Airsoft Action - January 2019 by Airsoft Action

AIRSOFT ACTION

AIRSOFT ACTION INSIDER EXCLUSIVE!

NUPROL ROMEO SERIES REVIEW!

win! win! win! win a romeo recon bravo in our exclusive competition!

also in this issue...

PROJECT X

FEATURE

WALKING WATERLOO

REEL STEEL DIE HARD

KIT

ZEV MLOK RAILS

T R A I N I N G P L AT E S | E Q UA L A I R S O F T | 1 S T TAC T I C A L W AT C H E S | T M G 1 9

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AIRSOFT ACTION

12 AIRSOFT ACTION INSIDER EXCLUSIVE!

NUPROL ROMEO SERIES REVIEW!

win! win! win! win a romeo recon bravo in our exclusive competition!

also in this issue...

REEL STEEL DIE HARD

KIT

ZEV MLOK RAILS

T R A I N I N G P L AT E S | E Q U A L A I R S O F T | 1 S T TA C T I C A L W AT C H E S | T M G 1 9

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JANUARY 2019

FEATURE

WALKING WATERLOO

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS SITE

PROJECT X

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“six of the best” m4 ak & smg gearing up for winter using drones in airsoft 2018 dutch action air open

AA INSIDER EXCLUSIVE: ROMEO SERIES AK

ARMOURY: TM G19

Editor: Nigel Streeter Graphic Design: Calibre Publishing Ad Design: Havoc Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter Cover Photo: Rossco from NUPROL UK 13-issue subscription rate: £46.50 UK 6-issue subscription rate: £24.00 For overseas prices email: subs@airsoft-action.co.uk

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: +44 (0) 1684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online

EVENT: DUTCH 2018 ACTION AIR OPEN SIX OF THE BEST: AK M4 & SMG

27 48

©Calibre Publishing Limited 2018 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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GEAR: WINTER GEAR

REEL STEEL: DIE HARD

FEATURE: DRONES IN AIRSOFT

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 JANUARY 2019

CONTENTS JANUARY 2019 6 NEWS 10 ROGUE’S GALLERY Airsoft action readers doing what they do best!

58 KIT: PTS ZEV M-LOK Finding his usual go-to gun getting more and more front-heavy, phil bucknall found something from pts syndicate to lighten his load.

12 AA INSIDER EXCLUSIVE: NUPROL ROMEO SERIES Airsoft action have followed the nuprol story right from the very beginning and have seen this british brand go from strength to strength. They’ve just “wowed the market” again with the release of their new “romeo” series ak aegs - and bill has been with them every step of the journey!

60 REEL STEEL: DIE HARD Bruce willis has declared that “die hard is not a christmas movie” but at this time of the year many airsofters will be settling down to give the 1988 movie its annual viewing. Bill takes a look at what makes it so popular and which airsoft replicas of the firearms used in the movie are available!

16 ARMOURY: TOKYO MARUI G19 It has long been accepted that tokyo marui make some of the best airsoft pistols around, so when they announced a new addition phil hibberd couldn’t wait to check it out.

64 SITE: PROJECT X Having had an earlier sneak preview of the site, tom “anvil” hibberd headed back to project x for a full day’s play.

20 EVENT: NABV DUTCH OPEN 2018 Nige heads over to holland, where he reports from the 2018 dutch open championship, an event that attracts practical shooters from around the world. 27 SIX OF THE BEST: INTRO It’s a perennial question that is almost impossible to answer but we thought we’d give it a go by asking three airsoft action contributors their thoughts on “what is the best airsoft gun?” 28 SIX OF THE BEST: AK Bill looks to a family of firearms that rightly bears the description “iconic” - and that’s the kalashnikov in all its wondrous forms! 34 SIX OF THE BEST: M4 If you don’t run with an ak, the chances are you probably have an m4 hanging off your rig. Phil bucknall extols the virtues of this ubiquitous rifle, as he brings us his “six of the best m4s”. 40 SIX OF THE BEST: SMG Kelly “femme fatale” hardwick has played on cqb sites in both the uk and abroad, so knows a thing or two about the right guns to use. This is her “six of the best”. 46 SITE: EQUAL AIRSOFT Angelo dv heads out to a new site in chester and discovers a real gem. 48 GEAR: WINTER GEAR Heading to a game in the depths of winter can be a daunting prospect but with the right preparation and the right kit, you can be “getting your game” on whatever “ma nature” may throw at you. Bill explains… 52 FEATURE: IS AIRSOFT A SPORT? Never one to shy away from a difficult question, frenchie responds to one that is often asked about airsoft… is it a sport? 54 FEATURE: WALKING WATERLOO Thundering hooves, the stamp of marching feet and the pounding of drums! Had tom hibberd turned up over 200 years ago this is what he would have heard on the battlefields of the waterloo campaign!

68 GEEK: CLOTHING MAINTENANCE Bill looks at why this is necessary and what you can use to carry it out on a seasonal basis. 71 GEAR: TRAINING PLATES Phil bucknell brings us a short update on last issue’s “training plates” article. 72 FEATURE: DRONES IN AIRSOFT Using drones can add a whole new dimension to the game but, as wa03 media’s craig walton points out, there are a number of “rules ‘n regs” to be aware of when using them in airsoft. 76 GEAR: TACTICAL WATCHES Bill has been working very closely with american brand first tactical, dealing with them direct both in the usa and the uk. Here he continues to bring you his thoughts on some really great products from them. 78 SURVIVAL: IMPROVISED STRETCHERS Carrying a casualty over any distance can be challenging but doing so without the correct equipment can make the job ten times harder. Paul yelland explains how you can use simple objects to make an improvised stretcher. 81 COMPETITION: NUPROL Yet another chance to win something special from our friends at nuprol! 82 THE LAST POST: TIME FOR AIRSOFT Checking a smartphone mid-game is probably not the best way to check the time, so what do you use instead? Over to our resident horologist, frenchie… 84 AIRSOFT ACTION STOCKISTS Where to buy your copy of the players’ choice best airsoft magazine before it goes on sale in newsagents. 86 SITE DIRECTORY & PRACTICAL PISTOL 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.

s w e N t f o s Air THE NEW SUREFIRE STILETTO® IS HERE!

can select outputs between 5 and 650 lumens. The tactical switch on the rear of the light activates the 650 lumen high output only, and has an optional high-frequency strobe. The heavy duty pocket clip will always keep the Stiletto quickly accessible and secured. The Stiletto gives you the edge when the threat of darkness looms upon you.

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The Stiletto’s slim design and light weight allow it to be carried comfortably all day, without getting in the way of your life. Despite the small size and weighing less than three ounces, the PLR packs a punch with a high output of 650 lumens. The Stiletto utilizes a rechargeable lithium polymer battery, with LED fuel gauge, that can be charged via Micro-USB charger. The primary switch on the body is programmable and

LANDAU UK WIN FOXTROT 8 LANDING CRAFT REFIT AND REFURBISHMENT PROJECT VETERAN-RUN STRIKE-HOLD BLOG IS BACK! Just in time for Veterans’ Day, Strikehold.net is back on-line! Following a catastrophic hardware loss a couple of years ago it seemed that the site was going to be lost forever, but thanks to the hard work and diligence of a couple of great supporters – and to The Wayback Machine – the site is now back online and updated with a new look and fresh content. The blog is named after the motto of the 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment in which the Founder and Editor-in-Chief served, and is dedicated to all airborne and special operations forces. Strike-Hold is not just a news site, nor just a review site, it is also not a typical ‘military media’ site either – it is a unique blend of all of these things, and more… The Strike-Hold! blog has always been, and will always continue to be, an independent and authoritative source of real information about and relevant to military and law enforcement personnel, private military contractors, outdoor & survival enthusiasts, MilSim airsofters, camouflage geeks, and military history enthusiasts. Whether your interest is in gear, uniforms, weapons, equipment, or bigger issues, you are sure to find something of interest. Stay safe – be dangerous – and read on… www.strikehold.net 6

january 2019

Landau UK, specialists in delivering award winning installations, refits, remodelling and restoration of equipment and systems to all leisure and commercial marine vessels, are delighted to have won the contract from Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to refit and refurbish one of the last remaining landing crafts - Foxtrot 8 - which was used during the Falklands conflict. This project is being funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds and is part of the Trust’s wider “Memorial Fleet” project. The Memorial Fleet project will create an operational Memorial Fleet of small historic craft which have played a significant role in the defence of the nation during the Twentieth Century – from the First World War to the Falklands. Foxtrot 8 served aboard the Amphibious Assault Ship HMS Fearless in the Falklands conflict in 1982, and landed 3 Commando Brigade at San Carlos Water, the notorious “bomb alley”, during the night of 21 May as part of Operation Sutton. 3 Commando Brigade, reinforced by 2 Para and 3 Para, then marched across East Falkland to Stanley. Commenting on this contract win, Ben Metcalfe, Chief Executive Officer at Landau UK said: “We are delighted to have secured this contract from the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to bring this vessel of historical importance back to her former glory. Landau UK have extensive experience and first-hand knowledge of vessels similar to the F8, and we feel that our proposal clearly demonstrated our approach to sympathetically restore her. We are excited to be involved in this project and look forward to working with the Trust’s volunteers and Students of the International Boatbuilding Training College - Portsmouth (IBTC-P).”

VFC PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE AT RETAIL STORES BELOW

DISTRIBUTED BY RWA

LEGACY EN KRIGERENS ARV Just over two years ago, one of airsoft’s true “gentlemen”, Mark Rasmussen, passed away far too soon. His legacy, however, lives on, as Daniel Butler Morgan explains. Airsoft is a great sport! You know this because you are reading this article and because, if you are already involved in the community you will have had a lot of enjoyment from it. My Airsoft adventure started with a chance encounter and a conversation that took a turn that would see me start a new hobby that has developed into a full-blown obsession. At a BBQ, I was asked a question about LiPo batteries because I had experience with Quadcopters from my business as a Tree Surgeon (I use them for site surveys). Jim Woodward and his son Lewis were already airsoft regulars at Combat Airsoft, Thetford and they invited me to come along. Well, as you will appreciate, once the bug bites you want to go for it and perhaps it is personality trait of mine but I do tend to go “full bore” at my interests. Fast forward three years and airsoft has taken me across East and South England as part of the very successful Sigrun team. I have suffered with illness all my life. I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy at an early age and had found it hard to find a sport which agreed with my lifestyle up until now. I am (and always will be) a dedicated airsoft player and enjoy introducing new people to the sport and helping them from day one, through to buying the right kit. I also believe in established players and teams taking new rental players under our wings, so they have a great first day. I remember my first trip to Combat Airsoft and at 6ft and 200lbs even I was a little overwhelmed! On the 11th of November this year I went to the “Plastic Storm” event, at the Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park near Great Yarmouth. With two hundred other airsofters and the backdrop of rollercoasters and other rides it was always going to be a fantastic day’s sport. I went with my son Rowan, who is team captain of Sigrun Juniors and met up with friends from Combat Airsoft. As part of the activities around the skirmishing was a raffle run by Combat Action Games. The main prize was a reproduction of Mark Rasmussen’s rifle, with all proceeds from the raffle to go to the Poppy Appeal - very appropriate given the date of the event. Mark was CEO of Airsoft Denmark and was a leading light in the promotion of the sport in that country and elsewhere. Mark passed away suddenly just over two years ago and friends in the Airsoft community, led by Airsoft Action’s very own Bill Thomas, along with ASG, Battle Store, J-Tac Custom and Airsoft Machine Shop, created a copy of Mark’s rifle in his honour and memory. When the raffle was drawn I was the lucky guy with the winning ticket. A fantastic prize with a great story behind it. Clearly this is a gun that means a lot to those who made it in the memory of someone who has done a lot for our sport. Winning this rifle has somehow had an effect on me, it was meant to be. It felt so right bringing his rifle home. I feel that if I had had the opportunity to meet Mark we would have got on really well. Will I use it? You bet! It chronos at 350fps with 0.2g BBs and is just a joy a shoot. So on dry days at Combat Airsoft, or anywhere else, watch out, you could have the honour of being hit by a BB from a very special gun. I want people to know Mark’s rifle has gone to someone who is dedicated to the sport and will use his rifle as he would have intended it to be used. Daniel Butler Morgan.

january 2019

AA GALLERY READERS’ PHOTOS

ROGUE’S GALLERY S BRAHAM

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PARK

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FIRST & ON

IN COU

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ILSIM,

january 2019

PARK

WOODS

Information

COMB

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RECON TEAM MAINE AIRSOFT BY TEAM SUPPORT GUNNER CHRIS BANKS 10

RAHAM

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armoury NUPROL ROMEO SERIES

MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER AK... AIRSOFT ACTION HAVE FOLLOWED THE NUPROL STORY RIGHT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND HAVE SEEN THIS BRITISH BRAND GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. THEY’VE JUST “WOWED THE MARKET” YET AGAIN WITH THE RELEASE OF THEIR NEW “ROMEO” SERIES AK AEGS - AND BILL HAS BEEN WITH THEM EVERY STEP OF THE JOURNEY! THIS MONTH WE’RE PLEASED TO BRING YOU HIS EXCLUSIVE INSIDE STORY OF HOW AN AEG GETS MADE.

OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS I’ve been lucky enough to have guys personally. I will say it out loud and clear, Ross is an old and space in Airsoft Action to indulge my personal love of the AK trusted friend and Danny, Trent, Hannah and Mark are very good platform and, as you’ll see in my “Six of the Best” this month, my mates too. I like them as people and I have huge respect for what personal collection continues to grow. As an “older player” I have they do day in, day out as their jobs. You might ask if this makes the luxury of both time and some cash (not THAT much!) to pursue me biased towards their products and I’d have to admit that it a storyline, immersing myself in what is available on the market does… if what they produce is in any way below the standard I and looking at new releases as they appear. expect from them, they will hear it loud and clear that I expect I’ve also been doing this job for a while and therefore my better! I’m sure that, if asked, they’d all tell you that I am the first relationship with certain manufacturers goes back a long, LONG to be hyper-critical of their products but, unlike some, I will discuss way and I’ve seen many prototype RIFs go from concept to full it with them directly in a professional manner rather than simply production over the years. Never before though, have I been blabbing some puff on the interwebz. Ultimately, that’s how things involved with an airsoft project from absolute inception to open get done! market release and, even to me, it’s been a totally eye-opening ROMEO, WHEREFORE ART THOU? experience! You may well ask how this has any relation to the new ROMEO One of the manufacturers I work very closely with is NUPROL AK series of AEGs. When I first looked at their then “new” series and I’ve seen them grow from a single office and small warehouse of DELTA AEG prototypes back in 2015, I asked Ross if there in Surrey, to the “major player” that they’ve become thanks to would be a “proper AK” and even back then he told me that this sheer hard bloody work and diligence. I’ve been most amused was something he would love to do. As the DELTA range grew recently seeing the term “Big Airsoft” being bandied about and successfully I kept on asking him about that “proper AK” and it was how many airsoft journalists like me are “in their pocket”! Big always a “project [that was] on the back burner”, although very Airsoft? Does this even exist?? much still on the cards and we discussed details of what should be If you’re talking about airsoft “BUSINESSES” who work included in the build project endlessly. professionally and tirelessly to move the game forward in a meaningful “FIRST WAS THE PROBLEM OF ACTUALLY MAKING AN way, whilst (Oh! Heaven forfend!) actually making money whilst doing AK WHEN ALL THEIR PREVIOUS MODELS HAD BEEN “AR” so, then yes, I do work with them BASED. IT MEANT NEW MACHINES, NEW MOULDS, NEW - and I am extremely proud and SUPPLIERS AND EVEN A TOTALLY NEW DESIGN!“ privileged to do so. What this allows me to do though, is get to the nub of any story, taking words direct from As far as I knew this was all wishful thinking, until quite source rather than relying on gossip, rumour and heresay. out of the blue a picture arrived in my inbox from Ross with no When it comes to NUPROL the rumours fly like dust in a comment attached; it was simply a picture of a “tacticool” AK with tornado! To this day I can’t fathom this but, then again, perhaps a buffer-tube stock and a white 3D-printed KeyMod rail. Of course, that’s because I actually know the truth of things and know the

JANUIARY 2019

armoury NUPROL ROMEO SERIES

ROMEO RECON BRAVO

my mind started racing and I was on the phone to him “toot sweet”. He advised me at that point that the “AK Project” (as we came to call it) was under way at last - but various challenges were ahead. First was the problem of actually MAKING an AK when all their previous models had been “AR” based. It meant new machines, new moulds, new suppliers and even a totally new design! This cost money, an awful lot of money and, as a business, the development of a totally new model had to be taken slowly, not only from a cost perspective but also from a “getting it right” one too. I asked Ross about this aspect and he told me: “A project like the ROMEO Series is a project of passion and shows a love for the game. There are so many small little details that we felt needed to be incorporated into a modern AK replica for Airsoft. “It seems to me that whenever a new model is made something seems to be left off the checklist! So we used the same ethos that we had when we developed our DELTA Series of AEG; we actual started working on this project a full year before the DDELTA models made it to market. “The timeline goes something like this: Idea – 3D Drawings – Mould Samples (usually 3D printed) – Individual moulding samples for small parts – Assembled Sample – Mould production (this is the cliff edge bit!)- Final production model.” From the moment the “white” version came into being Ross kept me fully in the loop with development and it was more than exciting to see “Project AK” take its first faltering steps into the light of day. Once again, Ross, Mark (the NUPROL Technical Manager) and I poured over details and I know for a fact that the two of them argued over even the tiniest parts! Fast forward to November 2018 and, knowing that the container from the Far East was finally due in, you could cut the tension with a knife. “Project AK” had finally come of age and the “ROMEOs” were born! Ross sent me a picture of the very first ROMEOs to be unpacked from the container at the NUPROL warehouse and I sat back in my office chair and breathed a sigh of relief as the finished production models looked to be absolutely stunning!

TACTICOOL WITH A CAPITAL “T”

What always interests me with a new model or series is how some folk see a picture and get all in a tailspin without actually having their hands on it. This has already started with the ROMEOs and I can’t help but shake my head sadly. NUPROL unashamedly put the word “tacticool” alongside the ROMEOs and this is what they are, with an emphasis on the “cool”. What Ross told me about initially is what they have actually made. It is not a “classic AK” as many manufacturers actually make very good ones already, nor is it an “FSB-inspired” model. It’s actually not a “military” AK at all but has the look of something that you might see being created by KREBS Custom in the USA, the sort of thing that we discuss on “AK47 Chatterbox”, or that you might see being destruction tested on “AK Operators Union”! I believe that the guys from Gun Digest, again in the USA, said it best in their “Guide to the Modern AK” (if you’re an AK user and you don’t have a copy of this, shame on you!): “No longer is the Russian-designed AK-47 rifle merely a cobbled clunker pressed into service by dusty rebels in Third-World war zones. Now, author Jorge Amselle presents the AK as a stateof-the-art firearm, with endless accessories and upgrades, used by the most elite shooting schools. “For the recreational and tactical shooter, the ergonomic shortcomings and lack of accessories for the AK (-47) have been completely resolved in recent years, increasing the rifle’s appeal. Today, major manufacturers are producing new stocks, rails, grips,

handguards, sights, parts and other upgrades for this tough little rifle. Indeed, the AK has become almost as modular and versatile as the AR.” If you look around the real firearms industry nowadays, everyone and their dog has “tacticool” bolt-ons for the AK platform… Magpul, check. VLTOR, check. Daniel Defense, check. Knights Armament, check again! In fact, virtually every firearms accessory manufacturer worth their salt has recognised that those old “import AKs” are getting a whole new lease of life… but that’s just good business! Sorry purists, live with it, it’s a fact, but some folk take a humble AK, whichever import model they can lay their hands on, and make it “tacticool”; a good friend of mine even has a “tacticool” SU chambered in 6.8 SPC and I personally drool over it every time I see it!

