me to offer a good and accurate evaluation which is undoubtedly pretty damn important if they are to provide a full range of performance, comfort and dexterity, in addition to fighting the elements which is, in essence, to be the primary objective of this review. I will say at this point, that all are touch screen compatible, apart from the Pentagon. We will be taking into account their feel, materials used, projected wear and tear, value for money and the sheer overall performance, plus anything else that may be relevant before, during and after their use. With that said, let’s see what we’ve got and let the evaluation begin.
WILEY X
As you are probably aware, Wiley X have been around a while, a little over 30 years
to be precise and are reputed to be one of the best in the business. Founded by a U.S. Veteran with one sole objective to design, manufacture and supply top performing eyewear and gloves to military,
KIT & GEAR GLOVES
law enforcement and civilians around the globe. If you haven’t seen the distinctive Wiley X logo emblazoned on eye pro frames in a movie or TV show, then I suggest you go out and buy yourself a telly. The Wiley X DURTAC All-Purpose glove is exactly that. A mixture of synthetic leather, injection moulded thermoplastic knuckle and individual finger protectors, neoprene cuff with hook and loop closure, mesh panels and ventilated fingers for increased airflow and breathability. A storage hook is sewn in and, like most modern day gloves, they are touchscreen compatible. Finally, a rather useful added feature, a snot-wipe panel along the length of each thumb to keep your runny nose from, erm...running. These are no doubt, a well-structured glove. A good balance of specific fabrics in all the right places, reinforced impact panels, double stitching on stress points and subtle ventilation make this a winner in my book and probably the most important factor of all, they are a damn good fit.
VIPER TACTICAL
Viper Tactical Kit is now one decade in and has been going from strength to strength to become a well-respected and highly recognised brand amongst the airsoft family. Viper constantly strives to improve by taking feedback and experience from the end user and putting it into practice and, clearly, this is really working well. Their range of tactical gear is vast and keeping pace with demand, and one of the most appealing features for us is the fair and affordable prices. Let’s be honest, ain’t none of us flying out to battle in foreign lands any time soon with a Viper plate carrier but for ‘softing it is perfect. These recon gloves are probably one of the finest produced by this company to date. I will say that the design is very similar to another well-known brand, but that aside, Viper have not scrimped on the production and the end product is not only a great fit, the attention to detail is without compromise. Again, impact panels where needed, hook and loop wrist closure combined with the ever-popular loop for secure attachment to your gear. These are, again, synthetic fabrics where faux suede dominates the reinforced palm area and
high wicking polyester spandex form the foundation for the primary rubber impact panel. Again, a very “user-friendly” glove and a good overall fit and around a tenner cheaper than it’s long serving and high performance counterpart with a proven track record, but if you are gearing up on a budget then these might just serve you well.
PENTAGON
Pentagon Tactical Sportswear has been active in the field of military clothing and accessories since 1991. The company started in Germany as a small retail shop
www.airsoft-action.online
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KIT & GEAR GLOVES
selling new and used military surplus goods and, as demand increased, the business moved in 1993 and expanded with the opening of a new wholesale warehouse in Northern Greece. Towards the end of that decade, requirements for technologically advanced fabrics and practicality were sought by a new breed of customer and so manufacturing for demand had to respond accordingly and ultimately, after many years of research and development and working closely with Military, Police, Fire fighters, Rescue and Security teams, Pentagon developed a new product series which they baptised “Tactical Sportswear™” and hence, the company motto was born, “Gear Up”. The Pentagon Tactical Storm has to be, in my opinion, one of the best in this review. With a well balanced, totally practical composition of 52% DuPont Nomex, 48% genuine leather and hard plastic knuckle impact protection. These breathable, hard wearing field gloves have been created to meet expectations from even the most demanding users, offering an additional fire-resistant protection with DuPont Nomex fabric. Moreover, the cowhide leather construction reinforced with double stitching, additional foam padding on the palm and reinforced, padded finger joints provides an exceptional durability, useful for field assignments or any other combat activities. A hook and loop closure and storage loop make for fast acquisition and donning and once on, you could be excused for forgetting that you are wearing gloves.
FIRST TACTICAL
First Tactical is focused on providing the end consumer with product that is specific to their requirements, guided by innovation and reliability. The design process combines both advanced technical materials with state-of-the-art components and built to offer fully functional gear precisely created for professionals in the military, emergency and security services. These “Slash & Flash” hard knuckle gloves are rather unique in a few ways. Firstly, they are assembled using quality materials. EN388 Level 2 Kevlar cut resistance enhances the 100% goatskin leather surface at the palm, making these very popular with Police and Security services as this is combined with a 28
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well thought out discreet hard knuckle protection, which is subtle on appearance without promoting a visual threat as do most hard knuckle gloves, a feature that I feel is a winner. These are excellent low profile protection which will suit many, however, the sizing comes up very small which will eventually cause weakness, if not failure at the seams so you may need to be aware of this if buying otherwise the dexterity is super-comfortable thanks to the natural, soft fabric.
KINETIXX X-PRO
AKA W + R looks back on almost 90 years of tradition and expertise in glove manufacturing. Founded in 1928 as a family business by Gerber Jakob Weiblen and his brother-in-law, the glove maker Theodor Rümmelin, in Germany. These protective and extremely durable KinetiXx X-Pro gloves are designed to provide the maximum level of comfort while protecting hands during general police, military and tactical operations. The gloves feature synthetic leather on the palms for a good grip as well as digital leather reinforcements and soft anatomically pre-formed knuckle protector for great security. These multi-season X-Pro gloves come with generous, reinforced eyelets for hanging and hook-andloop wrist closure that integrates with
KIT & GEAR GLOVES
the ergonomic design for a perfect fit. Recommended for Police, S.W.A.T, Military Special Forces and any other tactical operations, as well as for airsoft, paintball and hunting enthusiasts. Now these are a great fit. Incredibly comfortable and feel like a second skin, irrespective of their tactical appearance. One particular feature that I like is the soft anatomically pre-formed knuckle protector which is rubber, as opposed to hard plastic and works with the feel of the glove. Synthetic leather is used for the palms giving good grip and some may say is a better option than natural materials? (Me, I’m not so sure).
HELIKON-TEX
And last (but by no means least) is the ever-popular brand Helikon-Tex, from Poland. These guys have been churning out premium quality tactical merchandise for over 35 years and are one of the most prominent brands in their respective fields. Their expertise has been developed based on research from many areas, particularly on respected advanced practitioners and hobbyists in the military, shooting sports and the endless enterprise of outdoor activities. From their many lines of just about everything tactical, I have selected a pair of mitts from their Urban line. My reason
for this? Well, not everyone likes the military and hardcore look, plus these will also serve well for many other low-profile activities, domestic and sporting. The first thing that struck me was the sizing! It was as though these had been labelled incorrectly as it was almost impossible to get them on, but perseverance paid off and once they softened-up, they really were a great all-rounder. Although these are all manmade fabrics, there didn’t appear to be any compromises in their comfort and performance. A unique feature that I particularly liked was the embossed backhand - it sets these apart from plain old neoprene that is prominent in the glove market, but although the PVC reinforcement panelling is double stitched, the rest of the glove could be weakened due to standard single stitching and finally, these are without the cuff loop for storage, but then these are “urban” and it’s unlikely that we will be wearing a battle belt down the town or while walking the dog!
these featured are also available in a range of colours to suit your chosen loadout. A special thanks to our friends Military1st for supplying the review samples. AA
CONCLUSION
And so, to conclude… All six pairs were very impressive and I would be completely comfortable and confident wearing any of these on the BB battlefield. Of course, some have better features than others and if I had to choose one pair for airsoft then it would be a tough call between the KinetiXx and the Pentagon but, as I work in the security sector, without doubt it would be the First Tactical due to their leather/Kevlar palm and covert knuckle protection. All of these, and many more can be purchased from Military1st and most of
www.airsoft-action.online
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KIT KIT && GEAR GEAR NITE NITEWATCHES WATCHES
ALTHOUGH ALL OF US LIKE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE TIME, SOMETIMES THIS CAN QUITE LITERALLY MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GETTING THINGS NAILED OR EXPERIENCING A COMPLETE “CLUSTER F~~K”! BILL TAKES A LOOK AT NITE WATCHES, WHO OFFER A RANGE OF TIMEPIECES THAT MEAN YOU’LL ALWAYS BE ON TARGET, ON TIME, EVERY TIME!
Y
ou’re involved in a MilSim, it’s after dark, the rain is teeming down and you need to get your patrol into position by 01:00 or you’re going to blow the whole op! You glance down at your watch to check the progress of time and realise you can’t make out the hands as its pitch black… what to do? You can’t turn on a flashlight as that would give your position away but you can’t see how long you’ve got left until it’s time to lay down covering fire for the rest of your team as they advance to contact… Over the years I’ve worn many watches and one thing that they’ve all had in common is that they kept time! I know this seems a little basic but you can pick up a watch at your local supermarket these days and nice as it may look, I’m sure (like me) you wouldn’t rely on it if seconds meant the difference between getting the job done right in the scenario outlined above, or failing miserably and getting the rest of your team annihilated. For instance, I’ve worn a number of dive watches and all of them have cost me a pretty penny but when it comes to monitoring the length of a dive or the time needed at a decompression stop then this is something that I’ve obviously wanted to get 100% right - and the fact that I’m still here writing this proves that my investment in those timepieces has been a worthwhile one! However, I’m not one of those guys
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that feels the need to wear a great big dive watch just to prove my so-called-manliness and it is a fact that I own a number of large technical watches that only get used in their respective environments and when needed. If I’m just hoofing around town, or simply heading to the range, a simpler watch is just fine but I do insist
“THE ABILITY TO TELL THE TIME WITH EASE IN THE DARK IS THE REASON WHY FROM THE OUTSET EACH AND EVERY NITE WATCH HAS BEEN FITTED WITH TRITIUM ILLUMINATION, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE WORLD’S BEST AND MOST RELIABLE FORM OF ILLUMINATION.”
on something that’s rugged, durable, and above all WILL KEEP THE DARN TIME! A short while ago we were approached by the team at NITE WATCHES in the UK to take a look at what they have on offer, not just the for discerning tactical professional but for simple users like you and I. Nite was started back in 2003 by a gentleman called Roger Green after he was blown away by
the performance of Tritium illumination and realising that other people like him would appreciate a well-engineered watch that used this technology.
T-WHAT?
Often overlooked but always highly important, especially in the tactical world, the ability to tell the time with ease in the dark is the reason why from the outset each and every Nite watch has been fitted with tritium illumination, widely regarded as the world’s best and most reliable form of illumination. Tritium, also known as super heavy hydrogen, was first discovered by Ernest Rutherford, ML Oliphant and Paul Harteckin in 1934 and most of you will know it from tritium night sights (such as the ones made by Trijicon), where a glass tube is coated with a phosphorescent material and filled with a tiny amount of tritium. As the tritium decays, it releases electrons and their energy excites the tube’s coating, causing it to fluoresce. Tritium emits electrons through beta decay and when these electrons interact with a phosphorous material, a fluorescent light is created that can last up to 20 years. When this Tritium powered illumination is sealed inside a glass tube, it is known as a GTLS (Gaseous Tritium Light Source) which is up to 100 times brighter over a long period than any comparable technology. To produce a GTLS vial, glass is lined with
KIT KIT && GEAR GEAR NITE NITEWATCHES WATCHES
phosphorescent material, then filled and pressurised by a machine with gaseous tritium and sliced into segments by a laser beam to be sealed hermetically. Inside the vial, the electrons emitted by the tritium gas excites the phosphor to give off a cold continuous light. GTLS can be created in different colours, although generally green is perceived by the human eye as the brightest colour. Tritium illumination is a completely safe and reliable form of illumination; the electron emitted by Tritium is so low in energy that it is unable to penetrate the human skin. The Tritium illumination used in all Nite watches is supplied by mb-microtec of Switzerland, the original founders and market leaders of the technology. The “T-Rating” relates to the total watch radiation content measured in millicuries and Nite offer both T25 and T100 rated watches. All watches with a T25 rating contain up to 25mCi of radiation content and similarly, watches with a T100 rating contain above 25mCi and up to 100mCi. Whilst there are differences between the amount of mCi in the T25 and T100 models, the idea of “which is better” is simply a choice of preference and taste.
IN THE WILD
I do love a bit of techno-speak, but to be honest whilst looking into Tritium illumination I have genuinely learnt something new… that all watches are NOT equal, even high-quality, expensive models! I have also learnt that Tritium illumination will provide a constant glow throughout the night, unlike traditional illumination such as Superluminova, which will fade in a number of hours, plus it is also completely self-powered and doesn’t require sunlight or any other form of external power to operate! The guys at Nite very kindly offered to send me one of their watches to try over a period of time, to “live with” so to speak and going back to my original statement I asked them which was the least fussy in their extensive range of models. I told them I wanted something basic that I could wear every day, nothing flashy and ostentatious, just a watch that would do the business come rain or shine; what they sent me was the MX10.
The MX10 is the original Nite watch and has been used in the most demanding military scenarios. It was awarded NATO certification and used by Special Forces back in 2005, due to its durability, quality construction and GTLS self-powered dial illumination. Its functional, no-nonsense and simple styling means that you can wear it everywhere, whatever the situation or conditions and whether you’re wearing your comfiest (read “beat up”) airsoft gear or that smart suit for work. The MX10 is a modest watch but it’s a model that’s been tried and tested in the harshest environments and been ready for more of the same! The MX10 Technical features speak for themselves: • Case Finish: Black Pvd Case • Strap Type: Black Pvd Bracelet • Crystal: Sapphire Crystal • Tritium: T25 Green & Orange • Bezel: N/A • Movement: Swiss Made Ronda 715 • Crown Type: Push • Dial Diameter: 32mm • Case Diameter: 39mm • Case Depth: 11.6mm • Weight: 158G • Water Resistance: 100m • Battery Life: 4-5 Years Just by way of further explanation, the watch benefits from ultra-scratch resistance and comes with coated with anti-reflective layers; Sapphire crystal is recognised as the premium option across the watch industry and is used throughout the Nite collection. Made in Switzerland,
the Ronda quartz movement used is extremely well regarded for the level of accuracy and reliability that it provides. In everyday use the MX10 is an easy watch to live with, even if it’s on your wrist from dawn ‘til dusk - and beyond. It’s small and light enough not to notice until you need it but the face is large enough to read in all conditions. Matched up with my range-favourite First Tactical Lightweight Patrol gloves, the MX10 snugged neatly into the watch recess as if it were made to be there. Usually if I attend a show or event and wear one of my “big tactical watches”, this will undoubtedly cause comment from someone but thus far in wearing the MX10
“TRITIUM ILLUMINATION WILL PROVIDE A CONSTANT GLOW THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, UNLIKE TRADITIONAL ILLUMINATION SUCH AS SUPERLUMINOVA, WHICH WILL FADE IN A NUMBER OF HOURS, PLUS IT IS ALSO COMPLETELY SELF-POWERED AND DOESN’T REQUIRE SUNLIGHT OR ANY OTHER FORM OF EXTERNAL POWER TO OPERATE!”
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The best watch brand you’ve never heard of. You won’t find Nite watches in high street jewellers, department stores or marketplace websites - not because they don’t ask us to, but because we prefer to deal directly with you. We know that by operating this way we are missing out on selling many more watches, but we don’t mind. We enjoy getting to know our customers – hearing their stories, sharing their passions and celebrating their milestones. Dealing directly with our customers is good for you too. Instead of a large portion of your money going towards expensive middlemen, extravagant watch displays and celebrity endorsements, we’re able to invest that back into our watches. The result of this means that our watches offer superb value for money whilst being tailored to our customers’ needs with features such as the market leading Tritium illumination, Swiss made movements and scratch-resistant Sapphire crystal found in each and every Nite watch. OK, so you’ve heard of us now. Explore the full collection online and see what you think. WWW.NITEWATCHES.COM
KIT & GEAR NITE WATCHES
on a daily basis, it has not garnered any comment at all apart from one guy that I know well asking me about it, and being genuinely interested in what I had to tell him. Since I lifted the MX10 from the box it has not skipped a beat and a couple of games/range sessions haven’t fazed it at all! Nite Watches are still proudly based in the idyllic coastal town of Christchurch on the south coast of England where they design all their new watches, run their in-house service centre and dispatch every order by hand. They tell me that selling their watches exclusively through the website enables them to deliver a truly
personal service and allows them to tailor all their watches to meet the needs of their community of owners around the world. In their own words: “Completely self-powered and providing a constant glow throughout the night, Tritium illumination technology has been trusted for decades by the emergency services, mountaineers, deepsea divers and military personnel due to its unwavering reliability and performance in mission critical situations. A Nite Watch speaks volumes about you. Follow your instincts, stick to your principles, believe in yourself and wear a watch you can depend on.” From my experience with the MX10 thus far, I can personally attest to the passion behind that statement and tell you that it’s no marketing spiel! What Nite make in terms of their timepieces is 100% good to go and I see no reason to doubt that this will be the case for the long lifetime of the watch, whatever I may throw at it! My thanks go to Nite for providing the test sample. Please visit www.nitewatches. com to check out their superb range of watches - and to learn more about that Tritium! AA
www.airsoft-action.online
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THE COLLECTOR
THE COLLECTOR: THE STEN
FRENCHIE CONTINUES HIS “COLLECTOR” SERIES WITH A WEAPON THAT CAME TO SYMBOLISE THE UTILITARIAN, “MEND AND MAKE DO” TIMES IN WHICH IT WAS CREATED.
