Here's a step-by-step guide to start an airsoft hobby:
Step 1: FIND AN AIRSOFT CLUB/GROUP NEAR YOU.
Google it. Or ask around in social media e.g. FB to look for people who are into the sport. Get an invite to their gamesite. Many noobs buy their equipments first without really understanding the game then afterwards quickly lose interest. It's best that you have a group where members can give you tips on what equipments/gears to buy and how to play the game. Another benefit of belonging to a group is you have a regular gamesite to play on. I'm sure that established airsoft groups are more than willing to welcome new members to their fold. In my opinion, airsofters are the most fun-loving adventurous type of people you'll meet. I started airsoft in 2006 when my a colleague in Rotary invited me to one weekend of airsoft game. He is my sort of ninong or sponsor to the club. Back then there were no strict rules in joining the group, just play the game every weekend and join in after-game fellowship like dinner or drinks. Now there are some basic requirements like application forms and no. of games played, and some ritualistic welcoming of newbies before being assigned a serial number or callsign.
Step 2: BUY YOUR GUNS AND GEARS
From your own research and tips from the members of your group, select the gun that suits you. I would suggest that you buy a second hand gun first. There are forums and pages especially in FB dedicated to buy and sell of airsoft equipments. Why second hand? Because it's cheaper and it's already modified to higher specs. Just play with it for a while and when you get some technical know-how, you can then buy a brand new gun and modify it to your hearts content. What's good about the brand new ones today is that they are cheaper as well as their accessories compared to when I started. Before, Made in China guns were cheap but inferior. Now they are not only cheap but already superior in quality (well most of the guns now are China-made). Out-the-box, they are ready to play at 400+ feet per second of power. Also in terms of type of gun, I recommend the M4 or M16 variants. You can do a lot of modification with it. You can use it on CQB (Close Quarter Battle) type of game or in Milsim (Military Simulation ) games. Btw, for CQB you need a shorter gun, for Milsim it's best you have a longer, sniper-type of a gun we call it DMR or (Designated Marksman Rifle). Another advantage of being a member of an airsoft group is you get to know members who are skilled gunsmiths. They can help you modify your guns to give it much firepower as well as quick repairs and maintenance for a minimal fee or just another favor. When you become bored with M4, you can now buy more exotic guns like M249 SAW, G36, Minigun, or even AK's. Personally, I have three modified M4s, one for CQB, one for Milsim, and last one as back-up in case the other two malfunctions.
After the gun, you will need the following gears:
- Facemask/Goggles
- BDU (Battle Dress Uniform)
- Tactical Vest
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Boots
Optional gears:
- Sidearm (handgun either gas-blowback or springer)
- Knee/elbow pads
- Helmet cam
- Radio
- Balaclava/Scarf
But the most important gear that you must have aside from your gun is the Facemask or Goggles. You have to get a good quality facemask/goggles. You can actually play the game just having the two (although not recommended, prepare to get nasty hits if you do, but I know some friends who likes to get hit, they call it battle scars, no pain no gain, quite masochistic i would say). Mask is very important to protect the eyes against BBs (airsoft bullets). You can seriously go blind if you're hit in the eyes!
Prepare around P 10,000 for the guns and gears all second-hand but quality items. I remember when I first started, we would go to surplus shops (we call it here ukay-ukay) to buy a second-hand but branded pair of boots. I got mine for just P 150 pesos. Brand new ones will set you back for P 4 to 5,000 pesos. Boots are important because you have to have a good support when you're running out there, so it must be of good quality. You can get ankle or foot injury if you use inferior ones.
By the way, the first time I played the game, I only brought me a jacket for protection. Everything - guns and gears were all borrowed. So it's not really an expensive hobby to start if you really are interested.
Step 3: PLAY THE GAME
What's the use of your guns if you're not going to field it. Most of the airsoft groups play on weekends. They either play CQB or Milsim. That's just one day in a week where you can have your adrenaline rush. Once you have your basic gears, the cost of playing is now cheaper. You only have to buy a pack of BB's (about 4,000 rounds) for P 250 pesos which can last you up to 3 or 4 weeks of play (if you're trigger-happy like me well, 2 weeks the most). Some people would say, " with that kind of money you're throwing around airsoft guns, why don't I just buy a real gun. I would always to them that in airsoft you can point your gun and shoot people and they will still be alive afterwards. Not so with real guns. Besides the cost of maintaining a real gun is way more expensive - bullets, range fees, licenses, etc. Airsoft is also better than video or online gaming. Aside from the obvious workout, you get to feel the next best thing to real battlefield experience.
Another thing to remember: Airsoft is a Gentleman's Game, a game of honesty, meaning you have to acknowledge if you are hit. If not, you'll be branded as a cheat or a "Zombie". You don't want to have a reputation like that.
If there are local tournaments in your area, do join in. You'll get to experience a higher adrenaline, heart-pumping kind of high. I'll probably post some of my experiences joining tournaments later. There you go. Hope this helps you on the right track to the thrilling and adrenaline-filled world of Airsoft. Keep the BB's flying.
Here's a video from Joey one of our member, just to give you an idea how exciting airsoft is. This is way better than Counterstrike or PUBG!