CAGE: NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR

THE CAGE: NEW YEAR... NEW GEAR!

EVERYONE LOVES A NEW LOADOUT, OR AT THE VERY LEAST ADDING THE FINISHING TOUCHES OR ENHANCEMENTS TO AN EXISTING ONE! WE’RE OFF AND RUNNING AGAIN AND ALREADY PLANNING FOR GAMES AND EVENTS AHEAD THIS YEAR, SO IT’S TIME TO CHECK IN WITH THE AA LEGION AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED FOR 2022!

C’mon, who amongst us doesn’t like planning a new loadout? We all have that “dream kit” that we would love to own, and even if we already own it, new developments and new kit means that we can update what we have already!

It may be that you’ve seen a new TV show or movie and liked the kit that you see there, or perhaps it’s a single image from the news that’s caught your attention. Bottom line is that suddenly you look at your existing kit and think “oh boy, what if I had THAT to add to it???” It might be a new game that fires you up, as BPRE (featured in our crossover article this month) has done for me, and made me hanker for a righteous “Team Scorch” loadout with NVGs and all (jeez, I already have most of it and a BCM MCMR!!!), or indeed the release of a new pattern like MAPA… whatever may fire your imagination IS doable for an airsoft loadout, so what’s stopping you?

If you’re anything like me then it’s one thing that bars all my airsoft kit dreams, and that’s simply money! Realistically all of us mere mortals are constrained by real life; we have mortgages and rent to pay, a car to keep running, and food to put on the table. We may have other hobbies that eat into our budgets too… I mean, who doesn’t need just one more snowboard? We have families to look out for, and even for you singletons there are still many, many demands to be met when the monthly paycheck comes in.

So, what to do? If you’re really into your airsoft then loadouts can be long-drawn-out affairs, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you want something to be realistic then you’re going to need to invest in the right, and here I mean real, kit where it’s legally available to you, so it’s worth saving up for. Some of us have loadouts that even after many years are not “complete”, and I wonder in some cases if they ever will be!

If, after nearly twenty-eight years (this coming November!) of being involved with this wonderful

“IF, AFTER NEARLY TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS (THIS COMING NOVEMBER!) OF BEING INVOLVED WITH THIS WONDERFUL THING KNOWN AS AIRSOFT THERE IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU IT’S THIS… TAKE YOUR TIME, GET IT RIGHT…”

thing known as airsoft there is one piece of advice I can give you it’s this… take your time, get it right… I would say buy right and buy once, but again if you’re anything like me you’ll get it wrong so many times it’s embarrassing, but again I guess that’s part of the learning curve.

Work out what you want to create in your loadout, and even if it’s not a living-history-standard “impression”, make sure that what you put together 100% works for you. Try things, beg and borrow, (but never steal!) and work out just what YOU need. If you’re going “Team Six” then nail it down to the very last detail, but if you’re going for what works then there is no “wrong kit solution”, and if what you choose makes you comfortable and more effective as a player, then go to it.

Personally, apart from having a crack at a BPRE loadout and creating a new set of OPFOR gear around the new MAPA gear I am STILL working on my MCBLK loadout… it’s NEARLY there, but then I say that time and again, and keep on adding to it and changing elements out. I can run pretty much any platform now, but I still need a decent set of belt kit, and of course I am bound to spot something “Gucci” that of course I really, REALLY need, aren’t I? It’s airsoft… and it NEVER stops!!!

TEAM TALK

So, with all of those comments in mind, I asked the Legion “Have you planned, or are you planning a new loadout for 2022? If yes, what is it? If no, and you’re going to run and gun another year with what you already have, what do you intend to add to your existing favourite loadout this year to take it to the next level?” and this is what they had to tell me!

Jase: I did indeed plan for the 2022! I already have my kit sorted, a TMC JPC 2.0 and panel, MP7 with mags and accessories; in short, nothing more nedded than the new PC on order to shoulder the weapon systems I use to a more comfortable position. My 2022 is sorted!

Chris: In the planning stage; current Issue Australian Defense Force AMCU camo uniform to accompany the up and coming KWA F90, because being an ADF collector I feel it’s needed to have some of the newer kit. I only have the helmet cover at the mo (which alongside the plate carrier is the hardest and most expensive bit to get hold of!). I think pigs may fly by the time I get the AMCU vest and pouches so Multicam will have to be a stand in (fine for an earlier issue look). Work In Progress... kit worn by Aussie Commando and Counter Insurgency specialist “H”! The mix of camo peaked my interest, I then did some research into his operational history, the bloke is a machine! It’s about 75% complete with boots, vest, Headset/ PTT and Surefire 6p being needed to finish it. Also WIP: Australian Infantry in Afghanistan circa 2014; the uniform is the Aussie-made multicam (AMC) pattern with Tan TBAS plate carrier and various pouches, and a nice touch is the older DPCU helmet cover. This loadout

“W IN PROGESS... KIT WORN BY AUSSIE COMMANDO AND COUNTER INSURGENCY SPECIALIST “H”! THE MIX OF CAMO PEAKED MY INTEREST, I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH INTO HIS OPERATIONAL HISTORY, THE BLOKE IS A MACHINE!”

is about 98% complete. I’m waiting on the vest and pouches to arrive then maybe look into getting a backpack, then and I’ll call it done.

