ZERO TO NVGS | UK AIRSOFT SITE EXPECTATIONS, HOW MUCH AIRSOFT COSTS AND CHECKLIST!

Hey team! Welcome back to our next blog instalment of Zero to NVGs!

So you want to book your first airsoft game but you’re unsure of what to expect when you get on site? Let’s chat about what you can expect from a typical UK Airsoft site including roughly how much it costs, what rental kit you can get and what the facilities are like. It goes without saying that every airsoft is of course different and facilities/costs will vary between them, especially between CQB and woodland sites but I hope this is a helpful mini guide for you!

How much does an airsoft game day cost?

Firstly, let’s chat about roughly how much airsoft costs! The cost of an airsoft game in the UK varies from site to site; I’ve paid £25 to play at one site and £38 at another. Typically, the price for a walk on (bringing your own kit) tends to be between £25-£35. Equipment rental costs typically cost between £15-£25 for a full days hire and this is added to the walk on fee. This usually includes your hire gun, 1000 BBs and your eye/face protection. If you are starting out and hiring equipment, I would budget around £60 for your game day and rental.

Do airsoft sites serve food?

Again, this varies. Some sites have dedicated food prep areas and serve food like hot dogs and burgers (it’s rare that this is included in your game day fee though), others have food vans parked up in the safe zone where you can purchase food and others sell snacks and drinks at the registration desk. There are usually tea and coffee stations in the safe zone - I don’t think I’ve been to an airsoft site that hasn’t had one! As a general rule, I always bring a packed lunch and any drinking water I’ll need for the day. I’m a big fan of a Tesco meal deal or a potnoodle!

What is the car parking situation?

Car parking is typically on-site and free. Some sites use their car parks as the safe zone.

What is the safe zone situation?

The safe zone is the ‘getting ready’ area and the only area where you don’t need to wear your eye pro. No loaded guns are allowed in the safe zone hence its name. No safe zone will be the same as another. Some are inside, some are outside with cover and some are the car park. This is where you’ll sign in, get your rental kit, get ready for each game (loading BBs into mags etc), eat and hang out. Check the site you’re attending’s website to see if they have any information on their safe zone. Every site I have been to has at a minimum portaloos for toilet facilities.

One of the biggest barriers for new players believe it or not isn't the cost, the kit, or even the fear of getting shot - it's simply not knowing what to expect on the day. Turning up underprepared, wearing the wrong things, or missing the safety brief because you didn't know what time to arrive - these are the things that turn a brilliant first experience into a stressful one.

So I put together a free beginner game day checklist!

It's completely free to download from my Beacons store. Download it or print it, use it, and come back and tell me how your first game went!

Get yours for free, here!

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ZERO TO NVGS | YOUR FREE BEGINNER GAME DAY CHECKLIST!

Are you thinking about trying airsoft but not sure where to start? You aren't alone. One of the biggest barriers for new players believe it or not isn't the cost, the kit, or even the fear of getting shot - it's simply not knowing what to expect on the day. Turning up underprepared, wearing the wrong things, or missing the safety brief because you didn't know what time to arrive - these are the things that turn a brilliant first experience into a stressful one.

That's exactly why I put this checklist together.

It's built specifically for complete beginners hiring kit on the day. No gear knowledge needed, no confusing loadout lists - just everything you actually need to show up, feel prepared, and have a brilliant first game. Whether you've been curious about airsoft for years or your mate just convinced you to give it a go last week, this is your starting point!

From finding a site and working out your budget, to what to wear (genuinely the most important bit for first-timers - trust me on this one, I wore leggings for my first airsoft game and had REGRETS!), what to chuck in your bag, and the four rules you need to know before the first game starts - it's all in there, written in plain English with no gatekeeping.

I've been playing airsoft for over a decade so long enough to know what trips first-timers up: the wrong footwear, no cash for extra BBs, forgetting a change of clothes for the drive home. Small things that make a big difference to how your day goes - and all things this checklist has you covered on.

