Masamune357

[Buddy Love]

My name is Myron, and I am a 32 Year old Airsoft Newbie from Cincinnati Ohio. I've been plinking in the backyard with springers and Co2s for years, (Crosman, anyone? Ugh...) but I recently purchased my first -real- GBB (WE Hi-Capa 5.1) and I'm very interested in seeing what real airsoft has to offer.

a little about me... I am an Iraqi Freedom Veteran, , and I served in the United States Army from 1994-2004. Needless to say, I have 4 dufflebags in the garaged stuffed full of tac gear and BDUS. :)

I was injured in Iraq, which cut my career short. I was a Sergeant, and made the cutoff for E-6 promotion by the skin of my teeth, but could not get it since I was within months of seperating. :rolleyes: I have also served in Operation Intrinsic Action, as well as stints in Kuwait, Egypt and Hawaii. I served under the First Cavalry Division and the 25th Infantry Division.

I have attended an OPOTA Police Academy, and I am currently looking to go into Law Enforcement.

My hobbies include FPS on my Xbox 360, Drawing, watching Pro wrestling, and collecting real steel guns. (Not much of a collection, I only have 2. A Springfield XD 9 and a Taurus .38 for concealed carry.)

I'm currently doing research on purchasing my first AEG, and hopefully eventually I can make it onto an airsoft team.

[Shifty]

First off, thank you for your service! Welcome to Airsoft Ohio.

If you want to get into LE, check out Columbus PD. They're hiring hardcore this year, and your military background pretty much makes you a shoe-in.

The XD9 is a great gun, I just could never get used to mine. I take it you're a CCW holder?

A bit of advice about your first AEG: DON'T GO CHEAP!

[TheBanker]

Masamune...as in the Japanese swordsmith?

[Cut Throat]

My father is the Sergant Detective in the Hamilton County Sherrifs department so if you decided to work for the county chances are you will meet him.

[Buddy Love]

Masamune...as in the Japanese swordsmith?

Hey, you nailed it. Its also the name of one of my favorite artists, Shirow Masamune.

I'm definitely not going cheap. I'm looking at TM, Echo-1, (I've read that they are the same as JG... Not sure.) I want something that will last and be upgradable over time. No disposable Dicks Sporting Goods junk for me.

And, yes. I am a CCW holder. I usually carry the Taurus 85 Ultralite, with a bobbed hammer.

[Duo Chan]

Masamune, not only is it the name of Japan's most renowned swordsmith, but also the name of the Nodachi used by Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII...

:D I like you... welcome to Airsoft Ohio.

[Cut Throat]

For a decent aeg that will last a while the big three are ICS, Classic Army, and Tokyo Marui. Echo 1's are decent for getting into airsoft or as a loner gun/back up. Echo 1 and JG are made in the same factory, but to different quality control standards. Echo 1's are higher and come with a warranty. If you have not been to airsoft arms it is up in milford and a nice place to go see and feel aeg's to see whats best for you or if you already know what you like see it before you purchase it.

Hammersville has a nice place to play(Red Dragon) and there is an event coming up January 5 OP Snow Blind. Do not use your gbb during the winter tho.

[Bullet Sponge]

Given the $100 price differance between an Echo1/JG and a TM or CA though, an Echo isn't a bad way to start.

[Buddy Love]

Masamune, not only is it the name of Japan's most renowned swordsmith, but also the name of the Nodachi used by Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII...

:D I like you... welcome to Airsoft Ohio.

!!! I can't believe I forgot that! My son is a FF Nut. He'd be mad at me...:D

ICS, Classic Army, and Tokyo Marui. Got it. I've been looking at CA, too. I see that they have a Sportline model M4, which looks fairly nice. I'm not in a hurry to get one. Money isn't a huge problem, and I would much rather be sure I get a great AEG.

I went to Airsoft Arms for the first time about 2 weeks ago. The clerk (Don't know his name) was great, and explained a lot to me. He showed me this amazing MP5 (I think it was a TM) that I was tempted to buy on the spot.

[Bullet Sponge]

Is it the TM MP5 that has 3 round burst in addition to Semi and full auto modes? Gotta love that feature!!!

[Red]

Welcome to AO, Masamune! Thank you for serving our country!

I'd say look into a TM G36c as a SOLID starting gun. Definitely one of the better guns on the market. If you like M16 series, I'd head for a Tokyo Marui M16 and put out for a metal body (The bodies can be frail, but you will never be let down by the performance). I swear by TM, and so do many others, so you can't really go wrong with ANY Tokyo Marui gun, no matter the model.

If you're not looking to go into the 200 range, your alternative is Echo 1, as you had stated you were looking into. I'd go for their G36 series, I hear they're pretty good. If you hate the G36 magazines (I dislike their size...) you can get a conversion kit that will make the G36 take STANAG magazines, which I believe is fairly cheap.

I'd say look around at a few Airsoft websites. Doesn't matter where you look, it just matters where you buy, so just be wary and ask around if you plan on buying from a Website. You'll usually get the same answer from most of AirsoftOhio about retailers.

Weigh your options on your airsoft replica, and keep gear in mind (it'll make it easier on you in the long run if you don't happen to have the gear you need). The cheapest route for gear is going to be the M16, because it's so common in the airsoft world - Finding gear for them is easy.

[Buddy Love]

Thanks for the advice. I'm also finding Youtube reviews to be pretty useful.

I'm looking for something in the $150-250 range, actually. The lower the better, but nothing too cheap. I think I only like JG and Echo1 because I'm a noob.

I feel comfortable with M16s (or M4s), primarily because that's what I used extensively in the Army. I'm not likely to buy an M249 (I'm still shocked that they make those in Airsoft) and I don't think I can afford a replica Mk 19. :)

I'm also trying to save room for buying gear. I have a lot of items from the Army obviously, but I don't know how appropriate it all will be. I see lots of people using MOLLE gear, not the old LBE (Which I have the market cornered on, I think), so I guess I'll need to upgrade.

[Spades]

the echo ones are the best bet for a gun that's cheap and will last you a long time. i have only seen a couple of them come back to get fixed, and those were the early batch echo ones. the new echo ones are fantastic guns. and the only thing i would do to it to upgrade it is a new inner barrel. thats pretty much all you need to make it kick some A!

[Cut Throat]

I use my dads old LBE settup that he kept after fighting in the "Big One"(the cold war, lol) MOLLE gear is nice, and you can find cheap prices on it at cheaper than dirt or right now airsoft arms is selling it at a discont.

[Bullet Sponge]

I love everything about my G36c! It has a nice compact size for CQB, but still keeps up with just about everything the guys I play with use at longer ranges. The ergonomics are great. The only thing I can see doing to mine is a 363mm tightbore barrel and a silencer to cover it. However, since you're used to an M16 type weapon, a M4 ought to be as good of an all purpose gun as the G36, and offer you the advantage of having everything where you're accustomed to reaching for it.

As far as LBE vs. MOLLE.... Just use what works. As long as the stuff you have is functional, why blow a ton of coin to look pretty?

[Buddy Love]

Good point. I think all I need are knee and elbow pads, goggles, a helmet (My army goggles aren't up to standard.) and of course, the AEG.

if for nothing else, I'll look cool doing combat rolls in the backyard.

[Cut Throat]

The ICS m4's/m16's are the closest to the real steel versions as in how everything works. Systema is also very close in how it functions, but those start at $1,000

[Buddy Love]

Yeah, I found one that I fell in love with online, before I realized it was a $1400 Systema. Wow!!!!