“NO LONGER IS THE RUSSIAN-DESIGNED AK-47 RIFLE MERELY A COBBLED CLUNKER PRESSED INTO SERVICE BY DUSTY REBELS IN THIRD-WORLD WAR ZONES.” What NUPROL have cleverly done is to look to these “thoroughly modern AKs” for inspiration and then put their own unique slant on it… and wow, have they ever! Basically put, what you get with the ROMEO models is a mid (AK105 - BRAVO ) length and a full (AK74 - ALPHA ) length with either a KeyMod (RECON) or N-Lock (NOMAD) rail system. I have never claimed to be a “tech” (although both Ross and Mark surely are!) but over the years I’ve looked over the shoulders of some of the most gifted techs out there while they’ve worked, so I know my way round a set of internals well enough! Internally, the ROMEOs feature an all new “V3” gearbox and come fitted with high quality silver wiring as standard. They also come with a 6.03 tightbore QPQ (Quench-Polish-Quench) finish inner barrel and a quick-change spring, along with a full steel-toothed piston and gears; in fact everything inside looks neat, tidy and workmanlike. I asked Ross about this and he said: “Internals of an AEG are obviously a very hot topic and many people think that their way is the correct way; from my engineers and my own years of experience we like to think that we know how to put a gearbox together. “As I said when we launched the DELTA series, I stated then that “pre-upgraded” is something that really annoys us; why make an AEG that you need to upgrade later, make it work to the best of its ability when you make it in the first place! That’s what we have tried to do again with the Romeo range. “Boasting the same gearbox as the Award-Winning DELTA range gearbox but this time made into a Version III gearbox, the ROMEOs also features 6.03MM Barrel, Steel toothed AOE set piston and gears as well as our microswitch trigger system. We also included a spring release on this model as it was much easier to incorporate into a V3 design.” Externally the magic continues as the body is made of pressed steel (the ROMEOs come “oiled” for a reason!) that’s made by a manufacturer of real AKs and “Type 56s” in China. Ross was introduced to them by the guy that runs NUPROL’s factory and spent some time shooting “real” with them and if you meet Ross at some point, ask him about getting nabbed by the

www.airsoft-action.online

armoury NUPROL ROMEO SERIES

“cordite sniffer” at the airport! Although the bodies are made by a “real-steel” manufacturer, I would stress that they are produced specifically for airsoft and have been checked by the authorities to ensure legality. The rail systems are all CNC machined aircraft grade alloy and are proprietary design for NUPROL. The finish is absolutely superlative and each rifle comes with three of the appropriate rail sections. The flash hider is also a corker, unique in its design and Ross tells me that he “may” have seen something in the Chinese factories that gave inspiration for this. The pistol grip is “standard AK” which is great for players with smaller hands but easily changed if you wish and the ROMEOs all come with NUPROL’s own AXE stock, which gives them a very distinct look overall. Controls are also “classic AK” although the selector lever is of the overtly “tacticool” style, making switching between firing modes far easier. I will say that the fit of the topcover absolutely amazed me! In all the AKs I personally own this can be a bit of a “failure point” as (generally speaking) they are often a tad “wobbly”. Not so the ROMEO, as you’ll actually struggle

JANUARY 2019

ROMEO NOMAD ALPHA

to get the topcover on an off, the tolerances are that tight! Again I asked Ross about this and he told me: “When it comes to the finish of our AEGs this is always the top priority for us as we feel this is the first thing people will see; there is nothing worse than picking up a replica and it creaks and moves. This was important when we brought our budget but award-winning Pioneer Defender to market and that’s why that shipped with a RIS II style rail, so that it was solid even though it is made of polymer. “An AK has to feel like it’s been made in the industrial smog of a USSR city in the 80’s and moving into the modern AK era

they manage to keep this feeling while also having a PMC/ tacticool feel and that’s what we wanted to replicate. So, when it came to production, we had to make sure we made the bodies authentically using Steel and machine cut Aluminium Rails. “Also when it comes to putting the rail on to the top cover of the AK we had to ensure that if you are going to fit a nice optic to the replica that it is indeed going to stay where you put it and not drop off the rifle and make you hate your new Nuprol AEG!” I read a comment online that questioned the need for both a top rail and a classic AK side mount and again I was somewhat bemused by this; surely this gives you the best of both worlds, doesn’t it? Whilst I’m not big on optics on AKs some people absolutely adore the real Russian models, whilst others want rails on rails. This seems to me a bit of a stupid comment, but hey, if you have to find fault… In action the ROMEOs are absolute “beasts from the east”, chronoing at 1.02Joule/332fps (on my Xcoretech, although NUPROL chrono using a SKAN to ensure UK legality and quote 331-336fps) consistently using NUPROLs own RZR .20g BBs. Moving it up to slightly heavier .25g RZRs the range was extremely consistent too, sending the BBs right to the extent of the 30m range with a dead-flat trajectory. After running a couple of full mags through the AEGs, on semi I was able to achieve a 50mm grouping at that distance and switching up to full-auto delivered a stream of BBs straight to target. The ROMEO series all come with a totally unique polymer HiCap of NUPROL’s own design which feeds happily and unerringly. I also tried magazines I own already, Hi and MidCap, from the likes of E&L, LCT, CYMA, MAG and STAR and everything worked just splendidly throughout testing. Ross told me that new MidCap “NK-Mags” of the same design would be arriving shortly. So with the new ROMEO range launched I asked Ross what we could expect to see next: “The new ROMEO range is not actually a new direction at all but the direction we always wanted to go! But in business you must make sure you have all your bases covered before branching out into “crazier” plans. “All I can say about this range of AKs is that if they do as well in the market as I am hoping then we will of course be continuing and expanding the ROMEO range! We have already started work on some new ideas and it’s looking like it’s going to be a great 2019. “Of course, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on our everexpanding successful Raven pistol range which we are also putting a lot of time into too!” I’ve come away from my first proper look at the NUPROL ROMEO series feeling massively impressed and I can’t help also feeling insanely proud of what my friends, a great British company, have achieved here. I’m also proud to have been involved with this project to the degree I have been and as the years roll inexorably on and I start to feel my days as an active airsofter becoming more limited, this is a moment I will personally cherish. Are the ROMEOs what I hoped to see from NUPROL? Yes, they are, and more! If I still lived in the USA this is pretty much exactly what I would build for myself in 7.62x39mm, right down to the neat little sling plate under the buffer tube! Their models feature superb high-strength and high-quality parts that have been to the very best effect and the net result, in my mind, is a stunning, up-to-the-minute AK. I believe that the ROMEO (the BRAVO NOMAD for me!) will be another roaring success for NUPROL and I sincerely hope that you’ll love them as much as I do. In the words of my favourite AK meme, “Nyet! This isn’t the 40s any more Grandpa!” For more information on the entire ROMEO series of AEGs please visit www.nuprol.com

armoury NUPROL ROMEO SERIES

ROMEO NOMAD BRAVO

M RO EO RE N CO AL PH A www.airsoft-action.online

armoury NUPROLMARUI TOKYO ROMEO G19 SERIES

ALL THE BEST THINGS... COME IN SMALL PACKAGES IT HAS LONG BEEN ACCEPTED THAT TOKYO MARUI MAKE SOME OF THE BEST AIRSOFT PISTOLS AROUND, SO WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED A NEW ADDITION PHIL BUCKNALL COULDN’T WAIT TO CHECK IT OUT. TOKYO MARUI HAVE LONG BEEN HELD IN HIGH REGARD when it comes to their range of GBB pistols and rightly so. In the last few years they have really upped their game and introduced quite a few new guns to the range and reissued some old favourites with new features, like the M9 with an adjustable hop unit which it didn’t have in its previous incarnation. The newer guns seem to be even better in build quality and the materials used certainly appear to be more durable, which my own personal experience certainly supports. With all this though, there has always been one handgun that I, as well as many others, have felt was missing from their range and that is the Glock G19. We’ve had to wait several years and see the ubiquitous grey mock up rolled out on occasion but no more! However, the wait is finally over; the G19 is here and the big question is - was it worth the wait? I can answer that one right away - YES! It has most definitely been worth the wait! TM have hit the nail squarely on the head with this little beauty.

FROM THE BEGINNING

not in your face and has a picture of the gun, along with specs for the real G19 printed on it. Inside the gun is held in place in a polystyrene cut out which is covered with a cardboard panel and there’s a little box with the muzzle plug, plus a small bag of BBs and an adaptor for the magazine so that you can dry fire it without the slide locking back (never really understood why these were put in to be honest). Held under the poly insert on the inside of the box lid is the instruction manual, an exploded diagram and a couple of targets for a little bit of target practice. Picking the gun up, it feels nice and weighty in the hand and certainly heavier than my G17 felt but that could be due to the

So let’s start at the beginning shall we? it comes in a really nice box, which is only packaging but I “IT FEELS NICE AND WEIGHTY IN THE HAND AND CERTAINLY HEAVIER think Marui have THAN MY G17 FELT BUT THAT COULD BE DUE TO THE SLIGHTLY gotten pretty classy with their designs SMALLER SIZE OF THE G19, MAKING EVERYTHING FEEL HEAVIER. over the last few WHILST I LOVE MY TM G17, IT FEELS MUCH MORE TOY-LIKE WHEN releases and the G19 COMPARED TO THE G19.” is no exception. It’s

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armoury NUPROL TOKYO ROMEO MARUI SERIES G19

slightly smaller size of the G19, making everything feel heavier. Whilst I love my TM G17, it feels much more toy-like when compared to the G19. The finish on the G19 is also different with the slide having a matt, slightly rough to the touch finish and it certainly doesn’t look like it is made of plastic. The frame is very similar though but being the G17’s smaller cousin, it is obviously shorter in the railed section - still large enough for a torch and there’s a really nice micro APL torch that is designed just for the G19. The pistol grip is shorter too, so those of you with larger hands might find it a little awkward to grip properly compared to its full-sized big brother. This could be remedied with some of the magazine extensions that are available and that is exactly what I did with my WE G19 project from last month’s issue. I think I’m going to leave this one completely standard, however. Like the G17, the G19 is based on the third generation of the Glock family, not the Gen 4 as copied by WE with their G-series. Personally, I don’t have an issue with it not being a later, or the latest generation of the real-world pistol, as it is still perfectly comfortable to hold and shoot. The magazine release is smaller than the Gen4 version but again, this is something that I prefer as it minimises the risk of an accidental knock dropping your magazine to the floor.

AESTHETICS

Continuing with the aesthetics, TM have replicated the Glock logos on the frame and slide, outer barrel and magazine and there are proof marks on the chamber of the outer barrel as well. The only concession to it being an airsoft replica is the “Made in Japan” and “ASGK” markings on the right side of the frame. Sitting atop the slide there are decent iron sights with a white dot painted on the back of the foresight and a white “U” making the rear sight easier to acquire in low light or for snap shooting. So far so good. The fit of the slide to the frame is exactly as it needs to be, with a very small amount of play but no noticeable wobbles and if we look at the parts inside the slide, they are again well-engineered and all fit together perfectly. It’s nice to see that

Marui have also used their new hop adjustment feature, where the wheel is situated inside the chamber on the left, so you don’t have to take the slide off to make hop adjustments. It’s a small thing and saves only a few seconds but it reduces the hassle factor. That’s not to say it’s perfect, as it can be a little difficult to reach if you have big fingers. However, once I’d had to tweak it a couple of times I’d figured out where the best position to hold the slide back was, so I could access the wheel better. To add hop you turn the wheel counterclockwise and there’s enough movement in it to hop 0.3g BBs and, once set, it is tight enough to resist movement when fired. The BBs sailed straight and true to at least 70ft before they started to drop and even then the drop was minimal, so hitting a torso-sized target at even 80ft should be easy enough excluding any adverse weather interfering, obviously. For general pistol engagement ranges or indoor CQB games, range is definitely not going to be a problem. If you are at all familiar with any of the airsoft Glocks, then you’ll know how the trigger feels. It isn’t the most positive out there but the pull and reset is fine and perfectly acceptable. Doing “double-taps”, or even sustained rapid-fire, is easy and it was only during a mag-dump that it stuttered a little due to excessive cool-down. Cocking the gun is easy and the recoil spring isn’t that strong, as you’d expect on a Marui pistol made for sub-one joule Japanese regulations. I am sure there will be an abundance of aftermarket parts available soon and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the majority of internal parts already out there for the G17 would fit, excluding barrels and slide kits. Even with the lower power put out by the G19, the blowback is crisp and gives the palm of your hand a satisfying thump when fired. This is thanks to the newer 15mm blow back engine that Marui have been using of late. Whilst the gun is predominately of a plastic construction, I have found over the years that they are more than capable of handling propane or green gas and in the winter that’s what I tend to use, switching to 144a when the temperature climbs into double figures again.

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armoury

armoury TOKYO MARUI G19

NUPROL ROMEO SERIES

TESTING

Whilst testing the G19 I filled two mags - one with propane and the other with Abbey 144a, which is the recommended gas according to Marui, based on their home market. Both mags were at room temperature when gassed up, as was the gas (approx. 20 degrees C). There was slightly more kick from the propane load (as one might reasonably expect) but both mags fed all 22 BBs and locked the gun back when empty.

“THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE KICK FROM THE PROPANE LOAD (AS ONE MIGHT REASONABLY EXPECT) BUT BOTH MAGS FED ALL 22 BBS AND LOCKED THE GUN BACK WHEN EMPTY.” There were no half-hearted shots towards the end of the BBs, which I have experienced with some other gaspowered guns and even with a lower gas capacity (when compared to the G17), they easily hold enough for one full mag - after which I would suggest it would be prudent to re-gas to avoid any embarrassing misfires or, even worse, the dreaded “Deadman’s click”! If you have a Marui G17 already then you can use the mags in the G19 but they don’t fit flush with the bottom of the grip and you have to be careful to not over insert it in the gun too. Sadly, my personal chronograph is playing up at the moment so I cannot give fps figures I’m afraid but as already briefly mentioned, it has to comply with sub-one joule Japanese laws and I have yet to field a TM pistol that has gone above 310fps on average on 144a, even in the summer. I would not expect the G19 to be an exception to this. Overall, this gun is as close to perfect as this humble airsofter could hope for. I’ve had so many GBB pistols over the years and several WE G19 but I’ve always wanted Marui to make one, hoping it would be good. For me it fits my hand better than other pistols, even those with removable backstraps like my M&Ps. I have literally spent most of my free time since getting this G19 playing around with it. It has been quite a while since a

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pistol has got me so excited but Marui have managed it with this latest release and I am more than happy to give it a solid 10/10! I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve ever said that about any gun and I imagine it could well be a while before I say it again but the Marui G19 is the best pistol on the market at the moment … well, unless you like 1911 or some other type of course but that’s a whole other story for another time! AA

0.20g

0.25g

3000pcs per bottle | 6mm | Precision Airsoft BB | www.hornettactical.com www.patrolstore.com/hornettactical

ACTION AIR DUTCH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2018

DUTCH OPEN 2018 NIGE HEADS OVER TO HOLLAND, WHERE HE REPORTS FROM THE 2018 DUTCH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, AN EVENT THAT ATTRACTS ACTION AIR SHOOTERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. TWO YEARS AGO, I had the pleasure of driving across to Holland in the company of RedWolf Airsoft’s Danny Yau, to cover the inaugural NABV Dutch Open which was being held at the superb location of “Papendal”, a training centre for elite athletes not far from Arnhem. Danny was one of the 120-odd shooters that took part in the event, which everyone agreed was a resounding success. Due to other commitments, I couldn’t make the 2017 event but

the country. Following a large number of meetings with interested parties and Government officials, airsoft was legalised for “training and sports purposes” throughout Holland on 13th January 2013. However, it was stipulated that all participants had to join the NABV, for which a fee would be charged. In other words, if you want to play airsoft in Holland, you have to pay a fee to the NABV in order to do so – and it is those fees that have been ploughed back into the sport and have funded the acquisition of the “HOLLAND HAS A (GOVERNMENT-RECOGNISED) NATIONAL AIRSOFT CENTRE! building that now houses the FOR A COUNTRY IN WHICH AIRSOFT WAS BANNED UP UNTIL AS RECENTLY National Airsoft Centre. The same fees also help to fund numerous AS 2013, THAT IS ONE HECK OF AN ACHIEVEMENT AND JUST SHOWS WHAT events, including their Action Air CAN BE DONE WHEN EVERYONE PULLS IN THE SAME DIRECTION UNDER ONE Open Championships. And so it was that I found BANNER, IN THIS CASE THE NABV.” myself standing outside a large warehouse of a building on an industrial estate in the town of was delighted to accept an invitation to this year’s, at the NABV Geldermalsen, wishing we could have something similar in the National Airsoft Centre. UK… Just digest those few words for a moment… “NABV National …but before I get into the match itself, it might be worth a Airsoft Centre”. Yup, Holland has a (Government-recognised) quick re-cap on what this “action air” thing is all about, for readers National Airsoft Centre! For a country in which airsoft was banned who have joined us more recently and might be wondering why up until as recently as 2013, that is one heck of an achievement nearly 200 shooters would want to spend a weekend shooting at and just shows what can be done when everyone pulls in the targets that don’t shoot back! same direction under one banner, in this case the NABV. Taking it right back to its roots, where cowboys travelled The NABV (“Nederlandse Airsoft Belangenvereniging”, which around the USA showing off their shooting prowess and taking translates to “Netherlands Airsoft Interest Association”) was formed on all challengers against static targets, “Action Air” is a branch of to fight the airsoft ban in Holland, as well as to promote both the shooting recognised by the IPSC (International Practical Shooting interests of those who took part and airsoft in general throughout Confederation) that uses exactly the same rule-set as its real-steel 20

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ACTION AIR DUTCH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2018

“THE OTHER THING THAT STOOD OUT FOR ME, WAS THE SCOPE AND VARIETY OF THE STAGES. CLEARLY, THESE WEREN’T STAGES THAT HAD BEEN PUT TOGETHER “ON THE BACK OF A FAG PACKET”, THEY HAD BEEN DESIGNED BY SHOOTERS WHO KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING.” counterpart. To quote from a previous article, “Action Air is all about moving through a stage (called a “Course of Fire”), shooting at a variety of different targets as you go. Most targets are static but many more are mobile in one form or another, some even trigger other targets into view, while others must not be shot. All in all, you really need your wits about you as you have to get round the course as quickly as you can, while hitting every target. “There is also a fundamental difference when compared to “normal” airsoft… the number of rules you have to follow. From the size and type of gun used, to how many rounds can be in a magazine, to whereabouts on your body a pistol can be holstered, everything is laid down in black and white so there can be no misunderstanding and when it comes to safety, well let’s just say that a practical duck’s bum probably isn’t any tighter!”

THE MATCH

From my experience of other Action Air championships, I was aware that nearly 200 shooters going through 24 stages in two days would be a big challenge and I have to say right up front, that the NABV were more than up to it and ran an excellent Championship from start to finish. I arrived at the venue at 7:30 in the morning to discover the majority of shooters were already there, double-checking their kit, doing some last-minute testing of guns and soaking up the atmosphere as final preparations were completed. Then, following a concise and straight-forward briefing, it wasn’t long before the sound of plastic hitting targets started to reverberate around the building. As I walked around the venue it was great to see so many

familiar faces and experience the warm welcome I have always received from Action Air shooters, many of whom I have seen at tournaments over the last six years of covering Practical Shooting for Airsoft Action. It was also superb to meet loads of shooters I hadn’t seen at matches before, particularly young shooters, all of whom were putting as much effort into winning as their older and more experienced peers. The other thing that stood out for me, was the scope and variety of the stages. Clearly, these weren’t stages that had been put together “on the back of a fag packet”, they had been designed by shooters who knew what they were doing. Some were short, some long; some were complicated and required lots of movement, while others had shooters standing still, climbing ramps or kneeling. One even had them sitting at a table holding a hand of cards, whilst yet another had them carrying “The Practical Shooting Duck” around the stage – and yes, the duck even has its own Facebook page, I kid you not! With 12 stages to get through each day, the NABV crew worked tirelessly to ensure everything was done to make sure things ran smoothly. Of course, with that number of shooters there is always bound to be the odd request for validation of a Range Officer’s decision, or to calibrate a target that didn’t go down but these were all dealt with in an efficient and timely manner, with minimum disruption. By six o’clock on Saturday the first twelve stages had been completed and shooters started to wind down in preparation for the evening’s raffle and BBQ, or head back to their hotels to sleep, ready to do it all again on Sunday. One of the things I really like about Action Air, is that you simply do not know who is going to win until the last shot has been fired. Unlike in many other sports, where you can be so far www.airsoft-action.online

ACTION AIR DUTCH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2018

taken a break this year so as not to clash with the World Shoot) and if the Dutch Open was anything to go by, it is going to be a very, very good event. I’ll finish by saying congratulations to all the winners and a huge thank you to everyone at the NABV, especially Luuk, Gerard, Guy and Bart, who put an enormous amount of time and effort into making the Dutch Open the success it is. Plus to all the Range Officers and Scorers who did a superb job in making sure the event ran smoothly and to time. Finally, a massive thanks to the shooters themselves, many of whom had travelled hundreds (and some, thousands) of miles to take part and for the spirit of competition, friendship and integrity they brought with them. It was a pleasure to be there and I look forwards to seeing you again soon. AA

THE RESULTS

ahead your competitors simply cannot catch you (such as Lewis Hamilton in this year’s F1 Championship), in practical shooting you could make a mistake with your very last shot, on the very last stage and lose the lot through disqualification. The relief as you hear the words “Range clear!” as you finish the last stage of a tournament is almost palpable and as the last few stages got underway on Sunday afternoon, shooters could be seen relaxing and chatting through their various challenges, wins and “cock-ups”.

“THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT TOURNAMENT, WELL RUN, WELL-ATTENDED AND WELL-SHOT. IT BODES WELL FOR THE FUTURE OF ACTION AIR THAT THE 188 SHOOTERS THAT ENTERED WERE FROM A TOTAL OF 13 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, AS FAR APART AS BRAZIL, THE PHILIPPINES AND HONG KONG, AS WELL AS FROM ALL OVER EUROPE.” With the final shots fired, it was time for the winners to be announced and trophies presented. Unfortunately I had been told of a massive tail-back on the road to Dunkirk and, with thoughts of missing my return ferry crossing, had to leave before the presentations began. I have it on good authority though, that the usual banter was in abundance and, although I have not had it confirmed, am pretty sure cries of “WPPC!” were probably heard echoing round the venue… As I said at the start, this was an excellent tournament, well run, well-attended and well-shot. It bodes well for the future of Action Air that the 188 shooters that entered were from a total of 13 different countries, as far apart as Brazil, the Philippines and Hong Kong, as well as from all over Europe. 2019 will see the return of the Airsoft Surgeon European Championship (having 22

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Open Divison 1st: Wang Ho Chan – Hong Kong 2nd: Hiu Chun Lo – Hong Kong 3rd: Matt Wyborn – GB

Super Senior Open Division 1st: Jon Cull – GB 2nd: Fred Jansen – Netherlands 3rd: Norman Humphries – GB

Standard Divison 1st: Yin Tai Yenty Lee – Hong Kong 2nd: Cheuk Hin Lam – Hong Kong 3rd: Paul Wyborn – GB

Ladies Standard Division 1st: King Yan Suen – Hong Kong 2nd: Jasmien De Krem – Belgium 3rd: Eluned Pritchard – GB

Production Divison 1st: Chun Keung Ng – Hong Kong 2nd: King Sze Ip – Hong Kong 3rd: Ping Ki Norman Hung – Hong Kong

Junior Standard Division 1st: Paul Wyborn – GB 2nd: Maciej Wicek – Poland 3rd: Sasha Mikhailov – GB

Classic Division 1st: Rafal Tomanek – Poland 2nd: Andy Williams – GB 3rd: Javier Honrubia – Spain

Senior Standard Division 1st: Marco Van Der Meulen – Netherlands 2nd: Harry Ter Borg – Netherlands 3rd: Kervyn Orinx – Belgium

Ladies Open Division 1st: Dionne Reugebrink – Netherlands 2nd: Marianne Gundayao – GB 3rd: Jolanda Wigger – Netherlands

Super Senior Standard Division 1st: David Landeweer – Netherlands 2nd: Marcel Smeers – Belgium 3rd: Guy De Backer – Belgium

Senior Open Division 1st: Nils Nothnagel – Germany 2nd: Chi Hong Ho – Netherlands 3rd: Tim Wyborn – GB

Senior Production Division 1st: Ping Ki Norman Hung – Hong Kong 2nd: Hans Wigger – Netherlands 3rd: Theo Van Betuw – Netherlands

ACTION AIR DUTCH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2018

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FEATURE SIX OF THE BEST

SIX OF THE BEST IT’S A PERENNIAL QUESTION THAT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ANSWER BUT WE THOUGHT WE’D GIVE IT A GO BY ASKING THREE AIRSOFT ACTION CONTRIBUTORS THEIR THOUGHTS ON “WHAT IS THE BEST AIRSOFT GUN?” IF YOU ASKED ONE HUNDRED AIRSOFTERS “What is the best airsoft gun?”, my guess is that you’d end up with one hundred different answers – and with the huge choice and variety of replicas available today, that is not surprising. However, it is still a question that we are asked on a regular basis, both here at the magazine and when our contributors are out and about around the country. Let’s face it, every airsoft replica out there is designed to do just one thing and that’s to fire a 6mm plastic bb as straight and far as possible. However, it is not necessarily what it does that is uppermost in player’s minds when they buy their first/next gun, it is how well it does it, what it looks like and (very importantly) how it makes the player feel. Does it shoot straight? Does it have a good rate of fire? Does it fit with my style of play? What will my mates say about it (or me for buying it)? Will it match my loadout? A plethora of questions that effects their buying decision but above all of them sits the biggest… “Is this the best airsoft gun (that I can get for my money)?” Which brings me smartly back to the original question: “What is the best airsoft gun?” Never being scared to take the bull by the horns, we decided to pose the same question to three of “The AA Contributor Team” - but to keep it (kind of) scientific, by breaking it down into three, distinctive types and giving them free reign to choose their “Six of the Best” in each category. So, over the next few pages, Femme Fatale, Phil Bucknall and Bill Thomas share their personal choice of “Six of the Best” SMGs, M4s and AKs. Some of their choices might surprise you, some might be obvious, some you will agree with and some not but all are based on actual hands-on experience gained over many years of playing, reviewing and owning a multitude of guns. Without further ado then, over to “Three of the Best” to write about their “Six of the Best”…

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feature SIX OF THE BEST

AVTOMAT KALASHNIKOVA LET’S FACE IT, IF YOU’RE GOING TO BUY AN AIRSOFT CARBINE OR RIFLE, IT WILL PROBABLY BE AN AR/M4 REPLICA. HOWEVER, BILL LOOKS TO A FAMILY OF FIREARMS THAT RIGHTLY BEARS THE DESCRIPTION “ICONIC” - AND THAT’S THE KALASHNIKOV IN ALL ITS WONDROUS FORMS! “ICONIC” IS A VERY BIG WORD, oft overused to describe an airsoft replica - and perhaps even I do so too glibly. When it comes to one single weapon there is absolutely no doubt though, that someone with even the most fleeting interest in firearms will immediately recognise the distinctive angular, some might even say “agricultural” outline of the Avtomat Kalashnikova, or simply, the “AK”. Wherever you look, for the right or the wrong reasons, you will see the AK on news reports and the front page of daily newspapers. From Vietnam in the 1960s to the Middle East of the current day, the AK will be the weapon of choice for many. And that’s not just the “bad guys”, as the AK will quite often be the weapon issued in theatre to private military contractors or “PMCs”. Modern AKs can happily use existing 5.45 AK30, 5.45 AK45 and 5.45AK Drum magazines, although the old 7.62x39 cartridge still has its fans. As Scott said recently in his review of the latest DYTAC model, AKs are also popular with modern users and the new styles of accessory offered by the likes of Zenitco are really bringing the old campaigner bang up to date! If, like me, you follow the work of people like Jim Fuller from Rifle Dynamics, AKs are no longer the “poor relation” of the AR but thoroughly modern firearms that can stand up proudly against every other platform out there. As well as the Russian Federation, AK variants have also been used by the armed forces of Afghanistan, Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan and if you look across the entire Kalashnikov “family tree”, that list becomes significantly longer which, in my mind, makes it one of the most versatile airsoft replicas out there. I’ve always been a fan of the AK and these days, as a dedicated OPFOR player, I have to say that it’s most definitely my platform of choice. I’ve picked my “Six of the Best” based on airsoft AKs that I actually own myself and have played with extensively. The choice of airsoft replica AKs has never been better than now and although not featured here, honourable mentions should go to the likes of G&G, ICS, GHK, Classic Army and of course, NUPROL, given the very newest models you’ll see featured in my main review this month.