THE STEN T
his month’s “Collector” is a complete cheat which, given the month I have had, I’m simply not going to apologise for! Ladies and Gentlemen, the very apex of British gun making, the striding colossus of World War II small arms: The Sten gun! It’s a cheat because it is almost impossible to find anything other than the AGM version of this gun, but I’ll come to that later when we look at the airsoft options. Let us turn first to the gun itself, it’s genesis, service and endearing quirks. The Sten gun arose from the confluence of two circumstances – Dunkirk and the cost of the Thompson submachine gun. When the British Expeditionary force was plucked from the shores of Northern France they left behind the vast majority of their equipment, so although Britain succeeded in pulling back hundreds of thousands of soldiers, it was woefully short of weapons and equipment with which to reconstitute its shattered army. Britain had been buying Thompson submachine guns from the USA but demand constantly outstripped supply, and the cost was prohibitive. The
Thompson was a product of the previous war and previous manufacturing practices involving many machining operations. Other nations had already begun to replace such expensive weapons with far simpler options; Germany’s MP38/MP40, the Soviet Union was developing the PPSh41, both designs which minimised production time and importantly the skill necessary to produce components. As the RAF fought the Battle of Britain and the nation waited for invasion, the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield was commissioned to develop a cheap, easy to produce submachine gun to re-equip the British Army. The design work was carried out by Major R.V. Shepherd and Harold John Turpin and it was their initials plus those of Enfield that would give
the new gun its name – Sten. The Sten Mk I was short-lived, with around 100,000 being produced. It was well-finished and featured a wooden folding forward grip, conical flash hider and the side-mounted magazine that would stay with all Sten guns. It was
“AS THE RAF FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND THE NATION WAITED FOR INVASION, THE ROYAL SMALL ARMS FACTORY AT ENFIELD WAS COMMISSIONED TO DEVELOP A CHEAP, EASY TO PRODUCE SUBMACHINE GUN TO RE-EQUIP THE BRITISH ARMY. ”
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XMAS 2019
THE COLLECTOR THE STEN
simplified to give the Sten Mk I* but it wasn’t until the Mk II was introduced that production hit serious numbers. The Mk II is the definitive Sten gun, with over 2,000,000 being produced, both in Britain and at the Long Branch arsenal in Canada. Of simple tubular design and easily disassembled for cleaning or storage, it is one of the most distinctive guns of the Second World War. The Mk III was the simplest of the family, being redesigned for ease of manufacture and, after the Mk II, it was produced in the greatest numbers. The Mk IV was a compact version that never saw production and the final variant, the Mk V featured better finish, a forward pistol grip, bayonet lug, improved sights and a wooden stock. Internally the gun remained almost identical to the Mk II. There were also suppressed versions of both the Mk II and the Mk IV. Crude and simple to make, the Sten was a blow-back operated, selective fire submachine gun chambered for 9x19mm parabellum. Essentially a series of tubes, or in the case of the Mk III one welded tube, it was prone to accidental discharge if dropped as there was initially no facility to lock the bolt in place and it was also prone to feed problems throughout its life. Ironically, the cause of the feed issues was the magazine, an almost direct copy of the German MP38/40 magazine. The rational was that troops could not only use captured ammunition but also captured magazines. Unfortunately, the German magazine was a dual column, single feed design prone to jams resulting from dirt or damage to the feed lips, both of which are likely on any battlefield. This problem was never resolved and would follow
all versions of the Sten. Ultimately, it’s probable that volume of production was far more important to the British than the fact that there would be a number of failures which could be largely addressed through training. Although often described as “inaccurate”, the Sten was no worse than most WWII submachine guns and at close quarters it was devastating. At the very end of the war, even the German army resorted to producing a crude version of it to arm their remaining troops and Volksturm. The concept of a crude copy of the Sten really doesn’t bear thinking about!
AIRSOFT
The one thing you can rely on with airsoft Sten guns, is that they will be better made than the original! The first version I am aware of was produced in China by Viva – I have never seen one here and the design appears to have been copied by AGM who flooded the market with them. The AGM is a replica of the Mk II Sten and utilises a simplified M14 gearbox. Unlike the real thing, it is full-auto only, AGM having removed the selector mechanism from the gearbox and simplified the trigger to get it to fit into the housing below the gun. This is a blessing, because the selector mechanism was always this gearbox’s Achilles heel – as a consequence the AGM Sten is rarely problematic. More often found with ASG branding now, it is a fair replica and much, much cheaper that a deactivated
gun. Although built from a combination of steel and alloy it weathers well if you want it to look authentic, although the matte finish is wrong for a British-built gun. Genuine Sten slings are still easily available and are cheap and they fit the AGM without any problems. If you are going this route, I would suggest you reinforce the perforated handguard as it is prone to quickly developing a bit of wobble. I found a couple of small self-tapping screws ground flush did the job well as there is no need to remove this piece. The magazine well can be rotated to the vertical position to cover the feed and “ejection” ports and the front end, containing the barrel and hop unit is easily removed for maintenance, although if I remember correctly, AGM made this slightly more awkward to do in the second (and current) version of this gun. For either wall hanging or playing, the AGM is available, solid, functional and relatively inexpensive. The alternative is the unknown, to me at least, Northeast Airsoft gas blowback version. This is going to be mechanically much more accurate as gas blowback in airsoft mimics simple blowback in the real world, but I have no hands-on experience so I cannot comment on finish, build quality and appearance beyond photographs. It sounds like it should be the ultimate collector version but lacking firsthand knowledge, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it to collectors or, quite frankly, anyone. Even if the Northeast version is good, the AGM/ASG MkII is a well-rounded offering that should satisfy most players and collectors, so I would point you in that direction. Over the years I think I have owned three of them and had no problems with any. If there are any complaints to be directed at the AGM Sten it is simply that it is too nicely made, not something that was ever said about the real gun! AA
“UNLIKE THE REAL THING, IT IS FULL-AUTO ONLY, AGM HAVING REMOVED THE SELECTOR MECHANISM FROM THE GEARBOX AND SIMPLIFIED THE TRIGGER TO GET IT TO FIT INTO THE HOUSING BELOW THE GUN. ”
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The UK’s first show dedicated to Target Shooting and all its various disciplines under one roof !! From Airsoft and skirmish to .50 Caliber long range precision shooting, this show is for you !! The Target Shooting Show 2019 will promote, support and showcase all UK target shooting sports, including Gallery, CSR, F class, HFT, FT, Long Range Precision, Air Gun, Clay Pigeon, Simulated Game, English Sporting, Skeet, Trap, Practical, Black Powder, Classic Arms, Action Air and Airsoft to name but a few… We want this show to be aimed at all target shooters in the UK - along with the clubs and associations representing those shooters. Check out our Facebook page and website and we look forward to seeing you at the UK’s 1st ever gun show solely dedicated to target shooters ! Website: www.targetshootingshow.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/targetshootingshow
KIT & GEAR WINTER WARMERS
WINTER WARMERS
IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN, WHEN WE ALL NEED TO CONTEND WITH COLDER WEATHER, SO OUR “IN HOUSE TECHNICAL CLOTHING GURU”, BILL, TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO SOME GREAT KIT WHICH WILL HELP YOU TO KEEP “SNUGGLY IN THE SAFE ZONE” WHEN THE MERCURY PLUMMETS!
A
s I sit writing this, I can tell that winter is upon us just by the temperature in the office - and the fact that I’ve finally ditched my usual shorts for a pair of trousers and my t-shirt for my go-to VIPER hoody fleece. Just this morning we had our first frost of the year and from what the “meteo” is telling me, that’s just the start of a potentially cold and snowy winter ahead. On my recent trip up to see the guys at Fire Support the gritting teams were out doing trial runs on the M11, so for me it’s definitely time to get planning for those frozen days on site and on the test range! Although I’m still in two minds as to whether or not to invest in “overwhites” (I have this debate with myself year on year) it is time to break out the insulated jacket for downtime in the Safe Zone and I truly believe that this is a crucial piece of gear to own - for two main reasons. Firstly, after a hard morning’s skirmish, you’re going to have built up a head of steam but when you’re out on a basic site with no heated safe zone (in many cases you’ll be operating from the back of the car!) it’s very, very easy to chill down quickly when you stop for lunch. This leads all too quickly discomfort and, on a cold, snowy
winter day I’ve seen many players leave at lunchtime as they’ve become too chilled to continue. Secondly, in the UK it’s often not the cold, pretty white stuff falling from the sky (Bjorn Klockar, I’m looking at you!) that we need to contend with but sleet and icy rain, so you’ll totally get why I find an insulated jacket to be and indispensable bit of kit!
GET LAYERED!
I know that I keep on about a correct and effective layering system in your gear but in the winter months you really need to push up the insulation levels of your mid-layer, so it’s seriously worth considering some form of lightweight lofted garment. Once upon a time everyone would have been saying “get a down jacket” and, in certain conditions, I’d thoroughly agree with that. These days though, I pretty much always go for a synthetic fill rather than down; synthetics retain a high percentage of their insulative properties even when wet, whereas when down gets wet it will stay wet and will actually try to use your own core body heat to dry itself, resulting in you being even colder! Another benefit of a synthetic fill is that you can also compress it, and leave it compressed
for extended periods of time without causing any damage to its structure. Most of the jackets will come with a compression or “stuff” sac, which can be used to minimise its size making it easier to store and carry with you. Hypothermia can, ultimately, be a killer and even in its mildest form can lead to you having not just a bad day but a bad time, full stop! If you really don’t want to be “that guy” who causes a problem for everyone due to lack of forethought and preparation, then please read on. I know (I really do) that you could easily look at this and say that an insulated jacket is just another piece of kit to buy, another expensive item of clothing that won’t get used that much but in fact, once you own such a garment I think you’ll be shocked by actually how much you do use it!
WHAT TO LOOK AT
All the “big names” out there will offer one, if not more, insulated jackets in their clothing range and depending on your leftover-after-the-latest-AEG-buy-money, then shopping around will get you something in your price range. Although camouflage insulated jackets are available, think about where you’ll be wearing it. If you buy a
“SYNTHETICS RETAIN A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THEIR INSULATIVE PROPERTIES EVEN WHEN WET, WHEREAS WHEN DOWN GETS WET IT WILL STAY WET AND WILL ACTUALLY TRY TO USE YOUR OWN CORE BODY HEAT TO DRY ITSELF, RESULTING IN YOU BEING EVEN COLDER!”
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XMAS 2019
KIT & GEAR WINTER WARMERS
simple block colour (rather than a camo) then you’re also going to end up with something you can wear every day, which makes it even better value for money.
Of course there are now many “tactical” brands that will sell you an insulated jacket and those are usually jazzed up with a lot of arm-velcro and different features from the “civvy versions” but I’ll still go back to my old faves, Snugpak, when it comes to insulated gear. They’ve built on the success of their best known insulated jacket, the Softie, to bring some great models to their clothing collection and the latest generation of insulated jackets are British made in the company’s factory in West Yorkshire, using its exclusive Softie Premier insulation.
SJ FOR THE WIN!
Snugpack SJ9
Most good outdoor pursuits stores will have in stock a wide selection of both down and synthetic insulated jackets by now, and some of them are offering some great gear from the top mountaineering companies. I’ve noticed that there are some seriously good bargains to be had from the likes of RAB, Mountain Equipment, Montane and The North Face - and all of them this year seem to be available in black or some really cool grey tones. Do be wary of buying “names” though, as there sadly is still a degree of “paying for that” depending on where you actually make your purchase. Good models to look for are those that are referred to as “belay jackets”, as those are purpose designed to stuff down into your pack for use when you need them most; when you stop being active and become more static, plus their designs are more often than not more technically cut to fit lower over the small of the back and abdomen, whereas many of the more “fashion cut” jackets are waistline cut. I still have a very old belay pullover filled with Primaloft from my time working with Lowe Alpine many years ago and it’s a classic!
The Snugpak SJ Range is their latest development in all-weather jackets that are designed to give you the perfect outer shell, whatever conditions you’re facing throughout the year. All four jackets in the range benefit from their high-tech Paratex Micro outer and Paratex Light inner, keeping any moisture away from your skin, so you stay warm, comfortable and dry and their Softie Premier filling has excellent insulating properties, trapping heat and maximising comfort. The warmest jacket in the collection is the SJ12 (£184.95); the newest Snugpak design is tailored to fit the contours of
your body, with a water-resistant main zip and a high neck design that keeps out the draughts. The Softie Jacket 12 is designed for the winter months with a permanent, adjustable, insulated hood for extra warmth around the head, neck and face. You’ll be comfortable right down to -15°C. It comes in a Blue, Red, Olive, Military Black, Multicam camouflage colours, which also feature Velcro patches on the arm for military use. The SJ12 also has the extended body and longer back I mentioned earlier. The SJ9 (£149.95), which uses Softie 9 Insulation, features a full time insulated hood, which can be rolled down and secured in place when not in use and Snugpak’s Softie® Premier insulation for ultimate warmth, making it ideal for extreme winter conditions or when stationary for long periods of time. Hem draw cords mean you can snug it in to retain warmth, elasticated cuffs form a great seal when wearing gloves and there are two deep hand warmer pockets as well. Down the sides of the jacket is a unique panel of baffles which holds the insulation exactly where it’s needed; Snugpak have obviously looked to their sleeping bag range and taken inspiration from there and it works very well indeed.
Snugpack SJ12
“DOWN THE SIDES OF THE JACKET IS A UNIQUE PANEL OF BAFFLES WHICH HOLDS THE INSULATION EXACTLY WHERE IT’S NEEDED; SNUGPAK HAVE OBVIOUSLY LOOKED TO THEIR SLEEPING BAG RANGE AND TAKEN INSPIRATION FROM THERE AND IT WORKS VERY WELL INDEED.”
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KIT & GEAR WINTER WARMERS
operational environments, especially when exposed to extreme cold weather.
