Chairsoft Magazine Issue 2

Volume 1 Issue 2

MAY 2010www.chairsoftmagazine.com

YOUR U.S.A. AIRSOFT INFORMATION RESOURCE ONLINE!

CLASSIC ARMY’s LWRC M6A2

GEAR UP FOR NATIONAL EVENTS

AFTER ACTION REPORTSFILFORCE: OP: White Star 3

Godfather Airsoft CQB ArenaGodFather AIRSOFT: Girls Airsoft

League

ECHO1USA’sPLATINUM EDITION

M4

equipment ReviewsKWA P226 ptp gBB Pistol

socom gear novak next 1911 gbb pistolutg/leapers m4 aeg

CYMA M18 airsoft claymore

gearblackhawk Level 3 serpa tactical

blackhawk xiphos nt weapon lightkp industires knee pads

Pantac-USa WSHspec-ops brand 1st line

revision eyewear Wolf Spider goggles

OP: Lionclaws - Interview with John Lu

OP: Pine Plains 4 - Interview with Major John “Blacksheep6” Bucciarelli and Tom “Crossfire” O’Rourke

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YOU ONLY GET ONE SET OF EYESProtect them with the only combat eye pro system

optimized for Airsoft. The new ESS Profile AirsoftTM goggleoffers true Mil Spec ballistic protection while the Cortex ClipTM

adds the coverage needed for the Airsoft Battlefield. ANSI Z87.1 & US Mil Spec MIL-DTL-43511D compliant.

TM

THE ONLYAUTHENTIC MILITARY EYE PRO

www.essairsoft.com*WARNING: Airsoft is a hazardous activity. Always use Airsoft-specific eye protection, such as the ESS Profile AirsoftTM with Cortex ClipTM

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OPTIMIZED FOR AIRSOFTRJ EscusaPublishing Director

Shaun O’NeillStaff Writer

Bryan GiammateoStaff Writer

Josh ViningWebsite Admin

What Is chairsofting?

Since the first issue, a lot of the questions about the magazine were about the name, so as to clarify, I’d like to address this issue. Chairsoft or Chairsofters are more commonly known as those who sit behind their chair and airsoft, hence the “chair-soft” definition. In our view, we all chairsoft, we all sit at our chair in front of the computer and chairsoft weather it be researching new gear, checking up on our local community boards and posting advice *(good or bad). Therefore, in our view, all of us chairsoft in one form or another. For those who are only on the forums and don’t play actively, I like to deem them forumsofters. Because that’s what they truly are. People who don’t play but like to troll on the forums trying to spout knowledge and tell other people how to play. Again if you really think about what chairsofting really is, it’s about community, research, and be-ing on line helping others and helping our sport of airsoft grow. That is why we chose the name Chairsoft Magazine. I’m proud to be a Chairsofter, are you?

RJ Escusa

On the cover:Robert “Subman” KosciukOwner and operator of www.northjerseyairsoft.com

Jonathan VallePhotographer

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www.chairsoftmagazine.com

WHATS INSIDE6 - INTRODUCTION TO NATIONAL EVENTS

8 - OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - INTERVIEWS WITH: MAJ. JOHN “BLACKSHEEP6” BUCCIARELLI & TOM “CROSSFIRE” O’Rourke

13 - REVISION EYEWEAR “WOLFSPIDER” GOGGLE SYSTEM

14 - BLACKHAWK PRODUCTS GROUP LEVEL 3 SERPA HOLSTER AND DROPLEG AND XIPHOS TACTICAL LIGHT

17 - KP INDUSTRIES KNEE PRO ULTRA FLEX III

18 - COMBAT EXTRAS

22 - KWA M226 REVIEW

25 - CYMA M18A1 AIRSOFT CLAYMORE

26 - SPEC-OPS BRAND FIRST LINE REVIEW

30 - SOCOM GEAR’S NOVAK NEXT 1911

32 - ECHO1USA’S PLATINUM EDITION M4

36 - O.L.C.M.S.S. - INTERVIEW WITH JOHN LU

40 - CLASSIC ARMY’S LWRC M6A2

44 - PANTAC-USA’S WSH CHEST RIG

46 - UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL

48 - AFTER ACTION REPORT - FILFORCE’S OP: WHITE STAR 3

50 - GODFATHER AIRSOFT CQB ARENA

52 - AFTER ACTION REPORT - GODFATHER AIRSOFT GIRLS AIRSOFT LEAGUE

54 - RETAILER HIGHLIGHT: MONTGOMERYVILLE ARMY NAVY

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Whatclassifiesaneventtobenationallyrecognized?Basicallyput,ifapromoterhastheabilitytopromotethroughoutthenationandtoactuallygetpeopletocomefromalloverthenation,thatisasummaryofwhatanationaleventis. Realistically,playerswantandexpectsomethingdifferentfromtheirordinarylocalrunevents.Weatheritbeadifferenttheme,props,enhancedroleplaying,orthechallengeofmeetingnewteamsfromdifferentlocations,butmostofalltheywantadifferentandchal-lengingareaofoperations. MostifnotallnationaleventstakeplaceinwhatIbe-lieveplayerscravethemostnow,URBANTERRAIN.Longgonearethewoodlandfieldsandforceonforcemissions.Nowthewordsof“MilSim”*(MilitarySimulations)invariousdegreesorrecreationsofpasteventssetthestageforthesenationalevents. GamesplayedonmilitarybaseMOUT*(MilitaryOperationsinUrbanTerrain)facilitiesarethemostsoughtafter,whereplayersarewillingtospendnotonlytravelexpenses,butapriceof200.00ormoredollarsjusttostepontothesite.Whatmakesthesegamessospecialisonlylimitedtowhatthefa-cilitycanoffer.Weatheritbesoundtracks,vehicles,orevenpyrotech-nics,producershavealargerarrayofassetsattheirdisposal. Fromaproducerspointofview,theseattemptsatplanningarenoeasytask.Dauntingtosaytheleast,theybeginalongprocessofcommunicatingwithbasecommand-ersIFtheyhaveawayof

communicatingwithbasecom-manders.Producerswiththistypeofaccessarefewandvaluableasnoordinarycitizencanjustasktothrowaneventonamilitarybase. Producersmustprovetheirheftyinsuranceplanstocoverbothaccidentalinjury,butalsodamagestobuildingsandmilitaryvehicles,ifapplicable.Justtheinsurancecostalonewoulddiscourage90%ofregularproducers.But,itisthe10%thatdohavethatvisionandbravadotostepuptotheplateandapplyforthesefacilities.Afterallsaidanddonewithallthepaperworkinplace,allthemeetingsandphonecallsfinished,allthefinancingoftheincurredcosts,they........wait. Theywaitforthemilitary’sapproval,andalsowaitforadate.Playerstendtoforgetthatthesegamesonthesetypesoffacilitiesareonthemilitary’scalendar.Evenapproveddatescanbecancelledlastminuteduetothepriorityoftrainingourservicemenandwomen. Ahhbutoncethedateisset,offtotheracestheproducergoestopromote,promote,promote.Butusually,thesiteitselfis80%ofthedraw,andplayerswilleagerlywaivecash,paypalbalances,andcreditcardsassoonasaconfirmeddateisset. Thisiswheretheplayermustunderstandwhatistheresponsibilityofsaidplayer.Thereisalotofhypeassociatedwithfirsttimenationaleventplayersastheybuildupthescenariosintheirheadpriortotheactualevent.Mostseethemselvesina*(INSERTFAVOR-ITEWARMOVIE)scene,fighting

offtheenemy,beingthemostbadassairsoftplayeronthefield.Suchisnotthecasemosttimes,andveteransofsucheventswilltelloth-ershowaftertheadrenalinerushisover,therealismofthegamesetsin.Don’tgetmewrong,theeventitselfismostlikelytobeenjoyable,butplayerswon’tbemakingspectacularmovesinslowmotioneliminatingeveryopposingplayerintheirpath. Firsteveryattendeemustreadtherulesofengagement,andunderstandthetypeofeventthattheywouldliketoattend.Someeventsare24hournonstop,12hourwithbreaks,oreven8hournon-stopincrements.Berealisticwithhowphysicallyinshapeyouare.Noonewantstoseeanyinjuriestoanyoneespeciallyselfinflicted.Assessyourmindsetoncompletingthescenario.Weknowyou“want”todothesethings,but“can”you? Mostofalldothesethings,PLAN,PLAN,PLAN,PLAN,PLAN.*(getthepicture?)Planningisthemostimportantthingyoucandoforyourselforforyourteam,andfortheevent.Personalfinancingmustbetakenintoaccountasassuredly,therewillbeitemstopurchase. Playersmustthinknotonlyontheinitialcostofentry,buttravelingexpenses,food,campinggear*(ifnecessary),andairsoftequipment.Travelingexpenses,foodandlodgingalonecanbeupwardsof$300.00ormoreifyoudon’thaveanythingtostartwith.Mostplayersseethisasaninitialinvestmentastheywillnotneedtospendasmuchlateron.Ifyouaregoingwithateam,expectmoreheadachesand

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formorenumbers.Wesuggestcontactingfamilymemberswhomayhavecampingequipmenthandythatyoucanborrowtoalleviatecosts. Afterallthelocationlogis-ticsaredone,theplayermustnowassessthegearrequiredforsuchanevent.Firstandforemostbeforeanyairsoftequipmentisthoughtofisnutrition.Hydrationandfoodmustbetoppriorityfortobeeffectiveonthefield.Wesuggestresearchingandtastingnutritionalbars,MRE’s*(MealsReadytoEat),andourfavorite,beefjerky. Onceyournutritionissortedoutnextshouldbeyourkit.Yourkitshouldbeorganizedinwhatyouneedtocarryforthedurationoftheevent.Allofthatshouldbecarriedinyour1stthrough3rdlines.Resuppliesshouldbecarriedinaruckthatyoucanleaveeitheratthestaging,respawn,orevencarriedandleftinyourimmediatearea. Onebigmistakethatplay-ersmakeisoverpacking.Mobilityand“highspeed,lowdrag”shouldbethethemeofyourloadout.Sincemostofthenationaleventshaveadoptedamidcapmagazinepolicy,standardriflemenshouldcarryatleast9magazines,1intheAEG,8ontheirkit.2to3450roundm4typebbclickloaders,and2bagsofbb’s.Specialweaponssuchasgre-nadesandsounddistractiondevicescanbefactoredinalso.WehavenoticedthatplayershavestartedtoleavetheCIRAStypeplatformsforfasterchestrig,platecarriertypesofvests. M249SAWgunnersshouldalsoadoptthehighspeedlowdragmentalitybyconcentratingonbb

bagsinsteadofphysicalnutsacks.Wefindthemreallybulkyandadd-ingtoomuchweightontheSAWgunnersrigwillcausefatiguemuchearlierthanyouwant. Sniper/DMRrolesareprettymuchusingcommunicationandplacements.FullghilliesuitsshouldbeleftathomesinceinaMOUTenvironmenttheywillberendereduseless. Extraequipmentsuchasradios,headsets,secondarypistols,secondarymagazines,extraAEGbatteries,greengasbottles,andnightvision*(ifyoucanaf-fordagoodplatform)allneedtobeplannedoutaheadoftime.Wesuggestgoingtoskirmishesaheadoftimetopracticewiththeserigsasyoudonotwanttobefieldstrippinggearattheevent. Trainingsuchasreloading,transitionsfromprimarytosecond-ary,accuratetargetacquirementandstamina/cardioishighlyrec-ommended.Ifyouaregoingasateam,establishaSOP,*(StandardOperatingProcedure)andpracticeit,highlightingpro-wordsandfastcommunicationphrases.Roomclearingandteamreactiontrain-ing*(ambush,takingfire)isalwaysbeneficial. PlayersshouldalsoconsiderhavingadditionalAEG’s,midcapmagazines,andotherequip-mentpronetobreakinghandyasnottoprolongdowntimeasyourteam/squad,platoonarecountingonyoutobecombateffective. Whenarrivingontheareaofoperations,haveyourteamleaderoryourselffamiliarizeyourselfwiththechainofcommand,

communicatingwithyourplatoononmissionobjectivesandresponsibili-ties.Excellentcommunication,andexecutionofcommandswillwinthedayandmaketheeventmoreenjoyable.Havingtheappropriate,realisticmindsetandgivingityourallwillleaveyousatisfiedandtiredwhenallissaidanddone. Weallhopethatthiswasinformativeasyouconsiderattend-ingsuchevents.Inthenextpagesofthemagazinewewillhelpwithreviewsofgearandgunsgivingyouoptionsonwhatyoumaywanttobringinyourdestinations.

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OperationPinePlainsisalargescalemilsimairsofteventthattakesplaceonWatertownNewYork’sFortDrum.Itisa20+houreventthatpushesthementalandphysicallimitsofeventhemosthighspeedmilsimmachines.Themomentsbeforetheopeninghornbringaquietanxious-nessasplayersgazeatthesite,preparingthemselvesforthetaskathand.Theneverendingexplosionsofpropanecannons,burningvehicles,andthesometimesdisturbingsoundtracksetthescenefortheunrelentingcombatthatragesthroughsunsetandwellafterthesunrisesagain. Majorityofthegametakesplaceononeofthecountry’spremierMOUT(MilitaryOperationsonUrbanTerrain)fa-cilities,withsquadsbeingsentofftoothersitesonbaseforspecialFrago(Fragmen-taryOrder)missionsthroughoutthenight.StartingonSaturdayafternoon,playersareforcedtotakeeverythingthey’regoingtoneedforthenext20+hoursontothefieldwiththem.Playersmustnotonlybepreparedforcombat,buttoeat,drink,andsleepwhilethebattleragesonaroundthem. Alargeaspectofthegameises-sentiallyalandgrabontheMOUTfacility.Clearing,occupying,andmarkingbuildingsisthebasicwaytoacquirepointsforyourcompany.TheFrago’sgivemostofthesquadsachancetoheadoffsitetovariousspecializedmissions,pittingthemagainsteitherasquadfromtheothercompanyordesignatedindigenousOPFOR.Smallvillageareas,aircraftgraveyards,and

amock“mosque”arejustafewofthelocalesavailable. OneofthestrongestaspectsofOperationPinePlainsisitsunparalleledorganizationandcommunicationonalllevels.ThechainofcommandissolidfromfireteamandsquadlevelallthewayuptoCO,withtheofficerpositionsfilledbymilitaryandformermilitarypersonnelwhotakeprideandhonorinleadingtheirteam.CompanymeetingsstartFridayevening,andinformationisgiventotheplayersrightupuntilmomentsbeforegametime.Communicationingameisoutstanding,withobjectives,enemyactions,andsquadmovementsconstantlybeingupdatedfortheentirecompany. For24hoursairsoftplayersgetatasteofwhatthemenandwomenfightingforourcountrygothroughonaneverydaybasis,andleavewithanewapprecia-tionforwhatdealwith,aswellasanewfoundunderstandingofwhattheplayerthemselvesarecapableof.Manyfirsttimeplayers,andevensomeveterans,showuponFridaypreparedtokickindoors,dumprounds,androcktheMOUTsite,onlytofindthemselveswalkingbacktocampinthemiddleofthenightbecausethey’retootiredandsoretodragon.

Theplayersthatdomakeitthroughtheentireeventareleftexhausted,frazzled,andinexplicablycravingmore.AnditisexactlythatexperiencethatbringsplayersbacktothegemofNortheastair-softtimeandtimeagain.IthasbeensaidforseveralyearsthattheNortheastplaysairsoftabitharder,takesitabitmoreseri-ously,thansomeotherpartsofthecountry. OperationPinePlainshasgrownfromthatenvironmentandexplodedontothenationalsceneasoneofthemostgrueling,yetrewarding,airsoftexperiencesinthecountry,andaneventthatnotruemilsimairsoftershouldmiss.sceneasoneofthemostgrueling,yetrewarding,airsoftexperiencesinthecountry,andaneventthatnotruemilsimairsoftershouldmiss.

Written by: Shaun “Jester” O’Neill

OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION:

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OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION: WhiletherearemanypeoplewhoputhardworkintomakesurethateachOP:PinePlainsrunssmoothly,therearetwomenattheheartofthisevent.MajorJohn“Blacksheep6”BucciarelliandTom“Cross-fire”O’RourkehaveputcountlesshoursintomakingthiseventoneofthemostsuccessfulinallofAmericanairsoft.Luckilyforus,theywereabletotakesometimeoutoftheirbusyscheduletoanswerafewquestionsforusaboutpast,current,andfutureevents.

QUESTION: Whatwasyourmotivationbe-hindputtingtogetheragamethemagnitudeofOP:PinePlains(OPP)?

CROSSFIRE: IenjoyputtingonaneventthatmovesthesportofairsoftclosertoMilSimbutatthesametimeisenjoyable,challengingandhelpsbuildthecamaraderie.OneofthebestpartsofgoingtoTolcomwasmeetingpeoplewithacommoninterest.Ihavedevelopedsomegreatfriendsovertheyears.Iwenttoseveralnationalleveleventsandhadagoodtime.IhadbotheredBlack-sheep6foracoupleofyearstotryandusehisexperiencebeinginthemilitarytotryandgetusontoabasetousetheMOUTsite.HefinallymadeprogressandwegotintoFortDrum.IthinkalotofplayerslovetheexperienceofplayingataMOUTfacilityandsincewehadthechancewewantedtoofferitupandgetplayersuptothenextlevel.Everyoneknowsthatthereisn’tawoodsgameorwarehouseoranythingelse

thatcomparestoaplayinginaMOUTCTF.

