MANTIS X FIREARMS TRAINING SYSTEM REVIEW!

Hey everyone!

So today I'm back with another review and this is for the MantisX Firearms Training System! 

The MantisX is a training system that is designed to help improve your shooting precision. It is a small sensor that can be used with live fire, dry practice for firearms and even for airsoft. It is attached to a rifle or pistol via a rail or adapter and it analyses the users shooting mechanics, diagnoses issues and gives you tips to improve through its app!

In the box you get an absolutely adorable tiny peli case that contains the MantisX sensor and the micro USB charging cable. Once I'd got it out of the box and downloaded the app from the App Store I set about mounting it to my WE M&P Big Bird Pistol. It was really easy to attach, just use a flat head screwdriver to remove the screw, slide it onto the rail and pop the screw back into place and you're done. The MantisX didn't sit flush with the end of the barrel because of the position of the slots in the rail but this doesn't affect its performance.

Once the sensor was attached to my M&P I turned it on using the button and opened the app to connect and calibrate the sensor. In the settings I could select whether I was using a rifle or a handgun, what type of weapon I was using (and the list was comprehensive) and whether I had the MantisX sensor in the forward or backward mount position - I had chosen the forward mount position with the USB charging port facing the gun.

I loaded my mags and started a session. It's recommended to take 10-15 shots, stop the session then analyse the data from there so you can discern patterns and areas of focus. The Mantis feedback is really easy to understand - each shot is scored depending on how much you moved away from your sighted position during the trigger pull, it is scored out of 100 and the higher the, the better you have performed, the app then shows you the direction of your movement and gives you a suggestion on what could be the cause of your movement so you can aim to improve on that the next round.

Here is my results and what the in-app data looks like! From the results I can see that the areas that dragged me down in my scores were pushing forward on shots and my wrist moving downwards on trigger pulls. I think the fact it gives you suggestions on how to improve is pretty awesome and would be super useful for airsoft competition shooters.

So, how easy is it to use and understand? The MantisX really is super simple to use, once you've attached the sensor, downloaded the app and set it up for your firearm it is point, shoot and then evaluate. In regards to hardware usability, it's easy as pie to operate - the button on the sensor turns it on, if you hold it down for about 1 second to turn it off and it has a cool auto power off feature that turns it off if it doesn't detect any significant movement for 5 minutes so you don't have to worry about wasting battery life. To charge the unit you simply plug it into a computer USB port or a phone charger using its micro USB cable.

The app is also incredibly easy to use and understand, from setting up the MantisX for your own firearm to understanding the feedback, the team behind this nifty little gadget have made it really easy for the user to not only operate but to understand what they need to do to improve thanks to the comprehensive shot analysis.

What's the price point? The MantisX sensor retails for $149.99 from Mantis themselves here but it is also available from airsoft stores in the UK such as Landwarrior Airsoft for £159.99.

Overall, I think this little gadget is cool AF. I wouldn't necessarily use it in a skirmish game as there is a lot more movement involved during a skirmish, but it's a great way to train yourself and would be super useful for airsoft competition shooters to improve their skills. I really enjoyed using it and learning how I can improve my accuracy with my pistols.

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PROPPER RANGE BAG FROM MILITARY 1ST REVIEW!

Hey everyone!

So those of you who watched my latest YouTube video that I released last week will know I’ve teamed up once more with the awesome Military 1^st to bring you some more gear reviews! The first piece of kit on our list is the Range Bag in Olive Drab by Propper!

The Propper Range Bag is a hard wearing, roomy and utilitarian kit bag that comes in a couple of colour options – classic black and olive drab. I opted for the olive drab option as I’ve really developed a liking for the colour and I have accumulated a lot of green kit in the last 6 months or so! One thing I love about the OD colourway is the orange trim featured on the inside of the bag.

