Untitled - National Airsoft Magazine

Transcription

The underground magazine for airsoft players by airsoft players
Briefing:
Greetings and welcome to:
The NAM: National Airsoft Magazine
Issue #6 Q2 2005.
ZOMBIES?! IN AIRSOFT?! Well,
we’re busy sketching out the details
of our next event, OPERATION:
BIOHAZARD. Last years event could
only be described as torturous fun!
People are still friggin’ talking
about it! So if you don’t wanna miss
out, as many of you did last year,
register now as spaces are limited.
I’d like to personally apologize
to all those of you who were
offended by the rather foul mouth of
our beloved Sgt. Pecker. I can
assure you we’ve had a sit-down and
the profanity will be henceforth
gone from his column. We’ll see how
things go. If he still gets
complaints, we’ll let him go on his
merry way.
In retrospect, it’s been a year
and a half that we’ve been at this,
trudging through the thick mud of of
the trenches with you guys, our buds!
I know to some it seems like only
yesterday we started while to others,
it seems like we’ve been at this for
years (especially to some of the
editors around here). It’s weird
though as I look back upon the short
time we’ve been doing this magazine.
Two major airsoft publications have
since tapped out of the business. I
suspect it was due to lack of
support by retailers as we’ve been
hitting that wall like flies on a
window. Don’t get me wrong, we have
a solid few who back us 110%. It’s
the other, the majority that
concerns me. Everybody seems to
want to advertise in just about
anything but the resources geared
toward their businesses. HELLO?! IS
ANYBODY HOME?! Anyhow, that’s
enough of my random thoughts for now.
See you in 90!
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Reaper
Art Director/Design
Reaper
Copy Editor
Shutter Bug
Advertising/Promotions
Reaper, STORM, Howitzer
Marketing/Sales
Reaper, STORM, Howitzer
Editors
Reaper, Shutter Bug STORM,
Howitzer
Writers
Reaper, Howitzer, STORM, Sensei,
Wednesday
Artists
Reaper
Photographers
STORM, Shutter Bug, Reaper
Compilation
Reaper
Accounting
Reaper, Shutter Bug
Website Development
Reaper
Contributing Writers
DUSTY, Sgt. Pecker
Contributing Artists
Contributing Photographers
Cover Photo
Katonk
Reaper
Editor-in-Chief
www.NationalAirsoftMagazine.com
3
Publisher:
The NAM National Airsoft Magazine
P.O. Box 1483
Marina, CA 93933
Submissions:
Please address all submissions to the
relative departments at the magazine’s
address. Authors of original, approved
and published ‘payable’ submissions will
receive $50 for their article. Please
include your name and address with the
submission. You can also e-mail both
letters and images to:
TheNAMmagazine@aol.com
Submissions will not be returned and
become the property of The NAM: National
Airsoft Magazine.
The Legal Mumbo-Jumbo:
Editorial contributions are encouraged
and accepted. The Publisher disclaims
all responsibility to return solicited
or unsolicited materials and all rights
in portions. Any views or opinions
expressed in any advertisements, signed
columns, letters, articles, photographs
or any other published materials are
those of the sponsor, artist and/or
author and do not necessarily reflect
the position of The NAM: National
Airsoft Magazine. Any materials received
by the magazine or its editors are
assumed to be intended for publication
and reproduction in whole or part and
therefore, may be used for such purposes.
All materials become the property of The
NAM: National Airsoft Magazine. Nothing
herein may be reproduced in whole or
part without written permission from the
publisher. All articles and columns are
protected under international Copyright
laws.
Mission Statement:
The NAM: National Airsoft Magazine is
wholly dedicated to providing our
readers with 100% honest articles and
reviews regardless of the sponsorships,
subjects or persons these articles
and/or reviews might reflect negatively
upon. We will never compromise in our
mission statement. After all, this high
standard is what makes us “The
Underground Magazine for Airsoft Players
by Airsoft Players,” and we simply
wouldn’t have it any other way!
Copyright © 2015
All Rights Reserved.
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Advertising gets your website’s banner
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both of our Home and Online Content
pages via a small banner under the
SPONSOR column and our Sponsors page via
a standard sized banner.
advertising@nationalairsoftmagazine.com
SPONSORS
Airsoft Extreme
Pages 9, 10, 18 & 50
Arnie’s Airsoft
Page 45
Ash Bash 2005
Page 6 & 63
DB Custom Airsoft’s
OPERATION: GLOBAL THREAT
Page 29
Economy Printing Service
Page 5
NL Airsoft
Page 24
OPERATION: BIOHAZARD
Page 2
RedWolf Airsoft
Page 32
RussianCombatGear.com
Back Cover
Oops!
Does anybody actually read this?
One of these days we’ll have to do
Something special just to see if
you guys do actually read this spot.
Anyway, nobody really reported any
goofs from last issue so I guess
we’re error proof once again!
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
-Reaper
Table of Contents:
41 NAM Girl of the Quarter
02 Briefing
Myckey wishes you a VERY merry Christmas!
Letter from the Editor
45 The Dossier
07 Contact HQ
Q & A
Arizona’s own:
McDowell Mountain Airsoft
10 Latest Intel Reveals…
47 M4-tune
New AirSoft products, cool stuff, rumors,
etc…
Dehydration, The Real Enemy!
Close Quarters
12 War Journal
The USEAL’s First Winter CQB Tournament
Operation: WWIII
51 Battle Tech
21 Field Tested
Complete TM AK-47 Breakdown
Tanaka’s M24
TOP’s AK Drum Magazine
56 Sgt. Pecker
FATCAMP
26 Speak Freely
Lesson Learned: The Hard Way.
57 the specialist
30 Primary Objective
HEAVYARMS:
True Squad Support (Part I)
TM M4 rebuild
61 Divisions
30 The Art of war
National airsoft clubs
AT4 Rocket Launcher (LAW Build)
62 Glossary
33 Interrogation Room
Abbreviations and common terms defined.
This issue we decided to put the
spotlight on a great new website:
AirsoftGunHELP.com
63 Debriefing
38 The armory
66 The NAM goes to Iraq
TOP’s M249
Next issue!
A reader writes in from Iraq.
5
6
Contact HQ:
I just received Issues 3 and 5. Thanks
and great job! Take care.
-Rodrigo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Gentlemen [ahem…we have ladies too!],
let me say "my hat is off to you" for
the best issue of NAM yet [Issue 5], the
content, reviews, every thing is just
getting bigger and better. The new
slick finish on the cover page shows
consistent growth. Keep up the great
work! In case you should print this, in
reference to T.W. on page 8 [same issue]:
Man I don't know what rock you crawled
out from under, but crawl back there bud.
This is a great underground mag! The
only one I will always purchase.
-Panzer13, FSOG, www.floridaairsoft.com
We’re pleased you guys enjoyed our
magazine. Letters like this really make
all the BS we go through on the daily
basis worth while.
-Reaper
yo guy ned WA mo pics in magersine i men
wat wih al wods magersines al abut pics
pepul pics and mo pics who rele car
about wod anerwa do pepul aktule red the
artekls wy wod ankeon wan do tat
-Albrt J, Makikvil
[You guys need way more pictures in your
magazine. I mean, what is with all the
words? Magazines are all about pictures
people, pictures and more pictures. Who
really cares about the words anyway? Do
people actually read the articles? Why
would anyone want to do that?
Albert J., Mechanicsville, VA??]
-actual email translated by Reaper who
afterward, wandered around the office, in
need of aspirin and an adjustment, mumbling
regret about his Sgt. Pecker censorship!
You poor baby, how long did that take to
type, an hour? That mean old keyboard
must look absolutely intimidating to you
with all those awful letters, numbers
and scary punctuation marks! May I
suggest something a little bit more your
speed? I think you will find the “See
Dick” series more appropriate. I might
also recommend Sesame Street and a
little Hooked on Phonics. It has worked
so well for so many, it may just work
for you too! Then again, you might not
even be able to read this, so I just may
very well be wasting my time.
-Shutter
Bug
When you clarified the 8mm 1-shot-1-kill
revolver question for Biohazard 2005
[via email], it gave me a good excuse to
buy a better revolver than the KWC I'd
initially planned on. Probably a
Marushin Raging Bull now. My team and I
probably won’t be able to make it to
this year’s OPERATION: BIOHAZARD, but we
definitely want to go and we're training
with our pistols in preparation- could
you tell me please if there might be an
"OPERATION: BIOHAZARD" in 2006?
-Chris
I personally own Marushin’s Raging Bull.
It's okay but a little too big. Shoot
for something a little better (less
piggish) and easier to wield like
Marushin's 8mm 4in Magnum. You can read
my review for the Raging Bull in Issue
#7's Field Tested. As for preparation,
good luck!. We saw even the most
experienced players running like little
sissies last year (hey, if we were
playing, we would’a been running right
along with you guys…probably screaming
too!) and we will again this year, I'm
certain of it. To answer your final
question, yes. Unless airsoft is banned
in the state of California, there will
definitely be an OPERATION: BIOHAZARD as
it is an annual event. We hope to host
the event until we, ourselves, have
joined the ranks of the…er…undead!
-Reaper
I'd just like to say that I have really
enjoyed your magazine and just want to
commend you on the effort you are all
putting forth to further Airsoft. I
have a request that I am hoping y’all
can help me with. Several of my team
members, including myself have AK-47s
and TOP drum mags for them. Every one
of us is having the jamming issues with
these magazines. I read the article in
issue #4 page 24 by Reaper and in the
article he states, "The consistent
jamming issue cannot be overlooked but
is easily resolved by filing out a niche
in the bottom of the plastic guide where
the spring marries the bb port."
Unfortunately, we are not quite sure
where or how this niche should be filed.
Would you be so kind as to provide us
with detailed directions on where this
niche should be filed out and in what
shape etc. My team members and I would
be greatly appreciative if you could
lend us a hand with this so we can get
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our drums working properly. Thank you
for any assistance you can provide.
-Jim H, Team Blackjack, Georgia
Thanks for the kind words Jim. You’ll
be happy to know that this very
modification has made it to this issue’s
BattleTech. So, feel free to skip ahead
to page 51 to see how it’s done.
-Reaper
Could give me some info on the RIS
system on the 249 SAW in #4? I
purchased a kit for my SAW but it looks
a lot different that the one shown. I'd
like to purchase the same one if
possible. Thanks.
-ETC4
There was one gun with 2 different kits
shown in that article. One was an
Original M249 Minimi (the one with a
skeleton stock), which was eventually
converted into a Para with a M249 Mk II
RIS. The RIS system for the M249 comes
in 2 parts, upper and lower. The Lower
can be purchased by G&G or G&P, while
the RAS upper is exclusively by Boom
Arms. Prices vary, so be smart and
comparison shop first. Mounting is
relatively simple for the upper so you
can do it yourself. The lower is more
complicated. I'd recommend a trusted
airsoft shop to install them properly.
-Howitzer
I noticed an ad for paintball in your
magazine last issue. With the animosity
that most paintballers feel toward us, I
was surprised that you’d consider
placing that ad in The NAM.
-ScreamEagle2000
A majority of paintball stores do carry
airsoft in their inventory; it’s just
not the main focus of their business.
However, you have a point. We’ve beat
our knuckles bloody contacting literally
HUNDREDS of airsoft retailers in an
effort to get them to advertise in The
NAM. While we do receive support from a
few (thanks guys!), most just offer lip
service or complain about the high
prices of our already ridiculously low
ad rates! Bottom line: advertising pays
for publication (and quality, for those
who keep bringing up the lack of color).
If we can’t get airsoft retailers to
help promote their own business and the
sport, through The NAM, the next natural
step is paintball retailers. The bitter
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irony here is people, seeing dollar
signs, open up airsoft shops and just
expect the masses to pour in with their
cash as if this new shop is some holy
airsoft Mecca. Then after a few months,
they complain about the lack of business.
How can you expect to sell anything if
nobody knows you’re even there? It’s
virtually impossible to run a business
without advertising. The other odd
number that actually do, rather than
utilize a forum specifically catered to
airsofters, are instead seeking forums
like gun shows, swap meats, model mags,
comicons, and automotive shows…go figure.
-Reaper
Guess I should'a listened to y'all. I
decided to pick me up that propane
adaptor even after reading y'alls
warning in Issue #3. Well, turns out
when I popped off a round, gas escaped
the slide when it chambered and my cigar
caught the cloud. Singed my mustache
all but good and the flame shot down the
hose and blew that canister right off my
ass. Damn near took my brother's eye
out in the process. Guess I'll be
paying more attention to y'alls warnings
next time so I don't look like Hitler
and my brother don't have to be jittery
no more. Keep keeping it real!
-No Name Please
Let me start out by saying that the
validity of this letter cannot be proven
as all requests for actual proof went
unanswered. However, we still stand
behind the statement we made previously
addressing our concerns about the use of
propane in GBBs. Recently, I’ve also
noticed an uprise in the argument that
Green Gas is in fact propane. Well,
since none of us are chemistry majors,
that’ll be a little hard to prove. All
I know is that in the tests we conducted,
Green Gas (more than one brand I might
add) consistently extinguished a flame
whereas propane consistently propelled
it. If any of you out there care to run
some tests of your own, we’d be
interested in hearing from you. Bottom
line though, when we warn ya about
something, it’s for good reason!