KWA AK74M RECOIL

The AK74M is in current “real world use” by the Russian Federation, so if you’re planning a “modern Russian” loadout then this could be the one for you. Although there have been numerous “electronic blowback” rifles and carbines on the

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market, true “felt recoil” was never really achieved plus, due to the mechanical nature of the blowback systems involved, they would often end up stripping pistons due to their “drag back” nature. KWA though, probably best known for their gas offerings, offer their “Kinetic Feedback System”, which is housed inside the buffer tube of the rifle. Simply put, each time you pull the trigger the gearbox spring engages the Kinetic Feedback System inside the buffer tube, simulating recoil; the KWA does not feature a moving fake bolt, springs or mechanical connections as such, which bodes well for the longevity of the system. With an 11.1 on board this thing just ROCKS! The chrono gives an incredibly consistent reading of a touch under 350fps, which means this appears to be site ready right out of the box. I’d usually look at rate of fire too but the fact of the matter is that when it comes to the AK74M you just plain don’t care, as firing it on semi-auto will bring a smile to the face of even the most jaded airsofter. The trigger is crisp and positive with just a tiny amount of creep (which is soon mastered), and the thump in the shoulder you experience with every shot fired more than makes up for such a tiny deficiency. Is this a good replica for airsoft players? No, it’s actually a SUPERB replica, especially for MilSim players who want every ounce of realism they can get. You get first rate build quality, parts and performance, plus the added extra of the recoil function. The AK74M already has all the parts that most players would add on after they bought the basic rifle, so if you want to channel your inner “OPFOR” then this could be a great addition to your armoury.

feature SIX OF THE BEST

Love them or hate them Tokyo Marui (TM) are still a name to be reckoned with in the airsoft market and woe betide any manufacturer that doesn’t keep a careful eye on what they’re doing. Although TM are notoriously bad at speaking to airsofters outside their native Japan, many players love them for good reason. Somehow they imbue their AEGs with a little “unicorn dust”, performing stupendously out of the box even if the power level seems low.

TOKYO MARUI AK102 RECOIL

EBB system. There is a completely new design Version 8 gearbox which gives strength and durability, as well as performance whilst being compatible with previous gearbox parts. Even though this new metal gearbox design has been “beefed up”, it really is a completely new design and may need some getting used to when accessing or modifying the internals if you’re used to existing TM models. I don’t know exactly what refinements TM have made to the 102 but the system does deliver a stronger recoil than their “AK74”

As I’ve come to expect with the newer TM AEGs, the finish of the parts - and in particular the metal body - is absolutely impeccable and by this I mean totally faultless. Build quality, even in the “plastic fantastic” days, was always a positive when it came to TMs and the 102 shows that this is still something that they hold dear. Internally, TM AEGs are superlative and the parts used are absolutely first rate. The “recoil engine” has now been around for a little while and uses an EG Hyper 1000S motor plus a new

and, indeed, other EBBs I’ve had in the past. Is it up to the par of a GBBR? Probably not, although with each “generation” TM seem to coax just a little more from their internals. Featuring an up-to-the-minute design, a great feel, absolutely first-rate parts and build-quality, and excellent performance out of the box this is an absolutely cracking bit of kit and if you’re in the market for something other than a “Recoil M4”, then I’d really suggest you take a good long look at this super little AK from Tokyo Marui!

WE AKS74UN GBBR

As a lover of gas blowback AKs, especially for MilSim use, WE have got it spot on with their “UN”! In terms of the numbers, a real 74U weighs in at 2.71kg unloaded whilst the replica is 2.65kg. The real length is 735mm/490 mm with the stock folded and the replica is spot on at 735mm/500mm! The replica is made of good quality metal throughout with only the pistol grip and the furniture being of black plastic; once again 100% accurate to the most recently manufactured 74Us in the real world. In terms of operation the replica mimics the real deal completely, so if you’re buying this as a MilSim tool then it’s again spot on. In action the UN is a right cracker - quite literally that is! Tested through my Xcortech chrono, the UN comes in with a very consistent and site-usable 342fps, which once again shows that WE have gone to great lengths to ensure that the models they hold in stock are UK compliant. If you order a UN from overseas though (can’t see why you would now stock is held by NUPROL in the UK) do ensure that the power is within safe and acceptable site limits, as some web retailers are quoting their stock at 400fps+! In terms of accuracy, like the longer “PMC”, the little UN is superb, especially given the shorter inner barrel. The main thing I love most about the AK74UN though, is how distinctive it sounds. On single shot it goes off with a goodly “crack” but on full-auto it has that unusual “Kalash Clack”; somehow the rate of fire is slower than that of the WE M4 so the two replicas sound completely different. If different sides were using gas M4s and gas AKs in a MilSim scenario, I kid you not when I say that you could actually distinguish one for another, which would just add to the immersion of a scenario! At the end of the day I like the UN in every way possible! It’s a stunning replica, true in size and weight. It’s incredibly well put together and operates very well indeed. Although personally I won’t make use of it, it does come with the rail for the correct AK sight mount pre-fitted on the left-hand side of the receiver, which is just a nice added bonus. This is a lot of gun for your money!

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feature SIX OF THE BEST

CYMA 040 AK TACTICAL

When it comes to AEGs for those of you who are on a tight budget, one of the indicators for a good bet to me is when you see something that’s commonly used as a “Hire Gun” on sites. These have to be well priced as a site operator needs to keep a good number in stock for new players, they have to be reliable and easy to work on as they take a right battering and they have to be darn tough! One model that I’ve seen over the years as the “AK Option” has been the AK from CYMA.

construction and internals that are renowned for their reliability. In terms of performance I wasn’t expecting great shakes straight from the box but I was actually pleasantly surprised when I got onto the range. Word has it that the new CYMA AK models are being shipped from China at 400fps+ on a .20g which, of course, for the UK in terms of site use and legality, is way too much. Luckily the model I received had been downgraded to 1.04 Joule/335fps and I was pleased that this remained pretty constant through the chrono. Most UK retailers will now ensure that what

Although they’re pretty quiet, CYMA are one of the biggest manufacturers of RIFs and airsoft products in the world. Based in China, there are actually two separate CYMA factories, with one making “budget” guns and the other making more expensive and advanced models. You really don’t hear a lot direct from CYMA themselves about new models and new advances, instead they leave their products to speak for themselves and their “040” series AKs most certainly do that. The little “Tactical AK” has all the usual benefits of other CYMA models including steel and aluminium

you buy is fully, legally compliant but do watch out for this if for some reason you decide to order from overseas. This is a rifle that costs less than £200, so I really can’t be unkind about it. What you’re getting is a great bit of kit that looks utterly superb, feels so solid that you could use it to hammer nails and is perfectly adequate in terms of performance. If, like me, you’re in need of a “modern AK” then the new CYMA models are most definitely worth a look and are freely available from most good airsoft stockists.

LCT AKMS

For those not yet conversant with LCT, the Taiwan-based Company have been designing and manufacturing high-quality airsoft products for over many years, including 1:1 scale, Mil-Spec replica products for both the airsoft skirmisher and law enforcement/ military training. LCT’s long-standing tradition of craftsmanship and innovation is met with a commitment to deliver superior performance and ultimate reliability. LCT offer products that are not only cost effective but also reliable in performance and solid in build quality. The AKMS features the same high-quality external build expected of LCT products, utilising 9mm bearings, a 22,000rpm motor, a brass, chrome-plated cylinder and both the cylinder and piston heads are CNC Aluminium Alloy. The wiring throughout is high quality 18AWG, which will give good, reliable long-term performance. Overall the features are excellent as it comes with a full steel receiver and barrel assembly, beautifully achieved wooden fore-end, correctly coloured pistol grip and a rock-solid folding stock. Enhanced by high quality externals, scrupulously achieved internals and extreme attention to detail, the AKMS is a strong, reliable rifle for those that love the AK platform and want a viable 30

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“MilSim” alternative to gas for the depth of winter. My AKMS chronos perfectly for the UK market at a mean of 1.09 Joule/343fps using .20g BBs. If you like your classic Russian gear, are a regular OPFOR player, or just want something different, then the LCT AKMS could be the right RIF for you. It has all the benefits of a full-stocked variant with the added versatility of the under-folding stock, along with all the benefits of a top-quality AEG so you really can’t go wrong with this one!

feature SIX OF THE BEST

E&L AKM PLATINUM

E&L are a Chinese company that have quite quietly been making inroads to the UK market with their fabulous looking AK variants. E&L replica AKMs are 100% full steel and real wood; not only do E&L have “real steel” plant metalwork, they also have a complete woodworking shop where the wood parts and scrupulously finished to the highest standard by a carpenter’s hand. The wood

resistance silver cord. Everything just oozes quality. This AKM feels like it has, quite literally, just come out of the Tula factory and it arrives very lightly oiled so you even get “that factory smell”. E&L go as far as supplying a green plastic oil bottle as part of the deal, which indicates to me that the externals will need to be kept maintained to avoid surface rusting. Unlike many of the “modern” models that E&L make, the AKM comes without a side optics rail but the slightly oversized, faux-“bakelite” pistol grip

parts are first boiled in oil to dehydrate them and then subjected to seven different processes before final staining and a hand polish … and I’m going to say it: the wood parts are probably better finished than you’d find on a real AK! E&Ls are beautifully honed externally and inside things are equally precise - but this is where the latest “Gen II Platinum” version takes things to a different level! If you look at a “Platinum” E&L AK what you’ll find is CNC steel gears and 9mm bearings, a one-piece CNC steel cylinder, a super wear-resistant POM piston with silent piston head, super tensile piston and tappet plate and a high-torque motor, plus the wiring throughout is high quality, low

and superlative wood furniture totally make up for that. Out-of-the-box performance is right up there and you won’t be disappointed when you get an E&L on the range. With a 7.4V LiPo snugly in place under the dust cover and using .20g RZR BBs, the test AKM delivered a massively consistent chrono reading of 1.0 Joule/329.6fps - which is absolutely perfect and spot on legally for the UK. I can only recommend it to you. So there we have it, my Six of the Best AKs. There are plenty of others out there but if you are in the market for one of these iconic rifles, then you could do a lot worse than checking out the six I have mentioned here.

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feature SIX OF THE BEST

M4 - MORE THAN JUST A BOOMSTICK!

IF YOU DON’T RUN WITH AN AK, THE CHANCES ARE YOU PROBABLY HAVE AN M4 HANGING OFF YOUR RIG. PHIL BUCKNALL EXTOLS THE VIRTUES OF THIS UBIQUITOUS RIFLE, AS HE BRINGS US HIS “SIX OF THE BEST”. THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT “What am the bestest gnu?” amongst the various contributors for Airsoft Action over the last few months and it is possibly the single most contentious issue in airsoft today. On a par with the Apple Vs Samsung (other phones are available of course!) debate that rages daily on Facebook, the internet and in person. For me it has always been the M16/M4/Armalite platform that I go back to, or find myself buying multiples of when I’m choosing airsoft guns. My very first proper AEG was the (then brand-new) Marui M4A1, with its plastic receivers and an FPS around the 280-290 mark. It was flexy, creaked and the NiCad batteries it ran on needed changing as frequently as the magazines but I loved that gun! The ergonomics were spot on; the feel of it in the hand as it was light but not too light; the look of it and finally, how it performed. I must’ve put in excess of 100k BBs through that little gun before it finally died on me. Everything about them just worked for me. I am the definition of a dyed in the wool AR/M4 fanboy and proud! That’s not to say I haven’t tried others - even the odd AK - and I feel I wouldn’t be quite so evangelical about the M4 in airsoft had I not experienced the other RIFs first hand. But whatever I used it never felt as good, or as natural to me as the M4 did and so I always found myself returning to the comfort of my old friend. At the peak of my addiction I had in excess of 10 different ARs in various configurations and was always planning my next build. Now I am down to a respectable number but have at least three planned builds in my head for projects. I can appreciate that there is a certain hate on the M4 and the groans of masses of airosfters is easily audible when a new M4 is announced along with the shout of “Not again! Why another M4?” but there are a number of reasons that they are so common in airsoft and why every airsoft gun manufacturer has at least one M4 in their line up… versatility, recognisability and sale-ability being just three. Love it or hate it you simply cannot deny that there is a veritable Aladdin’s cave of accessories, bolt ons, internal upgrades, scopes, receivers and rail systems for your RIF if you run an M4. Yes, the Version 2 gearbox may not be the best or the strongest design for an AEG to use but it is a capable one that can be made to do pretty much anything your heart desires with a few choice upgrades. Externally you can bankrupt yourself several times over in the available choices, from dirt cheap, to ultra-high-end real steel Gucci accessories. Let’s not also forget that some of the appeal, especially for the younger gamer generation, comes from their familiarity with the M4 and its nemesis - the AK series of rifles. It’s a gun that people want to own to emulate their favourite characters in games and

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feature SIX OF THE BEST

also in films or tv series too. Don’t believe me? check out how many HK416s you see at your next game. Given all that it was actually a lot harder to pick my top six for this article and it has changed a few times whilst I’ve been planning it out but all of those listed are ones I have personally owned or used. I’ve also tried to look at several price points and both AEG and GBBR too to make it balanced. So without further ado and in no particular order, here are my top six airsoft M4s…

TOKYO MARUI MWS CQBR

I’d always wanted a Tokyo Marui GBBR M4, so when they finally released one I was over the moon. Having had pretty much all the other GBBR M4 rifles on the market though, I didn’t dive straight in with the first release but once I’d seen a few users post their initial

NUPROL DELTA PIONEER DEFENDER CARBINE

The NUPROL range of guns hadn’t really been on my radar up until recently, especially their lower-priced budget guns but then my son started playing and he wanted a lighter gun (he couldn’t carry my ERGs as they are too heavy for him). For his first game he borrowed a friend’s Defender - and he loved it! I have to say I was pretty impressed too. When you pick it up it is LIGHT, really light and while the finish is done to a lower budget, what’s there is well done. The receivers, rail, stock, flash hider, pistol grip and stock are all plastic, not a high-end Dupont polymer like PTS use but still a pretty durable plastic and the internals are all NUPROL as you’d expect. However, for a shade under £130 you get a more than competent gun that’s perfect for first-time players. After several thousand rounds through it, it is still shooting as well as the first day it was fielded.

PTS CENTURION ARMS C4-10

I’m not going to lie, this is my favourite gun at the moment. It uses the same gearbox and recoil system as the KWA ERG, so it’ll cut out when the mag is empty

thoughts, I took the plunge and ordered one. I wish I had done it sooner. The MWS is without doubt, hands down, the best GBBR rifle at that price point money can buy. It’s a strong statement to lead with but this gun is perfect for UK conditions, as they are pretty much always UK-legal FPS-wise due to strict Japanese regulations. They are put together with the high standards for which Tokyo Marui are renowned and the finish is perfect! Not many airsoft guns come with Cerakoted receivers as standard and even less in the sub-£1k bracket. It shoots with amazing accuracy, doesn’t vent everywhere (even in short full auto bursts) and they will lock back after emptying a magazine. Spare and aftermarket parts are plentiful and you can pretty much replicate any real world M4 you like with the MWS. This one was an absolute no-brainer for inclusion in my list!

(if you use the specific ERG mags) and feed every last BB too - and all of that is squeezed into a really sleek, licensed Centurion Arms billet receiver, along with a beautiful C4 free float rail and topped off with the excellent PTS enhanced polymer range of stock, pistol grip, magazine, ambidextrous fire selectors and BUIS. It is a solid, weighty gun that just feels great in the shoulder and the controls are all readily accessible, making it a real joy to use.

The recoil system and all that goes with it is what I really, really love about this gun and the fact it kicks harder and is both easier to work on, as well as cheaper to buy, means it is the recoil platform of choice for me.

G&P M4A1 RIS

G&P are a well-established AEG manufacturer and have a reputation for producing great products at good prices. Their range of AR pattern guns is simply astounding, they are always well put together and finished often with good trades, along with sometimes being models that are just impossible to find anywhere else. I used to build a lot of AEGs from scratch and I always started with a G&P 8mm bearing gearbox and a G&P receiver set as the heart of any build because they were really good and reliable. When I was asked to recommend a gun to new players I always

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feature SIX OF THE BEST

suggested they should start with a G&P M4A1 RIS. It wasn’t expensive but their 14.5” M4 was just bang on the money. It had zero creaks; utilised a tough old gearbox; had decent trademarks; came with the 7” KAC RIS unit and vertical fore grip and even some decent RIS cover panels. What made it really stand out though, was that it was full metal in its construction and, back

KWA KM4 CQB

This is the gun I reviewed a few months back for the magazine and I was so impressed I very nearly bought it! I wasn’t the only one and it turns out my fellow contributor, Tom, felt the same and did actually buy one – and that in itself should say something about the quality of this RIF! Its price point sits it firmly in the middle of the pile, being slightly more than a true budget gun and quite a bit below a real high-end one, such as a recoil or GBBR perhaps. So how did such an unassuming gun grab my attention? Well, simply put, it is very good at what it does. The build quality is spot on and the metal receivers are of a high quality and finished very well too. All the accessories are just that little bit better than cheaper guns but there is scope to improve as and when. The internals are upgraded with the latest KWA Version 2 gearbox and I believe an enhanced motor too. What I loved the most was the fact it was a blank canvas and I’d urge anyone who buys one to just run it as it comes at least for a while, as there’s something really refreshing about playing with a plain Jane vanilla M4 with no bells and whistles on it. It shoots really well with a good rate of fire and the FPS is UK site-friendly too. The only con for this was the hop rubber wasn’t the best at the UK-safe lower FPS levels but switching it is a matter of a few minutes work and you will have a great gun that will give you years of service.

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in the day that was brilliant, especially for less than $300! It was only when the ERG platform was released that I finally parted ways with my last G&P M4 and apart from the odd hop rubber change, it never had anything done to it in the whole 4 years I owned it. The fact I still recommend G&P M4 variants all these years later to people speaks volumes about their quality and durability.

VFC HK416D

Before I switched over to recoil guns I’d owned a few different non-recoil HK416s as they are a really stunning replica of a game-changing real steel firearm and, for me, the pinnacle of these was the VFC version. It wasn’t a cheap gun and over the years they have continually upgraded and updated their offering to the latest A5 version. You could have the 416 in any colour as long as it was black and it came with the HK chunky buttstock, which I preferred over the SOCOMstyle stock and the thin stock wasn’t really an option unless you forked out for a real one from HK direct. The externals on the VFC 416 didn’t just raise the bar but took the bar and chucked it into the stratosphere! They were really well put together with a great finish and the quality of all of the parts was just perfect; even down to the gas piston parts, which in the old rail were barely visible. The gun had a good weight to it with full RIS on all four sides of the hand guard but it wasn’t overly heavy. I absolutely loved the steeper angle of the pistol grip and that’s something I have replicated on every single M4 RIF I’ve owned since then. The gearboxes were pretty good and had self-shimming gears which seemed to work pretty well and I never had a problem with the internals apart from a slight issue with the wiring. For the money they should’ve gone with a decent flexible silicon covered wire and not the really stiff wires the used, as there was always a worry they’d either snap or the connector would pop off. Apart from that,

feature SIX OF THE BEST

once they were dialled in it was literally just a case of power and BBs and you were set for the day. I really miss not having a 416 in my collection anymore. For a spell I had a Tokyo Marui next gen 416 but sold it to buy more ERGs. Now I’m hoping KWA will answer my prayers and drop an ERG 416 onto the market.

