Airsoft Primer Part Two: Intro to Gear

Below I'll detail out briefly some solid starter weapons as well as a generalized list of tactical equipment.

Starter Weapon Choices as of January 2013 (NOTE: Subject to change)

Also note that these weapons are essentially ones I feel are ready to rumble after minor tweaks: tightbore barrel, new hop up bucking, and a relube/reshim. Some other unlisted brands are also close to these tiers of performance/value but might require new gears or other parts.

CARBINES

                Classic Army Spartan Series M4A1

                Classic Army P90

                Classic Army SLR 105 (AK Variant)

                ICS G33 (Fictional Rifle, essentially a modernized G36 that uses STANAG mags)

                ICS L85A2

                ICS Sig Series (551, 552, etc)

                KWA G36C*

               

SNIPER RIFLES

                Classic Army Spartan Series M16A3 (Tune and customize into SPR)

                CYMA M14 Series

                CYMA SVD Dragunov

SUPPORT WEAPONS

                A&K M249 SAW

                KWA G36C* (Tune and customize into MG36)

                CYMA RPK

                ICS L86A2

*KWA rifles use proprietary gearboxes. Although some aftermarket parts are still compatible, it could prove difficult to replace some components internally.

Starter List of Tactical Gear to Have for Large Ops Such as Broken Home

Base Layer

                -Proper Camouflage BDUs
                -Tan Undershirt

                -Gloves (optional though recommended)

                -Boot Socks

                -Boots (combat-ready boots, not simply hiking)

                -Kneepads (optional though recommended)

                -BDU Belt

                -Sling

MOLLE Vest

                -Appropriate Magazine Pouches

                -Hydration Storage

                -Extra Equipment Storage (for BBs, batteries, gas, etc.)

                -Holster for Sidearm (if applicable)

Equipment

                -Lighting System

                -Radio System (preferably with PTT/Headset)

                -Combat Goggles (Revisions for non-glasses users, Arena Flakjaks for glasses users)

                -Mesh Lower Facemask

                -Deadrag (Red bandana)

                -7.4v LiPo Batteries and LiPo Charger

                -Speedloader & BBs

From Top to Bottom: Comms Gear (Headset), Goggles, Facemask (Balaclava like this is not recommended, though, go for mesh), BDU top (This is a cold weather tactical jacket - we won't need that for May), Tan Undershirt (Just pretend),  MOLLE vest, Hydration (Tube on the right), Mag Pouches, Weapon, Gloves, BDU Belt, Holster (on the right), BDU Pants, Kneepads, Combat Boots, Boot Socks (again, pretend).

Airsoft Primer: Part One: Combat Roles

Roles in Combat

                a. Rifleman: Your all-purpose infantry unit, comparable to the Assault class in Battlefield 3. Armed with an assault rifle or carbine, these troops are meant to be able to hold a line, advance on a position, storm buildings, etc. Grenades and/or grenade launchers also help in their ability to take on numbers greater than their own. Overall, if you enjoy a little bit of everything and feel up to engaging in heavy combat, this is the class for you.

                - Weapons (Note that aesthetics come first - if you don't like the look of a rifle, you're probably not ever going to enjoy it. If you can't decide, though, go with a system that utilizes the standard M4/M16 magazine, as it is most common):

M16A3/A4, M4A1, M416, ARX-160, TAR-21 Tavor, L85A2, F2000, SCAR-L, XCR, ACW-R: Use M4 "STANAG" Mags

AK-74, G36C/K, Sig 551/552/556, Steyr AUGA2/A3

                 b. Recon: What many young Call of Duty players would deem the "1337 haxorz sniperrrr". However, sniping in airsoft, and indeed, the military, is a tedious process that rarely brings results people see in movies. Many times you'll be sent on ahead of a main force to scout out, but not necessarily fire on, enemy forces. In the times that you do fire on them, though, it will generally be from a concealed position, allowing you to eliminate unsuspecting troops with little to no return fire.

                 - Weapons (Note that all these snipers are semi-automatic, meaning no need to pull the bolt back after each shot. That's because you'll generally need multiple hits on target for the enemy to call their hits properly.):

Dragunov SVD, M14, M16 SPR, SCAR-H, SR-25 (Aka Mk 11 Mod 0)

                c. Support: Pretty much the same as its Battlefield counterpart, this is the guy that totes the machine gun, laying down ludicrous amounts of fire. In most cases, you'll act as a distraction for the main squad, making sure to keep the enemies' heads down to allow teammates to advance, or halt an enemy advance on your entrenched position. One object to note is that most support weapons are hefty - most weigh around 20 pounds. However, there are some adapted assault rifles that work well in addressing that issue, as well.

                - Weapons:

Bag-fed: M249, M240B, M60E4

Adapted Assault Rifles: MG36, M27 IAR, L86A2, RPK