New to Airsoft games and large scale play.. generally new to Airsoft as well

[Steveothegringo]

Hello! My name is Stephen.

I am very new to the whole Airsofting thing. I have been searching for days, even weeks, for what to get as my first playable gun and where to go with this. I am trying to find something that I will be able to be passionate about for a long time to come. Something I can invest in and have a community, like this one, to be able to relate and talk about it with.

I have owned a simple P-99 Airsoft pistol... not electric, not gas, just simple pull back pistol. Obviously that is as new to Airsoft as it gets I'm sure, but I am looking to begin a collection of different rifles, pistols, and gear very soon so that I may start to play.

I am definitely the kind to research all I can into something before I buy, or spend a lot of time with it. I've seen many videos and been to a few stores, online and not, but I am still learning a lot about customization and upgrading, as well as what is best to buy and to upgrade.

I believe I have a found what I am looking for and hope to join many of you soon in some play.

I do have a few friends along with myself who are getting back into Airsofting and plan to bring them here as well.

I definitely hope to hear from many of you and hopefully meet and play with you all as well!

[ruberup]

Welcome to the forum. Hope to see you on the field sometime.

[The Squawkin' Chicken]

Welcome. I'm also a new guy. Played my first game in November. I've sifted through a lot of the beginner-itis by getting out and playing, asking questions and really listening to the answers. So far, zero gun/magazine/miscellaneous failures and just a lot of fun.

Let me know if I can do anything to help flatten the learning curve.

[Steveothegringo]

Awesome, thank you!

Yeah I am just spending my free time researching what I want to get, and it seems to be between two brands... just need to take the leap and commit

Then I can start collecting and playing.

Any tips on gear right away?
I have nothing that would be considered helpful or useful if I were to go play tomorrow in the desert or anywhere for that matter... I mean I cannot just show up in Jeans and a T..

[xTanTricK]

Awesome, thank you!

Yeah I am just spending my free time researching what I want to get, and it seems to be between two brands... just need to take the leap and commit

Then I can start collecting and playing.

Any tips on gear right away?
I have nothing that would be considered helpful or useful if I were to go play tomorrow in the desert or anywhere for that matter... I mean I cannot just show up in Jeans and a T..

Plenty of people show up in jeans and t shirt. I say the best thing to do for gear wise is go out and get a set of tan and green BDU's. They don't have to be anything special, just usable. Get those to start out with and when you go out and play, figure out the play style that works best for you. Run n gun, camp, "sniper" or whatever works for you. Base your gear off how your play style is. For example if you run n gun you don't want a heavy plate carrier to weigh you down. You'll probably want a battle belt or just a chest rig, the basic essentials. Search for gear threads on here, I believe Raith made an awesome post about picking gear that works for you.

By the way, figuring out what you want to use for gear can get a little overwhelming or complicated at first. At least in my experience it has been. I've always changed the gear I've used since I've been playing and I'm sure I'll change it again. It'll take some time to figure out what works best for you. Just keep researching and what you want and find the right gear for your play style.

[Steveothegringo]

thank you for the reply,

Yeah I will most likely be sniping or laying low, that's how I am basing my first gun as well as my gear.

[xTanTricK]

thank you for the reply,

Yeah I will most likely be sniping or laying low, that's how I am basing my first gun as well as my gear.

Well before you buy any gear the best thing to do is go out and play and see how you like that play style. If you really enjoy it then pick up something light that you can carry the essentials such as extra mags and a side arm if you are getting a side arm. Also go check out the gear pic thread. That helped me figure out my current rig that I run.

[Steveothegringo]

will do thank you.

I guess the only other question is; Where in AZ is there a place to shop for gear and other Airsoft, guns, equipment, and other things. I'm in Gilbert.

[xTanTricK]

will do thank you.

I guess the only other question is; Where in AZ is there a place to shop for gear and other Airsoft, guns, equipment, and other things. I'm in Gilbert.

The closest place for gear and guns would be at Vanguard Airsoft. They are located on Baseline between Val Vista and Greenfield. The next place for gear would be Freedom Military Surplus on Gilbert Rd. and Main. Try Gearbox airsoft located on the south east corner of McClintock and Southern. Most of the military surplus stores are in the west valley. Those three places are the closest places I can think of. I live in Gilbert also so I'm trying to keep you from driving too far with these gas prices.

[Steveothegringo]

Awesome! Someone who lives out here as well!

Awesome I will have to make a trip out to those locations and look around a little bit.

[Pride]

Welcome to AA, depending on what class you wish to fill in, and you said you wanted to be sniper like. So I reccomend picking up a crossdraw vest, because they are inexpensive and they have as many pouches as you need for mags, a pistol, etc. The gun I would reccomend to start with would be a R700/M24 spring sniper rifle, at about $79.99 it's hard to beat and mags are pretty cheap. And as a sniper you MUST carry a sidearm, most people prefer a 1911 and evike carries pistols for about 100-220. But to fight all that and this is more of a CQB gun but a spring shotgun is only $55 and it gets you on the field faster. But honestly find out what you like more, I'd at least try and go to a game and ask someone to borrow a gun and see how it is. I'm a CQB guy myself If you curious on anything else, feel free to pc anyone we are all willing to lend a helping hand.

[Steveothegringo]

Thank you Pride, that is very helpful.

I am finding more and more that I will most likely have to show up to a game and get the feel for myself.

[Pride]

Honestly, try fightertown for field (sniper play too). It's the biggest field in arizona, and it has a LOT of cover. And since you're pretty far out there, I would say try out some CQB play at Vanguard. Best thing about vanguard, they have guns and masks to rent and you must buy their BB's to use. 4000 .20's for about.. 10-15 bucks, and a session costs about 20 bucks at a time (paying for two session's at once gets you a deal for 30 instead of 40) and sessions last.. like 4 hours at a time.

[Steveothegringo]

oh wow...

I will definitely be checking that out here soon.

[XavierMace]

And more kiddies than you can shake a stick at.  I would not recommend Vanguard as your first taste of airsofting.  You might not want to try it again.