HONOURABLE MENTION: PTS MASADA AEG

Whilst not strictly an M4, I cannot do a round-up of my top six without at least mentioning the Masada. It is based loosely on the platform, whilst bringing several upgrades to like ambidextrous fire selectors, ambidextrous bolt release and a swappable charging handle to name a few. The airsoft version made by PTS

All in all, it represented a significant investment but was just about able to work in any given scenario and worked every time I took it out of the box. I never had a single issue with it and that is worth its weight in gold to me. When the AKM lower was released it added another dimension to it, even though I didn’t get that particular part myself I know from others it was just as good as the rest of the parts. I loved my Masadas - yeah, I had three at one point and I am looking forward very optimistically to PTS releasing the oft spoken about ERG version so I can join the Masada club again. So there we go! After many revisions and even adding an extra one I’m finally done…I think!

(when they had a collaboration with Magpul) is just a work of art and so modular it was astounding. You could have the standard in a variety of colours, including the ever-popular FDE and the number of accessories is mind boggling. I had an FDE one with long and short outer barrels (which you swapped in the same way as the real gun), the thin and standard hand guard, the RIS hand guard, the full stock and the folding stock and the single point sling attachment.

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feature SIX OF THE BEST

WANNA PLAY CQB? GET AN SMG!

KELLY “FEMME FATALE” HARDWICK HAS PLAYED ON CQB SITES IN BOTH THE UK AND ABROAD, SO KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT WHAT GUNS TO USE. THIS IS HER “SIX OF THE BEST”. THE SUBMACHINE GUN OR, AS IT’S more commonly referred to, the “SMG” is a class of weapon that is a magazine-fed, automatic carbine designed to fire pistol caliber ammo, such as 45mm/9mm. The term “submachine gun” was coined by a man called John Thompson, who was the inventor of the Thompson submachine gun, which many of you will know because it became a popular icon in gangster films and pop culture references due to its popularity in America during the prohibition period. Submachine guns were developed during World War I and increased in popularity during World War II, when millions of SMGs were made. They became so popular because they were a more compact, lightweight version of rifles and could use the same caliber of ammo that soldiers were already carrying for their pistols. By the 1980s, SMG usage amongst the armed forces decreased and this trend has continued to today, where submachine guns have been widely replaced by assault rifles which have a greater range and are more capable of penetrating the helmets and body armour used by modern infantry. Submachine guns, however, are still used by some military special

forces and police SWAT teams for close quarter battle (CQB) work because they are “a pistol-caliber weapon that’s easy to control and less likely to over-penetrate the target.”, which is important when working in tight spaces with thin walls. Our own AFO Police (Authorised Firearms Officers) in the UK, depending on what force they belong to, still use SMGs, such as the Metropolitan Police who carry the MP5SFA3. Over the last 5-10 years because of their prevalence in modern culture, such as films and in particular video games, the production of and use of SMGs in airsoft has sky-rocketed! I doubt you could go to a CQB (indoor) field in the UK and NOT see an SMG class airsoft gun because they’re such a small, compact, lightweight and easily upgradable weapon to use that can be even more effective than a full-size assault rifle. In this piece I’ll be going through six of my favourite airsoft SMG class weapons - the G&G Armament ARP9, the ASG Scoprion EVO 3A1, the Krytac KRISS Vector, the Umarex MP5 GBB, the Umarex Navy HK MP7 GBB and the ASG MP9 GBB.

G&G ARMAMENT ARP9 AEG

For my battery I use a NUPROL 11.1v 1200mAh LiPo, using a .20g bb, the ARP9 chrono’d in at around 310FPS, which means that straight out of the box it is UK site ready, even for sites that run a lower limit. The hop-up is easy to adjust and when set right the groupings are pretty good. For such a compact little gun, the range is great and I had no issues using it in an urban environment (where the engagement distances are typically a little further than what you would expect in CQB). One thing I really like about the ARP9 is just how compact it is! With a maximum length of 580mm when the stock is extended and weighing in at just 2.3kg, it is a weapon that screams “CQB!” Even without the crown amplifier it is a loud little gun and sounds very aggressive. Its mag release reminds me of the AK platform mag release and it is easy to use and reload. I like that fact the mags are the 9mm style and the extra length helps with reloading for sure.

The G&G ARP9 is a PDW style AEG airsoft SMG gun that features a high-quality polymer billet style receiver, a crown amplifier and metal M-LOK rail system. Internally it has a Version 2 gearbox, the G&G electric Trigger Unit and a preinstalled mosfet. It has a rotary style hop up dial that makes changing the hop up quick and easy, just in case you need a little tweak during a game. It also has a semiauto and full-auto fire function with a really snappy fire selector. The

straight, speed style trigger is also pretty snappy too.

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Accessories Hi-cap magazine 70 Rd mid-cap magazine 1,500 Rd drum mag

Pros Lightweight ETU Mosfet Site ready FPS MLOK rail system

Cons Original stock has little battery space Requires 11.1 LiPo battery due to Mosfet

feature SIX OF THE BEST

ASG SCORPION EVO 3A1 AEG The ASG Scorpion EVO 3A1 AEG is a licensed replica of the CZ Scorpion EVO. It has a branded, reinforced polymer body, it also has a metal flash hider, dust cover and charging handle. It comes standard with a 3-point, adjustable side-folding stock, the branded pistol grip is sturdy, smooth and ergonomic for comfort and the gun also features four 20mm rails for accessories. The Evo 3 is built from fiber-reinforced polymer, the same material as its real steel counterpart, making it as tough and lightweight. The gearbox has been designed with an electronic control unit, which offers benefits to the end user including increased battery and motor efficiency and a crisp trigger response and this is all down to the reduced amount of mechanical and electronic parts. As standard the Evo as comes with a 6.03mm precision inner barrel. Out of the box my Evo was shooting 380 FPS on the standard spring but a quick change to a M95 spring and the FPS was brought down to around 312 FPS on a 0.20g BB. It has an ambidextrous fire selector with four positions: Safe, Semi, 3 Round Burst and Full Auto. The Evo has been designed to mimic the real steel version of this gun, so it stops firing when the magazine is empty and requires activation of the bolt catch after a fresh mag has been inserted, just like its counterpart. Looking at what battery to use - it can run on both a 7.4 or 11.1 LiPo and last all day, however, you will get better performance from an 11.1 LiPo.

Accessories Magazine clips Hi-Cap magazine Branded mag pouches Branded gun case Many, many more!

Pros Full trades Lightweight Durable Folding stock Great range and performance out of the box

Cons Not too much space in battery compartment Mid-caps only available in 3s

KRYTAC KRISS VECTOR AEG

The Krytac KRISS Vector AEG is the licensed airsoft version of THE KRISS Vector and like its counterpart it has a polymer body (that has all the KRISS markings that you would expect to see on the real steel version), a full length metal top rail and a reinforced polymer stock with a metal sling point underneath. One really cool aspect of the stock is that it folds and locks into place, so you can use the vector in its compact form. It has a metal rail on front which can be swapped to either side via the pins. The bolt release is entirely cosmetic but the functioning bolt opens the hop up chamber, rotary style hop up. It has Semi, Two Round Burst and Full Auto firing modes on an ambidextrous selector and an ambidextrous safety switch â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the safety switch prevents the trigger being pulled and also disconnects the battery and releases the spring to take the stress off the internals when on Safe. As for internals: the metal plate on the bottom near the pistol grip reveals the spring guide for a quick-change spring. It has a polymer piston of which the first 5 teeth are metal. It also features a polymer cylinder head, an aluminium mech box, 8mm steel bushings, a similar motor to the motor found in the Krytac trident series and an electronic control system that is powered by microswitches - two of which handle the fire selection, one for the trigger and one for the cut off leverage system. On 0.2g BBs with an 11.1v 1100 mAh battery, the Vector was running at 330 FPS. The range on the Vector out of the box is

phenomenal, the trigger response is snappy, the hopup is easy to adjust and the two round burst is awesome. Accessories Extended mag release 95 Rd mid-cap magazine

Pros Aesthetics Lightweight Licensed branding Excellent range out of the box Safety disconnects battery and releases spring

Cons Mag release can be tricky Sling point in an awkward location Magazines only available in sets of 3

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UMAREX VFC MP5 GBB

UMAREX VFC HK MP7 NAVY GBB

The Umarex VFC MP5 GBB is the licensed production model by VFC that has all the design aspects and markings that you would expect to see on the real version. The hand grip and stock are identical replicas to its real steel counterpart which gives the weapon an unparalleled realistic feel. The main body of the MP5 and the magazine are both made from metal but the lower receiver and grip are made from a durable polymer.

The MP7 Navy gas blowback SMG is an accurate one-to-one scale replica of the H&K MP7 and the airsoft gas blow back replica offers realistic recoil, a functional ambidextrous charging handle and release buttons for both the bolt and the magazine. In the box it comes with low-profile flip-up sights up, a 4-position adjustable stock in the back and, unlike the MP5, this model has plenty of rail space towards the front of the rifle for

This GBB replica just screams CQB - measuring in at 76cm with the stock extended and just 66cm with the stock retracted. It is super-compact and perfect for tight CQB work. It weighs around 3kg which makes it almost the same weight and size as a fully loaded real Umarex MP5. I really like the suppressed look and the extra texturing on the grip, the only way I think this could be improved is to have a rail system for accessories but it is a lot of fun to shoot. It uses 30-round real cap magazines which have a very steep double stack to make jams unlikely. On a 0.20g BB and using NUPROL red gas, this replica shoots at 440FPS out of the box which is a little hot for our CQB fields but a spring downgrade quickly takes it below 350 FPS. The range is great and it really packs a punch in CQB.

accessories. It is made from a lightweight and durable polymer with metal parts such as the top rail, charging handle, side rails and fire selector. Out of the box it comes with side rails for accessories and also a front grip. On 0.20g BBs and NUPROL red gas the MP7 chronoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d in at 347 FPS - JUST on the limit. The 40 Rd magazine fed well in temperatures over 10 degrees but did have a little difficulty in lower temperatures and I found that prewarming the magazines by putting them in my pockets helped.

Accessories 30 Rd magazine Fits a lot of MP5 accessories

Pros Full trade markings Lightweight Compact Fun to shoot

Accessories 40 Rd magazine

Cons Requires a spring change No rail for accessories

Pros Lightweight Compact Really fun to shoot Realistic recoil

Cons Eats gas Mags somtimes vent in cold weather

ASG MP9 GBB

The ASG MP9 GBB is a lightweight and compact GBB SMG that has an impressive ROF for such a tiny gun.

as a side rail for torches and lasers. The stock of the gun folds, which allows players to make it even more compact and turn the weapon from a compact submachine gun to the size of a large pistol, making it great for CQB environments where maneuverability is of the utmost importance. It has sling loop points on the rear and stock of the gun as well. On a 0.20g BB out of the box this shoots 280FPS with NUPROL red gas. A spring upgrade will take the weapon to around 310FPS which is well worth getting! Accessories 50 Rd magazine

Out of the box It features an integrated front vertical grip for extra control and the grip of the weapon is textured for extra hold. The weapon also features a top rail with integrated sights, as well

Pros Lightweight Compact High rate of fire Integrated accessories

Cons Low FPS out of the box (280FPS) Weather-dependent

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site EQUALAIRSOFT AIRSOFT EQUAL

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL ANGELO DV HEADS OUT TO A NEW SITE IN CHESTER AND DISCOVERS A SITE WHERE EQUALITY RULES. time taking in the vibe overall. In addition to the prefab ready area, A COUPLE OF MONTHS ago I heard that a new airsoft host, called Equal Airsoft had their own little stall with all sorts of goodies on Equal Airsoft, were having their inaugural game at The Outpost sale. Also present was Terry Arnett from the Pilgrim Bandits charity in Chester at the start of November. It is always good to see new hosts coming up through the ranks and with this in mind (another big plus) and there was a site shop set up by Bomb Up Airsoft. Rich got kitted up ready for the first game and it was on to I contacted Kayleigh, who is part of the team with her partner the safety brief. Adam, to see what they were all about. The safety brief was delivered by one of the Outpost Airsoft’s After chatting with Kayleigh it was very clear that what marshals, which made total sense as he worked there all the time they wanted was to create events that everyone would feel welcome at, especially if they hadn’t played before. This also applied to the younger generation and, very importantly, people who may have mental health issues “THE ENTIRE DAY WAS ONE OF FUN. RIGHT FROM (more on this later). I will say at this point that I totally ARRIVING ON-SITE TO THE TIME WE LEFT IT WAS got why they wanted to do this - and I liked it. Having arranged all the details, myself and Rich from Team FIST BUMPS, HUGS AND LAUGHS ALL ROUND.” Rhino decided to get down the M56/M53 to see how the event unfolded. and would be aware of any potential dangers on the site. However, for me, the safety brief was a little too brief and a bit incoherent GAME DAY at times. My advice would be if you are going to run an event Game day was the 4th of November, when Rich came to pick me with both new players and others in mind, the safety brief should up and we were off. After about an hour and a half we arrived have been a bit more in depth. With that completed it was time at The Outpost in chester which was clearly signposted from the for Kayleigh’s partner Adam to address the masses. He was clearly road. As we started to drive down the track we were both quite very humbled by the sheer number of players that had turned up. surprised at the amount of vehicles already parked there, it was His address was very warm and welcoming and with the emphasis going to be busy. On arrival a marshal directed us to the car park being on everyone having a good time. next to the safe zone (which was a nice touch) and we started to introduce ourselves. Right from our first meeting with Kayleigh, Adam and the rest GAME ON of the crew you could sense the warm welcome, you could hear It’s very obvious as soon as you arrive that the site has been used that players already there were having fun …and more and more for paintball for a good while, as the playing area was very much players kept turning up until there were well over 100 players on set up for that. That said, today it was an airsoft site and who site. Outstanding!! would argue that! Nothing seemed too much trouble for anyone at that same The first game was a very simple attack and defend scenario, atmosphere continued throughout the day; friendly, warm and with it being reversed after a set time. The action seemed plenty of smiles. very frenetic with everyone getting stuck and smoke going off We decided that Rich would play the entire day and report everywhere. Post-game everyone returned to the safe zone to back and I would play just a couple of games, so I could spend bomb up and get refreshed ready for the next round. I asked Rich 46

JANUARY 2019

site EQUAL AIRSOFT

what he thought and he said he enjoyed it and all the players seemed to be enjoying too, with little or no disagreements (which is rare). With that in mind, I decided to play the next game as I had the TM Mod M to test (and I really wanted to join in the fun). It was another attack and defend style scenario (with myself and Rich being put on opposite teams), not for the first time. There was then a break for lunch and everyone queued for food they had pre-ordered so they could build up their energy for the afternoon’s play and even the sun came out! After the queue had died down Rich went to get us a couple of hotdogs as we were getting really hungry. Now I know that Equal Airsoft had no involvement in the on-site catering but £3.00 For a single hotdog in a little roll was too much! I will repeat this was on-site catering and the prices were not in the control of Equal Airsoft. It might be worth considering taking your own food for lunchtime if you too feel the prices are too high. Lunch over, it was time to crack on with the afternoon game play. The first game after lunch appeared to be another attack and defend style scenario but there may have been a bomb involved, although I’m not totally sure. To be fair, all the games seemed to be of this style of scenario. My advice would be that the games need to be more varied as a lot of players attend certain sites and events simply because of the varied game play. However, looking at the day overall this is a minor thing that is easily fixed. At the close of play a raffle was drawn with various donated prizes ranging from pistols to all manner of consumable items. They even had a prize for the “Best Young Player of the Day”, voted for by the crew (i liked that a lot), along with a prize for the “Biggest Derp”, which just added to the fantastic atmosphere that was present all day. Before we left I had a chance to sit down with Kayleigh and Adam for a brief chat to dig a little deeper into the ethos of equal airsoft. The conversation we had was very open and honest, with Kayleigh and Adam coming across as extremely caring and warm individuals, with was felt throughout the day. They were both very open about mental health issues and the absolute fact that this day was 100% about equality. No one would be have been alienated in any way, shape or form at this event. It was arranged for everyone, no peer pressure, bullying or any other form of unfriendliness had a place. As I previously mentioned, the entire day was one of fun. Right from arriving on-site to the time we left it was fist bumps, hugs and laughs all round. Finally, on a personal note, I would first like to thank Kayleigh

and Adam for inviting me and the very warm welcome they gave us, which was extended to every single person that came on the day - without exception. Guys, for a fledgling event you and your team did a fantastic job. Very well done!!

www.airsoft-action.online

GEAR WINTER GEAR

GEARING UP FOR WINTER

HEADING TO A GAME IN THE DEPTHS OF WINTER CAN BE A DAUNTING PROSPECT BUT WITH THE RIGHT PREPARATION AND THE RIGHT KIT, YOU CAN BE “GETTING YOUR GAME” ON WHATEVER “MA NATURE” MAY THROW AT YOU, AS BILL EXPLAINS…

JANUARY 2019

GEAR WINTER GEAR

I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I’M A REAL LOVER of the winter months and I mean this both in relation to airsoft and winter sports! One of my other passions outside airsoft is snowboarding, so to be in the high mountains on a bitterly cold, clear snowy day is pure heaven to me! I do get quite jealous when airsoft friends around the world start sending me pictures of their winter adventures… my “Viking” mate Bjorn from Klockar Airsoft is one of the worst offenders as he seems to revel in deep snow but others from the USA and Canada are just as bad! When you’re in a country where snow falls and just keeps on falling once winter sets in, you know you’re going to have to make changes to the gear you use. There’s a huge difference between being in the snow, though and being at an airsoft game in the UK when the wind is howling and wet, driven sleet is being blasted into your face! At any game you need to be out (and stay out) in all weathers and nipping into a warm and handy slope-side restaurant for a “vin chaud” is most definitely not going to happen! This is magnified if you’re taking part in a MilSim event, or playing at a weekender, as not only do you need to go out and play but you also need to factor in your overnight admin.

be either “hard” or “soft” shell. Hard shells are normally fully waterproof with taped seams but many tend to be noisy due to the face fabrics used. Soft shells may or may not have taped seams and whilst they are sometimes not fully waterproof, they will be highly water resistant. They also tend to be made of softer, quieter fabrics. By understanding what you are buying (and why), the choice becomes straightforward. What you are aiming to do is create a set of gear that will actively work together. The base layer draws moisture away from the skin and lets it transport through the insulating mid layer. The shell layer allows moisture inside the system to escape whilst keeping wind, rain, sleet and snow out. By juggling with these layers you can be comfortable in any climatic situation.

NEXT LEVEL SHIZZLE

I have spoken in detail about clothing before and often concentrated on the all-important “shell” layer. I’m certain that most of you reading this will already own base layers and fleeces so I won’t dwell on these but instead look to what I term “The Next Level”, which goes beyond “THERE’S A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING IN THE SNOW, gear that you’ll wear for one THOUGH AND BEING AT AN AIRSOFT GAME IN THE UK WHEN day to what you’ll need in the THE WIND IS HOWLING AND WET, DRIVEN SLEET IS BEING winter for multi-day games. Let’s look at some fundamentals BLASTED INTO YOUR FACE!” first. These may seem obvious but it’s a simple way to look at things and prepare adequately. First up, of course, it what you can wear to deal with inclement conditions and how you can combine clothing layers into an effective system, as getting the right clothing setup can mean the difference between a long, hard day’s play and an early trip home. Setting yourself up with a system which will allow you to hit the field year round is actually not as difficult, or expensive, as you might think but what do I mean by a “system”? Simply put, a clothing “system” is a selection of garments that will work as standalone pieces in their own right but can be combined effectively to give you a set of gear that works all year round. I know I’ve said this before but a “system” will normally consist of: •

•

Base Layer – Your base layers are the items of clothing that are worn directly next to the skin. They come in different weights and thicknesses of fabric for summer and winter use, although a midweight set will work for different seasons. The fabric properties will be mainly to do with moisture management as they will actively “wick” moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable. Mid Layer – The mid layer is all about levels of insulation, allowing you to regulate your body core temperature. Mid layers can be fleece or “lofted” insulation; it’s best to avoid down jackets and vests in the UK as we’re often dealing with wet cold rather than dry “snow” cold. If down gets wet it stays wet and actually draws heat from your body trying to dry itself, so it’s better to look at synthetic fills. Shell Layer – Exactly as it sounds; your shell layer forms the outer barrier against the elements. This layer will be of a waterproof and windproof fabric and these days may

Use gear that’s right for winter camping: You’ll need a sturdy tent, a warm sleeping bag, a suitable sleeping mat and a stove with pots suitable for cold temperatures. Don’t forget a head torch! Making camp in the winter: Pick a spot that’s sheltered from the wind and free of overhead danger (snow-laden tree branches can be a literal killer!), then prep your tent site by ensuring you’ve cleared it of sharp rocks that could pierce the waterproof base of your tent. Stay hydrated and take on lots of calories: Proper nutrition and hydration will help you stay warm. Make hot, nutritious breakfasts and dinners and enjoy quick snacks and lunches. Be sure to hydrate throughout the day. Pack warm clothing: Midweight base layers, fleece pants, a lofted jacket/smock, and well-proofed waterproof jacket and pants are standard. Don’t forget accessories like thermal gloves, warm socks, a hat and a neck gaiter. Prevent cold injuries: Frostbite and hypothermia are legitimate concerns while winter camping. Learn how to avoid them! www.airsoft-action.online

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GEAR WINTER GEAR

The first thing that springs to my mind when I’m planning a winter setup is how I’m going to carry everything I need and that means finding a solid yet comfortable “gear lugger”. Normally, for a multi-day game or event, I’ll look to something in the 35-40L capacity range but for the winter months (by necessity) this needs to go up to something iro 60-70L, so that I can carry extra food, water, a bigger sleeping bag and mat, a bivvy bag and half a tent. My personal choice is the Tasmanian Tiger MKIII RAID. This is their flagship “gear lugger” and it’s a classic military backpack with their V2 plus carrying system. It extends the application range and flexibility with a removable hip belt and the greater adjustability of the back length. The RAID has now been superseded by the excellent PATHFINDER which, with a maximum capacity of 80L, is a real beast! This is a fully-fledged combat backpack for several days in the field, with a large, variable volume compression flap on the front. The MOLLE system on the sides can even be used to attach additional pockets if you need even more space! Whilst the “buddy system” works very well for summer games, both in the fight and out, it really comes to the fore in the winter as the larger loads needed can be more easily split between two. The tent here is the prime example, as this will provide better shelter for you and your buddy than a simple bivvy, although keeping a bivvy bag each will cover off any emergencies. For the winter you’ll want to look at a “Four Season” sleeping bag. One investment I made many moons ago was a Special Forces Sleeping Bag System from Snugpak. The complete system gives you the Special Forces 1 Bag for use in above freezing temperatures and the Special Forces 2 Bag for use in temperatures right down to -10°C. Then, when you’re in extreme conditions, you place the Special Forces 2 Bag inside the Special Forces 1 Bag and join them together with the extra zip baffle, so you’re protected in conditions right down to -20°C. Ingenious!

is key but even with that, regular use will bring any tent to its effective life-end. To this end I’ve invested in a Snugpak Scorpion 3. Weighing in at 3,400g, the Scorpion 3 is a three-person base camp and expedition tent when a semi-permanent camp is required. The Scorpion design is a “fly-first” pitch that allows quick and easy setup using an opposing pole design, protecting you all year round from severe weather conditions. A tried and tested favourite of mountaineers, climbers and adventurers, the Scorpion 3 has an impressive floor space, measuring 2.25m long and 1.75m wide, as well as 1.1m of headspace, creating ample room for three people in a top-toe sleeping arrangement, or enough space for two people and all their gear! There is also a spacious front porch for storing equipment and cooking in really bad weather. As it comes in simple olive green the Scorpion 3 is a fully waterproof and windproof design that’s ideal for airsoft weekenders during the winter months. I have to say that I’m liking the Tasmanian Tiger pack a lot - more and more in fact as I use it in earnest. Now that winter is here I’m looking forward to getting it loaded and getting out there again! I’ve also used Snugpak here as they really are a brand that I know and trust. Much of the gear I have from them is now knocking on but is still performing splendidly. Looking at their ever-expanding range, there will quite literally be something that will get you sorted year-round and, as always, I’ll say buy wisely and buy once and use the winter months fully to your advantage! You can check out the full range and download catalogues by visiting www.snugpak.com and www.tasmanian-tiger.co.uk

To protect myself from the cold ground and to prevent losing heat by pure conduction, I place underneath the sleeping bag a Snugpak Antarctic mat. In freezing weather self-inflating, rubber-based mats often crack when rolled and valves can freeze, rendering them useless. The Antarctic mat uses only sleeping bag insulation to prevent heat loss, so there’s no need to worry about anything cracking or freezing. This mat still only weighs in at just 560g but the streamlined shape makes it highly packable while continuing to provide the comfort you need. Over the top of both of these I place a Snugpak Special Forces Bivvy Bag which provides an extra barrier to moisture whilst helping to retain warmth. Even if you’re carrying a tent between two you still need to make sure you’re not overloading, so you want something that’s solid enough to withstand high winds, yet light and small enough in pack size to be manageable. I’ve recently retired the tent I’ve used for years as UV in the mountains has sadly taken its toll on the fabric, resulting in brittleness and ripping. Good maintenance

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feature IS AIRSOFT A SPORT?

