Why Did You Start Airsoft ?

[Robert James]

Hi guys, I've got an exam, I'm doing airsoft as a hobby for my exam... so my question(s) to you -

Why did you start airsoft?

What do you like about airsoft

What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 

Anything else you want to add. You do not have to answer each one. 

Cheers and good health

Rob

 

[Adolf Hamster]

inb4 do your own homework

why did i start?

always was a techy/nerdy kind of guy, and always had a thing about guns. before airsoft used to be pretty big into rc models but at least where i am that's not the most social or active hobby. ended up trying out airsoft, loved it and once i'd time served grabbed an f2000 (because bad company 2) and of course my tinkering nature took me down the rabbit hole of teching pretty quick.

what do i like about airsoft?

well there's a few things, certainly the fact it's a more accessible hobby for gun aficionado's in this country definitely helps, and as i mentioned previously the teching/tinkering element really appeals to me. i do also like the positive aspects of the community insofar as the variety and crazy things people do like dressing up as a cowboy and running around with a revolver not because it's effective or easy but because it's fun. the weird camaraderie you get from it is also quite nice. i do like that there's something for everybody.

what do i not like about airsoft?

the disorganization, and the general lottery where even a "good" site can have a day ruined if a bunch of players with questionable sportsmanship turn up. i especially dislike, although maybe that's just where i am/the sites i have access to, the lack of good rule communication/enforcement, with a chronic lack of marshalling staff both in terms of numbers, and in terms of staff that will actually deal with problems. it would be nice if it was organized enough to have a bit more assurance that a given game day can't be so easily ruined.

do i think airsoft has health benefits?

yes absolutely, as someone who finds it incredibly difficult to exercise for exercise' sake my fitness comes from activities that are either productive, or fun. and airsoft provides the kind of workout that i simply couldn't be bothered to do otherwise. i also think it's a good boost for mental health, taking a break from the normal daily routine and doing something so radically different with a bunch of like-minded people and meeting folks you otherwise wouldn't. needless to say lockdown really highlighted this and i'm sure i'm not the only one who has struggled to keep the fire burning.

 

[EDcase]

So we have to do your homework eh ?

Why did you start airsoft?

The usual: To bond with son, get some exercise, and meet others.

What do you like about airsoft

The excitement/adrenaline.

Tactics and organising with others to complete an objective.

Collecting gun shaped toys.

What don't you like about airsoft

Of course cheating of any kind is the worst part as its an honour based sport.

When team balancing is way off.

Getting over-shot on full auto.

Snipers ?

HPA set to spray at ridiculous rate.

Players who cannot handle adrenaline and get overly aggressive. (Not encountered personally)

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 

Definitely has cardio vascular health benefits.

Social engagement for mental health.

 

[SheriffHD]

Why did you start airsoft?

I used to play paintball, but wasn't a fan of how expensive each game would cost me because all my local sites wouldn't let you use your own ammo and was forced to pay their extortionate price for balls. 

What do you like about airsoft

I like that feeling of hearing pyros going off. It's exercise but I'm too busy having fun to notice. It's all the fun of a video game made real.

What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)

People that take it too serious. There's no real winners, no one keeping count of how many people you got out. It's harmless fun and a laugh. I've known guys dug in in Afghan who were more casual and relaxed than some of the people at Airsoft games.

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 

Absolutely, people find sticking to exercise routine difficult at times. But when the routine is enjoyable people are more likely to keep to it.

You're also using useful muscle groups in sport Vs a gym where muscle is built but not trained serve a purpose.

 

[Shamal]

1: needed new hobby.

2:can shoot people without getting into trouble.

3:getting hit. Fuckin' hurts!

4:makes me puff so must be doing some good.

Regards

 

[Adolf Hamster]

2:can shoot people without getting into trouble.

sometimes folk ask me why i don't bother with real guns, my answer is pretty much this.

plus it's more fun when the target can shoot back

 

[Keldon]

Why did you start airsoft?

