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How to Pick the Best Beginner Gun

Airsoft GI Custom Samehada-e Airsoft AEG
Airsoft GI Custom Samehada-e Airsoft AEG

If you’ve ever spent more than five minutes in an airsoft store or looked around on an airsoft forum or Facebook group, you’ve come across this question.

“I’m brand new to airsoft, so what’s the best gun for me?”

This is a question that will always be a part of the sport we all love and hold dear, because there isn’t an easy answer to it. The same way that the .45ACP fanboys in the real-steel world can’t ever let the 9mm heroes have the last word, nobody can seem to agree on the best answer for what the best beginner set up is for an airsofter. Is it the 10 inch M4 with an RIS? Is it the plastic fantastic AK47 style model that has the rave reviews online? What about the budget stuff from a big box store? The answer may surprise you.

The answer to this question is simple. There is no “best” gun. There is no “best” setup. Only what works best for you!

What this means is that the only person who can really answer this question for you is yourself. To answer this fundamental question though, let’s break it down a bit and ask some additional questions to get the necessary information.

Question 1: What is my budget?

Budget is important, as obviously, you can’t spend money you don’t have. Decide what your ultimate bottom line is for jumping in, and then decide what that budget has to cover. Are you looking at 250$ just for a gun because your buddy is going to loan you gear? Is your budget going to include everything you need to play like a facemask or gear?

Question 2: What do I want to shoot?

The second most important thing about an airsoft gun is finding one that makes you feel awesome. What good is spending $500+ on a super slick new blaster and never playing because it’s too heavy, or because it doesn’t look neat or make you feel awesome. Decide what style of gun you would like to play with. This can be an aesthetic preference based on looks or what you like in video games or it can be an extension of what you enjoy shooting when you shoot firearms.

Question 3: How do I want to Play?

The last question is what do you want this gun to do? Have you been watching a ton of Novristch videos or Swamp Sniper and feel the need to become one with the dirt and play the long-range game? Do you like watching CQB or Speedsoft videos and want to be a hard charger kicking in doors? Maybe you have no idea what you want to do and would like a gun that’s a bit more versatile.

Once you have these questions answered, you have the data necessary to determine what gun is best for you! From here, you can work within your budget to plan for extra equipment necessities like a facemask or tactical gear, or even extra magazines so you don’t run out of ammunition on the field. It’s a complex question to answer, and it’s never going to get easier because there isn’t one gun that’s perfect for every beginning player. However, now, you too, can find the best gun for what you want to accomplish!


Player Spotlight – Jordan

JV5Hey guys my name is Jordan, and I have been working here at Airsoft GI in the customer service department for 2 years. I have been playing airsoft for about 12 years now. I have played many different types of airsoft games, and have used a wide variety of different equipment, in my day. I have had plenty of time for trial and error to find what works best, in each situation for me.

JV7I started playing my first airsoft games at Desert Fox Fields about 10 years ago. You can still find me there most Sundays. I enjoy playing there because of the field layout, and the skill level of players that attend the field. The field refs and the rest of the people who run the field are great as well. I have played at many outdoor fields, but Desert Fox is my go to place to play.

JV1I enjoy playing at desert fox because it allows me to run whatever loud out I feel like running. It is an outdoor field, but has many CQB aspects, which does not restrict me to a certain set up. I enjoy using my Elite Force M27 IAR there because of the range I get out of it. The M27 allows me to run somewhat of a DMR or even SAW gunner load out. I also enjoy running my Australian load out there. It gives me a good chance to run my kit before a milsim event. Running your gear set up at a pick up game before a large event is a great idea because it allows you to find out what works well and what does not, rather than figuring it out at the event itself. My PTS ERG runs great as well and allows me to be versatile when playing.