Let’s talk about the features before diving in any further! The range bag is focused around a large padded main compartment that has two removable dividers perfect for organisation and is lined with a fleece like material that enables the user to customise the bag further by adding their own Velcro panels. To compliment the main compartment the bag also features a large zipped front pocket that has 6 pistol mag pouches and a zipped net pocket that’s perfect to keep any tools or spare parts – the front pocket also features molle webbing and a Velcro panel on the front for any additional pouches and of course your favourite patches. One the other side of the bag is another large zipped pocket which holds a zipped net pocket, the removable fold out mat and removable hook and loop organiser panel. The bag also has a few other cool features like side panels of molle, robust grab handles and a reinforced shoulder strap to make carrying those essentials easier.

On getting the bag out of the box I was really pleasantly surprised with not only the size of the bag itself but the feel of the material, admittedly when I read ‘100% polyester’ my face grimaced a tad, but it feels high quality, sturdy and durable. I set about filling it with as much kit as I could ready for my weekend skirmish – from face pro, speedloaders, BBs, gun maintenance kits! Everything fit (except the obvious like PC, helmet, battle belt)

I threw the bag on my shoulder, and whilst it was heavy (thanks to the bags of BBs I’d loaded into it) it wasn’t uncomfortable. The reinforced strap distributed the weight nicely. Everything was easy to access even whilst wearing gloves (I later found out that the zippers were glove friendly zippers) So from an airsoft perspective this bag suits down to a tee. This got me thinking, what else could it be used for? Apart from firearms range time, I think it would be a pretty good kit bag for those interested in bush craft as it has plenty of pockets, everything is in good reach and it isn’t too bulky even when fully loaded.

This being said, the bag isn’t just great for airsofters or outdoor enthusiasts either! My father walked into my office a few days after the bags skirmish debut and noticed the Propper range bag sitting on one of our work tables waiting for its review – now he isn’t an outdoor enthusiast by any standard, his outdoor activities extend to football and that’s about it! Even he picked up the bag, which is unusual anyway, and said how nice it was and how perfect it would be for a going away bag which I hadn’t even considered! I think is because it is a really discreet piece of kit – because it’s available in the block colours rather than camouflage patterns, meaning it can be take on public transport without looking out of place.

So taking this into account, I then started playing about with some of the kit in my office and I also found that it is really handy for my job as a writer/photographer. It has a compartment that is big enough to store my laptop and plenty of pocket space to store my hard drives, memory cards, chargers etc. The main compartment dividers are great for keeping my camera equipment safe and divided. It has plenty of space so I can load it up and still be comfortable because of the reinforced shoulder straps. Although I’m reviewing this piece of kit from an airsoft perspective, as a freelance blogger and journalist for Airsoft Action I often find that I need to l lug so much camera and film equipment to the site from my car, taking it all in separate designated bags is inconvenient and frankly just annoying. This gives me a perfect carry system for not only my Airsoft kit but helps me get my job done.

What is it like for price? So it retails at £80.00 from the Military 1^st website and I feel really confident in saying this is well worth the investment, especially for serious enthusiasts who need an effective carry system for their kit and essentials to and from games but also for other activities. I’ll definitely be road testing this as a travel bag for my upcoming trip to Paris, France for a weekend of airsoft.

Overall, this is probably my favourite piece of kit that Military 1^st has sent the blog for review and I really mean that! It’s a hard wearing, durable range bag with ample amounts of space that can be utilised for a variety of different uses from firearms range time, airsoft enthusiasts, travelling and journalists/photographers.  My favourite aspect about it is that it is so usable as it isn’t just limited to Airsoft uses and it is super spacious.

Photography thanks to Silent Kitty Photography.
Post sponsored by Military 1st.

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A Day at Nuprol HQ!

On the 1st of February, I was invited to visit Nuprol HQ in the quaint town of Epsom, by Danny and Rossco to chat about what 2016 and beyond looks like for one of Europe's biggest Airsoft brands and see/test some of their new products! I was very warmly welcomed by the lads (who happen to be a powerhouse of a management team) and the day started.

