Airsoft an alternative?

K

ks_wayward_son

New member
Hey everybody. I was playing around with an airsoft pistol my nephew has, and found it was pretty fun to shoot. It was only a spring-powered, but they also have gas powered ones too. Do any of you guys use airsoft as an alternative for practice? The 6mm bb's are considerably cost effective (like 2000 rounds for $7). I know it can not completely replace the real deal, but the fundamentals are still pretty much the same, I would think. Sounds like a new hobby to get into.
 
I am extensively into airsoft. That is what brought be back into shooting again and purchasing some real steel firearms. The problem with Airsoft is that the 6mm bbs are too light. Even if you get the heavier bbs - they won't track well - especiall in the wind. Essentially you are shooting plastic 6mm bbs down a smooth bore tube. Back spin is used in a "hop up" device to gain more range. You can spend a lot on modding an Airsoft rifle/AR that gives good performance and high fps BUT you can certainly buy a .22 rifle or pellet rifle for about 1/4 the cost. These get pretty expensive for what you get in terms of realism and accuracy.

You would be better off with a CO2 pellet or bb gun, for sure...
 
A lot depends on what kind of practice your looking to do. For realistic practice, at realistic ranges, they are great. If your looking to bullseye target type shoot, probably not what your looking for, although they can be accurate enough if your realistic about your distances.

I have a couple of SIG P229 KJW gas guns. They work just like my real P229's and fit in my carry holsters. The mags hold the bb's and the gas, and the slide cycles aand acts just like the real thing when you pull the trigger.

The gun on top is the Airsoft (in case you didnt notice :) )

ry%3D400



I use these as backstops in the basement. Just a piece of foam insulation with a piece cutout for the bb's to pass through. (they will stick in the foam if you miss) I stapled a towel to the back on the top and sides and left the bottom open. I just put a plastic tray at the bottom and the bb's hit the towel and fall in the tray. (the orange flagging is a visual reminder not to draw and shoot because the real P229 is in the holster. :) )

ry%3D400

ry%3D400


If you practice shooting each other in the house (its a lot of fun and very educational), dont do it when the old lady is home, dont shoot her lamps, knic knacks, etc, and try not to shoot the walls or windows (dents the dry wall and can crack the glass). Make sure you pick up all the bb's too. The first one she steps on in her bare feet when she gets home and your had. :)
 
Reaction pistol shooting with the gas pistols are ok but there is no "noise", no recoil...granted safer than practicing even with a pellet pistol or .22.

I have a rechargeable battery Glock that simulates the Glock 18

g18c_ebb_box.jpg


and a battery TM M92F. Again - fun but the FPS is rather anemic. And shooting it outdoors past 20 feet - well you probably could dodge the bb...

CQB type training would be ok also but again - you are talking about some of the battery CQB type weapons like an MP5 or SIG 552, etc.

For what you would pay for these - I would consider this:

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/Smith-Wesson-M-and-P-airgun.shtml

You can have 19 shots per mag with CO2 in .177 pellet at $40.00. Someone mentioned that you get 2 to 3 mags per CO2 but I don't know for sure.

A TM Glock 18, like mine, is about $100.00 although you can get a China Clone for about half that. The KW Gas guns run around $100 to $150.00, but again - you are talking about a .6mm .20 g plastic bb. Accuracy beyound 10 feet is fluky on a smook bore.
 
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Using a gas pistol (I recommend KJW, WE, TM, or KSC), you can be decently accurate out to 30+ feet ("decently" being within about 3" of POA).

Using a gas-blowback is nice because it functions like the real steel (or polymer). The controls work as designed in the original.
 
Interesting idea. I see were your coming from, for holding, the weight maybe etc. But I dont think it would be the best substitue. Perhaps just getina .22 in a pistol. that way you acuttaly get some what of a recoil, instead of a spring shot lol. But thats the route I would go I certinaly understand where your coming form and its not at all a bad idea, but if im going to buy a gun its going to be real lol.
 
The best thing about Airsoft is, it allows you to actually shoot at each other, under fairly realistic conditions, and to do so using your normal gear, holsters, mag carriers, etc.

It also allows you to draw and fire, or work on things you normally couldnt, right in your house.

With the gas guns, you do get somewhat realistic recoil (its enough that you have to track the sights) and the gun basically reacts like the real one its mimicking. You dont get the blast/noise, but its still realistic enough that you definitely benefit from the practice. I often just tape the slide stop down and shoot with the gun empty if I dont feel like using the trap or want to shoot at quick, fleeting targets on the TV.

Accuracy wise, I get good, practical accuracy well past 25-30'. I can easily hit my burn barrel out back at 25-30 yards, and the impact is usually pretty close to where I was aiming. Using my electric MP5 with its red dot, I can usually put 5 or more out of 10 into the 1" air holes on the side, and the ones that miss, usually "just" miss. I can usually regularly hit 12-18" trees at the wood line 50 yards out too. This is assuming its calm out while I'm shooting. Once the wind picks up and especially as the distance increases, things go down hill pretty quick.
 
Enjoy your toys

You may even get to keep tham a bit longer than the rest of us. But don't count on it.

For me, if it doesn't burn powder, I'm not interested.
 
I really prefer paintball. Getting stuck by a liquid marble really reinforces the idea not to get hit. Plus, the chicks really dig the whelps and gelatin jacket flecks in the hair.
 
Some interesting and noteworthy responses, guys. Yep, I already have a .22 in a single six, but i was wanting something I could practice with indoors just "for the fun of it". Maybe snipe a critter or two out my back door if'n they git too close to my garden. ;)
 
For me, if it doesn't burn powder, I'm not interested.

Does that mean your learning process has stagnated?
Click to expand...

No, it means I realize I only have a limited amount of time left on this earth, so I'm going to fill as much of it as I can with the things I like best.

I have over a dozen guns I've never shot, and dozens more that I haven't shot in years. No time for Airsoft, or anything else like that. Hell, not enough time for the guns I already have! Yet, I keep geting more......:D
 
I shoot a bb/pellet gun in the garage as well as airsoft. I believe that both have helped with my technique/accuracy (I'm just getting started in all this).

I can come home from work, step in the garage & put 20-30 pellets in the trap in just a few minutes.
 
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