I started airsoft for the chance to do something fun and spend sometime away time from my wife and kids for myself. 

What do you like about airsoft?

Well being ex army it's nice to know I can go around shooting people and be shot without all that horrible stuff that usually comes with guns and being shot.

I also like the the community it's something I missed when I left. 

What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)?

I don't like how the manufacturers will tease you with a product that looks really good then 5 years later it finally arrives. Well one thing I don't like seeing is when you get a non hit taker, is that the person shooting them then gets aggressive about it. Either tell a Marshall or make sure they go home covered in lil welts.

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc?

For some I'm sure Airsoft is the most exercise that some people get. But the best part it's fun and you don't mind doing it or even pushing that lil bit harder at times to get that hit in/capture that objective.

 

[GAMBLE]

Hi @ Robert James! ?

Interesting and what exam is this for? ?

1. Saw it on YouTube, wanted to try it out for many years, glad I did, never looked back, 2017! 
 

2. Like most people in the community & on the forum, we are there for same reason, (excluding people like KM!) to have fun. Be are own avatar, customise ourselves and gear. Play, recover, same again, different round, different events (Skirmishes, Battlesim & Milsim!), different sites (CQB & Woodlands!)

Have some lunch, have some dinner, catch up with friends, make new friends, on your team, the enemy team. Great for fitness, depending on how much effort you put in?

Anyone from any background can play, just remembering 3 simple rules:

1. Follow the rules.

2. Watch the overshooting!

3. Don’t take yourself too seriously!

Sounds like an ad commercial, was my nomination!!!! ???

3. What I don’t like about Airsoft? 
Apart from KM....

Bad players!

Bad Marshals! 

Bad sites!

Bad food, those at sites that give you limited choices and amounts (for what we pay as an entry fee, which this should cover!) or don’t put in effort for meals!

Though to be honest all of the above you get at one place, every else is better hopefully!!!! ?

Hope this helps, Rob?

?GAMBLE?

 

[DRay]

1. Joined the military (which is the best job in the world regardless!) but discovered that after my first job where I was a boarding officer the opportunities to run round feeling like Rambo and laying down the law to crims is non existent. 
 

My initial impression of airsoft was that it was a bit sad, full of cadets who think they are SF and walts who think they are RM. Once I got over myself I discovered it is a great laugh, much cheaper than paintball and on the whole the majority of people who do it regularly are pretty sound. 
 

2. Clearing a room! Fast through the door, two to the chest one to the... not head because you shouldn’t aim for the head if the centre of mass is available but... maybe one to the head if they are a dickhead. Followed by the look of bewilderment like ‘where the fuck did that guy come from’. 
Edit; this normally never happens, I go through the door and take one to the neck. 
 

3. Snipers. No one likes snipers, its fucking ungentlemanly. Lack of vegetarian option is a pretty common complaint over lunch. I also have an issue with the following ‘types’ (although both are mercifully rare);

’pros’ who take themselves very seriously and look down at rentals, won’t squad up with anyone who didn’t spent £1000 on a HPA rig and who talk about airsoft like they are storming the Iranian Embassy. 
 

kids. Controversial one because I know a lot of people take they lads etc, so I will probably get a bit of stick for this. But I think that under 18s slow the game down, can be pretty crap at taking hits and are a bit immature (aware of the hypocrisy of this statement given that it is a field of grown men playing with toy guns!). I think UCAP get this right where U18s have to have a parent with them to supervise. 
 

4. I think it is good for you. You have to be humble and a good sport. You meet new people and the very very vast majority are sound (I normally turn up as a walk on on my own). I would query whether it makes you fitter... it certainly can be good phys and it’s a lot more fun than going for a run. I normally cover 10-12 miles most of it running/jogging however I do also see a lot of pretty heavily built *ahem* players walking to and from the respawn and pretty unwilling to cover the open ground (which I will add is fine by me as long as they suppress for me!). So in that regard it is very much what you put into it. 