After a cup of tea and a quick chat, my day started with a tour of the premises - 2 units worth of office and warehouse space filled to the brim with everything WE and Nuprol (it's a bit like being a kid in a candy store!). Due to the rapid growth of the business, they have just acquired an additional unit to expand operations into which is fantastic! Nuprol is a British brand and all operations except manufacturing are done in house from graphic design to distribution - something UK Airsofters should definitely get behind, shop local and supporting British Airsoft companies. There were a few things I was really interested in discussing with Rossco, the Marketing Manager, which included the new Nuprol Rail Systems, the changes to Nuprol Gas and their PMC clothing range. Firstly lets talk about the team, I have had the pleasure of meeting Rossco at last years RedWolf showcase, but I was yet to meet the rest of the team that make Nuprol. I was warmly welcomed and felt very at home - it's obvious from the atmosphere at Nuprol HQ that the team love what they do and are a family, from the consideration they show each other (even the managers make tea!) to the banter flying around the office.

The first item on the agenda was the new range of Rail Systems that Nuprol have just brought out! The new Bocca Rail Systems are the newest addition to the Nuprol range. Rails are a piece of kit that are usually very expensive so when I was told the price points of the various series - I was a little taken a back with some starting as cheap as £39.99 (please do check the various retailers for actual prices! Pictured is the Black Series 3 12" Bocca Rail that retails at around £65) Nuprol's mission with these was to simplify them but still make them look awesome! The finish on them is fantastic and they fit most AEGS and GBBRs and even come with 2 screws so they can be used on both - there are 3 series of Bocca Rails, each with distinct packaging. They come in 7'', 9'' and 12'' and in either Black or Bronze.

My personal favourite definitely had to be the 7'' Series Three Rail in Bronze (pictured left) - which you will be seeing on a new build of mine soon, so keep your eyes on my IG feed to see updates on that! One thing worth mentioning is definitely that they come with everything you need to fit them with - a definite bonus!

Next on the list was Nuprol's range of gases. Nuprol has the most comprehensive range of gases in the industry and there's more to come!

Nuprol currently do 3 different gases designed for everything and anything. Nuprol 2.0 (Green) is their 'everything' gas and is perfect for the summer months, although it is not recommended in plastic pistols it is pretty much safe in anything. This is the direct replacement for the WE Europe Premium gas and is a cleaner, more refined formula. Nuprol 3.0 (Red) is the gas that is specifically designed for cold weather - I use this gas all year round. It works best in metal pistols and GBBRs. In comparison to WE's original gases - the performance is much better! And finally Nuprol 4.0 (Black) is gas specifically for GBBRs and ISPC. It can be used in metal pistols in very low temperatures but this is not advised because of the power of 4.0, it will reduce the lifespan on the pistol. Nuprol's 4.0 improves the cycle rate of GBBRs dramatically - without a drastic increase to FPS. The Nuprol gases now come in an improved container that is a higher quality and a new shape with new artwork, I personally think the shape is much more ergonomic and user friendly. Anyone who has seen me load my pistol mags will have noticed that the old canisters were a little too large for my small hands haha! The new thinner bottle means it is easier for me to fill my mags - a big thumbs up from me! There is however a small size difference of 150g from the old canister to the new, but there is a drop in price that reflects this.


Another product Nuprol kindly supplied me to test is their XL Speedloader. What I really like about this speedloader is the size and shape and that is the first thing that strikes me about it - it is a 1:1 scale of an AR mag and fits M4 and M16 style mag pouches, as it holds 470 BBs it's brilliant for stashing in a pouch and refilling on the field!

The capacity means I can fill all my midcaps and pistol mags without reloading the speedloader making the job a little quicker! One thing I have noticed about standard speedloaders is they don't last very well because of the plastic they are made of, I am excited about this one however because it is made of Lexan which should improve the longevity by miles  - these are my first impressions but it will definitely be a product to revisit in the future to report back on its longevity.