MOUNTAIN LEADER
Snugpack SJ9
The SJ9 is available in olive, military black, MultiCam and A-TACS camo and features Velcro on the arms for unit or morale patches. I’ve been really pleased to have this model on test and it’s fast proving to be a “keeper”. Over the winter months last year I was able to try it in various conditions and, especially when the temperature plummeted, it really performed! If you’re looking for a really great winter jacket that is absolutely perfect for wear in the Safe Zone then I’d urge you to take a really close look at the SJ9 as it comes with my thorough recommendation. One of the things with Safe Zones is that you do spend a fair amount of time in a cold, static position; you might be attending the safety briefing first thing in the morning or breaking for lunch but it’s a rarity to find a heated Safe Zone isn’t it? For years I’ve always had an original Snugpak “Softie” jacket in the back of the car for just such times, for when you want a bit of instant warmth. Now Snugpak have really upped the ante though, taking things to an entirely new level! Developed by Snugpak with input from professional navigators, mountain leaders, climbing instructors, meteorological staff and military personnel, the functional Military Mountain Leader Smock has been created to support the user in a diverse range of
As a part of Snugpak’s “VENTURE” range, the MML6 Softie Smock is the flagship garment. It’s a tri-layer garment and uses both Paratex Micro as a face fabric and an internal Softie Premier fill, encapsulated with a Paratex Light lining. Designed to provide excellent thermal protection against the cold, the MML6 is rated -5C to -10C; it also provides a high degree of wind protection. The MML6 Softie Smock is lighter than normal expedition style jackets and uses water resistant YKK zips, making it ideal when size and weight need to be kept to an absolute minimum. It is ideally worn with a variety of base layers, such as the Snugpak 2nd Skinz Coolmax base layer, to move moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and regulating core temperature in extremes of cold. The quick drying, Paratex Micro 100% nylon material has a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Water repellency can be maintained with a cool tumble dry
after washing and periodic re-treatment with suitable after care products, such as Nikwax and Grangers. The MML6 Softie Smock will keep you dry in a short, light shower, giving you time to find a safe place to stop and put on more effective waterproof layers. It can also be worn under waterproof membrane hard shells in severe weather, still allowing easy access to your essential equipment. Whilst not exactly cheap at £189.95, the MML6 Softie Smock should be viewed as a long-term investment, especially if you act as a Marshal as well as a player. Whilst skirmishers can easily head back inside to warm up, a Marshal needs to be out onsite at all times that a game is in progress. The MML6 easily lets you do this so in my mind is an invaluable addition to your kit locker. Whatever your budget may be though, there’s a great insulated jacket out there with your name on it! It may not be a garment that is going to see all round use but you’ll thank me next time those around you are shivering in the Safe Zone and you’re all snuggled up in your gucci-smucci new jacket and complaining how warm you are! AA
Snugpack MML6
“THE MML6 SOFTIE SMOCK WILL KEEP YOU DRY IN A SHORT, LIGHT SHOWER, GIVING YOU TIME TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP AND PUT ON MORE EFFECTIVE WATERPROOF LAYERS. IT CAN ALSO BE WORN UNDER WATERPROOF MEMBRANE HARD SHELLS IN SEVERE WEATHER, STILL ALLOWING EASY ACCESS TO YOUR ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT.”
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CONCEALMENT VEST CAMO / SRP: £49.95
KIT & GEAR ONETIGRIS GRIFFIN AFPC
ONETIGRIS GRIFFIN AFPC AIRSOFT VEST
AFTER USING THE ONETIGRIS COLLECTION OF FACE PROTECTION OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND BEING IMPRESSED WITH THE COMFORT AND QUALITY, FEMME FATALE STARTED TO WONDER ABOUT THE REST OF THEIR GEAR COLLECTION AND HOW IT COMPARES. THIS IS WHERE THE GRIFFIN AFPC AIRSOFT VEST COMES IN!
T
he GRIFFIN is one of the signature vests from OneTigris. It is made from durable 500D Cordura and UTX buckles giving it dirt/water/abrasion resistance and making it a perfect choice for airsoft. It offers quick-release, reinforced and padded shoulder strap functionality, detachable breathability padding and it can also be used with chest rigs via the removable front MOLLE flap with 1” buckles. It weighs in at just 1.3kg, making it a super lightweight piece of gear. It also has a 6.5” wide cummerbund to protect your sides and these have hidden hook and loop utility pockets. There are four pieces of detachable breathability padding in the GRIFFIN for good airflow during gameplay. The design is completely adjustable to fit players of different sizes, with adjustable shoulder straps (12”-17”) and adjustable upper waist sizes from 36” to 48”. It has
360-degree MOLLE for all pouches etc. The GRIFFIN also has a 10” by 12” EVA plate included in the package. Another feature is that it has 3” by 6” patch panels at the front and back for airsofters beloved patches (it also comes with an OTG red PVC patch too!) The GRIFFIN is easy to adjust so it didn’t take long to get it skirmish ready and once fully adjusted it does fit well. On the first use I did find the foam plates to be a little stiff and bulky but the more I’ve used the vest, the more they have softened with the heat of my body during play. This is not unusual as I’ve found this with a lot of tactical vests and plate carriers that come with foam plates and is probably the nature of the foam, rather than the plate carrier itself. One positive for the foam plates is that any hits to the carrier sound super distinct, meaning its easier to hear when you’ve been shot if you didn’t feel it. The all-round MOLLE means it is a super versatile piece of kit and has plenty of room for any pouches needed. As I ran this with my belt kit, I just accessorised mine with a triple mag pouch. It is worth noting that if you have the VULTURE chest rig and TREX pack, it is also compatible with these!
An issue I found with my GRIFFIN AFPC, is that the front flap’s MultiCam pattern didn’t sit right with the rest of the pattern on the vest - almost as if it had been flipped. This, I suspect is because OTG are utilising all the fabric they possibly can for each vest - which makes sense as MC fabric is expensive. As the flap is detachable or covered with pouches its more of a none-issue. I’ve fed this back to OTG and they are aware of this. At the moment, the GRIFFIN AFPC is only available in MultiCam. Which is a bit limiting in terms of load out potential and I would love to see this vest in other colour ways, such as MultiCam Black, MultiCam Tropic and Ranger Green. Offering this plate carrier in more colour ways would definitely make it more appealing to airsofters. It retails for $121.99 which is around £97 at the current exchange rate (be aware that this could have changed by the time this goes to print); the price is on par with other brands of the same quality. Overall, I think 1TG have done a really great job with the GRIFFIN plate carrier despite the design flaw in the removable flap but like I said, it is removable and you can cover it with pouches so it isn’t a big issue. The size allows for adjustment so it is inclusive, it is versatile and can be used with other OTG products such as the VULTURE (it could also possibly be used with other brands but I’ve not had chance to try it yet). It is also lightweight and comfortable without sacrificing quality. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see this come out in other colours too! Keep up the great work 1TG!. AA
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FEATURE MY FIRST (PROPER!) AEG
MY FIRST (PROPER!) AEG WE MAY THINK THAT TIME GOES QUICKLY IN THE “AIRSOFT WORLD” BUT A NUMBER OF THE AA TEAM HAVE BEEN INVOLVED FOR LONG TIME! BILL KICKS OFF A NEW OCCASIONAL COLUMN FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS, LOOKING AT HOW TIMES (AND THE GAME) HAVE CHANGED SINCE HE BOUGHT HIS FIRST “PROPER” AEG, THE MUCH-MALIGNED FAMAS FROM TOKYO MARUI!
L
et me take you back to a gentler time, a time when airsoft was largely unknown (yes, fellow airsofters, that time did once actually exist). There was no social media, in fact, to even get email I needed to run a cable from my telephone socket up the stairs to my little office and then wait for series of weird buzzes, beeps, whirs and what sounded suspiciously like animal grunts to end, so that Windows 3.1 could do its thing and get me online …eventually. My mobile telephone made calls and
occasionally I might send a “text” which was very modern and efficient but to get anything on paper meant waiting for my Canon Fax machine to do its thing. Although it was all slow, I was there, I was “connected” and occasionally, if I had the time, I might visit a “forum” or two to learn about this thing called “airsoft”. This was 1994, I’d just hit 30 (yes, I am THAT old!) and I was a successful young man who owned (read mortgaged to the hilt!) his own home and had a degree of disposable income.
Some mates and I had found some spring airsoft pistols in our local model store and before then we’d had the plastic model kits, both those that fired BBs and those from LS Models that were basically just a kit that operated like the real thing. From memory, one of the lads got himself a spring shotgun or rifle of some description and suddenly our own personal “arms race” had begun! We played on a mate’s farm, around the outbuildings, with safety glasses from the local builders merchant as “eyepro” and
“FROM MEMORY, ONE OF THE LADS GOT HIMSELF A SPRING SHOTGUN OR RIFLE OF SOME DESCRIPTION AND SUDDENLY OUR OWN PERSONAL “ARMS RACE” HAD BEGUN! WE PLAYED ON A MATE’S FARM, AROUND THE OUTBUILDINGS, WITH SAFETY GLASSES FROM THE LOCAL BUILDERS MERCHANT AS “EYEPRO” AND BOY WAS IT FUN!” 46
XMAS 2019
FEATURE MY FIRST (PROPER) AEG
boy was it FUN! I blame the “interwebz” for what became somewhat of an addiction for me, in fact leading me to the very place that I am now, namely writing about airsoft guns and gear! Those delves into the forums opened my eyes to names like Maruzen, Asahi, Masudaya and Matsushiro but, most importantly, to a company called Tokyo Marui (TM) who had developed a thing called an “Automatic Electric Gun”. It was battery powered and could actually fire not only in semi-automatic mode, but FULL AUTO! Not only that but the hop-up system that we have today in almost all AEGs was created by TM during this period and had the forums buzzing!
FAMOUS FAMAS
The gun that started it all? None other than the Tokyo Marui FAMAS! Development in 1992 led to the production of the world’s first AEG, which was powered solely by an electric motor gearbox-driven spring-piston assembly! Modelling their first AEG after the French FAMAS was exactly right for TM, as the real FAMAS used a full polymer body that allowed them to replicate it in “engineer plastic” and fit the Version 1 gearbox, whilst maintaining realism and complying with Japan’s replica gun regulations. The TM was also fitted with a “Hop Up” system which, at the time, was a thing of magic and unicorn poop and allowed you to adjust your AEG so that it was actually accurate. So, having read all about this wonderful new thing I knew I had to have one and after speaking to a number of “knowledgeable folk”, managed to track one down as a private sale. To say it transformed our little airsoft games on the farm would be the understatement of the century!
DECIDELY FRENCH!
I have to admit that I never had a problem with the FAMAS, either in the design, the performance, or indeed the heritage! The FAMAS (Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne, or in English, “Assault Rifle from the Saint-Étienne Weapon Factory”) and known by French troops as “Le Clairon” (The Bugle) due to its distinctive shape, first saw service in
Chad during Operation Manta and again in desert operations during Operation Desert Storm and in other various peacekeeping missions. Operational conditions proved the weapon to be reliable and trustworthy under combat conditions and gave rise to its long service life. Development of the bullpup FAMAS began in 1967 under the direction of General Paul Tellié and the first prototype was completed in 1971, with French military evaluation of the rifle beginning in 1972. Developmental and manufacturing delays though, meant that the final model was not delivered and issued to French troops until 1978. This rifle served, without its fair share of complications, through until 1994 (1994 again!) when the FAMAS G2 was developed to comply with NATO standards, by accepting standard NATO magazines and by employing tighter barrel rifling to accurately fire both older 5.56 mm 55grain ammunition and new standard 5.56mm NATO 62grain ammo. The French Navy purchased the FAMAS G2 in 1995 and issued it to their Fusiliers Marins and Commandos Marine, but the French army refused to purchase the G2, preferring to rely on the FAMAS F1 as their primary rifle! The successful design remained fundamentally unchanged from what it was originally and the legendary but old-fashioned FAMAS finally bit the dust in 2017, with French troops now being issued the Heckler & Koch HK416. The German manufacturer will ultimately deliver 100,000 rifles as well as accessories, ammunition and provide weapons training to all parts of the French military, including the Army, Navy and Air Force. Whilst in the Alps last year I ended up by chance having lunch with a group of guys from the Brigade d’Infanterie de Montagne who were all carrying their shiny new 416s but in conversation with the Sergent-chef, it was clear that although he liked the new carbine he still had a very soft spot for his FAMAS!
derisive comments FAMAS am still best me it shows a real, lack of appreciation little AEG achieved that’s just misty-eyed of battles past recollection. I do the original FAMAS was creaky and flexed a fair bit but the fledgling hop up system was brilliant - and it was very accurate. Okay, unlike current day
like “TM gnu” as to fundamental for what this but perhaps memories clouding my remember that
THE “NEW” TM FAMAS
Much like that Sergent-chef, the FAMAS has a place in my heart and will always do so. I do tend to feel sad when I see
“I DO TEND TO FEEL SAD WHEN I SEE DERISIVE COMMENTS LIKE “TM FAMAS AM STILL BEST GNU” AS TO ME IT SHOWS A REAL, FUNDAMENTAL LACK OF APPRECIATION FOR WHAT THIS LITTLE AEG ACHIEVED BUT PERHAPS THAT’S JUST MISTY-EYED MEMORIES OF BATTLES PAST CLOUDING MY RECOLLECTION.” www.airsoft-action.online
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FEATURE MY FIRST (PROPER) AEG
TMs the range was not fabulous but back then we didn’t have access to all the upgrade parts that are so easily found today, so we adapted our style of play to allow for that one shortcoming. The FAMAS that you will buy today is much unchanged, so much so that the “Super Version” that I collected from Fire Support recently still comes with a large battery connector! Luckily, I still have a number of old batteries lurking or that could have been a problem as these days most batteries are sold with the small connector! Inside the plastic shell of the “SV” still lurks a Version 1 gearbox and EG560 motor but the whole package works surprisingly well! Although it looks a bit of a house brick the ergonomics are actually very good; fire mode is controlled by a selector within the trigger guard, which also operates the mechanism to release the fore-end to access the battery compartment. Automatic fire is determined by another
selector located under the housing and behind the magazine. The short overall length of the FAMAS at 757mm and light weight (3400g) make it an ideal AEG for the smaller user, although the way in which it’s configured feels comfortable even for a big guys like me. It’s a rifle that you could skirmish with all day long and it still works well as a CQB tool. Unlike many rifles you can set it up “lefty/righty” by simply moving the detachable cheekpiece, under which hides the hop adjustment. I was actually gagging to get the FAMAS SV on the range to test and when I did it brought back some really happy memories. Once you master the controls it’s an easy design to shoot and the straight 60BB magazine that it comes with is easy to load; the magazine is also extremely easy to manipulate in and out of pouches as it is completely straight with no protrusions to get hung up! Power-wise it’s exactly as I remember, coming in at a consistent 0.74 Joule/283fps using my
usual .20g RZRs and in terms of accuracy it’s as good as it ever was! I was also extremely pleased to be getting a full 30m out of it, even though the “SV” doesn’t have the folding bipod for extra stability when you’re shooting prone. So, 25 years on to the month from the first time I was able to get on the range with a TM FAMAS and after literally hundreds of airsoft guns going through my hands during that time, you know what? It was still great fun to shoot and I’d happily still skirmish with it. Is the TM FAMAS the “bestest gnu”? I’d say far from it but it will certainly still hold its own in game - and is a BIG part of both real firearms and airsoft history. For that alone it SHOULD hold itself dear to all of us. Although the design remains basically unchanged from what it was the 90’s, that “simpler time”, the FAMAS was the foundation, in fact the very keystone, of all AEGs produced to this day, and for that reason I still love it. AA
“IS THE TM FAMAS THE “BESTEST GNU”? I’D SAY FAR FROM IT BUT IT WILL CERTAINLY STILL HOLD ITS OWN IN GAME - AND IS A BIG PART OF BOTH REAL FIREARMS AND AIRSOFT HISTORY. FOR THAT ALONE IT SHOULD HOLD ITSELF DEAR TO ALL OF US.”
www.airsoft-action.online
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armoury SPECNA ICS CXP MARS ARMS KOMODO H05 AND H08 SSS LTD EDITION
A BRACE OF
416-A-LIKES! PHIL BUCKNALL IS A SELF-CONFESSED AR-LOVER AND TO MAKE IT INTO HIS COLLECTION, IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING A BIT SPECIAL. SO WHAT DOES HE THINK OF SPECNA ARM’S TAKE ON THE “416”?
I
t’s hard to believe that a year ago I hadn’t even really heard of Specna Arms, let alone used one! Fast forward to today and I now own four of them! That’s more than any other manufacturer in my collection and there’s good reason for that...they make pretty darn good replicas. As a result, stand by for a few reviews coming for the Specna AR series of RIFs over the coming months. This month we are going to take a closer look at their take on the venerable and incredibly popular 416 series of firearms. But first a little background… It started for me with the EDGE
series. I bought an EDGE E04 from Patrol Base in the UK for the frankly ridiculous
price of £129.99. I say “ridiculous” because it has a metal and polymer construction that’s on a par with guns costing two, three times as
much. It comes with two polymer midcap mags and a GATE Electronics XASR mosfet hard-wired into the gun. The final touch was the inclusion of two springs with the RIF. One that was UK legal and one for other
markets that put it around 1.2J. I was really impressed with this gun and as such, when I wanted to get a 416-type of AEG I’d already ruled out a Marui
“NOW I HAD TO DECIDE BETWEEN THE TWO AND SEEING AS GUNFIRE HAD A SALE ON WHEN I WAS LOOKING AND BECAUSE I’M INDECISIVE... I DECIDED TO GET BOTH - AND THEY WERE STILL LESS THAN A COMPARABLE VERSION FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER FOR THE TWO OF THEM!”