 

[smoorenator]

1. Why did you start airsoft?

mate gave me a 1911 so started just garden plinking then enjoyed went to a skirmish never looked back

2. What do you like about airsoft

The community, making new friends and shooting people of course

3. What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)

Snipers

overshooters

Badly run sites

4. Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 

Yes, keeps me fit and active and socializing also helps with my mental health

 

[Impulse]

Reading some of the responses here, I feel personally attacked. Y'all hate snipers that much? ?

As for me (beware, I write a lot. I have strong opinions when it comes to airsoft...):

1. Why did you start airsoft

I've always enjoyed shooting. My father was big into handgun shooting when it was still allowed in the UK and taught me gun safety with air rifles from a young age. I really enjoyed playing FPS games too, as a big Counter Strike: Source fan at the time, so when my friend discovered airsoft and suggested I go with him, I was immediately hooked. Plus, it was something active as opposed to my other big hobbies at the time being Warhammer 40k and gaming, which are not so active...

2. What do you like about airsoft

• Making (a lot of) friends I wouldn't normally make. I've met so many people through airsoft that I wouldn't have otherwise met in a million years.
  
• The community, or at least the good parts of the community. The amount of people willing to help newer players is honestly heart-warming. Especially compared to video games where being a newer player typically gets you (and your mother) called all manner of awful things.
  
• Self-improvement. It gives a set of skills that I enjoy and can work on. Yes, I'm the type of person who will take my guns to the range and practice proper firearms drills with them between skirmish days, as my local site only operates every fortnight.
  
• Fieldcraft, or how I learned to love nature. I live in a city (hopefully not too much longer), so having a hobby that gets me out to the great outdoors is a really nice contrast to everything else I do.
  
• Being a sneaky bugger. This is just fun. I don't really have much more to say about this. Seeing the surprise on people's faces is gold. Especially since I'm not small of stature, so you wouldn't expect me to be good at hiding.
  
• The adrenaline rush that comes with many aspects of the game.
  
• A good reason to be fit and healthy, as well as helping me achieve those goals. Sort of loops in with the self-improvement aspect, but extends outside the hobby. Since getting back into airsoft in late 2019, I've dropped almost 50kg (still 20 more to go. I was obese before, and I'm not a small person) and I'm just generally enjoying life way more, since basic tasks like walking up the stairs is no longer difficult. Plus, one of my other newer hobbies is martial arts, so getting fitter is really helping both of my favourite hobbies!
  

3. What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)

• The community, or at least the bad parts of the community. This can be toxic milsimmers, clickbait content creators, elitists etc. The community is far from perfect.
  
• People who moan about snipers. A larger number of us are ditching bolt actions now to use HPA anyway; an MTW paired with a ghillie suit and the knowledge of how to use it is far more frustrating to play against. I'm going the semi-auto only HPA m14 route, and keeping my bolt action around because I love bolt actions, but hopefully you get my point. I could go on about this for aaaaages, so I'll just leave it at that.
  
• The massive abundance of bolt actions in the field compared to when I first started. I think everyone should play how they want, but when you've got 10 bolt actions on your team, you typically just get demolished and can't push objectives. Especially when out of those 10 bolt actions, only 2 or 3 might actually be tuned well.
  
• D R A M A. Seriously, a lot of airsofters are massive drama queens.
  
• The fact that it's often criminalised and how RIFs are viewed as laser-death-destroying-ghost-guns by many outsiders
  
• People who moan about headshots. Seriously, if someone is poking just their head over a barricade and that's all that's visible, guess what's getting shot. Don't present it as the only target, then get mad it gets hit.
  
• People who go for headshots specifically / people who go out to hurt other players. There's no need. Body shots are easier to pull off anyway and are less likely to cause damage. And over-shooting is easy to avoid unless you're running some sort of 50rps wanker-gun.
  