-Reaper
P.S. Thanks for the laugh No Name!
Howitzer nearly peed himself and almost
cost us a good office chair!
-------------------------------------------Feel free to send us your comments, and/or
questions to: TheNAMmagazine@aol.com
9
10
…latest Intel reveals…
The Year of the M1 Garand Too
Vintage firearms collectors and old
war re-enactors, take note:
Marushin has something in the works
to satisfy even the old die-hard
players. Hot on the tail of their
KAR98 rifle and the 8mm M1 Carbine,
they play to release an 8mm version
of the M1 Garand battle rifle, using
a gas system rather than the more
simplistic springer types of their
earlier rifles. Look for this if
you like playing with that old WWI
feel. Smokey’s Gunworks is also
releasing a M1 Garand variant of
their own . This one is different
as it uses the normal 6mm BB, but
incorporates an all metal construct
with a wooden stock. High quality
and attention to details such as
this one is promising demand a high
price, and this durable item is
reported to cost $1,500 USD each.
So if you’re a collector, this is a
good item to get.
-Howitzer
Another Retailer Selling The NAM
is now available for purchase at
both Arizona Paintball Depot
locations:
Arizona Paintball Depot
2948 E. Bell Road #108
Phoenix, AZ 85032
602.493.0318
&
9393 North 90th Street #101
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480.767.3412
www.ArizonaPaintballDepot.com
If you’re a retailer or know one
who’d be interested in carrying The
NAM, please contact us via our
website (see footer). We offer
special rates for bulk orders and
the lowest advertising prices of any
nationally distributed airsoft
magazine!
Tokyo Marui M14 Update:
For those of you still interested,
Tokyo Marui’s M14, if actually
coming out, is scheduled for release
in late July. Our sources also
state that there will be two types,
faux-wood stock and updated polycarb
plastic (updated plastic?).
Internals are presumably using the
standard stock Marui in a new
Version 7 design mechbox. Hopefully,
Marui will let this baby see the
light of day. Either way it’s one
of the most anticipated AEGs to come
out in a long time!
-Howitzer
Classic Army’s CA249 Release Date
You’ve seen it all over the forums,
but this info comes straight from
the horse’s mouth! The new CA249
MKII, the first in the series, is
scheduled for release sometime
between May and July (don’t you just
love the always vague release
dates?). This is the full stock
version of the SAW and like the
others, promises to come, out of the
box, with an actual mechbox! And if
that wasn’t enough to get you all
hot and bothered, CA is offering a
great promotion to airsoft retailers
for pre-orders, a 2400rnd Minimi Box
Magazine at a great price: $40 USD
MSRP! So pop into your local
airsoft retailer or hit up the
online stores and see if they’ll
pass on this fantastic offer with
your pre-order! Or, you could
always wait until the AEG ships and
get the stinky ol’ M16 hi-cap that
comes standard…
-Reaper
New Scopes from Guarder
Those of you who have the SpecOp bug
and like to have as much of it
accessorizing your gun, this is an
item of interest. Guarder, known
for their excellent quality
AEG/pistol parts & accessories, will
-Reaper
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be releasing their own copy of the
much sought after X4 ELCAN scope.
Also on their “coming soon” table is
a red-dot variant of the Trijicon
ACOG scope. Expect the usual
immaculate attention to detail and
legendary durability that you have
learned to trust from Guarder. Make
sure to get yours before they are
all gone!!
-Howitzer
ASH BASH 2005
Airsoft Hawaii and ARMS Magazine are
hosting one of this year’s biggest
events, ASH BASH 2005! Scheduled
for July 16th at Kualoa Ranch on
Oahu, this event promises to bring
in hundreds of players from around
the world, big name sponsors, and
fantastic raffles (one of which will
be a “subscription package” from us
with everything we’ve ever published
including our sold out issues!).
For more information, or to secure a
ticket to this event, please visit
their website: www.AirsoftHawaii.com
-Reaper
M3 Tactical Flashlight by TM
If you’ve always wanted a M3
tactical flashlight but didn’t want
to pay the price for a real steel
one, fret no longer. Tokyo Maui
will be releasing their airsoft
replica of this hugely popular addon accessory. Designed to slip onto
any 20mm Picatinnty rail, this piece
should add a nice tactical feel to
any sidearm pistol and/or submachine gun AEG.
-Howitzer
this model will have a fixed slide
with a custom rechargeable microbattery hidden inside. Expect a lot
of custom accessories to be release
to capitalize on this hot item!!
-Howitzer
The Ultimate OpFor Contest:
Do you own an AK but hate the way
the mags fit in the vest? Tired of
the dinky little 3 pouch ChiCom
vests or the cheap, nylon 4 pouch
vests most Surplus retailers carry?
How about those big uncomfortable,
over the head bandoleers that look
like big huge bras? They’re a real
pain in the yahoo to put on and take
off! Good news is that, well, we’ve
got good news for ya! Now is your
chance to actually LOOK the part
with authenticity! Courtesy of
RussianCombatGear.com, we have REAL
Soviet/Russian gear to give you guys
for FREE assuming you picked up our
Operation: WWIII DVD. If you didn’t
it’s available on our website for
only $12.99 USD. Watch it, count,
and you would win real Russian
Assault/Tactical vests and BDUs FREE!
Don’t wait, stop by our website to
check out the details on our
“Contests” link and visit
www.RussianCombatGear.com for all
your OpFor needs!
-Reaper
www.ASMOAirsoft.com
Unfortunately, he’s since gone out
of business but there is still hope.
You may just be able to find them at
a small airsoft shop or on ebaY.
Marui AEP M93R
Hot on the tail of their
revolutionary and successful AEP
(automatic electric pistol) G18C,
Tokyo Marui, never to rest long, is
releasing a version of the much
sought after Beretta M93R machinepistol. Like the G18C before it,
12
War Journal Entry: 05
Sunday, 15.May.05, Special Forces
Operational Detachment 831 aka SFOD
831 aka MIKE Force 1. As is
seemingly every day of our
operations, it was the hottest day
of the month. The warm breeze and
glaring sun resulted in perspiration
which beaded my brow and stung my
eyes as the Black Hawk slowed to a
hover. The ropes were dropped, the
green light given, it was time.
JOC had requested your typical, run
of the mill, Bright Light Op. While
flying recon over Black Cell
territory in San Juan, two F-22
Raptors were hit with some sort of
microwave scrambling device. As a
result, their electrical systems
failed forcing a bailout over
hostile territory. Our Mission:
Retrieve both pilots and bring them
back to our point of insertion for
extraction via McQuire rigs. Then,
we were to proceed due North to a
clearer location for evac.
This being our first time in this
particular AO, Intel had verified
that in recent months, Black Cell
had been at war with a local
guerilla front over territory in the
region. So we were to expect fire
from both sides if seen. Just our
luck, we’ve been dropped into a meat
grinder and the butcher’s all
greased up and rearing to go. What
else is new?
The repel went effortlessly as we
dropped from the Black Hawk into the
canopy adjacent the waterfall.
Although considerably cooler, the
air stank of pollen and cow dung as
flies and bees zipped about, busied
by their daily tasks, a familiar and
welcome environment for our team.
SFOD 831 Alpha, my team, touched
down and set security around the
perimeter. SFOD 831 Delta, our
point element, touched down and
breezed past us to begin the search
for the pilots. Our newest rookie,
Howitzer’s pup Koko, eager for some
action, scurried ahead to join Delta.
Shortly into our search, the wind
brought us the unmistakable crackles
and pops of a firefight. The
engagement was fierce but brief.
Soon, we happened upon cattle. Koko
started to growl but was hushed and
startled back to us by a curious cow.
Iceman, our pointman, suddenly
dropped. Everyone followed suit and
found cover. I peered through my
scope to see a small, rundown cabin
in the distance. Toward the front
was a single Black Cell operative,
facing the opposite direction. We
were within visual contact of the
enemy and had to cross a meadow to
reach further cover. Delta broke
right and low as we broke high and
left, covering the open distance
with a hasty overbound maneuver.
From our new vantage point, only a
stone’s throw from the cabin, we
observed the guard speaking to
another inside. It was unclear what
they were saying, but the actions
confirmed at least one more inside
the cabin. I moved closer to the
cabin. We were ready to pound them
with fire should all hell break
loose. From this point, fifteen
feet from the guard at the front, I
also verified a satellite dish,
possibly the transmitting device for
the scrambler.
Our radios crackled to life as Delta
reported that they had acquired the
pilots and were on their way back to
the meadow. Sensei whispered the
order to break contact, and with a
hushed retreat, we slowly backed off
our position, leaving the enemy all
but ignorant of our presence. We
hastily covered the distance across
the meadow. Alpha paused at the
mouth of the meadow and set security
as Delta proceeded back to the
waterfall for the McQuire Extraction.
Exactly fourteen minutes into the
operation, Delta radioed that the
pilots were safely away with not a
single shot fired…silent
professionals.
Sensei ordered us to regroup. JOC
had “modified” our mission orders.
Our new objectives were to continue
in, disable the satellite and
retrieve the scrambling device.
Then proceed through Black Cell
territory to the initial extraction
point. Seems like every time they
change the Op orders in-mission,
things go FUBAR. But I guess that’s
hard to see from the top of the food
chain. Our plans to “escape and
evade” to the LZ were now toast.
This would require a heavy assault.
Not what we were geared for, but
what the hell. It always makes life
that much more interesting.
We crossed the meadow much the same
way we had the first time, Delta
going low and us high. Delta would
initiate contact and we would hit
from above. Once the firefight
started, Storm and I would rush to
the back of the cabin with the other
elements providing cover as we
proceeded to clear the outside.
It worked like clockwork. Delta
initiated contact and downed the
guard out front. Howitzer and
Sensei swung high as we raced to the
back of the cabin. Storm and I
intentionally slammed hard against
the back wall. The resulting noise
verified at least two inside. I
radioed the intel to Sensei as Storm
made a mad dash around the corner.
He cut the wire and retrieved the
satellite dish as I fired at a
sniper in the treeline above to keep
his head down. Just as Storm
reached the back corner, he was
downed by a burst from inside the
cabin. My attempt to reach him was
halted by the sniper. I pointed him
out to Sensei, who ordered howitzer
to cover as I made a break for Storm.
Howitzer was unable to retire the
sniper as shots zipped past me, but
he was able to keep him from getting
off an accurate one. With Storm
back online, we returned to our
position behind the cabin.
Two elements from Delta, Spectre and
Ghost, had joined us at the back of
the cabin. They attempted a similar
maneuver around the opposite side.
Spectre was downed by the sniper as
he reached the front. I spun around
the corner and fired at the sniper.
One just below the original returned
fire. I adjusted and took him out.
When the original opened fire again,
I laid down suppressive fire as
Ghost nabbed Spectre and pulled him
to safety. I radioed the location
of the sniper to Sensei, who with
Howitzer, kept him down as Delta
raced to the front of the cabin.
Spectre opened the door and Iceman
laced up the inside. After a hail
of gunfire, the cabin was finally
cleared. Iceman retrieved the
device and we immediately vacated
the cabin area.
15
I proceeded up the hill with Sensei
and Howitzer, who were still trying
to take out the sniper. Sensei
ordered me to go high and sweep down.
I took fire from behind and ducked
low, yelling the new enemy’s
location before being downed by a
burst in the shoulder. The attacker
then fired at Sensei, who reeled and
took him out. He then proceeded to
my location to treat the injury.
Back online, we proceeded to sweep
the face of the hill until we came
under heavy fire. Sensei gave the
order to break contact, and we
proceeded down the hill. I was
ordered to reinforce Delta in the
ravine to the East of the cabin.
Things were beginning to look grim.
As I ran across the wide, open
expanse, Sensei and Howitzer laid
down a thick blanket of cover fire,
enabling me to safely get across.
As I stormed into the ravine,
Spectre jumped down behind me and
was dropped by another hit to the
shoulder from our right flank. MIKE
2 yelled for me to come and medic
Ghost, who had also been hit. I
yelled back the situation and was
instructed to medic whoever was
closest. I grabbed Spectre’s boot
and pulled him down into the stream
where I could treat the wound.
We then proceeded, crouching below
the thick foliage above and sloshing
through the stream and mud, to
Delta’s location in the opening
ahead. I received fire from our low,
left flank. I returned fire to put
him out of commission. Iceman was
downed by a burst from our high,
left flank. I crawled to him and
treated the wound. He spun around
the outside of the tree and nailed
the sniper. As he ran off, I took
fire from our right flank. I
returned fire to eliminate the
threat that was seemingly instantly
replaced by another. MIKE 2 yelled
that he was low on ammo.
Instinctively, I removed two mags
from my vest. As I reached down and
16
handed him the mags, I observed MIKE
1 pinned in a small bunker, taking
shots from all sides. It was then
that the overall situation presented
itself. We had poked at the
hornet’s nest with a stick. We were
pinned down by superior numbers.
They had the high ground advantage
and literally had us pinched.
I took fire from high left flank and
returned fire to down another who
was again, instantly replaced.
Reinforcements were arriving faster
than we could eliminate them. MIKE
2 ordered a retrograde and we began
pulling back. Sensei and Howitzer
had reached the opposite side of the
ravine to cover the right flank.
