Airsoft - Who Does It?

[Crasstoe]

As above really, anybody on here?

I have been part of the Airsoft community for the past 7 years, and I'm just interested to see if there is anybody else on TOC, or am I on my own?

If anyone has questions about the sport I am happy to answer.

[reidy]

Did it many many years ago, proper good fun

Didn't they try and kill it a few years ago?

[Crasstoe]

They tried, they failed.

The Home Office introduced something called the VCR (Violent Crimes Reduction) Bill, I don't pretend to know all the ins and outs of it but the end result is we have to register to a system called UKARA before purchasing any RIF (Real Imitation Firearm). This means that everyone who is involved in the Airsoft Community can be traced, should they need to be. The only thing people can buy without registering is IF's (Imitatoin Firearm) which has to be painted 51% in a bright colour (normally green or orange).

I wont go in to detail about how to register unless someone asks but everything can be found on here; http://www.ukara.org.uk/

So why did you stop Reidy? Decided playing soldiers was a little childish? ;)

[reidy]

Did it when I was about 14 (23 now), at the time there was no sites local to me so it was a bit of trek to get to one (Mansfield I think) so that's what killed it for me + friends

Looked into going again about a year ago as there's a few sites relatively local now + I can drive now but I just can't find the time these days! lol :(

[Crasstoe]

Most sites offer rentals for a small fee, and if you get chatty with a local they normally lend kit out for free. A lot has changed since you last played (the tech now is really something special!).

[jirehn]

I didn't try this at all but I really want to have an experience about this I think I will enjoy this.

[Crasstoe]

There are plenty of sites near to you Jirehn, and all offer walk on days where you can rent everything you need, ideal if you are curious about trying it out :)

[jirehn]

I want also to try this kind of game and I think this is exciting.How much is the cost if you buy the equipments?

[Crasstoe]

Its as expensive as you want it to be, or as cheap. A typical site walk on fee is £25 for the day, a set of DPM overalls is anything from £2 to £15 from any army surplus store, full face protection roughly £10 for a decent mask, a cheap rifle to test the sport circa £80 new (or £40 used).

It is cheaper to go with rental kit to try before you look at buying kit, and a typical rental fee is £45 a day.

I went to a game this Sunday, below are some pictures so you can see the scale some of the games can go to;

I'm in the black camo and the helmet (in the last 3 pictures).

It is definitely not the cheapest hobby, or a sport for those who aren't willing to put in the effort and run around. Do you have any friends who would also like to give it a try? I first tried with a group of friends, we all rented our equipment and that allowed to us to decide if we liked it enough to buy our own gear or not.