Print it off the night before, or as it's interactive save it to your phone, or send it to a mate who's been umming and ahhing about coming along.

It's completely free to download from my Beacons store. Download it, use it, and come back and tell me how your first game went!

Get yours for free, here!

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ZERO TO NVG: AIRSOFT 101 - TYPES OF AIRSOFT, SAFETY, RULES & FIRST HITS.

Zero to NVG: Airsoft 101 

What is airsoft? 

Airsoft is a game of simulated gun combat that is played worldwide by people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, etc in which the objective is to eliminate their opponents using 6mm plastic BBs. It originated in Japan in the 1970’s as a safe and legal alternative to real firearms due to gun legislation. 

(Photo credit @airsoftproject)

Airsoft is very similar to paintball (as much as we, airsofters may like to protest!), in the way that people team up at dedicated, insured sites to shoot at and be shot by each other for fun and sport. Where airsoft differs, however, is that airsoft is intended to be more realistic than paintball, in the clothes that we wear and the replicas that we use. Whilst paintball markers typically don’t look like “real” guns (unless you are playing Magfed), airsoft RIFs (Realistic Imitation Firearms) are, 99% of the time, modelled after genuine firearms and are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. The players, depending on their style of airsoft are also more likely to wear realistic military gear, including plate carriers, chest rigs, helmets, etc to look more ‘realistic’. 

As there is no paint, or any identifiable way to know you’ve been hit, airsoft relies on an honour system. 

There are different styles of airsoft as not everyone wants to dress realistically or even wants to shoot at/be shot at by other players, so let’s chat about the different types of airsoft: 

Skirmish 

(Photo credit @samwise.tacticaluk)

Primarily there’s skirmishing. An airsoft skirmish (otherwise known as a game day/walk on/pick-up game) typically consists of two teams, shooting at each other whilst in a combat scenario - these scenarios can simply be a team deathmatch or have more complicated objectives such as capturing a flag. This is how most players get started in the sport. 

MilSim 

Photo credit @theairsoftcorrespondent)

‘MilSim’ is similar to a skirmish but it is more focused on the Military Simulation aspect. During a MilSim, players will be organised into teams, that have command structures and they will be given taskings/objectives to complete. MilSims are usually longer, running anywhere from 24 hours to 72 hours of continuous play. You eat, sleep and shit in game so make sure you wear your eye pro when you sleep and lock those portaloo doors. 

BattleSim 

Battlesims are essentially shorter Milsims, think all-day events that are usually played for 8 to 12 continuous hours, although they can be longer. 

AIPSC 

AIPSC is a target shooting sport. AIPSC shooters use airsoft guns to shoot at paper and metal targets whilst being timed/scored according to particular rules. There are shooting clubs around the world that compete in AIPSC competitions. 

Speedsoft 

Photo credit @theairsoftcorrespondent)

Speedsoft is the airsoft equivalent of paintball’s speedball. A fast-paced tournament-like game that disregards the military aspect and instead focuses on fast shooting, fast movement in “arenas”. Whilst this style of airsoft is relatively young, it has exploded in popularity over the last few years. I don't have any speedsoft pictures, so here's a pic of me in a paintball mask. 

General Rules & Safety 

Safety is the number one priority when playing airsoft. All players over 18 must wear at a MINIMUM a pair of high-impact rated eye protection. If a player is under the age of 18, a site’s insurance will usually dictate that they need to wear full face protection such as a paintball mask. It is recommended that everyone wears lower face protection - BBs can and have shattered teeth! 

(Photo credit @samwise.tacticaluk)

It’s recommended at most sites that you wear good footwear with ankle protection such as hiking boots, especially if you’re playing outdoors - uneven ground and holes like rabbit warrens can be pesky for those ankles! 

All airsoft guns need to be tested with a chronograph before each game by site staff to ensure they are under the legal limits, as we have restrictions on their power in the UK. Most sites in the UK operate a site limit of 350 FPS (feet per second) for pistols and AEGs, up to 500 FPS for bolt action sniper rifles, although these can differ depending on what site you’re at so always check their website! 