• The wind, twigs and leaves. These things are the bane of any sniper's existence, and can cause an AEG user to light up a position and hit nothing but foliage. You line up that perfect shot, pull the trigger, watch the BB fly... then it hits the edge of a leaf and spins way off target. Or a gust of wind catches it and causes the shot to veer off target. They're tiny, lightweight plastic balls; anything is going to cause your shots to go off course.
  

4. Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 

Yes. 100%. At the end of the day, you're carrying a bunch of heavy gear and moving around an airsoft site all day. It's a very active hobby, so I'd say it definitely has health benefits. Plus, if you go to a woodland site like I do, it's a day spent outdoors. Beyond the physical side, I think it helps mentally too. As a very active hobby, your body is going to be releasing endorphins into your system as you play, which are natural stress relievers.

 

[Jedi_Master]

I thought that it would be cheaper than paintball, I could not afford full medieval armour for LARPing, and Games Workshop was closed on Sundays...

Also I overheard a couple of lads talking about "all the pussy at airsoft"; later realised that I had mis-heard them and it was "all those pussies at airsoft" 

 

[Tactical Pith Helmet]

Why did you start airsoft?

I thought that sitting in my car for about six hours waiting for the lad to finish playing would be dull, so I joined in.

What do you like about airsoft ?  

Keeping fit.  Out thinking opponents, forgetting physical pain, stretching in odd ways (helps my physio), modding rifles, collecting milsurp gear, weekend milsims, camping with mates, but mostly, that only a true tit could take airsoft seriously.  It is the most immediately hilarious pastime!   Dressing up like an East German conscript and shouting in terrible schoolboy German whilst running about with fellow loons in a soaking wood is huge fun.

What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please) 

People being aggressive.  Years of martial arts have taught me respect.  I don't like silliness of the wrong kind, and that includes losing an unsportsmanlike attitude.  If you think you've been done badly, just move on and try to win a little bit harder.  No one likes a whinger.  

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 

Definitely.  My health is pretty shocking TBH.  Injuries from falling from horses, motorcycles, and throws.  And from punches and broken limbs has left me a right state.  Airsoft make sit easy to push myself the way I used to several times a week in training/sparring.  Also good for hand/eye coordination, teamwork/socialisation, learning new skills/tricks i.e. it fights brain aging.  

 

[Mr. No_Face]

Why I started Airsoft
-Came from a military family where both myself and my bro were the only 2 Royal Marines that dropped out which ultimately left a bad taste in my mouth.

I still had a passion for Guns and military and wanted to put to use everything I've learned so I took up paintballing whilst my bro went into policing and security.

After years of paintballing I started to hate the routine of cleaning up stained clothes and having to drive hours to venues so I needed an alternative combat sport. Also there aren't a lot of options to improve your accuracy through plinking in paintballing.

What I love about airsoft
-Realistic guns with almost real world functionality, freedom of expression and not having to worry about removing paint and stains from your weapon or clothes you've spent hundreds on. 

-I get to wear a badass skull mask and not have to worry about it getting ruined with paint smears.??

-Much more room to personalize your weapon platforms.

What don't I like about airsoft
-Unsportsmanlike conduct is probably my biggest gripe. Over shooting etc.

-When you get that guy on your team that assigns himself as commanding officer, instructing people where to go and what to do, effectively ruining the experience for everyone.

-Oh and when people chicken wing their platforms like below. This just urks the shit out of me. I dunno why I just hate seeing this lol.?

Health benefits in Paintballing
Hell yeah. Just like paintballing it can really test your conditioning and endurance. Running around geared up whilst wielding a heavy gun will definitely contribute to some healthy conditioning. I mean 10 years ago I was able to move around with real steal easily. These days I am getting arm fatigue whilst running a Ronin TK45c Smg.

 

[colinjallen]

Ok, I'll play.

Why did you start airsoft?
Both of my sons were massively interested in anything military and airsoft seemed like a good way of letting them have fun outdoors in a military-themed context.  It was also something that I was intrigued by, having had a close relationship with various weapons in my younger days.