BLACKSHEEP6: Ittookacoupleofyearsformetobecomfortablewiththeleveloftacticalproficiencyoftheplayersandtheirabilitytohandleagameofthismagnitude.AstheirtacticalproficiencyincreasedsodidtheirdesireforMILSIM.OPPansweredthecall–it’sasclosetorealcombataswecanmakeit.ThoseplayersthatattendedOPPItooktheleapoffaithinwhatweweretryingtoachieveandperformedbeyondourexpec-tations–theyearnedthetitleofPathfinder.Withoutthemthisserieswouldhaveneverhappened.WhenyouseeaPathfinder,thankthem.

QUESTION: OPPIbecameofficialatadatewhenyouhadabout6weekstoregisterplayersandorganizethings.Wereyoueverworriedthattheeventwouldnevertrulygetofftheground?

CROSSFIRE: AtfirsttheUSArmygaveus2weeksnoticeandthenweaskedwhatwasthelatestdatewecouldhaveandthatpushedusbacktothe6weeks.Wewereneverworriedaboutpullingofftheeventfromtheorganizationside.Theonlyconcernwehadwasgettingplayerstocome.Weknewwehadtogiveplayersenoughtimetogetmoneyandtimeoff.Wetookasubstan-tiallossinordertoputonOPPI.IfinancedOPPIonmycreditcards.IknewiftheUSArmycouldseewhatwecoulddotheywouldallowustocomeback.Iputalotoffaithintheplayersthatcameandthatiswhywecallthem“Pathfinders”.IftheyscrewedupanddidnotshowMilSimAirsoftinapositivelighttotheUSArmyIwasgoingtobeintroublewithmywife.

BLACKSHEEP6: FortDrumthoroughlystaffedourrequesttoholdaneventontheirinstallation–ittooksixmonthstogetap-proval.WepulledoffOPPIwithsixweeksadvancenotice–itwasthefirstMILSIM/Airsoftmiracle–akintoavirginbirth.

Wewereblessedinmanyways.NovemberatFortDrumcanbemiserable–OPPIhadunseasonablywarmweather,itsnowedsixinchesontheMondayaftertheevent.IwillforeverbeinaweofthePathfinderswhomadethetriptoFortDrumonsuchshortnotice.

QUESTION: OPPIIwasahugesuccess,withtonsofplayerscomingfromallovertheUSandCanada.Whatwereyourthoughtsandfeelingsseeingsuchahugenumberofplayerslinedupinformationsforyourgame?CROSSFIRE: Itwasgreattoseetheposi-tiveresponsefromtheairsoftcommunity.

Wewentfrom90playerswhoshowedupforOPPIto330playersatOPPII.IhaverunlargeeventsbeforelikeBattleforTolland(BFT)seriesandatBFTIIwehadover350players.ThebestthingwastoseehoworganizedandmoreintoMilSimtheplayershavebecomeovertheyears.

BLACKSHEEP6: Itsendschillsupmyspine.Themostrewardingpartofthisgameistohearplayersstatethattheycanunderstandandappreciatewhatrealsoldiersdoeverydayoftheirdeploymentinarealcombatzone.


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QUESTION: WhatgoesthroughyourmindstandingthereSundayafternoon,seeinghowfewplayersactuallymakeitthroughthefulllengthofyourgame?

CROSSFIRE: Iwasalittlesurprisedbutnotshocked.Iactuallypredictedalargelossduringtheevent,IevenmentionedsomethingaboutitintheinterviewIdidwithJeffLoweronhisOPPIIDVDbeforetheOPPIIstarted.Wetriedtoletpeopleknowwhatthiseventwasaboutbutnoteveryonelistenedtoouradvice.Somepeopleneedtolearnontheirownforittosinkin.AswehavestatedwewillnotdumbdowntheOPPseries.Eachtimewemakeitalittleharder,andweexpectpeopletorisetothatlevel.Forthepeoplereturningtheyhavesome-thingtolookforwardto.Fornewplayerswetellthemtotakeadvicefrompeoplewhohavebeenthereandgetpreparedaheadoftime.Youdon’twalkintoOPPwithoutdoingsometypeoftrainingandprep.Thisatopleveleventandjustlikeanyothertoplevelsportyoudon’twalkonthefieldthedayofthegameandexpecttobeabletokeepupwithplayerswhohavetrained.

BLACKSHEEP6: It’smorethandisap-pointing–it’sdisheartening.YouaskedforMILSIMandwegiveittoyouinbuckets.OPPis21hoursofcontinuouscombatsimu-lation–nobreaks.Squadsmustplanforfeeding,hydration,rest,resupply,back-upweapons,batteries,ammunition,communi-cation,urination,defecationandmission

accomplishmentinacombatsituation.Attheendofthegameyougettogotoahotel,haveahotmealandabeer.Realsoldiersgetahot,dustycot,anMREandchlorinetaintedKool-Aid–andmostimportantlyhavetodoalloveragainthenextday.Prepare,trainandstaythecourseofthegame–it’sthebiggestteameffortyouwilleverpartici-patein.Totheplayer’scredit–OPPIIIhadalmost90%finishthegame.Ifyouwanttotestyourmettleagainstthebestplayersinthisgame–IchallengeyoutocometoOPP.

QUESTION: Eacheventhasevolvedfromthelast,addedaspectstothegamesuchasmortarteams,fragomissions,etc.WhatnewadditionsdowehavetolookforwardtoinOPPIV?Anythingyou’veremovedfromthegame?

CROSSFIRE: Allplayersandsquadswillgooutonatleast1FRAGOmissionduringOPPIV.Somewillgooutonmultiplemis-sions.Theyaregoingtobemoredifficultthaninthepast.Playerswilltestthemselvesandworkasateamtoaccomplishthesemissions.Thisisathinkingman’seventandtheFRAGOmissionswillrequirethatinordertoaccomplishthem. Idonotthinkmanyplayersun-derstandthesignificantchangeingoingtosemi-onlyinsidetheMOUT.Thisisgoingtochangethetacticsrequiredanditwillpushmoreattacksonbuildingsandinsidethebuildings.

WeareusingPlatoonLeaderswhoareformerorcurrentmilitary.ThiswillprovidemorecommandandcontrolandwearegoingtohavePLsinthefieldpushingandleadingtheirtroops.OnethingweheardfromtheOC’swastoooftentheairsoftplay-erswouldnotpushonanobjective.TheseSGT’saregoingtobeoutthereto“motivate”theirtroops.

BLACKSHEEP6: Ibelievethemostsig-nificantchangetothegameishowwestart.OPPIandOPPIIstartedeachcompanyout-sidetheMOUTCTFanditwasfootracetogaincontrolofbuildings.AtOPPIIICompa-nyCommandersdrewbuildingsoutofahatastheirstartingpositions.Eachcompanydrew10buildingnumbers,fromthesetheychosewheretopositionstheirsquadsforthestartofthegame.Observer/Controllersplacedeachsquadintheirstartingposition.Thiseliminatedthefootraceandmadeitathinkingman’stacticalgame–chesswithsquadsaspieces.

QUESTION: You’vemadetheswitchtoSemi-AutoonlyforstandardriflemanontheMOUTsite.Whatwasthereasonforthis?

CROSSFIRE: Multiplereasonsforthis 1.Getridoftheexcuseof“IforgottoswitchtosemiwhenIenteredthebuild-ing”EveryoneisalreadyonsemiandSAWgunnersneedabackuppistolorsomethingelsetobeabletouseinsidebuildings. 2.RequiresSquadstoworktogethermore.NeedmultipleplayerstoprovidecoveringfireinsteadofoneguywithanM4onfullauto.NeedtousetheSAWasitisdesigned,asaSquadsupportweapon.Requirespeopletothinkandnotjust“runandgun”or“sprayandpray” 3.PlayerscometoaMOUTsitetodoCQBandfightinsidebuildings.Havingsemi-onlywillallowpeopletoattackbuild-ingsandfightingwillmoveinside.Itwillbehardertostopanentiresquadrushingacrossastreetifthedefendersareonsemi,unlesstheypositiontheSAWcorrectly.


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OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION: PINE PLAINS IV - OPERATION: Butthatispartofthethinkingman’sgameandprobingtofindoutwherethedefend-ersdohavetheirSAWplaced.Onceyoudeterminethat,makeaplannottorunrightatit.OrhaveyourSAWgivecoverfireattheirSAW.

BLACKSHEEP6: Crossfirecoveredthisindetail.TheonlythingIhavetoofferisthatthisgameisabouttacticalproficiency;semi-autoforcesthetacticalplay.

QUESTION: AnyideasonthingsyoumaybeginimplementingmoreinfutureeventsafterOPPIV?

CROSSFIRE: Iliketoseehowthechangesgooveraftereachevent.WedoanAARourselvesandwealsoreadthefeedbackandAARtheplayersprovide.OurgoalrightnowistogetpeoplereadyforOPPIVandwedonotwanttolooktofaraheadorgiveawaytomuchinfoforfutureevents.

BLACKSHEEP6: Wetakeallsourcesoffeedbackseriouslyandimplementchangestomakethegamemorerealisticandmoreenjoyablewithinoursafetyandoperationalconstraints.Toshareasecret,it’stheplay-ersthatmakethegame–wejustcreateabattlefieldenvironmentforyoutofightin.Themoretacticallyproficienttheplayersbecome,thebetterthegamewillbeforallwhochoosetoparticipate.

QUESTION: IthadbeenhintedatthattherewasonlygoingtobeoneOPPthisyear.Istheretruthtothis?Perhapsanothereventtakingupinitsplaceinthefall?

CROSSFIRE: Thatisnotahint;therewillbeonly1OPPthisyear.WefeelthatweshouldonlyuseFortDrumonceayearforoneofourevents.

BLACKSHEEP6: Successfuleventsrequireplayersupport.Withcompetingevents,playersmakedecisionstoattend

oneeventoranother.Regardlessofhowgoodaneventmaybe,playersthink“I’veplayedthereoncethereforeIwanttogosomewhereelse.”

QUESTION: Therehasalsobeenwordthatyou’vetalkedabouttryingtosetupeventsatotherfacilitiesontheeastcoast.Canyoutellusanythingaboutthat?

CROSSFIRE: Weareindiscussionswithotherbasesaboutdoingeventsatanotherlocationbutwehavenotfinalizedanythingyet.

BLACKSHEEP6: Standby!

QUESTION: HastheOPPseriesreachedthehopesandexpectationsthatyoustartedoutwith?

CROSSFIRE: Certainaspectsoftheeventarebetterthanweoriginallythoughtandplanned.Otheraspectswearestilltryingtogetto.Wehavelearnedfromeacheventandtrytomakethenextonebetter.WerealizedafterOPPIIthatitisnotthenumberofplayerswhocomebutthequality.Iwouldratherhaveasmallernumberofdedicatedplayerslookingtoexperienceamilitarysimulationeventthanalargenumberlookingtojustgooutandshooteachother.BLACKSHEEP6: OPPhasexceededmyexpectationsinmanyways.TheonlythingthatIwanttoseeisallsquadsdothenecessarytrainingandpreparationtomakeitthroughtheentiregame.

QUESTION: Finally,atthispointhundredsofplayershavetakenpartinanOPP,andtheyallhavetheirownbitsofadviceforplayersabouttoattendforthefirsttime.WhatadvicecanyougivetoplayersthatarepreparingtomaketheirfirstOPPappear-ancethisMay?

CROSSFIRE: IthinkOPPIIprovidedalotofinformationforusaseventorganizersandplayerswhocame.ManypeoplethoughttheycouldhandleaTopLeveleventbe-causetheyaregoodattheirlocalfield. MSATOisabout“Training&Ops”,ifyoudonottrainandprepareforaneventlikethisyouwillnotdowellandyouwillnothaveagoodtime.TheOPPseriesisathinkingperson’sOp. SomeadviceIthinkservespeoplewellisthisisalongeventandmorethanthe21hoursofbattle.Manypeopleonlylookatthataspectofthis.Thiseventstartsat2100onFridaynightforSquadLeadersandabove.Everyoneelseshouldbecheckingtheirgearandgettingitready. Manythinkthisisanenduranceofwhocanstayupthelongest.Thisissome-thingthatpeopleneedtogetpast.Secureabuildingandrotatesleep/workwithanothersquad.Thisisaboutworkingtogethertoaccomplishyourmission.Squadsneedtosupporteachotherbetter.Have2squadsprovidecoveringfirewhile1squadattacksthebuildingacrossthestreet.Thenmoveforward.WorkonsquadcommunicationSaturdaymorningwhenwegivetheentireCompanytimetoworktogether.

BLACKSHEEP6: ListentotheadviceofPathfindersandVeteransofOPP!

Editors Note: At the time of publica-tion of this article, registration for OP: Pine Plains is underway and/or full. For more information please see:www.oppineplains.com

DESERT LOCUST GOGGLENSN 4240-01-547-6218 (FOLIAGE GREEN)

YOU CAN’T HITWHAT YOU CAN’T SEE

S A W F L Y • B U L L E T A N T • D E S E R T L O C U S T

P R O V E N B A L L I S T I C P R O T E C T I O N exceeds military requirement*

September 2006. Baghdad. Sudden sandstorm. Out of nowhere. But you’re ready. With Revision Eyewear. Ready for the worst conditions. Ready with the best performance. Ready to see what you want to hit. Ready to see what you don’t want to hit. Revision Desert Locust® Goggles. Flawless optics. The broadest unrestricted field-of-view. Unprecedented visual clarity. OcuMax™ fog-free ability. And kick-ass ballistic protection.

“Your goggles meet the mark for clear vision, no fog, and comfortable fit.” – D.N. U.S. Army Ranger

®

© REVISION EYEWEAR, 7 CORPORATE DRIVE, ESSEX JUNCTION VT 05452 USA. DESERT LOCUST®, SAWFLY®, BULLET ANT®, OCUMAX® REVISION® AND BE REVISION READY® ARE TRADEMARKS OF REVISION EYEWEAR.*0.22 cal iber, 17 grain, T37 shaped project i le measured at 747 fps in laboratory condit ions

REV799a DL_AD_New American Truth 8.5x11 X1a.pdf 1 30/03/10 1:34 PM

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS RevisionEyewearisoneoftheleadingeyeprotectionmanufacturersintheworld.Wehadreceivedthedeluxeversionandrightoutoftheboxyoucanseewherethewolfspidershowsit’sattentiontodetail.Thepackageincludedalargeneoprenecarrycase,wolfspidergogglewithtintedlensanddustcover/cleaningcloth,1clearlens,1amberyellowlens,1microfibercleaningcloth,asampleoftheirnewantifogwipe,andamanualonhowtoreplacethelenses.

Manufacturing

TheWolfSpiderlensesaremadeoutofapolymerthatexceedsmilitarybal-listicrequirementsMIL-DTL-43511D,100%UVA-B-CprotectionandalsoexceedsANSIZ87.1-2003+ratings.ItiscoatedwithRevi-sionsOcuMaxprocessthatprotectsagainstfogging,scratching,andchemicals. ThegoggleframeismadeoutofanimpactresistantABSpolymerwithaflexiblerubbermaterialwithfoamonthetoptoprotectfromdust/debris,andthebottompartisventedforaircirculation.Theflexiblematerialensuresafullsealaroundtheeyes.Alongwiththeframeisthe1inchelasticwoventwoslideradjustablestrapwhichbearstheRevisionEyewearlogo.Thestrapismoldedintotheframeformoredurabilitybutiseasilyremovedthroughthesideclips.ThewolfspiderisdesignedtobewornoverorunderballistichelmetsandisspecificallymadelowprofilesoitisnotcompatiblewithRevision’scurrentRXcarriersystem.

Field Testing SoawayIgoonaskirmisheventwiththeseintowandimmediatelyafterad-justingthestrapsIfeeladifferencefromanyothergogglesystemI’vetestedandused.Thelowprofiledesigndoesn’tinterferewiththewidefieldofview.Theysithighenoughtouseyourcheekweldandironsights/op-ticswithoutforcingthegoggletore-adjustitselfonyourface. Also,abilitytolookdownatyourgeareasierisreallyusefulforthosespeedyreloadsinanengagement.Andasalwayswedidourownimpacttestingwith.30gmetalbb’sat500fpsat10feet.Eachshotmadenodent,scratchormarkingonthelens.Whatwasleftwasaweirdresidue,notsureifitwasthequalityofthebbwewereusing,butitwaseasilywipedoffbyourfingers.

In Conclusion OveralltheREVISIONEYEWEARWOLFSPIDERgogglesystemistopnotch.Butwhatdoyouexpectfromahighqualitymanufacturer?Theballisticsstrengthisatadbitoverboardforairsoftusage,andboththedeluxeoressentialkitisabitpricey;butthefit,andoptionsarewhateveryairsoftershouldconsider.IwouldratherhavehighqualityformyeyeprotectionsinceIonlyhavetwoeyes.IamcurrentlywaitingtoknowiftheywillmakeanRXcarrierforthissystembutitisreally,reallylowprofileandIcan’tseehowmuchmoreroomyoucanspaceoutinsidetheframe. ManythankstoREVISIONEYE-WEAR-www.revisioneyewear.com,andLauraBurgessMarketing-www.laurabur-gessmarketing.comforsendingusthispairtotestandreview!