Although different sites/game modes have different rules, some rules are universal such as ‘dead players don’t talk’ meaning that if you’ve been eliminated, you can’t give away another player’s position to a live player, and no blind firing meaning you must be able to see where your BB is traveling to. 

First Hits 

What does getting hit feel like? It entirely depends on where you’re hit and if you’re wearing any protection on that part of the body. If you’re hit in the chest whilst wearing a plate carrier - you may feel a thud and hear an impact, if you got shot on your thighs whilst wearing a pair of trousers you may feel a small sting and if you get shot on your bare knuckles you would probably feel a fair bit of pain. 

Airsoft is a game of honour so when you’ve been hit by another player, there won’t be a visible mark, it’s down to you as the player to call yourself out by raising your hand and shouting ‘HIT’ loud enough for the person shooting at you to hear. Top tip: move out of the way quickly to avoid being overshot by active players! 

Not calling a hit is classed as cheating. Although hits can be missed if you haven’t felt or heard them, that isn’t an excuse to not take a hit. If in doubt, take the hit as respawn is only ever a short walk away!

Join me for our next Zero to NVG instalment: Site Expectations, Costs and Beginner Day Checklist!

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AIRSOFT 101 | 5 BUDGET FRIENDLY BEGINNER AIRSOFT GUNS!

Hi friends! Welcome back to the blog.

In this post, we’re going to answer the age-old airsoft question - ‘What airsoft gun should I get as a beginner?’. We’ll be looking at 5 budget-friendly beginner airsoft guns that have great out-of-the-box performance, can be easily upgraded further down the line and that cater to different budgets. For your first couple of games, I strongly recommend you rent from a site or borrow from friends - just so you don’t spend hundreds on an airsoft gun only to find out you actually don’t enjoy airsoft. Renting equipment from a site is also a great way to get started as you’ll be given a full rundown on how to use them.

Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender

The Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender is a super lightweight and sturdy airsoft M4, that has been mainly constructed from polymer with some metal components. It features a metal flash hider and a quad hand-guard with numerous 20mm RIS/Rails for customisation. The rifle also has an ergonomic pistol grip, an ambidextrous sling plate, and a 6-position adjustable crane stock with a roomy battery compartment.

Internally, the rifle boasts a reinforced V2 gearbox, full steel tooth piston, high-torque flat motor, and micro-switch trigger for improved performance. It has an adjustable hop-up unit and a 6.03mm inner barrel for enhanced accuracy and range. The quick-change spring system allows for easy FPS adjustments.

Though lightweight, the polymer construction gives it a less premium feel compared to full metal AEGs, but it remains solid with no wobbles or rattles. It retails for £139.99. Read my full review here!

G&G CM16 Raider

A popular choice for starters and commonly used in airsoft rental fleets, the CM16 Raider AEG from G&G is a lightweight and durable airsoft rifle with a polymer receiver, rail, and grip, along with an alloy outer barrel, sling plate, and stock tube. It features a birdcage-style flash hider, fixed front post iron sight, and a 20mm RIS/RAS rail system for accessories. The full-length top rail accommodates red dot sights, and the removable rear iron sight adds versatility. The six-point adjustable crane stock serves as a battery storage area.

Internally, it has a version 2 rear wired gearbox, 8mm brass gear brushing, a 233mm inner barrel, and an adjustable hop-up unit. The replica feels high-quality and well-constructed, typical of G&G's reputation. The retail price is £189.99. Read my full review here!

Specna Arms AEG SA-C04 Core Carbine

The Specna Arms AEG SA-C04 features a receiver, stock slide, stock, and pistol grip all made from tough fibre-glass reinforced polymer, while the barrel, RIS handguard, flash hider, charging handle, and sling points are an alloy giving it a sturdy build. The internal features 8 mm slide bearings, shimmed steel gears, four anti-reversal latches, and a polycarbonate polymer piston with a steel strip, type 1 cylinder, and a precise rotary Hop-Up chamber. The CORE™ quick change spring system allows easy FPS adjustments without special tools.

