Airsoft Optics Protectors

If you run optics on your airsoft gun, you probably have at least thought about the "what happens if my optic gets shot out" question.  Ok, so you can probably shoot without an optic - it's not like your targets are out at 200 yards.  BUT if you've invested any kind of cash in your optic, you don't want it to break.  Check out these two vids on optic protection and then read my summary.





So a few quick thoughts.
POSITIVE: protects your optic, low-cost for good BB protection, looks kinda cool.
NEGATIVE: do you REALLY need it (how likely is it to get your optic shot out?), and they look kind of goofy.

I know you are all wondering - Tim, do YOU run one of these on your gun?  Well...no...but I don't run an optic on my SAW, so I'm not the right person to ask.

Anyhow, food for thought, and keep on firin'!
- Carp

BIG OP coming up!

Check out this LINK and also watch the video below.



Operation Sovereign Fury looks great!  Don't miss it.

I love milsim.  Honestly, that's all I really play when it comes to airsoft, other than an occasional capture-the-flag at the end of a day.  BUT MAN - 51 buildings, 30 hours straight!  This looks like a SOLID event.

- Carp

M203 Launchers

M203 launchers - cool looking: yes.  Here's one for your AK from Airsplat (LINK HERE).

When I first started to play airsoft with my team, I ran as the grenadier, but soon found out that unless you were playing at the correct kind of site/field, an M203 might just be extra weight that looks cool.  I found that in a woods-based scenario, using an M203 was tough to do.  In an ambush, it could be use effectively, or maybe even for clearing a bunker.  The KEY was know how to use it and being READY to use it.  

When the opportunity shows itself, you need to be ready to pull the trigger, not load and fiddle and such.

A great way to utilize them is in a CQB or MOUT facility.  When you are in a building, an M203 can clear and entire room in a few seconds.  If you are trying to get someone behind a wall in a MOUT facility, an M203 can come in handy.

Overall, I love my M203s.  Practice with them and you can be a helpful, useful grenadier.

- Carp

Operation Soviet III

Here's the LINK - check it out and register for a great OP happening if Florida.
- Carp

5.11 Tactical Pants Review

If you are a serious airsofter, you know that you operate with more than just your AEG and your sidearm.  Well-made, high-quality gear matters, and 5.11 is a company that you can bank on for this. 
Tom over at Airsoft Obsessed did a review of these pants - check it out HERE.

- Carp

Let's Talk Tactical AKs

 

(this guy is from G&P - who we know makes great products)

Some people love tactical AKs, some hate them.  Me - I like them a lot.  As a guy who usually runs support, I am more biased toward a MK46 or a MK43, and of course - the M249 is always fun too.  BUT I am becoming more and more open to the AK-family, and the tactical AK is the kind I tend to like best.  I do get that some people are "AK purists" - they need a wood stock, nothing 'tactical', and that's the end of the discussion.  I suppose there are people like that with their AR/M4s too, but in my experience AK fans are more often purists than the M4 peeps are.

I think that the tactical AK is growing on people though.  Probably with the conflicts in the Middle East we are seeing more real contractors running AK-platforms, and we all know that a good part of airsoft is looking the part/looking cool.  Thus, if some professional contractor has one, more airsofters are going to want them too.

 

This one above is from Magpul PTS and I love it.  Partially it's just the 'it looks cool' factor.  Part of it is because I'm a Costa fan and he has run this one before.  But the other side of the equation for me is what this one offers.  Adjsutable stock - huge benefit to me.  Rail space - another great benefit.  When I run anything other than support, I love to have a vert grip or AFG on my gun, so this gives me that option.  And because of my style of play, a red dot is always nice.  That's one thing about this one - the rail doesn't allow you add a red dot closer to your face, but you can't win them all I guess (and yes I know you can add a scope mount, but I am not a huge fan of them).  The ICS AK (below) offers you more rail space closer to your face for optics, but it's almost impossible to find these days. 

One nice thing is that if you like tactical AKs, they are becoming more and more reasonable in cost.  JG (below) makes one and it's less than $200.  It's not going to be the quality of the G&P, but it'll save you some cash.

If you want to take a step up from JG, the Echo 1 Contractor AK is a good option (below).

And APS makes some as does Javelin - and you can get them with the blowback feature too.

With more and more coming to the market, the tactical AK has a future it seems, and to me - that's a good thing.

- Carp 

Operation Ripsaw 2 is coming

 

Last year, CQB Radio and our team The Immortals had a chance to run with Eric from The Gear Locker and his team, Yankee Division, at Operation Ripsaw.  It was an excellent event and we are looking forward to it again this year (Saturday, April 13th).  It's a full-immersion event outdoor at Harris Field in Manie, and this year they are adding a CQB element with a modular build out on the field.

More details to come, but if you are in the New England area, this is going to be a great op.  Be there.
Find out more at Maine Airsoft's website HERE.

- Carp

NcSTAR Mini Reflex Red Dot Sight

(Want to buy this red dot?  CLICK HERE TO BUY IT.)

