Prepping for a Big Airsoft Game

Hopefully you'll have the privilege of attending a large game at least once in your Airsofting experience. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the game.

1. Test your Airsoft weapon(s) ahead of time. This is especially important if it's been sitting unused in your closet for months. Put a magazine through it and make sure it is still performing well.
2. Read the event details THOROUGHLY before the game! This includes information such as starting times, rules, etc. If there is a printable online waiver, make sure you print and sign it (and take it with you to the game of course).
3. Don't rely on others for gear! Take anything you are going to need to last you through several solid hours of game play. This will include things like:
- Eye protection. Depending on the field rules, this can range from safety glasses to masks that cover the entire face. Note that prescription glasses WILL NOT protect your eyes.
- Food & Water
- Extra batteries for your gun and any battery powered accessories (and make sure they are new/charged!)
- Two-way radios. Communication is key.
- First Aid. Airsoft is a very active sport, and it is likely you will sustain at least a small injury. Make sure you have band aids and antiseptic readily available.
- Duct tape or electrical tape. Great for almost everything - not an accessory you'll want to be without.
- Plenty of BB's.
- Something easily portable to carry it all in. This can be a vest, backpack, etc.
- A back-up weapon if possible. In the unfortunate event that your primary is taken out of action, you don't want to find yourself empty handed.
- Tools. You may find yourself in a situation where you need to perform repairs on the battle field. Make sure you have any tools you may find necessary.
- Extra clothing. As I mentioned before, Airsoft is an active sport - your cloths may get ripped, wet, muddy ect, so having an extra set or two of clothes is a very good idea.
- Boots. Boots support and protect your feet much better than sneakers.
4. Have your weapon(s) maintained. You'll want your weapon in tip-top shape, so have an experienced technician give it a once over. At the least you should make sure your barrel is clean for maximum accuracy and to prevent jams.
5. If possible, get familiar with the playing grounds before the big game. This will help you know the lay of the land and possible ambush/defense spots.

Follow this advice and you will have a lot more fun - and keep from looking like a newbie :)

Have fun, be safe, and play hard!

Playing Airsoft in the Rain

The dedicated Airsoft enthusiast will find themselves playing in all kinds of weather, so more than likely at some point you will find yourself playing in the rain. There are advantages to wet weather, but there are also risks, so it is a good idea to properly prepare ahead of time.

First of all, make sure YOU are properly prepared. If you have waterproof clothing that is ideal, but you can also just go with a poncho. If need be you can make your own rain poncho by taking a large trash bag and cutting holes for your head and arms. A hat or helmet is a must. Also, wet weather means mud - waterproof boots are best, but whatever you use you'll want good traction. You can help to keep your feet dry by putting plastic bags over your socks before you put on your foot gear. You can use a rubber band or elastic strap to seal off the top of the bag, but make sure it isn't too tight or it could cut off your blood circulation.

As for your weapon, if you are using a bolt action rifle or a gas powered weapon, you won't really need to do much. The main thing is to keep water out of the barrel and to make sure the gun dries thoroughly once you are done playing.

If you are using and AEG (Auto Electric Gun) however, you need to make sure the electrical connections are properly protected. It is a good idea to wrap electrical tape around the connectors and any other exposed parts such as fuses. Basically you just want to seal off any way that water could get in.
Weapons that have a solid, or "full" stock where the battery is stored should be fine as the stock automatically provides the battery and fuse with a waterproof case. Again, make sure when you are done playing you place the gun in a dry, well ventilated area where it can dry out thoroughly.