Category: Airsoft GI News

 

Modern Warfare Is Here. How Can You Use It To Up Your Game?

 

With the release of the next installment in the eternally popular Call of Duty franchise, Modern Warfare 2019, We’ve got a TON of requests to cover some of new features in the franchise and how they apply to your airsoft game. We expected a ton of interest in gear and guns when it was announced this year’s game would go back to the modern setting, but you all have truly blown the doors off!

 

Modern Warfare 2019 features a ton of hot new guns, as well as several returning classic, but more importantly it introduces some new features, and gives us a chance to highlight the success of some older Call of Duty staples to spice up your airsoft skill set.

 

 

1. Choose Your Load Out Wisely

Modern Warfare 2019 features what is likely the most robust and in depth version of “Create-a-Class” yet in a Call of Duty game, rivaled only by the likes of games like Escape From Tarkov for it’s sheer variety of options available to you on some weapons. The M4 included in Modern Warfare 2019 has options to replicate everything from a CQBR to a classic M16vn style rifle and everything in between, with a host of options for stocks, barrels, grips, scopes and other attachments. You can craft your weapon and perks to handle any style of play and situation, just like in Airsoft!

 

So how does this relate? Call of Duty forces you to make choices, and while the Airsoft Field doesn’t often enforce these same kinds of restrictions, you may want to consider self imposing some on yourself. Ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain, so consider lightening your load out to make yourself more effective. Much the same way that Modern Warfare restricts you to five “attachments” per weapon for game balance, you may want to consider not bolting everything but the kitchen sink onto your rifle to stay mobile.

 

This can extend to your gear as well. Do you really need 17 magazine pouches on your vest for three different types of guns? Would you be more streamlined if you cut down some of that load, and find more effectiveness in speed versus overall ammo capacity?

 

Embrace the options you have at your disposal, but keep in mind, there can be too much of a good thing. Stay on your feet, stay mobile, and stay effective by choosing your load out wisely to match the game or scenario at hand, instead of carrying everything you own, and bolting every accessory you can find onto your airsoft gun!

 

2. Change Your Elevation

Call of Duty is known for a couple of popular strategies in its multiplayer games: Drop-shotting and Bunny-Hopping. In an effort to stay moving and get the drop on other players, it’s not uncommon to see fully geared up commandos diving to the prone position or jumping all over the map to get new and unique angles or avoid getting shot and having to respawn.

 

While diving to prone and constantly jumping are not necessarily as easy to do in the real world as it is in a video game, there is still a lesson to be learned here. Change your elevation and get off the X.

 

So many airsofters get trapped in this “take cover” mentality; that they sometimes forget the best way to not get shot is to simply not be where your enemy is shooting. This means that if your enemy is looking for you standing up, consider getting low to the ground. If you have the chance to get above your opponent, take it. Many airsofters also forget to look up!

 

It may not be exactly the same, but the motivation to bunny hop or drop-shot your opponent is! If you aren’t in the spot where your opponent expects you to be, it can be the difference between winning and losing an airsoft gun fight. Set yourself up for success, and change your elevation!

 

3. Stack Up

One of the coolest new features from the campaign mode of Modern Warfare 2019 is the breaching and clearing sequences found at multiple points in the campaign. These gritty and methodical runs through intense tight quarters where you have to make snappy split-second decisions are some of the most enjoyable and authentic portions of this year’s campaign.

 

How can you up your airsoft game from playing these sequences?

 

Pay attention to the ways the characters move as you transition from floor to floor, or room to room. Note the differences in your actions from when you stealthily creep into a room leaving the occupants unaware or when you fly in with reckless abandon to get the drop on a target before he takes out your teammates. The game actually has different reactions for the virtual bad guys on the business end of your blaster in these scenarios. It shows how important it is that you have teamwork, coverage on your angles, and a high degree of skill and confidence in your room clearing abilities to succeed.