First Howitzer was hit and then
Sensei by two snipers higher up.
Howitzer’s last words were “Shoo
dog!” as he yelled at Koko for
licking his face. Despite our
efforts at cover fire, there were
just too many targets. MIKE 1 was
instantly downed by the snipers on
our left flank as we started our
retrograde. Spectre, who’d been
pinned by snipers on the right,
leapt down into the ravine and we
continued pulling back. MIKE 2 was
then hit and down.
I looked at Spectre. I knew it was
time to find a nice place to rest.
They wouldn’t get anything without a
fight. I ordered him to grab the
dish, I picked up the device, and we
made a run for the thickest brush we
could find within the ravine. As we
proceeded deeper, I received a wound
in the leg from incoming fire. As
Spectre treated the wound with the
last of our medical supplies, the
attacker came running down into the
ravine. I pushed Spectre behind me
and opened fire to down the attacker
with a burst. We found a dense
thicket that provided some cover.
Specter left the dish and proceeded
out to sweep as I took guard of our
objectives. He received fire from
our left flank and returned to down
an enemy before being downed himself
by fire on our right. I opened fire
in the general direction and downed
another.
I took out my radio and transmitted
our situation to whoever was still
listening. Instinctively, I remove
my last remaining mag and set it in
my lap for a quick reload. I looked
through the brush to see an enemy
patrol advancing. They initiated
contact. I fired a burst, downing
two before the other four opened
fire. The thicket was literally
rattled with the assault, and I
received a direct hit to the throat…
I lie back on the grass and look up
at the foliage above. Birds chatter
busily overhead, singing to each
other about their busy day. I catch
sight of a butterfly and follow it
as it circles in descent and then
gracefully lands on the outer rim of
the satellite dish. A cool breeze
passes through, chilling the air to
a pleasing temperature. The brook
talks soothingly to me as I look
down to see it pour over my boots on
its journey downstream. The sun is
reflecting off the greenery in an
almost blissfully bright, dream-like
display. It’s such a serine place.
SFOD 831 is down, Iceman is MIA and
a squad of Black Cell is closing in.
I’m hit bad. I’m a mess and can no
longer use my rifle. Looks like we
won’t be making it out of this one.
Tell my wife and unborn child I love
them…
Story & Illustrations by
Reaper
17
Field Tested:
Sergeant
Before we begin this section, we
felt it necessary to take a moment
to explain how we determine what
rank each item will receive. Items
are reviewed based on the following
guidelines:
So-so… A little more testing
would’ve made a tremendous
difference.
Comparison to Real Steel
Side by side with its real world
counterpart (When applicable)
Pros/Cons
Is it worth the cash?
bad and the ugly…
Lieutenant
The good, the
Okay. Kind’a fun but you’ve gotta
love the subject matter.
Efficiency
How does it perform?
Captain
Design
Are there any flaws?
Durability
Does it feel cheap?
up to punishment?
Will it stand
With the guidelines in place, each
item reviewed has been tested and
given a rank. Each rank will be
shown and thoroughly explained. It
is at the discretion of the author
to rate the item as they are the
ones testing it.
Good, a solid item.
Very practical.
Major
Very good!
You can’t go wrong!
Colonel
And now, to the ranks…
Private
Why?!
Why would anyone do this to
us?!
Corporal
Lacking… Big flaws really hurt this
item!
Outstanding! One of the better
items I’ve seen!
General
Classic!
A simply “MUST BUY” item!
If you feel the review was unfair,
biased or incorrect and wish to
debate the rank, feel free to write
the magazine and explain your point
of view. We are more than happy to
retest the item based on new intel.
Shtorm-2 Russian Grenadier Vest
I know there are those of your out
there who like to play your airsoft
games with a Russian feel to it.
Let’s face it, the Russian’s have
some very impressive weaponry and
gear, and admit it, a few of us love
to play as a Spetsnaz soldier.
Wearing the uniforms and gear is
always a plus, and it’s even better
when they have equipment for
specific roles, such as grenadier.
This vest covers that role perfectly,
as will be discussed further in this
review.
Real Steel Comparison
This IS real steel! This is an
official Russian combat vest
assigned to MVD units throughout the
former Soviet states and current
Russian groups. How is THAT for
authenticity? Forget everything you
know about Russian vests. This is
the REAL THING! Straight from MVD
squads, this is the ultimate in
heavy support firepower and readily
available for purchase via:
www.RussianCombatGear.com!
Pro/Con
Pros: There are plenty of pouches
and pockets on this vest. You can
carry up to sixteen 40mm grenades as
well as 8 AK magazines. There are 2
map pockets hidden in the dual-layer
material as well as 2 cargo pouches
beneath and between the grenade
pouches to hold whatever else you
need to carry. A small cargo pouch
on the back lets you carry a few
20
extra necessities or a small water
bladder (not recommended, as it sits
very loosely and flops around when
crawling or running - hence Reaper’s
teasing comparison to a scrotum).
The material used is very durable
and breathes quite well, despite a
lack of mesh in the vest. Buckles
make it easy to slip on the vest,
buckle up, and wear it almost like a
second skin. Cross pattern straps
on the back as well as the bottom of
the vest help make the fit nearly
skin tight. You feel more like
you’re wearing a jacket than a vest.
Cons: The narrow single stitching on
a few of the buckles and straps.
I’ve had one break free while it was
supposed to support the weight of my
gun (although, for my RPK I use a
wolf sling vs. the standard AK sling
which puts a tremendous amount of
weight on the shoulder strap). The
buckles themselves can be quite
cumbersome, especially when you try
to get the vest off quickly. The
straps can become tangled if you
twist the halves and are quite a
pain to figure out how to straighten
out. The back pouch is not very
sturdy, and contents within can
jingle around on your back since the
straps securing them can become
loose. The vest itself is rather
long, extending all the way down to
just above the hip bone, making
usage of a pistol belt for carrying
additional gear very difficult at
best. Only a drop-down pistol
holster/mag pouches w/belt will work
with this vest, as it stretches all
the way down to the hip.
Design
The overall design is quite well
done. A lot of gear can be carried
without much interference. The AK
magazines are each held in their own
individual compartments on each
shoulder and secured in place by a
velcro strap and snap button,
ensuring a somewhat quiet yet secure
retrieval when needed. Eight 40mm
grenades are located immediately
beneath the AK pouches in 2 banks of
4 individual pouches, and they can
be easily retried even with a full
magazine load, thanks to the
spandex-type material. The
remaining grenades are held on
another bank of 4 individual pouches
located at each hip, keeping them
out of the way yet accessible when
needed. The cargo pouch pockets are
directly under and next to each bank
of grenades and can carry additional
throw grenades or anything else you
need to carry for quick, easy access.
soldier AND have a very effective,
efficient and durable vest in the
process. Those Soviets definitely
know how to make good war gear.
Rank
Captain
Good, a solid item.
Efficiency
This vest is very well designed and
quite efficient. Pouches and stored
items are located in a way that they
do not interfere with each other and
are also handy when you need to grab
something quickly. Slipping on the
vest is like slipping into a jacket.
Once the straps are set right, it
feels like a second skin. The
overall layout lets you carry a lot
of equipment but not feel the
weight/limitations of it. I have
personally crawled 50ft with the
vest fully loaded and nary had a
snag on anything or had to stop to
pick up something that fell out of a
pouch. However, the lack of a full
magazine pouch cover could mean
debris getting into your mags but is
easily remedied by a quick blow to
each of the magazines before
reloading.
Very practical.
by
Howitzer
Durability
Save the small issue with the
stitching, the vest is quite durable.
The material is porous and quite
breathable, so despite a near skintight fit, you don’t have to worry
about getting too sweaty from this.
If properly fitted, the metal
buckles and loops, plus the back
straps, go a long way to ensure that
the vest stays snug to you, making
movement nearly seamless.
Overall Rating
This vest is a strong winner. You
get to look the part of a Russian
.
21
HFC’s Auto BB Loader
just about every standard AEG
magazine you can think of. They’re
easily interchanged and held snugly
in place with a small Allen bolt.
The Allen wrench is also included.
This little fact can really fit into
either category, so I’m forced to
put it between. If you’re a hicapper (and I know LOTS of you are),
you’re out of luck. This loader was
designed for the standard, mid-cap
and lo-cappers at heart (although
lo-cap mags didn’t exist back then).
It’s still faster to load your hicap magazines by hand.
Are you fed up with using that old
musket loader every time you want to
refill your mags? Wanna do it
quicker than Marui’s pistol mag
loader? Then this item is most
definitely for you…that is, assuming
you can still find one!
Unfortunately, this puppy’s gonna be
one hard item to find! Due to the
design flaws we will be discussing
here, many major retailers have
stopped carrying them.
Comparison to Real Steel
N/A
Pros/Cons
Pros: If you want to load every
standard/mid-cap magazine in your
arsenal fast, this is the way to do
it! Simply press your empty
magazine down on the nozzle and
about two seconds later, viola! You
usually can get three full mags from
one filling! It fits snugly inside
most M16 mag pouches, which means it
can easily be brought into the field.
The loader is battery powered (four
AA batteries), so whether you’re
using rechargables or standard
batteries, you get many a load out
of a single set of batteries! This
baby also comes equipped with a wide
variety of feeding nozzles to cover
22
Cons: If you’re overly active with
the loader in a mag pouch during
game play, it is possible that the
batteries will misalign and you’ll
get no juice. This means you’ll
have to pull it out, slide off the
bottom panel and realign the
batteries. Another drawback to this
item is that it must be treated with
kid gloves. Pressing down too hard
on the auto loader can mean utter
disaster: First, the nozzle which
feeds the BBs into your magazine can
crack and break. This will prevent
the BBs from aligning and loading,
leaving you with a mess at your feet.
Second, Excel and most bio
degradable BBs have a tendency to
break while loading if too much
force is used. This means you’ll
either get a busted BB in your mag
which will lead to a jam and
decommissioned mag until you can
pick it out, or you’ll get a busted
BB in the loader which will force
you to empty it out and clear it of
the debris. Either case is
extremely time consuming. Third, if
you’re pressing down like a friggin’
barbarian, and the magazine fills to
capacity, the plastic gear housings
inside will break. This means your
loader is now poopoo. Luckily, if
not too bad, you can open it up and
superglue the gear housings back
into place. It is because of this
that most retailers have stopped
carrying them, so the last con is
the scarcity of this item!
Efficiency
If you’re like me and use standards,
this item really makes a difference
in time spent loading. If you’re
the type who always waits to load
your mags until the game starts, or
you’re at a field where you’re
forced to buy their BBs, this little
item will have you geared up in no
time flat! But where it really
shines is lunch. It is virtually
the deciding factor in whether
you’ll be cramming down your lunch
after loading mags, or enjoying it
while mocking your friends who are
doing so. HFC’s BB loader
guarantees a full load in your
magazine at a fraction of the time
it takes to use the musket loader.
Design
The exterior design is ingenious.
Roughly the size of three M16 mags
tied together, the loader can be
dropped into most M16 mag pouches
and carried in the field for those
quick times when reloading is
desperately needed fast, a blessing
and a curse! Unfortunately,
overactive play might possibly
result in a cracked loading nozzle;
this is easily remedied as is
discussed later. The internal
design allows for this by speeding
BBs into your mags at an almost
inhuman rate.
Durability
The internal design, with the
overall weak plastic construction,
leaves you feeling like it needs to
be treated like a newborn. Add to
this the fact that it’s more common
than not to crack the feeding nozzle
on the top. With this, I’m reminded
of a quote in our very first issue:
“Airsoft manufacturers of the world,
hear my plea! PLEASE MAKE A DURABLE
MAG LOADER?! PRETTY PLEASE?!”
A simple modification to make it
last longer in the field: I took
the plastic top off of a travel-size
hairspray container and, using tape,
made a custom fit cap for the
feeding nozzle. This guarantees
that it won’t crack or break while
in the M16 mag pouch if I’m having a
very active game. I also leave it
empty while playing and keep a bag
of BBs handy in another pouch. This
prevents the oh-so-common rattling
most often heard from other players.
Proper Loading Methods
Since I’ve put such an emphasis on
how this loader must be treated with
kid gloves, I felt it necessary to
discuss the proper usage of this
item. Those who got the chance to
pick up Issue #3 before it sold out
will recognize these techniques as
they were covered at the end of that
issue’s BattleTech. However, those
who didn’t, please pay close
attention.
The Right Way!
Place your index finger and your
thumb on either side of the magazine
and press down with just a small
amount of force. The auto loader
will begin feeding. When the noise
has stopped, the magazine is filled
23
to capacity. Immediately remove the
magazine from the top of the loader.
If you adhere to this, you’ll
experience utter bliss with a long
lifespan and almost problem free use
of your HFC auto loader.
The Wrong Way!
cause the spring in the magazine to
collapse when the mag is full, but
it can and will have disastrous
results. It will lead to a busted
loading nozzle, chopped BBs, and
will eventually cause the plastic
gear housing in the auto loader to
crack, breaking it! Often times
this is how it is loaded in the
field as you’re generally not paying
attention, adrenaline is pumping,
and you’re concerned about getting
back online as fast as possible. So,
if you let your friends use it, warn
them, “You break it, you buy it.
And if you can’t find a new one, I’m
beating your ass!”