Foggingwasnonexistentevenwithmyhaton.AlthoughIhaveyettousethemincolderweatherwithmyshemagh.Ifinthecaseoffogging,there-usableantifogwipeistheretotakecareofthatissue.(Thatproductislistedonouraccessoriesportionofthemagazinesocheckthatoutalso!)

DATA SHEET

GEAR RATING(From 1 to 5 gears)

Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:

Average Rating: 4 Gears (out of 5)

Manufacturer: REVISION EYEWEARM.S.R.P: DELUX KIT - 179.99 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - WOLFSPIDER GOGGLES 1 - Clear Lens 1 - Amber Lens 1 - Carry Case 1 - Cleaning Cloth

WOLFSPIDER GOGGLES

CHAIRSOFT

MAGAZINE

EDITORS

PICK

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Stock image shown here with Glock™series weapon.

TheSERPAseriesholserfromBLACKHAWK®ProductsGrouphasquicklybecomeoneofthemostusedholstersnotonlyintheairsoftworldbuttherealsteelworldaswell.Combin-ingbothhighqualitymaterialswithapracticaldesign,BLACKHAWKcouldonlyimprovetheSERPAwithit’snewLEVEL3offering.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

WewerequiteexcitedtoseethisatShotShow2010intheBLACK-HAWKareaandquicklyaskedifwecouldreviewitforourreadership.ForthosenotfamiliarwiththeSERPAlineoftacticalholsters,theSERPAismadeoutofahighqualitycarbonfiber/poly-mermaterialmoldedoverforanicefitofthemostpopularpistolsonthemarket.ThepreviousversionsoftheSERPAusedatriggerbasedretentionsystemtokeeptheholsteredgunfromslippingorfallingoutoftheholster. Thenewlevel3serpanowaddsapushbuttonthumbbreaksystemtoaddmorestabilityandsafetymakingatopnotchholsterevenbetter.

Sincewewereofferingthelatestholsterforthisreviewwewantedoneofthebestairsoftmanufacturersonthemarketforourfieldtesting.Wefeltitnecessarytoseehowwellthe“fit”waswithdifferentmanufacturersWehadused3typesofP226’sforthisfieldtest.AKWAm226PTP,TokyoMaruiP226,andaSIGSAUERAirsoftP226. BLACKHAWKhasavarietyofplatformssuchasthedropleg,paddle,belt,andtheambidextrousmolleplat-form.Allfitquitenicelywiththelevel3mountedonit. PISTOL FIT: WehadnoissueswiththeTMorKWA226’sbutwiththeSigSauer,theslidewasabittightwhichcausedittopushtheslidebackward,hinderingthelockingofthethumbbreak.Asmallamountofpushontheslidewasneededtoplaceitintotheholster.Oncethetriggerandthumbretentionsnappedintoplacetherewashardlyanywobblelefttorightortoptobottom. Removingthepistolwasabreezeasitusesthenaturalhandplacementsofthepistolwhendraw-ingitout.Usingboththepushbuttonthumbbreakandthepointerfingereachofthe226’sslidoutquickly.Re-holsteringisjustaquickslideinandmanuallyresettingthethumbbreaktolockit. Throughoutadayofskirmish-ingtherewerenoissuesofthepistolfallingoutorthethumbbreakbeingaccidentallypushedbymygearorbangingupagainstmythigh.

ForourreviewwehadrequestedaP226versionSERPAwiththeXIPHOSNTWeaponLight. TheXIPHOSNTlightismadefromthesamehighqualitycarbonfiber/polymermaterialandiswaterproofupto10meters.Ithasaneasyno-toolbatteryinstallationwithjustapushandtwistlocksys-tem.Mountingitonapistolisalsojustaflipup,attachandlockintoplacemechanism.Thefullyenclosedanti-reflectivecoatedglasslenseensuresmaximumlightoutput.

FIELD TESTING

- BLACKHAWK LEVEL 3 SERPA with XIPHOS NT WEAPON MOUNTED LIGHT REVIEW -

15

- BLACKHAWK LEVEL 3 SERPA with XIPHOS NT WEAPON MOUNTED LIGHT REVIEW -

TECHNICALDATA

Output : 90 Lumens

Power: 1 - 3v CR123A Lithium Battery

Life: 2+ hours battery life

Effective range: 25 to 30m

Weight: 2.6oz w/ battery

Dimensions: 3.1”L x 1.1”W x 1.4”H

Iwasn’treallyabigfanoflegrigsuntilIusedthisone.Mostsinglepointbeltattachmentlegrigstendtoswayandmovearoundwhilerunning,butwiththedoublepointattachementofthisdropleg,itkeptitinplaceatalltimes. AtourindoortestingfortheXIPHOSlight,it’soperationcouldn’tbeeasier.Anextendedpushswitchonthetriggerfingersideofthelightallowedmetoutilizeallthreefunctions;momentary,constanton,andstrobe.Thislightisquitebrightinlowlightsituationsandhasagoodnarrowbeamfocus.Itgavemeopportunitiestoflashmyopponentsgivingmethosefewsecondstopullthetriggerastheyreactedtothelight.

Allinall,thereisn’tmuchmorethatyoucandotoanalreadysolidplatformsuchastheBLACKHAWKLEVEL3SERPA,unlesstheycancomeupwithanautothumbbreakreset.Otherthanthat,thereisnoreasonwhyanyoneshouldn’tprotecttheirairsoftinvestmentbygettingthisproductiftheydonothaveaholsteralready.MorethanonceI’vebeenataneventwhereattheendofthedayIhearthatsome-onedroppedorevenlosttheirpistolfromtheirholster. RegardingtheXIPHOSNT,thepricemaybeabithighforjustairsoftevents,butitalsoallowscrossplatformforrealsteelusagealso.ThislightisidealforMOUTCQBeventsasitisaperfectpartnerfortheSERPAplatform.TheonlycomplaintIfindisthatitdoesn’thaveanadaptorforapressureswitch,andhopefullythatwillcomeatalaterdate. ManythankstoLauraBurgessMarket-ingandBlackhawkfortheSERPAandXIPHOSlight.Also,NorthJerseyAirsoftfortheKWAm226.WWW.NORTHJERSEYAIRSOFT.COM.

IN CONCLUSION

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:


Manufacturer:BLACKHAWKM.S.R.P: 152.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - Level 3 SERPA 1 - SERPA DROPLEG PLATFORM

LEVEL 3 SERPA Light BEAring TACTICALDROP LEG HOLSTER

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:


Manufacturer: BLACKHAWKM.S.R.P: 159.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 -XIPHOS LIGHT 1 - 3v CR123A Battery

XIPHOS NT

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We understand your job demands precision, control and confidence. That is why we created the BLACKHAWK!® Spec Ops stock utilizing our patented Knoxx technology. This performance upgrade will reduce felt recoil by 85%, provide faster target re-acquisition times and minimizing muzzle rise. Precision. Confidence. Control. BLACKHAWK! To see the Spec Ops stock in action check your local retailer or visit us on line at www.blackhawk.com

PROTECT & SERVE

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|800.694.5263 BLACKHAWK.com

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We understand your job demands precision, control and confidence. That is why we created the BLACKHAWK!® Spec Ops stock utilizing our patented Knoxx technology. This performance upgrade will reduce felt recoil by 85%, provide faster target re-acquisition times and minimizing muzzle rise. Precision. Confidence. Control. BLACKHAWK! To see the Spec Ops stock in action check your local retailer or visit us on line at www.blackhawk.com

PROTECT & SERVE

AXIOM RIFLE STOCK

|800.694.5263 BLACKHAWK.com

®

KNEE PRO ULTRA FLEX III TACTICAL REVIEW

ATShotShow2010wehadmetthepresidentofKPINDUSTRIESChuckKnoxdemonstratingtheirnewproductforkneeprotection.Comingfromaprovendesigninthebuilding/carpentryfield,KPIndustriesredesignedtheirpopularkneeprotectiontodeveloptheKNEEPROULTRAFLEXIIITACTICAL.

Thefirstthingyounoticewhenyouopenupthemeshbagforthesekneepadsishowlargetheyreallyare.Theyaredesignedtocoverthewholekneealongwiththelowerquad,andupperportionoftheshin.Therereallyisn’tmuchelsetothemeshbagpackagingalthoughKPIndustriesincludesasparelockingbucklesodon’tthrowthataway! TheshellmadeupofatwopiecechemicalresistantABSrubberizedmate-rialwhichalsowithstandsextremecoldandheat.Theyareattachedtogetherbytwometalhingesoneoneachsidetomovelikeyourknee. Onthetopandbottomcornersofthekneepadaresoftelasticwovenstrapswithaninsert“speedclip”bucklesystemwhichslidesintoplaceontheopposingopenholes.Thisdesignallowesforeasyadjust-mentofthestrapsandfasteron/offplace-ments.Themostnoticableaccessoryoftheouterkneepadisthenon-markinggripstripwhichhelpswiththeimpactresistance.Thisgripstriphasembossedonthefront“KNEE-PROIII”andastarforlogoplacement.Insidethekneepadisthe1/2inchclosedinnerfoampad.

Atfirstwhenplacingthekneepadsonthekneeitseemsabitbulky,butafterIgotadjustedtothewaythekneepadsoper-ateIcanseewheretherearefullbenefitsofthissystem.Also,initiallytherewasalotofpinchingontheupperpartofthekneepadonmyquadbutthatwaseasilyrectifiedbyformingtheABSabitoutwardtohavemorespace.Settingthestrapsandslideingthemintothelockisreallyeasyandvoila!Iwasreadytogointothefieldtodosomestresstesting. NomatterhowIranorjumpedthestrapsoftheKNEEPROIIIkeptthesysteminplace.Furthermorethefoaminsidemadeitverycomfortabletowear.Theimpactfoamabsorbedallpainfromkneelingonrocks,trees,andcurbcorners.SoI’minclinedtogivethiskneepadsystemhighmarksonthefieldtesting,althoughIadmititdoestakesomeadjustmenttothesizeofthesystem.Afterthetestingwewantedtoseeifthecolormatchwasappropriatewiththecurrentcamodesignsoftoday. TheKNEEPROIIIcomesinthreecolors,black*(theonesweusedfortestingpurposes),Green,andTan.Theblackisbasicsowewon’tbetalkingaboutthat,butthegreenandtanwerematchedupwithdif-ferentcamo’stoseehowwelltheymatched.

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:

Average Rating: 3 1/2 Gears (out of 5)

Manufacturer: KP INDUSTRIESM.S.R.P: 25.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - KP TACTICAL KNEE PADS

KNEE PRO ULTRA FLEX III

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Itwon’tabsorbmoistureandcoversthelowerpartofthesystemcompletelygivingmaximumcoverageonallsidesoftheknee.

FIELD TESTING

Thekneepadgreenisalightgreen,tocompare,itlookslikeawellfadedOliveDrab,butsinceitwassolightitdidn’tmatchupwiththedarkerwoodland,MARPAT,OD,andTigerStripethatwehadonhand,wealsomatcheditonmulti-camjustforkickswhichwasalsotoolightforthatpatternalso.Allcolormatchingwasdoneindirectsunlighttousethetruecolorsofboththecamoandthekneepads.TheTanisalightsandtanwhichcomparestothelightesttancolorontri-colorandchocolatechip.ThetanworkedbestwiththeDIGIDesertandthetri-colorcamosweusedindirectsunlight.Itlookedtoolightonthemulti-campattern.

IN CONCLUSION IfyouaretiredofyourkneepadsystemalwaysslippingtoyouranklesthentheULTRAFLEXIIIisforyou.TheonlyrealproblemthatIcanseeisjustthecolormatching,butformeit’sallaboutfunctionoverform.Iwouldreccomendthisproducttoanyone.ManythankstoKPIndustriesforsendingthesetousforreview!

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Revision Eyewear Anti-Fog ClothCost: 12.99 for a set of 3Purchased at: www.revisioneyewear.com

Theseclothswerechoseninsteadofspraysduetotheeaseofusingaclothinsteadofaspraybottlewhichmaybreakinactivemovement.Eachclothcanbereusedupto25applicationsandisessentialtothosewhodonothaveafansystemfortheirfullsealgoggles.

BLACKHAWK SERPA QUICK DISCONNECT KITCost: 41.99 *(2 female 1 male adaptors)Purchased at: www.blackhawk.com

Thissetisessentialforthoseofuswhohavemultipleplatformsforourserpaholsters.Weincludedthispieceofkitforit’sversatilityfornotonlyswitchingthroughmultipleserpaplatformsbuttheabilitytousetheholsteratdifferentangleswithaslidelockapplication.

GREEN GAS CANISTERCost: 7.95 - 10.00 per bottlePurchased at:Any online airsoft retailer

Weincludedgreengasjustforthesimplefactthatyoushouldcarrysomeduringlongoperations.Thechoiceovergreengasvspropaneisuptotheindividualuserbutwepickedthesmallersizedgreengasbottleasaspacesaverinyourkit.Notonlyisthecansmaller,butthereisn’tanadditionaladaptortocarryaroundeither.

COMBAT EXTRAS - COMBAT EXTRAS - COMBAT EXTRAS - COMBAT EXTRAS - COMBAT EXTRAS - COM-

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COMBAT EXTRAS - COMBAT EXTRAS - COMBAT EXTRAS - COMBAT EXTRAS - COMBAT EXTRAS - COM-

CLIF ENERGY NUTRITION BARSCost: 1.99 Purchased at: any local food store

Foodandwaterisessentialforafulldayofairsoft.WereccomendClifenergynutritionbarsbecauseofit’sgoodtasteandorganicingredients.Theycomeinavarietyofflavorswhichisabigbonus.Don’tforgetyourhydrationalso!

M4 STYLE 450 ROUND BB LOADER Cost: 15.00 - 17.00Purchased at: Any airsoft retailer

Wesuggestleavingthe90roundclickloadersandpickupafewoftheseduetotheincreasedcapacityandtheabilitytostoreinstandardm4pouches.

G&G Goggle FanCost: 25.00 - 30.00Purchased at:Any online airsoft retailer

Shouldyounothaveyourownfangogglesys-temwehighlyreccomendtheG&Ggogglefanattach-mentforyourfullsealgoggles.Ifyouarehandywithmodifyingthingsthisisthefull“attachandgo”systemwithfan,batteryhousing,andbatteries.Installationisprettystraightforwardonceyoufigureoutwheretheywillfit.

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Airsoft Innovations Tornado GrenadeCost: 99.99 Purchased at: any online airsoft retailer

WereccomendtheAirsoftInnovationsTornadogrenadeevenattheseeminglyhighpricetag,thereusabilityfactorevensoutthepricetag.Nowwiththeintroductionofthespoonkit,sounddistractionkitandtheimpactgrenadewesuggestthisasaviablealternativeweaponforroomclearing.

G&G Biodegradable BB’sCost: 20.00 - 25.00 weight depdendant Purchased at: Any airsoft retailer

We’vefoundforpriceandamountperbag,G&Gbiode-gradablebb’sareatopchoiceformanyplayers.

Mechanix GlovesCost: 19.00 - 40.00Purchased at: www.mechanixwear.com

Handprotectionisessentialplayinginaurbanfacility,closequarterhitswillhappenandextraprotec-tiononyourhandswhenhandelingwindows,cementblocksandfurnitureisreccomended.

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KWA’s m226 REVIEW - KWA’s m226 REVIEW - KWA’s m226 REVIEW - KWA’s m226 REVIEW

Althoughthisisn’tanewofferingfromKWA,Iama

big226fansoIaskedourfriendsatwww.northjerseyairsoft.comtoseeif

wecouldreviewoneforthemagazine. AccordingtoKWAthem226PTP*(ProfessionalTrainingPistol)isn’tapartoftheenduserpubliclineofairsoftpistolsbecauseit’sdesignatedonlyforlawenforcementandmilitarytrainingweaponry,notreallyhowstrictthatruleisthough.Forthoseofuswhocanorderonefromaretailerconsideryourselfluckysincethismaybealimitedrunforthispistol.

Externals

Thefirstthingyounoticewhenopeningtheboxandpickingupthem226istheweight.Withafullmetalslide,andmetallowerreceiver,them226weighsabout2lbswithmagazineinserted.KWApridesitselfontherealweightand1:1ratiointheirprofessionaltrainingpistolsandthisisnodifferent.Theabspolymergripistexturedformaximumgrip. TradesincludetheKWAlogoandm226PTPononesideoftheslidewithProfessionalTrainingPistolontheoppositeside.

OntheframeistheserialnumberandthedesignationofUS.ThefinishisamatteblackandIdidnotfindanyflawsintheprocessingofthefinish.Theouterbarrelismadeoutofabspolymerthatallowstheslidetomovebackandforthwithlessfriction.Toroundouttherestoftheexter-nalsthestandardtacticalrailismilspecforalllightandlaseraccessories.