Aesthetically, it resembles a classic M4 with a 22 mm top RIS rail, flip-up rear sight, and fixed front sight. The receiver bears cool markings and a serial number. Priced at €154.61, It's an excellent option for new players due to its affordability, completeness, and durability. Read my full review here!

KWA KO EVE-4

The KO: EVE-4 AEG is a well-developed M4-style rifle by KWA, competing with its sister AEG, the Ronin T6. Weighing in at 4.6 lbs, it's a pound lighter than the Ronin T6 but shares the same great internals. The rifle features a KWA two-port Muzzle Brake and K.O.R.E 4 MLOK rail for attachments, high-strength polymer upper and lower receiver, and standard M4 controls. The side charging handle allows for easy hop-up adjustment, and the true PDW-style stock adds to its appeal.

Internally, it has the AEG 2.5+ Gearbox, KWA High Torque Motor, adjustable hop-up, and Electronic Trigger compatibility. The Variable Performance System (VPS) allows FPS adjustment using the included tool. Battery insertion might take more time due to the stock's smaller space, but it's manageable. It retails for £239.99 so it is a little more expensive than the others in this list but still great value for money. Read my full review here!

Delta Armory AR15 LONG MLOK ALPHA

The AR15 Long M-LOK ALPHA is a robust and realistic rifle from Delta Armory's latest generation of AR15-M4 rifles. Its full metal construction, including the hand guard, body, trigger, and outer barrel, provides a solid feel. The rifle features a 13' lightweight M-LOK hand guard with front and body rails for customisation. The CNC Type A trigger enhances the shooting experience, and the 6-point stock allows easy battery installation.

Internally, the rifle boasts quality components, such as an SHS Piston, delayer chip, quick spring change system, mandrel with bearing, QRS motor, rotary hop-up chamber, 6.03mm inner barrel, and durable metal gear. The package comes in a Delta Armory branded box, and the rifle has a modern look with a nice silhouette due to the M-LOK rail. 

The UK retail price is approximately £264.95 so it is the most expensive rifle on this list. Overall, it is a reliable and well-performing rifle, ideal for outdoor/urban environments. Read my full review here!

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AEG | NUPROL DELTA PIONEER BREACHER!

Hey friends! 

Welcome back to the blog! Today we’re carrying on our budget AEG series and in this one, we’re looking at the Nuprol Delta Pioneer Breacher from Extreme Airsoft! Is this the ideal beginner’s AEG? 

The Delta Pioneer Breacher is an AEG from Nuprol that has been designed with beginners in mind. It is constructed from a tough polymer, with alloy parts including the fire controls and the ambidextrous sling plate. At the front of the replica we have a sound hog style amplifier mounted on a 14mm CCW threaded outer barrel (meaning accessories such as tracer units and mock suppressors), moving on we have a Quad-Rail system that has ample space for aftermarket parts like foregrips and PEQ boxes. Following on there is a 1/2’ riser in the middle (this is intended for mounting red dot optics but I’ll tell you later why I personally wouldn’t mount it there) that leads onto the polymer receiver has a 20mm RIS Rail for which there are a set of flip-up iron-sights included in the box. At the back of the rifle, there is an ambidextrous alloy sling plate and a six-position sliding crane stock so that the rifle's length can be adjusted to the shooter. 

Internally, the Delta Pioneer Breacher is equipped with a 6.03mm inner barrel, reinforced version 2 gearbox, a quick change spring system, a High torque motor, Steel tooth piston, an adjustable hop-up and it is rear-wired to a mini Tamiya connector. 