Ranking:
Captain
Good, a solid item. Very practical!
(assuming you’re very careful with it)
NEVER cram the magazine down on the
auto loader. Not only will this
24
by
Reaper
Speak Freely
Deadbeat Retailers:
This article was originally intended to
be a blurb in the INTEL section. It was
a result of the mass amount of email we
receive on the daily basis regarding
deadbeat retailers. However, as I began
typing my update, I noticed that there
was just too much important information
and suggestions to cram into a small
paragraph or two. And so was born this
issue’s SPEAK FREELY article.
They’re called many names: rip-offs,
cheats, thieves, deadbeats, etc… and
those are just some of the nice ones.
Most of the more colorful names can’t be
said without putting little asterisks
through the words. We’ve been at this
NAM thing now for almost a year and a
half, and some of the most consistent
emails we receive are regarding deadbeat
retailers in one form or another. To
this, I offer a response. No, it won’t
get your money back, but here’s how you
can prevent it from happening again.
First area of business is the online
stores or ecommerce sites as they’re
often called. Let me say that I don’t
quite understand how these people just
let their online stores continue when
they’ve closed up shop or aren’t
actively checking their websites for
flaws. It’s really a shame that these
deadbeat individuals allow this to
happen. Some of the sites repeatedly
ask you for login info while others will
go all the way through accepting an
order and payment with nary a reply or
refund back. What’s worse is PayPal
only gives you a month to get a refund.
After that, you’re S.O.L.
The explanation? They’re either long
gone or don’t give a flying –“ahem”
about paying customers. Letting your
websites rot online is extremely
misleading and cruel to people looking
to provide you with their hard-earned
cash! Not to mention it’s fraud if they
make a purchase via active links and you
fail to respond or send out product.
What’s worse is that prosecutors will
seldom go after an online business as
it’s too much investigative work and
research. This means you’re stuck
taking the online store to Small Claims
Court, assuming you can track down an
owner or partner to serve them with
papers. Again, the customer is pretty
much S.O.L.
For this, there’s really no excuse as
it’s as simple as getting off your lazy
kiester and making a new index page on
the website that says, “We regret to
inform you that so-and-so is no longer
in business,” or “We are experiencing
technical difficulties. Please try back
again soon.” It’s practically effortless!
A few prime examples of this are the
four deadbeats I had on my own bookmarks:
Generation Airsoft at
www.generationairsoft.com, gunkulture at
www.gunkulture.com, The6mmShop at
www.6mmshop.com and the fourth, a
certain airsoft publication whose name
we will not mention. The four websites
here are prime examples and have not
responded to any of my emails, nor those
of several persons who assisted me with
my investigations. I personally know
two individuals who purchased products
from the first and over a year later
have yet to receive the merchandise they
paid for or hear anything from them
regarding it. The second I know went
out of business over a year ago as well.
They did post that the business is
closed, but that information is buried
deep within their own forum and not
easily obtained. The third was the one
I mentioned previously that keeps
requiring login information. And the
fourth, to this day, we still receive a
ton of “hate” email from
retailers concerning unfulfilled
advertising obligations and airsofters
who didn’t receive issues they had paid
for (via subscription or active website
links) nor refunds for monies paid.
It’s crucial to warn that although the
personnel at these sites are nonresponsive, all of these sites are still
actively accepting orders.
How do you get around this? One
alternative is to find a walk-in
location where everything is hands on
and in front of you, a place where cash
physically exchanges hands for goods.
However, if you live somewhere where
this is not an option, you still have a
few good means at your disposal:
1) Never buy from an ecommerce that does
not have a “Contact Us” link with a
physical address. They might not have a
25
store front, but the physical address at
least gives you a location and the store
some credibility, even if it’s just a
P.O. Box. Some stores don’t like
dealing with customers and use website
windows to submit any questions. It has
been my experience that these places
should be avoided. If they don’t want
to work with you directly, or don’t want
to supply a location for their business,
they don’t deserve yours.
2) Don’t be afraid to shop around. You
just might find a better deal elsewhere.
3) Often times, bigger is better…and
safer! Though the smaller stores might
be closer, the big names are big because
they are reliable and dependable. An
added plus is they have established
relationships with importers and
distributors. This means they’ll have
items quicker and maybe cheaper as they
deal in huge bulk shipments, a savings
they oftentimes pass on to the consumer,
versus the little guy who pays more for
less and waits a lot.
4) If available, poke around on the
forums provided on the site. See how
much activity is surrounding the website.
If they don’t, ask around on the public
forums. Do they play? Do they offer
upgrades? How quick do they ship? Are
there any complaints? Are they valid?
etc…
5) Check and see when the last update to
the website was. If it’s more than
three months ago, or they don’t have any
new products listed, get the hell out’a
Dodge. It might be a ghost site!
6) See if the online store accepts
PayPal. Then see if they’re “Verified.”
Some don’t as it cuts into profits a bit
(which should tell you something right
there). This is important because
PayPal offers an invaluable sense of
security that the transaction is at
least protected for thirty days through
a reliable means. If using PayPal
though, always use the quickest shipping
method as they only offer a guarantee
for thirty days. If you don’t receive
your item within twenty-five days,
report the transaction to PayPal and
request a refund. If the item arrives
later, you can always resend the payment.
There are, of course, a few credible
exceptions to this.
26
7) Pay close attention to the domain.
If they don’t have an easy domain like:
www.(store name).com, be weary. If
they’re too cheap to pay for a domain,
or they sub it under another domain or
home page, they might not be legit.
Remember, all good businessmen put money
into their business. Cheap people =
cheap products (off brands) and service.
Best case scenario, you’ll pay for the
item and Priority Mail and they’ll ship
it Media Mail (6-8 weeks for delivery)
just to keep the extra few bucks.
8) Also pay close attention to their
return policy. Most importantly, do
they have one? The last thing you want
to do is spend half a grand on an AEG
and accessories and get it damaged.
“All sales are final,” or “No returns,
no refunds,” should be avoided at all
costs! If they don’t have a return
policy, seek out someone who does. Ask
questions. How long do I have to return
the item? How much will it cost, minus
the re-stocking fee of course? What do
they do if the product is defective?
What’s the turnaround rate for returns?
Do I have to pay shipping and labor fees
on defective products? Like the video
console market, some retailers do cover
parts but charge the customer for labor
and shipping. This is highly important
and should never be overlooked. Often
times a store can be judged by how it
handles the customer AFTER the sale (now
if only the manufacturers would do the
same).
An important side note to this is
patience. The retailers will completely
understand your disappointment at
product defects but take a moment to see
it from their perspective. Often times
a manufacturer will be quick to put an
AEG out on the market without proper
beta testing. We’re living in the “NOW!
NOW!” generation so people don’t wait to
buy products. The minute it’s in, it’s
gone…in massive amounts! We saw this
with G&G’s M16 series (last issue’s
Armory) and M14 series (next issue’shopefully). Both were practically sold
out upon release and both had severe
defects which should have been caught by
G&G early on in beta testing (I don’t
think they take the prototypes out to
play). The manufacturers rarely take
returns so it is put upon the retailer
to eat the costs of fixing the defects.
Now when you sold 50+, that’s a lot of
upset customers. So if you’re dealing
with returns, please be patient.
They’ll appreciate it and you’ll get it
back faster! Keep this in mind, if they
rush through it per your “demand,”
you’ll get a rush job!
Another forum to be worried about is
ebaY. I’ve heard both good and bad
stories about ebaY. Most of them were
bad or more appropriately, nightmarish.
However, there are the rare occasions
where someone makes a steal! The
following are helpful tips to remember
before bidding:
1) The first, and by far, the most
important tip - Always look at feedback
before you bid. Review it carefully and
consider the negatives. If they appear
sincere and the same complaint is
consistent, skip the item and find a
different seller. Oftentimes sellers
will post a generic response like:
“Buyer was difficult,” “Buyer had poor
communication skills,” or “bent over
backwards to please buyer but buyer is
impossible!” While sometimes these
things do happen and nobody is immune to
vindictive individuals (it happened to
us), be careful. If the seller has
several negatives stating the same thing,
find a different auction.
2) Never buy from a seller who does not
accept PayPal. If they list that they
accept PayPal and then, once the auction
has closed, state that they’re “having
problems” with their PayPal account,
that is grounds to cancel your
obligation. Simply state that you only
wish to pay through PayPal and that had
this situation been appropriately
mentioned in the auction details, you
would never have bid. This is the best
way to protect yourself from fraud.
3) Always try to buy from the same
country or local. It’s hands-down
easier than dealing with international
sales. Shipping will also be
considerably faster. Be weary of items
from countries such as Nova Scotia,
South/Central America, most Middle
Eastern countries, or any other country
which does not honor common fraud laws.
EbaY’s fraud department has no real
jurisdiction in these countries and
cannot enforce any of their policies.
This means that if you get ripped off,
you’re out your money and they, worst
case scenario, have to make a new
Seller’s Account.
4) Remember Murphy’s Law: If the offer
seems too good to be true, it probably
is. I don’t care how cool it looks!
What good are nineteen magazines if the
gun is irreparable? A seller will never
warn you that he tried to upgrade it
after it broke and was advised by the
store to get rid of it, or that the two
batteries in his auction are leaking
acid, that the mags consistently jam or
that the pistol included is actually a
cheapie springer!
5) Never be afraid to ask questions.
Why are you getting rid of it? What
condition is it in? When did you
purchase it? Is it second hand? How
much “combat” has it seen? Also, be
weary of the “two beers” reply. Most
often a seller will say, and I quote, “I
brought it home and fired a couple of
hi-caps through it and put it back in
the box.” What they don’t say is that
they took it out three days later to
play in Operation: Blah-Blah-Blah and
then over the next year or so, used it
consistently. If you don’t receive an
answer from the seller, don’t bid. Nine
times out of ten, they’ve got something
to hide. Best case scenario, they’re
honest but don’t care about you and
won’t make the time to answer your
questions. If that’s the case, they
don’t deserve your hard earned cash.
6) Be an ebaY Sniper: You know that
jerk who always pisses you off by
outbidding you by a penny? Yeah, we all
have met that guy. Well, don’t get mad
at him, become him. Don’t place a bid
right away. Set aside time at the end
of the auction and place your bid then.
This will ensure a lower final bid and
save your wallet some serious agony.
Being an ebaY sniper still allows
you to ask questions. Simply make
certain you ask all your questions when
you first review the item or at least
several days before you place your bid.
Make sure you give the seller at least
twenty-four hours to respond to your
questions.
7) Steer clear of “Limited Edition”
items. If it’s so “limited,” why are
they getting rid of it? Most often,
what makes the item a limited edition is
a modification made to/on the item by
the owner and is not a manufacturer’s
limited edition. This actually reduces
the value of the item and may also be a
shotty modification. It’s not worth the
risk.
27
8) Be wary of upgrades. Refer to tip #5.
Inquire as to who did the upgrade. If
they say a store, call to verify it.
What brand of item (gears, piston,
spring, etc…) was used for the upgrade?
What FPS is it chrono’d at? Most
importantly, remember that if the inside
of the mechbox is upgraded, the mechbox
itself should be (with the exception of
some CA and TM’s AKs). More often than
not, I’ve seed auctions where someone
will attempt an upgrade, fail miserably
and then try to offload the gun on ebaY
with claims of “highly upgraded.”
9) Inactive, rare inconsistency, slight
defect, only needs, minor problem,
missing piece(s), little issue, etc… are
all fancy words for broken. A broken
item doesn’t work, plain and simple. In
my experience, they’re mostly
unredeemable as well.
10) Take the time to read the item
description THOROUGHLY, from beginning
to end. Just because it says Tokyo
Marui in the “Item Name” doesn’t mean
it’s TM. A lot of individuals use “key
words” to make their products more
visible during searches. This is not
wrong at all and is a great selling tool
to get more people to view the item
they’re selling. Again this is okay.
But what isn’t is when it’s used to
mislead someone as was the following
example: I saw an auction last month
where a guy was selling an “authentic”
helicopter pilot helmet complete with
sun visor, NVGs and mount attached for
near $1400 USD. In the item description
itself it said, “Real night vision
goggles” and then buried toward the end,
in small letters, it said that the NVGs
didn’t work and that they were just for
show. This is something that could have
been easily overlooked if not careful as
most would have stopped at “real night
vision goggles” and immediately scrolled
down to bid. How’d you like to get
stuck with those? At least you’d have a
protective helmet for your ride on the
“special bus.”
11) Be weary of manufacturer photos or
reused images. Often times a seller
will take an image of the product off
the manufacturer’s website or steal one
from another auction for a similar item
and use it in theirs. If the image
isn’t of the “actual” item they’re
selling, and they’re asking over $100
USD, don’t be afraid to request real
photos BEFORE you bid. If the seller is,
28
for whatever reason, unwilling to
provide you with actual photographs,
don’t bid. It’s really inexpensive to
get digital photos of the item and send
them via email so there’s really no
excuse.
12) Pay close attention to shipping &
handling fees. Some sellers will only
charge $3.99 for an item and then turn
around and charge a ridiculous amount
like $35-$120 to ship it when the actual
shipping cost is much lower. This is
how they compensate for the ridiculously
low price. Sad thing is, once you win,
you’re stuck as you’re obligated to
complete the auction (review tip #4)!