As a former Fashion designer, I have a massive affinity towards kit and I love gucci gear - but the Nuprol PMC range did catch my eye whilst in my local Airsoft store so I wanted to get the lowdown on it, it turns out that Nuprol have spent the last year working on developing a range of high quality, affordable Airsoft specific kit in the styles that Airsofters love without them having to spend the dollar on real world military kit! Now I won't be swapping my Warrior Rig but this range is definitely what Airsoft needed - that middle ground in kit. It is made from a material dubbed 'NP1000D' which is durable like motorcycle armour but retails at an affordable price, for example the M4 Open Mag Pouch retails at around £13 which is incredible. The lads kindly supplied me with a PMC Day Bag in Green ready for my new Green MilSim loadout which I will be reviewing soon! So keep an eye out for that!

This product is by far one of my favourite goodies in my swag box from my trip to Nuprol HQ, the Nuprol One Point Bungee Sling. Now admittedly, I have been running a £10 eBay sling since I started playing (although there was a stint with a bright pink Magpul for a while) and the quality of it was definitely not worthy of it being the only thing between my custom Krytac PDW and a smash with the ground (that thankfully didn't happen but it definitely wasn't worth the risk). Considering this sling averages at about £5 more so £15, the difference in quality is substantial - and this is one of Nuprol's core values that echoes throughout their range - affordable and good quality gear. I feed my sling through my Warrior PC straps and although it is a little bulkier this doesn't seem to be a problem. The material is exceptionally strong and doesn't have a great deal of 'give' in it which means there's no chance of an overenthusiastic bounce sending your Systema crashing into the ground, the clips are also really strong. My only gripe about this product is that the clip is covered by a sleeve of material - I'm sure it definitely has a purpose but it gets in the way a little (especially for those with long nails like myself)

Last on the agenda was their range of eyepro and face pro. The mask I wear has become a signature to my loadout so I was very pleasantly surprised to see they made a half mesh face mask in that design and upgrade to it! Now mesh is my preferred eye/face pro but I am aware of the risks that are associated with it and by no means saying that you should definitely wear mesh - eye/face pro is a very personal descision. Nuprol's range however stands heads and shoulders above the ACM (All China Made) versions you can pick up off of eBay - they're the only mesh goggles with a CE rating! Both pieces meet all the European safety standards whilst keeping in line with the accepted styling. Their mesh goggles cost around £12 for the style I'm wearing in the above picture and £15 for the large version - the large version has a brace bar in the middle which you can't see whilst wearing them for even distribution of pressure and the coveted CE rating. The holes in the mesh are just the right size to let more light in but retain that level of safety.

Now if you don't use mesh, Nuprol do have a solution to fogging - I am yet to test this on the field but from my home testing (yes my mother did think there was something wrong with me walking the dog in them haha) the product is promising. When I wear my shooting glasses I usually use washing up liquid on them, but still find I have issues with fogging towards the end of a game day. I have heard many good things about Nuprol Clear View and the fact it is antibacterial is a major plus for me! I'm really looking forward to testing this on sunday so this will also be a product to revisit at a later date!

So what does the future look like for Nuprol? Lots and lots of growth! They have over 50 new product lines that are launching in 2016 including: Silencers/Suppressors, Shotgun shells, metal HiCap mags, metal Flash mags, bipod grips, standard forward grips and forward grips with pressure plads, AK folding grips, rubber RIS rail covers, AEG/GBB sling plates, AK scope mount, standard scope mounts along with a fair few more goodies! PMC this year will also be huge! I'm really excited to see these new developments within the Nuprol brand! 

Here's something from them I am VERY excited about but I'm sworn to secrecy, Rossco and Danny however did let me take a few sneaky pics for you though! Stay tuned, and for more teasers, you can stay up to date on Rossco's and Danny's Instagram accounts - just click the link :) A massive thank you to the lads for a great day at Nuprol HQ!

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My first look and first impressions of the ASG CZ Shadow SP-01!