 

The most key take-away from this sequence is the difference between fast and slow entry to a target room, and the necessity of ingress and egress angles by your teammates as you clear. Movement as a unit helps you maintain your relative safety in game as you work your way through complex buildings or areas. Sometimes, when you have the element of surprise, your best call is to move slow and silent, but once things pop off, violence of action is likely the key. Choosing to start the engagement versus being reactive to your opponent will make you the most successful in these types of situations on the airsoft field. Make sure your teammates are watching your back as you move from zone to zone, making sure you don’t have any unexpected surprises while you work your way from room to room and building to building to take out the bad guys!

 

4. Mount Up

The last tip we’re going to cover today has to do with one of the newest mechanics introduced into the Call of Duty franchise, mounting your weapon on barricades and walls.

 

This technique is used in the game much the same way you would use it with a firearm. It has a similar purpose in airsoft but with different benefits. In game, it helps you with recoil to keep your shots on target. This is very useful with some of the higher recoiling weapons in game like the FAL or the LMG’s you have at your disposal. It also makes your character model harder to hit, and you don’t have to peak out as far to make a shot, helping you avoid the dreaded respawn screen.

 

In airsoft however, it doesn’t help much with recoil, as airsoft guns don’t have much if any kick back by nature, but it does help you in other ways. This technique gives you a frame of reference to your cover or concealment, and helps you more accurately track bbs onto your target when you have to contend with wind and hop up. By bracing your rifle against a hard surface such as the corner of a building, a low wall, or a barricade in can act much like an impromptu bipod and help you steady your aim to take your next shot. It also allows you to keep your body behind cover, and out of the way of incoming rounds, which helps you avoid the dreaded walk back to respawn.

 

Much like drop-shotting and bunny hopping, the key here is the reasoning behind the technique. It helps you stay on target. So many airsofters expose their whole body and wonder why they keep getting shot. With this technique, you can stay on top of your opponents with minimal exposure and keep the other team making the “dead man’s walk” instead of yourself.

Reboot and Remaster Your Techniques

While video games are rarely a perfect analogue to playing airsoft, with the newest Modern Warfare game, you can definitely pick up a few things and add them to your tool box for your next airsoft event. We can always take in new references and new ways to change how we think about the airsoft field and how dynamic it can be. What are some of the things you’ve picked up from Modern Warfare 2019 that you’ve worked into your airsoft game? Let us know in the comments!

 

If you want to pick up some kit to try any of these out for yourself: Click Here.

Want some other tips? Try This Article.

Long Distance On A Short Budget

The Classic Army SR40 airsoft gun has made a name for itself as a staple member of the airsoft sniper rifle market by being a budget friendly BB slinger capable of taking many popular upgrades. It features a style unique to itself that sets it apart from the clones of other VSR compatible rifles that have inundated the market for decades. Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that make the SR40 such a special addition to the airsoft armory!

 

Appearance

While most bolt action sniper rifles feature some direct parity to the Remington 700 or similar hunting style rifles, the SR40 sets itself apart. It features a thicker “bull” style barrel, the adjustable cheek rest and an easy to use pre-installed picatinny rail.  It may resemble the other rifles in its market, but if you take a closer look you can see the small aesthetic changes that not only serve to look great, but help the rifle function.

 

The adjustable cheek riser means you can mount whatever kind of optic you’d like, and get a comfortable cheek weld while you shoot. This is especially important as you try to find scopes you can use even with the sometimes bulky eye protection options some players use.

 

The picatinny rail coming pre-installed removes most of the scope alignment concerns many players will experience with other rifles. This means you can maximize the effect of the sturdy and rugged bull barrel that keeps your inner barrel nice and tightly held in place.

 

Upgrade Compatibility

 

 

This rifle has awesome options for upgrade parts as well. While its aesthetic differences mean that some parts take some work to fit. Many popular VSR upgrade options can be made to fit in this gun. That means that you can do things like upgrade the trigger, increase or decrease the FPS by changing the main spring, or even increase your accuracy and distance with barrel upgrades.

 

These are the types of factors you want in a sniper rifle, especially when you are saving so much money on the base model. Customization and tuning is key when building a sniper rifle, and the SR40 delivers.

