Airsoft to supplement for weapons manipulation training

[Celt]

Does anyone else use Airsoft to supplement their live fire training? I have a high-end Glock 19 replica that I use. I'm actually considering looking into a quality AR-15 Airsoft rifle so I can practice my weapons manipulation with that, along with transition drills.

Of course there is no replacement for a real firearm, but my airsoft Glock 19 is a gas blowback model that has a reciprocating slide , and magazines feed just like the real gun. In fact it looks so good to the untrained eye you wouldn't notice that it is an airsoft gun.

I just posted this in another thread, but I'm building some new Target stands to keep at my house because I haven't been able to get to my range Upstate as often as I would like. I'll be able to work on shooting and moving and all sorts of things this way.

 

[MilesTeg]

I'm very interested in this topic. Can you post links to the guns? Me not knowing anything about them I don't know what is good or bad quality. My next question is what is the accurate range for these things?

 

[Toecutter]

I have , set up targets and practice drawing and shooting from a holster .

 

[Celt]

I'm very interested in this topic. Can you post links to the guns? Me not knowing anything about them I don't know what is good or bad quality. My next question is what is the accurate range for these things?

I have a KSC glock 19 replica, and supposedto be one of the best. The WE glock 19, and Stark g19 are also good (less expensive) alternatives.

I dont know about rifles yet, but i will be researching.

 

[Frankly]

I just decided to sell my KJW 2011 blow back, not that there has been anything wrong with it but I don't have a good spot indoors to use it. I do have a very nice outdoor range but the gas doesn't work in cold weather. I switched to CO2 and it is a little better but still not like Summer.

Overall for under $200 the quality is great, the guns are accurate, and even the weight is pretty good. Not much recoil but at least there is something moving to let you know you're firing. It is nice to move rapidly and shoot fast... and better than the SAFE Act because we can shoot 20+ rounds!

Instead I'll be shooting my conventional air pellet guns and maybe dry-firing my real gun if I get ambitious. For the amount of time I spend with firearms I rather go to the range even if it costs more money I like the feeling of shooting, even the smell.

I'd consider an electronic AR15 for cold weather but I am afraid it would be so accurate it might be boring ;-p Seriously, if you buy something better than the Walmart crap then they can be pretty amazing.

 

[FCG LLC]

I use my Glock 18C airsoft for shooting/moving, so I can practice keeping the gun steady.
Also do the same with my SIRT gun, and I have the Laserlyte reactive targets (soda cans and different sized bullseyes).

The most important thing for me is to practice pulling the trigger FOR THE SECOND AND SUCCESSIVE SHOTS without disturbing the gun - not very easy to do except on a life range with real ammo. I think I am at the point where my pistol shooting fundamentals are fairly locked in, except for the above.

FCG

 

[Celt]

I use my Glock 18C airsoft for shooting/moving, so I can practice keeping the gun steady.
Also do the same with my SIRT gun, and I have the Laserlyte reactive targets (soda cans and different sized bullseyes).

The most important thing for me is to practice pulling the trigger FOR THE SECOND AND SUCCESSIVE SHOTS without disturbing the gun - not very easy to do except on a life range with real ammo. I think I am at the point where my pistol shooting fundamentals are fairly locked in, except for the above.

FCG

You bring up a great point about keeping the gun still while workng the trigger. I just watched a good video with Rob Leatham talking about that.

 

[FCG LLC]

You bring up a great point about keeping the gun still while workng the trigger. I just watched a good video with Rob Leatham talking about that.

I think it is the holy grail for new and intermediate shooters. Slow shooting - fast shooting don't matter. It is either a big flinch on the 1st shot, or a great 1st shot and then everything goes to the loo after that.

All of us from time to time forget that the only thing on the gun that should move when we are working the trigger, is the trigger...and the slide.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Years ago my son and friends were into airsoft. When I'd gets home from work I'd get ambushed from time to time. Got an airsoft Uzi and did a drive by on them one day.

 

[Bananabandit]

Years ago my son and friends were into airsoft. When I'd gets home from work I'd get ambushed from time to time. Got an airsoft Uzi and did a drive by on them one day.

 

[Celt]

Still researhing airsoft rifles.

Key points are:

-a metal gear box
- aeg operation (runs on batteries)
These things are more complicaed than a real gun. Alot to learn in regards to good manufacturers and junk. It looks like $200 would get a pretty decent training rifle.

 

[BuellSix8]

Hey Celt, your Glock replica have the simulated weight?

 

[Celt]

It feels about as heavy as my 19, it has a metal slide, and it cycles after each round, and locks back when dry. Im very happy with it. Im pretty certain ill end up buying an m4 replica rifle so i can train in my yard, and even my basement or garage through the winter.

 

[dsdmmat]

I used to use the Nintendo duck hunt gun for practice with my draw for IPSC. It was fun but not really effective practice.

 

[Celt]

Alright, so I've been doing a ton of research on Airsoft rifles and i settled on a Krytac Trident SPR. Its considered one of the best AEG (electric/pneumatic) rifles available. I considered GBB (gas blow back) as that simulates reciol and is closer to areal rifle, but a high end, reliable gun is very expensive.

Krytac Full Metal Trident SPR Airsoft AEG Rifle - Black

I found one with battery, charger, and spare mags for less though.