Nine years later, my eldest son still plays occasionally and is waiting to go to Main Board, while my youngest and I still play regularly.
 

What do you like about airsoft
The people (mostly; see below).
Teching our rather large collection of RIFs.
Forgetting that I am an adult with multiple responsibilities and reverting to being the carefree child version of me having fun playing war in the woods.
Working as a sneaky little team with my son.
Ginge's briefings.
 

What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)
Marshalling; I did it for far too long and it nearly turned me off airsoft.
Sites that disregard basic safety.
Badly marshalled sites.
Badly organised sites.
Sites run by people who don't care about airsoft and are just looking to make money.
Players who take it far too seriously and forget that we are running around the woods, fields or buildings shooting each other with toy guns.
Players who think that having the most expensive gear makes them great players who never miss and cannot be hit.
Players who feel the need to be in charge and tell everyone else what to do.

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 
Yes, it helps certain forms of physical fitness; in addition, being outdoors doing something that you enjoy with like minded people is good for your mental health.
 

 

[Druid799]

Why did you start airsoft?
Had never heard of it actually thought I was going paintballing ! , role up to a small abandoned quarry on the side of a Welsh hill in the pissing rain and by the end of the warm up game I was hooked .and that most definitely is all she wrote ! 
 

What do you like about airsoft
The social side of the day with my best buds .

The comradery I’ve developed over the years with guys I only know through the game .

Getting to shoot multiple people and not end up in jail ! 
The adrenaline buzz you get on a good gameday .
 

What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)
My number one hate is badly organised sites , linked to this you usually then also have poor marshalling which then leads on to safety issues on The site .
Players who taking it far too seriously and forget we’re playing grown up make believe and shooting each other with fake guns that won’t kill but can certainly cause nasty injuries if your not carful .

the screaming instruction givers , you all know the ones they bark orders at everyone in the team to do this and do that AND it’s usually from the back of the field as well !  

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 
I’d say yes it does certainly help my health and especially my mental health , gets me out doors for a good few hrs and pushes my physical condition but more importantly for me and my team mates it’s a pressure relief valve for us . my self and a teammate both have very intense high pressure jobs (I’m an A&E nurse and he runs a national sports stadium) one other has quite serious health problems and another has retired but his wife has serious issues so he’s got that pressure on a daily basis . So for all of us it’s an escape from reality for a few hrs(same reason I go to the NAE every year , gameplay is shite but it’s just a great escape from the pressures of life for a couple of days)and a chance to ‘vent’ with people I can trust . I know with my mates it’s a case of ‘what happens at airsoft stays at airsoft’ So I can really let it all out without any repercussions. 
 

 

[gunbod007]

Why did you start airsoft?

I actually can't remember how I even found out about it, probably YouTube videos and I got curious.

I had been paintballing a lot, but I also loved games like battlefield 3 and the realism of airsoft really appealed to me as a kid. I started when I was about 15, mainly attended "young guns" events for teens,

but did the occasional fancy CQB event.

What do you like about airsoft?

It feels like I am in a video game, it feels real and immersive, yet still really fun. Plus it is great exercise and I met a lot of good people and was good for socialising. I enjoy learning about weapons and military history so getting to meet people and share knowledge and learn was great.

What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)

The cost was always a problem, my family were helping support me as I was just a teen when I started. 

These days AEGs seem a lot cheaper though.  Airsoft doesn't have to be too expensive but their is always a must have piece of kit that I can't take my eyes off.

Yes other players can be toxic and not taking hits is annoying and there's a lot of elitist players but I couldn't care about them tbh. I just keep away from anyone I think is trouble. There is plenty of really good and players that you can find. Considering I was playing as a teenager in teenager only games there was surprisingly little drama. Of course things happened from time to time but I don't let it get under my skin.

The biggest problem I have with Airsoft to this day is just things always going wrong. Guns and gear breaking or not working as expected and the fact that all the manufactures are on the other side of the world you have to rely on finding someone local who is a good tech. I was forever having problems and eventually I got bored of it. I actually quit until this year I have got back into it.