13) If you paid via PayPal, and after
twenty-five days, you have not received
your item, immediately
contact PayPal, report the situation and
request a refund! If it arrives later,
you can always resend the payment.
PayPal puts strict guidelines on how
long you can get your money back from
fraudulent auctions, so stay on top of
it. Trust me, this one’s from firsthand experience. If you’re purchasing
from an overseas seller, use the fastest
shipping method offered (like DHL).
This way, you’ll still fall well within
the thirty day deadline.
14) Ask for tracking info on orders over
$100. It’s relatively cheap to pay for
tracking info at the post office and it
allows you to see the shipping progress.
If the seller doesn’t offer it, request
it and pay the little extra. It’s well
worth it and this way you’ll know they
actually shipped it when they said they
did. You will also be able to track the
shipping progress. Most importantly,
you can easily make arrangements to be
home if a signature is needed upon
delivery.
15) Once you receive the item,
immediately take it out and test it.
Have a store or a “competent” guntech
examine it. Verify that it is in fact
what you ordered. If it’s not,
immediately contact the seller and ebaY
to file a report. If you wait too long,
it will look suspicious on your part.
The buyer can easily say, “It took
seller 10 days to notice? I believe
buyer broke item and is fraudulently
requesting money back!” This is
especially horrible if he can prove the
date of delivery. Even though you’re
the victim, you wind up looking bad, not
him. Whereas, an immediate complaint
upon item receipt looks considerably
more honest!
16) The final, and second most important
tip: Be a hero and leave negative
feedback for the seller if you get
ripped off. This will add merit to your
case with ebaY, and PayPal, and will
also help to prevent the same thing from
happening to other people. If the
seller leaves negative feedback for you
after you’ve left theirs, it could be
considered retaliatory and can be
removed by ebaY if they rule in your
favor regarding the case. Please don’t
be the type of jerk who goes, “Well, he
ripped me off so best of luck to
everyone else!” Or you might think it
won’t make a difference, especially with
those big power sellers, but you’d be
wrong. People do look at the feedback.
cash. As stated earlier, I have no
doubt in my mind that there are
exceptions to some of these things.
However, you should just use your gut
instincts. If it doesn’t feel right,
don’t do it. And if your instincts
stink, simply tear out this article and
tape it to the wall next to your
computer to use as a reference sheet!
I’d hate to see you in CONTACT HQ and
have to say, “I told you so.”
Well, with that said, stay vigilant and
be on the alert! Don’t get ripped off
by these deadbeats!
by
Reaper
Hopefully these tips will, if anything,
offer you some guidance on what to look
out for when spending that hard-earned
29
Primary Objective:
hop-up interior and stock Marui body
pin.
On March 15th, 2004 I issued our
second BattleTech challenged to one
of The NAM’s resident BattleTechs,
Howitzer, to test the very
limitations of his fabrication
skills! His mission: Rebuild a
“vandalized” TM M4A1 for less than
the verified total of $281.80 USD.
Conditions:
1. Rebuild or replace all of the
damaged or missing pieces in
the Tokyo Marui M4A1.
2. Duplicate the AEG’s custom
paint job.
3. Build must be 100% completed
for less than the actual cost
of $281.80
4. Build must also be completed
within the three month time
limit, by the publication
deadline for Issue #6.
All that was left was the stripped
screw in the pistol grip, the motor
and the custom paint job. A Systema
high-torque motor was purchased for
$60 (plus CA sales tax) and luckily
Airsoft Extreme SC had an extra hex
screw to replace the mangled one
free of charge (what nice guys thank you!). It wasn’t the same as
the Phillips screw that had been
stripped, but all the same, it
worked just fine.
Howitzer accepted the challenge
and eagerly set about his duties!
Initially, our thorough search for
plastic replacement parts ended
tragically. It was virtually
impossible to locate all the parts
at one retailer. Either some of the
parts were also damaged or
completely out of stock! Then the
taste of bitter irony came to light.
We discovered we could actually
upgrade the gun! At $199 USD (plus
CA sales tax), the purchase of a
HurricanE Carbine MBK metal body
took care of mostly every issue.
The metal body kit came complete
with full trades, metal hop-up unit,
release latch components, and metal
locking pins.
This single purchase eliminated
several of the “vandalized” items on
the list: Rusty old Systema hop-up,
missing hop-up bushing, missing
barrel lock, missing buffer spring,
broken upper receiver tab, chewed
30
Friday, March 19th, 8pm: With the
challenge officially begun only
three days prior and everything
needed to complete the project
purchased, Howitzer immediately
began work on the build. Only two
minor difficulties presented
themselves during the reconstruction.
The mag release’s screw put up a bit
of a fight before coming out and
once put together, the front body
pin was also a bit stubborn sliding
in. But, just three hours after
beginning the assignment, the build
was complete!
With the AEG put back together, we
loaded a magazine, gave the AEG some
juice and test-fired the build.
“SQUEEEEEEEL!” A new problem arose
after the test fire. Apparently,
something in the mechbox had broken
off making the gun sound like a
stuck pig. It turned out that the
piston head had broken off. Whether
this was due to the aforementioned
“vandalism” or just something that
had broken down due to natural usage
was unknown (although I suspect the
first as it looked relatively new).
However, not being part of the
initial build, it wasn’t fair to
count in the cost of the repair.
Needless to say, it was fixed and
the cost will not go toward the
total tally for the build.
Well, with the AEG back online, we
contacted the owner to update him on
the build. Upon discovery of the
metal body replacement, he requested
we keep the body stock (meaning no
paint job) as he wanted to keep the
trademark and overall look “as is!”
Additionally, by adding the other
painted parts, front barrel, flash
hider, foregrips, “H” bar, shell
ejection port cover, cocking lever,
recoil spring tube and stock, the
paint job still nicely broke up the
gun’s appearance… meaning the
camouflage still works!
31
The build was scheduled to be
completed by March 15th and was
technically completed by March 19th
and returned to the owner in full
working condition, March 23rd. All
of the damages to the AEG, including
the piston head issue were no more.
The total allotted cost for the
build was $281.80. The total amount
spent: $277.78. Man was it close,
but he still pulled it off below the
actual build cost!
So with that said, I am pleased to
announce the following:
PRIMARY Objective: Completed!
Way to go Howitzer! Our first
Primary Objective ended in a total
“fluster cuck,” but our second was
completed almost immediately and
nearly hassle free! The best part
is a former disgruntled airsofter is
once again in the field, happily
shooting a refurbished and upgraded
TM M4A1. Go get a few for The NAM
bud… and be careful about who you
choose as your friends!
by
Reaper
32
33
Interrogation room:
Instead of researching interesting
prospects for this issue’s
Interrogation Room, I decided to
ambush our NAM Girl to get a woman’s
perspective on our beloved sport.
She is one of those rare gems who
actually plays the sport and doesn’t
look like an 80’s male action star
(mullet, muscle shirt…and stubble).
It should also be noted that
Wednesday is our first NAM Girl to do
so.
NAM: Ready for an ambush?
Wednesday: AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!
There! You are interviewing me
aren’t you, you sneaky bastard!
NAM: For the record, please state
your name.
Wednesday: Wednesday
NAM: Seeing as how you’re this
issue’s NAM Girl, that’s acceptable.
Is this your first interview?
Wednesday: That is not conducted by
the police? Yes.
NAM: Ah, a member of the Pesayco fan
club eh [see issue 3]? So why
airsoft? Why not paintball, laser
tag or any other tactical pursuit
sport?
Wednesday: I’ve seen the whole
paintball thing....never liked it
because it was soooooooo expensive
and the realism ended with the
fluorescent uniforms. Add to that
the fact that the guns looking like
they were from Galaxy Quest and you
can see why. Not that I don’t like
Galaxy Quest, it’s my favorite movie.
NAM: Ah, a SciFi geek. So how long
have you been playing now?
Wednesday: How long? Oooooooookay
brain rot…about one year.
NAM: And what do you think of the
sport so far? Do you like it? Hate
it? Do you find it difficult?
34
Wednesday: It’s definitely more
difficult than computer games.
NAM: Explain.
Wednesday: First - Physical
limitations. It doesn’t take much
effort to sit at the computer and
pound away at the keys in timed
intervals. However, airsoft is a
full body workout…unless you’re a
FATCAMPER. Second - Strategies. If
I die, I can not do the same
scenario over again with the "bad
guys" in the same place reacting the
same way until I nail their pattern.
Although some do, not all people
act/react the same way. Third - The
reload factor. This is a BIG one.
I don’t have a counter telling me
how many bullets I have in my
MAG…then all of a sudden…out of ammo
at the MOST damaging moment.
Yeah…that one really, really sucks.
Fourth - Guns jamming. Never had
that happen before in a video game.
NAM: Has it helped?
first?
Being a gamer
Wednesday: Not really. They’re two
totally different beasts. If I
wasn’t smart, I would have thought
that I would go out there and
dominate because of my gamming
experience. But that’s not the case.
It’s not practical or realistic to
think that way.
NAM: I’ve come across many people
who do. Some clubs even run games
based off of video game rules.
Wednesday: I’ve seen that as well.
In games there are always egos
involved. “I could school you at
CS!” or “I owned your ass!” whether
it be video or physical.
NAM: Yeah that kinda ruins a game
doesn’t it?
Wednesday: And for some dumb reason
or another, it is soooo hard to let
go of that, especially for men.
Yeah…that can really ruin the game.
35
NAM: So that’s definitely not an
attractive quality.
Wednesday: Most definitely not.
It’s actually quite a turnoff.
NAM: Hear that guys? So how does it
feel to be, for lack of a better
term, an "endangered species," in
being a female airsofter?
Wednesday: Awesome!
people off!
I love to piss
NAM: We know that there are two
types of women who play the sport.
Obviously, the mulletted, Pendleton
wearing, Solid Snake women and
then…your type. Do you think women
can be attractive (to men) and still
play airsoft? Prissy and deadly?
Is it generally one or the other?
Or is there a middle ground?
Wednesday: I’d like to think you’re
looking at it. I only know of one
other beautiful lady to play the
sport.
NAM: Yes, I know who you’re talking
about. Hopefully, she’ll get enough
spare time to grant us an interview
for a future issue. Do you see some
prejudice from the boys?
Wednesday: A bit. I feel they want
to get in my pants a bit.
Thankfully, most stay away from me.
It is definitely a male dominated
sport, so I get a lot of that "Look,
I’m so sorry I shot you!" type stuff.
Whatever, they usually stop when I
nail them with a few head shots.
NAM: So you find that they go easier
on you. Do some go harder on you?
After all, you’re “invading” their
sport, right?
Wednesday: After I shoot them in the
head, it’s all out war. That’s when
I usually get beat up pretty bad,
but hey, that is all part of the
game. I love it!
NAM: When you’re part of a team,
does the commander say, "take this
36
group straight up the front!" or do
they tend to be more reserved and
attempt to keep you out of the
firefight?
Wednesday: Although I love my battle
wounds, I don’t like to be group
leader yet. I feel I am good at
support, I follow orders. And if we
go straight to the front, so be it!
I find often I will be the VIP in
the VIP missions, which I feel sucks.
It is wrong and sexist! I can hold
my own!
NAM: What about machismo? Do you
find guys are a little too macho to
call out after being shot by a girl?
Do they ignore it when you shoot
them out?
Wednesday: Yes. But that doesn’t
matter. I’ll shoot them again and
keep shooting until they do. Isn’t
that what hi-caps are for?
NAM: What would you say to them, and
is this something that should be
covered in briefings, about treating
the girls in attendance as you would
treat the guys?
Wednesday: Absolutely, all the way!
However, certain clubs have “medic”
rules that require a player to take
something out of your map pocket and
put it in the chest pocket of your
BDUs. When I play at these clubs,
the GM covers “girl specific” rules
in briefings that the item must be
placed in my hand and then I put it
in my chest pocket. It’s a bummer,
but I think my husband appreciates
it. I can also appreciate it a bit,
I don’t want some slobbering,
pimple-faced, prepubescent weirdo
squeezing my breast for ten minutes!
I don’t care if it is the first
breast he’s been close to since
breastfeeding as a child, it just
isn’t going to happen. But it
really goes both ways. Some people
are easier on me and are really
trying to be nice. But others hunt
me, "get the girl!" Either way I am
treated differently. Some players
treat me like all the others. And
37
38
yes, I am fully aware that this is a
very tough game and that I am a
little under PAR compared to the
majority of players. But if we were
really on the battle field - which
is what we are simulating right? would it matter if the person
shooting at you was a girl, boy or
child? I mean really, when it comes
right down to it, you are being shot
at and it is life or death
simulation…act accordingly!
NAM: So if you could speak to the
guys then, you'd request no special
treatment.
Wednesday: I should be treated like
every one else. I know I’ll get
beat up, but I will also learn.
NAM: Do you think this sexist
behavior is something the sport will
eventually outgrow?
Wednesday: No. I don’t think there
is much demand for it. How many
girls play? Until more do, nothing
will change. It’s a male dominated
sport.
NAM: How could we encourage more
women to play in the sport?
Wednesday: I really don’t know. I
don’t want a bunch of girly girls
out there ruining the game. Like my
guard getting me shot out by pausing
because she chipped a nail or her
ponytail is slipping.