The replica comes presented in a Nuprol black and red branded box. On removing the replica from the box, it is extremely lightweight because of its mostly polymer construction. Although the polymer it’s made from doesn’t feel cheap, it does make the replica feel inexpensive compared to a full metal AEG. However, there are no wobbles or rattles and the construction appears sound. Aesthetically, it is a standard M4, but there is scope for a lot of customisation with accessories such as tracer units, PEQ boxes, grips, etc., so you can make it your own. It is a relatively short M4, having a 10” outer barrel. The Nuprol Delta Pioneer Breacher comes in black, tan, grey and two-tone. 

So how does it shoot? I tested it using a 7.4v Lipo and it was consistent, had no feed issues and also sounded okay (not the greatest sounding AEG by a long shot). When it was put through chrono, it was achieving 334 FPS consistently on 0.20g BBs which is perfect for any site in the UK and of course, gives room for upgrades. As it is a short rifle, this would be perfect to use in a tight CQB environment. 

Is there anything I don’t like about it? Yes. As with the Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender that I reviewed a couple of weeks ago, I hate the riser. As I said in my previous review, it is too far forward for a comfortable sight picture for me and the riser is also bridging. Bridging is the act of mounting an optic on both the handguard and the rail. Now, admittedly it is airsoft and some players don’t really care where the optics go, but optics are there to enhance your accuracy and they need to be zeroed. For them to be zeroed, we need a stable mount, and unfortunately, the handguard doesn’t provide stability. The reason for this, is that handguards move and flex from the pressure that we apply to them from hands, slings, and more meaning that it will affect your zero significantly. 

In the box, you get the Nuprol Delta Pioneer Breacher AEG, a 300-round thermold-style high-capacity magazine, flip-up Iron Sights, a cleaning rod and the all-important manual that everyone definitely reads. From Extreme Airsoft it retails for £149.99 which is a great price for a solidly built, reliable airsoft gun that you can upgrade as you go. You can use code femmefatale23 for 5% off! 

Post sponsored by Extreme Airsoft.

Professional photos by Krios Photography.

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AEG | ARES AMOEBA AM-007 M4 STUBBY!

Hey friends! 

Welcome back to the blog, and another review in our budget/beginner AEG series! In this one, we’ll be taking a look at the ARES AM-007 from my friends over at Extreme Airsoft! 

The ARES AM-007 is constructed from mostly polymer and in terms of design, the AM-007 follows the distinct AMOEBA style, that gives it a unique and modern aesthetic. At the front of the rifle, there is a birdcage-style flash-hider that is mounted on a 14mm CW thread. Following on we have a 3.5" barrel and polymer RIS rail that has space for some attachments, in the box there is a removable foregrip and iron sights which are nice additions. The receiver is fully branded with the Amoeba trademarks. There is a stippled effect pistol grip that aids with grip in wet and cold weather. At the rear, we have an adjustable stock with a QD mount (perfect for a one-point sling). 

Internally, the AM-007 is packed with features, including ARES's new EFCS gearbox system, and Electronic Firing Control System. With this advanced gearbox, players can program the rifle to operate in semi-automatic, three-round burst, or full-auto firing modes using the Ares Amoeba Electronic Gearbox Programmer EFCS. It also has an electronic trigger and an adjustable hop-up. 

The AM-007 comes presented in an ARES branded box, in what seems to be a recycled cardboard tray (which does feel cheap and doesn’t secure the rifle very well). On removing it from the packaging it is really light but the construction materials feel fantastic and of a high quality. There are no rattles or wobbles and it does feel like a tough little build. 

Aesthetically, as the name suggests it is a very stubby M4. I’m not personally vibing with the looks of this AEG as it looks a little too squished for my liking. Its compact size however does mean that it is super easy to manoeuvre and manipulate. I think this would be a great CQB rifle, especially for all those tight corners. So how does it shoot? I tested it using a 7.4v Lipo and it was consistent, had no feed issues and also sounded really good! When it was put through chrono, it was achieving 335 FPS consistently on a 0.20g BB which is perfect for any site in the UK and of course gives room for upgrades. You can check out my rangetest here.