 

[Celt]

And for anyone else looking ill list one lower cost option, and 2 midrange options that are worthwhile.

This is a lower cost, all polymer gun with decent rating for the price.

Lancer Tactical KeyMod 13 M4 AEG Airsoft Gun ( Black )

A much better md cost, all metal gun.Spartan Full Metal SRX 300 Blackout Series SRX 309 Carbine AEG Airsoft

Another one with battery and charger included.COLT M4A1 Full Metal 13" Keymod Airsoft AEG, Black

 

[dsdmmat]

Our Police Department has a simulator that actually shoots styrofoam rubber balls back at them if they miss something or do not hit vitals during the simulation. It is pretty cool.

 

[BDSKJCHRIS]

Still researhing airsoft rifles.

Key points are:

-a metal gear box
- aeg operation (runs on batteries)
These things are more complicaed than a real gun. Alot to learn in regards to good manufacturers and junk. It looks like $200 would get a pretty decent training rifle.

look at the ghk m4, much more realistic than any of the electric guns, a bit simpler to work on/maintain.

i have a vipertech KAC sr-16e3 and it is damn close to the real thing. i like using it to teach new shooters proper safety, handling, and manipulation before taking them to the range. it is also fun to get a few buddies together and have a backyard shootout.

 

[BDSKJCHRIS]

here is an overview of the airsoft guns i have and how "realistic" they are from a functional/opertaing standpoint.

the vipertech sr-16e3:
licensed by KAC, full rollmarks, etc..
the only differences between the receivers that this is built on and actual receivers are that the holes for the trigger pins are drilled in different spots than a firearm, (to prevent the lower from being converted into a firearm), the hammer assembly is linked to a striker in the mag catch area and hits a valve on the mag, and the upper receiver has a couple of internal relief cuts for the assembly that houses the striker.

people have take real stripped uppers and built airsoft upper using them. the mag release, bolt catch, charging handle, etc...all work as a real ar would. IMO it is an excellent training tool for new shooters and for practice at home where something like a .22lr is not viable.

WE tech SCAR-L:
again fully licensed, field strippable etc... i never got to own a scar-16s so i cant comment further but it is a very nice quality airsoft gun and they can be had relatively cheap.

WE-tech SCAR-h:
same as the scar-l fun reliable and plenty of recoil (i would say it recoils almost as much as a 5.56 AR), noise is obviously not as much as a real firearm, but if you are practicing indoors, wear some type of earpro, it will make your ears ring.

cybergun fnx-45:
easily my favorite gun. full ambi controls for the mag release, safety, and slide lock, field strips like a real one, can be loaded and de-cocked with the safety so it can be fired as a DA for the first shot and SA for subsequent shots super consistent, accurate, each mag holds 25 bb's.

now a few pointers:
get could quality bb's (goldenball are nice) cheap bb's break when being fed and then break your gun. search google for the hammer/packaging tape test to determine if bb's are good or not, (most of the japan made bb's are good while chinese ones are shit).

for gas blow back rifles: download your mags by 3-5 rounds to prevent things like broken loading nozzles, broken feedlips, etc... the pistol i have does fine when fully loaded.

do not buy green gas or any of the gas with silicone mixed in. oil in your propellant for airsoft makes as much sense as oil inside actual cartridge casings, it gets it everywhere that you don't want it while the areas in is needed get none. wipedown/lube your gas blowback guns just as you would a real firearm (do not use firearm cleaning solvents or lubes on it, just use silicone oil). if the hop-up bucking gets oil on it, it will swell and be useless, (the hop-up system is what makes the bbs fly straight and far. without it, your rifle is useless: without your rifle, you are useless.

use propane for propellant and get a fill adapter for it, you will save a ton on gas, and your guns will last longer.

eye protection and face protection. the bbs are hard plastic, they will break teeth and blind you.

last but not least use this coupon code if you are ordering on evike: K3Y29574E it should be good for like 22% off check their page for other deals here: Coupon Codes - Evike.com Airsoft Superstore

 

[Celt]

I actually ordered a krytac trident spr already. Dependng on how much use i get from it i may invest in a high end gbb for better training.

 

[BDSKJCHRIS]

I actually ordered a krytac trident spr already. Dependng on how much use i get from it i may invest in a high end gbb for better training.

sounds good, just make sure you use good bb's in it and you should be good to go. if you do decide to look into a high end gbbr let me know as i may be looking to sell the vipertech sr-16e3 at some point. or i can help you find a good deal on one.

 

[Celt]

sounds good, just make sure you use good bb's in it and you should be good to go. if you do decide to look into a high end gbbr let me know as i may be looking to sell the vipertech sr-16e3 at some point. or i can help you find a good deal on one.

Illleep it in mind man tx.

 

[Celt]

I got the rifle and did some drills yesterday. It has an ambidextrous safety on it which I have to remove because I don't like how the right side gets in the way of my trigger finger.

But I think this thing will be great for working on weapons manipulation drills, along with some shooting and moving. Really it will allow me to focus on fundamentals like sight alignment/sight picture/ target acquisition Etc.

Of course this is no replacement for live fire practice, but I don't get to the range as often as I used to because my boys are in sports pretty much every weekend.