Removing orange tip

[HAMMY]

I jsut got my TM mp5 a4 today, how do I remove the orange tip that is on the end and put on the other flashhider?

[HAMMY]

ive been searching on every airsoft froum i know of for teh past hour and i have not found an answer.

[ArmyHummer]

Well, if you have two flashiders, one being the orange plastic one, the other being the metal black one.

Just use the small wrench tool that comes with the gun, under neath the muzzle, inscrew the screw a bit, pull the plastic one out, then put the metal one in and screw it back tight.

[hobbs87]

I know this is off topic but army hummer it says you have both an MP5 SD5 and A4. I just wanted to know which one you use more or prefer and why cause I'm stuck on both of their performances

[ArmyHummer]

Hobbs, contact me off the forums or by PM and ill be glad to answer any questions. off the top of my head, its not which one is better, but moreso look and size - sd seems bigger when holding it

A4: SWAT special operations type ordeal
SD: SEAL type covert op type deal

Thats truthfully the only real difference, is that with an sd, you get more of a stealth covert ops type feel and look

The a4 is more focused with Police, SWAT, and that type of things.

[hobbs87]

thanks I just like them both and can't decide. just one more question, does the silencer work on the SD compared to the A4 (since it doesn't have a silencer) and does the silencer increase its affective range or make it more accurate then the A4 w/o running a longer barrel through the silencer?

[ArmyHummer]

eh, thats why I got both :D
Not to mention it was nice getting a HG versus the older versions.
Answer to question one: Theoretically and Dumboratically, no, ArmyHummery, Yes
Answer to question two: No, two barrels same length aren't gonna change or differentiate without adding length.

[joeranger]

Texx,
I could not agree more about the irresponsibility of promoting the removal of a bright orange marker that could save his life. I would buy a TM tracer unit which fits over or in some cases replaces the orange tip, but then again I am...

[Squirl]

Heh, I blew the tip off of my USP the day after I got it, and I actually took the piece and the slide to work to superglue it back ON to the gun. I live in a cramped neighborhood where the houses are about 20 feet from each other, so its better for me to leave it on in case a cop cruises by while I'm plinking in my side yard, or in case one of my neighbors looks out to see why I'm making all that racket. No point in getting it taken away or worse. If it bothers you that bad, either replace it when you're at the skirmish site, or cover it up with some electrical tape.

And think of it this way: if someone rags on you before a skirmish about having tape on your gun, you can always pelt him when gameplay starts. ;)

[AllenTC2]

I've said it before and I'll say it again....anyone who thinks the orange tiip will save his/her life is living in a fantasy land.

If you point/display/brandish an airsoft gun at a LEO/armed citizen, you are definitely gonna get drawn on, and maybe even shot, orange tip or not. Unless you play in Mayberry, no officer is gonna go "Oh wait, that gun has an orange tip. It's a toy." He's gonna treat you as an armed suspect until you are "secure" and the gun is in his/her hands. I would imagine the minute some thug in South Central LA got the bright idea to paint the tip of his Tec-9 orange, all safety benefits of the orange paint went out the window.

Wanna be safe with your airsoft gun? Treat it like a real gun. Don't walk around the block with it, keep it in a gun bag in the car, don't go waving it around in fun. Call the non-emergency 911 line, let them know you guys will be playing at location X, so if they get calls about a bunch of militia with assault rifles at location X, you won't get a visit by the local SWAT guys. If ya plink in your back yard, it might not be a bad idea to get to know your neighbors and let them know, "Hey, if ya see me in my backyard shooting an AK47, don't freak, it's just a high-speed BB gun." Who knows, you may get someone interested in airsoft.

But this "It would be irresponsible to tell you how to remove the paint" stuff is a little silly. I've seen more than a few AO guys with black muzzles!

[Jaeger]

I've gotta throw in with Allen here. With all due respect, guys, some of you are coming off as a little high-handed and self-righteous.

I'm new to the Airsoft world - never skirmished yet. I bought my P90 about a week and a half ago because puchasing an Airsoft replica was the only way to get ahold of one for costuming purposes (Stargate, if you're wondering). Naturally, the orange tip removal issue was the first thing that came up for me - I'm not going to be plinking in my backyard or waving the gun around in public, and I'll transport it with the same precautions that I apply to my real steel. So I called the retailer where I'd purchased the gun (Airsoft Arms) and got a straight answer - something I apparently wouldn't've received if I'd asked in here. Not, perhaps, the most welcoming environment you'd want to present for newbies if you want the sport to grow.

- C.

