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Airsoft is a fun sport that brings childhood cops and robber role-play into real life competition. In this sport, you are shooting real-life plastic ammunition that can quickly determine a winner and loser. With the right equipment, airsoft can be a safe and exciting sport.
This article identify bare essential equipment for a player to be safe and competitive on a commercial field. As the article progresses, it identify additional equipment to make the game more fun and exciting. It is written for readers who want to get into this sport by owning the equipment.
This article is not written from the perspective from a rental point of view. With rental, the commercial facility will provide the bare necessity. However, cross reference that list with this one will help you determine additional equipment you should bring yourself.
Before committing to buying the equipment, cross-reference the rules at the commercial field you plan to attend to ensure the equipment you chose is allowed. Once you have the equipment, use our Airsoft Equipment Checklist to ensure you bring everything to the field.
This section provides a description of essential items for you to have fun and be safe on the field. Without these equipment, it will be unlikely for you to even get onto a commercial field.
Face masks or goggles and half face masks are essential items for safety. It is not worth losing an eye or a tooth for the rest of your life over a game or a sporting event. Full face masks with ear protection, which provides ultimate safety in airsoft, are as inexpensive as $15. The SCOTT Vectra Full Face Mask with Goggle, for example, provides excellent ventilation, anti-fog technology, and comfort for an affordable price. You can't get into any commercial airsoft field without face protection. So it is the first thing to purchase.
The main course at airsoft is the firearm. There is no need for any of this equipment if you aren't there to shoot and get hit. The first firearm you get for airsoft should be a semi-automatic or full-automatic rifle or machine gun of some kind. Otherwise you just won't be competitive at a commercial field.
Season players can probably get away with a pistol, a shotgun, a low-power electic gun (LPEG), or, even, a rubber combat knife. But let's face it, you are reading this article to get into airsoft. You can add one of these weapons later (see sections below), but your first firearm should be at least a semi-automatic rifle. An electric gun in the $100 - $150 range is sufficiently competitive. An example of a reliable gun within this price is the Jing Gong G608 Airsoft Electric Gun K36c AEG.
Most airsoft gun shoots 6mm plastic BB's. Be sure to get 0.2 gram BB's as that is the standard in this sport. Anything lighter is not competitive enough and may cause problems with your gun. Anything heavier and you'll be getting into more advanced airsoft. Pick up some biodegradable ones, such as the Crosman Biodegradable AirSoft BBs (5000 .20G 6mm, White BBs). Might as well be a little more friendly to the environment as you are having fun.
Although not strictly necessary by regulation, essential items protects you further and makes airsoft far more enjoyable than without. Some of us will not go to an airsoft game without these items. However, the hardcore players sometimes skimp on these items.
Head and neck is one of the most vital part of your body. It is also an area with lots of squishy tissues. And it is just not comfortable getting hit in this area.
You can easily remedy this situation by getting a helmet, which costs about $15 dollars. Modern Warrior Tactical M88 ABS Helmet with Adjustable Chin Strap, for example, is selling for $12.50 at this time and is sufficient protection for your head. If you want to conserve cash in this area, you can substitute a baseball cap or wrap t-shirt around your head, under your facemask band.
Wearing a collared shirt or a scarf will protect your neck. Many airsoft players invests in shemagh for protection.
Gloves makes a huge difference on the airsoft field. As small as the hand is relatively to your body, it's the one that stands out the most, because you have to reveal them to shoot around the corner at your enemy. Many beginners are surprised how often they are shot in the hands and how much it hurts. Wearing gloves alleviates the intimation of pain.
Gloves comes in the half finger style, like the Matrix Terminator CQB Combat Tactical Gloves (Black) - Half Finger. Your fingers are exposed for precise shooting and aiming. However, they are prone to BB hits. The full finger style, like the Matrix Terminator CQB Combat Tactical Gloves (OD) - FULL Finger is also available and provide ultimate hand protection at the sacrifice of precision adjustments.
In combat, you'll want to protect the knee from the ground and rough terrains, because you will be kneeling a lot. By transition, being able to kneel on any terrain gives you a huge tactical advantage compared to your opponents. Knee pads are fairly inexpensive. You can find them at your local hardware store. Soft padded ones, such as fabric and rubber, provide excellent stability while you are kneeling. For specialized tactical knee pads, try a pair of Alta Tactical Superflex Knee Pads Black AltaLok.
This section contains equipment it is not necessary in your airsoft game. However, having them helps you diversify into multiple roles, specialize in certain operations, and diffuse a stand off in your favor.
Once you start talking and thinking military simulation (MilSim), you are starting to really get into the airsoft. Many items allowed in a generic airsoft are no longer allowed in MilSim. Many times, you'll also need more supplies.