Ok peeps - red dots.  Here's my take.  Unless you have a DMR-styled AEG or a sniper rifle that can really reach out to touch people, red dots are the best optic for airsoft.  They offer easy target acquisition, don't take a ton of work to get used to, and they don't use a ton of battery power. 

Today we are looking at this NcSTAR red dot from Airsoft Atlanta.  Cost-wise, this guy is on the lower end of red dots out there, coming in at only $49.99.  One cool thing about this guy - it's made for real steel i.e. it's made to be used on a gun with real recoil in real-life applications.  So you know it's made to take some abuse. 

As you can see, NcSTAR also includes their Lifetime Limited Warranty.  That means (and you can check out THIS VIDEO from Thumpy to prove my point) you can get it shot out, run it over, whatever - and if you send it back to them, they will REPLACE IT!  Now THAT is a deal.

Also included are these instructions on how it works, but don't worry - I'll tell you how to use it in this review.

You also get a cloth for cleaning the red dot, an extra battery, and 2 hex wrenches for attaching and adjusting.  Nice of them to toss in some extra 'kit' for free.

So here it is.  SUPER-compact, cover (plastic) included, and low profile.  The body of it is anodized aluminum so again - it's solid. 

  Check out the next picture of it in my hand.  Isn't it cute?

 Attaching it to your gun is simple.  If you look at my finger tip in the photo below, you can see one of the hex bolt.  Loosen two of them and you can put this on any 1913/Picitanny rail.  That said, this guy is very usable on a pistol as well as on a rifle. 

Turning it on is simple - move the switch in the back to the right, because that's where on is (heh, heh...).
 There is just one setting as far as brightness, but in general I don't bother changing my brightness levels much unless I am in a full-on, full-immersion, day-changing-to-night op, so you should be all set.

 When you want to adjust it for windage and elevation, just use the included hex wrench to adjust the bolts on the top (for elevation) and right side (for windage).  Simple enough.

Here's a look at it when it's "ON".  The dot is tiny but it's very easy to see (the picture doesn't do it justice).

I decided to put this guy on my KWA CQR.  Now it's worth noting that if you play with a full facemask, you may want to add a riser to your AEG. You don't have to, but it might be handy.  As I mentioned earlier, this guy is a low-profile red dot, so you should plan on putting it further out on your rail as compared to where you might put a holo sight or a set of scope rings.

 As you can see, I put it almost up to the delta ring on my M4.

Here's what it looks like on the M4 and on.

A few more pictures of it.

Overall, this guy is sweet.  Airsoft Atlanta does note that it is great for an MP7, and I'd agree.  MP9 would be great for this guy too.  This guy is solid (remember the excellent promise of replacement from NcSTAR), made for real steel guns, and will hold up.  If you have a rail on a pistol, this guy would be excellent.  If you want something low-profile for an AEG, this may be the one you are looking for.  Check out more over at Airsoft Atlanta - CLICK HERE.

- Carp    

Mechanix Gloves Review

(Want to buy these gloves NOW?  CLICK HERE!)

Let's talk gloves.  Useful in airsoft for: keeping hands warm in colder weather, protecting hands from BBs, protecting hands from falls (not that ANY of us have taken a digger while running in airsoft), and, of course, they are excellent for looking cool (come on, let's not lie - we all like to look tacti-cool).

Mechanix gloves were originally made for, well...mechanics.  But once other people saw how useful they could be, Mechanix gloves were all the rage.  In general, they are quite reasonably priced.  The ones you see in this review are available at Airsoft Atlanta for only $24.99, and they come in sizes Small to Extra Large.

Here are the details on these guys.  First, they are comfortable.  These are based on the original design, so they are made to provide safety, a little warmth, and also keep enough dexterity so you can use your hands effectively.  The palm is made of synthetic Clarino leather so it's pliable but also strong.  The top is made of stretch spandex - again offering comfort and cover.   

As you can see, they are compact enough to use while airsofting.  Your finger can fit into the trigger-guard no problem.  The pictures here are of a KWA CQR, so it's safe to say that for most M4s, you are good to go.  And since most AK and other airsoft 'rifles' are larger that this CQR, you should have no problem wearing these Mechanix gloves and shooting.   

When it comes to pistols, I took my smallest gas blow-back pistol (a WE Baby Hi-Capa) and they still worked.  It's certainly a tighter fit, but none the less - they work.

Would I recommend these?  Totally.  There are real operators (i.e. soldiers, contractors, etc.) who wear these, so yeah - I'd say they are safe enough for airsoft.  You can get gloves that cost less, but in the end, I think it's worth it to spend the money now for a pair of gloves that will last.  Mechanix gloves are used the world-over, and that's because they are well-made and long-lasting.  Check them out at Airosft Atlanta HERE. 

- Carp  

ICS Booth at Show Show 2103

Quite honestly, not a ton new at this year's Shot Show from ICS.  However, check back in a bit for an update on some new RIFLED M203 shells that give you more range and quite a few options...including a flashbang.  In the mean time, check out some more pics.