Airsoft "Explosive" devices

[Silverman]

The upcoming IED seminar got me wondering...  I've been working on a "land mine" type device, and I'd like to try it out in a game.  Are there any rules against using such a device?

For information: it has no pyrotechnics at all, only BB "shrapnel".  The BBs have only 0.02J of energy (less than 50fps), so they are safe even if triggered somehow by a non-player.  It fires the BBs in a 360-degree arc to about 20 feet.  The normal load is 128 BBs, which makes hits likely even at max range.  (It can hold 256, but that's overkill).  Another reason I limited the range is to keep it in character - it would be pretty easy to scale it up to fire 1000 BBs in a 50 radius, but I wanted a landmine instead of an artillery shell!

This model is tripwire detonated.  It would be very easy to substitute an electronic trigger, but I wanted it to be more sporting - it's certainly realistic to have a bush shower you with BBs without warning, but spotting a wire and trying to cut it or step over it seems more fun.  The current one takes a bit of a tug to set off, so it's actually more reliable as a command-detonated mine (ie, wait until you see the enemy and then pull the line), but I hope to get this fixed in the next one.

Would anyone be against using such a device, at least every now and then?  If it proves useful I'll keep working to improve it (especially in the cosmetics department!), but if it's something I'd never be able to use I'll just keep it as a curiosity and not waste time and money making more and nicer ones.

[Ganef]

We have used airsoft claymores in games before and also those bb spitting gas grenades but, useability in the field realy depends on how exactly the bbs are propelled into the air, which you did not expalain.

[Airsofter1]

Everyone that host a game will have different requirements and restrictions on what can be used for such things.  But a general rule that I find that is good to follow is this - if it spits bbs and doesn't use pyro for propelling them it is good to go.

As far as "airsoft IEDs" go, I think it is hard to say what is an acceptable type of device for use in the type of "simulation games" that most of us play.  First off, you need to figure out the level of realism you want to simulate.  If you are going for an ultra-realistic approach, will disarming the airsoft IED ruin your toy that you spent X amount of dollars on?  Do you want this to be re-usealbe?  In the real world, IEDs are not typically re-used.  Second, I don't think that anyone can really train an airsoft player to defuse "airsoft IEDs" - this is depends heavily on the rules set forth by the game organizer.  There maybe often times were such things are part of the scenario and players are forbiddin to touch the items.  Take for instance Operation: Irene.  There were IEDs all over the place, but the organizers and field operators were very adamant in not having any of the players mess with any of that stuff.  That stuff at that event was meant as part of the game as events that were supposed to happen to move gameplay along.

Anyway, let us know how your land mine project comes along.  I am interested in knowing how it turns out.

[Vince]

Second, I don't think that anyone can really train an airsoft player to defuse "airsoft IEDs"

I can, and my class is free. I see them and if they are pointed at me, I kick them hard. Sh*t's trying to steal my birthright n' sh*t. It's only right and prudent.

It's not very hard to disarm airsoft IEDs.

I think that they're cool, but very limited in their scope. Some will argue that like "oh ho ho ho if used right they're deadly" which is true, but, then again, when is that not true? Every time I have seen them I've been able to successfully disarm them, Pele style.

[Airsofter1]

Second, I don't think that anyone can really train an airsoft player to defuse "airsoft IEDs"

I can, and my class is free. I see them and if they are pointed at me, I kick them hard. Sh*t's trying to steal my birthright n' sh*t. It's only right and prudent.

What I was trying to say was that other things may dictate that you do not disarm them Pele style.  There are several possible reasons for this - game rules restricting touching this type of device, or rules dictating a certain method they must be disarmed come to mind.  Then there is even the one of the owner of said device frowning upon getting his toys kicked about and possibly ruined from future "IED" use.  My opinion is that there are too many other varibles outside of the real world that are at work in the make believe wannabe world of airsoft that we live and die in to make such ideas really feasalbe.

[Vince]

Yeah, I remember Irene, which I felt was pretty gay, but, that just meant I had to have Jeb the 113 driver run over a few trees, which was definitely not gay.

If someone doesn't want something damaged, they shouldn't put it out there. We do milsim, right? My foot is a replica of a robot water cannon. Luckily, there's a possibility the device might work after I'm done with it. My view? If you don't want your things getting messed up, don't try to use them to kill me.

[Airsofter1]

Don't get me wrong, I think "IEDs" or other similar props can definitely enhance game play.  Its all in how its done.

[candyman]

dude my guys have made lil pyrodex bombs from those 500 BB platic containers, and filled them with about 50-100 BB's. pretty harmless but a great inexpensive airsoft frag

[Bobaganoosh]

I think airsoft IED's such as mines and other explosives should be used mainly in large scale ops and in large quantities (such as a minefield) if there were a few in smaller games i dont see it as being very effective. I mean one or two mines in a large AO with about 40 people.. who's to say anyone is even going to get near, let alone trip, the mine?

[-MAD- SARGE]

I think airsoft IED's such as mines and other explosives should be used mainly in large scale ops and in large quantities (such as a minefield) if there were a few in smaller games i dont see it as being very effective. I mean one or two mines in a large AO with about 40 people.. who's to say anyone is even going to get near, let alone trip, the mine?

That makes me wonder what LC has planned. One Marine duty is to disable mines  :?  

Mines or claymores are fine to me, just dont use an explosive and your fine.  And Vince just likes to demolish things  :lol:

[Mooncruiser]

Well, I wouldn't try kicking the ADM we'll have at the next Picketpost game.. (Yes, it'll set it off).

I like using boobytraps and mines. But really, the idea isn't to inflict mass casulties as much as to slow the other team down. Make 'em either disarm the devices or move around them.. -Right into your killzone...

It's all good, as long as it is NOT pyrotechnic in any way. The desert's much too fire-prone for that.

Chip

[azsarge]

What about stingballs and CS (thats teargas, not the video game)?

And I've always wanted to witness an ALS Magnum Ultraflash Stun Device.  174db and a 10psi pressure wave at 5 feet.  Cool!

[Doc Hollywood]

What about stingballs and CS (thats teargas, not the video game)?

And I've always wanted to witness an ALS Magnum Ultraflash Stun Device.  174db and a 10psi pressure wave at 5 feet.  Cool!

+ 863284631 !

Try not calling hit on that one!   lol

[Ricky]

Seems like a good place for me to ask the question. When I used to play paintball, we did mortar strikes on players. We would set up on a hillside, and launch water balloons from a big slingshot thing.
It worked quite well, not so much as for hitting folks with a water ballon, but for causing havoc, as the oppossing forces would have to scramble out of the way of the incoming.

I would like to do this at some upcoming game, but am curious as to anyone not wantiing it done?

It IS very effective, as the rounds cannot be AIMED, but can be move around to fall in various locations.


Let me know........

FLASH

[Panzer]

First I assume you are going to shoot BBs and not water. I know I'm not the only one that would prefer to not have water on some of my gear. The problem I see with shooting the BBs is it will be quite difficult to tell if you have been "hit". I have a handful of the Airsoft Claymores and I speak from experience that it is difficult to notice the impact unless you are quite close or struck by several of the rounds. BBs raining from the sky are most likely not going to be felt by the guys on the ground. I have been at different Ops where they have attempted to simulate this effect. Again it has not been too successful in my experience. However, if the effect is simply to make people scatter or run for cover you may achieve the desired results.

Just my $.02