NAM: How would you get around that?
Wednesday: Maybe a woman’s league??
NAM: So you think too many women
would ruin it? How so?
Wednesday: As long as they weren’t
whiners, and can keep up, more power
to them. But if they get all whiney,
complaining about broken nails, and
don’t like to get dirty, they need
to find another sport. However, if
they can take the pain and they like
it…bitchen! Come on down, LETS PLAY!
NAM: So now, let's say a guy's
trying to get his girlfriend to come
out and play. Any advice?
Wednesday: First - Sometimes it is
easier if they see another girl
playing. Show them this article
(laughs)!!! Second - It’s also a
great way to improve communication
between partners and build teamwork.
Third - What better way to spend
time with your boyfriend than trying
something new that he loves to do?
It doesn’t always have to be about
you! Fourth - When else can you
shoot your boyfriend or husband and
not actually kill him or get
arrested?! C’mon now, I know all you
ladies have thought about it. Fifth
- All the other boys will be soooooo
jealous that your boyfriend has such
a bitchen girlfriend! You will also
find that they will all start asking
if you have "friends" that are like
you. After all, we all like
attention.
NAM: So it can actually be
beneficial to both.
Wednesday: Yep, and it’s a great
work-out too. Lots of squatting and
crawling. Keeps the butt and thighs
firm.
NAM: Do you find the sport is more
geared toward guys than girls, so
far as equipment and guns?
Wednesday: Of course. Just look at
the army. Girl weren’t allowed on
the front forever! And to my
knowledge, still aren’t. How many
women do you see on CNN patrolling
the streets? Zip! But back to
airsoft. Vests are hard to fit.
You just have to find what works for
you. But that doesn’t mean I want
gear specially made for women. They
tend to lighten things like only
four mag pouches instead of the
standard six for a woman’s vest. As
far as guns, I suggest finding
something you like and modifying it
to fit your strengths and needs.
Make sure it’s efficient though.
39
NAM: So you'd recommend, girls
especially, only shop where they can
try things out first hand?
object. If you had your pick of
only one AEG, what would it be,
company and model?
Wednesday: Yes, or just be logical.
Like gee, I’m only 5'2." Should I
get this four foot M16 fully loaded?
Uh...NO. Remember, although a girl
is more durable than a man
physically, we lack the physical
strength most men have genetically.
As for BDUs, what about medium
cammies? I wear medium at Old Navy!
Again, no. Try them on first.
Handle the AEG first. Think about
what you plan to do. "Can I carry
this thing around a hot dusty field,
crawling through bushes, and running
for my life for 5 hours?" or “My ass
looks great in tight pants but will
these rip while I’m crawling?”
Remember, the field is full of guys
ladies! Don’t literally make an ass
out of yourself!
Wednesday: Hummm. Probably the gun
I already have. A Tokyo Marui M4
RIS, shortened (M733) barrel. But I
would upgrade the spring, bushings,
piston, gears and mechbox. I’d also
add a lightweight Mosquito Mold
grenade launcher, and an aimpoint.
NAM: Spoken like a professional
player. Is there anything you'd
like to add?
Wednesday: I’m married and no I
don’t have any friends like me, so
don’t ask!
NAM: Sorry guys!
by
Reaper
NAM: Well said. I’d say
apply to everyone in the
just the women. So, now
for THE question. Price
that should
sport, not
it’s time
is no
40
pics by
Shutter Bug
41
The armory:
Trigger Happy’s
M-910 Grenade Launcher
Before you bombard us with emails
about my “hypocrisy” as I’m the one
editor consistently griping to “keep
it real,” let me explain my stance
on this item. I personally own the
Boom Arms GP-25, the Guarder GP-30
and a G&P M203. I am still, 100%
for realism. However, once in a
blue moon something comes along in
this sport that is just plain fun,
comparably affordable and completely
irresistible. This item, which was
purchased on an impulse buy, is just
that: 100% FUN!
either…well, the shooter anyway.
Trigger Happy has answered that call
with their very unique grenade
launcher based off the M-900 series
of tactical flashlights. Looks can
be deceiving, and in this case, they
very much are. While appearing like
any Spec-Op tactical flashlight,
this one carries a nasty surprise
because once you take off the lens
cover, it becomes very obvious this
isn’t a flashlight at all, but it is
a very cleverly designed grenade
launcher!
The airsoft community is a rather
diverse group of people. Some like
to play the tactical CQB scenarios,
running from house to house, room to
room, searching for tangos. Others
prefer the military scenarios, where
you are required to assault a group
or objective with sheer firepower,
basically putting as many BBs into
the air as possible in the allotted
amount of time. Both scenarios
require a good level of control and
accuracy to achieve, and a little
extra firepower never hurts
42
That’s right, this thing can accept
just about any 40mm airsoft grenade
that’s out on the market today, and
it works very similar to the other,
“realistic” grenade launchers; the
M203s and the GPs.
grenade in the flashlight assembly
gives you considerably more punch
when needed. People on the
receiving end will be quite shocked
when suddenly you fire a grenade out
of your flashlight!!
Real Steel Comparison
Yes and no. The M-900 series of
tactical flashlight is very well
known and popular for it’s tactical
usefulness in increasing control of
one’s weapon with the tactical
foregrip and providing bright
illumination. This product only
LOOKS like one, but doesn’t function
as a flashlight at all.
Disadvantages of this product are
mainly aesthetics. The grenade in
the flashlight looks rather awkward
and makes most Carbine/SMG guns
front heavy, which may throw off the
balance and feet of your gun. The
foregrip goes quite a ways to help
assist in limiting this factor.
Performance is somewhat suffering
when compared to the M203 since
there is no barrel to help focus the
propellant gas once the grenade is
activated.
Pro/Con
Advantages of this little nasty are
rather obvious. With the foregrip,
you can increase the accuracy and
point of aim of you AEG, while the
additional ability of mounting a
Design
The design is very well done. The
specs seem to be an exact match of
the real steel variant with a pull-
43
down tripper hidden at the rear of
the flashlight assembly, which can
be easily reached by the hand
located at the foregrip (recommended
to use the middle finger vs. the
trigger finger - pun semi-intended).
M203/GP-30, this gives you the
usefulness of either without all the
added weight and bulky equipment.
Also, the loading process is very
simple, as a clamp hidden at the
bottom of the flashlight head holds
the grenade in place. With a simple
press and sideways push, you can
either release or lock into place
any 40mm airsoft grenade you wish.
Interestingly enough, while this
“flashlight” does not function like
one, the designers remained faithful
to the real steel original, as the
pressure switch activation pads are
still present on the foregrip sides
as well as the reach thumb button.
It’s nice to see the attention to
detail in this item. The bottom of
the foregrip even unscrews to reveal
the battery compartment that the
real steel variant would have.
Function is exactly like the M203 or
the GP-30 launchers; a long firing
pin pushes the bottom of the grenade
plunger to activate the grenade. If
you want to keep maximum control of
your AEG but have the firepower of a
grenadier, this item just screams
your name! Is it realistic? No.
But it’s sure as hell fun!
Efficiency
This item screams with efficiency,
as it actually helps increase the
overall power and tactical
usefulness of your weapon, while
adding very few drawbacks. When
compared with the heavy and bulky
Durability
The M-910 is very durable, made from
high quality ABS plastic and metal
for the trigger assembly and the
claw attachment for any 20mm
Picatinnty rail on virtually any
RIS/RAS/SIR system out there. The
44
lens cover itself has strong
reflective plastic to add
authenticity to the flashlight and
extend the perception that it’s
merely a flashlight. You definitely
can’t go wrong with this piece!
Rank
Major
Overall rating
Overall, this item is a very
ingenious piece of engineering. The
initial belief that it is just an
eyepiece is quickly dispelled once
the true function of this product is
revealed. It is quite literally a
chameleon. With its dead on mimicry
of a high-end tactical flashlight and
its perfect ability as a fully
functional grenade, there are
definitely a lot of nasty surprises
will happen with this thing!
Very good!
You can’t go wrong!
by
Howitzer
pics by
Reaper
45
Reaper’s Warriors
Intense chaos demands focus. One
must be patient, observant,
continually calculating. Combat is
always a fluid environment.
Intelligence, communication, and the
effective use of tactics are your
greatest weapons. Always maintain
minimal audibility, and visibility.
Let your prey reveal itself first.
It is control that separates the
victim from the victor.
The forest comes alive, yet nothing
can be seen with the naked eye. Two
things are certain, the Reapers have
arrived and only we will survive. We
rely on fundamentals tighter than
the seal which contains our enemy’s
fate. We shall continue to dominate
and leave bodies in our wake.
together, and enjoy the sport of
airsoft together for some years now.
Since then, what was then a group of
individuals has now become a team.
As of now, we have 25 Operators. We
split the team into 2 squads, and
then each squad has 2 fire teams.
Each fire team has 4 operators. We
also have a scout/sniper team as
well. The building block of Reapers
is the TEAM. Each operator has a
distinctive style of play, strength,
and weakness. We put the strengths
together, and the weaknesses may be
another warrior’s strength, so when
we put that together it’s a hard
formula to beat.
As a team in New Jersey, our primary
focus is to help promote the sport
of airsoft here in New Jersey,
through our web site
www.reaperswarriors.com, and on our
forum we want to provide an outlet
for the dedicated players to share
the latest up to date information
about our sport. We also do custom
work at Reaper Upgrades.
Reaper’s Warriors made its team
debut March 2004, and we have been
growing ever since. Reaper’s started
out as a cultivation of friends
wanting to hang together, fight
46
Most of Reaper’s Warriors come from
the northern New Jersey area.
Reaper’s Warriors have no specific
location restrictions. We play where
the action is. We have our own field,
close to 20 acres, which we use for
training purposes. There are a
couple of fire bases on our field
with many bunkers all around. Our
game fields are also located
throughout the area. We play
primarily at Wrightstown, New Jersey.
The bigger Ops that we attend are in
Tolland, MA. We are always looking
for new places to play, so if you
know a place, please bring it to our
attention!
post strike recon. Our team
specializes in unconventional
warfare. We like using guerrilla
tactics, subversion, sabotage, intel
activities, and unconventional
assisted recovery as well as
hostage/sensitive material recovery
to achieve any of our objectives.
Our field manuals have all been
extracted from actual training
manuals which are used by the U.S.
Armed Forces. We modified the
information to meet the needs of
airsoft. The skills that we outline
are the rudimentary skills needed to
perform efficiently and effectively
on the airsoft field.
We don’t have any set standards for
camouflage or gear. We would expect
each member to have some sort of
camouflage pattern and support
system to carry there gear and
personal items.
Our training consists of providing
realistic, modern military warfare
based on Special Operation scenarios
while paying close attention to
safety and professionalism. These
games stress strategy, tactics and
teamwork. This year we started a
training program for all recruits,
and we have typed up our own field
manuals for this venture. The MODS
are basic soldier skills,
communication, squad tactics,
patrolling tactics, scout sniper,
grenadier tactics, and SAW gunner
tactics. We feel that airsoft
players with sharply honed skills
form the building blocks of combat
effective squads and platoons. We
want our team to be experts in the
use of their primary weapons and to
be proficient in infantry skills.
The scenarios that we use are
structured around real military
objectives. Some of the scenarios
that we us are raids, ambushes,
direct assaults, and recovery
operations. We have 2 recon teams so
we do environmental recons, armed
recon, target/threat assessment, and
Reaper’s Warriors strive to be an
elite airsoft team. We expect or
team to move further, faster, and
fight harder than our competition.
The fundamentals that we uphold are
honor, prestige and a high standard
of professionalism. We not only
expect these fundamentals to be on
the airsoft field but also in our
everyday lives.
Our team is a true “Band of
Brothers.” We strive to achieve
ultimate camaraderie everyone always
gives 100% on each mission.
47
We want to be a better trained team
so that we perform well in all
operations that we attend. This way
when we meet on the field of battle,
we will stand as a superior force.
New Jersey. Reaper’s Warriors can
speak without saying a word and
achieve what others can only imagine.
Our team motto is Vinco, Accommodo,
Evinco - Overcome, Adapt, and Defeat.
This is the spirit that we want to
carry on the field every time we go
out and play. We have met some great
people in the years that we have
been playing airsoft and we hope to
continue meeting great people. It's
always a load of fun and excitement!
All the memories have been great,
all the people, jokes, road trips
and just plain good times, priceless!
Our ultimate goal is to be safe and
just have a good time living life to
its fullest!
In the future we see Reapers
Warriors as striving to maintain the
tremendous reputation of those who
went before us. Exceeding beyond the
limitations set down by others shall
be our team’s goal. Conquering all
obstacles, both large and small, we
shall never quit. To quit, to
surrender, and to give up is to fail.
To be a Reapers Warrior is to
surpass failure; to overcome, to
adapt and to do whatever it takes to
complete the mission.
On the battlefield, as in all areas
of life, we shall stand tall above
the competition. Through pride,
professionalism, integrity, and
teamwork, we shall be the example
for all airsoft teams to emulate in
48
What’s For Lunch?