It can be hard to find good reliable people and retailers to trust, who are willing to support you.

I think after a few years I also found AEGs and normal open days just a bit boring, I was too young and poor to do Milsim or filmsim, or have an interesting gun.

Now I have got into GBBRs for their realism and that's got me back into it.

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 

Great social interaction, share knowledge, keep fit. Have fun

 

[THE CHIEF]

How I got in airsoft 

I'm a model and prop maker. One day passing the gadget shop I saw a 1911 on the wall (this was well before the vcra) and thought that looked useful. I spent the £35 and walked away with a rather nice spring pistol. A bit of weathering and modification and it was perfect. So I went back and picked up a few more types. Looking through the manual rule 1, never shoot it at someone. Well that's a no brainer! Firearms safety on set is a big concern and a big part of why I thought these would be useful for extras. I went back to the shop to see what else he could get hold of and out came the smk catalogue full of gas pistols and AEG's. He asked me how I was enjoying playing. I asked what the hell he was talking about! Turns out there was a game where you was actually supposed to shoot at each other, so I went. And I was hooked. 

What I like

Realistic nature of the weapons. 

Ability to run themed or historical games. 

The community is normally quite friendly and welcoming. They will happily pass you their latest shiney in the safe zone to look at. 

What I don't like. 

HPA weapons. It seems like a giant step backwards to run external air. You are not telling me in this day and age someone can't fit a custom tank inside a gun. 

Ultra rof. Why do you need to shoot 40 a second from an AK? 

People who "upgrade" guns before they pull the trigger once. Take it to a game, give a go for the day. THEN decide if something needs doing.

Health benefits. 

Definitely, be it physical or mental! 

 

[Lozart]

Why did you start airsoft?

I bought my first guns before the VCRA was even a thing so "airsoft" was just running round the house shooting my mates (I still have the scar on my arm from being shot with my mates Maruzen Uzi in the garden). Friend of mine went skirmishing and after nagging me for YEARS I finally said yes when he suggested I come to this place in Reading where you could run around an old shopping centre shooting people.

What do you like about airsoft

Guns. Guns are cool.

I've made some good friends through airsoft too so there's that. Which is nice. Plus I (usually) get out once a month or so to shoot some motherflippers in the face, which is awfully cathartic.

What don't you like about airsoft (not including KM or non hit taking, something more substantial please)

The people that don't want to play by the rules. Be that finding ways to circumvent the VCRA restrictions or just being an utter dick on game days, there's no need for it.

The inability of so many people to understand the very basic physics involved in airsoft guns and just how far they actually shoot. Plus, it's not always the guns fault or non-hit taking, sometimes you're just not actually very good.

Elitism, at both ends of the spectrum. Crye doesn't make you better, but it also doesn't make you a wanker. Some people just have more money to spend on stuff. Deal with it.

Do you think airsoft has any health benefits I.e keeping you fit etc 

Mentally - the aforementioned shooting of motherflippers certainly helps keep me vaguely sane. I have a high stress job so I need an outlet. Physically - when I was going regularly, yes I would say I was getting gradually a bit fitter but I was also actually trying to lose weight and shit so I'm not sure that one is directly related to the other. I wouldn't say it's necessarily a great way to get fit but it can certainly motivate you improve your fitness so you can be better/keep up/not cough up a lung after the first game.

Hope that helps.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

What I don't like. 

HPA weapons. It seems like a giant step backwards to run external air. You are not telling me in this day and age someone can't fit a custom tank inside a gun. 

Ultra rof. Why do you need to shoot 40 a second from an AK? 

People who "upgrade" guns before they pull the trigger once. Take it to a game, give a go for the day. THEN decide if something needs doing.

oh dear, think i'm off someone's christmas list being guilty on all counts

edit: to be clear, guilty of all counts on a single gun.....