 

Price

One of the hardest things to justify cost on when you build a sniper rifle for the airsoft field is how much money you’ll inevitably spend on a base gun, whose parts you are just going to gut and toss out minute one when you start upgrading. The SR40 keeps the initial buy in down with a low price of $74.99 right now on Airsoft GI’s website. This means you have more room in the budget for the upgrades you’ll want to install. As an added bonus though, the rifle shoots pretty well out of the box already. It’s definitely a capable option for new players or people looking for a good target plinker as well!

 

Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t

The SR40 is an excellent option for new players, new snipers, or players looking for a reasonably accurate gun on a budget. Do yourself a favor, order one today HERE and check it out for yourself! See what kinds of crazy accuracy you can get out of a gun that costs less than a Benjamin!

 

 

There are a ton of airsoft guns in this industry. So many models, variations of those models, and variations of variations of those same models. With this kind of variety of it’s easy to understand why many newcomers feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to buy. Hopefully this list of the Top 3 Airsoft AEGs under $150 will clear things up and make shopping a little easier.

3. G&G Combat Machine GC16 Raider-S M4 Carbine

Ask anyone who’s been playing airsoft for a while and they’ll tell you that you can’t go wrong with a combat machine from G&G. Standard Version 2 gearbox design and compatible with an incredibly large variety of aftermarket parts, upgrading these M4s should be a piece of cake for any half-decent tech. We chose the Raider-S variant of the Combat Machine line because of its FPS, and external features. The FPS is low enough to be used for both indoor and outdoor fields, allowing players to participate at any fields they so choose. The externals are lightweight, making it easy to run and manipulate for longer periods of time, and features a picatinny rail set for customizing.

2. Lancer Tactical Enforcer Hybrid Gen 2 Battle Hawk 4” PDW (low fps version)

The Gen 2 series from Lancer Tactical was much needed and felt like a breath of fresh air upon review. Much like the Combat Machines these M4’s will be featuring a version 2 gearbox that can be fully upgraded as expected. However, the gen 2 sits apart due to many of the upgrades you’d normally install aftermarket come preinstalled; 6.03 tight bore barrel, mosfet, and a quick-change spring system. All of this for under $150 is a deal no matter how you look at it. The Enforcer Hybrid Battle Hawk was our specific pick due to how popular PDW style rifles have become in recent years. Streamlined metal m-lok rail, lightweight polymer receiver, and a pdw retractable stock make this a CQB monster. The FPS is under 350 to allow for usage in indoor fields however the QC spring system makes upgrading the FPS a breeze.

1. Apex Fast Attack CQBR M4 Carbine AEG (polymer)

If you’re a new player or a tech looking to work on a new project, odds are you have a budget and want to save as much as possible on the base gun. Luckily the Apex Fast Attack CQBR costs less than most Gen2 Lancers and Combat Machines and offers almost as much. At max retail cost the gun’s $110, but its not the price that secured the number one spot, it’s what you’re getting for that price. Non-proprietary lipo-ready gearbox, 6.03 tight bore barrel, quad rail handguard, QC spring system, and a MK18 length barrel. The gun has a surprisingly fast ROF and according to our techs features a very sturdy gearbox that can hold their own performance-wise against the brands such as Krytac. It’s no wonder why we at GI consider this the best AEG for under $150

So You Want To Stipple Your Grip…

 

Airsoft guns including pistols and rifles have always followed the trends in the firearms world. Simply put our passions are replica firearms so we will follow the same trends. Stippling grips, meaning changing or adding texture to the grip of a gun, has been done in the shooting sports competition circuit for years. In recent years we have seen “stippling” immerge as a popular form of customization to a personal firearm. The most common way to stipple a grip is through the use of a wood burner or soldering iron. The process of stippling is to use the wood burner to melt patterns into a polymer grip to change the texture of the grip. The most popular gun styles to be stippled are Glock, Sig P320, and any pistol with a polymer frame.

Enough about firearms! We are here to talk Airsoft and, in this article specifically airsoft pistols.