Hey everyone! This is a really exciting blog post and this is the ASG CZ Shadow SP-01 roadshow and this is the very first blog review on the pistol!

So let's look at the Shadow's background, it is the Airsoft version of the Real Steel CZ Shadow SP-01 that was designed by Angus Hobdell, a champion British shooter who moved to the U.S and the genius behind CZ Customs, and also by Adam Tyc, a double world shooting champion from the Czech Republic. Their aim was to create a pistol that focused on accuracy and speed, which the Shadow delivers. Now they have brought out the Airsoft version, how does it stack up?

The first thing I noticed immediately is the aesthetics - I love the details on the slide and the optics. It also has a great weight to it and the grip isn't uncomfortable in my small hands - something that I have encountered with pistols in the past!

The ASG CZ Shadow SP-01 comes standard with a black rubberized grip, but as you will see in my photos the post production Shadow I tested at JD Airsoft features the metallic grips. These are part of the Shadow accessories range that are sold separately. The grips come in 3 colour ways - the CZ Orange, red and blue. Not only do they look awesome and are a great way to personalise the pistol, the metallic grips allow more palm contact with the pistol itself, creating a more secure grip for the shooter. It also features a 'beaver tail' style grip which allows your palm to sit snug in the curve - creating a more positive feel for the pistol.

The Shadow also features an oversized safety switch so you can rest your thumb on it and also an oversized mag release as seen in the picture to the right. One of my favourite features of the Shadow is the short stroke competition trigger! It's a two stage short stroke trigger designed for speed so when you cock it back, the internal mechanism shortens the stroke so when the second shot is taken, you rack it back and it's there, ready to go! The chrome finish of the trigger is also a nice touch.

The slide is embossed with all the markings of it's real steel counterpart and as it has a front end slide, it can also be disassembled in the same way, it's definitely worth mentioning that it is a 1.1 scale replica of it's counterpart! The Shadow comes with back and front optics, the front being fibre. The back optics blades are at angles and let more light into the sight and then deflects it at the rear so you get a clearer view down sight. Although I was a little skeptical of the back sight at first as it's not a sight system I'm familiar with, I was pleasantly surprised! It has attachment capabilities, so attaching a pistol torch or laser is really easy!

Now you know all the awesome features of the pistol, let's talk about price, accessories, whether its Co2 or Green Gas. There is no recommended retail price (RRP), so it is entirely down to the individual retailers however it will be around the same price point as the CZ P-09 which ranges between £110-£150, which is a pretty competitive price in my opinion! Out of the box the Shadow comes with a Green Gas mag but Co2 mags are available to purchase separately. ASG are bringing out an accessories range which includes the metal coloured grips, a fluted magwell, rubberized footbeds, a compensator and a suppressor to give shooters loads of options to dress it up and really make it their own! Something us Airsofters love! In fact, a lot of you will have seen from my Instagram feed that I've become a bit obsessed with customization lately and this would be no exception!

My first impressions? and how does it shoot? Like I've said further up in the review, I think the Shadow is really pretty piece of kit! I'm all about details and the markings on the slide, the optics and the metallic grips really hit the spot - although it is a shame the metallic grips don't come in the box.

The pistol has a nice weight to it and feels secure in my hand although it may not be something I'd run for a MilSim due to the weight, it would definitely be a strong contender for Airsoft Surgeon and such like where accuracy and speed are king. I was really impressed with how the Shadow shoots, its super accurate and has a lovely kick to it. Honestly it was hard to find things I don't like about this pistol! That being said I'd love to see the metallic grips made in pink, or come in a few more colour ways and to be included in the box as standard.

If you wanna check out the ASG CZ Shadow SP-01 for yourself ahead of its release this year, here are dates/locations for this month: 9th ASPUK, 11th Halo Mill/Patrol Base, 14th First and Only Retail, 16th RedWolf/Double Tap, 17th Watford Practical Pistol Club, 20th Smokey's Airsoft and finally on the 24th Jan at StrikeForce CQB! If you want to get in touch with ASG UK, feel free to contact Paul Wignell at pw@actionsportgames.com!