tumblr_ngr61iFYwM1syjtupo4_250On Thursdays you can find me and some of the other Airsoft GI staff members at full force night, at Tac City South, located in Fullerton, California. I enjoy playing at an indoor field like Tac City, because it is a completely different game type. Even though some outdoor fields have some CQB aspects, it is nothing compared to the speed at a field like Tac City. The players there usually have a very high speed set up, and the games are quick and fast paced. I enjoy full force night because every other game is limited to players that are 18 years of age and up, and refs allow no engagement distance for the players. You really find out what type of player you are at these types of games. I don’t really run a certain setup at Tac City. I usually come from work, and run a minimalist set up. I usually will run my KJW 1911, or my Echo 1 RDP. These are both small guns which allow me to move quickly, and not get caught up around corners, like some full sized airsoft guns would.

11313001_680754762068755_2597739094041794323_oPhoto Credit: GwagDesigns

Other than pick up games, I enjoy attending “milsim” events, specifically MilSim West events. I have been to many games that are advertised as “milsim” events, but most give me the feel of a large pick up game. Milsim West does a great job in the immersion factor of games. They allow each player to be fully immersed in an environment that feels like no other milsim event I’ve ever been to. This is done through the preparation, and game staff brought to each game. Most “MSW” cadre members are current or prior service members, who are very passionate about their events. This allows each platoon, and squad, to be led by someone who can help immerse each player at an individual level. The shear amount of pyro, and blank fire guns really adds to the immersion of the event. The players that attend these games are also what make the games great. Each player is fully kitted out in appropriate NATO or RUSSFOR equipment. Having the “uniformity” factor in each player makes each team feel very real. The skill level from each player is like none other, and most do not play like it is a normal airsoft game. They use real military tactics down to the individual fire teams. The event locations are the icing on the cake. They vary in terrain and game play style, which allows each event to have its own tone. The variations in game play style, also makes the player adjust their kit to accommodate to the individual event needs, and requirements. JV4When going NATO, my team likes to run an Australian impersonation, rather than going with the standard US load out. This allows us to bring another aspect to the NATO team, and individualizes our team from the rest. I usually run my PTS ERG when going Australian and you can check out my Tactical Gears Heads on Airsoft GITV. When we are not on the NATO side, we are on the Russian side. The thing about going Russian is that their real army has many different uniforms and equipment setups, which allow each player to have their own personalized load out, while still adhering to the uniformity factor. I usually run my CYMA AK, with ASURA Dynamics parts. 11336885_680753802068851_485936174916406112_oPhoto Credit: GwagDesigns

Thanks for checking out my spotlight, and stay tuned to GITV for more content.


New Product Spotlight – Revision Extreme Weather Goggles

Everyone is familiar with Revision Military. The Vermont-based, U.S. made brand is known for its high quality ANSI Z.87.1 Rated Optical Protection devices; otherwise known as goggles, sunglasses, and more recently their BATLSKIN project. Revision’s reputation as such a high-quality domestic brand would later carry on Revision’s Desert Locust Goggles to be the choice for the U.S. Army’s standard-issue eye protection, and to this day remains in the same position.

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Reputation aside, and all things taken into account (price, lenses, etc), I personally love Revision’s goggles. I’ve taken my goggles onto the range and onto the airsoft field for over 5 years now, with no plan to ever switch to another brand of eye protection. There is simply no other system I find as comfortable nor as well designed as Revision’s Desert Locust Goggles because of their fit, their protective ratings, and Revision’s dedication to QC and simply creating the best system out there to protect both users in the civilian market as well as on duty with LE/MIL.

Well, many people had heard that Revision Military would be bringing out a thermal lens in Q4 2014/Q1 2015, and I can proudly report that I, in fact, have a set of Revision’s Extreme Weather Goggles in my hands. While these goggles haven’t strayed from the crazy comfort that the Desert Locust Goggles nearly perfect, Revision has made some welcome changes to these new EW Goggles to ensure they will maintain visibility even in harsh conditions and disruptive environments.
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The most interesting feature added is definitely the thermal lens. Maintaining ballistic protection properties while finding a system to prevent fogging in weather like blizzards and tropics is by no means an easy task, but Revision has done so by using a very thin sheet of polycarbonate along with a rubber seal, much like we have seen in most paintball masks that have done the same. This thermal lens addition also still maintains an extremely low profile, rising only about 1mm above the normal lens surface. Second, a felt-lined foam layer has been added to the already godly-comfortable rubber seal, creating a more insulated space when the goggles seal with your face. I can also see this being a huge improvement in climates at which things like sweat and water will make goggles stick to your face without a fabric seal… OUCH.

