So I was buying a bag at a military surplus store today, and I noticed that they had an extremely large collection of Airsoft guns. The guy behind the counter was fairly busy, so I didn’t want to bug him, but while I dislike the price and responsibility of real firearms, I really dig the idea of a “cool” toy firearm I could play around with and become reasonably proficient with. So, I have a bunch of questions here, but to begin with, I’m wondering where should I start?
I’m only interested in a pistol/small handgun style weapon to begin with, and I would prefer something that could fire multiple shots without manually cocking it every time, so am I right that I’m basically looking for a Automatic Electric Pistol of some sort? If I’m correct (or if I’m not), does anyone recommend any specific model as a starter?
Finally, (disclaimer: not asking for legal/customs advice, I’m darn well going to ask at the airport), I’m buying this in Japan and was hoping to take it home for the holidays, so I’m wondering if anyone has had experience taking airsoft guns between those two countries? My understanding is that since it’s basically a toy, so long as 1) it’s in checked baggage (duh) and 2) the tip is bright orange, it should be fine, but I figure it’s best not to take chances- if there’s any possibility it’ll freak customs out, I’d just as soon leave it at my apartment in Japan.
And I know it’s kind of late to be posting something, but I’m going to go shopping for one in about 12 hours, so I’m crossing my fingers and hoping I can get some feedback from you guys before then.
I’m by no means an expert, but in my limited experience (which was a bunch of us in college getting them, putting on safety goggles and having airsoft gun fights in the basement…yes, it stung sometimes, but not as much as a paintball,) I have found that not all the tips are orange. A lot of the more accurate replica guns look VERY real. And if you’re after one that is electric and reloads/cocks automatically, then it’s more likely to be a replica or fancier one that doesn’t have a red tip.
So don’t be so sure that everyone will recognize the “toy” gun so readily.
Been a few years since I’ve gone airsofting, but from what I remember…
There were spring, electric, and gas models for most pistols. Gas is easily the most fun, though most expensive; I paid about $100 for a KJW M9 and had to keep a supply of green gas. The spring versions were too cheap to be worth it. I don’t think I’ve ever used an electric pistol, but the electric rifles I had were noisy and had delayed reaction time. (But they were automatic!)
As for getting it over, it depends a lot on where you’re going. Last I remember, Canada had some pretty tight restrictions. California required an orange tip and that certain features hadn’t been altered. IIRC, getting it out of Japan wouldn’t be the tough part, since a lot of airsoft came from there. Just do some research online, or ask around on airsofting forums, and I’m sure you’ll get an answer quick.
To be honest, if you want one to mess around with in the states, depending on where you go you can probably find one here.
For plinking that simulates “Real Steel” you’re going to want a Gas Blow-Back pistol, aka a GBB. There are a lot of varieties out there, but a decent one is going to run you $100 or so.
Additional ideas: pick up an extra magazine or 2. A nice holster. And find out what you’ll need to buy to keep it in working order.
Then, just before you leave, stick it in a box, and ship it to yourself in Japan.
Gah, I did some more research, and it’s looking like transporting it in checked baggage is basically no-go: apparently TSA’s official policy is “It’s a toy, we don’t care,” but I’ve read about tons and tons of airsoft enthusiasts getting everything from extended inspections of their stuff to having their (obviously toy) guns confiscated.
Apparently, a lot of airsoft guys actually go to the lengths of declaring it at the counter and having it inspected and locked in a hard box even though it’s a freaking toy that shoots plastic pellets. :smack: I was really hoping I could just get away with putting it in its box, stapling the receipt to it, and shoving that bad boy in with the rest of my checked stuff, and leaving it at that.
Given that I think I’m going to go with everyone’s advice and buy a cheap springer to play with in the states. Now, here’s the bigger issue: I got to play some early today, and I love love love a friend’s airsoft rifle: it’s a Tokyo Marui MP5, and for airsoft stuff it’s fairly inexpensive-her friend said he can get me the basic model for about $125, less if there’s a high-quality used one, once I get back. The problem is that if I’m worried about taking a springer through in checked baggage I’m definitely not gonna take a replica MP5 through, but since the US is now not accepting air mail from Japan over 1 pound, I can’t very well mail it to myself either. :smack:
Airsoft started (sort of) in Japan. There is a TON of stuff you can get there to do airsoft with.
IF you want a cheap springer, you can pick one up at WalMart in the US (as well as most hobby places, and there are places you can go that specialize in higher end AEG and GBB stuff too). $25 or less.
Warning: with airsoft, you REALLY get what you pay for.
Are you willing to buy a cheap plastic springer while in the US, then invest in higher end gear once you get back to Japan?
That’s probably what I’m going to end up doing. I’m just sort of stuck trying to think of how to transport high-end gear back if I ever want to take it to the US- taking it through checked baggage is just asking for trouble, and since the US doesn’t accept mailed packages over a pound from Japan, it looks like UPS/FedExing it isn’t much of an option.
There are decent brands of good AEG that you can pick up for $125 or so, so if you have that kind of financing, and have a friend who could hold it for you, you could keep one in each location. Maybe?
I do a lot of travel, so that’s probably what I’m going to do-I’ve heard good things about the cheap springer pistols and shotguns, so I’ll probably grab something fun for the states and keep my nice one here. ^^