IS AIRSOFT A SPORT? NEVER ONE TO SHY AWAY FROM A DIFFICULT QUESTION, FRENCHIE RESPONDS TO ONE THAT IS OFTEN ASKED ABOUT AIRSOFT… IS IT A SPORT?

“IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE FOR A DEFINITION OF SPORT, YOU WILL FIND SOMETHING LIKE THIS: “AN ACTIVITY INVOLVING PHYSICAL EXERTION AND SKILL IN WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM COMPETES AGAINST ANOTHER OR OTHERS FOR ENTERTAINMENT”.” HERE’S A QUESTION that gets asked a lot in airsofting circles – is airsoft a sport? The answer rather depends on who you ask. The Council of Europe defines a sport as: “…all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels”, so by that definition the answer seems to be probably “yes”. However, airsoft is not recognised as a sport by any of the UK’s sports bodies, such as Sport England, nor is it likely to be, so the answer there would appear to be “no”. Only it’s not that simple. If you search online for a definition of sport, you will find something like this: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment”. Physical exertion? Check (well, for some players). Skill? Check. Competition? Check. Entertainment? Check. So strictly speaking, it is a sport and no one should have an issue with it being referred to as such. Where you start to hit problems is when you want to get official; maybe you wanted to get funding to support your team, having decided that you are really a club, or as a site you want to avail yourself of some of the rate rebates that are available to sports clubs. However, at this point things get sticky. Along with many other sports, airsoft is not recognised by Sport England (this applies equally to all the national sports bodies, I’m going to use England as shorthand). That doesn’t mean that they hate us, or they hate the fact that we use gun-shaped-objects, rather it is a fact that they don’t recognise lots of sports as sports. Clear? I thought not. It’s a matter of recognition. I’m going to quote directly from their recognition policy, brace yourselves… 1. Definition of Recognition 1. Recognition is a process shared by all five Sports Councils (UK Sport, Sport Scotland, Sport England, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland) which:

JANUARY 2019

a) Determines the National Governing Bodies (NGB) responsible for governing the sporting activities that the Sports Councils are willing to consider supporting and working with. b) Acknowledges the status of the NGB as a private organisation which governs a particular sport through the common consent of the sport itself. 2. Recognition status does not mean that the Sports Councils have approved the internal structures of the organisation or take any responsibility for its operations. 3. Recognition does not in itself confer additional rights or authority or endorsement by the Sports Councils. It is not the role of the Sports Councils to establish or appoint NGBs or to regulate them. A sports body’s membership of an International Federation does not automatically mean that the body will become recognised as an NGB by the Sports Councils. 4. Recognition status does not necessarily mean an NGB is eligible to receive Sports Council funding. Conversely, funding of a sports body by a Sports Council does not necessarily mean the sports body is eligible to become recognised as an NGB. 5. The Recognition Review process checks to see that and NGB or NGBs continue to meet the recognition criteria. Phew! Thank God that’s been cleared up then! So, in short, none of the Sports bodies will recognise a sport that doesn’t have a National Governing Body, something that airsoft lacks completely. However, even if it did have an NGB, there is no guarantee that airsoft would be recognised, nor that it would be eligible for funding of any kind of it were. Fantastic! By and large, this really doesn’t matter but it will be an issue if you try to use airsoft’s status as a “sport” to obtain funding, as I’ve mentioned already. I have some experience of this and it’s an interesting and frustrating experience. A good example of this is the CASC (Community Amateur Sport Club) scheme.

“D

T SPO

feature IS AIRSOFT A SPORT?

CASC is an HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) initiative and getting registered under the scheme has certain advantages in terms of being eligible for rate reductions. If you run a woodland site, that generally isn’t so much of an issue but if you run games in buildings rates can be a substantial part of your overheads. In theory, CASC registered clubs are entitled to 80% rate rebate with the remaining 20% being discretionary depending on the local authority involved. In practical terms, with public finances stretched to breaking point, don’t expect to see the 20% being waived. So it’s worth it? On paper, yes but in practice …maybe not. The reason for that is that is very difficult to convince HMRC that you are a genuine Sports Club. They will look to Sport England to see if you are recognised, which you’re not and that will kill you dead in the water. OK… so get cute – maybe you could also run a shooting venue? Good thinking …so which governing body do you affiliate to? Sorry, that’s a trick question, I’m not aware of any that will recognise airsoft as a shooting sport. Damn!

“DOES IT REALLY MATTER? HONESTLY, I DON’T THINK THAT IT DOES. THERE ARE BENEFITS THAT THEORETICALLY BEFALL A RECOGNISED SPORT, BUT THEY ARE LARGELY UNNECESSARY TO AIRSOFT AS IT IS CURRENTLY CONSTITUTED.” What if we ran an airgun range to gain recognition that way? That might work but you are going to have to meet all the requirements of your chosen governing body as well as satisfying HMRC and that is going to take a lot of work: constitutions, committees, open-access policies which means your property has to be accessible… It is a whole lot of work and ongoing work at that. It is easy for the administrators of the CASC scheme to simply say “no”, or send you away to sort out some detail or other.

Personally I never got there. I had a full-time day job working in airsoft, weekends spent running games and there simply weren’t enough hours in the day. Being recognised as a sport isn’t necessarily the “be all and end all”. It must also be recognised that the chances of airsoft suddenly acquiring an NGB are, frankly zero. UKARA came out of an existential threat to the sport and it has very limited aims, a subject I have covered before. It is hard to see why we would want an NGB or what benefits it would bring to airsoft as the majority of us play it. It would be neater I suppose, but when the greatest argument you can think of is effectively housekeeping, then you have to accept that maybe it’s not a necessity. It is more important I think for players sites and suppliers to be organised separately and an NGB, if necessary, could grow from that (a nod here to Tim Wyborn who always had this model in mind for the original Association of British Airsoft back in the dark VCRA days). But lo! Does it really matter? Honestly, I don’t think that it does. There are benefits that theoretically befall a recognised sport, but they are largely unnecessary to airsoft as it is currently constituted. Skirmishing especially is a collection of independent enterprises, all trying to run decent sites and make money doing so. Speedsoft and the Practical Shooting disciplines offer an opportunity for genuine competition for those who crave that. There might be benefits in terms of insurance, both personal cover for players and for sites, but the insurance industry seems to have incorporated airsoft without too much difficulty as it currently stands. I suppose it might confer an element of legitimacy but haters gonna hate, regardless of NGBs. By any reasonable definition airsoft, in all it’s forms, is a sport – recognition doesn’t really offer it very much unless there was uniform competition throughout the world, international competitions were held and the UK was so epic that we would win everything. Then, maybe, someone might give us some money. Possibly, perhaps... For myself I’m happy to say, “yes, it is a sport” and leave it there. Players will play, organisers will organise and, hopefully, everyone will continue to have a great time doing so for many years to come. AA

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feature WALKING WATERLOO

WALKING WATERLOO THUNDERING HOOVES, THE STAMP OF MARCHING FEET AND THE POUNDING OF DRUMS! HAD TOM HIBBERD TURNED UP OVER 200 YEARS AGO THIS IS WHAT HE WOULD HAVE HEARD ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF THE WATERLOO CAMPAIGN! I TURNED 40 A WHILE BACK AND DECIDED to give myself a present, having long been a fan of the Sharpe novels written by Bernard Cornwell, I decided I wanted to visit some of the locations that are written about in the books. This led to me checking out the website of “The Cultural Experience” and choosing a four day walking tour of the Waterloo battlefields.

marching the length of France, he and his rapidly reassembling army reoccupied Paris and Napoleon once again was declared Emperor. Upon hearing the news, the old allies declared war on Napoleon. Britain, Holland, Prussia, Spain and Russia all vowed to raise armies of 200,000 men and converge on Paris; ridding themselves of Napoleon once and for all! Realising that time was his enemy “REALISING THAT TIME WAS HIS ENEMY NAPOLEON SET OFF TO FRUSTRATE THE Napoleon set off to frustrate the allies’ ALLIES’ PLANS. IF HE WAITED IN PARIS HE WOULD BE CRUSHED. HIS ONLY REAL plans. If he waited HOPE OF VICTORY WAS TO TAKE ON HIS ENEMY’S ARMIES INDIVIDUALLY, FORCING in Paris he would THE OTHERS TO LOSE HOPE AND SUE FOR PEACE.” be crushed. His only real hope of victory was to take on his Being of a somewhat nervous disposition, the idea of heading enemy’s armies individually, forcing the others to lose hope and off with 16 strangers for four days was quite intimidating. My sue for peace. The French veterans marched to war once again, nerves were greatly soothed when the glossy tour handout arrived crossing the river Sambre at Charleroi and heading for Brussels. The in the post, complete with all the instructions and beautiful allies, partying at the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball, learnt very late detailed maps. Our trip left from St. Pancras International via in the day of Napoleon’s intentions and scrambled to react. Eurostar. Here I met the group, our Tour Manager, Gael and our guide for the weekend Retired Major General Ashley Truluck. Our tour started in the Grand-Place, in the centre of Brussels, an Having never used the Channel Tunnel before this was an amazing 13th century square surrounded by guildhalls and stunning adventure in itself. After what seemed like a very short time (and architecture, where you could imagine strolling allied officers a light breakfast) we arrived in Brussels for a tour of some of the resplendent in their uniforms. After a light lunch we headed up historic areas and buildings that would have played a part in June to Royal Palace, where the Duke of Wellington held his meetings 1815. It quickly became apparent that our time in Belgium would and forged a fragile alliance to see off Napoleon. We also saw be spent in the rough chronological order that the battles took. the Duke’s residence. Unfortunately the location of the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball where Wellington learned of Napoleon’s advance is now under the Brussels ring road! FRIDAY - EUROSTAR, BRUSSELS & Leaving Brussels in our executive coach we followed the WATERLOO TOWN march of the British reserve down to the small town of Waterloo. After being exiled to Elba, Napoleon quickly became bored with Here we visited Wellington’s Head Quarters (though only used the small island and decided to make one last bid for power. After after the battle), which is now a dedicated museum. Although 54

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feature WALKING WATERLOO

small, this holds a fantastic collection of artefacts and weapons and is well worth a visit. There are moving tributes to the loss of life and quality of medical care (or lack of), as well as personal recollections of the battle. Just across the road is the Parish church, which is filled with memorials to the dead. This is a moving, sombre reminder that war is not glorious but results in death and loss. From the HQ we took a short walk to the hotel where we would be staying for our time in Belgium. This was a delightful four star in the heart of Waterloo and a great place to unwind after a long day of traveling.

SATURDAY - QUATRE BRAS & LIGNY

Napoleon’s army advances up the Charleroi - Brussels roads. It splits into two wings. The Left Wing under Marshal New will capture the crossroads at Quatre Bras and if possible, push onto Brussels. The Right Wing with Napoleon will fight the Prussians who have fortified the village of Ligny and are offering battle. At the end of a hard day’s fighting the Prussians are defeated, though not broken and falling back parallel to the British troops. Wellington secures a scrappy victory at Quatre Bras, though news reaches him that Blucher and the Prussians have withdrawn leaving his flank exposed. His army is forced to withdrawn North to a new battlefield – Waterloo. The day dawned bright and we looked forward to our first day walking the battlefields. I packed my Cannae Pro Gear Legion pack (see Airsoft Action TV for the review), which drew some admiring glances. The coach took us down the Brussels - Charleroi road, which gave some of us our first sight of the Waterloo battlefield. I must admit I felt tingles down my spine on seeing this. We quickly moved onto Quatre Bras to see the area where Wellington met with the Dutch officers that were superbly holding the crossroads against a much larger French force. Other than some monuments, there are no Visitor Centres or attractions here, even a barn that was used as a hospital and depicted in paintings of the time, has very recently been pulled down to make way for new building projects. We walked the length of the British line, learning

A BRITISH 6-POUNDER about the actions on the day and just what a fine run thing the battle was. Troops arrived just in time and were deployed straight into the line where they were needed. We learned about how the French attacked in column and were seen off by the British line and the bayonet. Then onto Ligny. This little-known battle, just two days before Waterloo, saw a large pitched battle between the French and the Pussians. This area has changed little and is largely still farmland. Many of the original buildings are still in situ and tracks crisscross the land, allowing the walker to visit the key points of the battle. The fighting in and around Ligny was vicious and went on for hours before the Prussians were forced to withdraw. We enjoyed a hard-earned beer in the town square before following the line of withdrawal to the Prussian command positions overlooking the village. Our day’s walking ended at the spot where Marshal Blucher was unhorsed by French cavalry. Following the allied withdrawal, the day after Quatre Bras and Ligny we retraced our outward journey and finished with dinner at a Bistro overlooking the fields of Waterloo.

SUNDAY - WATERLOO, HOUGOMONT, LA HAYE SAINTE, PAPPERLOTTE, PLANCENOIT

It rained all night, leaving the the two armies wet and miserable. Due to good staff work the Anglo-Dutch had deployed in their positions and were ready to start. The French were much more scattered due to their need to forage for food and took valuable time to organise. The first shots were fired in the late morning. Wellington’s plan was to hold the ridge of Mont Saint-Jean until the Prussians arrived on the French Flank. Three farm house complexes were used to defend the ridge. Papperlotte on the left, La Haye Sainte in the centre and Hougoumount.

BAKER RIFLES AND SWORD BAYONET

Our day started with a tour of Hougoument. This former Chateaux was crucial to the defense of the line. It was rebuilt for the 200th anniversary of the Battle and features a wonderful (if over the top) audio-visual display. Hougoument is scared ground for the British Army and our guide did a wonderful job of describing the action without glorifying what happened within and outside the walls. It’s quite rare that I am moved so much by bricks and mortar. We moved onto the left to visit the location of the first major French infantry assault, of 18,000 troops and cavalry. Having read so much and seen movies and tv shows depicting the farmland, it came as quite a shock to see how small it actually was/is. On the day there were 250,000 men spread out over just 3 square miles. The French assault was stopped by British line and then finished

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feature WALKING WATERLOO

HOUGOUMONT NORTH GATE

MONDAY - WATERLOO, IMPERIAL GUARD, VISITORS CENTRE, EUROSTAR

It is now late in the day. Prussian troops are probing the French flank and, whilst being held for now, are threatening to overwhelm the defenders. It is time for one last throw of the dice. Napoleon’s Imperial Guard are prepared for attack. These hand-picked troops have never been defeated in battle and their deployment means victory. The assault is launched on the British centre and right. The ground leads the Guard into the centre of Wellington’s freshest and best troops. Wary of cavalry, the Imperial Guard advance in square and are once against met by line. A general advance is sounded and French troops press forwards. This is the moment of crisis, the fate of Europe rests on what happens now…

“Hougoument is scared ground for the British Army and our guide did a wonderful job of describing the action without glorifying what happened within and outside the walls. It’s quite rare that I am moved so much by bricks and mortar.” by the famous charge of the Household, Guard and Union heavy cavalry. Although one of the most successful charges in the history of the British army, ultimately the poor leadership showed and the remains limped home after being counter-attacked.

On our last day we followed the line of the French assault onto the British ridge. When on the ground it is easy to see how important the farm houses of La Hay Sainte and Hougoument are to the defense. The final few metres are up a slope which restricts your view of what lies beyond and here waited the British troops. We paused at the location where the British Guards lay in wait and where the 52nd came out of line to flank the French attack. Ashley told the story of the day and how finally the Guard broke under the weight of fire and the bayonet. Waterloo was won! Our final few hours were spent at the Visitors Centre and in climbing the mound. Rather than being a monument to Naploleon as I had previously thought, it is instead a tribute to the Prince of Orange. The new Visitors Centre is fantastic and though (in the opinion of this Brit) spends too much time looking at Napoleon, is worth a visit. There is also another audio-visual presentation (that owes much to 3D glasses and a moving floor). A highlight for me was the ranks of uniforms displayed.

HOME JAMES AND DON’T SPARE THE HORSES

And that was that! Time to head for Brussels and the Eurostar. I had a fantastic time. The Cultural Experience Tours are not cheap and there are less costly ways of visiting the battlefields. However, our trip was largely faultless, comfortable and the expert knowledge of our guide Ashley, second to none. The tour manager Gael was constantly making sure that we were okay and that the next few stages of the trip were queued up and ready to happen. The hotel was top notch and transport comfortable and always available. I’ve already booked my next 8-day holiday in 2019, to visit Wellington’s battlefields in Spain! If all this sounds rather wonderful then head over to The Cultural Experience website to see the plethora of tours they have on offer: www.theculturalexperience.com

MUSKET BALL HOLES IN THE TREES AT HOUGOUMONT We then walked onto the extreme left of the British position, guarded by the farm complex of Papperlotte and then through lovely country lanes to the village of Plancenoit. This was the area the Prussians arrived and engaged the French flank. Once a scene of horror, it is now a quiet country location and we enjoyed the hospitality of the bar in the square, bringing the day to a close.

OUR GUIDE MAJOR GENERAL (RETIRED) ASHLEY TRULUCK

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GEAR PTS ZEV MLOK RAIL

PTS ZEV TECHNOLOGIES MLOK RAIL FINDING HIS USUAL GO-TO GUN GETTING MORE AND MORE FRONTHEAVY, PHIL BUCKNALL SPOTTED SOMETHING FROM PTS SYNDICATE THAT WOULD LIGHTEN HIS LOAD. I’VE BEEN RUNNING A 7” BOG-STANDARD KAC drop in RIS on one of my ERGs since I got it and with the holosight, magnifier, PEQ-15, torch and the grip, it is a little bit “front-heavy” to say the least and by the end of a morning’s game I found myself swapping to another gun. In fact, for the last few months I’ve pretty much used the C4 for everything and the CQBR has been consigned to the gun case. Luckily for me, PTS launched a new rail recently. It’s a fully licensed rail from ZEV Technologies featuring the Magpul MLOK standard for attaching accessories and it comes in a number of lengths. The one I plumped for was the 9.5” version so, with the order sent, I sat back and waited for it to arrive. ZEV Technologies are a real steel manufacturer of rails, barrels, slides, rifles and also tuned Glock kits (including trigger work) that are very, very nice and I hope as the relationship grows between ZEV and PTS we start to see more product lines being replicated for airsoft use. I would certainly like one of the Z19 slides to stick on my new Tokyo Marui G19! When it arrived from PTS Syndicate it was in a rather slick black and red box with both PTS and ZEV Technologies branding on it and the box included the rail, a new barrel nut and a gas block - complete with mock gas tube too! I have to say it is a pet hate of mine to see a gas operated gun replicated in airsoft form that doesn’t include the gas parts! If it is supposed to be a RIF, make it look like the actual firearm! Sorry, rant over. After having a look on the ZEV website, as there were no fitting instructions in the box, it quickly became apparent that this is pretty much an EXACT copy/replica of the real deal and, in the end I used their video to fit it rather than looking for one on the PTS support website. The one big difference 58

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is that the real one comes with a barrel nut spanner to aid in fitting … but it also cost about $300 whereas the PTS version is a cent under $100 - obviously theres gonna be a couple of things done differently. Getting the rail out it is light … really light! I’m used to the quad rails on the KAC RIS unit and on my Centurion Arms C4 so it was quite a revelation to feel such a light piece of hardware. The obvious downside is that you need specific MLOK compatible mounts for accessories or sections of MLOK rail sections if you want to run ones you already have. As this was my first foray into any rail system that wasn’t picatnny, I ordered some MLOK rail pieces and a couple of specific MLOK mounts - namely a QD sling swivel point and a vertical grip. The rail itself is beautifully made and there are no sharp edges on the cutouts but they are nice and crisp. The black paint finish is consistent and well applied over the whole assembly and there are markings for both PTS and ZEV Technologies on there, along with the MLOK trademark also. Mounting the rail is a little different to anything I’ve used before and I really would urge

GEAR PTS ZEV MLOK RAIL

you to watch a fitting video first (even if like me you generally don’t). It will be well worth it and save you some time. The reason I say this is because the barrel nut comes inserted in the rail to reduce packaging and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to get it out, even with the wedlock fully loosened. It was then that I saw the two little grub screws on the sides at the three and nine o’clock positions. Once these were backed out the barrel nut fell easily into my hand but the fit between the two parts is satisfyingly snug - in a “good tolerances” kinda way. Fitting the barrel nut is easy enough and I used my armourer’s wrench to do it and cinch it up nice and tight. Unlike some rail systems, you don’t need to worry about timing of the rail as it locks onto the nut using the “wedgelock” device. This is a nifty little system that is tightened up with a single Allen bolt that sits at the six o’clock position and runs inline and parallel to the barrel. It consists of two metal wedges that have a screw passing through them and on one of the wedges is a small but robust peg that locks it to the inside of the lower part of the rail to prevent it all moving. You slide the rail down over the barrel nut and then tighten the previously mentioned screw clockwise. This pulls the two wedges together forcing them apart and forcing the rail to grip the barrel nut very tightly, without having to over tighten the screw. Once you have it all secure you tighten up the little grub screws that engage with the barrel nut in a groove that is cut into it and that’s it! All done and in all it takes less than ten minutes. The rail has transformed the old M4 into a more modern-looking carbine and I love the way it handles and the attachment method too. I won’t bore you with the ins and outs of the

MLOK system as its been around for quite a while. It came out not long after Keymod and luckily replaced it in most quarters as it is a much more secure fitment and it is easier for manufacturers to produce both in metal and polymer bringing the cost down to the consumer. Also, the reliability of attachments is improved, as they rely on a camel nut rather than the conical nut on keypad and the “key” shaped hole with chamfered edges a la Keymod. Just be careful though that you get decent accessories as no matter how good the system is, if you use low quality parts you get low quality results. Overall I am very happy with the rail and how it transforms the gun. I’m thinking that I may get a Centurion CMR MLOK rail to replace the quad rail on my C4-10 at some point after using this one. Once again PTS have shown that the tie ins with big firearms companies can be beneficial and bring some great goodies our way. I look forward to seeing what 2019 brings us!