INTERNALS

Them226hasthepatentedNS2system.“TheNS2internalgasdeliverysystemisaKWApatenteddesignthatutilizesanadvancedlightweightcompos-itegaspistonwithatwo-stageinternalexpansionchamberthatdeliversthegasmoreefficientlythanthatofitspredeces-sors.TheNS2designalsoincreasestheweaponcyclerateandprovidesforacrisp,realisticblowbackaction.Otherpartsofthepistolhasalsobeenimprovedandupdatedalongwithanewmagazinethatismilledfromasolidalloybillet.Thisnewconstructionstrengthensthemaga-zine’sstructuralrigidityandincreasespressurecarryingcapacity.”(Takenfromwww.kwausa.com)

KWAnotonlyredesignedthevalvesystembutalsousetheirkeyturnhop-upsystemwhichisaccessedbypulingbacktheslidewithoutthemaginserted.Utilizingthissystemprovidesaneaseofadjustingthehopupwithoutthetraditionalremovaloftheslidetoaccessthehopupdial.Providedthatyoudon’tlosethekeyforthehopup.Themaga-zineholds25roundsdoublestackedandhasabbfollowerwithahighflowvalve.

FIELD TESTING Performance:Here’swhereKWAabsolutelyexcelswiththeirguns.KWApistolsarenotintendedtobecollectors’items,theyareforsomeonewhoisgoingtoputtheirpistolthroughabeatingandstillexpectittokeepperforming. Chrono:ThefirstperformancetestIdidwaschronographing.ForevenresultsIfilledthemagtomaximumca-pacityandthenputitinmypocketfor30minutestogetthetemperatureequalized.Theammousedwas.25gandIwaited5secondsbetweenshots.Them226NS2averagedanotably327fpswiththe.25g. Accuracy:NextItookthegundowntothebasementforsomeaccuracy

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KWA’s m226 REVIEW - KWA’s m226 REVIEW - KWA’s m226 REVIEW - KWA’s m226 REVIEW

KWA m226 FEATURES:KWA TRADEMARKSNS2 Gas Blowback SystemMetal Slide and Frame

TACTICAL RAIL

SLIDE PIN

Rear Sight

Thumb hammer drop lever

Textured Grip

MAGAZINE RELEASE

SLIDE RELEASE

FRONT SIGHT

IN Conclusion

Handsdownthisisoneofthenicest226airsoftpistolsI’veheldandshotwith.NotonlypairedwithhighmanufacturingexternalsbuttheNS2sys-temmakesthisasuregearreplacementinmyaresenal.Again,forthoseofyouwhocanluckilybuyoneitiswellworththehigherprice.ManythankstoWWW.NORTHJERSEYAIRSOFT.COMfordonatingthisitemforourreview!

testingusingthe25ftrangeIhavesetup.Thetargetwasan8½x11pagewithatargetcarefullydrawnonitusingaruler.Shootingthefull25roundsintothetargetcreateda31/2inchgroupingatthefarthestbbshots. RecoilandSpeed:Forastockpistol,them226NS2producesprettydecentrecoil.Alsothem226NS2hasaquitesnappyslideaction.TheNS2gassystemismuchmoreefficientthantheoldgassystemandthereforecanproducehighervelocityandstillmanagemuchmorepistonforceduringblowback. Cool-Down/GasEfficiency:Whenfiringoneroundevery2secondsthem226NS2managesonefull25roundmagwithslidelockafterward.Itwillthenfireanother20roundsatfullpowerandthenitdropsoffsuddenlyandcan’tevencyclethe25throundintothechamber.Basicallythegunisonlypracticalforonemagofshootingpergasfill.

DATA SHEET


Externals:

Internals:

Field Testing:

Value:


Manufacturer: KWAM.S.R.P: 170.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - m226 1 - 25 RD Mag 1 - Hop Up Key 1 - Oil / Test bb’s

KWA m226 PTP

ALTERNATIVE WEAPONRY - ALTERNATIVE WEAPONRY :- ALTERNA-

25

ALTERNATIVE WEAPONRY - ALTERNATIVE WEAPONRY :- ALTERNA-CYMA M18A1 Airsoft CLAYMORE

Review by: Chairsoft Staff Editor - Pictures by Johnathan Valle Nothingismorefulfillingthanwatchingafullsquadpatrolintoaboobytrapeliminatingoneorifnotallofthemsendingthembacktore-spawntogrumbleandcomplainabouthowtheyallgotdooped.Intheairsoftworldnotmanymanufacturersmakealterna-tiveweaponssuchasgrenadesandclaymoressowewerehappytoreceivetheCYMAm18a1claymoretotryitout.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

WhenwefirstgotthisweweresurprizedatthesimplicityindesignoftheCYMAm18a1claymore.Theoutershellismadeofapolymerplasticwiththemetalsteelpostsonthebottom.Onthetopisthesteelremovableactivatingplateandthetripwireclasp.Onthefrontisthe“FRONTTOWARDENEMY”embossmentandthefillholeforthebb’s. Internallythemechanismisbasedonaredclothattachedtotwospringactivatedpoststhattightensuptheclothpropellingthebb’sforwardandoutoftheclaymore.Thespringsarehightensionandalthoughitwasdifficulttoresettheclaymore,wetookitasagoodsignformaximumrangeexpulsion. TheremoteisyourbasiccarlookingremotewithaslidecoverfordustandtoprohibitaccidentalpushingofthefourbuttonsmarkedA,B,C,D.Thesebuttonsallowtheusertoconnectand“detonate”upto3otherclaymores.Theremotealsohasatwoinchretractibleantennaeformaximumrange.

FIELD TESTING

Operatingtheclaymoreisprettystraightforward.InsidetheclaymoreisaswitchtousetheremotecontrolYoucanloaditwithbbsoracombinationofbb’sandbaby/talcpowder.Iwouldnotreccomendanyonetryingtoloadthecloththencompressthespringsduetothehighpossibilityofitactivatingandsprayingyourselfintheprocess.So,withthatsaid,weusedthefillholeanditheld122bb’sexactly. Forourrangetestingwehadsetuprangepolesmeasuredoutin10footincrementsupto100feet.Weunfoldedthesteeladjustableposts,removedthesafetypinandstoodback.Muchtooursurprise,whendetonated,theclaymorehadsurpassedourguestimatedrangeof60feetandagood15bb’slaunchedfarenoughtograzethe100foottarget. Whatwedidnoticethoughisthatthebb’sdonotsprayina180degree

radius,mostifnotalljustlaunchfor-ward.Maximumrangefortheremotewasat200ftwithdirectlineofsight.

IN Conclusion

WithoutadoubttheCYMAm18a1claymoredoeswhatitsays.Isitpracticalforfielduse?Itcouldbe,whentakingthecaretosetupandplacecorrectly.Atthepriceitseemsonlyafewwilltakefulladvantageofthisalternativeweapon.Ifyouaretheairsofterthatisintothistypeofkitthenthisistherightoneforyou. Thereareafewmanufacturingimprovementsthatwewouldhavelikedtoseesuchasreinforcedjointsonthefoldingposts,andmoreofalargersprayradiusbutagainoverallweweresatisifiedwithit’sperformance.ManythankstoourmediapartnerAirsplat.comforlettingusreviewtheCYMAm18a1claymore.FormoreinfopleasegotoWWW.AIRSPLAT.COM.

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:


Manufacturer: CYMAM.S.R.P: 99.99 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - m18a1 CLAYMORE 1 - Remote

CYMA M18A1 Claymore

26

FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEARCOMBAT SUSPENDERS

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Lotsofplayerswillgooutandspendhundreds,ifnotthousands,ofdollarsontheirgear,weapons,andBB’s.Allofwhichbecomeuselesswhenyou’rebusyholdingyourgearuporfaceplant-ingbecauseyoucan’tkeepyourpantsfromfallingdown.Entertheworldofsuspenders.Forourfirstline,wedecidedtogowiththeSPEC-OPSCombatSus-penders.

Letmestartbysayingthatthesearesuspenders,andsuspendershavebeenaroundforhundredsofyears.We’renottryingtoreinventthewheelhere.Whiletherearedozensofdifferent

stylesandbrandsoutthere,thenameofthegameisfindingacomfortablewaytoholdupyourfirstlineoryourtrousers.OneofthereasonswewentwiththeSPEC-OPSCombatSuspendersisthatthey’redesignedtoworkwitheitheryourgearoryourpants,andanytimeyoucangetonepieceofequipmentthatcandotwojobsisalwaysanicebonus.Initialobservation,andsomethingthatseemstoholdtruethroughallofSPEC-OPSequipment,isthequalityofmateri-alstheyuse.Forthesesuspenders,they’vecreatedwhattheycallDura-lastic,whichiswhatyougetwhenCorduraandrubberhavealovechild.Itfeelsextreme-lystronganddurable,buthasenough

elasticitytoallowmobilityandalittlebitofleeway.Thebuckleslocktogethernicelyandseemtobemadeoutofsolidplastic,butwesomehowmanagedtocrackoneduringsomelessthanhardcoretest-ing.Luckily,allisnotlostthankstoSPEC-OPSoutstanding“UniqueLifetimeGuar-antee.”SPEC-OPSdoesanexcellentjobofstandingbehindtheirproduct.Astakendirectlyfromtheirsite:“Simplyput,ifit’sourfault(materialsand/orworkmanship),we’llrepairorreplaceit-anytime,anywhere.Ifit’syourfault(yousurvivedandyourgeardidn’t),we’llfixitASAPanddependingonhowgoodyourstoryis,we’llmostlikelydoitforfree.

Enoughsaid.Spec.-Ops.®GreatGearMadeinaGreatCountry-theU.S.A.!”AsstandardwithSPEC-OPSgear,theymakeapointofcreatingfullyadjustablegearforallshapesandsizes.

clippingtothefrontandbackofyourbeltliketraditionalsuspenders,havingthemattachonthesidesallowsformuchmorecomfortablemobility.Betweenthestrongelasticityofthematerialandthisdesign,theslackcreatedbybendingforwardsorleaningbackthatcausesyourgeartoslidearoundisnearlynonexistent.Whilethebrokenbucklewasabitdisheartening,thenatureofthebreakleavesmewillingtobelieveitmayhavejustbeenaflukeofabadbuckle,asSPEC-OPSpridesthemselvesonqual-itycontrol.Ittookalittlebitandsomeconfusiontogetthemproperlyadjusted,butoncecorrectandworninabitthesuspenderswerequitecomfortablewhile

doinganexcellentjobofkeepingevery-thingsnugandsecure.

Afewminutesofadjustments,andpossiblygettingtiedupinitonceortwice,everythingwasproperlysizedandcomfortable.Thelowprofiledesignisperfectforgoingunderneathmostchestrigswithoutbunchingorcausingdiscomfort.Thearoundtheshouldersandacrossthebackdesigntookabitofgettingusedto,butafteralittlewhileitisbarelynoticeable.

FIELD TESTING

OveralltheSPEC-OPSCombatSuspendersweredefinitelyanicepickup,andwhilesuspenderswillneverbethemostglamorouspieceofyourloadout,theycanbeaveryhelpfulpieceofequipmenttohave.

IN CONCLUSION

Reviews by Shaun O’Neil - Outdoor Pictures by: Jonathan Valle

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FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEARbattle beltReviews by Shaun O’Neil - Outdoor Pictures by: Jonathan Valle

Whilebuildingyourloadoutforanybiggame,oneofthekeycompo-nentsisthefirstline.Abeltsystemthatcantakeonsomeoftheloadofyournec-essaryequipment,whilebeingcomfort-ableandallowformobilitycanmakeyouamoreefficientplayeronthefieldandputlessstressontheplayer’sbody.Forourfirstlinebelt,wedecidedtogowithSPEC-OPSPaddedModularUtilityBelt.

Uponinitialinspection,thefirstthingyounoticeisthebuildquality.Allofthematerialsaresolid.Thebeltitselfisabeast,triplestitchedforstrengthaswellasstitchedandsingedattheendstopreventanytypeoffray.TheSPEC-OPSCOP-LOKreleasebucklehasacentercatchtoallowquickonandoff,butavertsanypotentialac-cidentalunlocking.Theplasticbucklesareoneofthecompo-nentsthatareoftenweakongear,butthisisabsolutelynotthecaseonthisbelt.Pressur-ingthebuckleeverywhichwayshortoftakingahammertoit,itbarelyevenflexesmuchlessshowanysignofbreaking.Thepaddingisdoneintwolargepiecesthatfloatonthebelt,buthaveenoughfrictiontokeeptheminplacewhileitis

Thiswasdonetomakethebeltadjust-able,andunlikeothergearthatclaimstobe“onesizefitsall”thiswilltrulyworkformostanyone.SPEC-OPSclaimsitisadjustablefrom26”-46”andtheydelivernicely.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Wehadpeopleofvariousshapesandsizestryiton,andeveryonewasabletoadjustittotheirsizewithease.Thedesignmakesthebeltmuchlessrigidthanmostandallowsthebelttomovefluidlywiththebodyandisalargepartofwhatmakesthisbeltsocomfort-able.PersonallyIamalargeproponentofsuspenders.Inmyexperiencetheyalleviatemostofthediscomfortandmobilityissuesthatcanbecausedby

FIELD TESTING

afirstline.Thatbeingsaid,Iwouldgladlyrunthisbeltwithoutsuspendersbecauseofthewayitfitssnugtothehipswhilethepaddingdoesanexcellentjobofcushion-ingtheweight. TheoutsideofthepadsarestitchedwithSPEC-OPSGRID-LOKloops,whichareMOLLEcompatible.Andbycompatible,Imeanthey’rebasicallyMOLLE.Itdoesseemliketheirloopsareslightlywiderthannormal,whichIdidn’tthinkmuchofuntilIstartedweavingpoucheson.Thelittlebitofextraspacemakesproperlyweavingpouchesabreeze,withoutsacrificingmuch,ifany,stabilityofthepouch.Thestitchingiswelldone,yankingandtwistingthepoucheswithsomeforcehadnoimpact.

Allinallitisaveryimpressivebelt,SPEC-OPShasdoneanexcel-lentjobofcombiningqualitymaterialswithaverycomfortabledesign.Assomeonewhohasburnedthroughafewofthesekindsofbeltsinthepast,I’mexcitedtoseehowitholdsuptotherigorsofmonthsandhopefullyyearsofplay.

IN CONCLUSION

28

VAPOR HOLSTER

Everyairsoftplayerhashadithappen.You’reoutinthefield,you’vebeenworkingtowardstheobjectiveforhoursandit’sledyoutoaviciousfirefight.You’vegottheenemyinyoursights.Yousqueezethetriggerand…nothing.Thegunhasmalfunctioned,thebatteryhasgonedead,youarecompletelyoutofammo.Insertrandomweaponfailurehere.Inthatmomentyoucanstandtheirslackjawedwhiletheenemynoticesyouandputssomeroundsintoyou,oryoucanpullyoursidearm,wastetheguy,andmoveon.Butthelatterisonlyanoptionifyouhaveaneasilyaccessible,reliablesidearmonyourloadout. Thisiswhereyourchoiceinholstercomesintoplay.Itmayseemsimple,aslongasyoursidearmfitsintheholsteryou’regoodtogo,right?Wrong,findingtheholstertofityourweaponisjustthebeginning.Youneedtomakesurethatitisnotonlysafeandsecuresothatyoudonotlosethepistolinthefield,butthatatthesametimeitiseasytoremove.Ifyou’repullingyoursidearm,chancesareyouneeditrightnow,notafteryou’vewastedprecioussecondsfumblingwithbuttonsandsnapsandVelcro.Youalsoneedtofindaholsterthatiscom-fortabletowearforhoursonend,butsitsinapositionthatiseasyandfluidtopullfrom.Somethingtellsmethat$10beltholsterfrom

TheholsterisprimarilymadeofCordura,withakydexplasticinsertshapedtothepistolattachedinside.Likeallof

SPEC-OPSgear,thestrapsarebeefyandwellstitched.Themajorstressspotsareatleastdoublestitchedandinsomecasesevenquadruplestitched.Thebucklesaresolidandthesnapsarewellriveted.ThebandthatbucklesinaroundthelegismadeoftheirDura-Lasticmaterial,amixof

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Corduraandrubber,andholdssnugaroundthelegwithoutpullingtootighttobeuncom-fortable.Whilethatmayseemtrivial,continu-ingbloodflowtoyourlowerlegtendstohelptherunningprocess.

