Changing times...

[XavierMace]

I thought this would be interesting for some people to see, mostly the changing costs of airsoft.  How long have you been playing, what did you start with, and how much have you spent over the years?

Years Playing:  11
First Gun: Tokyo Marui G3 SAS
Total Spent: $19,000-ish

[Mooncruiser]

Years playing "Airsoft" -10.. Years shooting .BB's at others, -decades.
First airsoft gun; ICS Mp5 Still use it weekly.
Total spent, Guns, gear, etc.. North of four grand.

[Paradox]

Years playing Airsoft: 8, 2005
First Airsoft replica: M4 Star
Total Spent: Somewhere above $15,000ish
First store visited/purchased: Airsplat

[alteclansig]

been playing real airsoft (not a backyard warrior) for 3 1/2 years. started with a jg mp5a4. biggest POS i've ever used. total spent on airsoft is around $1250

[Warlord]

Been playing paintball and airsoft since I was 8. Last 3-4 years I've spent over 8 grand on airsoft. I am selling my stuff for almost half that.

[Edward McRichy]

Started playing in 2011 with an JG mp5, including upgrades i spent about $150.
Two sniper rifles plus upgrades $200
A&K M4 S system plus upgrades $230
G&G Extreme 1911 blowback, plus extra mag $130

Yes, I buy cheap airsoft guns.  I spend my money on upgrades.  Roughly half of the money spent on each gun is for an upgrade

[Bao]

Years playing: 5
First real aeg: jg Aug a1
total spent: 1.8k + or -

[Mooncruiser]

Y'know, the costs of the basic game haven't changed much other than gasoline to get to the fields.
Suckers still pay $$$ at places like Evike, only to find the stuff is worth less than half when selling it here used.
A new player can still get enough quality and a decent loadout for around $200-250.
Smart is the player who doesn't need the newest >RIGHT NOW<..

[XavierMace]

I can't say I agree with that in the slightest Chip.  Back when I started, you weren't going to get shit for a gun for $150.  A "cheaper" gun was $250.  You didn't have MAG brand mags.  You were looking at $15+ per mag.  If you wanted a decent battery and charger, you were looking at another $80-$100.  Now I can get an ICS/G&G M4 for $140, 8 Mags for $60, and a decent LiPo and charger for $50 all of which will run circles around the older stuff.

[davidneitzelt]

Airsofting-4 years
Total spent-6-7k
First rifle was jg g36. 120$. Loved it.

[Mooncruiser]

If you bought everything new Mace..
But, my point is to buy used. I've spent damn little on repairs over the years.

[XavierMace]

If you bought everything new Mace..
But, my point is to buy used. I've spent damn little on repairs over the years.

You still weren't going to get a good used TM for $120 back then.

[Mooncruiser]

Nope, but I did buy a ICS Mp5 off Paul D.Wog for 75 bucks, -My first airsoft gun, and I still use at Tempe each week.
Hell, look at all the Fire Sales that've been on this board since the start. Look at all the techs like Slinky, Spazz, etc that work for a reasonable rate.. Don't buy new, and save big.
This is a pretty cheap hobby as things go. I bought a LOT of shit I didn't need back when. Not nowadays.

[XavierMace]

Occassionally finding a killer deal has no basis on the subject at hand.  I know a guy that got a Prius for free.  That doesn't mean they've have gotten cheaper.  $75 for an ICS MP5 was a killer deal back then, still a good deal now.  I've sold a few of them for $150+ used.  It's not like everybody could have just gone out and gotten one that cheap.  Plus somebody had to pay $250-$300 for it at some point.

Used is pretty much always cheaper than new, but the used prices are linked to the new prices.  Getting a working AEG for $75 10 years ago was a killer deal.  Now it's a going rate for a lot of JG stuff.

[Warlord]

Yeah, I bought a store, and all the money I received from teching and dealing went straight to airsoft. Come to think of it my estimate of 8-9 grand might still be shy.