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Airsoft Skirmish Equipment

So what do you need to get started in airsoft skirmishing? Not much really. All sites can provide the essential things like hire guns, overalls and masks for people who want to come a try it out for themselves before buying there own kit (very sensible). Wear boots or sturdy trainers (bearing in mind the high chance of mud in the woods) and lightweight clothes to compensate for the overalls and you'll have a great time. Weaponry: Once you get into the hobby a little more you'll probably want your own AEG, as besides anything else this will work out cheaper than hiring a gun if you're going to play a lot. Which gun you get is down to you and your budget. I've known players start out skirmishing with inexpensive spring guns, and some of them have held their own and once they upgraded to AEGs the skills they learnt make them very good players (t2s player Belcher played for months with a £45 SPAS 12). AEGs are the general way forward when it comes to skirmishing. The reviews on this site may help you select the best AEG for you, but this is 90% down to personal preference and taste to be honest. Get a gun you feel comfortable running/crawling around with, some of the longer AEGs can be quite a handful for a shorter player trying to creep in the bracken!! Look after your gun and it should last you ages. Clean the barrel occassionally to keep it accurate, avoid cheap BBs which cause jams and possibly internal damage and don't drop it!! AEGs do eventually wear out though, the gears, piston and motors all work hard and will wear eventually. Replacement of of these parts will cost £10-40, not a huge amount and not often required. Some players take a back up weapon into each game. This would usually be a pistol type weapon, though you do see the occassional MP5 K or sawn-off shotgun being strapped on a player. These are not essential by any means. Occasionally handy, a back up weapon will rarely see action unless you make a point of it. Snipers are the exception I would say, usually armed with powerful bolt action rifles , some form of short range fire power is almost essential, and in fact required at the Ambush sites. Most sites will have one or two single action games in which no AEGs can be used. This is when the 'back ups' usually come out to play. r

What to wear: A face mask!!!. Dont go anywhere where BBs are being fired without one. I play in a full-face mask and don't like anything less. Some players use shooting glass or other forms of eye protection, and whilst they may find this more realistic/comfortable, they have to put up with being shot in the face occassionally, and that hurts!!. Clothing wise you will need something strong enough to take a day in the woods, and give you some protection against the brambles, nettles and insects you will find there too.  About 90% of airsofters play in some form of army surplus clothing, from an old pair of combats and a sweat-shirt to full military kit. Again personal taste and budget should lead the way here too. But if you'd rather play looking like an urban militiaman than a navy SEAL go for it.

Accessories: A high capacity magazine is essential for skirmishing, but you only really need one to get started. I often run into a game with one hi cap and an old (but very clean!) Coke bottle full of BBs. After each firefight I top up the mag. This takes no longer than changing a mag either, and ensures you never have a half mag when the next firefight kicks off. Some players can't play without a good few full hicaps, and players more into the military simulation side of airsoft play with only standard magazines for more realism. There is a huge variety of accessories available for airsoft guns. Sights, replacement metal bodies, scopes, lasers, custom parts, ............. How far you go in modifying your gun is down to you. An individual look can be created on a limited budget, or you can spend over £1000 on building or buying a full custom gun. I won't go into detail on all the parts etc available. So I'll generalise by saying, use your gun before buying anything for it. If it seems to lack something there may be a part or parts available to help but most add ons are really more cosmetic than useful.

Extras: Once you have played a few times you will get an idea of the things you'll need to get on. An extra battery can be an essential item, especially if your AEG takes the smaller batteries. You may want more mags, a scope to help you spot and hit opponents or some webbing and pouches to keep it all in.  I wouldn't recommend buying it all at once as this is not only expensive, but you may well also buy something you'll never use. There are websites and forums where second-hand gear is advertised and these can save you money, especially in the early days.