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XMAS 2019
armoury SPECNA ARMS H05 AND H08
Next Gen on cost, plus I already have a lot of ERG recoil guns and mags so it was a non-starter. I’d ruled out any that had the original quad-rail system as I wanted the newer A5-style gun if possible. Sadly, the VFC was out on cost so when I saw that Specna were bringing out a couple of new versions to compliment their existing H02 A1 type 416, I was absolutely delighted! They’re not perfect as they have the older style receivers which are cut flatter
on the magwell, so be aware of that as it does stop some mags working with it. They also come with single-sided fire selectors, rather than ambi ones but given that they did two versions with either the Geissele or Remington style rail systems, I could overlook the past the other issues that make them hybrid 416s. Now I had to decide between the two and seeing as Gunfire had a sale on when I was looking AND because I’m indecisive... I decided to get both - and they were still less than a comparable version from a different manufacturer for the two of them! I also got a CORE C03 at the same time as it was so cheap and it was also the gun that got me looking at the Specna range way back at the Northern Shooting Show. I will be reviewing that one separately in a later issue, so stay tuned if you are looking for a loaner to add to your armoury, or if you are just starting out and want a quality gun that will last as long as you want and can be upgraded to keep up with your expectations and play style.
GOOD SERVICE
In pretty short order the guns arrived from
Gunfire - this was my first experience with the company and it lived up to expectations and anecdotal evidence from others. First inspection revealed two very well built replicas, the finish on both is very good and they hold up well to use. There’s Specna trademarks on the receivers rather than, say, any from a Germanic firearm manufacturer (sadly) but I may hit the tan one up with some paint so they will be covered. They have some scratches on them after a few uses but less than I’d expect from guns that come from a more budget-friendly price point but cosmetic surface damage doesn’t bother me; I like a gun that looks used. As standard they come with the more vertical style HK pistol grip, which I much prefer to the old A2 style that so many AR’s come with. At the back both have replicas of the ubiquitous Magpul MOE stock that feels solid and is a good fit on the buffer tubes. The half tan version has the tan one and the black version has, you guessed it, a black one! Continuing with the externals - and this is where the two diverge - the half tan H05 has the Geissele style rail, which graces the new A5 version of the HK416 and the Specna one is a very good copy with a good even paint finish. It has QD sockets for slings in the 10 and 2 o’clock positions and these work with all the different QD sling loops I have and finally they have screw inserts equally spaced for mounting rail segments where you want them, rather than all over the rail. It reduces weight and means you have a much more streamlined gun too. Specna don’t include any rails and I’d like to see this addressed if possible, as the spacings aren’t the same as any of the rail segments I had and I had to hunt down some compatible ones online. The rail is minus any trademarks for obvious reasons and while this may not bother everyone, I really wanted trades (I ended up ordering a new dark bronze rail for it in the end). It’s also a very light tan colour that matches the polymer furniture but isn’t correct for
the gun if we’re being picky. Under the rail is a replica of the gas piston system that the 416 employs and like one of my fellow contributors to AA, it bugs me when you see replicas with no gas parts. It’s a REPLICA so replicate the gun in its entirety! Good work Specna, a solid thumbs up from me!!
OFF THE RAILS
Before we look at the internals, I’ll cover the H08. I got the all black version this time for a bit of variety. The reason I bought this one as well, is because it has the Remington RAHG style rail system that, whilst similar to the Geissele rail on issued weapons, it has some differences too. For example, this one has four QD sockets, two at the receiver end and two at the muzzle end. The cut outs in the rail are slightly different in profile and length so putting the threaded inserts at different spacings again, thus leading to headaches with finding rail segments to fit. I managed to heath Robinson a couple of MLOK compatible rail sections on but it’s not ideal so it would be REALLY nice to see them come with at least a couple of sections in the box to address this. I think aesthetically I actually prefer the look of it too, as it looks more streamlined than the Geissele rail. Ironic really as in real life it’s the other way round but you have to sacrifice the sling loops on the gas block to fit a Geissele rail. The Specna gas blocks don’t have sling loops, however.
UNDER THE HOOD
Internally both have solid, well shimmed, gearboxes with a quick-change spring system. However, It’s not exactly what I’d describe as a “quick” change, as you have to dismantle the gun and remove the gearbox to change the spring - so you’re actually about 95% of the way to taking it all apart, which doesn’t really fit the description very well. Especially as the CORE AEG I bought has a real quickchange spring, that only took about 3 minutes to do. The 416’s took over half an hour to do both. This is also one thing that I personally think could do with some attention in the Specna range. Yes, it’s a huge range but there is also a dizzying
“UNDER THE RAIL IS A REPLICA OF THE GAS PISTON SYSTEM THAT THE 416 EMPLOYS AND LIKE ONE OF MY FELLOW CONTRIBUTORS TO AA, IT BUGS ME WHEN YOU SEE REPLICAS WITH NO GAS PARTS. IT’S A REPLICA SO REPLICATE THE GUN IN ITS ENTIRETY! GOOD WORK SPECNA, A SOLID THUMBS UP FROM ME!!”
www.airsoft-action.online
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VX BUCKLE UP GUN CARRIER BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / VCAM / SRP: £79.95
armoury SPECNA ARMS H05 AND H08
array of combinations of internals/spring change options and, personally, I think that whilst it is a hugely general statement to make, they could simplify offerings down to two perhaps: One for the more expensive guns based on their Orion gearbox and one for the budget range - but with a standardised single method spring change across both ranges would be amazing. Anyway, once I’d done the spring changes they chronoed within UK limits at around 285fps +/-5fps or 1.05J over ten shots on a Xcortech chrono, using 0.28g BBs, which are my preferred weight for all of my guns. I didn’t record the RoF but it was steady and I would estimate somewhere around the 700-900rpm. This was using a Titan Power 7.4v 10C 2600mah Li-ion battery that fitted in the buffer tube, although the stock could not then be fully collapsed - a non-issue as I never play with the stock all the way in anyway. Both guns also come with a metal Hi-cap magazine which works fine but for the testing I didn’t use much. I did lend the H08 to my nephew and he used both of the Hi-cap mags and had zero feeding issues throughout the day but I preferred (and used) the Specna S-mags, which are 125rnd polymer Mid-caps in a style very reminiscent of the PTS EPMs. Not a bad thing as the PTS mags are very tough and durable. The S-mags are no different and they fed reliably and consistently with all weights of BBs, from 0.28g down to 0.2g. I don’t have any BBs heavier than that, so cannot comment on heavier weights but based on the strength of the springs I really couldn’t see it being an issue. Both also have an AAC type QD suppressor with matching flash hiders. These are very good and faithful replicas but I wanted to go with a more up to date look, so I opted for a couple of Surefire SOCOM SC2 cans for them. It is nice to see a manufacturer include something as standard that most people would add
straightaway though. Saves the player a few pounds that can go towards game fees, or BBs etc. (Or more guns added to the Bucknall Collection! – Ed.) The inner barrels are 6.03mm I believe and mated to metal hop units - not the rotary type on the EDGE series but once adjusted they didn’t move and range and accuracy was excellent, with both guns reaching 55-60m quite easily. I am sure with a couple of tweaks that could be extended by another 10m or maybe even more. I did change the hop rubbers for Guarder clear 50deg ones after a couple of magazines, as I find they give the best performance at UK powers with BBs up to 0.28g and this did kick the range up by a few metres. I am very impressed with the 416-a-likes from Specna and I look forward to getting
my review of the CORE model out soon as well. I doubt these will be the last Specna Arms AEGs I buy if they continue down this road of affordable quality replicas which they are on. It would be great to see their interpretation of the latest version 416 one day, if that’s possible without infringing on any licensing arrangements HK have with Umarex and I really hope they increase the number of AEGs that are offered with either the of the GATE XASR, or the newer Aster MOSFETS that grace some of their offerings. I think they have a great future in the UK market place and they certainly seem to be a company that is consistently and continually evolving their offerings and that can only be a good thing for players.
“I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE 416-A-LIKES FROM SPECNA AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING MY REVIEW OF THE CORE MODEL OUT SOON AS WELL. I DOUBT THESE WILL BE THE LAST SPECNA ARMS AEGS I BUY IF THEY CONTINUE DOWN THIS ROAD OF AFFORDABLE QUALITY REPLICAS WHICH THEY ARE ON.” www.airsoft-action.online
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THE CAGE HELMETS
THE CAGE:
BONE DOMES
THIS MONTH BILL ASKED THE TEAM TO COMMENT ON HELMETS… WHETHER THEY USE THEM, WHY AND WHAT TYPE IF THEY DO. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF HELMET ON THE MARKET, FROM PERIOD TO THOROUGHLY MODERN BUT ARE THEY WORTH THE HASSLE?
I
f you’d asked me when I started playing airsoft if I would wear a helmet I’d probably have looked at you pretty blankly and simply said “Why?” However, these days a large majority of players seem to favour some form of “bone dome” and even I have built up a pretty sizeable collection over the years! I could say that it’s because some of the models like the ACH, MICH and the FAST have been reproduced in replica form and now cost very little to add to your loadout and also add a certain “cool factor” if you’re going for a specific impression in your “look” - but do they actually provide a real purpose?
To preface this; I come from an outdoor pursuits background so I have a number of helmets for different sports. I have a specific helmet for climbing, another for snowboarding, and yet another for
mountain biking, and all of them have at one time or another saved my poor bald
noggin from injury. I also own a bunch of airsoft helmets, from an old Pro-Tec right up to the latest FAST model in repro form; within the collection there are also a number of M1 “steelies” for WWII and Nam games. But do I need them? I would actually be the first to say “Yes, in the right setting” - although the setting may not be the obvious one. I’m a pretty competent snowboarder, having gone up to my BASI preinstructor level some years back but I ALWAYS wear a helmet when I strap into the bindings and the “why” here is simple. Even as competent as I may be, there is always the chance of a fall, or of someone crashing
“EVEN IN THE WOODS, WHERE WE ARE OFTEN HOONING ABOUT AT WARP SPEED, WE NEED TO CONTEND WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FALLS AND OF LOW BRANCHES. C’MON, WHO AMONGST US HASN’T TWATTED THEIR HEAD ON A BRANCH AT LEAST ONCE?”
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XMAS 2019
THE CAGE HELMETS
into me, even if I’m on the “baby slopes” teaching a friend. Put simply, during a typical fall or collision, much of the impact energy is absorbed by the helmet, rather than your head and brain. So why is airsoft different? Frankly, from my perspective it’s not. We play in some pretty dodgy environments if I’m honest and the thought of getting invited to a game in a derelict hospital, or on a run-down military training area fills us all with glee. By the very nature of what we enjoy and as much as Site Ops carry out stringent Health and Safety evaluations and Risk Assessments, we actually enjoy environments that others would look at and go “Whoooah…!” Even in the woods, where we are often hooning about at warp speed, we need to contend with the possibility of falls and of low branches. C’mon, who amongst us hasn’t twatted their head on a branch at least once? However, this is another area that is largely untouched and unregulated and whilst I’m the first that would be throwing on a pakol for a MilSim or a Boonie in the summer, I would say that, like the full face protection that I regularly see on many players who still have all their teeth, the airsoft helmet is simply another extension of common sense… but when did that ever stop an airsofter?
there’s a lot of structures to storm, I use a FAST helmet combined with a clip-on mesh lower. It’s saved me from braining myself on doorways, windows and lower obstacles more than once. Unlike ACH or MICH helmets, the holes in the top of FAST helmets allow for ventilation to prevent total heat build-up but they can act as BB catchers, where they roll around on the top of your head until you get back to the safe zone. It’s an odd feeling... I found Emerson’s version too small for my melon bonce, but the NUPROL version fits just fine and is easy to adjust. And if you really want to go belt and braces for safety, you can tuck something like a DYE i4 under it, as long as you remove the foam from the front of the helmet.”
WHAT THE TEAM SAID
Christopher JW: “Normally always a Boonie, but as for getting a bit more modern, FAST helmet and on the lookout for a decent Airframe helmet.”
So, in order to look at this in more depth I posed the AA “regs” the question “Do you use a lid? If so what kind and why?” and this is what they had to tell me: Scott: “They looks cool but you don’t need them for most gameplay.” Callum: “Depends on the event but yes, varying from a Russian Kiver through to the famous Nam lid. I tend to go hard on impressions and helmets are an inescapable part of that.” Phil B: “I rarely wear any headgear. If I do it’s either a cap or a FAST helmet but only in the cold.” SteveT: “I usually wear either a boonie hat, or a baseball cap if it’s hot but if I’m playing CQB or a site where I know
Nige: “I’ve got to be honest and say I have never worn a lid while playing (even though I have very little - i.e. no “padding” left on top!). That’s probably more because I generally play in “jeans and a tee”, as opposed to a themed loadout. In the past I’ve played the part of an “embedded reporter” at Stirling events, complete with blue “Press” rig and lid but wasn’t being shot at (mostly) - although I did get taken out by a roadside IED once and had pebbles bouncing off it! Other than that, it is just a baseball cap at most if it is hot or a “wooly” if it’s cold.”
Jon: “I’ve gone from a plain old eBay lid to the last of the Viper Fast Helmets fully loaded with everything to zilch. Heavy, cumbersome and expensive, they look cool but that’s it. I gave up and returned to the trusty baseball cap or boonie.”
So even amongst the team the jury is still largely out on helmets, with the overwhelming feeling being that they may look cool but are soon ditched when the temperature rises. Most of us make use of a helmet in a CQB environment, but get outdoors and again, who knows? Whilst I would be the very first to suggest that any regulation in this respect would be uncalled for amongst the airsoft community in general, I would again return to the fact that head injuries can be complicated and potentially lifethreatening, so it’s something to think on long and hard I feel. There are different helmets for different activities, and each type of helmet is made to protect your head from the kind of impacts that typically are associated with a particular activity or sport. As with many things, the classification for different types of sporting helmet seems to be mired, but again, simply put the American www.cpsc.gov website tells me “There are safety standards for most types of helmets. Bicycle and motorcycle helmets must comply with mandatory (federal) safety standards. Helmets for many other recreational activities are subject to voluntary safety standards.” “Voluntary” is the word here and it applies both to the level of protection offered and how we voluntarily apply that. For most airsoft helmets there seems to be no clue as to what protection they really offer and most of the time it appears to be about “the look” rather than protecting yourself. If, however, if it’s the choice between a big old bump on the head or not, or worse, then perhaps it’s a topic that we should all look at more closely. AA
Tom: “Unless I’ve got NV running or a GoPro I don’t normally wear a helmet unless it’s close CQB. When I do it’s an FMA FAST shell with a new shroud, rails, retention straps, padding and cover; basically it’s a bit like Trigger’s Broom. If I were to start again I’d buy a Team Wendy or Nexus helmet instead.”
“…THE HOLES IN THE TOP OF FAST HELMETS ALLOW FOR VENTILATION TO PREVENT TOTAL HEAT BUILD-UP BUT THEY CAN ACT AS BB CATCHERS, WHERE THEY ROLL AROUND ON THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD UNTIL YOU GET BACK TO THE SAFE ZONE.”
www.airsoft-action.online
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CYAN, MAGENTA, YELLOW, BLACK
MBDU® - Shirt and Pants Advanced Battle Uniform
- Anatomical cut with adjustable cuffs and easy to adjust waist - Side VersaStretch® panels for additional freedom of movement - Reinforced knees, compatible with Low Profile Protective Pads
www.helikon-tex.com
Journey to perfection
FEATURE THIS IS MY M4
THIS IS MY M4: PART 1
AFTER YEARS OF MAKING MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO RIFS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS, STEVE T GOES ALL-IN TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT AN INEPT HOME TECH CAN ACHIEVE!
H
i. My name’s Steve and I have two left hands - I also have thumbs instead of fingers! I’ve replaced inner barrels, hop rubbers and springs with varying degrees of success. One led to an M4 consistently shooting right, another went great and a VSR clone meant I had to get a more technically minded mate to put right what I got wrong. Anyone less suited to upgrading an airsoft RIF you could barely imagine - which is the point of this series; if I can do it, anyone can! There’s no agenda here; no recreation of an historically important model; not trying to create a range monster - just an incremental move towards making my personal perfect RIF... if such a thing exists. There are many M4s, but this is my M4 and I want to make it work for the way I play. From ergonomic or even cosmetic externals to internals that focus on consistency and accuracy, I want to share my journey with you in the hope that it might just inspire you to do the same. But different. March to the beat of your own drum. The aim of this series is to find out what a reasonably logical person with limited experience, tools and budget can achieve on their own and where you need to bring in the professionals.