[Phosphofructokinase]

allentc2, I'll agree with you half-heartedly on your post. Forgive me if I missinterpreted your post and I probably did. But to say that the orange tip means nothing, is IMO, wrong. Yes if you brandish your weapon in public, orange tip or not, you'll have a situation on your hands. The fact of the matter, its about safety and the orange tip, effective or not, promotes and/or is a symbol of it. Check you state and local laws about what needs to be on your gun/replica. I think Texx was just trying to keep a good image for AO, in regards to safety and responsible ownership, as it is one of tthe more well known airsoft communities.

[Soultek]

Jaeger - This community is very welcome to newbies who can ask good questions about topics that havent been discussed before. IF you used the search feature im sure you would find numerous threads about getting orange paint off. As for Texx's answer hes absolutly right, airsoft's legality is not something airsoft owners need to test right now. As im sure your aware you cant board a plane right now with nail scissors. Airsoft is only legal in the US if a bright orange tip is firmly in place. So whether or not individuals take it off or not. This forum is meant to be a law abiding place for people and families to learn about airsoft. If we wanna come off as a decent community we dont need threads about how to get around the laws.

[Jaeger]

Originally posted by Soultek
Jaeger - This community is very welcome to newbies who can ask good questions about topics that havent been discussed before. IF you used the search feature im sure you would find numerous threads about getting orange paint off.

Actually, I did run several searches on Google when I was trying to find the answer, and most of them discussed legality or methods of removing orange paint. As my particular weapon came with an orange plastic tip that was rather firmly attached, message threads on mineral spirits weren't much good to me.

As for Texx's answer hes absolutly right, airsoft's legality is not something airsoft owners need to test right now. As im sure your aware you cant board a plane right now with nail scissors. Airsoft is only legal in the US if a bright orange tip is firmly in place. So whether or not individuals take it off or not. This forum is meant to be a law abiding place for people and families to learn about airsoft. If we wanna come off as a decent community we dont need threads about how to get around the laws.

Would you mind citing a specific federal law regarding the orange tip issue? I did research this issue at some length, as I'm in no great hurry to get arrested, and could not find a reliable source of information that states anything about federal requirements for the orange tip once the weapon is in the consumer's hands. The consensus among retailers who provided such information on their sites seemed to be that the orange tip is required at the time of sale, but can be subsequently removed by the consumer without violating federal law. The only state laws I could find on the issue were in California, New York, and Michigan. I didn't bookmark them, as I don't intend to be in any of those states any time soon, but I'll certainly try to replicate the searches that led me to them if you'd like references.

- C.

[Soultek]

Well, i live in New York so those would be the laws that apply to me. Also if its required at the time of sale why would if be legal to remove such tip? it makes no sense

[AllenTC2]

Well Phosphofructokinase, I have to say as a "symbol" or a "promotional" tool for safety, it's a laugh. When I was in the Army, safety was a big issue. Needless to say multi-ton, tracked vehicles and live ammo can lead to a lot of safety incidents! We used to have to have a blaze orange "safety dot". This went on the face of our watch, or on the ear plug case. The idea was you saw it and immediately thought "safety".

So the orange muzzle fails on two points. One, when being used properly, the user won't see it!! LOL Two, just like the safety dot, the impact of the blaze orange will fade, and you won't think "safety" when you DO see it.

The orange paint is supposed to serve one purpose. It "identifies" the gun as not being a real firearm. I believe Federal law requires it on all airsoft guns sold in or imported to the US. What your state and local laws say may vary. It's effectiveness for anything is dubious at best. Would a batch of REAL MP5s with orange muzzles make it past customs? Will the blaze orange on a TM AEG keep a cop from ventilating your torso if you point it at him? Hell, if the WHOLE DANG GUN was orange, would it make a difference?

This stuff about it being ethically wrong to tell you how to break the law is a bit snooty. It's not like someone asking "How can I make sarin nerve gas in my basement?" No offense Texx.

Once again though, the main thing is USE COMMON SENSE. Quite frankly, treat an airsoft gun just like a real one. Never take a weapon until YOU know it is safe and clear. Don't take someone else's word for it. Even then, treat it like it's loaded. Fingers outside the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot. Don't point at something you don't want to shoot. Be aware of what's behind your target. Yeah, airsoft BBs aren't quite the same as real munitions, but I can see some surburban back yard plinker putting a neighbor's eye out.

Man, I do go on!!! Anyway, FWIW, I just used some Krylon Ultra Matte Black to paint over the orange on my MP5SD5. I didn't want to risk messing up the finish. I really gouged up my BSA sight trying to get the BSA label off! LOL

[Fluffy_Bunny]

heck, I live in NYC, and I don't even dare to take my P90 out to my backyard for target practice. I have to go to places like Long Island or upstate just to play with friends there. And yes, the orange blaze acting as immunity from cops dropping you is just silly. If cops here can fill a man with 52 bullets when he was taking out his wallet to show his ID to them, who knows how many more would go in if it even remotely looked like a gun?