In the box, you get the Ares Amoeba AM-007 M4 Stubby, a set of Iron-Sights, a Magazine with a built-in magazine pull, a cleaning rod and the user manual. From Extreme Airsoft, this replica retails for £189.99 so it is an affordable, entry-level rifle and you can even use my code ‘femmefatale23’ for 5% off (not affiliate, just saving you some cash dollar). 

Post sponsored by Extreme Airsoft. 

Professional Photos by Krios Photography.

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AEG | NUPROL DELTA PIONEER DEFENDER!

Hey friends!

Welcome back to the blog! Today we’re continuing our series on affordable/entry levels airsoft guns and in this one, we’ll be looking at the Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender from Extreme Airsoft. Is this the perfect entry-level RIF?

The Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender is constructed mostly from a lightweight polymer with metal components that makes it a sturdy yet super lightweight build. At the very front of the rifle, we have a metal bird cage style flash hider that has a 14mm CCW thread making it easy to remove and replace with a tracer unit or mock suppressor. Following on it has a quad handguard that has 20mm RIS/Rails on all sides, this gives the user so many options for customisation - from grips to lasers, torches etc. It has a full-length top rail that spans the handguard and receiver but it is split in two with a 1/2’ riser in the middle (this is intended for mounting red dot optics but I’ll tell you later why I personally wouldn’t mount it there). On the receiver, the Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender features an ergonomic finger-ridged pistol grip, ensuring a secure and comfortable grip, even during intense engagements. The flat low-profile trigger guard promotes a natural and ergonomic trigger finger placement. There is a metal ambidextrous sling plate and at the very back of the rifle there is a 6-position adjustable crane stock which offers adjustability to accommodate users of different sizes and preferences. As the replica is rear-wired, the stock conceals the battery storage compartment which is very roomy and the rubberised butt plate enhances comfort during extended gameplay sessions.

Internally, the Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender boasts a reinforced V2 gearbox, that is compatible with aftermarket upgrade parts. The full steel tooth piston further enhances the rifle's performance, especially during rapid-fire situations and the inclusion of a high-torque flat motor gives this replica a swift response and enhanced rate of fire. It also features a metal-reinforced selector plate and a micro-switch trigger, which helps extended trigger life and improves trigger response, resulting in better overall performance and faster follow-up shots. To enhance accuracy and range, the rifle features an adjustable hop-up unit and a 6.03mm inner barrel.

Lastly, the Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender also features a quick-change spring system allowing players to quickly and easily change the FPS of their replica.

The Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender comes presented in a Nuprol black and red branded box. On removing the replica from the box, it is extremely lightweight because of its mostly polymer construction. Although the polymer it’s made from doesn’t feel cheap, it does make the replica feel inexpensive compared to a full metal AEG. However, there are no wobbles or rattles and the construction appears to be sound. 

Aesthetically, it is a pretty basic M4 but there is scope for a lot of customisation with accessories such as tracer units, PEQ boxes, grips etc so you can really make it your own. It comes in a few different colours including black, tan and grey - I chose the grey colour way for this review for something different.

So how does it shoot? Now I’ve never used a Nuprol AEG so I was really interested to see how this would perform. I tested it using a 7.4v Lipo and it was consistent, had no feed issues and also sounded okay. When it was put through chrono, it was achieving 332 FPS consistently on a 0.20g BBs which is perfect for any site in the UK and of course gives room for upgrades.

Is there anything I don’t like about it? Yes. I hate the riser (so sorry Nuprol!). It is too far forward for a comfortable sight picture for me and the riser is also bridging. Bridging is the act of mounting an optic on both the handguard and the rail. Now, admittedly it is airsoft and some players don’t really care where the optics go, but optics are there to enhance your accuracy and they need to be zeroed. For them to be zeroed, we need a stable mount, and unfortunately, the handguard doesn’t provide stability. The reason for this, is that handguards move and flex from the pressure that we apply to them from hands, slings, and more meaning that it will affect your zero significantly.