One thing that sticklers might not approve of is the sequence of mods. From a scientific point of view, you should change one part, test its performance and revise. But I’m taking a more zen approach to this process, aiming for maximum return with minimum effort. So if it makes sense to do multiple jobs in one go, that’s what I’ll do. If the overall performance is improved, then I’ll chalk that up as a win and move on.
MWS-XPRESS
The starting point for this project is Tokyo Marui’s gas recoil MWS. I’ve chosen it as the platform for this series because I love GBBRs, the MWS is one of the best, and M4 parts are readily available. I’ve also just spent the thick end of £500 on one and want to know what it’s capable of. But if the MWS is so good, why do I need to modify it? Because even the best can be made better. Also, M4? Snooze. However - an M4-ST? My own personal variant? That I can get behind. So let’s look at the road ahead.
Usually, I take the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to airsoft but I’m curious to find out what I can achieve with my own two hands. Any custom build should start with looking at how the individual airsofter prefers to play. In my case, that’s longer-range sneak rather than up close and personal room clearance. I move slower than younger players and like to think I’m more tactical too, so I’ll prioritise range and accuracy over Rate of Fire for starters. And any build needs to reflect its user’s personality. In my case, the tired old familiar M4 platform does nothing for me. I’ll be looking for ways to make it just a bit more “space gun” so I can live out my Mass Effect Commander Shepard fantasies, without going full-on Hera. Ideally, my M4 wouldn’t look out of place in either a PlayStation game or SEAL Team on TV.
NEXT STEPS
So what’s next? I’ve ordered a bunch of parts from around the world - from grips to nubs - so I guess it’s a case of what gets here first. Hopefully we’ll start next month with the Negative Pressure Air System that promises adjustable FPS - a day-one fix in my book for any GBBR. AA
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SKILLS & DRILLS STAIR ASSAULT
STAIR ASSUALT W
OUR RESIDENT TACTICAL EXPERT, CALIBRE SHOOTING’S ANDY NIGHTINGALE, RETURNS WITH THE FIRST IN A NEW SERIES OF “SKILLS AND DRILLS” ARTICLES, STARTING WITH THAT MOST TRICKY OF SITUATIONS, ASSAULTING STAIRS.
hilst serving in the British army, of those is a stairway. The stairway is just do next. This all comes down to training, one part of the dreaded “fatal funnel”. I set my battle sights on my rifle either as an individual, pair or as part of a to 300 meters. This was what The fatal funnel is a situation where team. I would call “close enough”. Any closer there is little or no means of escape from In years gone by, before electronic than 300 meters, to me, was considered effective enemy fire. Like hallways, there devices started to play a role in CQB, we Close Quarters Battle or CQB. 300 meters is only forwards and reverse. Go forward used simpler methods such as mirrors and may seem like a long way away, especially into the incoming enemy fire or turn your tactics to help us negotiate questionable in Airsoft terms, but when real areas of safety. Now, we can rely on rounds are coming your way, trust endoscopes, CCTV, mobile phones me, it’s close enough! and even micro drones to check to “IF THE ENEMY HAS NO IDEA I’ve been involved with Airsoft see if areas are safe to approach and for near 20 years now, as a site occupy. Although these state of the YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY, THEN owner, skirmisher and also in a art devices are a godsend, we may STEALTH IS THE KEY. THIS WILL professional capacity as a training not have access to any of them when INCLUDE SILENT SIGNALS OF tool. In Airsoft we can consider CQB the time comes. So, it’s back to old COMMUNICATION. I CAN’T STRESS to be a lot closer than 300 meters. school tactics and hard work. ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO When I used to train students in FISH (Fighting In Someone’s House) HAVE CLEAR HAND SIGNALS WITHIN STAIRWAY TO…? it was considered to be Extreme There are two situations you may THE TEAM. TOO MANY TIMES I’VE Close Quarters Battle (EQCB) but, in find yourself in while using stairs. WITNESSED HAND SIGNALS BEING Airsoft, it’s deemed acceptable for Firstly, you may just want to leave the MISINTERPRETED AND THINGS GOING it to be called CQB. In the following building that you are in. This could issues I am going to go through HORRIBLY WRONG.” be an escape or retreat from effective some of the different skills and drills enemy fire, or even an evacuation that will, hopefully, make you a due to an active shooter scenario. better player by understanding the The second is advancing towards way in which you can approach, assess, back to the incoming rounds and chance the enemy in an assault. Taking the fight plan and execute certain CQB encounters. your luck as you run for cover. Neither to them. Either way we can’t just go There are many ways to overcome CQB is a good choice! It goes without saying charging up or down stairs as we would problems but sometimes you have to think that when you (and you will) enter a fatal normally, there are simply too many things outside the box. In this issue I’m going to funnel, you should spend as little time that could go wrong for us. There are be covering stairs. there as possible. But I say “as little time lots of different types of stairs to consider as possible”, I don’t mean that you should too: Single runs, switch backs, landings, just go charging through, rather, be fluid FATAL FUNNEL balconies and atriums, open, closed and and decisive in your actions so as not to In CQB there are many problematic two-way to name a few. All these have be hanging around and planning what to situations you can find yourself in, one a different approach and application to
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successfully negotiate safety. However, the way in which we execute our approach is pretty much the same for all types of stairs and the key to this is solid communication and all-round defense. I’m going to work on a two-person team assault here and on a single-stack stairway. However, if you have more in your team then that’s OK, as more guns means more security. All you have to do is use the same tactics but with more bodies.
FIRST STEPS
The first thing that you have to do is to make a conscious and positive decision to take on the stairs. It’s no good going at them half-heartedly and once you commit, you must see the action out to the end. Decide who is going to lead and who is going to trail. The leader must lead with the gun at all times. Always keep to the wall (without brushing against it) and take one step at a time and slowly. The muzzle of the gun must be aimed at the top/bottom of the stairs. As you do this, try to imagine someone standing at the top/bottom of the stairs and aim in the general area of the centre mass of your imaginary person. This will ensure the quickest sight acquisition possible. As you get to the top of a stairway, stop just before your head breaks over the top. The enemy, if any, will see you long before you get a chance to see them as you rise above the top step. Make secure your footing and prepare yourself to break over the top step. As you commit to this move do so quickly as to surprise anyone on the landing. Points to note here are any doorways or hallways to the left and right of your position. Keep low on the stairs and muzzle pointing along the top of the stairway as your partner now
comes to meet you. Once you are both at the top you can continue your route. As the lead member is negotiating the stairs the second, or trail, is set in a position at the bottom of the stairs and to the opposite side with the muzzle trained up/down the stairs in anticipation of an enemy combatant appearing. If this is so, the trail can safely lay down supportive fire if the leader needs to beat a retreat. A point to note here is that if the leader is to return then they must do so on the same side they went up/down so as not to get hit by their partner.
GOING DOWN
Going down is more or less the same as going up. Slow and methodical. However, here the lead must be cautious of exposing themselves to the enemy as they get closer to the bottom of the stairs. As more and more of the room/hallway becomes visible to you the more your feet and legs will become visible to whoever may be downstairs. As you approach the bottom try to crouch down as much as is safely possible to gain maximum sight pictures into the room or hallway below. I never said it was easy. Once at the bottom your partner can join you. As with going up, the trail will be on the opposite side of the stairs to the lead to give covering fire if needs be.
OTHER CONCERNS
There are other concerns to be aware of when negotiating stairs too. Such things as improvised traps and explosives, light and shadows, uneven or missing treads. These will have to be noted before you ascend/descend so you can make the right plan of attack. If in doubt miss it out and take another approach if possible. If the enemy has no idea you are in the
vicinity, then stealth is the key. This will include silent signals of communication. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have clear hand signals within the team. Too many times I’ve witnessed hand signals being misinterpreted and things going horribly wrong. However, if shots have been fired or you have “gone noisy” from the start of the assault, then all your methods of attack must be dynamic in their execution. Speed, Aggression and Surprise are the key elements here (hmmm… that sounds familiar!).
SHIELDS
If Shields are to be used then things change a little. The lead takes the shield and the trail will accompany them as they move. The trail must stay one step behind the lead as they move and take cover behind the lead and shield if all hell breaks loose. The lead will be armed with a handgun and the trail will usually be armed with a rifle for maximum fire power. In this instance the lead and shield are usually on the left-hand side of the stairway with the trail on the right hand side. This is so the hot spent cases from the rifle are not thrown onto the lead. Shields are normally only used if there is a high-risk threat situation. Negotiating stairs needn’t be a chore. It’s simple to execute and overcome if you know what you’re doing. Stairs are a part of our everyday lives so we know how to use them. The difference here is that you must be positive in your actions, committed and focused while using them. Work slowly and expect the bad guy to appear at any time without getting paranoid. Oh… and you might get shot. But apart from all that, spend time training and getting it fluid and right and enjoy. Stay safe. AA
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Airsoft & MilSim News Blog @AMNBOďŹƒcial Airsoft & MilSim News Blog @airsoftmilsimnewsblog
& AWARD WINNER
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If you have any old kit or gear tucked away in a cupboard, garage or shed that you have thought about sticking on eBay, or a forum to get rid of it, then why not donate it to the Pilgrim Bandits instead and Tez will make sure any money raised from its sale will go towards helping even more people – and you can be sure of the undying gratitude and thanks of those who it helps to live again. Please contact Tez on either his mobile: 07748 800 981 or email: terry.arnett@pilgrimbandits.org
VERSUS 1911 V HI-POWER
M1911A1 VERSUS
HI-POWER
HEADING BACK TO HANDGUN TERRITORY THIS MONTH (AND EVERYONE LOVES A PISTOL, DON’T THEY?) BILL STEPS BACK IN TIME TO GO “HEAD TO HEAD” WITH TWO FAMOUS MODELS THAT SET THE GROUND FOR MODERN DEVELOPMENT, IN THE FORM OF THE MIGHTY COLT M1911A1 AND THE LONG-LASTING BROWNING HI-POWER.
T
he turn of the 19th into the 20th century was an upheaval of change, societal, industrial and certainly in terms of “modern warfare”. It was a time when bolt action rifles were being adopted by armies around the globe and the birth of the “Maxim Gun” was revolutionising how battles were fought; suddenly the individual infantry soldier was capable of levels of firepower that would have amazed their forebears of only a few years before. But in the handgun world, although developers and engineers were constantly striving to find something new like the Luger, Borchardt C-93, and Mauser C96 that were in development at the time, most nations officers still relied on the tried and tested “wheelgun”. Nowhere was this truer than in the USA where the humble revolvers of Messrs Colt, Smith & Wesson and Remington had “won the west” and had already become items of legend! However, times they were a’changin’… During the Philippine–American War of 1899-1902 US Soldiers and Marines
fighting the Moro guerrillas were still using the (then standard) Colt M1892 revolver but quickly found it unsuitable for the rigors of jungle warfare, particularly in terms of stopping power. Even back then the Moros often used drugs to inhibit the sensation of pain and they just kept coming, even when shot! The US Army briefly reverted to using the M1873 single-action revolver in .45 Colt calibre, which had been standard during the late 19th century, as the heavier bullet was found to be more effective against charging, drug-crazed tribesmen. The problems prompted the Chief of Ordnance, General William Crozier, to authorise testing for a new service pistol.
M1917, the air-cooled M1919, and M2 machine gun, the Browning Automatic Rifle, and the Browning Auto-5 to name just a selection of the best known).
COLT M1911
Enter one of the most amazing gunsmiths to have lived, John Moses Browning! Browning was an American firearms designer who developed many varieties of military and civilian firearms, cartridges and mechanisms, large numbers of which are still in use around the world to this day (the M1911 pistol, the water-cooled
“NOWHERE WAS THIS TRUER THAN IN THE USA WHERE THE HUMBLE REVOLVERS OF MESSRS COLT, SMITH & WESSON AND REMINGTON HAD “WON THE WEST” AND HAD ALREADY BECOME ITEMS OF LEGEND! HOWEVER, TIMES THEY WERE A’CHANGIN’…”
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“AMONG THE AREAS OF SUCCESS FOR THE COLT WAS A TEST AT THE END OF 1910 WHERE SIX THOUSAND ROUNDS WERE FIRED FROM A SINGLE PISTOL OVER THE COURSE OF TWO DAYS. IT IS REPORTED THAT WHEN THE COLT BEGAN TO GROW HOT, IT WAS SIMPLY IMMERSED IN WATER TO COOL IT DOWN.” Online research tells me that he made his first firearm at age 13 in his father’s gun shop and was awarded the first of his 128 firearm patents on October 7, 1879, at the age of just 24. He is rightly regarded as one of the most successful firearm designers of the 19th and 20th centuries and pioneered the development of modern automatic and semi-automatic firearms. From 1907 to 1911 a series of tests were held to decide on a new service pistol for the US Forces and the competition soon whittled down to designs from Savage and Colt, the new model from Colt being designed by Browning. Both designs were improved between each series of tests, leading up to the final test before adoption. Among the areas of success for the Colt was a test at the end of 1910 where six thousand rounds were fired from a single pistol over the course of two days. It is reported that when the Colt began
to grow hot, it was simply immersed in water to cool it down. The Colt gun passed with no reported malfunctions, while the Savage design had 37! After these tests the legendary Colt M1911was duly adopted and went on to serve as the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1986. It was widely used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The pistol’s formal designation as of 1940 was “Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45”, M1911 for the original model of 1911 or “Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1” for the M1911A1, adopted in 1924. The designation changed to “Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1” during the Vietnam War era. Some 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols were manufactured for military contracts during its service life and the pistol was widely copied. The operating
system rose to become one of the most successful of the 20th century and it has become widely used by civilian shooters in competitive events such as USPSA, IDPA, and the International Practical Shooting Confederation. Compact variants are popular civilian concealed carry weapons in the U.S. because of the design’s relatively slim width and the awesome stopping power of the .45 ACP cartridge.
THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT!