ThestrapstomounttheholstertoyourbeltarefullyVelcro’dtomaketheheightveryadjustable.Regardlessoftheplayer’sheight,findingacomfort-ableplacementthatiseasytopullfromshouldnotbeanissue.Thestrapswouldeasilyworkwithapistolbelt,buttheyseemtomeasurejustslightlywiderthantheloopsofstandardMOLLE,whichwasdisappointing.ItdoesseemtoworkwithotherSPEC-OPSgear,astheyusetheirGRID-LOKloopsystem,whichiscom-patiblewithMOLLEpouches,wheretheloopsrunalittlebitwiderthanstandardMOLLE.Thestrapsalsohaveasnapsystemtokeepitlockedintoplacewhichisnice,butalsopreventsoneofthesuspensionfrombeingMOLLEorevenGRID-LOKcompatible.WeuseditwiththeSPEC-OPSPaddedModularUtilityBelt(asreviewedinthisissue)withone

strapweavedthroughandtheotherloopedoverthetopofthebelt,anditheldsecure. ThefrontsideoftheholsteriscoveredintheirGRID-LOKloopsforattach-mentofMOLLEcompatiblepouches.Anicebonus,thoughIwouldnotsuggestattaching

FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR

29

Thoughitlookshuge,theVAPORisactuallyverystreamlinedandoncebrokeninkeepsaverylowprofile.Whereasmanydroplegshaveatendencytogetcaughtonthingslikebrush,tallgrass,theedgeofasmallerthancomfortablepathinabuilding,theVAPORdoesanexcellentjobofavoidingsuchthings. TheGRID-LOKisusefulhowever,forthelockingmechanismsthatkeepthepistolintheholster.Itcomeswithtwotypesmounted,anelasticbandwithasnapaswellasanadjustablebandwithabuckle.SincetheyareattachedthroughtheGRID-LOKjustlikeapouchwouldbe,youcanmovethem,adjustthemhigherorlower,orevenremoveoneifyoupreferjusttheone.Flippingitover,younoticeanotheroneofSPEC-OPSinnovations,themoldedbackpanelthatsitsagainsttheleg.Inplaceofaflatplasticorpurelymaterialbacking,theyhavedevelopedamoldedplasticpanelwithchannelsforheatandmoisturetoescape.Itsacrificesalittlebitofflexibility(thatIbelieveyouwouldregainaftersomeextendedbreakingin),butithelpsremedythedis-comfortfromthebuildupofheatandsweatcausedbymostdroplegholstersinthespringandsummermonths.

FIELD TESTING

Overallitisanimpressivepieceofequipment.Theminorinconveniencesofthemountingstrapsandtherigidityoutoftheboxaremorethanmadeupforwithitssleekdesignandmoldedbackpanel.I’mexcitedtoseehowitbreaksinandholdsuptoextendedplay.WhileSPEC-OPSmaynotbeaswellknownasothercompaniesinthehol-stermarket,theirVAPORholsterisdefinitelyintheupperclassofbuildanddesign,andisworthcheckingoutifyou’reinthemarket.havedevelopedamoldedplasticpanelwithchannelsforheatandmoisturetoescape.

In Conclusion

muchtoitbecauseyou’dbeimpairingoneoftheholster’smostattractivefeatures.

Itsacrificesalittlebitofflexibility(thatIbelieveyouwouldregainaftersomeextendedbreakingin),butithelpsremedythediscomfortfromthebuildupofheatandsweatcausedbymostdroplegholstersinthespringandsummermonths.Overallitisanimpressivepieceofequip-ment.Theminorinconveniencesofthemountingstrapsandtherigidityoutoftheboxaremorethanmadeupforwithitssleekdesignandmoldedbackpanel.I’mexcitedtoseehowitbreaksinandholdsuptoextendedplay. WhileSPEC-OPSmaynotbeaswellknownasothercompaniesintheholstermarket,theirVAPORholsterisdefinitelyintheupperclassofbuildanddesign,andisworthcheckingoutifyou’reinthemarket. ManythanksgoesouttoSPEC-OPSbrandatWWW.SPECOPSBRAND.COMforsendingoutthewhole1stlineforustoreview!

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:


Manufacturer: SPEC-OPS BrandM.S.R.P: 159.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 -COMBAT SUSPENDERS

COMBAT SUSPENDERS

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:


Manufacturer: SPEC-OPS BrandM.S.R.P: 159.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 -VAPOR HOLSTER

VAPOR HOLSTER

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:


Manufacturer: SPEC-OPS BrandM.S.R.P: 159.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 -BATTLE BELT

BATTLE BELT

FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR - FIRST LINE GEAR

30

First Impressions

Therearesomany1911variantsonthemarketthesedaysthatit’shardtodistinguishonefromtheother,butSOCOMGEARSNOVAKNEXT1911replicaisonethatanyairsoftershouldconsideriflookingfora1911. Whatstoodoutinmymindwhenfirstopeningupthepackagewashowsolidtitfeltinmyhands.NotknowingtoomuchaboutNovakandthespecialtyrealsteelpistol,Iwaspleasantlysurprizedtoseesomuchdetailinthis1911.Modeledafterthem1911,NOVAKupdatedtheolderstyle1911withalotofcurrentparts,andthattranslatesquitenicelyintheairsoftmarket.Notonlydiidthepackagecomewithasinglestackmetalmagazine,butapistollanyardfromHSS.Havingapistollanyardisanaddedbonustokeeptabsonyourpistol.Some-timeswheninafirefightyourpistolcanfalloutofit’sholster.theground,butatleastyouwon’tloseit.

NOVAK NEXT 1911 Review by: RJ Escusa

SOCOM GEARS

FIELD TESTING

TakingtheNOVAKNEXToutintothefieldwenoticedtheslidewobbleoffofthereciever,whichdoesn’tinstillthegreat-estofconfidencebutwequicklymovedonfromthattofillthemagazineupwith.20gbb’sandgreengas. Chrono:ThefirstperformancetestIdidwaschronographing.ForevenresultsIfilledthemagtomaximumcapac-ityandthenputitinmypocketfor20-25minutestogetthetemperatureequalized.Theammousedwas.20gandIwaited5secondsbetweenshots.TheNovakNEXTaveragedanotably317fpswiththe.20g. Accuracy:NextItookthegundownforsomeaccuracytestingusingthe25ftrangeIhavesetup.Thetargetwasan8½x11pagewithatwocirculartargetsprintedon,theinnerisa4inchdiametercicle,theouteran8inchdiametercircle.Shootingthefull15roundsintothetargetcreateda41/2inchgroupingatthefar-thestbbshots. RecoilandSpeed:TheNovakNextproducesprettydecentrecoil.It’snotassnappyasother1911’sthatI’ve

reviewedbutitstillwasadecentspeed. Cool-Down/GasEfficiency:WhenfiringoneroundeveryfewsecondstheNo-vakNextusesonefull15roundmagwithslidelockafterward.Itwillthenfireanother10roundsatfullpowerandthenitdropsoffsuddenlyandcan’tevencycle.

IN CONCLUSION

ThefullylicensingofNOVAKtradesmakestheSOCOMGEAR’sNO-VAKNEXT1911oneofthenicerfurni-turedgasblowbackpistolsinthemarket.ItcomeswithalotoffeaturesandIlookforwardtobuyingdoublestackedmagstoincreasethelongevityoftheoutputinafirefight. ManythankstoWWW.GOD-FATHERAIRSOFT.COMforsendingtheNOVAKNEXTforustoreview!

ThecontouredrubbergriphasaNOVAKlogoonbothsides.Theribbinghelpskeep-ingafirmgriponthe1911whenfireing.Alsoonthegripisathumbgrooverightbehindthemagwellrelease,makingitnotonlycom-fortableinyourhandbutslightlyassistingthumbplacementforthosefastreloads.Thehammeris“skeletonized”withoneholeandthetriggerissolidlikerealsteelm1911’s.

EXTERNALS

Whenhandlingthegunimmediate-lyyounoticethenicematteblackcolorfinishonthepistol.Ithasametalslideandfullmetalbody.Theslidehasrearandforwardcockingserrations,fullylicensedtrademarksfromNOVAKbothlaserengravedlargelyontheleftsideoftheslide,asmallercompanylogonearthefrontrighthandside.Alongwithcompanytrades,“NOVAKNEXTCAL.45ACP,PARKERSBURG,WYUSA”,and“MADEINTAIWANSOCOMGEAR.COM”finishoutthetrademarking. Theouterbarrelcomeswithanorangepainted14mmcounterclockwisethreadedadaptorextentionforaddingasup-pressorforaspecialopslook.TheNovakNextweighsinatapproximately2poundsand8ounces.Therearsightisfullyadjust-able,andthegripsafetyisfullyfunctional.

31

NOVAK NEXT FeaturesNOVAK NEXT TRADESMetal BodyTHREADED OUTER BARRELTEXTURED GRIPS

SAFETY LATCH

Front & Rear Sight

Textured Grip

MAGAZINE RELEASESLIDE RELEASE

GRIP SAFETY

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:


Manufacturer: SOCOM GEARM.S.R.P: 140.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - NOVAK NEXT 1 - HSS PISTOL LANYARD 1 - 15 ROUND MAGAZINE

NOVAK NEXT 1911

32

WhenIhadreceivedtheECHO1USAPlatinumEditionM4IwasfullyimpressedbythiscollaborationbetweenECHO1USAandVegaForceCompany.Thelookandfeeloftherifleisa180degreedifferencefromthestocklineofECHO1USA.Theabscarrycaseisdecent,anicetouchforthegun,butitdoeslacksomecontourshapingfortheguntokeepitinplaceasittendstomoveinsidewhenintransport. Thepackageincludesthegun,case,replacementbirdcageflashhider,one110roundmid-capmagazine,andone300roundhi-capmagazine.I’mnotquitesureonthelogicongivingonetypeofmagazineeach,butitdoesadvaluetothewholepackage. WhatI’msurprisedthatitdoesn’tkncludeisacranestylebattery.Echo!USAhasalwaysbeenreallygoodaboutsettinguptheplayerwithan“outofthebox”shooter,butalas,IhadtopurchaseanIntellect9.6clubfootbat-teryforthisAEG.

EXTERNALS

TheECHO1PlatinumEditioncomeswithafullmetalbodymadeoutofaluminumalloy.Theboltcatchisfullyfunctionalwhenpulledbackshowsthepolycarbonatehopupforadjustments.Theothermetalpartsincludetheouterbarrel,BUISrearsight,frontsight,steelslingadaptor,andstocktube.Thegrip,crane

PLATINUM EDITION M4

First Impressions

stockandfrontgripsaremadeoutofahighqualityabsmaterial,andmuchthickerthanthestandardECHO1USAparts.Therewasnowobblewhatsoeveronthisriflewhichcertainlyshowsthequalitycontrolimprovements. TrademarksincludethelaseretchedtrianglePLATINUMEDITIONlogowith“CAL.5.56x6MM”alongwiththeserialnumber.Alsowiththosetrademarksisthe“ECHO1USAPLATINUMEDITIONSEMCA/TAIWAN”and614selectorswitchmarkings. Thegripisyourstandardm-seriestexturedgripandthecranestockis“Sub-C”sizedcells.Takingofftheexternalswasn’tthatdifficultasidefromthedeltaringforthehand-guard,ittooksomeefforttopushtheringdowntoreleasethetwohandguardhalves.

INTERNALS

Althoughtheexternalsaretopnotch,theinternalsiswhereyouseethemostcollabo-rationbetweenEcho1USAandVFC.Dissasem-blyofthetworeceiversisquiteeasysincethe(continuedonpage34)

33

PLATINUM EDITION M4SPECIFICATIONS:

ECHO1USA PLATINUM EDITION M4

Special Features: Metal body, working bolt catch, sling adaptor, crane stock, VFC gearbox, polycarbonate hop-up and hi- torque motor.

Inner Barrel length: 363mmFPS: 385 FPS with .20g bb’s average (10 shot average)

Includes: Hard Carry Case, 1x 300 round hi-cap magazine, 1x 110 round mid cap magazine, and extra bird cage flash hider.

34

tappetplateandnozzelfeedingthebb’sintothehop-upchamber.Overallthegearsetisrated19:1forhighratesoffireanddurabil-itywithanybatteryvoltage.Lastlyisthelowresistancewireingtotherearwithasmalltamiyaconnectorandtwistcapremovable20ampfuse.Thisallowsasharptriggerresponsewith9.6andlipobatteries.

FIELD TESTING

With.20gG&Gbb’swechronoedtheECHO1USAPLATINUMEDITIONatawhopping405fpsaverage!Impressivetosaytheleastbutwhatwasreallynicewasthesoundsignatureofthegearboxwhenshootingit.ItdefinitelywasquieterthananyECHO1USAgearboxwe’vepreviouslyre-viewed.Witha9.6vcranebatteryweclockeditat21bps. Soafterdialinginthehop-upwesetupournormalbenchrangetestingat50ft-100ft-125ftdistanceswithtargetsoftwoconcentriccirclestheinnercircleat4inchesdiametertheouteratan8inchdiameter.At50ftwith20shots11hitthe4inchcircle,and9hitthe8inchcircle.At100ftwith20shots,8hitthe4inchcircle,9hitthe8inchcircleand3misses.At125ftwith20shots,6hitthe4inchcircle,10hitthe8inchcircle,and4misses.Theriflewasfuntorunaroundwithasitwaswellbalancedandlighterthanotherrifleswehavereviewedhere.

In Conclusion

overallvaluewasratedlowerduetothelackofformfittingcase.BUT,IhighlyreccomendthisAEGtoanyonelookingforahighperformance,liporeadysystemforeitherastheirmainweaponorbackup.Hopefullyifthisrunisaretailsuccess,theywillstartreleasingmoreofthesamequalityyearafteryear. ManythankstoJAGPRECI-SIONandECHO1USAforthisweaponforourreview!

bodypinsarebothsafetylockedthroughthebody.FulldissasemblyvideosareprovidedbyECHO1USAsoIwon’tgointotoomuchdetailintothat.FirstoffI’dliketopointoutthepoly-carbhop-upchamber.ThereareafewmixedreviewsontheVFCpolycarbhop-upconcern-ingflawsinthemoldingqualitybutwiththisone,itwasprettymuchspoton.TheonlyproblemIhadwiththehop-upwasthatitwasobsenelytightontheadjustingdialscrew,buteasilyrectifiedbylooseningit. Theredmotorishightorqueandwithapressedpiniongearforgoodalignmentandfit.Thegearboxisan8mmsteelbushingreinforcedgearbox,withasteelselectorplate.Insidethegearboxisthechromecylinderwhichsupposidlyreducesfrictionontheo-ring,clearpolycarbpistonwiththesecondtoothremovedforhigherrateoffireandrelievesstressonthefirstlargertooth.Thepistonheadisaluminumportedandthecylindarheadhasathickerimpactpad.Thetappetplateisclearpolycarbonateandtheairsealnozzleisreinfocedabspolymerwithaninnero-ring. Thespringisashorterm110spirngandthespringguideisfullmetalwithaballbearings.Thegearsetisallsteel,withVFC’s“auto-shim”design.Theauto-shimdesignuseshightentionsteelspringstokeepthegearsatproperlevelandplacement.(*PRO-TIP-Youshouldseeiftheshimmingiscorrectsinceallgearboxesandautoshimspringsarenottheysame,checkingandre-shimmingifnecessaryisreccommendedforallnewgearboxes.) Asidefromtheauto-shimdesignthesectorgearhasasectorcliptoassistthe

DATA SHEET


Externals:

Internals:

Field Testing:

Value:


Manufacturer: ECHO1USAM.S.R.P: 310.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - Platinum Edition M4 1 - 300 RD High Cap Mag 1 - 110 RD Mid Cap Mag 1 - Replacement flash hider

PLATINUM EDITION M4

ComparedtootherECHO1USA’sotherlineofweaponrythePLATINUMEDI-TIONM4AEGriseshighabovetherestduetothe“OutoftheBox”shootervalue. Thepriceatanaverageof$310.00itmayseemabithighforanECHO1USAweaponbutwhenyouconsideralltheVFCextrasthequalityofthemanufacturing,andthecarrycase,itactuallyisanicepricefortheweapon.Igaveithighmanufacturingmarksontheexternalsandinternalsbutthe

Manufacturer: ECHO1USAM.S.R.P: 310.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - Platinum Edition M4 1 - 300 RD High Cap Mag 1 - 110 RD Mid Cap Mag 1 - Replacement flash hider

Overthepast5yearsnotonepersonismorerecognizablethanJohnLu,ownerandoperatorofBestofUSAMarket-ing.MorecommonlyknownasthefacilitatorandeventrunnerofO.L.C.M.S.S.-Opera-tionLionClawsMilitarySimulationSeries.O.L.C.M.S.S.eventsincludeOP:Irene,OP:LightningStrike,OperationHacBaoandOP:Bulldogjusttonameafew. Althoughnotthefirstairsoftpro-ducertoholdaneventinaMOUTormilitarytrainingfacility,JohnLuisaconisistantforceintheU.S.A.nationalairsoftcommunity.BringingsuchpeopleasUSArmyRangerCol.DannyMcKnight(ret)ofBlackHawkDownfame,USArmyLRRPSgt.KennMillerofVietnamWar,decoratedUSArmyRangercombatveteranandthebestRIfromFortBenning,MSG“MadMax”Mullen(ret),andlegendaryGreenBeretCol.PaulLonggrear(ret)toleadhisevents. JohngraciouslytooktimeoutofhisbusyscheduletotalktoCHAIRSOFTMAGA-ZINE.COMinordertoanswersomeofourquestionsandtobeapartofthisissue.

Chairsoftmagazine:Howdidyoufirsthearaboutairsoft?

John Lu:MikeMessidainearly2001introducedmetoairsoftwithafewfriends;hewasalsoinvolvedwithsnowboardingwhenitwasstillinitsinfancy.IstartedoffasaplayerwithAndrewfromAEXwell,

itwasn’tAndrewofAEXatthattimebutwerentedafewTokyoMaruim4for$85.00becauseatthetime,airsoftwasstillconsid-eredan“underground”sportastherewerenotthatmanyretailersatthetime.TheTMdidn’tshootstraightsincethepersonIrenteditfromdidn’tknowabouthop-upssoitwasdiscouragingforthefirsttime.AndIthoughttomyselfhowgoofythissportisifyoucan’tshootstraight?Atleastmypaintballgunshootsstraight,andthatwasmyveryfirstexperiencewithairsoft.