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Slaydies Series Spotlight Unicorn Leah/@thetacticalunicorn

Hey everyone! So we made it! 2015 is almost over and the last blog post is upon us! 

This is an awesome installment in my Slaydies Series of player spotlights: my Women of Airsoft battle sister Unicorn Leah. Leah is currently the most followed Slaydie in the world and is one of the very few female Airsoft content creators out there, she has a fab message about Gender Equality in Airsoft and is a true ambassador of the sport. Check her out!

So Leah, how long have you been Airsofting? 

I’ve been actively playing for a little over two years, so to most Airsofters, I’m still a n00b. However, I’m lucky to be able to play 2-3 times per week.

What got you into Airsoft and what do you love about the sport? 

I actually got introduced to Airsoft by working for an Airsoft distributor - Spartan Imports.  I played in a few games so that I could be a more effective sales person. I ended up having so much fun that I began to play every weekend and started to push the company to be more active in the community.

I love Airsoft because, to me, it’s basically like playing the Cowboys & Indians games that we used to play as kids.  Except now, we have much cooler weapon systems. We have the ability to build all kinds of crazy load outs and, personally, I think Airsoft is even more fun as an adult.

Where is your home site? 

DesertFox MOUT in Oro Grande, CA

What are the most memorable sites you’ve played? 

I’ve made a lot of great memories in Airsoft, and I don’t think it is necessarily because of the site, but more so because of the host or event organizer and the people in your squad. The most fun I’ve had has been at High Ground Indoor Arena in Spring, TX, Road to Rostov, held at Hill 559 and hosted by Milsim West, and the Direct Action Mission at American Milsim’s Faded Giant 4. Faded Giant is held in a decommissioned nuclear facility, so it makes for some pretty crazy and challenging gameplay.

Describe to us your playing style: 

I am currently working on playing more tactically and analytically. I have a tendency to be impatient and run and gun...which CAN be awesome, but it also frequently results in tunnel vision. At milsim events, I am usually the medic, which means I have to hang at the back a lot, but I’m also running a LOT in order to medic everyone. My Faded Giant 4 gameplay is going to be very medic-heavy, but in a very entertaining way. ;)

Weapons and Loadouts: What are you running? 

Eesh, this is a hard one. I really like changing up my weapon and loadout. I probably have 3 guns that I run the most consistently: my custom Unicorn Slayer, built by ThunderKiss NW, my Scorpion EVO, and my E&L AKS 74-U. I switch between crazy loudouts (I have a Storm Trooper and Princess Leia loadout), but I generally stick to chest rigs with a slick underneath. It’s more suitable for my body style and allows me to feel less clunky. I have about 5 different chest rigs, from LBX, Tactical Tailor, and Tasmanian Tiger and run all of them pretty consistently.

Being a women in Airsoft: Do you feel you are treated differently because of your gender? If so, how do you deal with this?

This is a loaded question! For some reason, women in Airsoft tends to be a controversial topic. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t care about someone’s gender in reference to a hobby.  Do some women become popular simply because they are good-looking women who also play Airsoft? Absolutely. Do some men become popular simply because they play airsoft and have a certain look? You better believe it. The pendulum swings both ways.  I know sponsored players of both sexes who might be less than valuable ambassadors of Airsoft who are simply sponsored because they have a certain look and are overly confident in themselves.  

On the field, we are all the same. A female can kill you just as easily as a male, her loadout and the color of her gun doesn’t make a difference.  Women on the field is becoming more commonplace, and I think that the more women that we get on the field, the fewer issues we will have with preferential and/or negative treatment.

I have definitely received my fair share of negativity just because I'm a female. It's been above and beyond the negativity doled out to my fiance, Jet DesertFox, who has about 6 times the following that I do. But, personally, I believe that actions speak louder than words. I hustle on and off the field to earn my keep, and I expect to be treated equally to my colleagues and friends.  Females in this hobby need to be strong, independent, educated in the hobby, and supportive of one another.