The Browning Hi-Power was initially designed due to a French military requirement for a new service pistol, the Grand Rendement (“high yield”), or alternatively Grande Puissance (“high power”). FN commissioned John Browning to design a new military handgun model but as he had previously sold the rights to his successful M1911 to Colt’s Patent Firearms, he was forced to design an entirely unique pistol! Browning built two different prototypes for the project in Utah and filed the patent for this pistol in the United States on 28 June 1923, granted on 22 February 1927, although sadly John Moses never lived to see this as he passed away in 1926. By 1934 after some further tinkering by designer Dieudonné Saive, the Hi-Power was complete and ready to be produced in 9mm with the famous 13 round magazine and it was adopted by Belgium for military service in 1935 as the Browning P-35. The pistol is often referred to as an HP (for “Hi-Power” or “High-Power”), GP (for the French term, “Grande Puissance”), BAP (Browning Automatic Pistol), or BHP (Browning High-Power). The terms P-35 and HP-35 are also used, based on the introduction of the pistol in 1935; most often though it is simply known as the “Hi-Power”, Hi-Power pistols were actually used during World War II by both Allied and Axis forces! During their “Blitzkrieig” through the Low Countries German forces took over the FN plant in 1940, and German troops began to be issued the Hi-Power as the “Pistole 640(b)”. Hi-Power pistols were also produced in Canada by John Inglis and Company in Toronto; the plans were sent from the FN factory to the UK when it became clear the Belgian plant would fall into German hands, enabling the Inglis
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VERSUS 1911 V HI-POWER
factory to be tooled up for Hi-Power production for Allied use. Inglis produced two versions of the Hi-Power, one with an adjustable rear sight and detachable shoulder stock (primarily for a Nationalist Chinese contract) and one with a fixed rear sight. The pistol was popular with the British airborne forces as well as covert operations and commando groups such as the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the British Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment. In the Post War period, Hi-Power production continued at the FN factory and, as part of FN’s product range which included the FN FAL rifle and FN MAG general-purpose machine gun. It was adopted as the standard service pistol by over 50 armies in 93 countries. At one time most NATO nations used it, and it was standard issue to forces throughout the British Commonwealth, with the designation L9A1 in MOD parlance. From 2013 the British Army replaced the Browning with the Glock 17 Gen 4 pistol, due to concerns about weight and the external safety of the Browning and, somewhat sadly, in 2017 FN ended production of the Hi-Power.
the Hi-Power are of a similar size but the Hi-Power slide is thinner than the 1911, whilst the grip is thicker to house that 13 round mag. The argument over the efficacy of the single stack .45 calibre magazine v the larger capacity 9mm HiPower version will go on for ever but of course, in airsoft guise both pistols carry far more BBs so it comes down to your hand size at the end of the day. In terms of manufacturers you can really take your pick when it comes to the 1911, as just like in the “real world” the design is a total favourite amongst airsofters. However, if you’re after a REALLY good “1911A1” then the choice ultimately comes down to the Tokyo Marui version (lovely!) or the WE and my personal choice is the WE, largely due to its metal construction. I bought mine when I was living in the
USA and got seriously into Nam games and this little gasser has been through the mill, functioning perfectly with only simple cleaning over its 15 year (and counting!) “service life” with me! It’s put up with insanely high temperatures and humidity amongst the palms and mangroves of Florida, along with braving frosty mornings in Bulby Woods and it’s only very recently that I’ve even replaced the original magazine! Fitted with real wood grips to give the full metal build a “just right” feel, it kicks out a .20g BB at 283fps, and has done since new… of that I’m certain Mr Browning would approve! The Hi-Power is a different story. For one of the most widely issued and long-serving pistols ever it’s a tough one to get hold of in airsoft form! I do own a pair of old Tanaka “Heavyweight” HiPowers, but sadly these plastic models, although lovely, have long been relegated to the status of “display only”. WE again produce a functional Browning but this is of the “Inglis” Canadian style with the raised adjustable rear sight; don’t get me wrong this is a passable airsoft pistol but unfortunately for we Brits, it’s not an “L9”. WE have been teasing us with a model that is more akin to the “GP-35/L9” but although this has been shown at shows and online there is, as far as I am aware at this point, still no firm dates for release. Luckily, as you saw in AA last month, I was able to have the slide of the original “Inglis” reworked by Matt at Skunk Airsoft Works and now it’s been retrofitted with some MOD grips, it will work for my 80’s loadouts and I look forward to putting it through its paces fully in 2020. AA
AIRSOFT GOODNESS (HOPEFULLY!)
In airsoft terms there are SO many pistol designs to choose from that the “classics” often get overlooked and to my mind this is a mistake, as both the original 1911 and the Hi-Power are superb handguns. To this I would add the equally important CZ 75 which I think is still one of the finest combat pistols ever and owes “nods” to John Moses once again. Design-wise, both the 1911 and www.airsoft-action.online
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WORLD WAR II BRITISH RESISTANCE
BRITISH RESISTANCE
THE NAZI INVASION OF BRITAIN DIDN’T HAPPEN - BUT IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. PAUL YELLAND WRITES ABOUT A SECRET ARMY OF PRIVATE CITIZENS READY AND WAITING TO REPEL THE INVADERS, SHOULD THEY COME.
D
uring the Second World War and with the imminent threat of invasion, Britain turned to its people to form a desperate last line of defence. With Nazi Germany poised across the English Channel with its sights aimed at the British Isles, there was a secret army waiting to deal with any invader who stepped foot onto UK soil – The British Resistance. Should the Nazis have invaded, the final defence of Britain would have fell to the regular military units and the Home Guard. But as the Germans flexed their muscles, defeated these units and established themselves as an occupying force, specially trained stay behind Auxiliary Units (The official name of the British Resistance) would have hidden themselves underground in specially constructed sub surface Operational Bases (or OBs).
FORMATION
The Auxiliary Units were formed in July 1940 in preparedness for what seemed an imminent Nazi invasion of the UK following the evacuation at Dunkirk. The GHQ and training centre for the new resistance force was to be at Coleshill House in Oxfordshire. Colonel Colin Gubbins was selected to be the commanding officer for the unit because of his considerable experience in guerrilla warfare tactics and the use of irregular troops.
At a county level, Auxiliary Units were broken down into “Operational Patrols”. Priority was given to establishing patrols in southern and eastern counties as these were the areas most likely to face the
Coleshill House
invading forces first. A patrol normally had between four and eight members who would have needed good knowledge of the local area and have the ability to live off the land. Farmers and game keepers were ideal people to enlist because of their familiarity with the surrounding area which is where they would be operating. Other members were also chosen from the local Home Guard units and these tended to be the Home Guards best men. Members of the Auxiliary Units were not part of the military and any member being captured by German troops would have been considered part of a resistance organisation and executed. However, Auxiliary Unit members did wear the uniform of the Home Guard, but this
was just to act as a cover for their real activities that needed to remain secret from everyone.
TRAINING
All members attended an initial training course at Coleshill House. This course was run over a long weekend and was intense. The recruits needed to learn a vast array of different skills and demonstrate that they were competent by confirmation during a final exercise. Subjects covered on the course included weapons, explosives, unarmed combat, fieldcraft and navigation. Unit members
Intensive training was carried out for situations such as this.
“A PATROL NORMALLY HAD BETWEEN FOUR AND EIGHT MEMBERS WHO WOULD HAVE NEEDED GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL AREA AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO LIVE OFF THE LAND. FARMERS AND GAME KEEPERS WERE IDEAL PEOPLE TO ENLIST BECAUSE OF THEIR FAMILIARITY WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA WHICH IS WHERE THEY WOULD BE OPERATING. ” 66
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were introduced to the ‘nine points of the guerrilla’s creed’. Various training manuals on the subject of guerrilla warfare and explosives were written during this period. Some of these manuals where disguised as calendars and countryman’s diaries. THE NINE POINTS OF THE GUERRILLA’S CREED 1. SURPRISE FIRST AND FOREMOST, BY FINDING OUT THE ENEMY’S PLANS AND CONCEALING YOUR OWN INTENTIONS AND MOVEMENTS. 2. NEVER UNDERTAKE AN OPERATION UNLESS CERTAIN OF SUCCESS OWING TO CAREFUL PLANNING AND GOOD INFORMATION. BREAK OFF THE ACTION WHEN IT BECOMES TOO RISKY TO CONTINUE 3. ENSURE THAT A SECURE LINE OF RETREAT IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE 4. CHOOSE AREAS AND LOCALITIES FOR ACTION WHERE YOUR MOBILITY WILL BE SUPERIOR TO THAT OF THE ENEMY, OWING TO BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY, LIGHTER EQUIPMENT, ETC. 5. CONFINE ALL MOVEMENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO THE HOURS OF DARKNESS. 6. NEVER ENGAGE IN A PITCHED BATTLE UNLESS IN OVERWHELMING STRENGTH AND THUS SURE OF SUCCESS. 7. AVOID BEING PINNED DOWN IN A BATTLE BY THE ENEMY’S SUPERIOR FORCES OR ARMAMENT; BREAK OFF THE ACTION BEFORE A SITUATION CAN DEVELOP.
Colonel Gubbins used his previous experiences to write two training manuals that gave valuable information to resistance fighters about how to operate as a partisan force and carry out sabotage attacks against the enemy.
OPERATIONAL BASES
Operational Bases (or OB) were vitally important to the survival of the resistance movement and almost one thousand OB’s were thought to have been built around the UK. Operational Bases were concealed underground hides that had been specially constructed to house approximately six unit members plus food, water, weapons, and explosives. A typical OB would measure somewhere in the region of 20 feet long by 10 feet wide and have a ceiling height that would allow members to stand up. Once a suitable secluded location had been identified to site the OB, a large hole would need to be dug – sometimes with the help of Royal Engineers, and an iron roof, floor and internal walls added before being buried again. Entrance to the OB was via a camouflaged trap door that opened to reveal a vertical shaft with a ladder leading down to the hide. Once inside the main area, there would have been bunks, a table and chemical toilet. Other features included a stove and perhaps some form of radio communication with both the aerial cable and flu pipe leading up to ground level and being hidden inside hollowed out tree trunks to avoid detection. A ventilation shaft was needed and this led up to the surface which provided a source of fresh air. Another important feature was an escape tunnel that was sited on the opposite end of the hide to the main entrance and would enable the patrol to flee the OB should it have been discovered by the Germans. In some parts of the country, the construction of OBs were not needed as natural features like inland caves or old coal and tin mines were used as Operational Bases instead.
8. RETAIN THE INITIATIVE AT ALL COSTS BY REDOUBLING ACTIVITIES WHEN THE ENEMY COMMENCES COUNTER-MEASURES. 9. WHEN THE TIME FOR ACTION COMES, ACT WITH THE GREATEST BOLDNESS AND AUDACITY. THE PARTISAN’S MOTTO IS “VALIANT YET VIGILANT”.
The trap door leading to an Operational Base
The routine for living in the OB once an invasion had happened was that patrol members slept, planned raids and prepared weapons / equipment by day and carried out guerrilla attacks on enemy assets by night. The risk of detection was high once German boots were on UK soil. Although every effort had been made to hide the OB from visual detection, the main threat of discovery came from dogs. This meant that the life expectancy for a patrol was only a few weeks after enemy invasion.
WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT
In the early days of the Auxiliary Units, members used any weapons that they could get hold of – including crossbows and shotguns. Many patrol members fashioned their own fighting knives and favoured ‘punch knives’ which were brutal but effective. As the war progressed, Auxiliary Unit members were issued with the famous Fairbairn-Sykes commando dagger.
A selection of weapons used by Auxiliary Units
Auxiliary Units became well equipped and often received weapons such as the Thompson SMG and Browning Automatic Rifle before regular troops. The Thompson SMG was eventually replaced by the Sten Gun which became a favoured weapon of resistance units as it could be stripped and broken down into three sections that allowed it to be easily concealed. Each patrol was required to have the following weapons: • 7 x .38in revolvers (American) • 2 x .30in rifles (American) • 7 x fighting knives • 3 x knobkerries • 48 x No. 36 grenades (four-second fuses) • 3 x cases of S.T. grenades (‘Sticky Bombs’) • 2 x cases of A.W. bottles (Phosphorous grenades) • 1 x .22in rifle (silenced) from various manufacturers • 1 x .45in Thompson SMG (American)
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ULTIMA JACKET BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £89.95
WORLD WAR II BRITISH RESISTANCE
The amount of ammunition allocated to each patrol was as follows: • 40 x .38in pistol rounds • 200 x .30in rifle rounds • 1,000 x .45in ACP rounds for the Thompson • 200 x .22in rounds As you can see, these totals are not intended for full on enemy contact. In fact, engaging the enemy in a prolonged large contact needed to be avoided. Over a period of time, this stock balance would become depleted. If the patrol had managed to survive, the only option to replenish weapons and ammunition would have been from capturing enemy weapons following a raid or ambush. Each patrol was well equipped with up to half a ton of explosives, detonators and fuses to carry out sabotage attacks. Nobel 808, dynamite, ammonal, gelignite and plastic explosive were all on the inventory.
THE MISSION
The role of the British Resistance was to attack the enemy from behind their own lines. Destroying targets such as aircraft, railway lines, fuel supplies and ammunition dumps would disrupt the German’s ability to operate. Hitting communication networks and assassinating key German officers were also important operations. It was expected
© IWM (HU 25966)
for the patrol to attack a target every night so that no opportunity to cause mayhem and disruption was let to slip by. Another mission was to assassinate local senior police officers. The reason being that they knew the identity of the local Aux patrol members and this information could have fallen into the hands of the Germans. Each patrol was an independent group of men who operated within a fifteen mile radius of their OBs. This is where the local knowledge of the patrol members became an asset as they would know the ground well and be able to move around and select targets at their discretion with the added advantage of knowing the best
places from where to launch an attack and then make their escape back to the OB.
INVASION THREAT
In 1944, as the war progressed and the threat of a German invasion became less likely, the Auxiliary Units were stood down. A number the Auxiliary Unit members went on to join the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and operated in Occupied Europe. Other members joined the Special Air Service (SAS) and served during the rest of the war. It is estimated that approximately 3,500 men were trained and joined the Auxiliary Units. All were sworn to secrecy and information about this resistance organisation is still being uncovered.
CART
A PATROL IN HAMPSHIRE
The Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team (CART) are a group of volunteers who spend hours exploring and researching the history of the Auxiliary Units throughout the UK. CART have a fantastic online database of information about the British Resistance and it can be found at www. coleshillhouse.com. WWII is often the basis for airsoft games and the British Resistance makes an ideal addition to any scenario involving the invasion of the UK. Much of the kit needed is reasonably easy to obtain, although some of the weaponry used might be difficult to obtain, Thompsons and Stens are readily available these days, as are a selection of period revolvers. The great thing about this role is that you don’t have to be “stitch perfect”, as the British Resistance certainly wasn’t! AA
“THE ROLE OF THE BRITISH RESISTANCE WAS TO ATTACK THE ENEMY FROM BEHIND THEIR OWN LINES. DESTROYING TARGETS SUCH AS AIRCRAFT, RAILWAY LINES, FUEL SUPPLIES AND AMMUNITION DUMPS WOULD DISRUPT THE GERMAN’S ABILITY TO OPERATE.”
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Proud to support UK Airsoft Companies! Airsoft Zone Unit 2, Detection House Brooklands Approach Romford, Essex. 01708 733275 www.airsoftzone.co.uk
Land Warrior Airsoft 44/1 Hardengreen Bus. Prk Hardengreen Lane Dalkeith, EH22 3NX 0131 654 2452 www.landwarriorairsoft.com
JD Airsoft Unit 5, Virage Park Green Lane, Cannock WS11 0NH 0845 600 5144 www.jdairsoft.net
Eton Guns 103 High Street Eton, Nr. Windsor SL4 6AF 01753 800009 www.etonguns.co.uk
No Limits Airsoft Unit 4, King Street Gateshead NE8 2YP 0191 441 4574
www.nolimitspaintballandlaser.co.uk
DTW Airsoft A3 Moorside Business Prk Colchester Essex, CO1 2ZF 01206 790046 www.dtwairsoft.co.uk
Surplus Store Unit 2, Access House Stephenson Way Three Bridges, RH10 1TN 01293 525880 www.surplusstore.co.uk
TacTree Unit 3, Stag Business Park Donnington Wood Telford, TF2 7NA 01952 565670 www.tactree.co.uk
Johnsons of Leeds 2, Vulcan Foundry Haigh Park Road Leeds, LS10 1RT 0113 277 5237 www.johnsonsofleeds.co.uk
Invicta Battlefield Airsoft Pook Hill Wood Farm Wilden Park Road, Staplehurst, TN12 0HP 07876 263290 www.invictabattlefield.co.uk
Looking for somewhere to buy Airsoft Action? Your local Newsagent sold out? Then why not visit any of the fine airsoft companies listed here? They all keep Airsoft Action in stock and while you are there, don’t forget to have a good browse round to see what else they can tempt you with... 70
SEPTEMBER 2019
Buy Airsoft Action from any of these shops or sites - and get your copy before it goes on sale on the High Street! Combat-UK 13-15 Market Place Stevenage Herts, SG1 1DH 01438 362922 www.onlyairsoft.com
Unit 8, Winston Avenue Croft Leicestershire LE9 3GQ 01455 285605
308 Sniper 66 High Street Chatham Kent, ME4 4DS 01634 921278 www.308sniper.co.uk
Socom Tactical 70 Reading Road South Fleet Hampshire, GU52 7SD 01252 616 868 www.socomtactical.net
Eagle6 Airsoft Sutterton Enterprise Park Sutterton, PE20 2JA 01205 460385 07944 904604 www.eagle6.co.uk
Airsoft Plantation Goatsmoor Lane Stock, Billericay Essex, CM4 9RS 07771 556395 www.airsoftplantation.co.uk
MidWales Airsoft Unit 3, Severnside Shopping Centre Newtown, SY16 1AA 01686 627594 www.midwalesairsoft.co.uk
The Vault Airsoft Store Brook Garden Centre Whittington Way Old Whittington Chesterfield, S41 9AG 01246 260860
Allsorts Airsoft 9 Arundel Road Littlehampton BN17 7BY 01903 714688 www.allsortsairsoft.co.uk
Red Alert Airsoft Hartshill Copse Burdens Heath Bucklebury, RG7 6SX 07941 087070 www.redalertpaintball.co.uk
Bristol Airsoft Shop Bridewell Street Old Crown Court Bristol, BS1 2HQ 07776 288826
www.thedepartmentcqb.co.uk
Sell Airsoft Action in your shop or on your site and this space could be yours ...completely FREE! For more info, email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk
Sell Airsoft Action in your shop or on your site and get a FREE ADVERT on these pages PLUS a PREMIUM listing on theairsoftdirectory.com! Contact: nige@airsoft-action.co.uk www.airsoft-action.online
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KIT & GEAR TORCH MINI GROUP TEST
TORCHES:
A MINI GROUP TEST WINTER IS COMING… AND AS THE NIGHTS DRAW IN, TACTICAL FLASHLIGHTS BECOME MORE USEFUL ONCE AGAIN. WITH THAT IN MIND, STEVE T TESTS OUT THREE ALTERNATIVES THAT MIGHT JUST FIT THE BILL.
