Airsoft as a training tool?

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

angry_platypus

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2003
Messages
27
Location
New Jersey *sigh*
I was wondering, would you say that (particularly for those of us for whom a real firearm is not a possibility for whatever reason) Airsoft would be a valid tool for training purposes? At least as far as the basics of safety and hitting what you have the gun pointed at and whatnot. Because (for a number of reasons) its not possible for me to own a real gun at this time, and I only get a chance to go the range once in a great while, and was looking for a way to make sure the 4 rules are permanently ingrained in my mind, get used to the feel of a gun, and do some plinking at paper at self defense type ranges (7 yards-ish) and was thinking a gas operated airsoft pistol might fill that gap perfectly. Any opinions on this?
 
My friend owns an Airsoft store here in Atlanta and I've shot some of his guns in his store's range. I would say that for training yourself on the rules of safe handling and trigger control, they're fine. But they don't even come close to what firing an actual gun feels like.

They are super cool though, regardless.

Shoeless
 
I would say that Airsoft are good tools for learning basic gunhandling and safety with AND that they are excellant tools for Force on Force training once the basics have been mastered. Airsoft is revolutionizing FoF training. Used to be you had to either use commercial paintball guns, which had a totally different feel and control setup, compared to your usual carry gun or you had to invest obsecene amounts of funding into Simunition kits and Simunition FX cartridges. Of course, Code Eagle is available and the company is much more reasonable to deal with than Simunition, but they only offer cartridges in .38 Special.

With Airsofts, you can get a training tool that exactly duplicates your carry gun in size, shape, control location, etc. Cost for a good Airsoft is less than a Sims conversion kit. BBs are closer to 65 cents per hundred, whereas Sims are 65 cents each!

There is a world of difference between shooting holes in cardboard and interacting with living, breathing, moving, cussing people who may, or may not be a threat.

For a really good presentation of Airsofts for FoF take a look at Karl Rehn's article in the April issue of SWAT or check out the origional presentation from the 2nd RangeMaster Invitational/Polite Society match back in August 2002, http://krtraining.com/KRTraining/Archive/ForceOnForce.pdf
 
Can anyone provide links to good online vendors for Airsoft guns? Also, I note from the presentation linked above (thanks, Gomez!) that Airsoft replicas are available for rifles, shotguns and full-auto weapons, as well as handguns. Any online details available? Links, please!
 
Don't forget www.wargameclub.com. They're my favorite airsoft vendor. Located in Hong Kong, so shipping is a bit pricey, and you may want to wait a couple of months before ordering anything from Asia.

My buddies and I go airsofting every other month, and it's a blast. TONS of fun. As for training purposes, you can probably learn some things (angles, gun handling, teamwork), but how well those lessons translate when real firearms are introduced I don't know. Better than nothing, I guess. One lesson you do learn real quick is not to get shot. ;)
 
Gomez
Have you ever actually looked at one of those AR15s shown on that first link you provided ?
Does the carry handle detach ? Does it have a standard rail under the carry handle ? Can I attach actual AR15 accessories like an Aimpoint ML2 to it ?
 
444,

Airsoft guns are so realistic there are debates as to whether or not they can be converted into real firearms. The slides from the pistols can come off and fit onto real steel versions. Virtually any external accessories that can fit onto real AR-15's can fit onto airsoft versions because the makers strive for exact duplications, down to the last details (even to the point of infringing on copyright laws). Yes, you can mount an Aimpoint, as well as lasers, lights, etc.

Cool, eh? :)
 
I don't know about training, but they sure look like fun to me :)

- Gabe
 
There was actually a Japanese company at SHOT this year that is producing an exceptional M4-clone especially for military/law enforcement FoF training. Of course, asking price was just shy of $800. Unfortunately, I can't recall the company name and I can't find the literature on it either.
 
I recently had my first Airsoft force on force training session. All I can say is that I like it much better than paintball and that it is a VERY useful training tool. It can be used for numerous different drills.
 
That would be Systema, one of the primere manufacturers of upgraded airsoft guns and parts.
 
Yeah, airsoft is fun stuff and like it has been said, pretty good for FoF excercises... recommendations though

Rifles and SMGs- Use autommatic electric airsofts... they simulate the real thing very well

Pistols- use Gas Blow back, the best ones operate JUST like the real thing.

As far as copyright infringement, the better companies purchase licenses.... For Example, Tokyo Mauri manufactures a Walther P99 GBB gun which is an exact copy of the real thing, due to the fact they wenth to Walther and got the blueprints to work from...
 
Specialized Distribution www.airsoftSD.com will be shipping marking rounds (paint ball) for AirSoft guns in May. Unlike the earlier marking rounds, these will reportedly work in the gas blowback and electric guns without causing any malfunctions. Watch out Simunitions!:D

Denny
 
Kevlarman,

Thanks. Duh!!! Now I remember thinking how funny it was that this airsoft company was calling itself SYSTEMA which is the generic term for a lot of Russian Martial Art. Couldn't think of the name for the life of me the other night, though.:)

Very nice M4s, they had on display.
 
I actually saw, and handled one of these airsoft ARs today at the Frontsight pro shop. Very nice. It looked so real that a guy came up behind me and thought it was an actual carbine. The carry handle detached and had a rail under it. The mag came out of the gun. The controls looked like they are just like the real thing. I doubt that I will actually buy one of these, but I am considering it.
 
I think that training with a CO2, BB, pellet, or AIRSOFT gun is a GREAT idea. I have a CO2 powered BB pistol. It's great to just walk out into the yard and quick-draw from the holster and see how fast and accurate I can be at defensive ranges.

It has taught me a lot since this is difficult to do with my 9mms.

(Among other things it taught me that under pressure I occasionally missed the safety. I now carry with safety off. (Both BB and REAL gun)

HAVE FUN!

Logistar
 
Having trained with Simunition I've been intrigued about using Airsoft for training purposes as well. The problem is I know little about airsoft and I need to ask who makes the "best" P-12 airsoft replica? I suppose best would mean reliability, accuracy, hardest hitting, authentic handling/reacting.
 
My problems with airsoft toys is trigger feel & recoil. These cannot be replicated.

Otherwise, they're pretty cool.
 
My problems with airsoft toys is trigger feel & recoil. These cannot be replicated.
Click to expand...
I agree with you CWL, but it is difficult for me to find places to practice with my real handguns. I can still get the "motions" down even in a large backyard with some of these guns. I believe it has helped me a lot. You still need to train with your real guns but I think you might be able to lessen that time a bit.

Logistar
 
hso,

For the best handgun airsofts, I suggest taking a look at Western Arms, especially if you're looking for one in a 1911 pattern.

For the long arms, Tokyo Marui are your best bets, but if you want ones with metal parts that will give your guns the weight that will duplicate much closer, the weight of the real thing, take a look at Classic Army and Airsoft Elite.
 
I use my airsoft 1911 Gold Cup to pratice drawing from concealment, and for point shooting. I can do that in the house on a rainy day, and I think it helps develop muscle memory for where the muzzle's pointing when you're not looking down the sights, and it fits the same holsters as my carry guns.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Training with airsoft
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
TXGunGeek
T
D
  • Locked
Airsoft as Personal Defense
2
Replies
33
Views
1K
hso
hso
T
  • Locked
Airsoft - good training?
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
strambo
S
Smith357
  • Locked
Airsoft pistol as a training tool?
2 3
Replies
66
Views
5K
Boom-stick
B
F
  • Locked
What NOT to do with an airsoft.
Replies
15
Views
2K
fantacmet
F
Back
Top