[Soultek]

Ok, look, the whole wallet thing, if your a cop and you tell someone to freeze and they pull a small black thing out of their pocket.. come on.

As for orange tips, no they are not gonna stop a cop from shooting you IF YOU fing pull it out on them but if you are simply using it in your backyard or such you wont have a problem from police as you might since owning one without an orange is illegal in atleast many places, and where i live.

This conversation has just gotten stupid. Yes if you freaking pull any kind of gun on a police man your looking for trouble. if you ever have a problem DO EXACTLY what they say. Drop it immiediatly! Get down and do not move. However an orange tip would protect you from a false charge from plinking the the backyard

[Soultek]

Oh and Fluffy, airsofts are completely illegal in NYC so i would keep doing what yuor doing

[Fluffy_Bunny]

yea, i know, that's why i keep it in the box in my closet and not on display...

[AllenTC2]

Man, I hear about some of these laws in CA and NY, and it boggles the mind.

[Jaeger]

Originally posted by AllenTC2
Man, I hear about some of these laws in CA and NY, and it boggles the mind.

No kidding. Of course, no offense to the guys north of me, but Ohio's laws kinda make me uneasy because of the lack of state's precedence legislation. Most states have a state law that forbids local governments from passing their own firearm (real or replica) laws. Ohio doesn't, so what's legal out in the state may not be legal in Cincinnati or Columbus. Makes for a very edgy drive through the state whenever I've got anything in the car, because there's no uniformity.

- C.

[AllenTC2]

Ahh hell, just seperate the upper from lower receiver and drive on through. Surely OH isn't THAT draconian! :D

[Jaeger]

Originally posted by AllenTC2
Ahh hell, just seperate the upper from lower receiver and drive on through. Surely OH isn't THAT draconian! :D

You'd be surprised. For real steel, my understanding is that Cincinnati considers a loaded magazine to be a loaded weapon, even if it's stored separately from the gun.

- C.

[AllenTC2]

LOL Only in the land of Jerry Springer!

Hey, I used to live in Lexington. Just inside New Circle Road, on North Forbes. Is Raytheon still out there at Avon? Ya know they do a LOT of work for the SPEC OPS guys out there!

[Jaeger]

Okay. I found my reference for federal law on the orange marking issue:

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/5001.html

Note that subsection (a) lists the prohibited acts possible with unmarked "imitation firearms:"

It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm unless such firearm contains, or has affixed to it, a marking approved by the Secretary of Commerce, as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

Now, my attention is drawn to the "ship, transport, or receive" portion of that subsection. There's nothing in that list of prohibited acts regarding ownership or use - and by my (admittedly limited) understanding of federal law regarding interstate commerce, it can't regulate the transport of materials within a state's borders. So I think you have to cross a state line sans orange tip in order to be in violation of federal law.

Note, also, the nice little screw-you in subsection (c) regarding items which are exempt. See how airsofts aren't, but "traditional" BB guns are? You can thank Crossman- and Daisy-paid lobbyists for that uneven application of federal power.

- C.

[Gooch]

interesting point, frank :D
anyone know a lawyer or anything? ask them :D

[Ranger_92nd]

hey I just wanted to throw my two cents here so, my dad's a lawyer and now works for the sheriffs office, basically you should keep the orange tip on if you are playing in a residential area. If you are going out to a forested area where you wont run into anybody, go ahead and put on the black tip.

Basically use your head, play safe and wear goggles!

***REMEMBER*** call your local police and make sure its ok to play in city limits. and the opinions above may very from office to county to county so check. I don't think this can be stated enough times.

[snif]

How do you think a person transports a real gun? Orange tip is not needed except if you want to retain your non-ATF dealers status, commercial thing. As a citizen you can get yourself shot anyway you want.

Like most everyone says, treat it like a real gun and expect anyone who is not playing to do the same.

[Ranger_92nd]

snif, if you are transporting an airsoft I do believe you should still keep on the orange tip. Remember it is better to be safe than sorry, esp. if you are going through multiple counties states, or cities

Yes you can get your self shot any way you want, but woundn't you want to minimize the chance of that happening. KEEP THE TIP ON, until you know there will not be anybody near by.

Most people, or at least here in Colorado, who are going shooting or plinking get home right away afterwards. And if you are just transporting somthing its safe to keep locks on them (realsteel). So for airsoft, following the rule, "act as if it were real, and loaded" be as safe as you can.