O
ther than on those bright summer days that are now a distant memory once more, there’s always a place for tactical lights in airsoft. That’s even more true when the days draw short as the clocks go back - and definitely if you play indoors in low light conditions. On test today are three options that should cover most situations, from a more traditional flashlight to a PEQ laser/light combo and even something a little special so that pistol users don’t feel left out. Let’s keep it old-skool upfront.
long as you maintain pressure, but it’s proven to be a solid and reliable light source.
ELEMENT SF M300 MINI SCOUT
Torches are meant to be round. That’s just the way it is and ever shall it be. If you subscribe to that philosophy, then Element’s SF M300 Mini Scout Flashlight will be right up your street. Readily available within the UK for about £38, we’re still not sure if the SF stands for Special Forces or Surefire, one of whom’s range was obviously the inspiration here. At just 122g, you’ll barely know it’s there - until you throw out that beam of light. Powered by a single CR123A, it might not exactly turn night into day, but it will illuminate the furthest reaches of most indoor scenarios. There are no fancy modes here, just an external momentary pad that ensures the M300 is lit as
ELEMENT PEQ15
After something a bit more contemporary and military inspired? Then the edgy geometry of the PEQ box is what you’re looking for. Not only does it offer illumination, but also a laser pointer. Again, we chose Element because of their excellent reputation for producing real world replicas at more realistic prices, but that comes with a caveat. Our first unit required two CR123As and crapped out within a week. It was both a fake and a dud! The replacement we sourced via Element’s own account takes just one cell and is still running strong - and it has strobe! In all modes, it’s one press for momentary, longer press to stay on and you can have your cake and it too, with both laser and
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XMAS 2019
KIT & GEAR TORCH MINI GROUP TEST
light at the same time. It’s affordable too, at around £26 via importers such as Ali Express. Expect a more detailed review from another member of the Airsoft Action team soon.
SBAL-PL PISTOL LIGHT/LASER COMBO
Oh, you bad boy! Surefire replicas might have the market sewn up, but we don’t know why when this blocky bastard makes any pistol look badass! From its hard edges to the military stencil designation, this metal light unit has intent written all over it. Well, actually it has “SBAL-PL” emblazoned on its side, but you know what we mean. With buttons to either side, a single press turns the light on or off, while a longer hold activates the laser - and you can use both at the same time, even if there’s no strobe. Fitted to a CZ P-09, the button on the right falls exactly under our extended trigger finger, making it instinctive to use. The only downside is that it might mean your universal holster no longer works, even if the unit extends no lower than the trigger guard. At around £45, it’s the most expensive on test here, but it’s also the brightest, lighting up the background at 30m and beyond.
LIGHT OF MY LIFE
Out of the three lights on test here, the pistol option is the most effective. Isn’t that illuminating? (Groan!) Both the SF M300 and PEQ15 are only good up to about 20m or so compared to the SBAL-PL’s 30m - and I can tell you from personal experience that neither will light up an underground bunker like a summer’s day.
But at the end of the day - pun intended - any of these tactical lights will come in handy on night games, for indoor scenarios or even just when the evenings get dark that little bit earlier. AA
If you have any old kit or gear tucked away in a cupboard, garage or shed that you have thought about sticking on eBay, or a forum to get rid of it, then why not donate it to the Pilgrim Bandits instead and Tez will make sure any money raised from its sale will go towards helping even more people – and you can be sure of the undying gratitude and thanks of those who it helps to live again. Please contact Tez on either his mobile: 07748 800 981 or email: terry.arnett@pilgrimbandits.org
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DIGITAL EDITIONS
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last post WHY???
WHY??? IT DOESN’T TAKE TOO MUCH TO GET FRENCHIE’S BLOOD PRESSURE RISING BUT SOME THINGS ARE GUARANTEED TO MAKE IT CLIMB…
I
saw a post on social media recently that triggered me, not that much is required to do that frankly! The subject was Gas Blowback rifles (GBBR) and they are something of a pet hate of mine, however, that wasn’t the reason for my ire, it was the statement, blithely made that “XX is OK but once you have done Y, it’s great”. Yes, it’s that old cherry… upgrades and whether or not they are necessary. Well, sort of. I have, over the years, written screeds about this subject so I’m going to limit myself to three principle points: why I’m not a fan of GGBRs, why that statement infuriated me and upgrades in general. OK, so why don’t gas blowbacks thrill me? They are fabulous fun and as close as you’ll get to the real thing in airsoft but the problem is that they just don’t work terribly well. Pistols seem to be alright, well, most of them anyway but rifles? Inside where it’s warm they are
great fun but on site their reliability is dubious at best. I know that some of you are already shouting at the page and telling me that I haven’t a bloody clue what I’m talking about – and you may be right – but I do have sufficient experience of working on these and some use on site to have an opinion. My personal opinion is that those players who
make GBBRs work for them do in spite of the guns themselves, not because of them. There are a whole bunch of issues. I personally don’t think they are built strongly enough. Light alloys are fine on AEGs but in general they are only subject to handling and the occasional impact, whereas gas guns have loads of moving parts, some of them hurtling back and forwards with a considerable degree of momentum. Pot metal just doesn’t cut it – one glance at the extensive aftermarket industry will tell you that – something will break and when it does your rifle will stop working. I would be far more confident if these guns were machined from good aluminium at the very least, with steel for the parts mostly likely to wear - but the price would be prohibitive. Power, or rather an excess of it. I have a suspicion that these rifles are designed to work at muzzle energies
far in excess of what is permissible here in the UK and, consequently, are already running at a disadvantage once they are restricted. I could be wrong
about this but I have seen perfectly good guns start to cough and fail to cycle once downgraded. Cost is a consideration but a personal one – if you’re willing to pay what it takes to run and maintain one, great. It’s these issues that I guess gave rise to the comment that set me off. What was explicitly acknowledged therein was the fact that while the writer asserted that gun XXX was “great”, he was also admitting that frankly it wasn’t fit for purpose until further money and time was spent on it. If you went to buy a car and were told that Model A was great …and was even better once round wheels were fitted and that adding an engine really perked it up, you might be tempted to walk on by! I just feel that if you are buying something to perform a task, which airsoft guns do, you shouldn’t be expected to have to do a load of work just to reach that standard – I would have thought that
you were already paying for that. Unlike AEGs, where upgrades are (rightly or wrongly) seen as improvements, with GBB rifles they will at some point be a
“IF YOU WENT TO BUY A CAR AND WERE TOLD THAT MODEL A WAS GREAT …AND WAS EVEN BETTER ONCE ROUND WHEELS WERE FITTED AND THAT ADDING AN ENGINE REALLY PERKED IT UP, YOU MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO WALK ON BY!”
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XMAS 2019
LAST POST WHY???
necessity. The manufacturers must know this but they do little to improve the reliability or longevity of their products. The WE L85 anyone? When it worked, one of my favourite GBB rifles, wonderfully noisy and clattery. Sadly “when it worked” is apposite, as I have seen more of them waiting for parts than I ever have on skirmish site. That’s not a good look and I feel really sorry for those that bought them in good faith. In my experience there is a greater chance that out of the box a GGB will need work done, this is far less true of AEGs so I’ll pass over the upgrade controversy by merely saying that if you haven’t tried a full game day with your shiny new gun, you have absolutely no idea if upgrades are necessary – they really shouldn’t be, given the (generally good) standard of electric guns these days. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with GBBRs in principle but there is definitely an issue with their manufacture that simply isn’t being addressed. As oft stated, the UK is a relatively small part of the global airsoft market but if you take the whole of northern Europe, surely it might just be worth the manufacturers addressing the climatic requirements of players there? What works in Taiwan doesn’t necessarily work for us, it being
somewhat cooler. More problematic is the construction of GBBRs and sadly I can’t see any changes likely there. There are no technical issues, just material ones but I would hazard that the additional cost would be prohibitive for all but the most well-heeled. I appreciate that moving your GBBR to high pressure air might address some of the innate problems but that brings some of its own and (like upgraded parts) is a solution that shouldn’t be necessary. I have to conclude therefore, that the continued sale and availability of GBBRs is a case of chasing an elusive “reality” factor - and I get that. All real guns recoil in some manner and finding a way to add that sensation to airsoft guns increases the illusion that we’re using something other than replicas. They are also much more realistic internally than electric guns and require maintenance in a way that AEGs simply don’t. The irony, to me at least, is that they should be more reliable as they have far fewer parts to fail but fail they do. Marui’s increasing line up of recoiling AEGs is proof of the lengths you have to go to in order to reproduce something that real firearms do and which GBBRs also do as a matter of course. Some of them are an absolute pain in the rear end to work
on and they are far more complex than standard AEGs and GBBRs, although they are also more reliable in use and more consistent in terms of range and accuracy. That shouldn’t be the case but it is. I don’t know if making GBBRs out of better materials would endanger the manufacturers if it became possible to modify such guns to become capable of firing live rounds (doubtful) but they really owe it to the airsoft community to come up with better, more reliable and more consistent products. As explicitly acknowledged on the post that started all of this, they simply aren’t fit for purpose as they stand. AA
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77
SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…
SYMBOL KEY
IS IT WOODLAND OR URBAN? CHECK THE KEY! UKARA MEMBER
SHOP ONSITE
WOODLAND
PYROS ALLOWED
URBAN
BATTERY CHARGING
DESERT
REPAIR SERVICE
INDOOR
DISABLED FRIENDLY
Email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk to add or change a site listing
Photo courtesy www.KriosPhotograhy.com
ABER AIRSOFT – THE BUNKER
AIRSOFT KGB
AMAZON EVENTS
BADLANDS AIRSOFT
Allt-lywd Wood Farm,
Porkellis Moor near Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0 Chef1322@hotmail.com
Hellingly, East Sussex, BN27 4HL
Rowlands Castle, Hamps PO9 6DP
Tel: 0844 2570433
Tel: 07534 465589
www.amazonoutdoorevents.co.uk
www.badlandsairsoft.co.uk
AMBUSH ADVENTURES ALTON
BARNSLEY AIRSOFT
Hill Farm Road, East Tisted, Nr. Alton,
Tel: 07779 236166
Hampshire.
www.barnsleypaintball.co.uk
outside Llanrhystud, nr. Aberystwyth, Wales. Tel: 07511554740
www.kgbairsoft.com
www.aberairsoft.co.uk
AIRSOFT PLANTATION ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT Maidenhead, SL6 3SS Tel: 07871 314951
Goatsmoor Lane, Billericay, CM4 9RS Tel: 07534 636289 / 07771 556395 www.airsoftplantation.co.uk Email: apairsoftplantation@gmail.com
www.absolute-airsoft.co.uk
AIRSOFT SKIRMISH ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES Tong Wood, Newport Road Wolverhampton TF11 8PN
Stoulton, WR7 4QW Tel: 07764 587410 www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk
Tel: 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk
ACE COMBAT Kent, TN12 7DG Tel: 01303 814803 www.acecombat.co.uk
AIRBORNE 101 AIRSOFT CLUB
AIRSOFT SKIRMISH CQB Studley, B80 7LY Tel: 07764 587410
robinsonm24@btinternet.com
AIRSOFT ASYLUM North Lanarksire, ML7 5 www.airsoftasylum.webs.com
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XMAS 2019
Tel: 07592 564614 Email: ambushadventures@yahoo.com Web: www.ambushadventures.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/6179156767
APOCALYPSE AIRSOFT Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7QP Tel: 07872 348 576 www.apocalypseairsoft.com
BATTLETEC AIRSOFT La Couture, Guernsey, GY1 2 Tel: 07781 104068 www.battletec.co.uk
BLACKDAGGER AIRSOFT Grasscroft Wood, Barlow Lees Lane, Dronfield, S18 7UR www.blackdagger-airsoft.co.uk
www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk
ARENA AIRSOFT ALL ARMS AIRSOFT
Grimsby, DN31 3JD
Near Trawden, BB8 8SN Tel: 07909 683464
www.arenaairsoft.com
Tel: 07752 404060
www.allarmsairsoft.co.uk
Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 Tel: 07718 032541
Shafton, Barnsley, S72 8RE
ALPHA 55
Northern Ireland, BT39 9PH Tel: 028 9303 7030 or 07729219341 www.borderlinecombat.com
Sawbridgeworth, Herts, CM23 4BJ Tel: 07732 184957
www.alpha55.co.uk
www.awaherts.com
Le Mont de Rozel, Jersey, JE3 5 Tel: 01534 733697 www.aegairsoft.je
51 Green Road, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim
AWA HERTS
Halkyn Wood, North Wales CH8 8DF
ALPHA ELITE GAMING
BORDERLINE AIRSOFT
BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport PR46JX Tel: 07790 715059 www.bravo22airsoft.com
SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…
BRISTOL AIRSOFT Bristol, BS1 2HQ Tel: 07776 288826 www.bristolairsoft.com
BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT Sheffield, S2 5TR Tel: 07795 631331
CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE WORKS (URBAN)
COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND
DRAGON’S LAIR
Fareham, PO17 5ND
Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA
Off Badger Lane, Hipperholme, Halifax,
Tel: 02392 655636
Tel: 07703 530189
West Yorkshire HX3 8PL
www.combatsouth.co.uk
www.dragonslairairsoft.co.uk
CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL
DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT
Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, CM14 5
Caerwent Training Area,
Tel: 01438 368177
South Wales, NP26 5XL
www.thefightschool.demon.co.uk
Tel: 07921 336360
Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
www.brittacairsoft.com
BUNKER 51 Charlton, SE7 8NJ Tel: 0870 7549653 www.wolfarmouries.co.uk
BUSH VALLEY AIRSOFT Runham Woods, Lenham ME17 1NQ Tel: 07786 448608 Email: bushvalairsoft@gmail.com
CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT
www.dragonvalley.co.uk
Brimington, Chesterfield S43 1DQ www.cia-airsoft.co.uk
COOL UNDER FIRE Doddington, Kent, ME9 0JS
D.T.W AIRSOFT
CLOSE ACTION AIRSOFT
Tel: 07960 532613
Colchester, Essex CO1 2ZF
Corby, NN17 3BB
www.coolunderfire.co.uk
Tel: 01206 790046
Tel: 07740 165787 www.close-action.co.uk
www.dtwairsoft.co.uk
CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT Truro, Cornwall, TR2 4HF.