One of our fields is notorious for
its steep mountain entrance, a
ninety degree slope. The problem is
not going in, because it is all down
hill on that steep slope. It is
after you have played a long and
exciting game when getting out kicks
your butt as some say. On one
instance I was climbing out of the
Brownie camp and passed a player
totally exhausted from the climb. I
asked what was wrong. He said, “This
hill is kicking my butt!” “How old
are you?” I said. “Thirty-one!” he
replied. “How old do you think I
am?” I asked with sarcasm! “Fortyone!” he replied as he looked
downcast huffing and puffing. “I am
fifty-three youngster!” I patted him
on the head as I passed him on the
trail. He dropped his jaw, which
feed my ego just fine.
Over the years I have observed this
scene over and over again. It is not
age specific; children and adults
alike just do not take care of
themselves. It is not all exercise,
water or food, but a combination of
those and more. Today we talk about
food. Here is my observation: Lunch
time! Coke or other soft drinks,
beef jerky or sandwiches made of
prepared meats, chips and candy.
When you ask about breakfast many
say, “I usually don’t eat
breakfast!” Many excuse their
weakness and lack of energy to, “I
am just getting old!” I hear this
all the time. Fatigue and lack of
energy is the dilemma of the day.
Here is one of a few solutions for
peak performance and energy in the
game of airsoft. Eat power foods!
The first major area of change for
achieving your peak performance is
to change the way you consume food.
This means that food must be eaten
in the proper proportions in order
to achieve optimum results. There
are many opinions regarding diet
programs; however, if most people
ate correct proportions of proteins,
complex carbohydrates, and fats,
they would have all the power needed
to play long periods of time.
Protein is only one of the nutrients
essential for achieving optimal
performance. Proteins are found in
every cell of the body and are
therefore vital to all body
functions, namely for the growth and
repair of the body. Dietary protein
is found in foods such as poultry,
beef, fish, eggs, beans, vegetables
and grains. When a meal eaten
contains the correct proportion of
protein, the metabolic rate
increases; therefore, facilitating
the fat burning process by producing
a slow, steady release of energy.
Taking in more protein as in large
quantities of meat, such as prepared
or dried meat, could lead to an
increase in stored body fat as well
as lead to problems with blood
circulation, the liver and kidneys.
Incorrect proportions and quantity
of high protein diets has been
linked to many unwanted health
conditions such as cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, fatigue and much
more.
Complex carbohydrates such as fruit,
vegetables and grains are very
important essential nutrients and
needs to be consumed in the proper
proportions in order to be most
effective. It’s all in the breakdown
of fuel to make blood-sugar. Bloodsugar is what your brain needs to
think straight and is also what your
body uses for energy to play hard.
The incorrect consumption of simple
carbohydrates such as white flour
and sugar rich foods can be linked
to unwanted weight gain,
cardiovascular disease, diabetes and
49
fatigue as mentioned in the protein
section above.
Fat is an essential macronutrient
for the body but must have the
proper proportion. Many Americans
over indulge fat; greasy foods to
the taste and or touch should be
avoided. Cardiovascular disease,
cancer, diabetes and guess what –
fatigue! Fruits, nuts and grains
are the safest sources of fat.
Ok, that was the basics! Let’s put
it all together now for us
airsofters. Remember this article is
on food, not the other essentials as
water and exercise, etc. Eat
breakfast! If you were to drive for
let’s say 5 hours somewhere, you
would gas up the tank first, right?
You also make certain you fill your
mags and charge your batteries
before you play. So why not eat
breakfast for power and endurance?
During the day, you feed your body
about every 6 hours. Come morning,
after a full 8 hours sleep, your
body needs fuel. Break the fast and
eat breakfast! It is the most
important meal of the day. Include
fruits, nuts and grains for maximum
effect; this is real power food.
After breakfast, put nothing but
50
water into the body until lunch. Let
your body utilize what you have put
into it before letting it work on
more food. Lunch should be enough
food to get you through to the rest
of the day, avoiding the foods as we
discussed above.
Now here comes a super athlete
secret – skip or make dinner a light
casual meal:
10% fat
10-20% protein
70–80% complex carbohydrates
This is the combination for power
and endurance as found in fruits,
nuts, grains and vegetables. So run
circles around other players by
following these principals. If you
do, you’ll be the one passing them
up on the trails while they’re
crumpled on the ground out of steam.
It makes the difference for the win
or the loss. Those who have power
and endurance excel to be extraordinary in play. The choice is
yours!
by
Sensei
Battle Tech
Warning:
If you are the type of individual
who is not mechanically-inclined:
PLEASE, DO NOT EVEN TRY TO ATTEMPT
THIS! This article is strictly
intended to be a helpful assist and
should not be viewed as a “How-to.”
Again, if you’re one of those people
described above, please take your
gun in to the shop for the upgrade.
As usual, we’ll start with a list of
the tools I used for this particular
job. I recommend use of similar
tools as it will make the job
considerably easier.
The NAM: National Airsoft Magazine,
nor any of its staff or associates
will be held accountable for your
errors in the build. So, basically,
don’t send us a bag of parts
claiming you followed our
instructions and couldn’t put the
BattleTech build together so we have
to do it for you. It is, quite
simply, not going to happen!
Now, in this issue we’re going to
show you how to put together the TOP
AK Drum Mag kit with that very
little, simple modification that
helps tremendously with the
consistent jamming issues inherently
prone to this kit.
First and foremost, don’t forget
that for this build you’ll need to
butcher a standard Tokyo Marui AK
magazine as this is a TOP kit. So
don’t start until you have the donor
mag.
1) hacksaw
2) your AK cleaning rod
3) any standard knife
and
4) 2.0 hex screwdriver
5) T5 Pozi screwdriver
6) Phillips head screwdriver
or
I strongly suggest picking up the
Boxer 30pc Screwdriver and Precision
Bit Set from Outpost.com (stock
#4292254). It’s relatively cheap at
$13.99 USD and comes with most of
the many little Torx, Hex, Phillips,
Slotted and Pozi bits you’ll need to
do any number of AEG repairs,
including most of the ones done here
in the BattleTech!.
As stated time and again, a clean,
well lit work environment will
assist you in an easy task. Make
certain you have a plastic box or
some form of container, as there
will be many small pieces which can
easily be lost and are, for the most
part, irreplaceable. Meaning, you
loose them, you’re screwed! Now
let’s get started…
1) Using the Pozi screwdriver, punch
the pin out of the metal AK mag
latch.
4) Using the Phillips screwdriver,
remove all 5 screws from the
internals housing.
2) Remove the front metal mag catch.
5) Carefully open the internals
housing.
3) Completely remove the internals
housing from the metal casing. Save
the metal mag casing (I’ll explain
why at the end of this article).
52
6) Remove the spring, spring guide,
BB guide from the internals housing
and discard them.
reassemble the internals housing.
10) With the Hex screwdriver, attach
the drum mag to the metal casing
included in the kit using the hex
screws also included (both sides).
If the holes don’t line up and metal
casing doesn’t align at the bottom,
you’ve got it backwards. DO NOT
over tighten the screws. If you do,
you’ll strip them and they’re hard
to replace. Also, after each game,
you’ll need to tighten these screws
as they have a tendency to loosen
with use. If you have it, a little
Locktight will help prevent this
from happening often.
8) Using the hacksaw, saw off the
top of the internals housing,
straight across from the rear mag
catch. Discard the bottom when
you’re done.
9) Using the Philips screwdriver,
remove the rear screw from the
internals housing.
11) Now for the all-important
modification. Take the small
internals housing piece and turn it
on its head. Using the knife, bevel
out the underside of the BB port
just enough so that the spring won’t
slip when firing. It doesn’t need
to be pretty, just effective. Once
53
completed, test your beveling job by
pushing the spring into the bottom
of the mag port.
12) Place the rubber washer on the
spring, approximately 3/4s of an
inch from the top.
11a) If the end of the spring stays
locked in the BB port and the middle
bends, proceed to the next step.
11b) If the spring slips, continue
beveling the BB port until you get
the results shown in 11a.
This slight modification helps with
the consistent jamming issues this
kit has. Most often, the drum mag
will jam because the spring (which
carries the BBs to the loading port)
has misaligned with the BB port.
The beveling ensures that the spring
won’t slip once put together. If,
for some reason, you cannot get the
drum magazine to work at all, check
the brand of BBs. I recommend
purchasing a bag of Excels to test
the mag as every other brand I have
tried; including Elite’s has had
irregular BBs that jam in this drum
magazine.
54
13) Insert the spring into the drum
mag, washer side down, through the
metal casing. Make certain it
slides all the way down.
14) Slide your finger into the drum
mag via the loading door, and align
the spring with the square BB port
on the front, right side. The 1/8
of an inch exposed should slide
neatly into the BB port. When you
set the drum mag down to do the next
step, be careful that the spring
doesn’t misalign from that bottom BB
port. If it does, repeat step 14.
15) Place the cleaning rod through
the BB feed port in the top of the
internals housing.
secure the internals housing to the
magazine casing with the included
screw. Do not over-tighten but make
certain the screw goes in straight.
It will need to be flush with the
side of the mag casing or it won’t
load in your AK.
16) This step is rather complex.
Place a finger inside the loading
door of the drum mag to secure the
spring in place. Now, slide the end
of the cleaning rod into the top of
the spring in the mag casing and
slide the internals housing down
into place on the top of the mag
casing. Make certain you keep two
fingers pressing down on the
internals housing until the next
step is completed. If you don’t the
pressure of the spring will push the
internals housing up and off.
18) Slide on the front metal mag
catch from the donor mag.
55
stops or becomes a little difficult
to wind. Do not over-wind as you
can chop a BB inside and you’ll have
to disassemble the magazine to clean
it out (meaning a repeat of this
article)!
19) With the Phillips or the Pozi
screwdriver, secure the metal mag
catch into place with the pin from
the donor mag.
When wound, you should see BBs in
the BB port at the top of the drum
magazine. If you do, that means you
did this BattleTech correctly…
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you don’t, don’t worry. It’s as
simple as repeating the alignment
process in steps 13 to 21 until you
do!
20) Open the loading door and load
the drum mag with 1000rnds.
Now, the reason I asked you to save
the metal mag casing from the donor
mag is this: Often times in active
play or when crawling with a mag in
your map pouch, it can get easily
bent. Also, while not common, the
bottom of a mag will slide off. Or,
for whatever reason, you now have an
extra metal mag casing to use at
your discretion. Heck, you can even
sell it to someone who needs it for
a little extra cash or throw it on
ebaY! You’ll be amazed what
something so minor and odd can fetch!
So, whatever you do, don’t throw it
out!
by
Reaper
21) Now loaded to capacity, wind
the drum magazine until it either
56
Sgt. Pecker
The following is a conversation between Reaper and Sgt. Pecker based on comments
posted at Airsoft Retreat (www.AirsoftRetreat.com) regarding the use of profanity
in his column:
“Reaper, I was checking out Retreat this morning and read the complaints and
your response in regards to my column.”
“Did ya now? My favorite comment was where he says, and I quote, ‘cheapens
the quality of the magazine.’ Did you read that part? Did you see how someone who
never read our magazine before was quick to agree with him?”
“Is it my fault if my article is too much for a bunch of home-pampered,
tiwnkle-toed peeter puffers? I don’t do baby talk.”
“You know what Pecker? They’re called readers. They pay for our magazine
with their hard-earned cash. They take it home and read the friggin’ thing cover
to cover! And you’d do wise to take to heart what they say.”
“How the hell do you expect me to do my job if you’re gonna impede my
delivery? It ain’t right. Since issue #1 I’ve been doing my thing. I have a
distinct style. Hell, I’ve had the style since being a Gunny in the Marines!”
“What’s the matter scumbag? Like the taste of potty in your mouth?”
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, really, but it isn’t helping.”
“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?!”
“You leave my mother out of this!”
“What is your major malfunction numbnuts?! Hand grenades make you deaf?!
Did you hear a friggin’ word I just said?”
“I heard ya just fine, Reaper.”
“Then are you stubborn or just plain dumb?”
“What the hell did you just say to me?!”
“Listen here you unibrowed, thick-jawed, tightass! Believe it or not every
other word out of that filthy pie-hole does not have to be a profane one. What’s
the matter? The gonorrhea you contracted in Nam not only clouding your urine but
your thoughts too?!”
“You listen here you-”
“Did you just interrupt me? Did I say I was finished geezer? Were you
given permission to speak? Perhaps you need a break to change your Depends? Hell,
I bet that doesn’t matter. I bet you like them dirty, just like your dentures.
Cleaning latrines with your toothbrush again Sergeant?”
“What?”
“Forget your Efferdent this morning maggot?!”
“What the hell does that have to do with anything?!”
“Because that burned hair smell is my singeing eyebrows! Your two inches
from my face opening that outhouse to argue your point and the air that’s passing
through those horse teeth of yours smells like you’ve been bobbing for road apples
at the source! Do you comprehend the definition of Simple Chronic Halitosis?!”
“Eh…”
“My point is this potato head: You’re wearing out the asterisk key on my
keyboard every time I input your article in my beloved magazine. You can sure as
hell put someone down without kowtowing to their level. Clean up your act. You’re
a jarhead, not a sailor. Am I asking you to get good and sweet on their rosy
cheeks? Am I asking you to call FTD and send them a dozen red? No. All I’m
asking is that you watch the foul language that’s spilling out of that filthy sewer
pipe! PG your putdowns dumbass. Is it that hard?”