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REEL STEEL DIE HARD

REEL STEEL

DIE HARD BRUCE WILLIS HAS DECLARED THAT “DIE HARD IS NOT A CHRISTMAS MOVIE” BUT AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR MANY AIRSOFTERS WILL BE SETTLING DOWN TO GIVE THE 1988 MOVIE ITS ANNUAL VIEWING. BILL TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT MAKES IT SO POPULAR AND WHICH AIRSOFT REPLICAS OF THE FIREARMS USED IN THE MOVIE ARE AVAILABLE! “Oh, the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful, your objective? I know that I have one of these tucked away to And since we’ve no place to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it smile at from time to time and I’m certain you do too! snow!” ...sings Vaughn Monroe on the soundtrack. “Die Hard” has all the features that “I MEAN, COME ON! ISN’T THIS A SCENARIO THAT WE make a good Christmas movie and as I sit ALL DREAM OF WHEN PLAYING AN AIRSOFT GAME? IF typing this, the first snowflakes of winter are fluttering past the window behind me. YOU’RE ANYTHING LIKE ME THEN UNDOUBTEDLY YOU Okay, it’s more sleet than snow but a man WILL HAVE “THAT MEMORY” OF THE GAME WHERE can dream! EVERYTHING - AND I MEAN DOWN TO THE FINEST So, “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie, eh? Right, let’s look at the evidence shall DETAIL - WENT PERFECTLY.” we? “Die Hard” is set at Christmas; New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) so that he can be with his two John McClane epitomises everything we love about the “Lone daughters for Christmas. McClane heads, on Christmas Eve I may Wolf”. His ability to adapt and overcome, to improvise, take the add, to join her at a Christmas party in the headquarters of the punches and just keep on going and his innate ability to come up Japanese-owned Nakatomi Corporation where she works, high in with a cracking one-liner, even when in the midst of a firefight, the imposing Nakatomi Plaza. When he rides up the elevator to makes him the perfect airsoft hero. Of course he’s not perfect, the offices he emerges into a scene that features a Christmas tree as he admits when asked why he didn’t leave New York with his and a Christmas party in full swing. wife… Okay, not quite so Christmassy is the fact that Hans Gruber “‘Cause I’m a New York cop. I got a six-month backlog on New (a totally on-form in every possible way Alan Rickman) and his York scumbags I’m still trying to put behind bars. I can’t just pick up heavily armed team of military-grade villains seize the tower and go that easy.” and secure those inside as hostages - except for McClane who In that comment, as far as I can see, John makes it clear that manages to get away in the confusion. And so begins a story that he’s a man of duty and honour but I believe that he is also a little is close to the heart of so many of us, that of the “Lone Wolf” bit scared to change. Being a detective is the life he knows and who, against all odds, manages to take on the guys and emerge has worked hard at and, as with many of us, the thought of just victorious! giving all that up is anathema to him. In the end though it’s the I mean, come on! Isn’t this a scenario that we all dream of realisation that his loved ones, friends (even new ones like Al and when playing an airsoft game? If you’re anything like me then Argyle), and his own moral code are the most important things in undoubtedly you will have “that memory” of the game where life that makes him somewhat of an “everyman”. everything - and I mean down to the finest detail - went perfectly. As much as Bruce may not believe that “Die Hard” is a That game where you found yourself out on your own, where your Christmas movie, the screenwriter appears to disagree! It’s kit felt like a second skin, your AEG performed perfectly and every reported that Steven E. de Souza weighed into the debate on shot you took resulted in an opposing player taking a walk and Twitter, giving his definitive answer to the question. Responding which seemed to go on and on until you successfully achieved to a fan who had listed all the festive components in the film he 60

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REEL STEEL DIE HARD

“WHEN THEY TOUCH DOWN, WE’LL BLOW UP THE ROOF, THEY’LL SPEND A MONTH SIFTING THROUGH RUBBLE, AND BY THE TIME THEY WORK OUT WHAT WENT WRONG, WE’LL BE SITTING ON A BEACH, EARNING TWENTY PERCENT.”

asked “How could it not be a Christmas movie? Plus a woman about to give birth features prominently.” I’m with de Souza!

MIGHTY FEW!

Whilst you may remember “Die Hard” as a real gun-lover’s movie, you might also be surprised that were only a handful of models that actually featured! Yup, if you actually count up the main firearms models used by the central characters, I think you’ll be as surprised as me when you actually tally them up. In reality there were only about a dozen models - but some of them were real crackers! Let’s start off with John himself and his Beretta M92F. At the time this was a handgun that would not have been on the issue list of the NYPD but it doesn’t shock me greatly that McClane carried this model, especially a customised version with an extended magazine and slide release. I’m proud to know a number of serving and former LE guys in the USA and believe me when I tell you, that many of them carry a handgun concealed when offduty that is far from their issued “service pistol”. Bear in mind that McClane is going to see his family and is not at work during the film but from the very first moment it’s glimpsed under his jacket (when he’s still on the plane), it establishes him as a police officer and one of the “good guys”.

Of all of the firearms used in the movie an M9 variant is probably the easiest to get hold of in airsoft form as it’s made by a whole host of manufacturers! That said, if you want an almost exact replica of the handgun used in the movie, then you need look no further than Tokyo Marui, who make a lovely M92F that’s good to go straight from the box. Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) of course uses his tried and

trusted Smith and Wesson Model 15 .38 Special. Sadly, as we find out during the course of the movie, Al has a sad history when it comes to firearms, so having him wield something so simple actually makes sense in relation to the storyline. Now I could easily say to you that, in airsoft terms, any revolver would do but I (and it) won’t. Instead, I’ll direct you to the superlative works of Marushin and Tanaka, who both made some stunning “.38” wheelguns and although Al uses a S&W, I’d particularly point out a Tanaka model called (rather pompously) the “Colt Police Positive Special 4 inch Heavy Firing Model Gun” which is absolutely stunning! You can still find these if you search hard enough…

However, now we get into some tricky territory, as the “bad guy guns” are quiet unique. First off is the classic Walther PPK as used by Karl (Alexander Godunov) and to this day I find it amazing that there’s not a “stock” airsoft version! “Walther” models are out on the market in all their wondrous forms… apart from a really good classic PPK! I have no idea why, as I’m certain that many of us would buy one immediately given “007” reasons. Yes, there have been some dodgy gas versions and some actually very nice springers but come on manufacturers, let’s have a PPK GBB! What makes this all the strange, is that both the other major handguns have in the past been available in airsoft form! The Heckler & Koch P7M13 used by Hans himself, though now a collector’s item, was made by Model Gun Corporation (MGC) in GBB from back in the 90’s and TM even made a springer! Ditto the Walther P5 used by Heinrich (Gary Roberts), as this was made as a NBB by Marukoshi. Okay, finding either of these models today is going to be a tall order, especially the P7M13 as it was actually quite a good airsoft pistol but find them you can if

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REEL STEEL DIE HARD

you trawl the Japanese sales groups.

from a body bag with his AUG in hand for one last-ditch attempt to kill McClane! Again, there’s a good few AUGs to be had in 6mm form but those from TM and ASG are definitely worth a look amongst the crop. Last but by no means least is the Steyr SSG 69 sniper rifle used by Agent Johnson (no relation!) which in the helicopter scene is fitted with an AN/PVS-3 Starlight scope. This leads to one of my absolute favourite verbal exchanges (of which there are many!) in the movie, which www.imdb.com describes thus: Big Johnson: [flying in the chopper to the roof] “Just like fxxxin’ Saigon, hey, Slick?” Little Johnson: [smiling] “I was in junior high, dickhead.” Again, any bolt-action sniper rifle would stand in for the Steyr but why would you want anything other than the STEYR SSG 69 P2 that ASG sell? Just chuck on a Starlight scope (good luck with that!) and you’re good to go.

NOW I HAVE A MACHINE GUN! HO HO HO!

Written by John McClane on a dead terrorist’s shirt and now immortalised on t-shirts and jumpers, this McClane quip sums up the other real star of “Die Hard” and that’s the MP5! In 1988 when the movie first aired, the H&K MP5 had already been around for a while but even for Hollywood production companies the “real deal” was still very expensive and hard to get hold of. For the movies the “MP5A3” models used by the bad guys (and ultimately by John McClane) were actually chopped and converted Heckler & Koch HK94s! I actually don’t care as they look great and the part where McClane extends the stock hoping to use it as an anchor so he can descend down the ventilation shaft via the sling, still brings me out in a cold sweat!

The other firearms used extensively in the movie are basically the M16A1, the M60 and the M60E3, all of which are readily available in airsoft form. To conclude, in my mind “Die Hard” is totally a Christmas movie, as much part of the season’s festivities as mince pies and mulled wine and a movie that I and my fellow members of “The Nakatomi Freefall Club” will watch with almost religious fervour each and every year. For another month and indeed another year, I’ll wish you all “Yippee ki-yay” and if you’re still in any doubt about its seasonal flavour of the film. leave you with the closing words of “Die Hard”: John McClane: “Merry Christmas, Argyle.” Argyle: “Merry Christmas.” Richard Thornburg: [to the camera] “Did ya get that?” Argyle: [Argyle shuts the limo door] “If this is their idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Year’s!”

McClane manages to acquire another MP5 from another slain terrorist, using it until he runs out of ammunition during a gun battle with Karl. He then picks up yet another MP5 from a terrorist on the roof, firing it into the air to scare the hostages brought up before the helipad gets blown; he discards this one only when it runs out of ammunition before the final battle with Hans. I think our man John may have a thing for the MP5 and when it comes to airsoft versions of the MP5, well, take your pick! There’s another couple of firearms to mention before I quit and the first of these is the now-venerable Steyr AUG, which is used by Karl throughout the movie. This was most-likely chosen as the writers wanted to contrast the terrorists’ “unusual” European weapons with the more traditional American firearms used by the LAPD.

The AUG is given some “full chat” by Karl during his personal mission to get revenge against McClane after he killed the first terrorist, who also happened to be Karl’s brother. In a memorable scene at the end of the film, a revived and bloodied Karl emerges

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site EXTREME AIRSOFT: PROJECT X

EXTREME AIRSOFT:

PROJECTX HAVING HAD AN EARLIER SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE SITE, TOM “ANVIL” HIBBERD HEADED BACK TO PROJECT X FOR A FULL DAY’S PLAY. WHILE RECENTLY ATTENDING AND PLAYING at the Extreme Airsoft open day, I was offered a sneak preview of their other site “Project X”. I quickly said yes and had a fantastic guided tour of this massive three-storey, city centre, CQB airsoft game zone. Project X is part of the Extreme Airsoft family, which includes their large shop and CQB facility (The Department) at their Croft, Leicester facility. It is formerly the Dunlop Factory and is now occupied by a variety of small businesses on the ground floor, with Project X occupying the rest of the large and imposing building. The total site is 250,000 square feet and is probably one of the largest totally indoor airsoft spaces in the UK …if not Europe!

Being used to fairly early mornings when reviewing sites, it was a relief to be out the house for 8am rather than the normal ungodly hour. I was visiting with my 30 OBU team mate and AATV Host, Gareth “Gadge” Harvey. Leicester is easy to reach from the M1 and it only took us a total of 45 minutes to reach the area from our base in Nottingham. Although there is a substantial amount of parking, if you want a guaranteed spot it may be worth arriving sooner than later. It is worth noting that Project X is in a residential area with Faith Schools and Mosques nearby, so when packing and moving your gear it is advisable to keep your military-looking kit packed away, to avoid causing any undue alarm.

THE FACILITIES

There were plenty of Marshalls to show us the way into the game zones and once inside the buildings we quickly signed in and went to the safe zone to get ready. This is a purpose-built area that features benches, tables, crates and some lovely comfy sofas and chairs to relax on between games. Extreme Airsoft had brought some essentials, as well as a variety of RIFs, down in case anyone fancied a new blaster. The normal selection of BBs, Gas and an HPA refill tank were also on offer. At the time of this review food was limited to snacks and at the time of writing (November 2018) there is no kitchen. However, there are some local supermarkets and a few fast food outlets within a short drive but it may be easier to bring your lunch with you. Hot and cold drinks are available.

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site EXTREME AIRSOFT: PROJECT X

Once we had got our bearings and said some hellos we loaded our mags, inserted our batteries and headed to chrono. One of the major things I look at when visiting sites for Airsoft Action is safety and I was pleased that on the way back our RIFs were checked three times to make sure that they were clear. Once at chrono, once when leaving the chrono area and finally when entering the safe zone. Site limits are 350fps on a 0.20g BB, BB weight is limited to a minimum of 0.20g and a maximum of 0.25g. If you are using heavier BBs then leave them at home.

THE GAME AREA

TIME TO PLAY

Looking around during the comprehensive and engaging safety brief I noticed a huge variety of players. Everything from full UKSF MilSim impressionists, to Speedsoft Teams and everything in between! This made for interesting games with the Speedsofters rushing and the “Milsimmers” taking a more cautious, considered approach. Notably, we were also asked to moderate our rate of fire by taking “double-taps” and then waiting for a brief moment before firing again. This meant that trigger control and accuracy were the order of the day, rather than spamming the trigger. Something that I very much appreciate.

As I previously mentioned the entire site is getting on for 250,000 square feet. There are some areas currently not in use, most notably the old offices. These are being made safe for play and Project X expect them to be ready in the coming months. The top floor is self-contained and may well be used for more tournament-style, organised game play. Currently the two staircases act as the spawn locations for each team and are not used in-game. We played over two of the old factory floors, each of these is rectangular, split into two halves longwise with connecting passages at each short end where the staircases are located. Project X have built a variety of obstacles to fill these large spaces. These range from high walls to pallet stacks, barrels and barriers. The site feels like a CQB arena rather than a “kill house.” It is laid out well to avoid any one position being overly strong and stifling the game. Although most engagements are at relatively short range it is also possible to hang back a little and provide accurate supporting fire if that is more to your play style. Due to the old industrial nature of the building there are areas where it is possible to fire between levels and across in between the two halves of each floor. This makes for some interesting tactical play and it is very possible to be eliminated from unexpected directions at any point during the game. You really have to be on your toes and ready for anything.

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TACTICAL

get the tactical advantage PATROL GLOVE

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n Polyester/spandex n Padded micro fibre palm n One piece rubber knuckle guard n Rubber/Velcro wrist fastening n Thumb/finger grip

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Colours: V-Cam, Titanium, Coyote, Black, Green Sizes: S-XXL

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Colours: V-Cam, Coyote, Black, Green Sizes: S-XXL SRP

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UPDATES / STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE

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site EXTREME AIRSOFT: PROJECT X

The first game was “Kill Confirmed”. Once hit you had to count A GREAT DAY OUT slowly (and loudly) to 10. If a friendly player got to you before If lying down in the woods isn’t your cup of tea and you fancy the count was up, you could medic back in. If an enemy player some fast, furious fun, then take a look at Project X. There is much managed to make their way to you, then you would be escorted more to come from this city centre site so it’s worth checking back back to their respawn and a note made on handy blackboards. The every so often to see what they have been up to. The games are team with the highest number of confirmed kills would win the varied and interesting without feeling that they have crammed game. There were as many players as a couple of VIPs possible into the on each team that “IF LYING DOWN IN THE WOODS ISN’T YOUR CUP OF space. We’ll certainly were worth 5 points be heading back TEA AND YOU FANCY SOME FAST, FURIOUS FUN, THEN per capture as well. soon, as it’s just TAKE A LOOK AT PROJECT X.” The 80 or so players so convenient for were equally spread us Midlands-based across both floors players. that were in play. This meant that there was only 20 in each of For the latest news and game dates search “Project X Airsoft” the four sections allowing movement and teamwork. If one of the on Facebook. We would recommend booking on as it’s likely to sides pushed hard this left them very vulnerable to counter-attack be busy and it would be a shame to make a trip only to be turned and capture! away. Our next game involved locating a stretcher on one floor and “casualties” on another. The casualties could only be moved on

the stretcher and had to be moved to another location on the other floor for evacuation. I really enjoyed this game as it meant communicating with your team and working out a strategy to get our mission accomplished. Though, again, the stairwells weren’t in play, they did have to be protected as that was the only way the stretcher and casualty could be moved between floors. I didn’t play the third game as I headed out to take photos but Gadge did. This game involved controlling 8 ammo crates (four per floor and 2 per half) for as long as possible. Every 10 minutes the Marshalls would check the colour being displayed on top and make a note. The team with the most captured crates at the end of the game would win. This seemed great fun. There were concerted pushes to take ground and flip the colours on the ammo crates, with players falling back to more defensible locations for the defense phase. The fourth game involved locating and recovering your team’s stash of bars. These were located throughout the game area, making sure that players had to fight over all the ground and not just stick to their spawn area. After that, our old bones had been played out and we headed home thoroughly satisfied with the day.

Big thanks the Extreme Airsoft and the Project X team for inviting Airsoft Action down. By the time you read this we will also have a video review up on Airsoft Action TV, at www.youtube.com/ airsoftactiontv

PROJECT X

Address: Gwendolen Road, Leicester, LE5 5FN Parking: Car Park FPS Limits: 350 fps with a 0.20g BB Game Fee: Book on and pre-pay £20 Book on and pay on the day £25 Turn up and play on the day £30 (may not be available) Opens: Doors open at 8.30. Briefing: 9.00. Game on: 9.30am Rentals: AEG M4 Rifles available on the day: £15 (pre-bookable) No food included. Soft drinks and snacks to buy on site. Food: It is best to bring Lunch with you. To Book: Call to book & pre-pay on 01455 285605 or message via facebook to book & pay on the day. Website: New Project X website will be up and running soon. Search for Project X on Facebook for game dates.

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Geek STORM WATERPROOFING

GIVE IT TO A GEEK: STORM WATERPROOFING LAST MONTH IN HIS LOOK AT WATERPROOF SHELL CLOTHING, BILL PUT A BIG EMPHASIS ON REGULAR AND THOROUGH MAINTENANCE TO KEEP YOUR GEAR PERFORMING AT ITS BEST. NOW HE LOOKS AT WHY THIS IS NECESSARY AND WHAT YOU CAN USE TO CARRY IT OUT ON A SEASONAL BASIS. IF YOU’RE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY on a set of waterproof gear, then you really want to get the best out of it don’t you? Just like changing tyres or the oil in a car, your “shell gear” will really, really benefit from some regular “TLC” - a bit of a service if you like. I truly believe that these days there is a far better understanding of the fabric technology used in our clothing systems than ever before and it’s a subject that is a bit of a “holy grail” for me. All too often I’m out at a game with my mates and when we get back in the car (or the bar) their “Gucci” waterproof shell gear just gets dumped unceremoniously in a pile on the floor, or in the boot of their car. These are usually the self-same people that I will see at a later date bemoaning the fact that their expensive waterproof jacket “isn’t working”, complaining to all and sundry that somehow the technology has failed and that they are wet and uncomfortable. The most common gripe I hear is that “this bloody thing is leaking”, when in actual fact, it’s still perfectly fine and the issue is that it just isn’t “breathing” anymore!

where I’m heading with this? When you buy a Gore-Tex (or similar) jacket you’re investing in a high-performance item and, as such, it needs treating like one! Over time things like the Durable Water Repellent (DWR - think a microscopic “film”) on the outer face fabric of the garment will begin to wear and crack and the fabric will start to hold the water that’s now allowed through to it. When new, however, water droplets will be held on the DWR layer, simply rolling off the fabric before they penetrate. You’ll notice after a while that this “beading” process will start to lessen and that the water is being absorbed into the fabric itself. This is usually noticeable first in areas like the shoulders, where pack straps or a plate carrier rub and abrade the DWR, or on cuff-ends where the fabric rubs against itself. Internally over time, body oils, grease and general dirt will also build up and the net result is that your jacket will stop “breathing” as well as it did when it was new. You won’t really notice this until it becomes obvious and water vapour that was previously being transferred out of the system stays inside and re-condenses. You’ll

“YOU’LL NOTICE AFTER A WHILE THAT THIS “BEADING” PROCESS WILL START TO LESSEN AND THAT THE WATER IS BEING ABSORBED INTO THE FABRIC ITSELF. THIS IS USUALLY NOTICEABLE FIRST IN AREAS LIKE THE SHOULDERS, WHERE PACK STRAPS OR A PLATE CARRIER RUB AND ABRADE THE DWR.” Like all performance items, top-end shell gear needs maintaining regularly to get the best from it. You might only change the tyres on your car infrequently (probably when the MOT rolls around!) but on a Formula One car they may change the tyres twice, or even three times during a single race to get the very best performance… see

JANUARY 2019

feel cold, clammy and uncomfortable, put your hand inside your jacket, feel “water” and of course your quite natural conclusion will be that the jacket is leaking! A re-proofer will restore the waterproof performance of your gear and ensure it continues to keep you dry and protected. To combat

geek STORM WATERPROOFING

the degradation of performance you simply need to give your jacket (or pant) a bit of care and invest in a maintenance product. There are many of them on the market these days but this season I decided to give a “newcomer” a go and got myself some products from STORM. STORM create environmentally sustainable treatments used to clean, waterproof and care for fabrics. They continue to enjoy a growing distribution (of their UK-manufactured products, from their Derbyshire factory) across all continents and in over 30 Countries. STORM is pretty much the only manufacturer to offer a cleaner and a waterproofer that could be used in the same wash cycle at this time (most products need two cycles, one for the wash and one for the re-proofer) and they also offer bespoke down, merino and base layer care products, to keep all of your gear tip-top.

