and play paintball too? I like airsoft much better than paintball. - you get a real looking rifle you can hang at the wall in your living room when you're not playing (through playing these games I've slowly become a gun-nutter : ) ) - there's no paint (which comes in handy when you go on a 5-day event) - did I mention I like the guns much better? : ) nilz

I agree, I'd much rather have an 6mm pellet-shooting MP5 than an ugly rifle that shoots huge balls of paint. There are some downsides though. You can't see who shot who, or if someone is shot at all, making it easier to cheat. You don't feel it as much when you're shot - if you're wearing tactical gear and armour you might not register getting hit at all. Getting shot and feeling pain makes the whole thing more enjoyable IMO (never tried pain(t)ball, but I can imagine..), as well as more realistic. If you're going for max realism then you'll act according to where you're hit, i.e. a knee-shot and you fake a limp, and if you're shot in the noggin you'll drop to the ground. With the added pain from the paintballs you won't have to fake it to the same degree as in airsoft, and if you take one in the forehead you probably won't have to fake it at all (see Al's post). A while back I saw some paintball guns that looked more or less like real M16s (in shape anyway). Wouldn't mind trying those. But obviously airsoft has nothing but real looking weapons, and a huge array of them too. I'm confident that nothing beats a well-played airsoft assault; one or two p_layer_s providing suppression fire from LMGs, snipers and guys/gals with assault rifles picking off the enemy from medium-longe range before the assaulters move in with SMGs and shotguns, breaching a small killhouse, tossing in some sort of airsoft grenades (I'm sure I've seen something like that), and going in. *sigh* Daywanderer

that), and going in. *sigh* So far, I haven't had the chance to play a big game yet. We had some really fun smaller games though. It was just like being in an episode of Tour of Duty, except much colder : ) I've got a few small bits of kit missing and haven't actually ordered the AEG yet (electrically powered airsoft weapon). I need a full suit of Goretex and some mag pouches, all of which will arrive in the next few weeks. If everything goes according to plan I will own one of these next month: http://www.zerooneairsoft.com/sr16_pictures.htm As you can see, it's basically a Colt M4 with a full stock. In airsoft this has a big advantage, as one can fit a large battery in the full stock (so the weight of the gun is more balanced), rather than a mini-battery in the foregrip (making it front-heavy). The large battery will last you 1-2 days, while the mini-battery may need to be changed twice a day (which means taking the foregrip apart). It also comes with a the tactical vertical grip shown in the big photo. I've decided to make a 3-point sling myself, as I've found all the necessary clips and bits in a boating supplies store in town. I'll take some pictures next time I go skirmishing in the UK : ) nilz

Beautiful... Daywanderer

that), and going in. *sigh* And I do agree with you guys that the Airsoft guns look totally AWESOME! But that sport hasn't quite caught on here in the USA, even though we started making those guns first years ago. Now I have also heard they don't have the range a paintball gun does - that can be a limiting factor too, as I sure like playing in large fields and able to snipe. And the cleanup afterwards might be a factor too, unless the pellets are enviro friendly and all . . . And by the way, at I&I Sports in Carson, CA - they have a lot of these Airsoft guns, even the Steyer Aug and that weird looking Enfield L85A1!!!! Sure wouldn't mind getting that one to hang on the wall later