Chairsoftmagazine: Whendidyoustartpromotingevents?

John Lu:Itactuallystartedasasurprise.Tragically,9-11-2001happenedandthenthesubsequentwarinAfghanistanandIraqhap-pened,andmydayjobintheinternationaltourismmarketandpromotionhandlinginternationalbusinessandcorporategroups,washurtingduetothecurrentpoliticalandnationalworldviews. SoeventuallyinthattimeIlostallofmybusiness,andactuallytherewasnoincomeforoneentireyearsoitwasn’tpretty.ButJamesKaiatairsofteliteandWalterchangwhowasworkingforhimbutsincehasbecometheCEOofairsoftgi,werehavinglunchandweweretalkingandjokingaboutitandjamessuggestedthatsinceIknewsomanymilitaryVIPs’IshouldtrytogetCol.DannyMcKnighttocomeouttoanairsoftevent.Andmyanswertohim,areyoucrazy?I’mnotgoingtotrytoaskanationalherotocomeandplaysoldier.ButasweweretalkingJamessaidlookwhatdoyouhavetolose?Rightnowyoubasicallyhavenothing.AndIcouldn’targuewiththat. SoIdecidedtobefairandgiveitashot.SowhenIfinallygotintocontactwithCol.McKnighthewasverypositiveaboutitIwasveryfortunatetoearnhissupportandthat’showthewholeproductionstarted.

Chairsoftmagazine: SpeakingofCol.McKnight,howdidyoumeethim?

John Lu: Imethimindirectlyatfirst.Actu-allyitwasoutofdesperation,itwasattheendof2001andsinceIwasintoproduc-tionandmanagementofaneventcalled

“WeekendOfHeroesConvention”andbackthenweheldtheeventatuniversalstudiosHollywood.WeekendOfHeroesisaboutproductbrandingandproductmarketing,andwhathadhappenedisthatalotofcom-paniesdecidedtocancelorpulloutoftheeventduetobeingfrightenediftherewasgoingtobeanotherattackontheU.S. Weastheproducersdecidedtosticktoourgunsandholdtheeventtoshowthatlifewillgoonandwewouldcomethroughthistragedytogether.Andatthetime“BlackHawkDown”themoviewasjustreleasedinJanuaryof2002andoneofmyassistancesuggestedtocontactBruck-heimerProductionstogetsomepropsfortheconvention.Icalledthestudioandthestudiopolitelyinnotsomanywordssaidto“f”myself,buttheywereveryprofes-sionalaboutitandIsaidthatwasfine.So,IdecidedsinceIcouldnotgetpropsfromthemovieIwouldgetafewU.S.ArmyRangerstoattendtheevent. Butthatwaseasiersaidthandone.MyfriendSgt.KennMiller(Ret)putmeintocontactwithafewrangerswhowereinSo-maliaatthattimeandIproceededtocontactthem.Andagainunfortunately,theyweren’tdoingsowellduetoposttraumaticstressdisorder,sowestruckoutthereagain.SoIhadnothingelsetolosesoIthoughtmaybeIshouldcallFt.BenningandspeaktoCol.McKnightdirectly. Itwasoneofthoseideaslikewhenfriendsgettogetherandstartjokingaroundmakingsuggestionssaying“Yeah,Rrrright…”TheresponsefromFt.Benningwaswhothehellwereyouandwhatthe

INTERVIEW WITH O.L.C.M.S.S. - JOHN LU - INTERVIEW WITH O.L.C.M.S.S. - JOHN LU -INTERVIEW WITH


helldoyouwantfromCol.McKnight?Afterawhileandafteralotofcallbacks,IwasabletotalkmaywayuptothecommandSgt.Majorandhewasafairman,andsaid“Look,I’mgoingtoputyouintocontactwithCol.McKnight’sassistantandthat’sthebestIcandoforyou.” Col.Mcknight’sassistantwasverypolitesayingweunderstandwhatyouaretryingtodoandweadmirethat,sowhydon’tyougiveusyourcontactinformationandI’llpresentittoCol.McKnightandifhe’sinterestedhe’llcallyouback.Afterthatconversation,IfiguredIpushedupsofarandIthoughtsincethemoviejustcameouthewasaverybusyman,andIcouldn’tgoanyfurtherwithoutcomingoffdisrespectfulsoIjustleftitatthat.Fortunatelyforme,not10minuteswentbyandCol.McKnight’sassistantcalledmebackandsaid,hereisCol.McKnight’shomephonenumber,andIsaidexcuseme?Shesaid,Col.McKnightisinterestedinwhatyouhavetosayandhewouldliketospeaktoyou. BecauseIhadpresentedtotheassistantisthatwewouldliketomakeanactionfigureofCol.McKnightandforhimtocomeoutasacelebritytopromotethefigu-rineandtheevent.Alsototalktothepeopleonnotwaveringunderenemypressureandtobolsterpatriotism.IhaddiscussedwithCol.Mcknightthatwewantedtohaveanationalherotocomeandbeourspeakerattheeventandheresponded,“alreadyweconceptuallydisagree”andIthoughttomy-selfohgreat,we’renottwominutesintotheconversationandIalreadypissedhimoff.Hesaidtome“John,letmemakeonethingclear,Iamnotahero.ThemeninSomaliawhogaveitall..theyarethetrueheroes.I’m

justanoldsoldierjustdoinghisjob.”Afterthatconversationwebecameverygoodfriendsandmadeasolidbondwithoneanother.

Chairsoftmagazine: Sowhenyoupro-posedtoCol.McKnighttodoactualairsoftevents,washeimmediatelyonboard?

John Lu:WellwhenIdidsuggesttheair-softevents,itwasalreadyafterWeekendofHeroesandIprovedtohimthatweweren’twhackjobsandwhereourviewsaboutfullysupportingthemilitary.Sohewasimmedi-atelyonboardwiththevisionofdrawingapositivelightonthemilitarythroughairsoftevents,sothefirstLionClawseventwasCol.DannyMcKnightvs.SgtKenMiller.ItwasanOldSchoolRanger*(Sgt.Miller)vs.aNewSchoolRangeratthattime*(Col.McKnight.)Buttheinitialchallengewasget-tingpeopletobelievethatweactuallyhadthesespecialV.I.P’sattheevents.BecausehonestlyI’manobody,andwhowasgoingtobelievethatIhadthesepeopleatanewevent?Sowestartedtogotopaintballparkswhereairsofterswereandalotofthemeithermadefunofusordismissedtheidea.Andwhocouldblamethem?WhowasIatthattime?SothefirstLionClawsgamewasatapaintballparkinBakersfieldCA,andwehad80attendees.Afterthat,onceweprovedtothemthatwecouldpulloffanairsofteventsuchasthisitjusttookofffromthere. YouhavetounderstandsomethingaboutCaliforniaairsoft,therearealotofwonderfulproducersouttherepromotinglargescaleeventswhoweretherebeforemeandwhatIhadlearnedfromplayersis

thatsomepromoterswould“overpromise”orexaggerateclaimsandunderdeliver.Backthen,playerswerepayingupwardsof250.00toattendthese“largeevents”withallthesepromisesofgrandeur. Sowedecidedjusttopromotetheeventat120.00justtocoverallourex-penses.AndI’mthankfulforthoseplayerswhoputfaithinusetoattendandtheV.I.P’sthateverythingwentwell.Weactuallytapedthatinvideoandalotofplayersforgetthatitwasn’tDVD.Itwasavhscameracrewtapingthisthing.

Chairsoftmagazine: HaveyousincemadethetransferoftheVHStapetoDVD?

John Lu:FortunatelyformethepersonwhofilmedLionClaws1didgivemetheonlyDVDcopyoftheeventwhichIstillhavetothisday.Weareconsideringreleasingthattothepublicsopeoplecouldseewhatitwaslikeat2002.

Chairsoftmagazine: SowhendidyougettheideafordoingIrene?

John Lu:Wehadgottheideain2003,doingsomethingintheeastcoast.BackthenMasterSgt.McMullenwasinGeorgia,wetalkedaboutandsaidwhatthehell?Whynot?Let’sdoit!Andagain,weranintothe“Whoareyou?”,“WillyoureallyhaveCol.McKnightthere?YEAHSURE…”SothefirstIrenewasheldatanotherpaintballparkinGeorgia.Andonly78peopleattended.

Some attendees at Operation Red Storm 2010

Chairsoftmagazine: SowhendidyourproductionsjumpfrompaintballparkstoMOUTsites?

John Lu:Itwasaround2004whenwestartedlooking,becauseatLionClaws2wesawthattherewassuchaneedforacitylikeenvironmentbecauseplayerfeedbackwassopositiveoninnercitytypefirefights.SothefirstofficialMOUTtypeenvironmentwasinJoletonTenn.ataformeryouthcor-rectionalfacility.SoIrene2washeldtherewith160players.WehadahelicopterflyintorecreatetheBlackHawkDownscenariowithsomesmokeandpyrotechnics.Itwasreallyfun.

Chairsoftmagazine: SowhatisyourprojectedcapacityatthisnextIrene?

John Lu:Well,lastyearatZussman,wehad480participants.Andthatsoldoutinapprox90seconds.

Chairsoftmagazine: Thatmusthavefeltrealgoodright?

John Lu:I’mgratefultoallofourloyalplayerswhocomeoutyearafteryearsup-portingourefforts.NotonlytheplayersbuttheArmyandthewholeZussmanstaff.Butallinallwiththestaffandrole-players,itwasapproximately530participants.SowhentheBrigadierGeneralcameouttovisitandlookedattheamountofpeoplehesaidtome“HolyMoly*(notinthosewords)..that’salotofpeople!I’mgladtoseethatyouareorganized!”

Chairsoftmagazine: Sowheredoyoudrawyourideasfortheseevents?

John Lu:IgetmyideasfromthemilitarybooksthatIread.I’mabigmilitaryhistorybuff;IreallyenjoyWW2andVietnamhistory.

Chairsoftmagazine: Sowhatmakesyourgamesstandoutfromotherevents?

John Lu:Sincemyscheduleissobusy,Ireallydon’tgettoattendotherpeoples

events,butIhavetheviewof“thereisaconsumerforeveryproduct”.Everyeventisdifferentbecauseittargetsdifferentclientele.

Chairsoftmagazine: Whatdoyouexpectfromtheplayerswhoattendyourevents?

John Lu:Firstoff,theyneedtoberespect-fulofthemilitaryservicemenandwomen.WeaskthemtoberespectfultoourV.I.P’s,andourstaff.Iftheyarenotrespectful,thenwhyattendtheevent?SecondlyWewouldreallylikethemtofollowtheirleaderandusealotofteamwork,understandwhyyouarethere,andknowtherules.Wereallyliketostresstheteamworkaspectofourgames.Thirdly,immerseyourselvesinthescenarioandrole-playalittle.Lastlybutprobablymostimportantly,havefun.Airsoftisasportmeanttobeenjoyed.

Chairsoftmagazine: Whydoyouhavebreaksinyourgames?

John Lu:Thereisonlyonegameweproducethatisnon-stopandthatisLionClaws,wewantedtoproduceagameofenduranceandthatisnon-stop.ButwesetbreaksinourMOUTenvironmentgamesbecausefromourpastexperiences,playerstendtogetaggravatedandangryrealfastduetobeingshotatcloseranges,andmis-communications.Somepeoplearen’tusedtothefacilitiesandthestressesoftheMOUTenvironment.Soifwhenweofferbreaks,it’sonpurposetohavethatlittlebitoftimetomentallygatheryourselftofighton.Alsowhenthetemperatureisover90andhumid,wereallyneedtokeepinmindtheplayer’ssafety.Noonewantsanyonetogetserious-lyhurtataneventandwewanttofacilitateasafeenvironment.Wedon’tdotrainingsforjustthisreason,LionClaw’spurposeistoentertaintoinspire.We’renotqualifiedtodotrainings,andwewon’tdothat.Wewanttofacilitateentertainmentandinspireforthosewhowanttoserveourcountry.

Chairsoftmagazine: Whydoyouhavea3rdpartyfactioninyourgames?

John Lu:Theyareusedasanequalizer,justincase.Whatwe’retryingtoistobal-ancethefunwiththescenario.Theexperi-encewehavewithourproductionsifsideiswinningforthewholeeventit’sdemoralizingtotheopposingteamandalltheywanttodoisgiveupandleave.Sothatleavestheaggressorteamnoonetoshootatandwhatdoesthataccomplish?Prettymuchnothing,itbecomesboringforbothsides.Ican’ttellhowpeoplewillplayjustbylookingattheirnamesonaroster,andsometimesteamsandplayershavebaddayswheretheydon’tperformaswellastheynormallydo.Plusthe3rdpartyservesasaninteractionforceenhancingthegame.

Chairsoftmagazine: SowhatdatesdoyouhaveforusandplacesfortheeastcoastMOUTsites?

John Lu:Unfortunatelytherearen’tanysoliddatesduetotheschedulingfromtheArmy.Weareontheirtimescheduleandtheyjusttellmedatesthatwecanpos-siblyhaveit.Wespendalotofmoneyforresearchonsitessendingoutpeopletoseeifit’sfeasibleforustoproduceoureventsthere.Gettingonthemilitarysitesistoughandeverytimeitisaluxury.

Chairsoftmagazine.comwouldliketothankJohnLufortakingtimeouttotalktousandgivingussomeinsightintoOLCMSSproduc-tions!Formoreinformationpleasegotowww.oplionclaws.comforeventannounce-ments,datesandlocations.


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Spec Ops Gear

classic army’s lwrc m6a2 electronic blow back rifle review

Article by: RJ Escusa - Pictures by: Jonathan valle

WewereveryeagertoreceivetheClassicArmyLWRCM6A2fromSpar-tanImportswonderingwhatthehypewasallabout.SeeingtheLWRCrealsteelontelevision,plushearingthatClassicArmyacquiredfulllicensingtomakeareplicareallygotthebloodflowingwhenopeningthebox.IntheboxwastheblackLWRCM6A2AEGElectronicblowbackwith1300roundhi-capacitymagazineandmanual.Therewasnobatterywhichwasaslightdisappointmentespeciallyforthepricetaggiventothismodel.

EXTERNALS

Thelackofbatterywaseas-ilyoverlookedandforgottenassoonasIliftedtheLWRCfromthestyrofoamcasing.ThesheerdetailofthisAEGisimpressivewithwhichwhatseemstobethesellingpoint.Iwillstartfrombacktofrontstartingwiththeenhancedcarbinemodstockthattakes“Sub-C”cranebatter-ies.Fromtherearofthecranestockthereisapushbuttonbearingreleasesystemforeasyinsertionofcranebatteries. Alongwiththeeaseofremovalofbatteries,themodstockhasasmallcompartmentforholdingsinglesmalltoolssuchasallenkeys,sightadjuster,orbatteries.The6pointadjustmenthelpscollapsethestockforclosequarters.

Themetalbodyhasanicemattefinishhasaworkingboltcatchandrelease.Tradesincludelaserengraved“LWRCInternational”,M6,serialnum-ber,6.8mmSPC.OthermarkingsincludeaUIDMatrixonboththeupperandlowerreceiver.Closetotheselectorswitchmark-ings,engravedis“CambridgeMA”,andontheoppositesideis“ClassicArmy”Ontheupperreceiver,the“LWRCInternationallogo,M6A26.8mmMadeintheU.S.A.”,matchingserialnumbertothelower,andhasrailmeasurementmarkings.UnderneaththefrontsiteisanengravedAmericanFlag.ThepistolgripisahighqualityABSpolymertexturedformaximumgripofthefingersandpalm. ThefrontisaCNC’dtwopiecerailsystemthatshowsthemanufacturingqualityofthisrifle.Itiseasilyremoved

byunscrewingthetwofrontpostscrewsrevealingthefakeLWRCgaspistonsystemtowhichtherealsteelLWRCisknownfor,justaddinganadditionalrealistictouchtothisAEG.Roundingouttherestoftheexternalsisthetwometalflipupreplicabattlesights,aonepiece10inchouterbarrel,andasteelflashhider.

41

classic army’s lwrc m6a2 electronic blow back rifle review

internals

TheLWRCcomeswithasupertorqueupclassicarmymotor,andafullyredesignedversion2onepiece

metalhopupthatplacesthehopupadjustmentdialontherear,akintoG36hopups. Thereinforced8mmbear-inggearboxrevealstheelectronicblowbackmechanismandastamped“ClassicArmy”logo.BeforeIgetintothemechanicsoftheblow-back,insidethegearboxisaribbedchromecylinder,supertorqueupgears,metalspring

guidewithbearings,anadvancedpowerspring,polycarbonatepistonwithanaluminumpistonheadwithbearing.Theairnozzleisblue,probablyjustforaesthetics.Thetappetplateispolycar-bonateandthetriggeruseslowresistantwiresforfastresponse.