Social Media, tell us a little about your social media pages and where my readers can find you! I’ve had all of my social medias for a little over two years. I set them up when I was still working for Spartan Imports as a way to keep my eye on the Airsoft world - Airsoft is incredibly social media driven, and I wanted to be able to connect and understand it. Since I was working for a distributor, my accounts grew relatively quickly right out of the gate. I’ve been able to be independent for about a year and a half now, which I LOVE.  It’s allowed me to further diversify and grow my channels, and they’ve seen a huge spike since my departure from the corporate world to the self-employed world. Currently, I have the largest worldwide social media reach as a female Airsofter.

YouTube: youtube.com/c/theairsoftunicorn

Instagram: @thetacticalunicorn

Facebook: facebook.com/theairsoftunicorn/

Your thoughts: Is there anything you would like to say to other players out there?

Be yourself. Don’t worry about what other people think. This was something that was really hard for me to come to terms with over the years. It’s one thing to say it, but it’s an entirely different thing to live it. The whole basis for my YouTube channel and what I do is to encourage people to have fun in Airsoft, firearms, and life in general.  Follow the rules, but don’t forget to have fun. That’s what it’s all about!

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Player Spotlight: Adam Fletcher/FLeZAirsoft

Hey everyone! So I haven't done a player spotlight in a while and I've chosen a MilSimmer that I've had the pleasure to play alongside at skirmishes and who was my 1ic at my first 34 hour Op - Operation Sledgehammer ran by Warzone Battle Simulation at Sennybridge FIBUA village in Wales. Introducing FLeZ:

So who is FLeZ?

Hey I am Adam or FLeZ.  I am an Airsofter from Liverpool in the UK. I am the content creator behind the YouTube channel - FLeZAirsoft which I have been running since the first day I started playing. I am predominantly a MilSim player, so expect to see a lot of that on the channel. In my day to day life I am a HGV driver and that’s how I fund my Airsoft addiction.

How long have you been in the sport?

I have been playing Airoft for just under 1 year. Which surprises people due to the amount of MilSims/sites that I have played, My first ever games have been posted onto to my YouTube channel.

 What originally got you into Airsoft and what do you love about it?

I got into Airsoft by seeing a picture on my mates Facebook account from a Stirling Airsoft event, it was him on a .50 cal on the back of a WMIK. I remember just thinking "WOW", I got hooked straight away and wanted a piece of that. I must of asked him about a million questions, it's funny because I used to argue all the time about how Paintball was better to him - SORRY GABZ, I WAS WRONG! That’s where my love for Airsoft lies, MILSIM!!!

Where is your home site?

My home site is SWAT Fortress in Liverpool.

What are the most memorable sites you’ve played?

All my MilSim games have been at awesome sites, every one of them has had something different. The MOD sites like Stanta/Copehill/Sennybridge have all provided great experiences for me, but the most memorable has to be UCAP Sandpit for Stirling Airsoft Op Grandstand - that’s where I got a full insight to what MilSim could provide. What an awesome weekend that was!

What's your playing style?

My playing style is a more tactical approach, I like to assess situations before moving to positions or taking ground. I like to know my surroundings and where I can place myself or my squad for maximum effect. I tend to sit back and be aggressive when I need to be. I love being upfront in the fight and clearing buildings and taking control of areas on the field.

What is your weapon of choice?

My weapons vary depending on the loadout or event I am at. Currently I'm running a 416

but I am in the process of a NEW build which you can follow on my channel - KRYTAC! If I'm playing OPFOR, it’s a good old AK - probably my favourite rifle I own.

 And what load out do you normally run?