(more…)

Gas Blowback Pistols and Gas Blowback Rifles are some of the most realistic and fun guns you will play with in airsoft. The simulated recoil and having to manipulate the gun as a real firearm. There is nothing like the feeling of having to speed reload when you run out of BBs and enemies are about to breach the room you are in! However, the cost of getting into gas blowback guns can get expensive. I am going to list off three gas blowback airsoft guns you can get started with for under $150!

 

KWA M11A1 NS2 Gas Blowback Airsoft SMG

First on the list is going to be an SMG. The KWA M11A1 is a very under rated gun with range, accuracy, and a high rate of fire. Shooting around 350 FPS, this gun is perfect to take both indoors and outdoors. Small enough to be a sidearm, this gun has the capability of keeping up with the rifles. The included collapsible stock folds flush into the gun, it can be extended to shoulder and get a more accurate shot. If you find yourself in a pinch, this gun shoots +20 BBs per second! This will keep heads down and give you the time you need to get to cover! The KWA M11A1 is retailing for $139.95! You are getting a high quality airsoft gun without breaking the bank!

Lancer Tactical M4A1 Gas Blowback Airsoft Rifle

Now I have to start off by saying that this gun is over $150. However, you are getting a great value for the cost of this gun. The Lancer Tactical M4A1 GBBR is a great way to get started in running a dedicated gas blowback rifle. The receivers are made of a very durable polymer and can take a beating. You can replace the standard hand guard with a variety of after market rails. So you can build this gun however you like. Normally gas blowback rifle magazines carry 30-40 rounds. This included magazine carries 55 rounds! Giving you more of a competitive edge! With adjustable hop up and the FPS shooting between 360-390 FPS. This gun is perfect for outdoor game play! The Lancer Tactical M4A1 GBBR retails for $190.00. For a full size gas blowback rifle, you are getting a great value!

Elite Force 1911 CO2 Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol

You have probably seen this pistol floating around the airsoft field more than once. The reason is because the Elite Force CO2 1911 is one of the most durable and reliable pistols on the airsoft market! Powered by CO2, you have the convenience of getting CO2 cartridges at sporting good stores. However, this is somewhat of a draw back. You will have to lubricate the gun more frequently to make sure the o-rings and gaskets don’t dry out. Maintenance is just like any other gas blowback pistol. You do get more consistent shots and a heavier kick with CO2 compared to green gas. There are also rebuild kits available for this gun and magazine. If you ever find there is an issue, you can repair it with ease. With Elite Force being on their third generation of this pistol. They have worked out all of the small problems that players have reported. I own both the first and second generation models of this pistol.

 

The first generation was shooting over 350 FPS. Which meant you couldn’t use this gun indoors. They fixed this problem in the second generations. The third generations include different colored versions, including all black and a stainless model. So you can choose the pistol that is right for you. The Elite Force 1911 CO2 Pistol retail price start at $99.95-$119.95! I will say that this is one of the best airsoft pistols out of the box!

BONUS GUN: KLI Baba Yaga 1911 Hi-Capa CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol

Because my number two pick was over $150, I wanted to make up for it. This bonus pick goes to the KLI Baba Yaga 1911 Hi-Capa. Now the title does say this gun is CO2 powered, but you can use green gas magazines in this pistol. Meaning you can choose what you want to run! There is an FPS increase with CO2, but both gases will be shooting under 350 FPS. Being perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. The kick with CO2 is the most power I have felt out of any gas blowback airsoft pistol, both CO2 and green gas. That is including the Elite Force 1911 I mentioned earlier. KLI has gone through loops to provide the best performing and reliable pistol that they could. The hard work and time that went into this airsoft pistol shows! Having a dual powered pistol gives you options to what you have available. The awesome look and great performance is worth every penny! This gun normally retails for $179.99. However, you can pre-order this gun before 10/20/2019 for $139.99 and get an extra magazine for free! Mind blown!

Let me know if there is gas blowback airsoft gun under $150 that you would have listed! There might be a part two if there are some good submissions!