Nowtheelectronicblowbackisbasicallyaweightedsystemwhichisthewherethefakeboltandaforwardspringassist.Thereinforcedgearboxisslottedonthetop,toallowtheboltsystemtocatchonthepiston.Sothepistonpullstheweightbackwardthenwhenthepistonreleasestheweightgetsreleasedpullingforwardmakingtherecoileffect.Theamountofrecoilisdependentontheweightofthetopplustheimpactofthepistononthecylinderhead.Itissaidontheclassicarmywebsitethatifyoudropinamorepowerfulgearboxspringyouwillalsomaketherecoileffectstronger. Itisarelativelysimplesystemthatusesthesystempartsinsteadofapneumaticassistmechanism.Thisistominimizethestressonthemotor,gearsandbattery.Itisalsoliporeadyforahigherrateoffire.Disassemblyisquiteeasyifyougoslowandmethodi-cal.PleaseusecautionandacontrolledenvironmentasIdonotsuggestfieldstripping.

Usinga9.6vclubfootbatteryand.25gbb’sIchronographedtheLWRCatanaverageof360fpswith10shotsand15bb’spersecond.Dialinginthehopupwiththenewhopupdesignmakesitmucheasiertouse.WiththehopupdialedinIproceededwithmybenchaccuracytest-ing,soItooktheLWRCouttothe50ft.-100ft.-125ft.range.Usingourstandardcirculartargetsof4inchinnerand8inchouterIproceededtofireoff20bb’spermeasurement. At50ft.,12hitinsidethe4inchcircle,8hitthe8inchcirclewithnomisses.Groupingswere31/2inchesapart.At100ft.,therewasaslightdropoffinaccuracywith7hittingthe4inchcircle,6hitthe8inchcircleand7misses;groupingswereat4inchesapart.Finallyat125ft.5hitthe4inchcircle,9hitthe8inchcircle,and6misseswith4inchgroupings. Atalocalskirmish,therecoilsystemwasn’tnoticeablebutIprob-ablysubconsciouslywantedgasblowbackstrength.Although,comparedto

FIELD TESTING

42

LWRC’swasmuchgreater.Ibelievetheelectronicblowbacksystemcanbeimprovedtowheretherecoilismuchmorenoticeable,maybebydroppinginastrongerspringasClas-sicArmyhassuggested.TheonlyothercomplaintinfieldtestingisthelackofarearslingadaptorbutoveralltheLWRCisasolidperformeronthefieldandforthelengthoftheinnerbar-relitissatisfactoryaccurate.

In Conclusion

Witharetailpriceof425.00MSRP,theClassicArmyLWRCM6A2isafaithful1:1replicaofitsrealsteelcounterparts.Itistheattentiontode-tailwithallthehighqualitypartsthatmakethisanAEGforanyairsoftertoconsider.TheClassicArmyLWRCcomesinbothmatteblackandabronze/blackhybridcolors.SinceI’mmoreofatraditionalist,Istuckwiththeblacksinceitlooksbettertome. AlthoughtheelectronicblowbacksystemseemedabitweakIbelieveitcanbeimprovedovertimeandmodification.OverallitisasolidchoiceandagreatAEGtofield. ManythankstoSpartanImportswww.spartanimports.comforsendingaCLASSICARMYLWRCM6A2forustoreview!

DATA SHEET


Externals:

Internals:

Field Testing:

Value:


Manufacturer: Classic ArmyM.S.R.P: 425.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - LWRC M6A2 AEG 1 - 300 RD High Cap Mag

CLASSIC ARMY LWRC m6a2

43

SECOND LINE GEAR - SECOND LINE GEAR - SECOND LINE GEAR - SECOND LINE GEAR - SECOND PANTAC-USA WSH Chest rig

UponreceivingtheWEESATCHfromPANTACUSAthefirstthingInoticedwasthedu-rabilityofthematerial.UnlikecheaperChinesegearmanufacturesPantacusesrealCordura.Onthisparticularchestrigtheyusewhatlooksandfeelslike1000Dcordura.Icomparedthematerialtoanotherplatecarrierwhichuses1000DcorduraandaChineserigthatuses600D.TheWeesatchfeltverysimilartothe1000Drig.

REVIEW BY: BRYAN GIAMmATTEO / PICTURES BY JONATHAN VALLE

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

ThenextthingIdidbeforeadjustingittotryitonwascheckonallthebuckles,snaps,velcroandstitching.Thebucklesweretanandmadefromaverysturdyplastic.IsqueezedthemseveraltimestoseeifIcouldgetthemtocrackorevenshowsignsofdistress,whichtheydidnot.Ialsoclippedthemtogetherandthentriedtopullthemapartthroughquicksnapsandlongevenlyappliedpressure. Againthebuckleshelduptothetest.(LetmesaythatIhavehadagunbreakinhalfabout10minbeforeanationalOPbecauseabuckleonaslingcameundoneandthegunhitthegroundbarrelfirstandbrokethebodyinhalf.SotosaythatIamalittleobsessedwithqualitybucklesisnotthatfarofastretch.)Whatfewsnapsthereweresolidandtookadecentamountofforcetobothopenandclosethem.Theylookliketheywillholduptoweatherandnotrustout,butonlytimewilltellthere. NowhereiswhereIreallythinkthatPANTACshines,thestitching.Itwasevenlystitchedacrossthewholerig.TheMollestitchinglooksgreat!Idoubtverymuchthatyouwillseethemollestitchingfraytothepointofbreakagebeforeyougetridofthisrig.IalsowentthrougheachMollerowandcolumntoseeiftherewasasingleunitthatwasgoingtobetightorjustplainnotfit.Theonlyspotswereitwastightwasonthebackwherethestrapsusedfortheshouldersweresewnontotherearmolleplate.

MANUFACTURING

Eventheywerenottootightastofitamollestrapthrough,allotherunitswereperfect!Itwouldalsobeanoversightnottotalkaboutthevelcro.Whilenotprominentonthisparticularpieceofgearitisimportant.Eachoneoftheintegratedmagazinecarriershastwoadjustabletabstoholdyourmagsin.Thetabscanbeadjustedtofitjustonemagazineoruptothreeandthevelcrothatholdstheminlookstobeofagoodstandard.NowontothemainfeaturesoftheWeesatch. Integratedmagazinecapac-ity;Thisrigcanholdupto3magsinthemagazinepouchesand2ineachofthegeneralpurposepouches,makingagrandtotalof16magsbeforeyougocrazyandaddontotheMolleonthefront.(Ipersonallyamfinerunning8magsonmy2ndlinebutIknowsomepeoplethatcanneverseemtohaveenoughmagsonthemtolast.Idon’tknowwhattheseguysthink?Wellmaybetheydon’tandarejustpossessedbythespiritofoverwhelm-ingfirepower….ButIdigress.) AsInotedearliertherearetwowhatIwouldcallgeneralpurposepouchesoneithersideofthemagpouches.Theyarenicebecauseyoucanusethemforaradiopouchorevenapistolpouch.NowpersonallyIdon’tthinkIwoulduseIttocarrymypistolonlybecauseaMK23isaratherlargesecondaryweaponandwasalittlebitbigtofitascomfortablyasIwanted.HoweveraSig226fitrathernicelyandifIwereevertoswitchbacktousingmy226asmymainpistolIwouldmostlikelyendupkeepingonmyrig. Anotherniceadditiontothisrigisthatyoucanusetherearpanelasahydra-tionbladdercarrier.Ifoundthatmy3litercamelbackbladderfitsnicelywhereyouaresupposedtoputaSAPIplate.Speakingofwhich,IprefertoactuallyuseareplicaSAPIplateinthefrontofanyrigIrunthatcancarryit,whichtheWeesatchcan.

SECOND LINE GEAR - SECOND LINE GEAR - SECOND LINE GEAR - SECOND LINE GEAR - SECOND

ThereasonbeingisthatIfinditstiffensthefrontmolleplatformmakingiteasiertoaccesswhatIneedto.WithoutthemIfeelliketherigisjusttoofloppy.NotonlydoestheWeesatchhaveallofthesepracticalintegratedfeaturesbutitalsohasmoremolletoboot!ThereisanicesectiononthechestthatIusedtomountmyadminpouch,andallalongthelowersectioninfront

ofthemagpouches.Whereyoucanplacepistolmagpouches,ageneralpurposepouch,orevenmoreprimarymagpouches.Thepossibilitiesarealmostlim-itless,whichisthebeautyofthemodularMollesystem.

FIELD TESTING

Thebestandworstpartoftheprocessofgettinganewpieceofgearbutespeciallyaplatecarrierorrigistheadjustmentofit.It’sgreatbecauseIgetexcited,it’snew,shiny(notliterally),andexotic.ButIamabigfellowat6fttalland220poundssoIamabitworriedwhenitcomestimetotryonanythingfromAsiabecauseitwouldseemthatwhattheythinkislargeisusuallylikewearingachildsizetome.AndwhatIconsiderlargeissocom-pletelycrazythatImustbeaGiantfromlegend.Butnotonlydiditfit,itfitgreat!Theshoulderstrapsadjustedgreat,andthesidestightenedrightnowleavingalmostnotlateralorhorizontalmovement. Ididthesteptestanditpassedwith

flyingcolors,allstrapsstayedadjustedanddidnotloosedupatall.(Thesteptestisrunningupanddownaflightofstepsseveraltimes.)Goodstuff!

ThepriceforPANTACgearusuallyrunsalittlehighataround$100aftershipping dependingonretailer,butinmyhonestopinionitiswellworthit.IwasneveraWeesatchfanbecauseIthoughttheylookedoddbutseeingthisoneinper-sonandhavingtheabilitytotryitonandactuallyexperienceit.Ihavechangedmymind;IamafirmbelieverintheWeesatch’sabilitytonotonlyfunctionasastandalonerigbuttoalsoactasaplatforminwhichtobuildupon. IntheendIhavefoundthisproducttoexceedmypersonalexpectationsdueto

IN CONCLUSION

DATA SHEET


Manufacturing:

Value:

Field Testing:


Manufacturer: Pantac-USAM.S.R.P: 159.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - Pantac WSH Chest Rig

PANTAC-USA WSH

thesturdymaterialstheyused,theexcellentstitching,andtheactualfunctionalityoftheunit.WhileIpersonallywouldnotusethisasapermanentreplacementformyplatecarrier(Eagleplatecarrier),Iwoulddefinitelyuseitinthefieldatmajorevents!ManythankstoPANTAC-USAforsendingustheWSHRigforourreview!

PANTAC-USA WSH Chest rig

46

UTG-*(UnderTheGun)hasbeenmanufacturingairsoftriflesforthepastfewyearssoalthoughthismodelisn’tso“new”westilldecidedtoaskLEAPERS,INC.tosendusoneforreviewtoassistusinbuildingourreviewdata-base.SowhentheSPORTm4TACTICALseriesriflearrivedatmydoorstep,Ididnotknowwhattoexpect.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS ThefirstthingthatyounoticeistheMADEINUSAstickerwhichisabigpluswhen99%ofallairsoftitemsaremadeoverseas.WhenIfirstopenedtheboxIwassurpisednotonlytoseetheAEGrifle,buttheamoutofextrasthatUTGgivesyou.IntheboxcametheSPORTm4TacticalwithRISbutrailcovers,frontgrip,300roundhighcapacitymagazine,8.41800mahNiMHbattery,andcharger.LiftingtheAEGoutoftheboxyouinstantlyfeeltheweightofthe7.5pounds.UTGtellsmethattheyaretryingtoexpandintotheairsofttrainingmarket,sotheyaretryingtomaketheirairsoftlinerealweightandrealspec.Sowithallthemetalextras,theweightwasreallyclosetotherealthing.

EXTERNALS We’llstartfromfronttobackastheconvertableouterbarrelisafullmetalastheattachmentpointiscoveredbythebarrelmountedtri-railRISgasblockwith

INTERNALS

Thepistolgripisabitoversized,texturedwitharibbingatthepalmandathumbgroove.ThefullstockismadeoftwopieceABSplastic,andthebuttplateismetal.Eventhoughthestockistwopiece,thereisnowobbleorcreak-ingwhenshouldering.Thefullstockaddsextrabal-ancetotheriflemakingiteasytowield. LastlythefrontgripisalsomadeofABSplasticwiththeabilitytoplacepressureswitchesoneithersideifyoushoulddecidedtoattachaflashlightorlaser.

front sight.TheRIS systemiscoveredbyUTG rubberrailcoversadd- ingprotectionforpeople whodonotuseanyrail accessories.Under-neath thecovers,theRIS haslaserengravedposi- tionnumbers.Oneof thegreatthingsabouttheUTG accessoriesistheabilitytotransferthemtorealsteelAR’sso,ifyouhavebothplatforms,theyareeasilytransferrablemakingthevalueofthisairsoftriflemuchhigher. Theupperandlowerreceiversarealsometalandseemstobeahigherqualityofmanufacturinginthecast-ingoftherecievers.BothreceiversarematteblackwiththelowerhavinglaserengravedtrademarkswhicharetheUTGLogo,“UTGSPORTMODEL4,COMBATTACTICAL,LIVONIAMI”andthese-rialnumber.OthermarkingsincludetheselectorswitchSAFE,SEMI,AUTO.Onethingtonoteaboutthereceiversistheretainingpins,theyareflatheadretainingbolts,whicharemuchbetterthantheallenheadbolts.Pullingbackthecharginghandleopensthedustcovertorevealthehopupinside.

InternallyIwassurprisedtoseesomereallynicefeaturesintheblackpaintedgearbox.6mmmetalbushings,metalspringguide,standardtorquemetalgears,polypiston,polypistonheadandachromecyllinder.ThemotorishightorquegivingthisAEGagreatstartinfieldperformance.Stockshimmingwasn’thorrible,buttherewasalotofgrease.Aonepiecemetalhopupwithaninnerbar-relthatis6.08mmwhichroundsouttheinternals.

UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL -UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL -UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL -UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL -UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL

47

UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL -UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL -UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL -UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL -UTG FULL METAL MODEL 4 TACTICAL

FIELD TESTING

Aftercleaningtheexcessgreaseoutofthegearbox,Iputitallbackto-getherandprocededwiththefieldtesting.IhadchronographedtheUTGmodel4atanaverageof345fpswith.20gG&Gbb’s,whichisadecentfpsrightoutofthebox.IhadclockedtheRPMat770and13bpswiththestock8.4vbattery.ThegearboxsoundedabitwhinybutIbelievewithproppershimmingitwilldecreasesomeofthesoundsignature. DidImentionthatthisriflewasheavy?Ihightlyreccomendaslingwhenfieldingthisriflewhenpatrollingforlongerevents.Runningaroundwithataskirmisheventreallymademeusemythreepointslingveryheavily.

ForaccuracytestingIsetupthenormalrangetestsat50ft,100ft,and

125ft.Using

thesametargetsofa4inchinnercircleand8inchoutercircleIprocededtobenchtestwith20shots.AT50ft12shotshitinsidethe4inchcircleand8shotshitthe8inchwitha4inchgrouping. At100ft7shotshitthe4inchcircle,10shotsinthe8inchcircleand3misses.Groupingatthe100fttargetwas5inches.At125ft5shotshitthe4inchcircle,9shotsinthe8inchcircle,and6misses.Groupingswereat5.5inches.GiventhelargerdiameterinnerbarrelIfigureitwouldhelpinconsistancybyreplacingitwithatightbore.

IN CONCLUSION

Therehavebeensomeimprove-mentsfromUTGovertheyearsandspeakingwithotherswhohavepreviouslyownedaUTGairsoftrifle,alothasgoneintothequalityofthegearbox.Withthatbeingsaid,UTGgetsthesurpriseAEG

awardformanufacturingasolidper-formerwithalotofoutoftheboxextras.Somemaypointoutthehighpricefor

suchanunknownmanufacturerbuttheybackalltheirproductbya120daywaranteeforanymanufac-turersdefects,whichisabonusovertraditional30daywarantees.PlusLeapers,INCislocatedhereintheU.S.A.ManythanksgoesouttoLEAP-

ERS,INC.whosentustheFULLMETALMODELm4forthereview!