Boycie: My plan for 2022 is to try to get out to actually play a game day for the first time in nearly four years, rather than working at them! Since Covid landed, and the things that have arisen from that, the shape of my weekends has changed somewhat. I now have a regular job on Sundays so that counts out visiting a lot of sites around me as they only open on a Sunday. I’m hoping that occasionally I’ll be able to get out to a site on a Saturday, when family time allows.

Loadout-wise, I’m actually reducing my kit substantially and am likely to keep only my black First Tactical clothing, a pair of grey trousers and my Red Cell UBACS, allied with my Templars Gear TPC and belt kit (seen in the pics of the MPX in the latest issue of AA). The rig and belt kit will be pretty much able to take any of the magazines I may need for my playing. I will also combine my Black FT Defender Shirt, or Red Cell UBACS with a pair of Clawgear Tactical Jeans to give yet another “look” if I want something different. RIF wise, I am also reducing my collection down to 2-3 AEGs and a couple of pistols. For the amount I get to play I really don’t need the large collection, as nice as it is (said no airsofter, EVER!!!)

Stewbacca: With the potential release this year of VFC’s much awaited LAR/FAL GBBR, which was originally murmured about for the tail end of last year and which I enjoyed using the functional prototype of at MOA2020, I considered returning to my family roots with a mid-70s L1A1 based loadout. While it’s understandably potentially contentious for some, it is still part of our history and obviously close to my heart and own origins as pops would regale me of his experiences fielding the right arm of the free world on ranges, guard duty and when working around RAF Aldergrove... So I had my sister send me out a simple triple pouch 58 pattern webbing belt kit as an Xmas present already, and will look to source some period gear to go with it. I did also consider a “Siege of Jadotville” Republic of Ireland kit for balance’s sake, and because it’s an awesome film and an equally important historic tale from the other side of the border.

Having also recently acquired an L85 GBBR and handling the Lee Enfield SMLE from S&T at Hooha 26, I’m considering doing a few periods of British service loadouts. In Taiwan I’ve never really bothered with any camo or impressions thus far due to the climate and lack of need to due to my previously largely indoor play. However, since joining team TaiJi we play outdoors a lot and I need both a team AOR2 camo setup whenever I can find it in my size, but also doing some home or local service gear to go with the array of relevant rifles I have might be good.

Miguel: In my case it’s hard to start a new loadout, being part of a team that follows some rules in that regard. Sure, in practices we are free to use what we want, so this year I’ll being using a ATACS FG loadout with OD gear, I want to see how effective it is on our woods!

Robbie: Miguel, that all looks nice, I’ll take a set of that! If all goes well I’d like to get into some Three Gun locally and with that a matching setup for airsoft training. As for my actual kit, I could make claims, but it will be like every new year and squirrel! Ooops sorry, it will be random as always. Desires... tac pants, and a nice tactical fleece. More eyepro dual purpose. I am due for new boots! Hey shiny stuff... oh sorry what was the question again. Oh Yes... stuff. Yes. BUT ... I want to get the new Sionyx when they arrive…

Dan: More of the “gun front” for me really; I

picked up a PKM from a friend for an unbelievably good price this year, so that’s going to be my upcoming project build. I’ve never actually fielded an LMG / GPMG myself, so this will be an interesting change of pace. As I am a veritable Hobbit, I will be doing a fair number of modifications to it, with the goal of shortening it up substantially and trimming as much fat and weight off the assembly as possible. I’ll also be ‘maxing’ out the internal build as well. The impression scene has never really been much of a thing locally, and I’m not on a team, so other than adhering to field limits on velocity (450 FPS here for LMG / GPMG class) I have a lot of latitude with what I can build.

I’ve got no real plans to change my LBE setup. That’s the same base rig (Tactical Tailor MAV with X-Harness) I’ve been rocking since my eraly days nearly twenty years ago now. It’s attained “bombproof” status in my book and using anything else feels like a sin lol. I’ve got a 2nd identical MAV that I am going to finish out as my lightweight sniper rig for my Real Sword SVD. I’d like to find some modern single-cell Kydex pouches or maybe an improved MOLLE pouch for the SVD mags. Still on the hunt for something there…

Related on the sniper front, I’ve sort of taken an interest in maybe picking up a spring gun to fiddle with. I’ve been tuning up an S&T Kar98K for a friend and just drilled and tapped the receiver so I could install this Ares ZF39 scope for his build. Seems like it would be a fun setup to play with, so one might find its way into my collection with some associated gear… might… lol.

Jimmy: Oh man where do I start? My appetite for gucci gear is increasing which means the cost of gear goes up dramatically. I’m one who is never quite happy and there is always something new popping up that I need, yes need. I want to finish my “Cold war” gear and my FBI HRT ranger green loadout, I need a full as close as the real thing CTSFO loadout, black SWAT loadout, MC BLK loadout, and a Russian GopTac setup. I’m gonna need a lot of stuff to complete it all. My multicam loadout is complete and I’m pretty happy with that, but you can bet your life I will alter it in some way. To have a selection of loadouts for me is important due to my vast collection of RIFs, I like to match a RIF with a particular uniform/ loadout. Loadouts serve a purpose and work well in the environments they were designed for as does the weapon, so I feel it fitting to match everything together

Iggy: At present I am still running a PMC loadout and only plan on adding a scrote pouch to the front of my 5.11 all missions plate carrier. The reason I don’t plan on many changes is the team I’m with tend to be “red” or PMC. Of course I do have my MTP and Multicam stuff but I keep that for airsoft in New Zealand and the UK whenever I can get there! AA