In the box, you get the Nuprol Delta Pioneer Defender AEG, a 370 round high capacity magazine and the all-important manual. From Extreme, this RIF retails for £139.99 so it is a really affordable, entry-level rifle and you can use my code ‘femmefatale23’ for 5% off (not affiliate, just saving you some cash dollar dollar). 

Post sponsored by Extreme Airsoft.

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AEG | G&G CM16 RAIDER!

Hey friends!

Welcome back to the blog! Today I’m starting a blog series on affordable, budget airsoft replicas that are perfect for beginners, as bases for upgraded builds and those of us who are feeling the squeeze of the cost of living crisis in the UK but want to add to our collection without breaking the bank. First up, we’ll be taking a look at the G&G Armament CM16 Raider from Extreme Airsoft!

The CM16 Raider AEG from G&G Armament is constructed primarily from polymer, with a polymer receiver, rail, and grip, and an alloy outer barrel, sling plate, and stock tube. At the front of the rifle, there is a bird cage style flash hider on a 14mm CCW thread (meaning it’s ready to accept tracer units and mock suppressors) followed by a fixed front post iron sight and a four-point 20mm RIS/RAS rail system. The system provides loads of room for a wide range of aftermarket accessories such as grips, torches, and lasers. 

It features a full-length top rail that spans the length of the receiver and the handguard which is perfect for adding a red dot and the removable rear iron sight. Following on, we have a G&G branded polymer body and pistol grip which is nicely stippled to aid with grip. At the rear of the rifle, there is an alloy sling plate and it also boasts a six-point adjustable crane stock with a rubberised butt plate. The crane stock also serves as a battery storage area, accommodating the batteries connected to a wire running through the buffer tube, which connects to the rear-wired gearbox.

Internally, it features a version 2 rear wired gearbox, 8mm Brass gear brushing, a 233mm inner barrel and an adjustable hop-up unit.

The G&G CM16 Raider comes nicely presented in a G&G branded box in their signature colours. On getting the replica out of the box, you can feel that it is really lightweight thanks to the mostly polymer construction. There are no wobbles or rattles and the construction is sound, which is what we expect from such a big brand as G&G. The materials feel of good quality which fills you with confidence in the replica's durability. This is one of the most popular starter airsoft guns and it wouldn’t be uncommon for you to see these being used at airsoft sites up and down the country as their rental fleet.

So how does it shoot? G&Gs has always been a reliable brand for me and the CM16 Raider was no exception. I tested it using a 7.4v Lipo and it was consistent, had no feed issues and also sounded pretty good. When it was put through chrono, it was achieving 330 FPS consistently on a 0.20g BBs which is perfect for any site in the UK and of course gives room for upgrades.

In the box, you get the G&G Armament CM16 Raider AEG, 450 round high-capacity magazine and of course the all-important user manual. From Extreme, it retails for £189.99 (at the time of writing, it was in the sale for £159.99) which is a great price for a solidly built, reliable airsoft gun that you can upgrade as you go. You can use code femmefatale23 for 5% off!

Post sponsored by Extreme Airsoft

Professional photos by Krios Photography

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AIRSOFT 101 | A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO AIRSOFT GUNS!

Hi all!

Well, now we've discussed what airsoft is, let's take a look at the different kinds of airsoft guns that are available. In this post, we'll look at 4 types of airsoft guns - spring-powered airsoft guns, automatic electric guns (or AEGs), electric blowback guns (or EBBs for short), and gas guns (GBBR). I'll be doing a separate post on HPA airsoft guns!

Each type of gun on this list has different mechanisms and characteristics. This makes some airsoft guns more suited to game modes and environments than others and it also affects the price. 

Spring Guns 

So, spring-powered airsoft guns are exactly what the label says! They are powered by a spring mechanism that needs to be pumped or cocked. They don’t use any source of external power such as gas or batteries. This means spring-powered weapons are cheaper to run overall as there are no running costs except for BBs.