DATA SHEET


Externals:

Internals:

Field Testing:

Value:

Average Rating: 3.5 Gears (out of 5)

Manufacturer: UTG - LEAPERS, INC.M.S.R.P: 275.00 USDIncluded in Box: 1 - Full Metal Model 4 1 - 300 RD High Cap Mag 1 - 8.4 1800 mah battery 1 - Front Grip

Full Metal MODEL 4

48

FILFORCE LOGO BOX CONFIG COLORS: BLACK

FILFORCE LOGO BOX CONFIG B&W

AND PMS 137 CLIENT : FILFORCE DA TE: FEB 2008 DESIGN BY : CALIFORNIUM.COM

Sponsored by:

OP:WhiteStar IIIAK vs M16 • 20 Feb 2010 • New York

WORDS BY: BRYAN GIAMMATTEO

OperationWhiteStarIIIwasheldonFebruary20th2010hostedbyFILFORCE(ateamlocatedinthetri-stateareaofNY,NJ,CT)thebasisofthegamewasthattherewereSmugglers“export-ing”radioactivematerialfromNorthKoreaanda“Unified”US/Russianteamthathaditsownobjectivesintryingtostopthesesmugglersfromattainingtheirgoal. ThiswasalsogoingtobeagamewhereFilforcetriedanewconceptfortheirgameswhereitwasgoingtobecontrolledbya“gamecontrolstaff”wheretheyweregoingtohavethesestaffersadjustandchangeobjectivesbasedonrealtimeeventstakingplaceonfield.Thistomewasamajordrawingpointtoshowuptothisgame.Idon’tknowhowmany

timesI’vegonetoaneventwheretheobjectiveshavebeenonsomeinternetforumoranotherforweeksormonthsbeforeagameissettogo.Nowdon’tgetmewrongitcanbeagreatthing,buttohaveyourmissionschangeatthedropofahat(inanunbiasedwayduetounaffili-atedcontrollers)addsadynamicnotseeninmostgamesintheregion. Itforcesyouandyoursquadtothinkonitsfeet,andifyouareoneofthefewpeoplewholiketotakechargeofanentireside;itaddsthatlevelofcriticalthinkingandsnapdecisionmakingthatmakestheroleenjoyable(forme).Thedaystartedoutovercastandtherewasstillabitofsnowontheground,butitwaswarmenoughtogetthesnow

melting.PeopleregisteredandChronoedtheirguns.ThegamebriefwasshortbutaddedabittothebackstoryasoriginallytheRussians,US,andSmugglerswereeachsupposedtobeateachothersthroats,butdayofgameregistrationsswungthesmugglersidetoaveryhighnumber. ThereforemakingtheadminscombinetheUSandRussianstonotletonesidedominateallthree.Therewastheobligatorysafetybriefandsafetyequipmentcheck,andthenitwasgameon.ThefieldatPlattekillNYisharshwithverysteephillsandrockfaces.Themeltingsnowdidnothelpany,creatingamuddy,slushy,mess.Thegamestarted

AFTER ACTION REPORT: FILFORCE - OPERATION: WHITE STAR III - FILFORCE - OPERATION: WHITE STAR III -FILFORCE -

49

WORDS BY: BRYAN GIAMMATTEO AFTER ACTION REPORT: FILFORCE - OPERATION: WHITE STAR III - FILFORCE - OPERATION: WHITE STAR III -FILFORCE -

andimmediatelytherewerehotspotsofconflictemergingonthefield.TheUSandRussianswereattackingthesmug-glerbaseofoperationstryingtocapture,ammunition,nuclearweapons,andcriticalIntel.Butduetoalackofmedicroleinthegameitfacilitatedalotofslowdownsincombatintensity. Alsoduetonomedictherewasalotofwalkingtorespawnandback,whilenotnormallyaconcerntheharshterrainandweathermadeitrathermiser-abletowalk5mintorespawn,waitouttheregen,walk5minbackupasteephill,getwackedanddoitalloveragain.Thiscausedseveralcarloadsofpeopletoleaveatthelunchbreakduetofatigue.Therewasanhourforlunchthenitwasrightbackintothegame. Thesameupanddownwashappeningagainastherespawnswereatthebottomofeithersideofthismeatgrinderofahill.Thegamecontrollersweredoingtheirbesttomakeupforitbutagainitwastoomuchforsomeaspeoplewerewalkingoffthefield.IntheendtheUSandRussianteamsachievedsomeoftheirobjectivesbutthesmugglerfaction

rosetothetop.

Someprosaboutthegame: Gamecontrollers:Ilikeitwhenproducerstrysomethingdifferent.ItkeepsgamesfeelingfreshasopposedtojustthesameoldthingoverandoverTheField:It’sharshandproveswhatyouaremadeofattheendoftheday.Therearealsogreatareasforambushes,andoverwatchpositions Backstory:Itaddsalevelofimmersionandshowsthatthegameproducersareaddingsomeeffortnotonlyformissionsbutwithcrediblemotivations’(withinthestory).Therewereveryfewincidentsofun-sportsmanlikelikeconduct,peoplewerecallingshits,andtempersdidn’tflareuptoomuch AdminStaff:wasprofessional,approachable,andfriendly.Itisofteningamesthatthegamecontrollers,andadminstaff,thatprovidethe“face”oftheorganizationandIbelievethatFilforcehadtherightpeopleintherightjobonthisone.

StrictUniformRequirements:yesthiswaspartofthereasonthesmugglershadsomanymorepeoplebutitisalsofantasticthatFilforcewassostrict.Ihateplayingatgameswhereeveryonejustshowsupinwhatevercamotheywantandthenbrightlycoloredducttapeisusedtoshowwho’sonwhatteam.

SomeCons: TheWeather:while40degreesisniceandnottoocold,itmadeanal-readyhardterrainamoraleatingmonsterandcontributedtotheearlybleedoutofthenumbers. Teamsize:ThesmugglerswerereallyheavyintermsonnumberswheretheRussiansandUSwereoutnumberedbigtime.Howeverwhenyouhaveonsiteregistrationitishardtogaugeand“cap”teamsizeswhileretaininguniformcoher-ency.Therereallyisnonwaytocounterthisexcepthaveapreregistrationonly.Ifeelthatthegamestaffdidtheirbesttoovercomethisobstacleanddiditwell.

ThankstoFilforceforhostingOP:WhiteStarIII!

50

GODFATHER AIRSOFT CQB ARENA REVIEW

OnMarch29,2010NewJerseywel-comedthegrandopeningofGodfatherAirsoftCQBArena,locatedinFlemingtonNJ.Over500airsoftersfloodedthedoorstothearenaeagertotesttheirmettleagainsteachotherinaCQBenvironment. GodfatherAirsoftstoreinGreen-brookNJisownedandoperatedbyPatDimarzo.Asastoreownerfor5yearsPatenvisionedasafeareawhereairsofterscouldplay,fullyinsuredandsupervise,soplansweresetinmotion.InitiallyitwasadifficultprocesstofindtherightcombinationofspaceandatownthatwouldallowanAirsoftarenasuchasthis.AccordingtoPat,Ittookabout10townspreviouslybeforetheyendedupinFlemingtonNJ. Thearenahasafrontareastorefrontthatregistration,gearsales,bbsales,rentalsandchronoingarehandled.ThesecondleveliswheretheyhaveputtablesforthestagingofequipmentandtooverlooktheCQBarenaitself.Thearenaismadeoutofcementflooring,andthestructuresaremadeoutofplywood.Eachstructureismovabletorear-rangetheflowofthefield. Thefieldarrangementattheopen-ingwaseachsidewasamazeofwallswithstructuresinthecenterandtwolonghallwaysrunningendtoend.Thereare“deadbox”areasattherearandthefrontofthearenaforeliminatedplayerstowaitforgameend. RulesandregulationsarequitenormalforindoorCQBasFPSlimitsare350fpswith.20gbb’ssemiautoonly,under300fps,youareallowedfullautousage.Fullfaceprotectionismandatory,17andunderarerequiredfullpaintballlikemasksandover18areallowedtowearshemaghs,balaclavas,oranythingelsethatreducestheimpactofthebb,butthefacemustbecovered.Absolutelynomeshgogglesallowed. Ifyoudon’thavethenecessaryequipmenttoplayatthearena,rentalsare

available.RentalsincludeECHO1USA’sfullcomplimentofshortbarreledSMG’s,m4type,andAKtypes.Masks,andchestprotectionareavailablealso. Atthebeginningofeachgame,refer-eesgivethesafetybriefandseteachgroupattheirrespectiveside.Thentherefssituatethemselvesoutofthedirectlineoffirefortheinitialstartofthegame. Sincethereweresomanyplayersthatdayrefsneededtopackinthehousewith10vs10,andeven15vs15playerforceonforcegamestokeepeveryonesatisfiedwithtimeonthearena.Eachplayerunderstoodthatsinceitwastheopening,theyshouldbepatientwithbothotherplayersandrefssoeverythingranquitesmoothly.Laterintheafternoon/eveningwhenthecrowddieddown,bombdiffuse,protecttheVIP,andothergamesweremixedin. Overallthemoodwasenjoyablewitheveryoneattending.Thearenaiswellstaffedwithbothrefsandcounteremployees.Patsuppliedeveryonewhoattendedwithapizzaandsodalunchtothankeveryoneforcoming.Laterintheevening,GodfatherAirsoftraffledoffaECHO1USAZombatstrikerAEGandotherGasBlowbackPistolsforattendees. Pathasalotofplansintheworksforthisarena,whichincludessafetytraining,tournaments,anallwomansleague,andlawenforcementtraining.Healsoplansonopen-inganoutdoorfieldinthenearfuture.HenotonlywantsplayerstobesafeandresponsiblebuttohelptrytopromoteAirsoftinNJ. Formoreinformationpleasesee:www.godfatherairsoft.comorwww.gfairsof-tarena.comforlocation,pricing,rulesandregulations,andarenahours.ManythankstoPatandhisstaffatGODFATHERSAIRSOFTARENAforopeningupagreatfacilityandforhostingus!

ARTICLE BY: CHAIRSOFT STAFF WRITER / PICTURES BY MARC CHAIRD

51

ARTICLE BY: CHAIRSOFT STAFF WRITER / PICTURES BY MARC CHAIRDGODFATHER AIRSOFT CQB ARENA REVIEW

52

Sinceallairsoftersknowthatairsoftisamaledominatedsport,itwasnicetohearofaninitiativetointroduceairsofttofemalesandtotrainandplay.OnfridayApril9,2010Chairsoftmaga-zine.comwasinvitedtothefirstmeetingofGodfa-therAirsoft’sG.A.Lmeeting. Girl’sAirsoftLeaguewasformedbyacollaborationwithPatDemarzoownerofGFAirsoftandJuliaKieran,aRealEstateagent,togatherwomenofallagestogetinvolvedinairsoftsincehersonisactiveinthesport.Juliaalwayswantedtoserveinthemilitarybutneverhadachanceto,soairsoftservedasawaytobothhonorthemenandwomenservicemembers;andtofulfilthatdreamofshootingarifleinanon-lethalmanner. GFAirsoftsetuptheleaguewithasafetytraining,givenby3activeU.S.armedforcesmem-bers.Sgt.JoeDiAntoniowhoisservingintheU.S.ArmyReservesfor10years.SgtAnthonyEspositowhoalsoisservingintheU.S.ArmyReservesfor5years.Lastly,JosephMarchesewhoisanactiveCoastGuardmemberfor3years. Thenightstartedofwithfood,introductionsandmostofallCAKE!.Aftertheinformalintroduc-tionsweremadealltheladiesmadetherewaydownintothearenatoreceivetheirsafetygoggles,chestprotectors,andrifles/smg’s.Asthetrainingstartedthesafetyprotocolswereexplainedtoalltheattendeesshowinghowtoproperlyhandleanairsoftrifle.Overallgamesafety,Loading,re-loading,proppershouldering,andamingwereothertopicstrainedon. Stationarytargetsweresetupfordrillsastheladieslaughedandenjoyedthemselvesastheypulledthetrigger,amazedathowfastthebb’sfireoutoftherifle.Aftertheinitialsafetytrainingwasdone,organizedCQBgameswereplayedandallparticipantscameawaywiththebetterappreciationofAirsoftandthetacticsusedinCQB.TheGAL’smeetonceamonthandformoreinformationpleasevisitwww.gfairsoftarena.com.

GAL’sPROFILE:

Name:SarahJ.Age:18Town:RingoesNJ

Q:Howdidyougetinvolvedintoairsoft?SJ:AfriendofminetoldmeaboutGFairsoftafterIcom-plainedabouttherewerenoairsoftarenasneabyandhowmuchIwantedtoplay.IsupposeallthegamingIdogotmeevenmoreinterestedintryingairsofthahah.

Q:Wouldyourecommendyourgirlfriendstoplayairsoft?SJ:Airsoftisn’tforeveryone,butIencourageeveryonetoatleasttryitonce.I’mstillrecruitingsomefriendstocomeplay.

Q:HowdidyougetinvolvedwithGAL’s?SJ:IwasplayingwithsomeoftheguysonenightandPatDemarzomentionedthatIshouldcomebythemeetingonFridaynightbecausetherewasgoingtobeanallfemaleteam.Ifigureditwouldbeinterestingandthat’swhenImettheGALS.

Q:Whatdidyouenjoythemostaboutyourexperiencewiththetraining?SJ:I’vealreadyhadagoodgrasponthetacticsandskillsneededforairsoftbutitwasfunjusttowatchalltheladiesstartgettingthehangofit,andactuallyENJOYINGthem-selves.Itwasgoodtoseethattheyhadalotoffun.

Q:Whatdidyoulikeaboutthetraining?SJ:Ourinstructorsdidagreatjob.Theywereextremelypatientandcoveredallthebasicsaswellascritiquingev-eryone’smovesandgavehelpfultipswhichwouldbenefitusinplayingbetterlateron.

Q:Whatwouldyouimproveaboutthetrainingtomakeitmorebenefitialtothosewhowilltakeitlater?SJ:Iwouldn’tchangeathing!

GODFATHER AIRSOFT ARENA’sGIRLS AIRSOFT LEAGUEARTICLE BY: CHAIRSOFT STAFF WRITER

PICTURES BY: MARC CHAIRD

53

54

RETAILER HIGHLIGHT -: RETAILER HIGHLIGHT -: RETAILER HIGHLIGHT :- RETAILER

Chairsoftmagazine.comtraveledtoNorthWalesPAtovisitoneoftheirlocalretailersMontgom-eryvilleArmyNavyfor

ourfirstretailerhighlight.MontgomeryvilleArmyNavyoffersagreatonestopshoppingexperienceforairsoftersduetotheirverylargeselectionofuniforms,boots,andtacti-calgear.WeaskedMikeViverosownerandoperatorofthestoreafewquestions. ChairsoftMag.com:Howlonghaveyoubeeninbusiness? Mike V :Thestorehasbeeninbusi-nesssince1982,Iwashiredin1991,becamethepaintballmanagerin1998andpurchasedthebusinessin2007.

ChairsoftMag.com:Whendidyougetintroducedtoairsoft?Mike V:WestartedcarryingTheFirepowerbrandbackin2002or2003,alongwithsomelowreallylowqualitystuff.In2004or2005wegotafewTMsinbuttheydidn’tsellwell.WebroughtEcho1onboardinearly2008andthat’swhenthingstookoff.

ChairsoftMag.com:Doyouplay?Mike V :Yes,whenIcan.IplaywithC3afewtimesayear,mostlythebiggamesandaweekendgamehereandthere.

ChairsoftMag.com:howwelldoesairsoftsellinyourarea? Mike V :Verywell,wenowsellmoreAirsoftthanpaintball.Airsoftisabout25%ofourbusiness.

ChairsoftMag.com:whattypeofplayerpurchasesairsoftequipment?age?gender? Mike V :Alltypes.Wesellalotto12to18yearoldcrowd,butwealsosellto20-30andolder.MostlymalebutwehaveseenmorefemalespurchasinglatelybutIwouldsaylessthan10%ofourairsoftcus-tomersarefemale.

ChairsoftMag.com:whattypeofsafetysuggestionsdoyougivetonewplay-ers,bothoverandundertheageof18? Mike V :Firstoffwealwaysrecom-mendplayingatalicensed,sanctionedfieldwithanorganizationlikeC3.Asforsafetyequipmentwealwaysrecommendapaintballmaskforthoseunder18andafullsealz87ratedgogglesforeveryoneelse.Ifpeopleareplanningtoplayontheirownpropertyweencouragethemtocheckwiththeirlocalmunicipality,informtheirneighbors,andkeeptheorangetipsontheirguns.

55

RETAILER HIGHLIGHT -: RETAILER HIGHLIGHT -: RETAILER HIGHLIGHT :- RETAILER

ChairsoftMag.com:Whatcom-munitiesdoyousupport? Mike V :RightnowjustC3Airsoft.

ChairsoftMag.com:Doyouspon-sorgames? Mike V :YeswesponsoralloftheC3’sOperationsandBigGames.

ChairsoftMag.com:doyouseeyourstoregoingintoonlinesales? Mike V :Weareintheprocessofdoingthatrightnow.Ourwebsiteisbeingredesignedintoanonlinestore.Wearehop-ingtohavethatupandrunningbytheendofJune.

ChairsoftMag.com:doyouofferanyextendedwarrantyotherthatthemanu-facturerwarantee? Mike V :Currentlyno,wearealsointheprocessofgettingtamperproofstickersmadesowecanofferanextendedwarrantyandbulletproofwarrantyforrepairsandupgradeswedo.

ChairsoftMag.com:doyoufeelthattheairsoftmarketisexpanding?doyouexpecttoexpandwithitinregardstogear,weaponry,andaftermarketparts?Idofeelthemarketisexpanding.Ithink

Mike V :Idofeelthemarketisexpanding.Ithinkitwillbeinterestingtoseehowtheindustrykeepsupwiththedemandandwitheritisafadorthemarketwillmaintainitselfoveralongerperiodoftime. Weareconstantlylookingfornewairsoftandairsoftrelatedproductsforthestore.WejustsignedupwithTeamSDandTenergyBatteryCorporation.LastyearwewentdirectwithKWAandCondorOutdoorProducts.WearetryingtogetSystemas,andsomeofthehigherendaftermarketpartcompaniesaswell.Thatisprovingtobedif-ficultwiththelackofUSdistribution.WehavespokentoRedwolfbutnothinghascometofruitionasofyet.

Editorialnote:MontgomeryvilleArmyNavyalsorepairsandupgradesairsoftweaponry.Theyhaveafriendlyandknowledgablestaffthatisalsoreallypassionateaboutthegame.formoreinformationpleasegotowww.mon-tarmynavy.com.

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Chairsoft Magazine Issue 2

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