C3 TACTICAL Longhope, Gloucestershire, GL17 0PH Tel: 07597 938011 www.c3tactical.co.uk
CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE COMPLEX Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RP Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE OUTPOST (WOODLAND) HPC, York Road, Flaxby, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG5 0XJ Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE SANDPIT (DESERT) Bolton Wood Quarry, Bolton Hall Road Bradford, West Yorkshire BD2 1BQ Tel: 07891 469492
COMBAT ACTION GAMES Combat Street, Felthorpe, Norwich,
Tel: 0773 153 1113 www.cornwallseliteairsoft.com
Norfolk, NR10 4DR. Tel: 07748 023832 www.facebook.com/combatactiongames
Just off the A11 outside Thetford Norfolk
www.combatairsoftgames.co.uk
Bourton Woods, On the B4479, Blockley www.cotswoldairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07724629140
CUMBRIA AIRSOFT Dumfries, DG12 cumbria.airsoft@virgin.net
CONTACT FRONT
www.cumbria-airsoft.com
Wattons Lane, Matchams, Bournemouth BH24, 2dg Tel: 0845 116 2830 info@contactfront.co.uk
DANGER CLOSE AIRSOFT
Tel: 01332 493258 Email: info@combatreadyairsoft.co.uk www.combatreadyairsoft.co.uk
CERBERUS AIRSOFT – RIVOCK EDGE Keighley, BD20 0LS Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
CERBERUS SHEFFIELD Sheffield, S6 6JE Tel: 07891 469492
Middle Wildpark Farm, Wildpark Lane, Brailsford, Ashbourne DE6 3BN Tel: 01332 493258 Email: info@combatreadyairsoft.co.uk
www.combatsouth.co.uk
www.elitebattlezone.co.uk
EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 0AN Tel: 01380 728982 www.experienceairsoft.co.uk
Lewisham, SE13 5SU Tel: 07973 240177 www.firefight.co.uk
DELTA TEAM 3 Skelmersdale, Lancs WN8 8UT Tel: 07986 053076 www.deltateam3.co.uk
DOGS OF WAR Houston, Renfrewshire PA6 7BP Tel: 07853 195290 www.dow-airsoft.co.uk
DOG TAG AIRSOFT Portsmouth PO6 3LS Tel: 02392 655636
Tel: 07968 448475
Tel: 07455 906132
www.combatreadyairsoft.co.uk
COMBAT SOUTH URBAN
Bexley, Greater London, DA5 1NX
FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS
www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
COMBAT READY OUTDOOR
ELITE BATTLEZONE
Ellough, Norfolk
Ellough Lark Raceway, Benacre Road,
COMBAT READY CQB 38 Full Street, Derby DE1 3AF
Tel: 01455 285605
COTSWOLD AIRSOFT
follow signs for Combat Paintball Tel: 07703 045849
Unit 8, Winston Ave, Croft, Leic. LE9 3GQ www.thedepartmentcqb.co.uk
Near Bourton-on-the-hill
COMBAT AIRSOFT
DEPARTMENT CQB AIRSOFT
FIFE WARGAMES St Andrews, KY10 3XL info@fifewargames.co.uk www.fifewargames.com
FINMERE AIRSOFT Buckingham, MK18 4JT Tel: 07976 184897 www.finmereairsoft.com
Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4SE
FIREBALL SQUADRON
TEL 01293 852 314
Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA
www.holmbushpaintball.co.uk/airsoft
Tel: 07582 684533 www.fireballsquadron.com
www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
www.airsoft-action.online
79
SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…
FIRST & ONLY:
FIRST & ONLY:
ANZIO CAMP
THE ARMOURY – WREXHAM
Blackshaw Moor, Nr Leek,
Oak Road, Wrexham, Denbighshire LL13 9RG Tel: 0161 727 8863
Staffordshire ST13 8TL Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
FIRST & ONLY: FIRST & ONLY: CROSSFIRE WOODS – PRESTON Moss Lane East, Preston PR4 3SP 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
FIRST & ONLY:
THE BASE CQC – YATESBURY 1 Jugglers Ln, Yatesbury, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 8YA Tel: 0161 727 8863
GROUND ZERO WOODLAND Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2DF www.groundzerowoodland.com
STEALTH WOODS – OTLEY Stealth Woods, Dob Park, Norwood Bottom Road, Otley LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863
FREE FIRE ZONE Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH Tel: 01733 247171 www.freefirezone.co.uk
THE MILL CQB – WIGAN
FRV AIRSOFT
Unit S2 Mill 1, Swan Meadow Industrial Tel: 0161 727 8863
Annacloy, Downpatrick, BT30 8JJ Tel: 07730 586926 www.frvairsoft.com
FIRST & ONLY:
FULL METAL AIRSOFT
THE OUTPOST – KIDDERMINSTER Drakelow Tunnels, Kingsford Country Park, Near Kinver, Kidderminster DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863
FIRST & ONLY: SHELL SHOCK WOODS – BRIDGNORTH Uplands Coppice, Off B4363, Bridgnorth,
Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, Ammanford, Camarthenshire, SA18 3JG Tel: 01269 850404 www.fullmetalairsoft.co.uk
GASS AIRSOFT – PENN Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk
Shropshire WV16 5LS Tel: 0161 727 8863
FIRST & ONLY:
Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4LG
Tel: 07772 919974
Tel: 0131 654 2452
www.greenzonecombat.com
www.airsoftedinburgh.co.uk
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – TUDDENHAM
LAC AT COMBAT ZONE
Cavenham Road, Tuddenham, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6DF Tel: 07711 774461 (Doug) or 07711 774401 (Josh) www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk/gunmanairsoft-tuddenham/
www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS The Grange, Frogmore Grange, Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532 384
GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 Tel: 07907 788970/ www.gassairsoft.co.uk
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – EVERSLEY The Welsh Drive, Fleet Road (A327), Eversley, Hants RG27 0PY Tel: 07711 774461 (Doug) or 07711 774401 (Josh) www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk/gunmanairsoft-eversley/
HILTON PARK AIRSOFT Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU Tel: 08000 354490/ www.paintballuk.com
HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT
Bull Ring Farm Rd, Leamington Spa CV33 9HJ Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
GRANGE LIVE GAMING Bravo One Birmingham, 93–99 Holloway Head, B1 1QP
HUMBER AIRSOFT
Tel: 07792 680297
INVICTA BATTLEFIELD Kent TN12 0HP www.invictabattlefield.co.uk
ISLAND RECON Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30 Tel: 07964 751047 www.islandrecon.co.uk
80
XMAS 2019
Haigh Park Road, Stourton, Leeds LS10 1RX Tel: 0113 277 7707 / 07968 258952
LINDSEY AIRSOFT Tel: 07955 487983 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk
MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5FW Tel: 07974 507166 www.matlockcombatgames.com
MAYHEM AIRSOFT Upper Harbledown, Nr. Canterbury, Kent CT2 9AX Email: mayhemairsoft@hotmail.com www.mayhemsoutheast.com
Abbey Cwm-hir, Midwales, LD1 6PG Tel: 01686 627594 www.facebook.com/Midwales-airsoft
MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Wrightington, WN6 9PL Tel: 01942 514724 www.militaryoutdooradventure.co.uk
Tel: 01622 831788 / 07876 263290
Tel: 0121 643 2477 info@grangelivegaming.com
LEEDS AIRSOFT: THE FOUNDRY CQB
MIDWALES AIRSOFT
Wilden Park Road, Staplehurst,
THE JUNGLE – HARBURY
Belfast BT170AE / Tel: 07733128484
facebook.com/HomelandTacticalAirsoft
www.humberairsoft.co.uk
www.gingerliberationfront.com
17G Stationview, Dunmurry,
Tel: 07802 837440/07949 486510
Leicester, LE9 9FP
FIRST & ONLY:
LAGAN AIRSOFT CLUB
Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8HE
North Lincolnshire, DN21
GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT
Saxillby, LN1 2JW Tel: 07775 877057
info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk
Spanby, Lincs, NG34 0AT/ Tel: 07971 560249
STEALTH WOODS – OTLEY Stealth Woods, Dob Park, Norwood Bottom Road, Otley LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863
LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT
Co. Armagh, BT60 1NE
www.giairsoft.co.uk/Skirmish-days
FIRST & ONLY:
Estate, Swan Meadow Road, Wigan
GREENZONE COMBAT
MILSIM UK Checkley, Staffordshire, ST10 4NS Tel: 07523 916607 www.milsimuk.co.uk
SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…
NCIS AIRSOFT Edinburgh, EH14 4 nick@ncis-airsoft.co.uk www.ncis-airsoft.co.uk
PATHFINDER GROUP AIRSOFT MILITARY SIMULATION
www.specopsairsoft.co.uk
Former RAF Camp Sopley/Merryfield Park,
RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM)
Hants, BH23/ Tel: 02380 899369
Cambridge, CB24 8RL Tel: 07751 586781 / www.riftairsoft.com
NOMAD AIRSOFT Fenwick, Ayrshire, KA3 6AY Tel: 07904 998250 www.nomadairsoft.com
PHOENIX AIRSOFT Welbeck Airsoft, Academy, Budby Road, Notts NG20 9JX Tel: 07956 587213 / 01623 812483
Unit 4, King Street, Gatehead, NE8 2YP info@nolimitspaintballandlaser.co.uk Tel: 07464 482410/ 0191 441 4574
Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB Tel: 07974 026517
www.s8airsoft.com
SENTINEL AIRSOFT Dunstable, LU6 2EE
PLATOON 1HQ Rochester, Kent, ME1 1 HQ Tel: 01634 829063/ www.ptt-1hq.co.uk
NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LQ Tel: 01845 565465 www.northernallianceairsoft.co.uk
PLAYERS OF WAR High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD Tel: 07767 203979/ www.playersofwar.co.uk
NORTHFLEET CQB
PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES
Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AA Tel: 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk
Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF Tel: 02897565651 / 07825169631
NPF AIRSOFT, NPF BASSETTS POLE
RAVENSHEAD AIRSOFT
Trickley Coppice, London Road, Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA Tel: 0121 323 1000 info@npfairsoft.com www.facebook.com/npfairsoft
www.predatorcombat.com
Tel: 07967 940043 www.facebook.com/Ravenshead-Airsoft
SUSSEX AIRSOFT Slinfold, RH12 Tel: 020 8150 9284 www.sussexairsoft.co.uk
SG1 COMBAT GAMES Co. Londonderry, BT45 8NA Tel: 07713 273102 www.sg1combatgames.co.uk
SHROPSHIRE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES Holbrook Coppice, Buidwas Bank (A4169),
SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY
SKIRMISH EXETER
RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA Tel: 01900 85645
Durham, DL4 2ER
TA EVENTS Hemel Hemstead, Herts, HP2 7QB Tel: 07894 059794 /www.ta-events.co.uk
TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AS Tel: 01792 473336 www.tacticalwales.co.uk
TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL Tel: 0203 490 8008/07983 657093 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk
Exeter, Devon, EX4 5/ Tel: 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk
www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk
Tel: 01642 281220 www.ntac.co.uk
OBAN AIRSOFT – ILL ARGYLL
RED1AIRSOFT
Argyll and Bute, PA37 1
Chislehurst, Bromley BR7 6SD
Tel: 07967 710185
Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069
www.argyllsurplus.com
www.red1airsoft.co.uk
TAZ AIRSOFT Farr, Inverness IV2 6XB Tel: 07848 448408
Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ
NTAC
Boathouse lane, South Wirral, Cheshire, CH64 3TB www.swatairsoft.eu Tel: 07703 177756
Billericay, Essex, CM11 2TX www.airsoft-billericay.co.uk
www.ravensairsoft.co.uk
Hetton, Sunderland, DH5 0 Tel: 07983 333521 / www.nscairsoft.co.uk
S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT
Buildwas, Telford, Shropshire, TF8
Suffolk, IP8 4 / Tel: 01473 831563
NSC AIRSOFT
Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4LD Tel: 07515 937633 www.stormforcepaintball.co.uk
www.sentinalairsoft.co.uk
Tel: 01277 657777
RAVEN’S NEST
STORMFORCE AIRSOFT
Tel: 07535 896683
Tel: 07786 192832 / www.aceairsoft.co.uk Ravenshead, Notts, NG15 9DH
Coventry, CV3 6NX Tel: 07831 429407 www.stirlingairsoft.com
SECTION 8 AIRSOFT
www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk
NO LIMITS AIRSOFT
STIRLING AIRSOFT
SOUTH COAST CQB Browndown Road, Lee-On-Solent
TECH BRIGADE
PO13 9UG Tel: 07533 434203
Newgate Street, Hertfordshire. SG13 8NH Tel: 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org
SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LR Tel: 07766 770830 www.southdownairsoft.com
TASK FORCE SKIRMISH Cowbridge, S Glamorgan, CF71
OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT Tel: 07964 990831
www.op-tac.co.uk
Red1 CQB. Kings Langley, WD4 8RN Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk
OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB Anglesey, LL71 8VW www.ottairsoft. github.io / Tel: 07895 478634
Tel: 02920 593900
RED1AIRSOFT CQB
RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3 Chipping Warden, OX17 1LZ Tel: 07751 586781
www.riftairsoft.com
SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7EU Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk
www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk
THE BUNKER Aberystwyth www.aberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07841 462806
SPEC OPS AIRSOFT– THE ROCK Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG Tel: 07984 656947
www.airsoft-action.online
81
SITE DIRECTORY
Email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk to add or change a site listing
FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…
THE DEPOT
www.ultimatewargames.co.uk
Glasgow, G45 9SB Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.thedepotglasgow.com
ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD
THE EX SITE
Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH
Mold, CH7 4 Tel: 07840 001975
www.ultimatewargames.co.uk
www.ebsc.co.uk
YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE PIT Engine Lane, Shafton, Barnsley S72 8RE
HALO MILL
01226 414004 To Book
The Penthouse,
www.theexsitewales.co.uk
Colne Valley Business Park,
URBAN ASSAULT THE WARGAMES CENTRE Lundholm Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN
Tel: 01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk
Bawtry Forest Great North Road
VIKING AIRSOFT Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0UN
THUNDER PARK AIRSOFT
www.thunderpark.co.uk Food & drinks available on site
TORRENT WARFARE Co Tyrone, BT71 4DY Tel: 07922 377131 Facebook: search ‘Torrent Warfare’
WARMINSTER AIRSOFT Warminster, BA12 7RZ www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk
WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT F O B (Woodland), Hollington Road, Upper Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT On site parking, HPA Top ups, covered safe zone, male & female toilets, hot lunch
TROJAN AIRSOFT
included, free tea and coffee available all
Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ
day. Site memberships.
Tel: 07428 024874
Tel: Paul – 07861427553
www.trojan-airsoft.com
Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6DG 01226 414004 To Book
www.vikingairsoft.co.uk
Luxulyan, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL305FA Tel: 01726 858613 or 07590 030887
Manchester Road, Linthwaite,
YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE PINES
Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE26 1
www.thewargamescentre.com wargamescentre@gmail.com
Email: paul@wmairsoft.co.uk
Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP Tel: 07428 024874
WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT High Command (CQB), Doulton Trading Estate, Doulton Road, Rowley Regis B65 8JQ
www.trojan-airsoft.com
Tel: Paul – 07861427553 Email: paul@wmairsoft.co.uk www.wmairsoft.co.uk
UCAP AIRSOFT Portsmouth, Hants, PO17 6AR Tel: 07590 818881
www.ucap.co.uk
WORTHING AIRSOFT Arundel Road, Worthing
UCAP GREEN OPS Linch, West Sussex, GU30 7
Tel: 07877 210898 www.worthingairsoft.co.uk
Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk
ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY Tel: 01268 796130
82
XMAS 2019
YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE MANOR Church Lane Sheffield S75 3DQ 01226 414004 To Book
Huddersfield HD7 5QG Tel: 01484 840554 www.halomill.com
XSITE PRACTICAL SHOOTING Fryers Farm Lane,
PRACTICAL SHOOTING DIRECTORY
High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430
GRANGE PS
SOUTH WEST PRACTICAL SHOOTERS (SWPS)
Bravo One, 93-99 Holloway Head,
Action Air IPSC Club
Birmingham, B1 1QP Tel: 0121 643 2477 http://www.grangelivegaming.com
Based at The Tunnel Target Sports Centre near Charmouth
Facebook: GPS
The Tunnel,
info@grangelivegaming.co.uk. Range
Axminster Road,
open for booking Wed-Sun. Club nights
Charmouth,
every Thursday, 6.30-10.30.
Dorset DT6 6BY
www.wmairsoft.co.uk
TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB
ebpracticalpistol@gmail.com
Contact: SWPSClub@Outlook.com
WATFORD PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB WatfordPPC@gmail.com
TYPHOON SHOOTING ACADEMY
DOUBLE TAP PSC
Mondays in Braintree, Essex.
StrikeForce CQB, Morelands Trading Estate, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL1 5RZ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Double-Tap-Practical-Shooting-Club979585958732937
Details on our Facebook page:
FPS ACTION AIR IPSC 24 Scarrots lane Newport Isle of Wight PO30 2JD 07964 751047 Open five nights a week 7pm-10pm Info@islandrecon.co.uk www.4dsportsclubs.co.uk Facebook:@fpsiow
https://www.facebook.com/ groups/290646868310496
TYPHOON AIRSOFT TARGET SHOOTING CLUB Fridays in Sible Hedingham, Essex. Details on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TyphonCQB Both clubs offer Action Air, 2 & 3 Gun, IPAS and Dynamic Action Sport. Contact via FB or 07939 557029.
EAST BARNET SC MOD-approved gun club PP, IDPA, IPAS, IPSC, 3GUN UKPSA Coaches UKPSA-qualified Range Officers Equipment hire available
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