“But-”
“What’s the matter jarhead? Is that corn husk wedged so far up that pucker
every time you belch you get a little taste of cob?”
“No sir.”
“Then do you understand me scumbag?”
“Sir, Aye-aye sir.”
“Good. Now go brush your teeth!”
So, as you can plainly see, your comments and critiques do, in fact, mean
something to the editors here at The NAM. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m
going to go find something better to do before my head gets chewed off!
The Specialist
Heavy Arms:
True Squad Support (Part IIII)
In this final chapter, we will
explain the origins of the Light
Machine Guns (LMG) and why they are
often the most misunderstood and
MISUSED types of light arms in the
airsoft world today. I’m sure many
of you have seen/been a player with a
M4 and a C-mag/drum mag, claiming
they/you are a team’s Squad Automatic
Weapon (SAW) or LMG man. While the
airsoft world allows you to create
just about any type or combination of
AEG on the market since airsoft is
based off real steel variants, this
final article will hopefully help
clarify their origins and usage, so
you can get the most out of your LMG
experience in it’s true form.
Origins of the LMG
First, to play the role, it helps to
understand the origin of the Light
Machine Gun and how it came into
being. Let’s set the Wayback Machine
for WWI, where the origin of the LMG
was first conceived. Back in the
early 1900, most standing armies used
primarily single-action bolt-action
rifles for their standard firearm.
While very accurate and powerful,
they took a considerable amount of
time to reload between rounds, where
the shooter would fire, manually pull
back the bolt to eject the spent
round, chamber the new round,
reacquire a target, sight
in, and fire,
typically
around
5-7 seconds. Factor in reloading an
empty clip/magazine, it could take an
additional 5-15 seconds.
On the battle fields of Europe, where
it was generally a 1, 2, or 3-on-1
situation with trench warfare and
cavalry charges, those 5-10 seconds
greatly reduced the effectiveness of
bolt-action rifles. A mass charge of
50-200 soldiers against a much
smaller number of defenders typically
put the defenders at a disadvantage
and being overwhelmed, the enemy
often used massive human waves to
overcome defenses.
A weapon was needed to overcome this
wave of human attackers. From this
need, the Light Machine Gun was born.
Initially, they were designed to be
stationary heavy rifles (as opposed
to the old US Army Gatling Guns of
the mid 1800s, which were considered
light artillery). With its heavy
barrel, beefed up receiver, a belt
feed system vice magazine, and stable
tri-pod base, the LMG was capable of
spewing out a continuous stream of
bullets at quite a high rate of fire.
Against a human wave, this was more
than enough to chew up just about any
infantry charge, making the human and
material cost far too expensive for
any commander to overcome.
Shortcomings of the LMG Exposed
While this was seen a godsend for
entrenched defenders, it also had its
limitations. As the LMGs were often
too heavy to move quickly, they
presented themselves as fixed targets.
This often forced LMG operators to
expose themselves to enemy fire while
they returned fire. Add to this the
fact that the guns themselves were
prone to quite regular mechanical
breakdown, and you have a virtual
death sentence in a prolonged
engagement.
Overtime, as manufacturing techniques
and technology improved, the LMG
became lighter, more durable, more
reliable, and above all, lighter.
Their evolution helped shape them
into the weapon that they are today mobile gun platforms or “walking
fire.” However, this did little to
help alleviate a very serious problem,
that being the inherently short
lifespan of the weapon AND its
operators. This was due to the fact
that once a LMG became engaged, it
was often quickly put out of action,
namely because of its threat
potential and general stationary
position.
In an effort to increase the
effectiveness of LMGs and the
hideously short life span of their
crews, a new design had to be created
to make the LMG more mobile yet
maintain the sheer firepower that
they provided. In this instance, the
firearm design split into two
separate yet parallel branches. From
this split, the Squad Automatic
Weapon was born.
LMG vs. SAW
Very often you have players who
confuse the roles of Light Machine
Guns and Squad Automatic Weapons.
While understandable, there are
significant differences between the
two. Primarily, SAWs are squad level
automatic rifles that use common
ammunition with the rest of the squad
where magazines can be interchanged
(i.e.: the M249 and RPK), while a
LMG often has its own ammunition
needs and are often belt-fed (such as
the M60, M240 and PKM). A LMG round
is typically larger and more powerful
than SAW rounds. The LMG is designed
for heavy suppression though the
sheer killing power of the round,
while SAWs depends on the concept of
maiming, wounding, or incapacitating
its victim with the smaller caliber
infantry rounds often used to
suppress individuals or a small
contained group. To further
illustrate this, I will briefly cover
the two separately.
LMG Usage
As mentioned before, LMGs were born
from the need for concentrated fullautomatic fire power against a large
group of individuals. Originally,
the LMG laid down a blanket of heavy
caliber fire to flat-out kill, or
serious wound, its opponents. For
some of the heavier caliber guns
(M2 .50cal) they can even be used
against lightly armored vehicles and
material targets. These LMGs are
most commonly mounted on a vehicle or
tank. In some cases, they can be
mounted on a special tripod, though
it often requires two or more
personnel to man, operate, and feed
the gun.
SAW Usage
While very similar to the LMG, SAWs
are designed for squad level
suppression and fire support. As
discussed before, SAWs are intended
to be a single-man fire support
weapon. They use the same round size
as other members in the squad or fire
team, and can even interchange the
magazines with assault rifles,
although the main feeding method is
usually a continuous disintegrating
59
belt-feed from either a box or drum
mag that is located under or next to
the weapon (excluding heavy assault
teams which all carry SAWs). This
dual feed system gives the SAW
incredible flexibility. Even after
it has expended all its boxed
ammunition, it can still be
functional when using the handed off
magazines of teammates.
Why All This Info?
You’re probably wondering why I’m
discussing origins and designs of
LMGs and SAWs. I mean, with airsoft,
you can make any type of LMG you want,
right? You can take a M4 or G36C and
slap a “C,” box or drum magazine and
get everything a LMG or SAW can do
with all the compactness of a carbine,
right?
While this argument has some validity,
it should be kept in mind that
airsoft is a sport that mimics real
warfare; from tactics, gear and
equipment to procedures and
organization. You’ve spent all this
time and money buying the real steel
gear and equipment, why not spend a
little more to get the appropriate
weapon to match. It will go a long
way towards immersion, enriching your
airsoft experience.
Copying Reality
Let’s briefly discuss why it’s so
important for LMG and SAW weapons to
have different development and
performances from standard assault
rifles. LMGs and SAWs come from the
need for a weapon that can sustain a
continuous rate of fire. To achieve
this, most LMG and SAWs are heavier
and slightly larger than assault
rifles. This is so they have the
durability needed to remain
functional during prolonged firing
and firefights. Most assault rifles
are designed mainly for semiautomatic fire with the option of
short bursts or (rather inaccurate)
full auto fire if/when needed. If
you try to replicate this role with a
battle rifle (i.e.: the previous
mentioned M4/C-mag combo) in real
life, you are most likely going to
have a broken/malfunctioning firearm
60
as this combo just doesn’t have the
durability needed to survive in
action for very long. This is
because the internal parts are simply
not intended to take the long,
arduous punishment experienced with
long, continuous bursts of automatic
fire. It’s like trying to attach a
garden hose to a fire hydrant at full
pressure. Also keep in mind that
generally when you see Special Forces
with box/drum magazines on their
assault rifles, they are using them
for the general purposes of
preventing frequent mag changes and
providing considerably more
ammunition than standard combat loads.
After all, it’s better to have too
much ammunition, than not enough!
While I’m all for creative licensing,
original configurations and designs,
when it comes to copying reality,
stick with what’s proven, especially
if your wallet allows it. For an
additional $300-$500, you can get a
good functioning LMG or SAW instead
of a throw-together mock-up that will
evidently get you teased by diehards
and purists.
In Conclusion
Ironically enough, the role we have
discussed these last few issues is
gradually being phased out by most
armies around the world. The trend
of multifunctional assault rifles
based on the 5.56/5.45mm NATO rounds
are on the rise. This is greatly
illustrated by the H&K G36 series and
the new H&K XM8 battle rifle. Both
have a modular design so the barrels
and upper receivers can be easily
changed to perform as either an
assault rifle, sniper rifle, or SAW.
It will be very interesting to see if
this trend lasts or if it will change
again.
by
Howitzer
Divisions:
Alabama
North Carolina
The Rally Point
Mobile, Alabama
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hrodgers080316
23/
SG12
Western North Carolina
www.SG12.org
Texas
Arizona
Ultimate War Games
San Antonio, Texas
www.ultimatewargames.com
McDowell Mountain Airsoft
Scottsdale, Arizona
www.McDowellAirsoft.com
LoneStar Airsoft
Central Texas
www.lonestarairsoft.com
California
BAASH
Northern California
www.baash.com
Virginia
The Virginia Airsoft Force
abb3n@virginia.edu
H.A.R.D. Core Airsoft
Central California
http://hardcoreairsoft.50megs.com
Metal Mulisha
Bay Area, California
http://hometown.aol.com/princevegeta2020/hom
e.html
MIKE Force Airsoft
Central California
www.MIKEForceAirSoft.com
San Diego Airsoft
Southern California
sdairsoft.tripod.com
Florida
FA: Florida Airsoft
www.floridaairsoft.com
Georgia
Assault Force Recon
Woodland & Thomaston, Georgia
www.freewebs.com/airsoftgeorgia
Team Blackjack
Atlanta, Georgia
http://teamblackjack.com/
The Virginia Rangers
www.VirginiaRangers.com
Wisconsin
Task Force Delta
www.totalforceairsoft.com
Washington
Phantom Force
Kitsap County, Washington
www.phantom-force.com
Airsoft Clubs:
If you’d like your website posted
here and on our “DIVISIONS” link,
please visit us on the web for a
banner exchange. We’ll post yours
if you post ours!
And it’s free!
--------------------------------Send submissions via e-mail to:
TheNAMmagazine@aol.com
Please include “Divisions” in the
subject window.
Louisiana
Black-Company
www.Black-Company.com
Missouri
Gateway Airsoft Association
St. Louis, Missouri
www.gasa.net
New Jersey
Reaper’s WarriorsSG12
North New Jersey
www.ReapersWarriors.org
61
Glossary:
AEG: An automatic electric gun which is
battery powered and capable of shooting
bbs at a fully automatic rate of fire.
KWA: An original equipment manufacturer
for KSC products.
KWC: Airsoft manufacturer.
AO: Area of Operation. Military
classification for an area where
specific operations are conducted.
AEX: Airsoft Extreme, airsoft online and
walk-in retailer.
BB: Small plastic projectile fired from
airsoft guns.
LBV: Abbreviation for load bearing vest.
Lo-cap: A low capacity magazine which
holds considerably less bbs than the
standard magazine for that particular
gun. Lo-caps usually load a “real
steel” load.
CA: Classic Army, airsoft manufacturer,
a subsidiary of Yick Fung Enterprises.
Magazine(s): A magazine holds the load
(bbs) for any given airsoft gun.
Magazines are commonly mislabeled as
clips.
Clip: A device used to clamp bullets
together. This name is commonly and
incorrectly used for magazines.
Mag(s): Abbreviation for magazine(s).
CQB: Close Quarters Battle. A firefight
that occurs at a very close range;
usually well within the minimum contact
distance for airsoft. This term is
mistakenly ONLY applied to indoor
conflicts but may also be applied to
dense vegetation and wooded areas as
well, where firefights are severely
close.
FPS: Feet per second. This is the speed
at which bbs are fired/measured from
airsoft guns.
Gbb: A Gas powered gun with a “blowback” feature.
Mid-cap: Middle Capacity magazine. A
Mid-cap usually has a loading capacity
between standard and Hi-cap magazines.
MILSIM: Abbreviation for Military
Simulation often used to describe action
persuit sports, military based video
games, etc…
OpFor: Abbreviation for Oppositional
Force, competition, etc…
rd or rnd: The abbreviation for a round
or a bb.
G&P: Airsoft manufacturer.
RIS: Rail Interface System. A system of
rails which allows “quick” attachments
to a gun such as scopes, lasers, lights,
grenade launchers, etc…
G&G: Guay & Guay Armament, airsoft
manufacturer.
SpecOps: Abbreviation for Special
Operations or Special Operations Unit.
HFC: airsoft manufacturer.
Springer(s): Spring powered airsoft guns
utilizing the “cock-and-fire” method.
Sometimes used to describe the lower
quality airsoft guns (made for kids) but
can be used to describe most shotguns
and some sniper rifles.
Hi-cap: High Capacity magazine. A Hicap is a magazine that holds
considerably more bbs than the standard
magazine for a particular airsoft gun.
ICS: I Chih Shivan Enterprise, airsoft
manufacturer.
IR: Abbreviation for Infrared Laser
JAC: Japanese Airsoft Corporation,
airsoft manufacturer.
Standards: A standard magazine for a
particular airsoft gun which usually
holds approx. 50 bbs (depending on
model).
STTi: (Viper USA) Airsoft manufacturer.
TM: Tokyo Marui, airsoft manufacturer.
KJW: Kwan Ju Works, airsoft manufacturer.
WA: Western Arms, airsoft manufacturer.
KSC: Airsoft manufacturer.
62
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Untitled - National Airsoft Magazine

Transcription

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