STORM’s range of high-performance cleaning, water proofing and after-care treatments let you refresh and restore the waterproof performance of your gear; ensuring your kit delivers the same protection it did when you bought it.

Re-proofers usually activate with heat so if your garment allows you to tumble dry it, the heat will help activate the replenished coating and then you’re good to go all over again. All of your clothing system will benefit form a good wash and clean and again products like STORM BASE AND MID LAYER WASH will help your clothing system in its entirety. This wash product is specially formulated to work with both natural and synthetic “thermal layering and next to skin” garments to retain and improve performance and aid in effective moisture wicking, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your entire clothing system.

A STITCH IN TIME…

If, god forbid, you do tear your jacket or pant don’t despair, as STORM offer a superb little product called TEAR-AID FABRIC REPAIR. The patches (five 22x22mm and two 35x35mm per pack) provide a simple and easy method of patching holes and tears, as well as providing an excellent protective solution. Each repair patch is made from an exceptionally tough, matte finish, abrasion resistant, elastomer that resists puncture and tearing. It’s combined with an aggressive adhesive formulated for high bond strength. The patches expand, absorbing force on impact and always return to their original shape and size. This flexibility allows the patch to conform to irregular surfaces without restricting the movement of the repaired material. Nige and I were given a demo of these at a show we attended earlier in the year and neither of us could puncture the patch once it was applied! I’ve subsequently used one of the patches to make a running tent repair and even after further use the patch is still holding firm! (…and I have used one to repair a tear in the pocket of a 5.11 parka, which has been out in some pretty grim weather without any sign of leaking. Nige.) In essence, a little maintenance each year and a minimal outlay (a twin pack of STORM ECO WASH and PROOF will set you back iro £15) will mean that your expensive waterproof jacket or suit will keep on performing like new. Not only will it provide greater comfort but it also means you’ll be able to stay switched on and in the game for longer rather than worrying about your gear! STORM CARE SOLUTIONS were revamping their website when this article was written but you’ll usually find more information of their excellent products and stockist details by simply visiting www. stormcare.co.uk

THE PROCESS

The first step is (obviously) to clean your jacket and to do this you need to ensure that, first and foremost, you follow the manufacturer’s care guidance that’s given on the label you’ll no doubt find inside the garment. Most shell garments can be popped in the washing machine and by using a dedicated wash product, such as STORM ECO WASH, you can make certain that no harm is going to come to your beloved jacket and it comes out all sparkly and fresh! Once your jacket has been cleaned, you should clean out your washing machine’s detergent tray. This is a similar step for washing but you’ll want to clear out any remnants of your washing product. Get yourself some STORM ECO PROOFER wash-in then simply follow the instructions for volume and temperature settings before setting the washer. Let the cycle run with the proofer and once completed, allow the cycle to repeat and remove excess moisture.

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gear TRAINING PLATES UPDATE

TRAINING PLATES UPDATE

PHIL BUCKNALL BRINGS US A SHORT UPDATE ON LAST ISSUE’S “TRAINING PLATES” ARTICLE. IN THE LAST ISSUE I REVIEWED the lightweight training plates I have from Trident Gear Co., a small UK company run by airsofters and I also took a look at the new range they have coming soon. It is great to see a small enterprise really doing well and going from strength to strength as Trident Gear are doing. My first set are still doing really well and don’t look like they’ve seen any use; a testament to the quality of the materials used and the care taken in putting the together. Now they are offering a few options in addition to the lightweight or heavyweight plates, plus a range of t-shirts and stickers too and who doesn’t love a good sticker for the old gun cases eh?

look like they are made of a similar material to the first gen plates and they are about one centimetre thick. I found these were a little flexible but not as much as you’d imagine and when I combined them with the foam insert the DCS came with from Warrior, it worked really well and filled the pocket completely. If you are after something to add to what is already there and don’t want to commit to anything too heavy, these could be the answer for you. Of them all though, my favourites by far (and the ones that are still in my coyote DCS) are the foam plates. They are about the same thickness as the heavyweight plates but are made of a much lighter foam material and so only weigh about 500g a piece. It is quite a rigid foam though, nothing like the sort you see in gun boxes, so I have no doubt they will hold up to frequent and rough use. I’ve used them for three games now and “THE NEW PLATES ARE HAVE A FEW have smacked into things fallen over sweated profusely INNOVATIONS OVER THE OLDER ONES. THEY and they look great still. ARE CURVED TO FIT BETTER TO THE BODY Until I used them I wasn’t sure about training plates, as I thought they were just a gimmick but having tried WHEN THEY ARE IN THE PLATE CARRIER a few sets now I am definitely a convert - well, to POCKETS AND IT IS NOTICEABLE, PRETTY MUCH the lighter end of the market that is! I know there are several manufacturers out there and even steel plates STRAIGHTAWAY WHEN YOU DON THE VEST.” if you want to go all in but for around £30-48 for a full set (depending on weight) and the options available. I’d certainly suggest you look at the Trident Gear ones The new plates are have a few innovations over the older ones. if you’re just dipping your toe in the water, or if you’ve been using They are curved to fit better to the body when they are in the plate plates for a while and want some new ones. carrier pockets and it is noticeable, pretty much straightaway when They can be sourced from www.tridentgear.co.uk so head over you don the vest, that the plates are much more comfortable. That’s there and take a look. AA not to say the older ones are uncomfortable; not at all. The heat from your own body soon moulds them to fit perfectly - the new ones just speed that up a bit. I put the heavier plates into one of my DCS plate carriers and chucked it on. Unfortunately I knew immediately that I wasn’t going to be able to run around with those in my carrier; plus a gun and mags and all the other kit I’d need for a day’s play, as they were just that little bit too much weight for my back to take for any length of time. They aren’t excessively heavy and if you are otherwise fit and strong and not held together with screws (like me) then you should be fine! Alternatively, if you feel you want an extra challenge to your game play then these will test you physically, especially if you play anywhere that isn’t absolutely flat! The plates themselves are made from a very dense rubber and for a medium set, which will fit in a DCS or a Crye JPC, they are just over a couple of centimetres thick so they should fill the pocket nicely and not move around at all. I took the heavier plates out I tried the really thin ones. These

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feature DRONES IN AIRSOFT

USING DRONES CAN ADD A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION TO THE GAME BUT, AS WA03 MEDIA’S CRAIG WALTON POINTS OUT, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF “RULES ‘N REGS” TO BE AWARE OF WHEN USING THEM IN AIRSOFT.

LET ME START OFF BY SAYING Drones are awesome! I’m a big fan of them and run a media business using them as an extra tool and yet am still surprised at all the things they can do. It’s really not just taking photos and filming, they are capable of 3D mapping and models, 2D GPS mapping and thermal imaging to just name a few things. However, they are also dangerous and can cause lots of damage (even life-threatening) if not operated properly. Before I get into the recent discussions that have been online about their use in airsoft, I want to begin with a brief overview of the UK Law of these fantastic machines, so that if you do wish to use one, you can do so safely.

THE BASICS

I hold the UK’s current “licence” for drone use (it’s called a “Permissions Certificate” but everyone refers to it as a “licence”), awarded to me after completing the required written and practical exams, authorised by the Civil Aviation Authority, or “CAA” for

hobbyist and you probably don’t want to go through all that just to have a bit of fun and you don’t have to …yet. It is currently going through a consultation phase to make it a requirement by law to have a licence and to register and insure your drone so that you can be held accountable for your actions, in the same way you need a car licence and insurance to drive.

THE LAW

At the time of writing this article the current law for hobbiest flyers is: • You must not fly without the land owner’s permissions • You cannot fly any higher than 400ft (121 metres) • You cannot fly any further away from you than 500 metres • You must be able to see the drone at all times during flight and if you lose sight of it within 500m of you, then you must bring it back until you can see it. This is called

“IT IS CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH A CONSULTATION PHASE TO MAKE IT A REQUIREMENT BY LAW TO HAVE A LICENCE AND TO REGISTER AND INSURE YOUR DRONE SO THAT YOU CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS, IN THE SAME WAY YOU NEED A CAR LICENCE AND INSURANCE TO DRIVE.” short (air law loves abbreviations, as you’ll see as you read on). This licence is required to use a drone within a business capacity but also some landowners will ask you for proof of it to fly as a hobbyist, to show evidence of your competency, as well. During the course you learn to plot aeronautical charts, do pre-flight planning and surveys, insurance requirements, legal requirements and the appropriate action to take in case of emergencies – and these are just a few of the subjects covered. Then, of course, there is the practical exams, where you must demonstrate your ability to fly the drones in a series of manoeuvres competently to pass. Once you’ve completed all this, you pay your registration fee and are added to the CAA database. You can find me there as “Craig Walton, trading as Visus Drone Solutions” and you will be required to keep a record of all drone flights you do, drones you possess and the paperwork for each one, which has to be renewed annually. Now as that is a lot of work (and money) to obtain as a 72

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•

• • •

Visual Line Of Sight, or VLOS for short. You cannot fly within 150 metres of a congested areas (villages, town, cities etc.) and since the legal height limit is 121 metres, this means you cannot fly your drone over any towns, cities or villages. You cannot fly within 50 metres of a person – one that will especially effect airsoft use You cannot fly within 50 metres of a vessel or vehicle not under your control You cannot fly over a gathering of more than 1,000 people

All of these can be found in Civil Aviation Publication 393, or CAP 393 for short, freely on the internet. The rules change a little when you acquire the licence/ permissions certificate but I’m going to talk from the point of view as a hobby flyer, so it doesn’t get too confusing.

feature DRONES IN AIRSOFT

CREDIT: GOCE RISTESKI

Although these are the basic current laws that regulate the use of drones, individual organisations have the right to put in place their own laws on top as they see fit on their property. Which is why you should always ask permission from wherever you’d like to take off and fly first. For instance (unless special authorisation has been acquired), the likes of English Heritage and the National Trust have a blanket ban on drones being flown over their land.

Unfortunately, so do the M.O.D (believe me I’ve asked a few times when I’ve been at MilSims and game days but have been told no every time) – although this is probably quite understandable.

NEXT STEPS

Once you’ve gained permission from the land owner and have a cool place to go flying, you know you won’t go any higher than 400ft and only as far as 500m (providing you can still see it), you then have to look out for people and vehicles. Here’s where that little bit “under your control” comes into it. If you are with a group/ car and they have all said they don’t mind the drone being within 50m of them, then great! You can fly closer as you deem safe (Hurray!) but if someone else walks by, or another vehicle comes

that hasn’t agreed, then you must get the drone 50m away from them until either they have agreed or they have moved 50m away and then you can continue. This point would be interesting in an airsoft game, as it means to even use the drone within 50m of players you would need EVERY player to agree to having the drone on site to be safe. Personally, I would want it in writing, such as an extra signature (for example) on the game waiver by the game organisers, as that’s how I run all my other paperwork for my business when using a drone. The alternative is if you intend to take off and reach 50m and stay up there. Then you only need those within 50m of you to agree and to make sure they all agree again when landing but… what happens if you get a low battery and the drone automatically lands (which they can do) and it is at the wrong end of the site amongst people who haven’t given you permission? Well, rather you than me for that… Theoretically, once you’ve got permission from the land owner, got players to sign their permission to have the drone within 50m of them, made sure no one else is going to randomly walk onto the site that hasn’t given their permission, calibrated your drone and its compass so it doesn’t decide to fly off (done in the app at start up) and have a good GPS signal, you are good to go! But where? ..and with what rules could these possibly work?

WHAT ABOUT AIRSOFT?

After seeing a thread on Facebook by Matt Florence, saying: “Taking a drone to an Airsoft match. Yay or nay?” the very first comment by Alex Turner was: “I honestly wouldn’t. There’ll always be some idiot who shoots at it!” - and there we have it, the first problem after you’ve gone through all the planning and paperwork is that players will use it for target practice! Maybe flying within 50 metres isn’t a good idea after all. So, after you’ve added an extra rule that the drone is not to be shot and sourced the appropriate insurance for when that rule www.airsoft-action.online

feature DRONES IN AIRSOFT

isn’t obeyed, what then? We know in video games, such as the Ghost Recon series, drones are used for surveillance and in others used as a weapon. We are probably a bit far off trying to attach an airsoft gun to them but surveillance or gathering intel is highly possible. In my opinion their best advantage would surely be on a MilSim, or themed day skirmish where they can be used as a

remove them from the game. A similar system for a drone would be good to keep the playing field level or, of course, a drone of their own. Alternatively, if one team can earn the perk of a drone then the other should be able to earn a “signal jammer” or similar, that would prevent the drone being used. This comes back to the idea that a designated player or Marshall should operate the drone

“THERE’S NOTHING WORSE THAN HAVING TO STOP AND RUIN THE IMMERSION OF THE GAME TO GO AND FETCH YOUR DRONE OUT OF A TREE AT THE OTHER END OF THE SITE, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OPPOSITION’S BASE, BECAUSE LITTLE TIMMY (FLYING THE DRONE FOR HIS FIRST TIME) PULLED THE STICK THE WRONG WAY AND SENT IT CRASHING DOWN!” perk or reward (once earned) throughout the day and used for a limited time or per battery. The average battery life of my drones is 20-30 mins, so a “per battery” system may work (depending on the drone), as your cheap China drone might only have a 5-10 minute battery life. I believe it would need to have a designated operator, personally I’d like it to be someone with their licence as a proof of competency - but that’s just me - however, someone with some experience certainly should be used. There’s nothing worse than having to stop and ruin the immersion of the game to go and fetch your drone out of a tree at the other end of the site, in the middle of the opposition’s base, because little Timmy (flying the drone for his first time) pulled the stick the wrong way and sent it crashing down! If you are going to put the advantage of a drone into play, you should also put in place a way to counter it for the other team (and I’m not talking about shooting it down), or give them something else to use, another drone or perk they can earn for the loss of not having a drone themselves. In MilSims the OpFor rarely have decent vehicles, they’re all saved for those multi-cam-clad guys hiding behind the compound walls but what they do get, are grenades and remote detonators to stop convoys and vehicles and

in-game to add to the immersion and the rule set surrounding its use. You can mirror the screen from the phone/tablet that the drone is using onto other devices with a few different apps available, allowing multiple team leaders or players to see the intel at the same time from the live feed.

IN CONCLUSION

So, drones… a lot of work but worth the pay off in my opinion. Another great addition to the game maker’s arsenal to make better game days for players. Providing their rules are balanced correctly and fair for both teams, players respect them, their use and don’t use them for target practice. After all, the decent ones are a big investment. My drones range from a price tag of £800 up to £4,000, not something I’d like to see fall from the sky! All we need now is for the M.O.D to change their mind on the use of drones on their sites and the likelihood of seeing them in game I feel would greatly increase. But, aside from game use, they are brilliant for making promotional films and pictures combined with ground filming or imagery and I would love to be able to use them more when filming for sites. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to spot themselves from the air? AA

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GEAR FIRST TACTICAL WATCHES

TACTICAL TIME BILL HAS BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH AMERICAN BRAND FIRST TACTICAL, DEALING WITH THEM DIRECT BOTH IN THE USA AND THE UK. HERE HE CONTINUES TO BRING YOU HIS THOUGHTS ON SOME REALLY GREAT PRODUCTS FROM THEM. TIME MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ON OUR SIDE but being able to keep track of it is definitely something that we need to do when “on task”. Whatever you may be doing, whether it’s staying on time for a plane or working towards a “window”, we all need a time piece that we can rely on and a good quality wristwatch certainly needs to deliver on that front! First Tactical have a thorough belief that the gear they produce is the very best that they can make it and they’re more than happy to put “their money where their mouth is” when it comes to getting physical products out to me for my usual “let’s see if I can break it!” reviews.

ease. Featuring a ruler (cm/in) and Morse Code guide on the back of the band, you will be equipped for any situation and for those “tricky situations”, STEALTH MODE switches the watch to mute as you enter silent tactical situations.

CANYON DIGITAL COMPASS WATCH

Two such watches landed with me a while back and the first of these is the Canyon Digital Compass watch. Available in black, tan and OD this tactical watch is the best of both worlds, durable enough to stand up to the toughest jobs and environments yet sophisticated enough to wear every day. Featuring an oversized display with a digital second hand, compass function and an innovative utility strap, it’s a solid piece of kit that feels right as soon as you put it on.

“THIS IS NOT WHAT I’D CALL “SUBTLE” AS, AT 2.4IN/60MM LONG, 2.1IN/55.5MM WIDE AND 0.6IN/15.5MM THICK, IT IS A TIMEPIECE AND TOOL THAT LOOKS LIKE IT REALLY MEANS BUSINESS.” The Canyon Digital Compass features an innovative digital second hand, allowing users to visualise seconds counting down based on their needs, as they would with a traditional analogue watch. When coupled with an enlarged time readout, the digital second hand enables you to complete any job with precision and

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This, however, is not what I’d call “subtle” as, at 2.4in/60mm long, 2.1in/55.5mm wide and 0.6in/15.5mm thick, it is a timepiece and tool that looks like it really means business, although the

GEAR FIRST TACTICAL WATCHES

broad band width of 0.9in/24mm makes it very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods. In addition to the compass feature, functions include World Time and three alarms and the watch is waterproof to 10 metres. So far it’s proved to be a first rate watch and after giving it a proper hammering, both at games and in the mountains, thus far it’s stood up to every bit of abuse I’ve thrown at it!

RIDGELINE CARBON FIELD WATCH

The Ridgeline Carbon Field watch is the perfect tactical timepiece as far as I’m concerned, lightweight and durable but sophisticated enough to wear on a daily basis. Made from a lightweight carbon resin PA and featuring a medium sized watch face, this watch is the ideal compact time piece for the field and active professionals, which in turn makes it perfect for airsoft use! The Ridgeline features a Carbon Resin PA Housing providing a lightweight tactical watch that can be hard to find in the tactical industry. The ultra-durable webbing band is ideal for a multitude of environments and can withstand the stress test of everyday use. The 3 watch hands are coated in a super luminova colouring, allowing the watch to be easy to read in low light conditions. I received the Black/OD model to test, which gives the watch a very subdued look but there is also a Stainless/ Black version that is probably more useful for wear with a suit or formal wear; both models though are durable and stylish. The bezel, crown and band hardware are all a very nice matt black, which really suits wear with tactical gear (Oh, I feel like such a gear-whore writing that!). The unique carbon body and back feel like really high-quality items while still remaining lightweight. The First Tactical shield logo at the 12 o’clock position on the dial, on the crown and at the end of the second hand warrant a thumbs-up for the brand itself

and the subdued 24-hour numerals complement a dial face that gives everything you need and nothing you don’t. Much as I love the Canyon Compass watch, which is a superb timepiece in its own right with an absolute plethora of features, I found a bit “blocky” for my personal taste. The Ridgeline, however, sits much closer to the wrist and doesn’t snag on clothing on feel out of place. I’ve been running the Ridgeline on a daily basis for a little over eighteen months now and first and foremost it keeps time impeccably, plus it is easy to reset when you move time zones and feels light and comfortable on the wrist. It’s already taken a few knocks on the range and in games (as all watches will!) and hasn’t missed a beat. Although I own a number of dress watches the Ridgeline is one of those items that doesn’t draw attention to itself and yes, it is larger than most non-tactical watches but it’s not obtrusive. Thus far I have to say that my experience with the First Tactical watch range (there are other models available including a dive watch for you wannabe “Team Sixers!”) has been very positive and, yet again, First Tactical seem to have come up with the answer to a question not even asked. If you’re in the market for a new tactical timepiece then these are certainly worth a look! Canyon Compass Watch Specs Overall Length: 11in / 280mm • • Length: 2.4in / 60mm • Width: 2.1in / 55.5mm • Thickness: 0.6in / 15.5mm • Crystal: 1.5in dia. / 38mm dia. • Band Width: 0.9in / 24mm • World Time • 3 alarms • WP to 10 Meters Ridgeline Carbon Field watch Specs • Overall Length: 10.8in / 275mm • Length: 2.0in / 51mm • Width: 1.7in / 45mm • Thickness: 0.5in / 12.5mm • Crystal: Hardened Mineral • Band Width: 22mm • WP to 50 Meters • Japanese Movement For more information please visit www.firsttactical.com or in the UK www.firsttactical.co.uk. To buy please check out www.military1st.co.uk for their comprehensive range of clothing and gear from First Tactical.

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SURVIVAL IMPROVISED STRETCHERS

IMPROVISED STRETCHERS

CARRYING A CASUALTY OVER ANY DISTANCE CAN BE CHALLENGING, BUT DOING SO WITHOUT THE CORRECT EQUIPMENT CAN MAKE THE JOB TEN TIMES HARDER. PAUL YELLAND EXPLAINS HOW YOU CAN USE SIMPLE OBJECTS TO MAKE AN IMPROVISED STRETCHER. Photo: MC1 John Curtis, U.S. Navy IF YOUR TEAM SUFFERS A CASUALTY, it is advised to stay in place and let the rescuers/medics come to you because there is a risk of worsening the condition of the casualty should they be moved in the wrong way. This is especially important if there is any possibility of the casualty having suffered a spinal injury. Also, the actual task of recovering a casualty – especially from a remote area is hazardous and resource-heavy so will require good route planning and a thorough risk assessment prior to the evacuation. If for some reason it is not possible to call for assistance, or the location becomes unsafe and the only option is to move and perhaps attempt an unassisted rescue, then some form of stretcher will need to be improvised. There are various ways to improvise and adapt items of kit into carrying devices, so in this article I am going to explore a few ideas.

BRITISH MILITARY BASHA

The basha that is issued to UK forces is designed to be used as a stretcher in addition to a shelter. The size of the basha measures approximately 250 x 210 centimetres and is constructed from tough nylon. It is well made and certainly strong enough to hold the weight of a large person. The taped seams are reinforced with webbing carry handles that have been stitched along three of the lengths British Military Basha (left, middle and right). This means that no poles are needed as this is basically a “Carry Sheet”. To use the basha as a stretcher, fully unfold the sheet so that the webbing straps and carry handles are facing downwards. Next simply fold the basha in half to the middle row of webbing and handles to double up the layers. There are now carrying handles along both lengths of the sheet and the casualty can be placed onto the stretcher and carried. It is possible to roll the sheet up and insert it underneath an immobile

JANUARY 2019

injured person if required. Fold the basha in half to form the One problem that I have stretcher noticed is that the coating on the nylon causes the sheet to become slippery when the two layers are in contact with each other. This effectively creates a risk of the patient slipping out of the stretcher when being laid onto it or carried, so great care should be taken. A way around this is to roll one half of the sheet in towards the centre row of handles rather than folding. By doing this, one layer of the sheet remains rolled up along the side of the patient, but the handles are still exposed. However, there will now only be a single layer of nylon used to carry the weight of the patient instead of the doubled sheet which could affect the strength of the stretcher.

