Airsoft Suppliers / Opinions

[Fullauto_Shooter]

Thinking of getting a couple Airsoft Pistols for practice here at home - looking for G34 and P16/40 clones.

Never messed with Airsoft before and have a few questions

1. Are all Airsoft alike or do different companies produce different types of guns?

2. How well does Airsoft replicate the real pistol (as far as size, weight, "feel, etc)?

3. Can Airsoft gun be modified to make them more like the real thing - are they made of metal or plastic?

4. What's the best place to start shopping for quality Airsoft guns?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Doug

[ap3]

The best price for a gun can be found at pyramid air, the biggest on-line retailer is air splat, and if you want to use propane go to atlanta airsoft. Pre made steel targets can be found at http://www.drazymetalworks.com, or there are example of how to build them yourself on this website

The weight is almost exactly the same and made of metal, they are great for transition practice far better than simply dry firing, you will want to get the gas blow back model. Here is what I bought Limited Pistol version . There are a couple of different makes of Glocks

It cost be about $150 to get set up.(gun,extra mag,green gas, 5,000 pellets,cheap case)

Here are a couple of scaled targets that I print our on card stock and use.

airsoft_targets_0.doc

airsoft_targets_Z.doc

airsoft_targets_s.doc

airsoft_targets_h.doc

[CSEMARTIN]

Call Manny Bragg. His website is mannyusa.com

[Bill Nesbitt]

+1 on Manny Bragg. I got an airsoft from him and it runs like a top. I got another from one of the other places and it is less than desirable.

[MichiganShootist]

+10,000 ON MANNY

[RSP]

The answers to the first three of your questions are very brand dependent. Consider someone getting into firearms - they probably shouldn't equate the experience they had with a Bryco/Jennings with what they can expect from an SVI, or vice versa.

1. There are many different companies producing replicas of many common pistols and revolvers. The companies vary in quality, price range, etc. There are also quite a few companies which focus on aftermarket parts.

2. Good quality airsoft 'guns', especially pistols, are very close to their firearm counterparts in dimension, weight, and feel. Shooting an airsoft gun of any kind however does not involve genuine recoil. There is a momentary bounce in the sights as the slide rapidly cycles on a gas blowback pistol though.

3. Depends. Some produce pistols which are full metal - that is, all the external parts metal on the firearm are also metal on the airsoft gun - while some have plastic slides, frames, etc. Pistols that are metal right out of the box are virtually always pot metal. In both cases aftermarket kits can be bought to convert slides, frames, and outer barrels into metal parts, usually 6061 or 7075 aluminum. Cheaper kits are cast; more expensive ones are CNC milled.

4. Once again, depends. You should generally know what you're looking for first. As far as the Glock 34, you have a couple options. Here are three brand to consider:

KSC - plastic slide and outer barrel. Pretty good, decently reliable, poor accuracy past about 75 feet due to inconsistent 'hop-up' mechanism.

KWA - same pistol as KSC, usually KWA pistols have metal slides and outer barrels buth in the case of the G34 this does not hold. So there is no advantage to buying the KWA except that it's easier to find inside the USA. Other than that there's no difference between these two.

Tokyo Marui - plastic slide and outer barrel. Equal or possibly slightly better reliability vs. the KSC/KWA model, much improved accuracy at ranges beyond around 75 feet [good hop-up]. Lower power - the KSC will shoot around 300-320 FPS with a .20g BB while the Marui will shoot 280ish. Biggest downside to the TM version is that they don't actually make a G34, they make a G17. You can convert it to a G34 length by purchasing a slide and barrel kit [CNC 7075] for about $100 - it's available from online stores based in Hong Kong such as http://www.dentrinityshop.com. Expensive route but it's what I did.

[Chris Conley]

HFS! Man they have a limited airsoft gun for $1999.00 Talk about high end guns.

Chris C.

[ashman627]

I wish I had gone through Manny.I useed airspalt and was very unhappy.I do love my sti airsoft gun though.Just had very bad service with airspalt

[Fullauto_Shooter]

Thanks for all the replies - I'll check out Manny's website and give him a shout after a bit more research.

Doug

[Chris Conley]

Thanks for the targets AP3. I printed off about 100 of each set. That should last me for a couple of weeks anyway.

Chris C.

[BushBaby]

Call this guy Johnathan Eckley at JAG PRECISION (626) 448-9879 Let him know exactly what you plan to do with your Soft Air Pistol and He will give you the 3rd Degree in a good way. I have bought from him before good guy to deal with. Let him know Alex Told you to call him.

[JimInFL]

Spend a little time here looking around. Lot's of good information from folks that are basically replicating what we do in USPSA. Everyone I've talked to there is very open to offering advice, and these folks really know their stuff about airsoft.

http://www.aaps-federation.org/

JimInFL

Edited May 31, 2008 by JimInFL