As for weapon classes, there are spring-powered shotguns, snipers, pistols, and rifles. The pistols and rifles in this category are usually entry-level and made from low-quality materials and offer a low FPS (think the types of cheap BB guns you can get on Skeggy market haha). However, spring-powered shotguns and sniper rifles, offer a completely different experience for the user, and a hell of a lot more fun too! Sniper rifles are high-powered and have an FPS of up to 500 FPS. The reason they are allowed such a high FPS is that they only fire one BB at a time over a long distance and they need that power for the BB to travel that distance (they also have a minimum engagement distance or MED). Spring-powered shotguns are a little different - they typically fire 3 to 6 BBs per shot (which makes them an effective weapon for CQB) but you can get single shot shotguns - these usually have an adjustable hop-up. Although spring-powered airsoft guns have the lowest rate of fire, they’re incredibly simple and easy to handle, perfect for beginner airsoft players. 

Here are some examples of spring-powered rifles Extreme Airsoft has online: 

Double Eagle M401 Breacher Spring Shotgun - £24.99

NUPROL Sierra Storm Charlie Tactical Spring Shotgun - £49.99

S&T ST870 POLICE SPRING SHOTGUN -£179.99

ACTION ARMY VSR-10 Spring Sniper System - £224.99

Automatic Electric Guns (AEGs) 

Next up on our list, are AEGs or Automatic Electric Guns. These are widely used throughout the community from beginners to seasoned players due to their ease and variety. 

As the name suggests Automatic Electric Guns are powered by batteries. These airsoft guns usually have an FPS from 290fps (looking at you Tokyo Marui) up to 350fps. These airsoft guns have gearboxes, pistons, and adjustable hop-up systems at their hearts, to make sure they are accurate and reliable over short to mid-range distances. They usually have both semi-automatic and automatic firing modes. 

Here are some of the AEGs I rate from Extreme Airsoft: 

G&G GR4 G26 Black Rose - £289.99

G&G ARP 9 Battleship Grey - £234.99

KRYTAC TRIDENT MK 2 CRB - £399.99

KWA RONIN 47 - £359.99

Electric Blowback Guns (EBBs) 

Electric blowback guns are very similar to automatic electric guns (in the way that they both use batteries as their power source), but when firing they use a fake bolt that gives a little bit of recoil to make your experience more realistic. These are usually more expensive than a standard AEG but are great for a player looking for more realism. 

Examples of Electric Blowback Guns from Extreme:

BOLT B4 DEVGRU Basic Electric Blowback - £369.99

LCT LCK 74 - £439.99

Gas Guns 

Gas guns are generally powered by either: CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) in the form of small silver canisters or Green gas which is a mix of propane and silicon that is held in a reservoir in the mags. 

Most airsoft pistols are powered by gas. Gas-powered airsoft guns sit in two distinct groups: blowback and non-blowback. Gas Blow Back (or GBB) guns give the user a realistic feel as it has more moving parts. The top slide or bolt carrier moves backward and forwards and loads a new round into the chamber with every squeeze of the trigger. Non-blowback guns don’t have the moving top slide/bolt carrier so do not give that realism. 

Generally, gas guns have a lower magazine capacity than say an AEG, and this is because the gas is usually stored inside of the magazine in a reservoir. 

Some gas blowback replicas from Extreme Airsoft I like:

VFC GLOCK 19 GEN 3 G19 - £159.99

ACTION ARMY Ruger MKII Gas Blowback Pistol AAP01 - £94.99

GOLDEN EAGLE M870 Tri-Shot Gas Pump Action Shotgun - £199.99

GHK M4 URG-I 10.3” Gas Blowback - £699.99

CO2 airsoft guns work in the same way as green gas airsoft guns, but rather than having gas in a reservoir, they have a bulb of C02 to be inserted. CO2 is a higher pressure than green gas, so some C02 pistols have a higher FPS and need to be downgraded. 

CZ P-09 Optic Ready CO2 Black - £179.99

You can save 5% on online purchases with the code ‘femmefatale21’

Post is originally written for Extreme Airsoft

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