HAMMOCK STRETCHER

The hammock Stretcher does exactly what the name suggests and is designed to be used as a rugged hammock complete with

Hammock Stretcher

SURVIVAL IMPROVISED STRETCHERS

long webbing straps for securing to trees. More importantly, just like the basha, it has carrying handles down each of the long sides and a large pocket at the bottom end where the feet of the casualty are tucked in when it is being used as a stretcher. The stretcher measures 180 x 65 centimetres and the construction is very similar to that of the carry sheets / stretcher canvases that are sometimes used in hospitals or pre-hospital on ambulances. All these lifting aides can accommodate two long poles that are inserted along special compartments that run from top to bottom. The original civilian variant was often referred to as ‘Canvas, Poles and Spreaders’ because two horizontal cross bars could be added to provide extra support and rigidity to the stretcher. There is no need to fold this stretcher before use and the only requirement is to recognise that there is a head end and foot end (the foot end has the large pouch). As with the basha, the hammock stretcher can be folded or rolled and inserted underneath the patient and then unfolded with minimal movement of the casualty involved. It is possible to use this stretcher with poles – but these will need to be cut from trees. When selecting the wood, ensure that the lengths are green (living) and not dead wood. This is because green wood is flexible and will bend under tension rather than the dead wood that is dry and will just snap. The two poles will have to be longer than the actual stretcher to allow enough at either end to hold onto. Obviously, the poles will need to be as straight as possible and at least three fingers in diameter to be strong enough. The poles should be stripped of any small shoots and branches or twigs to avoid the stretcher material from becoming torn. The poles can be inserted Inserting the poles down the sides of the stretcher before a casualty is placed onto it if they are still able to move somewhat. However, if the sheet needs to be rolled and inserted underneath a casualty who cannot move, then the poles should be inserted from the head end only once the patient is laying on the stretcher.

“SMOCK” STRETCHER

If nothing else is available, then a make-shift stretcher can be fashioned from jackets. Two straight poles will need to be cut and should be at least thirty centimetres longer than the casualty. As a minimum, two jackets are needed – but ideally three. Start by zipping Turn the arms inside out the first jacket up and turning the arms inside out. Lay the jacket so that the zip faces Insert the pole into the arm of downwards towards the the jacket ground and insert a pole through each of the arms. Repeat this for the second (and third jacket). If extra support is still required, use webbing straps, day sacks or anything else that can be used to fill in the gaps along the improvised stretcher. It is more important to have the jackets underneath the head and upper body of the casualty than under the legs where additional items can be added to support the weight of the lower limbs instead.

CASUALTY CARE AND SAFETY

Every effort should be taken to keep the casualty safe and warm. A sleeping bag (if available) can be used in conjunction with the

stretcher. Other alternatives are survival bags and space blankets. If possible, the casualty should be secured to the stretcher with some form of improvised harness or strapping across the chest, pelvis / hips and lower legs. If negotiating steep terrain, the feet can be strapped to the stretcher by using a figure of eight – but only if there are no lower leg injuries.

LIFTING TECHNIQUES

The more people that are available to assist with carrying a stretcher the better. Two people would struggle, so I would suggest getting further assistance before attempting the extraction. A four-person carry is far safer, with two people at the head end and two at the feet. If a team of six are available, then two hold either side at the head, with two in the middle and two at the bottom end. Great care should be exercised when carrying an injured person – especially over awkward ground. The lift should always be planned as much as possible and co-ordinated by one person – usually the most qualified medic. Every member of the stretcher party needs to fully understand their role, the route and words of command. Any person participating in the carry should be fit enough to undertake the task. The general rules when lifting a heavy weight are: • Bend your knees • Keep your back straight • Hold the load close to your body • Don’t twist your back • Don’t over stretch • Be aware of your own limitations • Move slowly and move as a team with good communication If at any point you feel the need to stop, then make it known. It is fine to rest and swap positions on the stretcher if required. So, as you can see, there are a number of options when it comes to improvising stretchers. Like I said at the beginning, it is best not to move the casualty and stay in situ and wait for help to come to you …..but sometimes the circumstances just will not be in your favour and you will need to help yourselves.

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last post TIME FOR AIRSOFT

TIME FOR AIRSOFT CHECKING A SMARTPHONE MID-GAME IS PROBABLY NOT THE BEST WAY TO FIND THE TIME, SO WHAT DO YOU USE INSTEAD? OVER TO OUR RESIDENT HOROLOGIST, FRENCHIE… I HAVE A WEE PASSION FOR WATCHES, so it follows that I would actually worry about which watch I should wear when airsofting. That may be a bit niche I’ll grant you but each to their own. I suspect that most players just wear the same watch they always wear, unless they are under 20 years of age at which point they go. “Maaaaan, what’s with the old tech! Just use your phone!” Well, no. Pocket watches went massively out of favour during the First World War and fishing out a vulnerable and expensive bit of kit mid-firefight doesn’t seem terribly sensible to me! These days few military services issue watches to their troops, leaving it up to them to wear what they will. In some respect that’s a shame as during WWII, depending on your branch of service, you might be issued an Omega or Longines – very nice! In fairness, in that case you were probably in Bomber Command and the survival of the watch (and its wearer) was far from certain. Post WWII the Army, Navy and Air Force issued watches based on their particular requirements - the infantry would get fairly basic watches, the Navy got Rolexes (well, the divers did) and the Air Force were swanking about with Omega Chronographs. The actual suppliers changed periodically but the watches had to conform to a standard. The infantry requirement is probably most relevant to airsoft (unless I have missed some amazing developments) and it’s actually quite basic. Water resistance was a fairly modest 30 metres, the hands had to have a degree of luminescence to facilitate reading in the dark …and that was about it. When you are playing with real bullets, things like impact resistance become less relevant, you’re less likely to have your watch shot off your wrist as you are to have your wrist shot off. 82

JANUARY 2019

Given the general quality of modern watches, pretty much all of them are going to meet those basic requirements, they are also going to be far more accurate than the timepieces of yore. As I write this, I’m wearing a Timex Expedition Camper: 50m water resistant, reasonably impact resistant, easy to read in the gloom thanks to Indiglo and costing me all of £20 and change new. My personal preference for playing has tended to be a Casio G-Shock

and this preference has been reflected on the field of battle for many years. Pound for pound, the G-Shocks are about the toughest watches out there and leaving aside my comments above about bullets, you really have to go out of your way to kill one of these. They are still reasonably cheap, many can be had for considerably less than £100 and my only gripe, as a long-sighted spectacleswearer, is that they tend to be digital and therefore harder for us blind buggers to read. If I was ever to be asked to recommend a watch for airsoft, this is it.

LAST POST TIME FOR AIRSOFT

I’m a fan of diver-style watches and they certainly meet the rugged standard – 200m water resistance, shock proof and some are heavy enough to use as knuckle-dusters a la Mr. Bond. Suggestion – don’t! Just don’t! My only hesitation is that a direct hit to the crystal might prove to be expensive. (I did say this was a niche subject!). While that is true of pretty much any watch, I would rather sacrifice a cheap timepiece than something that I really care about, or which has eaten a chunk of my bank account. I decried pocket watches earlier but I can think of an exception and it is one I have seen on site a few times. There are plenty of watches with integrated carabiners – not quite pocket watches but certainly not wristwatches. These can be clipped onto kit and that makes them easily accessible, so not a bad idea. Yes, they can be exposed but they’re generally cheap. If you like to combine your airsoft with a bit of re-enactment and you’re a bit particular, then things are going to get trickier. Those doing ‘Nam can spend too much time looking for that Benrus plastic watch, despite the fact that they were pretty rubbish and you were far more likely to find troops wearing Hamiltons, or Seiko divers which could cope with the moisture of the jungle. WWII is even harder and I suspect it’s very difficult to find the “right” watch, even reproductions will make a hole in your wallet. In fairness, this is a niche within a niche, so we should probably

back out now! I disagree with the millennial generation who eschew watches. They are more convenient and more robust than mobile phones and most will stand up to a soaking in a muddy puddle far better than your shiny new iPhone X. Knowing the time is not always a critical issue within airsoft but in time-limited games it can be – do you have time to plan and manoeuvre or do you have to go balls-out to try and win? Bigger games often impose time limits on individual stages of the game and tracking that is pretty important. Now, as someone who genuinely cannot remember the last time I didn’t have a watch on my wrist (probably getting an MRI), the idea that you wouldn’t wear a watch is a mystery but I accept that not everyone does. If you do and you airsoft, the chances are your daily wear is more than up to the task. If you want one specifically for ‘softing, a cheap Timex, Casio or a G-Shock get my vote as they are either tough enough to cope or cheap enough to not lose sleep over. If Gucci or Armani is your thing, then best leave them at home, mainly cos I hate Gucci and Armani watches but mostly because you don’t want to hurt or lose your flashy wrist decoration. And with that final thought, I see that it’s time for a nice cuppa – see you next issue! AA

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www.greenzonecombat.com

Tel: 07964 751047

FIRST & ONLY: ANZIO CAMP

www.islandrecon.co.uk

LL13 9RG Tel: 0161 727 8863

GUN HO AIRSOFT Guisborough, TS7 0PG

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

Staffordshire ST13 8TL

FIRST & ONLY:

Tel: 07525 435696

Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4LG

Tel: 0161 727 8863

THE BASE CQC – YATESBURY

www.gunhoairsoft.co.uk

Tel: 0131 654 2452

www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

1 Jugglers Ln, Yatesbury, Calne, Wiltshire

Blackshaw Moor, Nr Leek,

SN11 8YA

FIRST & ONLY:

Tel: 0161 727 8863

CROSSFIRE WOODS – PRESTON Moss Lane East, Preston PR4 3SP

GROUND ZERO WOODLAND

0161 727 8863

Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2DF

www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

www.groundzerowoodland.com

www.airsoftedinburgh.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – TUDDENHAM Cavenham Road, Tuddenham, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6DF Tel: 07711 774461 (Doug) or 07711 774401 (Josh) www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk/gunmanairsoft-tuddenham/

FREE FIRE ZONE

STEALTH WOODS – OTLEY

Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH

Stealth Woods, Dob Park, Norwood

Tel: 01733 247171

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS

Bottom Road, Otley LS21 2NA

www.freefirezone.co.uk

The Grange, Frogmore Grange, Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7FP

FRV AIRSOFT FIRST & ONLY:

Annacloy, Downpatrick, BT30 8JJ

THE MILL CQB – WIGAN

Tel: 07730 586926

Unit S2 Mill 1, Swan Meadow Industrial

www.frvairsoft.com

Estate, Swan Meadow Road, Wigan Tel: 0161 727 8863

FULL METAL AIRSOFT Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, Ammanford,

FIRST & ONLY:

Camarthenshire, SA18 3JG

THE OUTPOST – KIDDERMINSTER

Tel: 01269 850404

Drakelow Tunnels, Kingsford Country Park,

www.fullmetalairsoft.co.uk

Near Kinver, Kidderminster DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863

Saxillby, LN1 2JW Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

LAGAN AIRSOFT CLUB 17G Stationview, Dunmurry, Belfast BT170AE / Tel: 07733128484

FIRST & ONLY:

Tel: 0161 727 8863

LAC AT COMBAT ZONE

Tel: 01676 532 384 info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk

LEEDS AIRSOFT: THE FOUNDRY CQB Haigh Park Road, Stourton, Leeds LS10 1RX Tel: 0113 277 7707 / 07968 258952

www.giairsoft.co.uk/Skirmish-days

LINDSEY AIRSOFT 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/

Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8HE Tel: 07955 487983 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk

MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5FW Tel: 07974 507166 www.matlockcombatgames.com

GASS AIRSOFT – PENN Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10

FIRST & ONLY: SHELL SHOCK

Tel: 07907 788970

WOODS – BRIDGNORTH

www.gassairsoft.co.uk

HILTON PARK AIRSOFT Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU

MAW

Tel: 08000 354490/ www.paintballuk.com

Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 Tel: 07793 404346 1midaw@gmail.com

Uplands Coppice, Off B4363, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 5LS Tel: 0161 727 8863

GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 Tel: 07907 788970/ www.gassairsoft.co.uk

HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT Spanby, Lincs, NG34 0AT/ Tel: 07971 560249

MIA

facebook.com/HomelandTacticalAirsoft

Cornwall, EX23 9JL : Tel: 01288 331748

FIRST & ONLY: STEALTH WOODS – OTLEY Stealth Woods, Dob Park, Norwood Bottom Road, Otley LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863

GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT Leicester, LE9 9FP www.gingerliberationfront.com

HUMBER AIRSOFT North Lincolnshire, DN21 www.humberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07792 680297

www.airsoftsouthwest.co.uk

MIDWALES AIRSOFT Abbey Cwm-hir, Midwales, LD1 6PG 01686 627594 www.facebook.com/Midwales-airsoft

January 2019

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

OBAN AIRSOFT – ILL ARGYLL

RED1AIRSOFT CQB

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT– THE ROCK

Argyll and Bute, PA37 1

Red1 CQB. Kings Langley, WD4 8RN

Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG

Wrightington, WN6 9PL

Tel: 07967 710185

Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069

Tel: 07984 656947

Tel: 01942 514724

www.argyllsurplus.com

www.red1airsoft.co.uk

www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS

RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3

STIRLING AIRSOFT

Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT

Chipping Warden, OX17 1LZ

Coventry, CV3 6NX

Tel: 07964 990831

Tel: 07751 586781

www.militaryoutdooradventure.co.uk

MILSIM UK Checkley, Staffordshire, ST10 4NS

www.op-tac.co.uk

www.riftairsoft.com

Tel: 07523 916607 www.milsimuk.co.uk

NCIS AIRSOFT

www.stirlingairsoft.com

OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB

RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM)

Anglesey, LL71 8VW www.ottairsoft.

Cambridge, CB24 8RL

STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

github.io / Tel: 07895 478634

Tel: 07751 586781 / www.riftairsoft.com

Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4LD

Edinburgh, EH14 4 nick@ncis-airsoft.co.uk www.ncis-airsoft.co.uk

NOMAD AIRSOFT Fenwick, Ayrshire, KA3 6AY

Tel: 07515 937633

PATHFINDER GROUP AIRSOFT MILITARY SIMULATION

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

Former RAF Camp Sopley/Merryfield Park,

Tel: 07974 026517

NO LIMITS AIRSOFT Unit 4, King Street, Gatehead, NE8 2YP info@nolimitspaintballandlaser.co.uk

www.stormforcepaintball.co.uk

Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB www.s8airsoft.com

SUSSEX AIRSOFT Slinfold, RH12 Tel: 020 8150 9284

Hants, BH23/ Tel: 02380 899369

SG1 COMBAT GAMES

Tel: 07904 998250 www.nomadairsoft.com

Tel: 07831 429407

www.sussexairsoft.co.uk

PHOENIX AIRSOFT

Co. Londonderry, BT45 8NA

Welbeck Airsoft, Academy, Budby Road,

Tel: 07713 273102

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT

Notts NG20 9JX

www.sg1combatgames.co.uk

Boathouse lane, South Wirral, Cheshire,

Tel: 07956 587213 / 01623 812483

CH64 3TB

www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk

SHROPSHIRE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES

Tel: 07703 177756

PLATOON 1HQ

Holbrook Coppice, Buidwas Bank (A4169),

TA EVENTS

Tel: 07464 482410/ 0191 441 4574

www.swatairsoft.eu

Rochester, Kent, ME1 1 HQ

Buildwas, Telford, Shropshire, TF8

Tel: 01634 829063/ www.ptt-1hq.co.uk

Tel: 07786 192832 / www.aceairsoft.co.uk

Tel: 07894 059794 /www.ta-events.co.uk

Tel: 01845 565465

PLAYERS OF WAR

TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT

www.northernallianceairsoft.co.uk

High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD

SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LQ

Tel: 07767 203979/ www.playersofwar.co.uk

NORTHFLEET CQB PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES

Tel: 07968 448475

Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF

www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

Tel: 02897565651 / 07825169631 www.predatorcombat.com

Trickley Coppice, London Road, Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA Tel: 0121 323 1000 info@npfairsoft.com www.facebook.com/npfairsoft

RAVEN’S NEST Suffolk, IP8 4 / Tel: 01473 831563 www.ravensairsoft.co.uk

RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ

NSC AIRSOFT

Tel: 01900 85645

Hetton, Sunderland, DH5 0

www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk

Tel: 07983 333521 / www.nscairsoft.co.uk

RED1AIRSOFT NTAC Durham, DL4 2ER Tel: 01642 281220 www.ntac.co.uk

Tel: 01277 657777 www.airsoft-billericay.co.uk

Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AA

NPF AIRSOFT, NPF BASSETTS POLE

Billericay, Essex, CM11 2TX

Chislehurst, Bromley BR7 6SD Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

SKIRMISH EXETER Exeter, Devon, EX4 5/ Tel: 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk

SOUTH COAST CQB Browndown Road, Lee-On-Solent PO13 9UG Tel: 07533 434203

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LR Tel: 07766 770830 www.southdownairsoft.com

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7EU Tel: 07984 656947

Hemel Hemstead, Herts, HP2 7QB

Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AS Tel: 01792 473336 www.tacticalwales.co.uk

TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL Tel: 020 8665 1299 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk

TAZ AIRSOFT Farr, Inverness IV2 6XB Tel: 07848 448408

TECH BRIGADE Newgate Street, Hertfordshire. SG13 8NH Tel: 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org

TASK FORCE SKIRMISH Cowbridge, S Glamorgan, CF71 Tel: 02920 593900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk

www.specopsairsoft.co.uk www.airsoft-action.online

SITE DIRECTORY

Email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk to add or change a site listing

FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

THE BUNKER

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM

XSITE AIRSOFT OUTPOST

FPS ACTION AIR IPSC

Aberystwyth www.aberairsoft.co.uk

Dunstable, LU6 2EE Tel: 01494 881430

24 Scarrots lane

Tel: 07841 462806

Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY

www.xsiteairsoft.co.uk

Newport Isle of Wight PO30 2JD

Tel: 01268 796130 www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

THE DEPOT

THE EX SITE Mold, CH7 4 Tel: 07840 001975

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD

Tel: 01494 881430

www.4dsportsclubs.co.uk

Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH

YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE MANOR

EBSC

Church Lane

PP, IDPA, IPAS, IPSC, 3GUN

Sheffield

UKPSA Coaches

www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

URBAN ASSAULT Lundholm Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN

Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE26 1 Tel: 01733 247171

VIKING AIRSOFT Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0UN

THUNDER PARK AIRSOFT Luxulyan, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL305FA

Facebook:@fpsiow

S75 3DQ 01226 414004 To Book

www.urbanassault.org.uk

www.thewargamescentre.com wargamescentre@gmail.com

www.vikingairsoft.co.uk

Tel: 01726 858613 or 07590 030887

WARMINSTER AIRSOFT

www.thunderpark.co.uk

Warminster, BA12 7RZ

Food & drinks available on site

www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk

TORRENT WARFARE

WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT

Co Tyrone, BT71 4DY Tel: 07922 377131

F O B (Woodland), Hollington Road, Upper

Facebook: search ‘Torrent Warfare’

Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT

included, free tea and coffee available all

Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ

day. Site memberships.

Tel: 07428 024874

Tel: Paul – 07861427553

www.trojan-airsoft.com

Email: paul@wmairsoft.co.uk

S72 8RE 01226 414004 To Book

YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE PINES Great North Road Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6DG 01226 414004 To Book

PRACTICAL SHOOTING DIRECTORY

Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate,

AIPSC WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT High Command (CQB),

Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP

Doulton Trading Estate, Doulton Road,

Tel: 07428 024874

Rowley Regis B65 8JQ

www.trojan-airsoft.com

On site parking, HPA top-ups, secure safe

UCAP AIRSOFT Portsmouth, Hants, PO17 6AR Tel: 07590 818881

www.ucap.co.uk

Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

January 2019

Tel: 01676 532384 www.aipsc.co.uk Facebook: A.I.P.S.C info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk. Every Monday night 7pm– 9pm (except bank

included, free tea and coffee available all

shooting rig hire. UKPSA-qualified

day. Site memberships.

coaches. UKPSA-qualified Range Officers.

Tel: Paul – 07861427553 Email: paul@wmairsoft.co.uk

WORTHING AIRSOFT Arundel Road, Worthing Tel: 07877 210898 www.worthingairsoft.co.uk

West Midlands, CV7 7FP

holidays). £5 or £10 with pistol and

www.wmairsoft.co.uk Linch, West Sussex, GU30 7

The Grange, Frog Lane, Balsall Common,

zone, male & female toilets, hot lunch

UCAP GREEN OPS

Equipment hire available ebpracticalpistol@gmail.com

HALO MILL The Penthouse, Colne Valley Business Park,

www.wmairsoft.co.uk

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB

UKPSA-qualified Range Officers

Engine Lane, Shafton, Barnsley

On site parking, HPA Top ups, covered safe zone, male & female toilets, hot lunch

MOD-approved gun club

www.ebsc.co.uk

YORKSHIRE TACTICAL AIRSOFT - THE PIT

Bawtry Forest

TROJAN AIRSOFT

Open five nights a week 7pm-10pm Info@islandrecon.co.uk

www.theexsitewales.co.uk

THE WARGAMES CENTRE

XSITE AIRSOFT – LANE END High Wycombe, HP14 3NP

Glasgow, G45 9SB Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.thedepotglasgow.com

07964 751047

WATFORD PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB WatfordPPC@gmail.com

DOUBLE TAP PSC StrikeForce CQB, Morelands Trading Estate, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL1 5RZ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Double-Tap-Practical-Shooting-Club979585958732937/?ref=hl doubletappsc@gmail.com

Manchester Road, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QG Tel: 01484 840554 www.halomill.com

XSITE PRACTICAL SHOOTING Fryers Farm Lane, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

SOUTH WEST PRACTICAL SHOOTERS (SWPS) Action Air IPSC Club Based at The Tunnel Target Sports Centre near Charmouth The Tunnel, Axminster Road, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6BY Contact: SWPSClub@Outlook.com

WETHERSFIELD AIRSOFT TARGET SHOOTING CLUB (WAT SIC) Wethersfield Village Hall, Braintree Rd (B1053), Wethersfield, Braintree CM7 4EB. https://www.facebook.com/WATSiC/ Open Thursday & Friday evenings. Set-up from 6:30pm. Club shooting commences by 7:30pm. Pack-up starts at 9:30pm if you can stay to help. Contact via FB or 07939557029. Indoors. Club offers Action Air plus 2 & 3 Gun training and events.