Loadout all depends on where I'm playing or what situation I can find myself in on the ground. If I'm at a skirmish I try and run what I would for a MilSim but a bit lighter, just so my body can get used to running the gear and I can switch pouches or kit out if they are not vital. My loadout is constantly changing, I do have a problem with buying gear I must admit! I have posted a few loadout videos on my YouTube channel if you would like a more indepth look at some of the gear I run. I love putting them together and sharing them to see what people think.

Is there anything you would like to say to other players out there?

If I could say anything to other players, it would be to ENJOY IT ! It’s the player that makes Airsoft what it is! If you’re more experienced, help the younger/newer players out. Remember EVERYONE has been there!

Where can my followers find you on social media?

I'm on nearly all Social Media! YouTube is where I am mainly, I do try to reply to as many comments as I can. You can reach me on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram. Also if you want, feel free to message me - I'll always try get back to you!

www.youtube.com/c/FLeZAirsoft

https://www.facebook.com/FLeZAirsoft/

https://twitter.com/FLeZAirsoft

https://www.instagram.com/flezairsoft/

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Viper V Cam Mission Pack Review!

Carrying on from my Viper V Cam Special Ops Soft Shell Jacket review, another item included in my care package from the team at Viper Tactical was their V Cam Mission Pack for me to store all of my essentials during the Milsims I have planned this winter. I used this pack during the Spartan CQC Zero One Thirty Milsim last month in Cowbridge, Wales.
So let's start with some facts, the Mission pack has a total capacity of approximately 38.5 litres, is made from durable 600D cordura and comes in V-Cam, Coyote, Green and Black, and is available from the Viper shop here for £76.00.

The Mission pack is definitely not a small piece of kit, as it has dimensions of 52 x 24 x 32cms,. It has a padded Ventex back panel, wide padded shoulder/sternum straps with QR buckles and adjustable hip harness make the pack super comfortable to wear during ops. It has internal compartments that are capable of holding ballistic plates and hydration bladders and therefore can be used on a multitude of operations. It features 2 main compartments and 4 outer pouches/compartments with some nifty little features included such as the MOLLE webbing attachments on the outer compartments and D-Rings. Another cool feature for those of us who run comms at ops is that the pack has a comms outlet. It can be quite a hassle to keep changing your comm setup over from your plate carrier to the pack so I would whole heartedly recommend using two set ups to save some time.

Now, those are the facts of the pack. My first impressions were very good - the cordura material looked strong and durable and the quality of the build/stitching was excellent. As soon as I got the pack out of the box, I was quite surprised at the dimensions - it was a lot larger than I originally expected but that turned out to be a bit of a life saver - it's large dimensions meant the main internal compartment was able to hold my spare clothes, towel, roll mat and my sleeping bag. The main compartment also has a system of straps to keep everything in place which was really helpful! As you can see from the picture to the right, although the pack is sizable, it doesn't look too big for my small frame (because lets' face it, when you rock up to an Op you don't want to look like the new kid on the first day of school with the enormous backpack!). The pack itself is very lightweight but does become quite weighty when at full capacity. Thanks to the wide padded straps and harnesses it doesn't get uncomfortable or rub when you're transporting it from location to location.


One thing I am quite fond of, is pockets (sounds silly but bare with me!) The Mission pack is full of them, and they aren't just standard pockets - the side utility pockets have MOLLE on the front which is perfect for attaching extra pouches, the front pocket has a zipped net compartment and net pockets on the main compartment wall - this is probably the most useful compartment in the pack. All the separate pockets were awesome for keeping all my personal care products and make up organised.

The slightly smaller main compartment has a neat organisational system built in with elastic cord to help keep everything organised. Although I'm not entirely sure what the actual use of this particular set up is used for (still being new to Milsim, camping and survival activities), I used this pocket to organise my cooking utensils, maps, notebooks pens and other essentials that were needed during ops which worked pretty well.

Overall I'm really happy with how the Mission pack performed and will continue to run it at any future Milsims and Ops. Check them out, let me know what you think. If any of my lovely readers have owned one for a while, I'd love to know how they hold up over time so get in touch!

- Kelly xo

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