All in all, these improvements are great for extreme weather, and guys playing out in the Midwest and North-East U.S. will likely find these features an absolute must. For California and desert  climate players, night games just got easier; I cannot tell you how many times my goggles have gone foggy on me on a sub-40 degree night out at Code Red or in Victorville for Op: Lion Claws Night Ops.

– J


GI Tactical’s TEXAS WEEKEND!

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Our new Texas location is having it’s grand opening this weekend on January 10, 2015 but we aren’t just gonna have a really fun Saturday, we are making a FULL WEEKEND out of it, and we’d like you to join us!!!

Everyone here at Airsoft GI is incredibly proud that we have become America’s first nation-wide Airsoft chain store and if there is one thing we want to do it’s to share all of fun and joy of playing airsoft with you, our fans and customers.

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Friday we will be having a meet and great from 7pm-9pm at On the Border | Mexican Cantina & Grill, located at 1505 N. Central Expy. Plano, TX 75075. So join us for a free dinner and a chance to talk shop with Bob, Bill, and Daniel! If you know you want to go, you can RSVP for our meet and greet right HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/771408119596748

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On Saturday, we’re having the Grand Opening of our Texas store and it is going to be AWESOME! Our new store is located at 4720 Highway 121 suite #160 Plano, TX 75024 and is currently open Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-8pm. We’re going to have a number of vendors and local fields in attendance including D14 Airsoft, Elite Force, and Jag Precision. In addition, the first 100 customers in line will receive a swag bag of goodies and EVERYBODY who shows up will receive a free raffle ticket which is going to be full of a lot of amazing products! Furthermore, our store will have a 25% off discount (exclusions apply) and for every $100 you spend, you will get an additional raffle ticket!

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Finally, on Sunday January 11th, Bob, Daniel, & Bill will be heading out to D14 airsoft for fun day of walk-on gameplay. They will have their camera equipment there, so if you’ve ever wanted to be on GITV you will want to be at the Grand Opening and the Sunday Funday at D14 airsoft! We will also be bringing out quite a bit of swag to pass out at D14 and we will even have an end of the day raffle!

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We really hope to see you our there for our Texas weekend because not only are we gonna have a lot of fun, we don’t want you to miss out on this awesomeness either!!!


Airsoft GI Promo for the Week of October 14th 2014 SHOTS FIRED!

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IN-STORE ONLY (CA and VA)

Dates: Monday, Oct. 13th to Monday, Oct. 20th

26% Off In-Store Merchandise ALL WEEK
22% off Selected MAP Items (Exclusions apply, ie Umarex, Elite Force, PTS)
105% Price Match Guaranteed within 50 miles of store location. (Must show proof of current advertisement)

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Coming up on October 25th at Gamepod Combat Zone

This is a one-of-a-kind event held at Gamepod Combat Zone on October 25th, get your tickets now because you will regret not going to this game!

Zombie Game Tickets: http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=17860

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Coming up on November 8th at Fort Ord in Marina, CA

The Fort Ord Firefight is a scenario themed game that will be held at the Fort Ord in Marina, CA. Fort Ord is an old Army base and the location is one of the best on the west coast for airsoft and we are excited to say that we are also bringing out a drone to record battle footage, care of Recoil Dynamix. So, if you want to play at the world class facility, have a chance to win great products from Jag Precision, or come out to try and get on GITV, this is your event!

Sign up now before it’s sold out!

Event tickets: http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=17902

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